"Master, I will cultivate diligently and not shame you!" Zhang Ergou glared at the retreating back of Master Chunyang, speaking in a deep voice.
"Good disciple, I am very pleased you have such aspirations. The path of cultivation is not just about comparing yourself to others," Master Chunyang said with a stern expression.
"It is also about competing with yourself, breaking through your limits, and challenging your own boundaries."
"For now, I will take the two of you to test your spiritual roots." Master Chunyang was very curious about the spiritual roots of Zhang Ergou and Liu Cuilan. He eagerly awaited their test results.
Zhang Ergou and Liu Cuilan followed closely behind Master Chunyang. Along the way, many people greeted Master Chunyang. Master Chunyang nodded with a smile each time, indicating his good rapport within the sect. Of course, this was also due to his cultivation and status. Master Chunyang was the foremost figure below the Nascent Soul stage in the Misty Sect, and his high standing was the reason for such respect.
"Uncle-Master Chunyang, you're taking disciples this year too?" The elder in charge of the testing looked at Master Chunyang in shock. Ever since Master Chunyang broke through to the late stage of Golden Core, he had not accepted any disciples. After so many years, Chunyang had broken his own rule set years ago. This was definitely the biggest news of the year for the Misty Sect.
Zhang Ergou and Liu Cuilan immediately drew everyone's attention. Looking at their ordinary appearance and ragged clothes, the person in charge of the testing suspected that Master Chunyang might have found them on the way back and brought them to the Misty Sect out of pity.
"Feng Shun, is it still you presiding over the new disciple spirit root tests this year? How is it, any promising talents?" Master Chunyang did not directly answer the elder's question. At his current status, he acted as he pleased and would not explain himself to juniors.
"Yes, Uncle-Master. I am still in charge of this matter. So far, no exceptional talents have been found. However, the two disciples brought by Uncle-Master Xiayang, though young, have already reached the late stage of Qi Refining and are currently undergoing spirit root testing."
"Uncle-Master, allow me to escort you inside!" The elder, named Feng Shun, was very respectful. The Misty Sect had a special testing room for spirit root assessments. Only the person being tested and their master were allowed inside during the test. Dedicated disciples would conduct the tests and then report the results to the person in charge. Finally, after all tests were completed, the results and assigned classes would be announced.
With Master Chunyang's status, these rules were naturally not an obstacle for him. Therefore, Feng Shun was very happy to oblige him.
"That would be excellent. I also want to see what kind of remarkable disciples Xiayang has taken," Master Chunyang said. Although he appeared indifferent, Master Chunyang harbored some resentment towards Xiayang. They had entered the Misty Sect under the same master during the same period. For hundreds of years, Master Chunyang had suppressed Xiayang, deepening Xiayang's resentment. Consequently, Xiayang constantly targeted him, though unable to inflict significant harm. However, being constantly provoked, even with a good temper, Master Chunyang grew weary of Xiayang's behavior. He was still fuming from being mocked by Xiayang at the sect entrance.
"Uncle-Master, please follow me." Feng Shun led the way, and Zhang Ergou and Liu Cuilan followed Master Chunyang into a nearby secret chamber. The chamber was not dim; instead, it was brightly lit by several fist-sized luminous pearls. Zhang Ergou curiously surveyed the magnificent, brightly lit chamber and couldn't resist reaching out to touch the luminous pearls embedded in the wall. Liu Cuilan was also stunned by the sight, appearing like a curious child.
"Chunyang, where did you pick these two up? Look at them, they look like they've never seen the world before!" Hearing footsteps, Xiayang turned around and happened to see Zhang Ergou about to touch the luminous pearls on the wall. He immediately spoke with a sarcastic tone.
Hearing Xiayang's voice, Zhang Ergou immediately stopped his movement to touch the luminous pearls. As if by magic, he composed himself, his face becoming solemn as he stood behind Master Chunyang. Liu Cuilan also shed her curious expression, lowered her head, and walked beside Zhang Ergou behind Master Chunyang. Master Chunyang was very satisfied with their demeanor. These were not children from a mountain village; their ability to regain composure so quickly was admirable even to an old hand like Master Chunyang.
Feng Shun also looked at the two behind them with curiosity. He hadn't noticed anything special about them earlier. But now, with Xiayang's remark, Zhang Ergou and Liu Cuilan's intelligent reaction instantly caught his attention.
"Haha, Junior-Brother Xiayang, you jest. My disciples have merely encountered these things for the first time. Have your disciples' tests concluded yet?" Satisfied with the performance of Zhang Ergou and Liu Cuilan, Master Chunyang was in good spirits and did not argue with Xiayang. Upon hearing about his disciples' test results, Xiayang's face immediately showed a proud expression.
"Naturally. My disciple Liu Chu Feng just finished his test. Senior-Brother, guess what?" Master Xiayang's proud expression betrayed his current good mood. "His test result just came back as Earth-grade initial-stage wood spiritual root. It seems I, Xiayang, will make a splash in this recruitment! Hahaha..." Master Xiayang burst into a triumphant laugh with his sharp voice.
"Liu Chu Chen, Earth-grade initial-stage water spiritual root!" Before Master Xiayang's laughter died down, another voice rang out. It was the test result of Master Xiayang's other disciple. Hearing the result announced by the testing disciple, Master Xiayang's laughter became even more boastful. Two Profound-grade spiritual roots; this was an unprecedented spectacle in the Misty Sect for decades.
Heaven-grade spiritual roots were legendary. In the entire history of the Misty Sect, only one disciple with a Heaven-grade spiritual root had ever appeared. That disciple had long since ascended to the heavens and become a supreme being.
Spiritual roots were divided into four grades: Heaven, Earth, Profound, and Yellow. Each grade also had three sub-levels: initial, middle, and high. Heaven-grade was the strongest, meaning immense potential for cultivation. Those with Heaven-grade spiritual roots invariably became supreme existences in the cultivation world. Earth-grade spiritual roots were second, still possessing the potential to break through to Nascent Soul and become great cultivators who could communicate with heaven and earth. Profound-grade spiritual roots were slightly weaker, with most disciples of this grade stopping at the Golden Core stage. Yellow-grade spiritual roots were the weakest, with only those who were lucky or possessed great perseverance managing to break through to Golden Core.
Of course, these were not absolute. Spiritual roots were also divided into five elements: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. The corresponding elemental spiritual root determined suitability for corresponding cultivation techniques. For example, someone with a metal spiritual root attempting to cultivate wood-element techniques would find it strenuous and unrewarding, with exceptionally slow progress. However, with matching metal-element techniques, cultivation would be much easier. This was why the Misty Sect tested the spirit roots of new disciples before accepting them.
"Senior-Brother Chunyang, quickly have your disciples tested. Let's see if they can reach Profound-grade spiritual roots!" Xiayang said triumphantly, looking at Zhang Ergou and the others.