After eating the Minor Qi Restoration Pill, my body felt sleepy, and there was a constant headache, as if someone was trying to pry something out of my brain.
I tried to stay awake but couldn't resist sleep after five minutes of effort.
Then I fell asleep, and my mind began whirling as if it were trying to show me something.
The scene started with a child who looked about thirteen years old, resembling the person I saw when my soul entered this world and inhabited a child's body.
The child lay in bed, struggling to sleep, probably overexcited for the day ahead.
"Young Master, get up and get ready for the cultivators' test. If we're late, we'll have to wait another year," said a woman who looked about the same age as Xiao and wore a maid's costume.
"Ugh, five more minutes, please, Ling. I'll make sure I'm on time!" My voice came out before I realized I didn't have control over the body.
"You always say that, and every time, you oversleep," Ling pouted, pulling the blanket away from Xiao.
"Fine, fine! I'll get up; just give me five minutes to get dressed."
"Alright, but if you don't get up, I'm going to steal the Basic Qi Circulation Manual you've been saving up for," Ling threatened with a smile as she walked out of the room.
Xiao got up with a yawn and prepared for today's event, frowning as he said, "How did she know I had that when I've been hiding it from everybody?"
Thirty Minutes Later
Xiao found himself in a hall filled with around a hundred children of similar ages. Thousands of spectators lined the sides, as this was a once-a-year event.
On a platform in front of Xiao stood an older man with a very long beard. People around the stadium were calling him a Foundation Stage Expert from the Yingong Sect, one of the top mid-sects in the Qingyunguo country.
The older man announced, "My name is Cao Huan, and I will be the one controlling today's event. Come, children, I don't have much time. We will begin by calling you up one at a time to touch the Spirit Stone and find out what spirit roots you possess. After that, walk off the platform and head to your family."
He took out an orb and placed it on a pedestal.
"First is He Shi. Come up to the platform!"
A young man with a mohawk stepped up to the platform and placed his hand on the Spirit Stone. When he did, a small glow of red, green, and light emanated from the stone.
"He's going to have a good future with a Three-Element Spirit Root and might even be able to join a mid-tier sect," said one of the older women on the side.
He Shi walked off the platform, a smile on his face, and headed towards his family.
Then the next person was announced, and the next.
"Second is Xu Yongzheng. Come up to the platform!"
Xu Yongzheng walked up the platform with a look full of pride, as if he owned the world. He placed his hand on the Spirit Stone and ended up with a Single-Element Spirit Root, the Metal Spirit Root. Glancing at Xiao with a smirk, he started walking toward his family, basking in their praise.
"Third is Wang Lan..."
"..."
"Forty-Two is Mei Ling. Come up to the platform!"
"Good luck, Ling! I hope you get a good spirit root," Xiao called as he waved at her.
Ling waved back and said, "It probably won't be that good, knowing my background," before walking up to the platform to touch the Spirit Stone.
Once she made contact, the stone shone brightly with dark blue and dark green colors.
Oh, someone has gotten a dual-element spirit root, Cao Huan thought with a grin. 'If I can bring her to the sect, I might just be able to acquire a better cultivation technique'.
"Hey, Mei Ling, take this pass to the Yingong Sect, and you'll be able to become an inner sect disciple." Cao Huan handed Ling a sect token, hoping to attract her to the sect without seeming too greedy.
"Thanks for the offer, but I won't be accepting it. I have to serve Young Master," Ling replied, stepping off the platform with a big smile on her face and running to hug Xiao.
"I did it, Young Master! Now I won't be useless anymore."
"You were never useless, Ling. No matter what spirit root you have, you will always be my personal maid."
Just then, the next announcement rang out.
"Forty-Three is Wang Fu. Come up to the platform."
"..."
"Sixty-Nine is Chen Xiao. Please come up to the platform."
As Xiao prepared to walk up to the platform, he heard a taunt behind him.
"Oh, Young Master Xiao, I wonder if your family will be able to save you again if you get a bad spirit root," sneered a person with a taunting expression, flanked by three lackeys.
"Xu Yongzheng, if you know what's best for you, then you'll leave me alone," Xiao replied, trying to keep his composure.
"Oh, Xiao, and what are you going to do? Cry to your family again?" Xu mocked.
Xiao ignored him and continued walking toward the platform.
"Just put your hand on the Spirit Stone," Cao Huan urged, hoping there wouldn't be another disappointment.
Xiao placed his hand on the Spirit Stone, and after a few seconds, nothing happened.
Another without a spirit root, Cao Huan sighed.
"This can't be happening," Xiao muttered, despair flooding his face.
"There has to be a mistake! Please switch the stones!" he begged Cao Huan.
"Don't be rude, boy. I've been patient until now. Don't make me get physical."
With a face of despair, Xiao hurried off the stage, not bothering to look for his family.
"Come on, Ling, let's leave," Xiao said, trying to exit with Ling, but someone blocked his path.
"Oh, Xiao! You better make sure I don't get a hold of you, boy, because if I do, I will become your worst nightmare," Xu Yongzheng said with a smirk. "Ling, why don't you leave that boy for me?"
"I will never betray Young Master for you, no matter what you offer!" Ling declared, following Xiao as he sidestepped Xu Yongzheng and hurried away.
"Young Master, wait for me!" Ling called, but Xiao was already rushing off.
After a while, when Xiao finally got home, he desperately grasped Ling's hand and asked, "You won't leave me, right?"
"Never, Young Master."
Five years flew by quickly.