"White Spirit Bone, also known as False Spirit Bone. Although it can still be used for cultivation, the progress is extremely slow, often taking decades to break through the opening gate realm. It's almost no different from a person without any spirit bone."
Zhao Linglong sighed and explained.
"If I am tested and found to have a White Spirit Bone, does that mean I can't become a disciple of the Seventh Peak?"
Xu Taiping hesitated for a moment, then finally asked the question he had been holding back. In his mind, the pill left by his grandfather would ensure his name appeared on the Spirit Bone Tablet, but it might not be able to fool the Qingxuan Sect's spirit bone test. After all, he knew very well that he had no spirit bone.
"That's true, but Taiping, since you were chosen by the Spirit Bone Tablet, even if you're not one of those rare Celestial Spirit Bones, at the very least, you'll have a Golden Spirit Bone. If not, you'll have a Profound Spirit Bone. It's impossible for you to have a White Spirit Bone."
Zhao Linglong said with certainty.
"Linglong is right. Disciples selected by the Spirit Bone Tablet are usually Golden Spirit Bones or even Celestial Spirit Bones. Junior Brother, there's no need to worry too much."
Qingxiao smiled and patted Xu Taiping on the head.
"Exactly. Even if you have a White Spirit Bone, there's no need to worry. Disciples with White Spirit Bones can still train at the foot of the mountain for three years. If they pass the test after three years, they can still become disciples of the Seven Peaks."
Zhao Linglong added with a smile.
"Mm."
Xu Taiping nodded, forcing a smile on his face. Hearing that even disciples with White Spirit Bones wouldn't be immediately sent away from the mountain, he felt a slight relief.
A moment later.
Qingxuan Sect, Dragon Gate Hall.
The hall was located on a floating mountain, surrounded by vibrant flowers, rare beasts, and strange creatures. The road to the top of the mountain was exceptionally rugged, and without Zhao Linglong and Qingxiao by his side, it would have taken Xu Taiping several days to make it to the peak.
"Who goes there?"
As they reached the open space in front of the hall, an elderly yet authoritative voice echoed out from within the hall, like ripples in the water.
"Seventh Peak, Du Gu Qingxiao."
"Seventh Peak, Zhao Linglong."
"Sixth Peak, Xu Ziyan."
"Greetings, Elder Black Dragon."
Upon hearing the voice, Qingxiao and the others respectfully introduced themselves while bowing deeply. Xu Taiping, although not familiar with Elder Black Dragon, followed their lead and bowed in the direction of the hall.
However, Lin Buyu remained completely calm, silently standing in place.
"What brings you all to the hall today?"
The elderly and authoritative voice spoke again.
"Today, my junior sister Ziyan from the Sixth Peak and I each brought back a disciple chosen by the Spirit Bone Tablet. We wish to have Elder Black Dragon test their spirit bones before returning to the peaks."
Qingxiao replied respectfully.
"Enter."
Soon, the voice from the Dragon Gate Hall echoed once more.
Inside the hall.
"This is… Elder Black Dragon?"
As soon as Xu Taiping entered the hall, he was startled by the sight of Elder Black Dragon seated in the center.
In the middle of the hall sat a massive man, his body incredibly sturdy, perched upon a giant palm fan. Xu Taiping, standing before him, felt as though he were facing a small hill.
What was even more terrifying was that although the man wore a purple satin robe and his body resembled that of an adult male, his head was akin to a fierce water serpent, grotesque and menacing.
"Elder Black Dragon's true form is a spirit serpent from the Xunyang River. He cultivated for five hundred years to take human form. Afterward, he followed our Qingxuan Sect's ancestor and became one of the sect's guardian spirit beasts. Though his appearance is frightening, he has a kind heart, so don't be afraid."
Zhao Linglong, seemingly anticipating that Xu Taiping would be frightened, quickly explained to him.
"Mm, Senior Sister, I'm not afraid."
Xu Taiping nodded. He was more surprised than scared.
"Junior Sister Ziyan, what a coincidence."
At that moment, a man in white walked out from beside Elder Black Dragon, accompanied by a young boy dressed in luxurious clothes.
"Senior Brother Jin?"
Upon seeing the man, Ziyan's brows furrowed involuntarily.
"What are you doing here?"
Qingxiao asked somewhat unceremoniously.
Although Xu Taiping didn't know the full story, he could tell from their expressions that both Ziyan and Qingxiao disliked this man.
"I was recently purging demons in Tianlang Kingdom and happened to find that the young prince of Tianlang had a spirit bone. I brought him up the mountain and thought I'd stop by Elder Black Dragon to have his spirit bone tested."
The man smirked as he spoke.
Throughout his speech, he never looked at Qingxiao, but instead, he shamelessly eyed Ziyan and Linglong.
"It's been a few years, and I didn't expect Junior Sister Linglong to have grown into a young lady."
He grinned lecherously at Zhao Linglong.
"Jin Hezhi, if you don't want those eyes, I can pluck them out for you right now."
Qingxiao stepped forward, blocking the man's gaze.
"Then I'd like to see…"
"Enough!"
Just as Jin Hezhi was about to argue, Elder Black Dragon, who had been silent with his eyes closed, suddenly opened them, revealing a pair of eerie golden vertical pupils.
"This is neither the Seven Peaks nor the First Peak. This is my Dragon Gate Hall."
Elder Black Dragon's gaze swept over both men.
"Yes."
Both Qingxiao and Jin Hezhi quickly stepped back.
"Bring the three children who will have their spirit bones tested."
Elder Black Dragon instructed while reaching into his sleeve to take out a dragon pearl.
This dragon pearl was as large as Xu Taiping's head, and it was completely translucent, like an amber sphere. A greenish aura continuously radiated from it, rippling like water waves.
Meanwhile, Xu Taiping, Lin Buyu, and the young prince in luxurious clothing stood in front of Elder Black Dragon.
"You three children, step forward one by one and place your hands on the dragon pearl."
Elder Black Dragon held the dragon pearl, his eyes scanning the three of them.
"I'll go first!"
As soon as he spoke, the young prince in luxurious clothes stepped forward and pressed his hand onto the dragon pearl.
Elder Black Dragon furrowed his brow but didn't say anything more.
"Close your eyes and concentrate. Only open them when I call for you."
Elder Black Dragon coldly instructed, and golden light began to radiate from his body. Streams of golden energy first gathered around the dragon pearl in his hand and then enveloped the young prince's body.
"Humm…"
Moments later, accompanied by a slight hum, the dragon pearl in Elder Black Dragon's hand shone brightly in golden light, and flames began to rise around it.
"Fire Elemental Golden Spirit Bone… it's actually a Fire Elemental Golden Spirit Bone! Hahaha!"
Seeing this, Jin Hezhi, who was standing beside Qingxiao, suddenly burst into loud laughter.
Although Elder Black Dragon looked displeased by Jin Hezhi's loudness, he didn't stop him, as having a Fire Elemental Golden Spirit Bone disciple in Qingxuan Sect was, in his opinion, a joyous occasion.