Volume 1, Chapter 22: Sect Recruitment (Part I)

This incident served as a wake-up call for Gu Mingxi: when one lacks strength, one must always prioritize self-protection. The cultivation world is filled with too many unknown dangers.

This news instantly stunned everyone who had come to participate in the sect recruitment. In the days that followed, everyone remained obediently in their rooms, and no one dared to venture into the marketplace. This tense atmosphere persisted until the very day the recruitment began, at which point people finally started to emerge.

When the Seventh Elder arrived with a group of young ones from the Gu family, his guards quickly cleared a path. In fact, many families did the same—sending their guards or servants to queue up and reserve spots in advance. The Gu family followed suit; it saved time, after all. Otherwise, if they only lined up after arriving, there was no telling when they would reach the front.

Gu family disciples were applying to all five major sects, though the majority still headed for the Tianyan Sect, which, as the number one sect in the Qingyun Continent, boasted formidable strength.

After waiting for a while, the recruitment officials from the various sects arrived. The official for the Tianyan Sect announced, "Those between the ages of five and fifteen, come forward for testing. Anyone older than fifteen, please leave."

Gu Mingxi then watched as some people in line left, looking dejected. Once the crowd had settled again, the Tianyan Sect official produced two stones and instructed the candidates to come forward one by one.

"Wang Meng."

A boy named Wang Meng stepped forward and placed his hands on the two stones. The official glanced at them and said, "Gold, Wood, and Earth spiritual roots. Bone age twelve. Qualified."

So, that was it: one stone was for testing bone age, and the other for spiritual roots.

"Next, Zhang Heng!"
"Wood, Earth, and Water spiritual roots. Bone age ten. Qualified."

"Next, Yang Wen!"
"Wood and Earth dual spiritual roots. Bone age nine. Qualified."

"Next, Mu Yan!"
"Single Gold spiritual root. Bone age seven. Qualified!"

When the official detected a single spiritual root, his voice was noticeably excited. It seemed that single spiritual roots were quite rare; surely, she and Mingyue would be highly valued in a major sect like Tianyan. Indeed, as soon as this Mu Yan was identified, he was immediately led aside by other senior disciples. While the other children were left standing to the side after their tests, this Mu Yan was allowed to sit and even feast on spiritual fruits provided by the seniors.

Talent brought privilege. Gu Mingxi did not object to this; after all, her own talent was excellent, and she would benefit from this system as well.

Soon, it was the Gu family disciples' turn.

"Next, Gu Mingxi!"

Gu Mingxi had been at the front of the line. As she stepped forward, the Tianyan Sect disciple conducting the test looked up. They had heard of Gu Mingxi, the direct descendant of the Gu family, and rumors suggested she possessed a mutated Lightning spiritual root and a Lightning-attuned body. They wondered if the reports were true.

The testing process was no different from when she had been tested within her family. She placed her hand on the first stone, which displayed the number six, and then on the second, which glowed with a deep, vibrant purple.

"Mutated Lightning spiritual root! Bone age six! Qualified!"

As these words were spoken, the entire plaza fell silent, only to erupt into a flurry of discussion shortly after.

"A mutated Lightning spiritual root! To think there would be one!"
"A mutated Lightning spiritual root, and joining the Tianyan Sect? Doesn't that mean..."
"A mutated Lightning spiritual root—that’s the same as Venerable Yuchen of the Tianyan Sect!"
"To think it's a mutated Lightning spiritual root... how is her talent so good?" (This was from those filled with envy.)
"A mutated Lightning spiritual root! Another genius is about to emerge!" (This was from those in awe.)
"A mutated Lightning spiritual root... why am I not one?" (Envy again.)
"So what if it's a mutated Lightning spiritual root? I won't lose to you!" (This was from the defiant.)

Once Gu Mingxi’s results were confirmed, a senior disciple immediately led her to the side. Gu Mingxi smiled at Gu Mingyue, pointing toward the area where she was being taken to signal, "I will wait for you there." Gu Mingyue nodded, indicating she understood.

"Next, Gu Mingyue!"

Another one from the Gu family? Many in the plaza turned their attention back to the stage, curious to see what kind of aptitude the other Gu girl possessed. Gu Mingyue did not disappoint, as her talent also blinded most of the onlookers.

"Single Fire spiritual root. Bone age six. Qualified!"

A senior disciple also led Gu Mingyue to where Gu Mingxi was waiting. Gu Mingyue's talent sparked further discussion.

"One girl with a mutated Lightning root and another with a single Fire root—why is their aptitude so good?"
"Give me one of those roots; I'm not picky, either one will do!"

"Next, Gu Shuang!"
"Gold and Fire dual spiritual roots. Bone age six. Qualified!"

"Next, Gu Qingfeng!"
"Single Wood spiritual root. Bone age seven. Qualified!"

Another single spiritual root from the Gu family drew more attention.

"Yet another single spiritual root! How are others supposed to live?"
"The Gu family's younger generation has truly outstanding talent!"

The next candidate, Gu Siju, had dual roots, and the remaining disciples from the Gu family lacked single spiritual roots. In fact, this generation of the Gu family had another child with a single root: Gu Zhaoming, who had chosen to remain at home. He possessed a full-value single Water spiritual root and had the potential to transform it into a mutated Ice spiritual root.

Cases of a Water spiritual root being transformed into a mutated Ice spiritual root were not unheard of, though the rare treasures required for such a transition were prohibitively expensive. Ordinary treasures were hard enough to find, and Ice-attribute treasures were only found in the frozen plains of the Northern Territory. However, the Gu family did have a collection of such rare items.

Before leaving home, Gu Mingxi had heard Gu Meyuan say that Gu Zhaoming had been soaking in medicinal baths to strengthen his body. Once his physical strength reached a critical threshold, he would be able to refine an Ice-attribute treasure to see if he could successfully transform into a mutated Ice spiritual root. If he succeeded, the Gu family would have two disciples with mutated spiritual roots in this generation.

Some might wonder, wasn't a single spiritual root already excellent? Why bother transforming it?

One only had to look at why Venerable Yuchen was at the pinnacle of power in the current world. A large part of it was his mutated Lightning spiritual root. Mutated roots were inherently stronger than single roots, and the Lightning root, in particular, possessed immense combat power.

Returning to the recruitment ceremony:

"Next, Gu Siju!"
"Water and Wood dual spiritual roots. Bone age seven. Qualified!"

"Next, Gu Silin!"
"Gold and Fire dual spiritual roots. Bone age seven. Qualified!"

There were fifteen Gu family disciples choosing to join the Tianyan Sect this time, and the testing was soon completed.