The testing formation activated with a deep, resonant hum, and the stone tablet used for measuring spiritual roots began to tremble violently. Yet, instead of displaying a spiritual root grade or attribute, cracks rapidly spread across its surface like a spider web.

  The elder overseeing the test frowned deeply. He had been responsible for these evaluations since Luo Xian Sect was founded, and something like this had never happened before. Was this about to cost him his job?

  Panic surged as he swiftly formed three seals, sending beams of white light into the stone tablet. But instead of stabilizing it, the cracks grew even faster.

  With mounting dread, the elder could do nothing but watch helplessly as the outer layer of the stone peeled away, revealing a dazzling, iridescent core beneath.

  At that moment, the sky above Luo Xian Sect erupted into brilliance, divine light cascading across the land as if an immortal had descended from the heavens, bringing with it an aura of serenity and boundless peace.

  Around the test site, once-barren ground was now covered in lush greenery, while colorful flowers bloomed at an unnatural speed. The density of spiritual energy skyrocketed, creating an atmosphere of pure vitality.

  The elder was utterly dumbfounded, even more so when he realized that an old injury—one that even Nascent Soul cultivators had deemed incurable—had miraculously healed in an instant under the influence of this divine light. His eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at the testing formation.

  A sudden gust of wind split the sky as Yun Yangzi and Hong Niang appeared, their gazes fixed on the stone.

  “What kind of artifact is this?” Hong Niang murmured in astonishment. “Just its emergence alone is reshaping the heavens and earth. And this divine energy... it’s even purer than my own spiritual energy.”

  As someone who had refined her spiritual energy to near perfection through seven cycles of purification, she found this revelation almost incomprehensible.

  Yun Yangzi, lost in thought, searched his vast memories. This stone had been used for spiritual root assessments before, but that was centuries ago. If their sect master were present, perhaps he would know more.

  “Senior brother, should we call for the Great Elder?” Hong Niang suggested. If anyone in Luo Xian Sect had knowledge of this stone, it would be the sect’s most ancient cultivator.

  “The Great Elder has been in seclusion for centuries,” Yun Yangzi replied, shaking his head. “We shouldn’t disturb him lightly. There’s no immediate danger here.”

  With that, he formed a seal and sent a beam of white light toward the stone, attempting to suppress its energy.

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  But the stone resisted. As if possessing a will of its own, it broke free from the ground and shot into the testing formation, vanishing in an instant.

  “Could it be connected to that boy?” Yun Yangzi’s sharp gaze locked onto Han Luo . Without hesitation, he cast another spell, pulling both Han Luo and the testing elder out of the formation.

  Inside Luo Xian Sect’s Grand Hall

  Yun Yangzi, Hong Niang, Wu Dao, and the testing elder all stared at Han Luo in stunned silence.

  Meanwhile, Han Luo was already prepared for the worst.

  His legs were wrapped with speed-enhancing talismans, a stack of explosive talismans was clutched in his hand, and he was poised to stomp a smoke bomb while pushing off the ground—all in perfect synchronization for a well-practiced escape.

  Clearing his throat, he forced a polite smile. “Disciple Han Luo greets the Sect Master, the two Peak Masters, and… uh, this honored elder whose name I do not know.” He knew he’d be stuck in this sect for a long time, so he needed to leave a good impression.

  Yun Yangzi nodded before turning to the testing elder. “Martial Uncle, what is his spiritual root and attribute?”

  The elder, named Jin Hou, was actually their senior in the sect. “Let me check,” he said, pulling out a ruler-like magical tool. “Young man, don’t be afraid. Just place your hand at the base of this ruler, and I’ll measure your spiritual root.”

  Han Luo eyed the group cautiously. Something about this felt off. Just to be safe, he placed only one finger on the ruler.

  The ruler immediately began shifting colors—red, orange, yellow, green—cycling through over a dozen hues before SNAP!

  The ruler split in half. Han Luo instinctively yanked his finger back. “That wasn’t me! It broke on its own!” What kind of cheap magic tool was this? He had only touched it, and it shattered!

  “Impossible!” Jin Hou was in disbelief. This was a second-grade magical tool! Perhaps it had deteriorated over time.

  “Again!” Gritting his teeth, he pulled out an even higher-quality measuring ruler—a third-grade artifact.

  “Try again!”

  Han Luo hesitated. This time, he carefully used only his pinky finger, hoping to minimize damage.

  CRACK!

  The third-grade ruler shattered instantly.

  Jin Hou’s expression turned livid. “It must be that damn mysterious stone!” There was no way his tools were at fault.

  “I’ll try.” Hong Niang took out a scarlet silk ribbon and handed it to Han Luo . “Grab this.”

  As soon as Han Luo touched it, the silk changed colors—then burst into flames. In seconds, it was reduced to ashes.

  “Even my Scarlet Spirit Ribbon couldn’t measure him?” Hong Niang’s astonishment grew. Her silk was a peak-grade treasure, yet it had been utterly destroyed.

  She prepared to take out another treasure, but Yun Yangzi intervened. “Junior sister, allow me.”

  Turning to Han Luo , he explained everything about the stone’s anomaly. Han Luo , in turn, pulled a small, thumb-sized rainbow stone from his pocket. It looked utterly ordinary, just a bit shinier than normal rocks. He even bit into it—yep, just a rock, though sturdier than usual.

  “Put the stone down and place your hand on the Ancient Bronze Mirror,” Yun Yangzi instructed. This mirror was one of Luo Xian Sect’s greatest treasures, second only to the sect’s twin swords.

  It was a legendary auxiliary magic artifact. If anything could measure his root, this would be it.

  Han Luo hesitated. He had already broken three tools, and this mirror looked extremely expensive. What if it shattered too?

  Seeing his reluctance, Yun Yangzi chuckled. “Don’t worry. If you manage to break it, I’ll give it to you!”

  Confident words.

  Then—

  CRACK!

  The mirror split down the middle. A blinding golden light exploded from its surface, illuminating the entire hall.

  As the radiance faded, four massive golden words hovered in the air:

  “SUPREME SPIRITUAL ROOT.”

  Dead silence filled the hall.

  Then—

  “HAHAHAHA!” Yun Yangzi burst into manic laughter. “A SUPREME ROOT! OUR SECT HAS FINALLY RISEN!”

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