"Alright, everyone out! Follow me to the Spirit Testing Hall. Whether you possess the fate to tread the immortal path will soon be revealed."
Steward Liu appeared in the cabin, addressing the crowd. Gazing at the eager and hopeful expressions of the young boys and girls, he sighed quietly, reluctant to crush their dreams.
After all, reality would strike like a hammer soon enough, shattering their illusions of immortality. It was a scene he had witnessed countless times: groups arriving in neat rows, only to leave just as neatly, with no one left behind.
Following the steward, Lu Bingxuan merged into the crowd, stepping off the flying boat. Those who had accompanied Liu earlier took the lead—selected by wealth and deemed the most promising to awaken spirit roots.
The Spirit Testing Hall was a quiet, unassuming space. Only a few monolithic stones engraved with mystical runes stood in the center. It lacked the grandeur one might expect from an Ascension Conference, but that was inevitable.
With so many mundane mortals attending, most of whom would fail to awaken a spirit root, this preliminary test was necessary to sift through the masses.
Meanwhile, the aristocratic youths from the flying boat's deck bypassed this hall entirely, heading straight to the floating palaces above for the true Ascension Conference.
"Oh? Steward Liu, back so soon? I thought your assignment took you to the most remote area," called a man in black robes from within the hall.
"I was fortunate to catch a ride on an elder's flying boat, so my return was much faster," Liu replied.
As they exchanged pleasantries, the once-quiet hall grew increasingly noisy, drawing the ire of a red-robed cultivator.
"Silence! Form lines and proceed one at a time to touch the Spirit Stones," he barked, performing a quick gesture that caused the runes on the stones to dissipate.
Steward Liu muttered under his breath, "Fire cultivators… always so hot-headed."
The crowd jolted into action, hastily organizing themselves into lines. At the front of one line stood Wu Gongzi, his steps unsteady as he approached the stone.
Before he could touch it, someone in a neighboring line pressed their hand against the Spirit Stone. A pale, feeble glow flickered.
"Trash root. No fate for immortality. Next," a cultivator declared flatly.
The boy froze, staring at the stone in disbelief. He tried again, running his hand over the surface, but the dim light remained unchanged. A force suddenly repelled him from the stone.
"Move along. Your aptitude won't change no matter how many times you touch it. Immortal fate is a rare thing," the cultivator said, his words cutting through the boy's fragile dreams like a blade.
Wu Gongzi, watching his friend leave in despair, forced himself to turn away. Trembling, he extended his hand to the stone. This time, the stone glowed with a faint yellow hue.
"Middle-grade Earth Root," announced the cultivator.
Steward Liu's eyebrows rose in surprise. "Well, I'll be. I hit the nail on the head."
"Yes! Yes! I have a spirit root!" Wu Gongzi cried, his chubby face trembling with excitement. His jubilation was so over-the-top that Lu Bingxuan barely suppressed the urge to mutter, You lucky b*st*rd.
The scene reignited the crowd's hopes, but as one after another touched the stones, dim, pale lights continued to dominate.
Then, a black-robed cultivator entered the hall, prompting the other cultivators to instinctively bow in respect.
"No need for formalities. Continue with the testing. I'm just here to observe," the man said, his expression unreadable.
"Brother Mingxu! What brings you here? Isn't there more excitement at the White Jade Platform above?" Steward Liu asked curiously.
"There's a fire-element Heavenly Root up there," Mingxu replied curtly.
Understanding dawned on Steward Liu. No wonder Mingxu looked sour—the emergence of a fire-element Heavenly Root meant his Water Faction would be suppressed for the next century. The rivalry between the Fire and Water Factions was fierce, even within a united sect like Changsheng Dao Sect.
Suppressing his frustration, Steward Liu refocused on the testing.
Finally, it was Lu Bingxuan's turn. His calm and confident demeanor stood in stark contrast to the anxious crowd, catching Steward Liu's attention.
Though Liu had already completed his recruitment task, any extra discoveries would earn him additional rewards. He hoped this young man would surprise him, much like Wu Gongzi.
But as Lu Bingxuan placed his hand on the stone, not even a pale glow appeared.
"Trash root. Next," the cultivator declared dismissively.
"Wait… what?" Lu Bingxuan was stunned, silently cursing the system.
"You lying system! You promised me a Heavenly Root! Why am I still trash? Did you sell me a fake?"
[Ding! System Reminder: I'm a melon seller. Do you think I'd sell you a raw melon?][Explanation: The Spirit Stone tests affinity with the five elements. Simply put, your root is too advanced for this basic stone, which can only detect up to Superior Roots. Heavenly Roots are beyond its capabilities.]
Realization struck Lu Bingxuan. Of course! For mortals who could barely achieve Middle-Grade Roots, a stone capable of detecting Superior Roots was already exceptional.
He was likely the first Heavenly Root user in the sect's history.
Before he could explain, someone nearby shouted, "Impossible! There must be something wrong with the stone!"
"Hey, that's my line!" Lu Bingxuan thought, rolling his eyes.
Mingxu silenced the protester with a flick of his sleeve, sending the boy flying. His gaze then fell on Lu Bingxuan, his hand ready to repeat the gesture.
"This stone isn't broken! It's me… I'm the problem," Lu Bingxuan said hastily, his lips twitching.
Satisfied with the rational response, Mingxu was about to turn away when Lu Bingxuan blurted, "It's because I have a Heavenly Water Root, and the stone can't detect it!"
The room fell silent. Those who had been tested, whether for Trash or Mortal Roots, stared at him, relieved they hadn't lost their minds like this lunatic.
"Spouting nonsense!" Steward Liu's face darkened.
Originally, Liu had been impressed by Lu Bingxuan's determination and hardship, even going out of his way to bring him along. Now, he deeply regretted it.
Wu Gongzi approached, handing Lu Bingxuan a silver ingot. "Here, take this. It's my last fifty taels. Use it to see a good doctor after you leave."
Mingxu, however, was intrigued. "What makes you think you have a Heavenly Root?"
Realizing this was his chance, Lu Bingxuan steeled himself. A thousand excuses raced through his mind, but he settled on one.
"I had a dream," he said. "An immortal appeared to me and recited a poem, guiding me to Changsheng Dao Sect."
Mingxu's interest was piqued. "What poem?"
Lu Bingxuan took a deep breath and recited, "In the Jade Capital of Heaven, with twelve towers and five cities, the immortal stroked my crown and bestowed upon me the path of eternal life."