The tension in the courtyard lingered even after Yun Feng stormed off with a face twisted in humiliation. Whispers rippled through the new disciples like wind across water, all centered on one unexpected name—Su Chen.
Some stared with awe.
Others with curiosity.
A few with envy.
But Su Chen ignored the murmurs as he returned to the line beside Lin Xue and Mei Ling.
Mei Ling was practically vibrating with excitement.
"Su Chen! That was amazing! How did you punch it so perfectly? Did you train secretly? Did you awaken hidden strength?"
Su Chen smiled lightly. "A lucky guess."
"Lucky my foot," she muttered, but her grin never faded.
Lin Xue, however, studied him with a cold, penetrating gaze.
"You saw the weak point," she said quietly.
It wasn't a question—more like a silent accusation.
Su Chen paused. "…Perhaps."
Lin Xue didn't press further. But the slight narrowing of her eyes told him she was no fool. She had seen more than most.
Before the conversation could continue, Instructor Han's voice thundered:
"Next test—Spirit Root Awakening! Follow me to the inner field!"
The crowd straightened immediately. Spirit roots determined potential, cultivation speed, and future standing in the sect. For many, this test was the difference between hope and despair.
Su Chen followed the flow of disciples toward a large courtyard where a massive jade stone floated above a circular formation etched with glowing runes.
The Heavenly Resonance Stone.
Mei Ling whispered, "Place your hands on the stone and channel your breath. It shows your element and grade."
"And if someone has no spirit root?" Su Chen asked.
Mei Ling's smile faded. "They get expelled."
Su Chen nodded. Another reminder that this world wasn't forgiving.
The first disciples stepped up. Some lit up faint green—wood root. Others glowed blue—water. A few glimmered faintly yellow or red.
But no one had shown a high-grade root yet.
Then—
"Lin Xue, step forward."
The courtyard fell silent. Even Instructor Han stood straighter.
Lin Xue placed her hands on the stone.
For a moment, nothing.
Then—
WHOOSH!
A brilliant white radiance burst from the stone, spiraling into the sky like a pillar piercing the clouds. The ground trembled. Winds roared.
The disciples gasped in shock.
"A Heaven-grade root!"
"No—look at the purity… that's a Sword Spirit Root!"
"Terrifying…"
Lin Xue stepped back calmly, expression unchanged. But her fingers trembled slightly at her side.
Su Chen felt his pulse quicken. Even among geniuses, she's a monster.
Mei Ling clapped lightly. "Wow! Lin Xue, you're amazing!"
Lin Xue looked away. "It's nothing."
"It's absolutely something," Mei Ling whispered to Su Chen.
Then Instructor Han called again.
"Mei Ling."
She skipped forward, placed her hands on the stone—
BLOOM!
A warm pink-gold radiance flowed from the stone, wrapping around her like petals in the wind.
"An alchemy-type fire root!"
"High-grade!"
"A perfect match for the Alchemy Hall!"
Mei Ling stuck out her tongue playfully. "I try."
Then her eyes turned to Su Chen.
"Your turn," she said softly.
The crowd's attention snapped toward him.
"The dark horse."
"The weak branch kid who shook the pillar."
"Let's see his real talent."
Su Chen inhaled.
His palms pressed against the cold jade surface.
Information surged instantly into his mind, even without intent:
Heavenly Resonance Stone
– Reveals spirit root through resonance
– Sensitive to nine elemental attributes
– Hidden flaw: lacks ability to detect foreign soul origins
– Reaction can be influenced by…
The information cut abruptly.
Su Chen blinked.
It stopped? Why?
The stone trembled beneath his palms.
A faint glow…
…then a swirl of colors…
"Eh? Multi-root?"
"No, the color is unstable."
"What is that?"
The stone vibrated harder.
A deep hum filled the courtyard.
And then—
BOOM!
A blast of pale silver light shot upward, but not as tall or loud as Lin Xue's. It flickered like a candle in wind before stabilizing.
Instructor Han raised an eyebrow.
"A dual-attribute mixed root," he declared. "Uncommon. Not weak, but not exceptional."
The crowd sighed, disappointed.
Mei Ling blinked. "Mixed root…? That's not bad!"
Lin Xue quietly studied him again, expression unreadable.
Su Chen removed his hands slowly.
But inside, he was stunned.
Because during the test, when the stone poured energy into him, he had touched its core.
And the information he received in that single moment…
This body originally possessed a rare, pure root—
but it was damaged.
Damaged by…
—external force.
—soul collision.
—tampering.
His heart tightened.
Was the body's previous owner murdered because of this?
Before he could dwell on it, Instructor Han clapped.
"Final test—Basic Combat Assessment!"
The crowd tensed.
"That's where Yun Feng will try something," Mei Ling whispered.
Lin Xue's eyes sharpened. "I will stop him."
Su Chen shook his head. "No."
They both looked at him.
"This is my fight."
The disciples formed a circle around the wooden combat platforms. Instructor Han's voice rose:
"You may challenge or be challenged. Fight until one yields."
As if on cue, Yun Feng stepped forward, his smirk resurrected with venomous delight.
"Instructor Han," he said loudly, "I wish to challenge Su Chen."
Gasps filled the courtyard.
Instructor Han frowned. "Fights should be fair. Are you certain?"
"Oh yes," Yun Feng said, eyes locked on Su Chen. "I simply want to help… our new 'genius' recognize his place."
Su Chen stepped forward.
His long hair swayed in the wind. His gaze was steady, confident, and cold.
"I accept."
Mei Ling grabbed his sleeve. "Be careful!"
Lin Xue's hand hovered near her sword, jaw tight.
Su Chen stepped onto the platform.
Across from him, Yun Feng cracked his knuckles.
"Don't worry," Yun Feng whispered. "I won't kill you… much."
Su Chen smiled faintly.
He talks too much.
The platform lit up.
The battle was about to begin.
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