"Senior Brother Jin, I've already told you, I am no ordinary spirit bone."
At this moment, the young man in fine clothes also opened his eyes. Upon seeing the changes in the Dragon Pearl, his face immediately lit up with smugness.
Xu Taiping remained perfectly calm, neither envious nor jealous. The same could be said for Lin Buyu standing next to him.
"Little one, what's your name?"
Black Dragon Elder asked as he withdrew the Dragon Pearl and turned to the haughty young man.
"I am the Ninth Prince of the Tianlang Kingdom. My surname is Ye, and my given name is Xuan. I have cultivated since childhood..."
"Alright, you can step aside."
Before the young man could finish speaking, Black Dragon Elder waved his hand, signaling for him to leave, clearly displeased with his arrogant attitude.
Although Ye Xuan was somewhat displeased, he dared not speak any further and could only sulkily step aside to join Leng Hezhi.
"You, come forward."
At this moment, Black Dragon Elder pointed at Lin Buyu.
Lin Buyu nodded, then took small steps forward and placed her hand on the Dragon Pearl.
Seeing this, Zi Yan of the Sixth Peak couldn't help but feel a tightness in her chest.
Although the Spirit Bone Tablet rarely makes mistakes, there was still a possibility, because cultivators with Golden Spirit Bones or Xuan Spirit Bones have far different potential than those with other types of bones, not to mention the different qualities of spirit bones.
So, it would be impossible for Zi Yan to remain calm.
"Humm..."
With another soft hum, the Dragon Pearl in Black Dragon Elder's hand once again radiated golden light. However, this time, the flames surrounding the Dragon Pearl crackled with electric sparks.
"It's Thunder Variant Bone, and it's a Golden Spirit Bone-level Thunder Variant!"
Upon seeing this, even the usually reserved Zi Yan couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.
"Congratulations, Junior Sister Zi Yan. A Thunder Variant Bone at the Golden Spirit Bone level, it's been hundreds of years since our Qingxuan Sect has seen one."
"Congratulations, Junior Sister Zi Yan. You've found such a great treasure for the Sixth Peak, you must treat us to a meal at the Drunken Immortal Tavern when you get back."
Qingxiao and Linglong immediately stepped forward to congratulate.
"Junior Sister Zi Yan, congratulations."
Leng Hezhi also reluctantly stepped forward to offer his congratulations.
"Hahaha..."
At this moment, Black Dragon Elder, who had been expressionless until now, suddenly burst out in a hearty laugh. His voice reverberated through the hall.
"One Thunder, One Fire, both Golden Spirit Bones, our Qingxuan Sect has a bright future!"
Xu Taiping, who was observing everything quietly, still felt calm. However, when Lin Buyu passed by him, he whispered, "Congratulations, Buyu."
Lin Buyu turned and glanced at Xu Taiping, then nodded and said, "Thank you."
Both of them had a temperament that remained unperturbed by praise or insult, though Lin Buyu appeared slightly colder.
"Little one, it's your turn."
At this moment, Black Dragon Elder's voice rang out again.
Xu Taiping raised his head and met Black Dragon Elder's expectant gaze.
Qingxiao and Linglong immediately grew tense, and both turned their eyes to Xu Taiping.
"Yes."
Xu Taiping nodded calmly after meeting Black Dragon Elder's gaze.
Then, under the watchful eyes of everyone, Xu Taiping placed his hand on the Dragon Pearl and began to concentrate, closing his eyes.
"Humm..."
As he felt a warm force slowly enveloping him, soon, he sensed the Dragon Pearl in his hand trembling.
When Xu Taiping opened his eyes, he saw that the once-transparent Dragon Pearl had now turned a pale white, resembling the color of a wild animal's skeleton left abandoned by the roadside.
"As expected."
Xu Taiping murmured to himself.
His suspicion had been correct. Although the pill left to him by his grandfather had allowed his name to appear on the Spirit Bone Tablet, it could not make him a true spirit bone holder.
"White... White Bone?"
Looking at the white-boned Dragon Pearl, Zhao Linglong's eyes were filled with disbelief.
Although Qingxiao did not speak, his expression clearly showed his own surprise was not less than Zhao Linglong's.
"The Spirit Bone Tablet actually picked out a white bone, your Seventh Peak's luck has remained as bad as ever."
Leng Hezhi from the First Peak suddenly laughed again upon seeing this, his voice laced with sarcasm.
"You!"
Zhao Linglong was about to retort, but was stopped by Qingxiao.
"Black Dragon Elder, may I request another test?"
Qingxiao respectfully asked.
"Qingxiao, you should know very well that this Dragon Pearl will not make a mistake."
Black Dragon Elder solemnly replied.
"Sigh..."
Qingxiao let out a long sigh.
"Zi Yan, Leng Hezhi, take this little one down the mountain. There is nothing more for you here."
Black Dragon Elder raised his head and glanced at Zi Yan and Leng Hezhi.
"Black Dragon Elder, Junior Brother Qingxiao, Junior Sister Linglong, farewell."
Leng Hezhi smiled as he took Ye Xuan's hand and turned to leave.
"Senior Brother Leng, our Qingxuan Sect wouldn't even accept a white bone, would we?"
"Such waste, our First Peak would never accept him."
Their conversation reached Qingxiao and Linglong's ears, and both were infuriated, but they were powerless to stop it.
Zi Yan understood that the two were upset, so she said nothing and took Lin Buyu with her as they left.
After the others left, Black Dragon Elder slowly opened his eyes.
"A white bone cannot qualify to become a Seven Peak disciple. You may either stay at the base mountain as an unregistered disciple for three years and challenge the Seven Peaks selection after that, or you can leave the mountain immediately."
His gaze shifted to Xu Taiping, who was standing silently, waiting for him to make a choice.
"Taiping..."
"Let him decide for himself."
Zhao Linglong was about to say something but was interrupted by Black Dragon Elder.
Zhao Linglong sighed and fell silent.
"If I pass the Seven Peaks selection, could I still join the Seventh Peak and become Junior Brother to Senior Sister Linglong and Senior Brother Qingxiao?"
Xu Taiping did not immediately respond to Black Dragon Elder but turned to Qingxiao and Linglong.
"I can guarantee this to you. If you pass the selection, the doors of the Seventh Peak will surely open for you."
Qingxiao said seriously.
He felt a bit guilty for not bringing Xu Taiping up the mountain earlier.
"Taiping, it's good if you pass the selection, but it's very difficult."
Linglong shook her head with a worried look.
Xu Taiping smiled at Linglong and then turned to Black Dragon Elder.
"Elder, I would like to stay at the base mountain and train for three years."
He would not go back on his word to his grandfather.
Upon hearing Xu Taiping's decision, Black Dragon Elder nodded indifferently and took out a jade slip, handing it to Xu Taiping.
"Take this jade slip. Someone will take you down the mountain and explain what you need to pay attention to next."
"Thank you, Elder."
Xu Taiping took the jade slip.
"Black Dragon Elder, this child was brought up by me. I will be the one to take him down and settle him."
Linglong stepped forward and requested.
"Seven Peak disciples are not allowed to casually leave the mountain or interfere with things at the base, but... since he was brought up by you, I will make an exception."
After a brief pause, Black Dragon Elder nodded, granting her request.
"Thank you, Black Dragon Elder!"
Linglong was overjoyed at the approval.
"You can't stay on the base mountain for more than two hours. Also, don't try anything funny. I don't care what happens on the Seven Peaks, but anything that happens on the base will not escape my senses, even the breaking of a blade of grass."
Black Dragon Elder warned Linglong.
"Rest assured, Elder. I promise I won't do anything unnecessary."
Linglong stuck out her tongue and grinned, assuring the Elder.
A moment later.
In front of the Dragon Gate Hall.
"Junior Sister, I must report to the Master. Please take care of Taiping. It will be difficult to visit him after this."
Qingxiao instructed Linglong.
"Senior Brother, don't worry. I will arrange everything."
Linglong reassured him.
Qingxiao nodded, then leapt into the air, stepping on a jade flute, his figure streaking like a beam of light through the air.
"Let's go, Taiping. We'll register you, then find a place where you can both cultivate and earn merit."
Linglong clapped Xu Taiping on the shoulder and smiled.
"Earn merit?"
Xu Taiping asked, confused.
"Yes."
Linglong sighed and explained,