Lin Tian couldn't shake the feeling that his life had changed forever. The golden glow that had radiated from his chest—it was unlike anything he had ever experienced. The old man, who was now eyeing him with a mixture of awe and respect, slowly leaned in closer.
"Boy, that light... it came from your spirit root," the vendor said, his voice low and filled with wonder.
"Spirit root?" Lin Tian repeated, still confused. "What's that?"
The old man's eyes gleamed with excitement. "You see, every cultivator is born with a spirit root, a unique power deep within their body. It determines what kind of cultivation path they can follow. Some are born with pure, strong spirit roots, which allow them to rise quickly in the cultivation world. Others… well, not so much."
Lin Tian frowned. "So… my spirit root is special?"
"Not exactly," the old man muttered, scratching his chin. "The glow you emitted isn't a sign of greatness, but rather... weakness. The brighter the glow, the stronger the spirit root. But if it's faint or dull, like yours, then... well, it means you'll face much more difficulty in your cultivation journey. You're like a person with no talent for martial arts trying to wield the strongest sword. The odds are against you."
Lin Tian's heart sank. Weakness? Was he just destined to be a nobody, even in this strange world? But the old man's next words brought a flicker of hope.
"But not all is lost. There's a place you can go—a sect where you can learn to cultivate and potentially enhance your spirit root. It's called the Azure Cloud Sect."
"The Azure Cloud Sect?" Lin Tian echoed. "Where is it?"
"It's not far from here," the old man said. "If you want to cultivate, it's your best bet. But I warn you, they don't accept just anyone. Only those with potential make it past the entrance trials. If you fail… well, they won't hesitate to throw you out."
Lin Tian stood up, determination flickering in his eyes. "Then I'll go. I won't let my fate be decided by a weak spirit root."
The old man watched him for a moment before nodding. "Good. You have guts, kid. But remember, the road ahead won't be easy."
After traveling for hours along winding roads and dense forests, Lin Tian finally arrived at the Azure Cloud Sect. It was a massive, majestic complex built into the side of a mountain, with tall spires that seemed to pierce the very sky. He could feel the aura of power emanating from the sect—this was a place for true cultivators.
Upon entering the sect's outer gates, Lin Tian was greeted by a cold, efficient disciple who handed him a token and gestured toward a large courtyard. "Your trial begins now. Follow the path to the arena. There, you'll face the Sect Elder's judgment."
With a mixture of nerves and anticipation, Lin Tian walked toward the arena. His heart was pounding. What kind of test awaited him? Could he really prove himself worthy of a place in this sect?
As he entered the arena, Lin Tian was met with a stunning sight. Standing at the center was a tall, elegant woman draped in flowing white robes. Her long, dark hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall, and her eyes were sharp and calculating. Despite her grace, there was an undeniable aura of authority surrounding her. She looked like someone who could crush you with a single glance.
"Who are you?" the woman asked, her voice clear but tinged with authority.
"Lin Tian, senior. I'm here for the trial," he said, trying to keep his voice steady.
She looked him up and down, an amused smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "So, you're the one the Azure Cloud Sect is allowing to try out? How interesting."
Lin Tian's face flushed, but he stood tall. He couldn't let her demean him before even starting.
"Now, let's see what kind of spirit root you have." She raised one hand, and a pulse of spiritual energy swirled around her fingers. A bright light appeared, and Lin Tian instinctively stepped forward. He held his breath, waiting for the results.
The light flickered once, then dimmed. A deep frown crossed her face. "Hmm, a mediocre spirit root at best. You've got a faint glow, like a fire just struggling to stay alive. Not exactly promising for a cultivator."
Lin Tian's chest tightened. He had hoped for more, but this was the reality of his situation. Still, he refused to show weakness.
The woman's eyes narrowed. "Let me make this simple for you. I will test your physical strength. If you have the willpower to endure, I will let you try to enter the sect. Fail, and you will be discarded."
With a swift motion, the woman summoned a long whip of glowing spiritual energy. Without warning, she lashed out, the whip crackling with power.
Lin Tian tried to dodge, but his body wasn't quick enough. The whip struck him across the chest with a loud crack, sending him stumbling back. He gasped for air, pain exploding across his skin. But even as he tried to push through the pain, she struck again.
"You're weak," she said coldly. "You'll never survive here."
Something inside Lin Tian snapped. The humiliation, the pain—he couldn't take it anymore. He clenched his fist and grabbed a nearby stone, his hands trembling from rage.
With a yell, he hurled the rock toward her. The woman barely flinched as the stone flew, but just before it hit her, she raised her hand. The stone froze in mid-air, then shattered into dust.
Before Lin Tian could react, her grip was on his throat, lifting him off the ground effortlessly. "How dare you?" she hissed, her eyes filled with cold fury.
Lin Tian's vision blurred as his feet dangled helplessly. He spat in her face, defiantly.
The woman's eyes darkened. "You're an insolent, foolish little boy. But you're not done yet."
With a snap of her fingers, Lin Tian felt his heart seize with pain. She hit him squarely in the chest, sending him crashing to the ground. His ribs cracked under the force, but there was no time to recover.
As he staggered to his feet, his anger flared. He looked up, glaring at her with all the fury he could muster.
"You think I'm just going to bow down to you?" he shouted, his voice raw with anger. Without thinking, he lashed out with his foot, kicking her between the legs.
The woman gasped, a rare expression of shock crossing her face. But her anger flared hotter. She snapped her fingers again, and a fiery talisman appeared in the air. It shot toward Lin Tian with the speed of lightning, slamming into his chest.
Fire erupted around him, scorching his skin. Lin Tian screamed in pain as his body was engulfed by the flames. His clothes burned away, and his body felt like it was on the verge of disintegrating.
But even as the fire consumed him, something inside Lin Tian shifted. The burning pain ignited a deeper fury, a desire to survive that he never knew he had. His spirit root, weak as it was, began to awaken further—tapping into the primal anger and defiance that surged through his veins.
As the fire burned brighter, his mind cleared, and his eyes gleamed with a newfound resolve.