Some minutes passed.
Elder Mo reappeared on the main platform, his expression calm as if nothing had happened. His long, grey robes fluttered gently with the breeze as he took his position beside the other sect leaders, returning to his usual composed self.
"Elder Mo, how is the situation in the formation?" Zhao Lingxu, the leader of Baihe Sect, asked, turning his head slightly.
"It's been taken care of," Elder Mo replied flatly. "You don't need to worry."
Zhao Lingxu nodded in understanding, though a faint glimmer of doubt flickered in his eyes.
Moments later, shimmering ripples of spiritual energy lit up across the formation grounds. One by one, participants began appearing from thin air, returning from the trial. The tension broke, and relief spreads out.
"We're out!"
"I made it!"
"Finally! I really made it!"
Cheers erupted among the exhausted participants who had survived the trials. Tang Xuan appeared first, his sword sheathed over his shoulder, followed by Wang Yue, Li Yuen, Fang Bin, Yu Mei, and several others.
Then, from a burst of light, Li Cheng emerged.
There was a moment of stunned silence.
Everyone turned to look at him. His clothes were burned and torn, but there wasn't a single wound on his body. The injuries from the lava, the cuts from climbing, everything was gone. Even Li Cheng himself seemed surprised. He stared at his hands, then touched his chest, confused.
"This kid... I want him!" Elder Mo's voice rang out, loud and firm. He raised his hand and pointed directly at Li Cheng.
Gasps echoed among the gathered crowd.
All eyes turned to Li Cheng. Whispers started spreading like wildfire among the participants and sect leaders.
Li Yuen's brows furrowed; he didn't understand why one of the elders was interested in Li Cheng.
"How is that even possible? He clearly has no spiritual root," Li Yuen murmured.
"Don't worry. Once they find out, they will surely throw him out," Fang Bin assured him.
Yu Qingxiao, the elegant leader of Fengming Sect, stepped forward. Her voice was polite but firm. "Elder Mo, isn't that a bit rude? We haven't even done the spiritual root test yet. Besides, that goes against the rules. Even if we follow your way, it's the Baihe Sect that should choose disciples first, not the other way around," Yu Qingxiao, the leader of the Fengming Sect, said politely.
"Hmph. I don't care," Elder Mo grunted, crossing his arms. "Zhao Lingxu, do you have any problem with me taking this boy?"
Zhao Lingxu gave a small wave of his hand. "Fine. Take him if you want."
A flicker of hope lit up in Li Cheng's eyes.
Zhao Lingxu turned to the group. "Congratulations to those of you who have made it here," he announced. "Now begins the final stage, testing your spiritual root. Those with strong spiritual roots will be qualify to become inner disciples. Those with weaker spiritual roots may join as outer disciples. Begin the test."
One by one, the sect leaders began testing the participants.
"Not qualified. Step aside."
"You are qualified.
"You are not qualified . Next."
Each sect leader placed a palm against the participant's forehead, sending a surge of energy through their meridians. A brief flash of color would appear, representing the strength and type of spiritual root.
Eventually, it was Li Cheng's turn.
He stepped forward slowly. His palms were sweaty. He knew what the result would be. But still, a tiny fragment of hope clung to him. Maybe... maybe they would make an exception.
Elder Mo placed his hand gently on Li Cheng's forehead. A surge of spiritual energy pulsed outward. A faint light flickered—and then vanished.
"What...?" Elder Mo blinked in disbelief. "No spiritual root?"
The words echoed across the field like thunder.
The leaders turned their heads. Yu Qingxiao raised an eyebrow. Zhao Lingxu chuckled dryly.
"What game are you playing now, Elder Mo?" Zhao Lingxu said. "You asked for the boy and we have already agreed to allow you take him.So why the fuss?"
"No. This... this can't be," Elder Mo stammered. "He truly has no spiritual root."
"Let me see," said Lan Ruyan, leader of Zhenling Sect. She stepped forward and checked. Then the others followed.
They all checked and confirmed that, indeed, he had no spiritual root.
All of them came to the same conclusion.
"It's a pity that such a talented young man, who managed to attract Elder Mo's attention, is just a waste," said Lan Ruyan, the leader of the Zhenling Sect, said in a mocking tone.
"Ruyan, you—" Elder Mo started, but stopped himself.
He turned back to Li Cheng. "Kid... it's a pity. Your journey ends here."
Li Cheng's heart dropped.
"I thought you would be a great talent. But without a spiritual root, you are just a waste.
Li Cheng dropped to his knees. "Senior, please... I know I have no spiritual root, but I'll work hard. Please take me in as an outer disciple. I'll clean the floors, cook, do anything—just let me cultivate."
"You're not even worthy to be an outer disciple. Go back to your mortal life," Elder Mo said coldly.
"Senior, I—"
Before Li Cheng could finish, Elder Mo waved his hand, and a beam of light enveloped him. In a flash, Li Cheng vanished from the platform.
At the edge of the crowd, Li Yuen and Fang Bin stood silently, watching the scene unfold.
"Fool," Li Yuen muttered. "Overestimating himself."
"I told you," Fang Bin said, laughing quietly. "i told you he is just here to entertain us "
Li Yuen narrowed his eyes as he thought to himself. Mother was right... I need to eliminate him before he becomes a problem. If I'm to be the next patriarch... I can't leave any thorns behind.
Wang Yue stood nearby, his face grim. He shook his head slightly. He had hoped for a different outcome, but in this world, spiritual root was everything.
Tang Xuan stood expressionless, arms folded. He didn't know Li Cheng personally. He only cared about fighting stronger opponents. This was none of his concern.
Yu Mei, however, stared at the spot where Li Cheng had been kneeling. Her brows furrowed, as if trying to recall a memory.
Soon, the sect selection continued.
Tang Xuan joined Baihe Sect.
Wang Yue was selected by Lingyun Sect.
Li Yuen and Fang Bin went to Shuiyun Sect.
Yu Mei, being a female cultivator, was naturally welcomed into Zhenling Sect.
Other participants were sorted into various sects according to their abilities and spiritual roots.
Far from the Immortal Peak, at the foot of a quiet mountain...
Li Cheng reappeared in a flash of white light. He landed on his knees, unmoving for a long time. His body was still. His heart was in pieces.
"Why?" he muttered. "No matter how hard I try... I'm still a waste?"
Tears rolled down his cheeks. "So in this world... without a spiritual root, I really have no hope."
He stood up, his legs shaking, and began walking down the mountain path. His back was slumped, his steps slow and heavy.
Hours later...
It was already evening when Li Cheng arrived at his home. He pushed open the wooden door quietly.
"Mother... I'm back," he said weakly.
But his voice froze in his throat.
His eyes widened in horror.
"Mother!!"
He rushed forward. On the bed, his mother lay motionless, her breathing shallow.
"Chang'er... you're back..." she said in a weak, strained voice.
"Mother, what's wrong? You were fine this morning!"
"I'm fine..." she tried to smile. "Just an old illness."
"You're not fine at all!" Li Cheng pressed his palm to her forehead, it was burning hot.
"I just need rest..for some Hours. don't worry..."
"No. I'll get you medicine. Wait for me!" Li Cheng shouted and ran out.
He dashed through the darkened streets of Yuefeng City and arrived at the nearest pharmacy.
"Please, sir! My mother is sick! I need medicine. I'll pay you tomorrow, I swear!"
The shopkeeper scowled. "I don't sell on credit. Get out."
"Please, I beg you!" Li Cheng pleaded.
"I said get out!"
Li Cheng stumbled out and ran to another store.
"Please, sir! My mother—she needs help. I'll repay you tomorrow!"
The man looked at him with disgust. "You again? Your mother's been taking medicine here for six months and hasn't paid a coin. And now you're asking for more?"
"My mother... has been coming here?" Li Cheng's voice was hollow.
"You didn't know? She's been sick for a long time. I told her to see a proper doctor, but she wouldn't listen."
Li Cheng trembled. She was hiding it from me... all this time.
"Please, I'll give you what I have," Li Cheng said, pulling out a few dirty copper coins.
The man sneered. "That's not even a tenth of what she owes."
"Please... I'll pay the rest tomorrow."
"Out!"
The man shoved him out onto the street.
Li Cheng stood outside the store, his fists clenched, his body shaking.
He had no one. No money. No hope.
There was only one place left.
The Li family...
His heart twisted. He knew what going back meant. He knew the humiliation, the rejection he would face.
But what choice did he have?, he wouldn't stand by and watch his mother die.
He took a deep breath, clenched his fists, and began walking toward the Li family mansion