The next morning, Wei Liang sat cross-legged on his cot, the black crystal resting in his palm. Its faint glow pulsed rhythmically, almost like a heartbeat, but he had no idea what it was—or why the Voidshadow Panther had carried it.
As the first rays of sunlight filtered through the dormitory window, the System chimed softly in his mind.
[System Update Complete. New Ability Unlocked: Appraisal.]
Wei Liang blinked. "Appraisal? What does that mean?"
A translucent screen materialized in his vision, displaying the details.
[Appraisal: Allows Host to analyze items, people, and spiritual roots. Reveals hidden attributes and weaknesses. Use sparingly, as extensive use consumes Qi.]
His heart quickened. This ability could be a game-changer—especially when dealing with unknown threats or resources. Tentatively, he activated it, focusing on the black crystal.
[Item: Abyssal Core Shard]
[Type: Rare Spirit Artifact]
[Description: A fragment of condensed dark Qi, born from a Voidshadow Panther. Absorbing it will enhance Qi control and grant affinity with shadow techniques. Warning: Excess absorption may cause Qi imbalance.]
Wei Liang's eyes widened. The shard wasn't just valuable—it was dangerous. He debated telling Zhang Fei and Han Xun but decided against it for now. The warning about Qi imbalance made him cautious, but the potential benefits were too great to ignore.
Carefully, he placed the shard back into his satchel.
---
Morning Training
The outer disciples gathered in the courtyard, their breaths visible in the cool mountain air. Elder Cai and Elder Lin stood at the front, their sharp gazes surveying the group.
"No one here is ready for the inner sect," Elder Cai said bluntly, his gravelly voice cutting through the crowd. "None of you have reached the Body Tempering Realm. Some of you are barely in the first layers of the Qi Gathering Realm. If you're serious about progressing, you need to push harder."
Elder Lin stepped forward, her voice softer but no less firm. "Cultivation is a gradual process. Rushing to the next realm without a stable foundation will harm your future progress. Focus on reaching the ninth layer of the Qi Gathering Realm before attempting Body Tempering."
Wei Liang exchanged a glance with Zhang Fei and Han Xun. They were both in the early layers of the Qi Gathering Realm—around the third or fourth layer. Wei Liang himself had barely reached the second layer, a constant reminder of his weak spiritual root.
Still, the Abyssal Core Shard pulsed faintly in his satchel, its presence both comforting and unsettling.
---
Lin Ziyan's Arrogance
As the disciples began their individual training, Lin Ziyan's voice rang out. "Elder Cai, may I speak?"
The elder raised an eyebrow but gestured for him to continue.
Lin Ziyan stepped forward, his pristine robes catching the morning light. "I believe the standard for the inner sect is too low. Body Tempering should not be the only requirement. Those with exceptional spiritual roots, like myself, should be allowed to ascend early."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd. Wei Liang clenched his fists. Lin Ziyan wasn't wrong—his high-grade Heaven Root gave him an advantage most could only dream of—but his arrogance was unbearable.
Elder Cai's expression darkened. "The standards are set by the sect for a reason. Strength is not just about potential—it's about discipline and character. Do you question the judgment of the elders?"
Lin Ziyan faltered, his confidence cracking slightly. "Of course not, Elder Cai. I simply wish to point out that some of us are ready to contribute more to the sect."
Elder Cai snorted. "Then prove it in action, not words. Reach the ninth layer of Qi Gathering first."
Lin Ziyan's jaw tightened, but he bowed respectfully and stepped back.
---
After training, Wei Liang approached Zhang Fei and Han Xun, his mind still turning over the idea of using his new appraisal ability. It was risky—appraising people consumed Qi—but curiosity got the better of him.
"Hey," he said, leaning casually against a nearby post. "You've both been at this longer than me. What do you think about spiritual roots? Do they really matter that much?"
Zhang Fei shrugged. "They matter early on, sure. My Metal Root gives me good focus and precision, but it's slow when it comes to absorbing Qi. That's why I focus on technique over raw power."
Han Xun grinned. "And my Wood Root? I can train all day without breaking down. Stamina for days, remember? But speed and Qi attacks aren't my thing."
Wei Liang nodded thoughtfully. When Zhang Fei turned away for a moment, he activated Appraisal, focusing on her.
[Name: Zhang Fei]
[Spiritual Root: Mid-Grade Metal Root]
[Special Attributes: +20% Focus, +15% Precision. Weakness: Slow Qi Refinement.]
He blinked. The System's description aligned perfectly with what Zhang Fei had said. Turning to Han Xun, he activated it again.
[Name: Han Xun]
[Spiritual Root: Mid-Grade Wood Root]
[Special Attributes: +30% Stamina, +10% Qi Recovery. Weakness: Low Attack Speed.]
The information was fascinating. Spiritual roots shaped a cultivator's strengths and weaknesses, but they weren't everything. Both Zhang Fei and Han Xun had found ways to work around their limitations.
Wei Liang smiled faintly. "Thanks, both of you. It helps to hear that talent isn't everything."
"Of course it isn't," Zhang Fei said firmly. "If it were, Lin Ziyan would already be an elder, and we'd be groveling in the dirt. It's about how you use what you have."
Her words struck a chord. Wei Liang resolved to use his Appraisal ability sparingly, but when the time came, it could give him a critical edge—especially against someone like Lin Ziyan.
---
That evening, Wei Liang returned to the Spirit Mirror Pool for meditation. As he sat by the shimmering water, he couldn't resist activating Appraisal on himself.
[Name: Wei Liang]
[Spiritual Root: Low-Grade Earth Root (Destabilized)]
[Special Attributes: +10% Qi Endurance. Weaknesses: Reduced Absorption Speed, Latent Instability. Hidden Potential Detected.]
His breath caught. "Hidden potential?" he murmured. "What does that mean?"
The System chimed softly.
[Hidden Potential: Host's spiritual root possesses the ability to adapt and evolve. Conditions for unlocking are currently unknown.]
Wei Liang's heart raced. If his root could evolve, it could change everything. The journey ahead wouldn't be easy, but for the first time, he felt a glimmer of hope.
He rose to his feet, staring at his reflection in the pool. "I'll unlock it," he said quietly. "No matter what it takes."
The Abyssal Core Shard in his satchel pulsed faintly, as if in agreement.