Azure Spring Sect – Spirit Root Awakening Ceremony
A vast open courtyard stretched beneath the evening sky, bathed in the golden hues of the setting sun. Hundreds of outer disciples stood in neat rows, their faces filled with anticipation and nervous energy. Today was the annual Spirit Root Awakening Ceremony, a day that would determine their future.
At the center of the courtyard stood an ancient stone altar, carved with glowing runes pulsating with spiritual energy. This was the Heavenly Soul Mirror, an artifact that revealed a cultivator's talent.
The sect elders sat on an elevated pavilion, their gazes sharp and impassive. Among them, Elder Han, known for his ruthless discipline, watched with a scrutinizing gaze. The Sect Master, an aged yet dignified man with flowing azure robes, observed the proceedings in silence.
One by one, disciples stepped forward, placing their hands on the Heavenly Soul Mirror. With each touch, dazzling lights burst forth, signifying their spirit root's strength.
"Yellow-grade spirit root!"
"Green-grade spirit root! Quite decent!"
"Blue-grade spirit root! A genius!"
Gasps of admiration filled the air. Each time a higher-ranked spirit root appeared, cheers erupted among the disciples.
Then, a name was called.
"Li Zhen! Step forward!"
A young man with an ordinary appearance but sharp eyes stepped forth. Li Zhen, an orphan raised by the sect, had no noble background nor strong connections. Yet today, he hoped to change his fate.
Clenching his fists, he approached the Heavenly Soul Mirror, his heart pounding.
He reached out, placing his palm onto the cold, smooth surface. The courtyard fell into silence, waiting for the response.
Seconds passed.
Nothing happened.
A minute passed.
Still, nothing.
Whispers spread like wildfire.
"Wait… why is there no reaction?"
"Could it be…?"
"Hahaha!" A loud burst of laughter erupted from the crowd. Wei Tao, a tall and broad-shouldered disciple, smirked mockingly. "Even trash with a Yellow-grade root had some reaction! But you—there's nothing at all! What a joke!"
Elder Han's expression darkened. He stood up, his sharp eyes drilling into Li Zhen. "This can only mean one thing—he has no spirit root at all!"
A collective gasp ran through the disciples.
No spirit root? That meant Li Zhen was completely talentless! In the world of cultivation, those without a spirit root were no different from mortals. They would never step onto the path of power.
The Sect Master let out a long sigh. "Li Zhen… you were raised by our sect out of kindness. But now, we see that you are a waste of resources."
Li Zhen's blood turned cold. A waste? Was this what all his years in the sect amounted to?
"Please, Sect Master!" A gentle voice interrupted. Xiao Mei, a young girl with kind eyes, stepped forward. "Li Zhen may not have a spirit root, but he has trained diligently every day! He—"
"Enough!" Elder Han's voice was like thunder. "This is a place for cultivators, not weaklings who cannot cultivate!"
Wei Tao smirked, stepping closer. "You should just accept it, Li Zhen. A dog will always be a dog. No matter how much you bark, you'll never be a dragon."
Laughter echoed through the courtyard.
Li Zhen felt humiliation burn in his chest, but he forced himself to remain silent. His nails dug into his palm, but his face showed no emotion.
"Very well," the Sect Master finally spoke. "Li Zhen is to be exiled to the Valley of Fallen Stars."
Silence.
The Valley of Fallen Stars was a land of ferocious beasts and deadly dangers. No one below the Foundation Establishment Realm could survive there.
This was not punishment.
It was a death sentence.
Xiao Mei paled. "Sect Master, you can't! That's—"
"This is the rule of our sect." The Sect Master's voice was heavy but firm. "He has no future here."
The final verdict had been given.
Li Zhen bowed deeply, his face unreadable. "I… understand."
Yet, deep within his eyes, a flicker of determination ignited.
They thought this was the end for him.
They were wrong.
This was only the beginning.