Chapter 17: Spiritual Root—Third Grade?

Soon, disciples began to ascend the stage one after another from the crowd below. Most of them were brimming with youthful enthusiasm, hoping to seize this opportunity to attract the elders' attention.

"That's the new student, Liu Wuque. I heard that when he first entered the Shengjing Sect, he was just a third-level Qi Refining disciple, but now he's already reached the seventh level, and his name is starting to gain some recognition. I wonder how he'll perform this time?"

"Liu Wuque is strong, but a spot in the top three is out of his reach."

"Oh? Why do you say that?"

"Your vision is too narrow. There are plenty of geniuses among the new students. That Lin Feiyu has already reached the eighth level of Qi Refining, and he's not far from Foundation Establishment. It's not impossible he could claim a place in this competition."

"Heh, if we're talking about new disciples, Lin Feiyu is nothing special. Jiang Xiaojue is the real talent here..."

While the elders exchanged their opinions, a stunningly beautiful figure ascended the stage below.

As this graceful silhouette moved, every gaze in the arena was drawn to her.

Liu Yan’er strode onto the stage, her slender legs carrying her step by step, her billowing skirt occasionally revealing glimpses of her snowy skin to the air.

With each movement of her exquisite form, the desires of those watching were stirred anew.

Liu Yan’er was not only breathtakingly beautiful, but also possessed considerable strength—rumor had it she had already reached the eighth level of Qi Refining.

"What a pity, a beauty like that has long since been claimed by the young sect master."

"What, from the sound of it, you still want a turn?"

"I wouldn’t dare—she’s the young sect master’s woman, and he’s even here at the monthly trial today."

"It seems he’s up next..."

"Young master, I'll be waiting for you on stage," Liu Yan’er turned and smiled gently at Li Jiansan.

Seeing this delicate and charming young lady, Li Jiansan felt a ripple in his heart. "Could this girl possibly have some strange feelings for me?"

"Liu Yan’er, step forward for the test!"

At the purple-robed elder's command, the noisy arena fell instantly silent.

It seemed that every pair of eyes was now fixed on Liu Yan’er.

She lifted her foot and approached the Spirit Stone, her slender jade fingers slowly pressing against the cold tablet.

In an instant, dazzling beams of light burst forth again.

Suddenly, one after another, halos of light flared up on the Spirit Stone, their brilliance as dazzling as the stars themselves.

Five halos appeared in a heartbeat, causing a jolt in the hearts of many.

Five halos—clearly, Liu Yan’er’s talent was not to be underestimated.

The pupils of the crowd contracted sharply at that moment.

"A fifth-grade spiritual root!"

To see five halos light up in quick succession left those around her gasping in disbelief.

But just then, as the Spirit Stone’s glow began to subside, it suddenly flared again!

Boom!

A sixth halo blazed forth on the Spirit Stone.

The appearance of that sixth radiant ring stunned every heart present, sending a tremor through all.

"Liu Yan’er, spiritual root, seventh grade!"

At this announcement, the arena fell into a deathly silence. Everyone drew in a sharp breath.

On the viewing platform, the elders leapt to their feet in excitement.

"Liu Yan’er truly is a prodigy—a seventh-grade source spirit!"

"Even more astonishing, she is still so young, her martial talent not yet fully settled. If she continues like this, her future achievements will be immeasurable..."

"Who would have thought the Shengjing Sect would produce such a genius? Our rise is within reach!"

Hearing the voices of envy on the field, Liu Yan’er felt immense joy. When she turned and saw Li Jiansan, her face bloomed with a brilliant smile.

She then dashed toward Li Jiansan, grabbed his arm, and said sweetly,

"Young master, I did it—I did it!"

"Congratulations, little girl," Li Jiansan said with a smile, savoring the delicate sensation of her hand on his.

"Young master, I’m not a child anymore!" Liu Yan’er pouted. This big fool, why does he still treat me like a little girl...

With that, Liu Yan’er quickly slipped away from Li Jiansan’s side, leaving behind a faint fragrance in the breeze.

Li Jiansan glanced after her, about to say something, when the purple-robed elder called out,

"Young master, it’s your turn."

After Liu Yan’er’s stunning test, the elders on the viewing platform quickly withdrew their attention. As for Li Jiansan’s talent, they had little interest.

After all, Li Jiansan’s reputation was well known—an infamous rogue, a tyrant among his peers, but utterly useless in cultivation.

A debauched and idle young master who had never trained—what kind of result could he possibly achieve?

They truly couldn’t understand why Li Jiansan would bother to participate in the monthly trial; it was clearly a waste of time.

On the martial stage, Li Jiansan slowly approached the Spirit Stone and placed his fair palm upon it.

In an instant, a dazzling light engulfed the arena, causing everyone to pause in surprise.

Even the elders on the viewing platform changed expressions—had they misjudged this boy?

Boom, boom, boom!

At that moment, three halos lit up on the Spirit Stone.

A shock ran through the hearts of all present.

Could he truly possess great talent?

Impossible!

He was supposed to be a good-for-nothing...

Buzz!

As the crowd reeled in shock, the brilliant light gradually faded, finally halting at the third halo.

"Spiritual root: third grade!"

Seeing the large characters on the Spirit Stone, the crowd erupted into murmurs.

"Hahaha... scared me for a moment—I thought the young master was some kind of genius, but it’s only a third-grade spiritual root."

At this, the surrounding disciples began to whisper among themselves.

"This is about what you’d expect from the young master."

"I’m honestly curious—if I were the young master, wouldn’t I prefer wining, dining, and beauties over wasting time at the monthly trial? If it were me, I’d be sound asleep in some lovely woman’s bed by now."

"Sigh, what’s the point for the young master to go through all this..."

"Keep your voices down—you don’t want him to hear you, or you’ll be doomed. You all know what kind of temper he has."

At these words, everyone fell silent.

Though their voices were low, Li Jiansan heard them clearly.

Yet he only smiled, thinking, "Hah, just a bunch of onlookers. Wait and see how I astonish you all."

Meanwhile, the elders on the viewing platform, seeing the result on the Spirit Stone, finally looked away.

"Young master, this is your first test. Don’t be too disappointed with your result."

"A third-grade spiritual root, ahem, for the young master, that’s already quite respectable."

"If you wish, we can forgo the rest of the proceedings."

"Perhaps we could arrange for you to relax and enjoy yourself elsewhere?"

The elders approached Li Jiansan respectfully.

He waved them off, saying, "No need."

"Li Jiansan, spiritual root, third grade!"

From another high platform, the purple-haired elder glanced at Li Jiansan and announced the result without any courtesy.

Li Jiansan shot the purple-haired elder a look—so, the old man wasn’t going to show him any respect.

Li Jiansan remembered this elder, named Xiao Yunlong, the grand elder of Shengjing Sect. He had long coveted the position of sect master, but feared Li Qingming’s strength and dared not act, often targeting Li Jiansan in secret.

Li Jiansan hadn’t expected Xiao Yunlong to be presiding over this monthly trial.

"Elder, don’t be so hasty—my test isn’t finished yet," Li Jiansan said with a smile toward Xiao Yunlong.

"Are you trying to waste everyone’s time? Get off the stage at once!" Xiao Yunlong snapped, waving his sleeve impatiently.

"My real test hasn’t even begun," Li Jiansan replied, his gaze steady on Xiao Yunlong and a faint smile on his lips.

Ah, old man, don’t be in such a rush—haste makes waste, after all.

Hearing Li Jiansan’s words, everyone stared at him in astonishment. What was the young master planning now?

Amid the curious stares, Liu Yan’er clenched her fists, silently cheering him on.

Boom!

At that moment, the entire black Spirit Stone suddenly shuddered, then began to tremble violently...