C26 Spiritual Root Detection

On the crisp morning of November 5th, a throng of people from the capital flocked to the plaza, abuzz with excitement about the mysteries of the cosmos and the day's spiritual root assessment.

Similar tests were simultaneously underway nationwide.

The capital boasted four testing sites, starting with those who had awakened their individual spiritual roots. Subsequently, everyone else would be tested, as mixed spiritual roots don't awaken naturally and require cultivation.

Chu Xing and his companions reached the plaza's heart, where a modest ten-square-meter building stood, topped with a screen. Adjacent to it was an expansive screen, sprawling over a hundred square meters.

Three young men in blue robes stood by the building, their cultivation levels indecipherable to Chu Xing. They hailed from beyond Earth, their attire marked with a mountain emblem identical to the one on the storage bags.

Police were present, ensuring the peace.

At eight o'clock, the large screen flickered to life, revealing the familiar Mount Kunlun plaza. Perched at its zenith were a man and a woman.

The man, with his short hair, tawny skin, and piercing black eyes, was clad in a blue short coat and trousers.

The woman, appearing to be in her forties, had waist-length hair and a gentle smile. She was draped in a flowing blue gown.

"I am Immortal Chilian of the Dao Seeking Sect, and this is Immortal Qingqiu. Today, we begin the spiritual root tests. Those of you with spiritual roots will receive our full support. Dedicate yourselves to cultivation, and the path to immortality is yours," declared Immortal Chilian, his voice resonating with authority.

The crowd erupted in cheers at the prospect of ascending to immortality.

"But first, we must deal with the scoundrel responsible for Earth's calamities. Bring him forth," bellowed Immortal Chilian.

On cue, four disciples hauled Fu Yuanqing and Shi Er to the plaza's center. Overcome with fear, Fu Yuanqing wept profusely, begging for his life as tears and snot streamed down his face.

Shi Er pointed accusingly at Fu Yuanqing and railed, "This is all his doing. He's the one who wanted to kill, to plunder, to revel in it all. I told him to leave, but the fool wouldn't listen."

"Execute him!" bellowed Immortal Chilian.

Hostile gazes from all around bore down upon him as an eerie silence enveloped the square.

As two heads tumbled to the ground, tears began to flow among the onlookers. Chu Xing's thoughts turned to the many lives lost and the calamity that had befallen Earth.

"Good riddance!"

"Monster!"

"Next!" commanded Immortal Chilian with authority.

Two middle-aged men, their faces etched with the passage of time, were led forward. One, upon seeing Fu Yuanqing's decapitated body, ran to it and wept bitterly.

"The one is Gong Mingyan, system master of the Bright Radiance Galaxy, and the other, his aide, Fu Langming. The disciple who was just executed is his son. Fu Langming, having raised such a malevolent child, is sentenced to a lifetime of labor in the mines. Gong Mingyan, guilty of enabling his son's behavior, will be confined to solitary reflection within our sect," Immortal Chilian declared.

"The Dao Seeking Sect rewards the meritorious and punishes the errant without exception. Let the spiritual root testing commence."

As the screen vanished, a disciple by the house called out, "Form a line, please. Enter one at a time."

"Look, the screen's updating!" someone exclaimed.

"Wang Wen, Gold Spiritual Root, Medium Talent."

"Li Ming, Water Spiritual Root, Medium Talent."

Chu Xing noted that it took just thirty seconds for each person's talents to be displayed on the screen.

"Chu Xing, check out the big screen," Chu Hao yelled, pointing excitedly.

Chu Xing's gaze followed to the screen, which now listed names and talents.

"Is this a national ranking?" Chu Xing inquired.

"Exactly, it's the top 100 across the country!" Chu Hao exclaimed with a grin.

"See, the one at the top, isn't that Gao Wu who was all over the internet earlier?" Chu Hao called out.

"Gao Wu, Gold Spiritual Root, Highest Grade, Qi Training Second Layer," Chu Xing observed, recognizing the name. He wondered if it was the same person.

"Chu Xing, that beautiful girl you know just went in," Chu Hao called out to Chu Xing.

Chu Xing watched intently as the screen displayed, "Lin Miaoke, Water Spiritual Root, Highest Talent, Qi Training First Layer." He mused that her talent was quite impressive.

Next up was Zhao Chunyang, "Wood Spiritual Root, Medium Talent, Qi Training First Layer."

A short time later, "Wang Lele, Fire Spiritual Root, Highest Grade Talent, Qi Training First Layer." Chu Xing noted her familiar silhouette. At that moment, Wang Lele's name was second on the leaderboard, causing a buzz of excitement among the onlookers.

"There's the Thunder Spiritual Root, and it's Highest Grade Talent, at Qi Training Fifth Layer!" The chatter around him grew louder.

"Ouyang Chong, Thunder Spiritual Root, Highest Grade Talent, Qi Training Fifth Layer!" Chu Xing saw the name and remembered the man in black from Mount Kunlun. His gut feeling told him it was the same person.

"Such incredible talent!" Chu Xing couldn't help but exclaim.

"Gao Wei, Golden Spiritual Root, Medium Talent, Qi Training First Layer."

"Wang Youfeng, Wood Spiritual Root, Medium Talent, Qi Training First Layer."

"Chu Hao, Wood Spiritual Root, Highest Talent, Qi Training First Layer."

"Chu Hao has some decent talent," Chu Xing noted as he stepped into the metallic room.

The room featured display screens along its walls, with beams of light from the ceiling and sides converging in the center. A disciple gestured for Chu Xing to stand in the middle with his identity card in hand.

After about thirty seconds, the AI announced, "Chu Xing, Mental Control, Medium Talent, Qi Training Second Layer."

The disciple, clearly envious, congratulated him, "You're gifted with Mental Control talent. You're free to go now."

As Chu Xing emerged, curious glances followed him; he was the first to exhibit Mental Control talent. His rank was just below those with Highest Grade talent, placing him at number 62.

"Elder Hsu said I had a strong mentality, but it turns out I'm only Medium Talent!" Chu Xing felt a mix of disappointment and confusion.

The truth was, the machine could only detect the extent of awakened mental power, not the size of one's spiritual sea. Chu Xing's mental power had been significantly drained by the black orb, and he hadn't fully recovered. Otherwise, his talent would be classified as Highest Grade.

"Congratulations, Chu Hao!" exclaimed Chu Xing as he approached, genuinely delighted for his friend.

"Hehe, I never expected to have such a high-level talent. Your mental strength talent is quite impressive as well," Chu Hao replied with a grin.

"Check it out, another mental strength talent has shot up to fourth place," Gao Wei called out.

Chu Xing glanced over, "Zhao Ming, mental strength control, high-level talent." He couldn't help but wonder why Zhao Ming's talent surpassed his own.

"Chu Xing, your mental strength is truly formidable, the highest among those with the same talent," Wang Youfeng remarked.

"Alright, let's head out."

Within the grand hall of Mount Kunlun.

"Fu Yuanqing got off too easy with just one death. He deserves far worse," Immortal Chilian grumbled as he paced the hall.

"It's a real shame to see so many exceptional talents emerge on the first day," Immortal Qingqiu lamented, her usual composed smile replaced by a sorrowful expression.

"On an average planet, the emergence of a single Highest Grade Spiritual Root is a cause for celebration – it's one in a hundred million!" Immortal Chilian declared, settling heavily into his chair. "And now, Earth has produced three Highest Grade Spiritual Roots, one of which is a Thunder Spiritual Root. Not to mention the two mental strength talents that have surfaced; they're just as rare and hold immense potential."

"I wonder how many geniuses have been lost?" Immortal Qingqiu mused with a sigh.

Seeking to shift the conversation, Jin Yu, who stood nearby, suggested, "Ouyang Chong is here on Mount Kunlun. Perhaps we should invite him over for a chat."

"Good idea, have him come here," Immortal Chilian said, piqued with interest.

Soon after, Ouyang Chong entered the hall, accompanied by Jin Yu, still clad in his black attire.

"Ouyang Chong pays his respects to the Immortal," he said, bowing respectfully, his face calm but his heart filled with a flicker of anticipation.

"Come, let's talk," Immortal Chilian invited with a note of curiosity. Immortal Qingqiu looked on, appreciating his composed demeanor.

"You possess remarkable talent, and reaching the Qi Training Fifth Layer in just over three months must have involved a significant stroke of fortune. Feel free to share your story if you can; if not, there's no pressure," Immortal Chilian told Ouyang Chong, smiling encouragingly.

"I've inherited the legacy of the true Master Yan Rang. He failed in his attempt to ascend to the Immortal Realm and perished on Earth," Ouyang Chong stated with a detached air.

"Ah, Yan Rang—I remember him. I once offered him guidance. I had no idea he was in retreat here; what a loss," Immortal Chilian expressed with surprise. "He possessed the lightning spiritual root as well, a talent you share. It's quite fitting that you've received his inheritance."

Chilian's approval grew the more he observed. After a moment's thought, he said, "I would like to accept you as my disciple. Would you be willing?"

"I am willing, Master," Ouyang Chong replied, kneeling.

"Very well, very well, rise," Chilian said, standing and smiling warmly.

"Chilian, my congratulations to you for finding such a promising disciple," Immortal Qingqiu offered his felicitations to Immortal Chilian.

"You should seek out a worthy heir as well."