As the testing ceremony began, they quickly formed a line. Outer Elder managed it as Lixin became three people ahead of Xia.
Both of them smiled at each other, giving their best wishes as they left the future to their fate. The first boy walked toward the jade monument as the Outer Elder commanded him to touch it.
His hands touched the monument as the inscriptions on it glowed, in its clear jade body, a green dust-like cloud rose, followed by red dust, then blue dust, the a small cluster of brown dust, and white dust was trying to rise but disappeared.
"Four Elemental Spirit Root."
The Outer Elder shouted as the boy became dejected in an instant. he thought he was a genius but it seems he was just mediocre.
With the example of the first boy, the second in line walked out, with shaking hands, he touched the jade monument, the inscriptions in it glowed, but nothing else happened.
"No spirit root detected."
The Outer Elder shouted as the boy fell into despair, and the other in the line felt fearful but also gloated at the misfortune of this boy.
The third boy with prideful eyes walked out and touched the monument; his face was filled with arrogance as if he was sure he would awaken a spirit root.
But as if to make fun of him, nothing happened, confused the boy looked at the monument.
"No spirit root detected."
But the voice of the elder shattered his confidence as he couldn't believe he didn't have a spirit root.
"How can I not have a spirit root. I bathed in spiritual liquid since birth, how can I not have a spirit root? This monument must be broken."
Not accepting the situation, the boy shouted as he questioned the elder, showing his arrogance, feeling annoyed, the Outer Elder glared at him, suppressing him with his presence.
Like a deflated balloon, all his arrogance disappeared as he fell to his knees with sweat dripping down his face.
"Next."
The Elder shouted as an outer sect disciple took the boy away and threw him to the side as if he were trash.
As if the luck had run out, the next ten people also didn't have a spirit root. The children were truly afraid now after all with ten examples ahead of them they feared that they will also not awaken a spirit root.
Even the outer sect elder was frowning a little, seeing such a scene, if this continued, this batch may become the worst of them all.
"Next"
Nonetheless, he called out the next person, even if they don't awaken a spirit root, he still has to do his job. The contribution point earned from such a simple task isn't a small amount.
Hearing the elders call, the next boy with shaky steps stepped forward, praying to the gods and immortals in his heart, and he touched the monument.
He closed his eyes, preparing for the worst possibility, but the inscription in the monument lit up as usual.
A collection of blue dust rose shining brightly, behind it, two somewhat dim brown and red dust also rose. But their light was outshone by the blue dust.
"A Three Elemental Spirit Root."
The Outer elder shouted with a look of joy on his face; it was finally some good news. His earned contribution points should increase.
"Oh, child, your Water Elemental Root is the dominant one. Perfect for my peak, are you willing to join my peak as an inner sect disciple?"
Elder Jing's steady voice rang out as the boy's heart was filled with joy, but he controlled himself and kneeled down, giving a salute.
"Disciple greets Inner Elder Jing."
"You shall call me Peak Master from now on."
Elder Jing said, hearing his salute as he waved his hands, a blue colored spiritual energy rose as they gently covered the boy's body, lifting him to the sky.
Before the boy could understand what was happening, he was standing behind Elder Jing. He didn't dare speak and just stood there silently.
His test seems to be the start of fortune, as fifty people with spiritual roots rose, although they were just Five Elemental Spirit roots and Four Elemental Spirit roots, it was still better than not having any.
Then the fortune ended as a hundred children that followed didn't awaken a single spirit root. A depressed mood followed, which was quickly lifted as thirty-three Elemental Spirit Roots rose in succession.
Such ups and downs almost made the children faint with anxiety, as even the Outer Elder was sweating.
He could hardly contain his grin, just with this much, this was the best batch in the last hundred years. The amount of contribution points he will earn may reach tens of thousands.
Then another depression started as none awakened for a while, after which things calmed down as people awakened at a relatively steady pace.
One person had even been taken as a direct disciple by Elder Mu; the other three Elemental Spirit Roots could only grit their teeth in jealousy.
Hours passed, and after all the ups and downs of life, it was finally Lixin's turn; his heart was beating out of his chest as he took steady steps.
Elder Lin and Elder Mu's eyes were completely focused on him, which was noticed by the other two elders.
They did a quick investigation and found out the ins and outs of the things that happened, seeing such a strong-willed individual, they also showed interest.
Taking a deep breath, Neo touched the jade monument, its icy surface sent shivers down his spine as the inscription on it glowed.
It shone brightly for a while before it dimmed; nothing was shown, making it clear that he didn't have a spirit root.
"No spirit root detected."
The outer elder spoke, and these words seemed to weigh down on Lixin's heart like a mountain as his heart collapsed.
His eyes dimmed as hope was lost from them, and with stiff steps, he walked off the stage, his eyes dazed as he looked at the floor.
It didn't cause any commotion among the children as this was a normal occasion; more than two hundred people had failed to awaken a spirit root before Lixin.
Xia in the mine was constantly gazing at Lixin with her eyes overflowing with worry, seeing his dazed look and dim eyes, she couldn't help but want to rush over to hug and comfort him.
But her sense of reason kept her from moving; she knew that if she threw away this chance due to Lixin, he would be even more heartbroken.
Elder Ning and Elder Jing quickly lost interest after seeing that Lixin failed to awaken a spirit root. Although it was a pity for such a strong-willed person, it was the heavens will at the end of the day.
Elder Mu looked at Lixin with pity; he valued such a child, but alas, heaven has never been fair.
Elder Lin watched Lixin's figure as a deep sense of sadness flashed past his eyes. He really liked this child whose will was strong enough to defy Heaven.
But alas, the heavens are jealous; such a perfect seedling was wasted, destined to be buried and never shine with brilliance.
Elder Han watched from the side and couldn't help but release a helpless sigh. He really liked this kid and even wanted to make him his successor.
"Such is fate, Heavens have never been favorable toward us."
He muttered as he took a sip of the wine in his hands. The wine that he enjoyed seemed to taste bitter for some reason, as he put down the wine cup.
The other Outer elder just watched and didn't say anything, such was life, things never go the way a person wants.
Elder Li also released a sigh. Today, he saw the cruelty of heaven and gained a little sense of understanding of what it meant to go against heaven.
Lixin stood with the other people who didn't awaken a spirit root; he stood like a zombie with unfocused eyes.
He watched the jade monument with dim eyes, and he seemed to catch a gaze as he looked in Xia's direction.
She was staring at him. Next was her turn; she gave him a smile as he returned a somewhat forced smile.
She seemed to understand it as sadness overflowed from her eyes, and she stepped forward toward the jade monument, not caring for the result.
Lixin's eyes, which had dimmed, seemed to gain a little light as he watched Xia; he prayed in his heart for her good luck.
His prayer seemed to work as the jade monument lit up, a fiery red glow burned, lighting up the courtyard. Following that was a sharp white glow that shone with the same glow as the red glow.
They seemed to be competing as they shone brighter and brighter as if one were trying to overpower the other.
"Two Elemental Spirit Roots!!!"
The Outer Sect Elder exclaimed with joy as all the children were shocked. They watched Xia with envy but she didn't have a smile on her face, instead her eyes were filled with worry.
Worry that Lixin may distance himself from her due to envy toward her talent; if that happens, she may truly be heartbroken.
Lixin felt pure joy for Xia as he almost shouted her name, but he quickly stopped himself. He was just a person without a spirit root, and Xia was someone with a Two Elemental Spirit Root.
In an instant, their position has changed, separated by the same distance as the distance between heaven and earth.
Now, having awakened such a talent, she may not even glance at him, perhaps she may even distance herself from him.
Such a thought broke his already broken heart even more, but he also understood that such was life. Thus, the only thing he could do was give his best wishes and not be a burden for her.
"HAHAHAHA"
Elder Lin's laughter woke him from his thought, as at some point, he had appeared before Xia, looking at her with satisfaction.
"Child, are you willing to be my direct disciple?"
He asked and then glared at those three behind him, seeing his look, they just sighed and counted their losses.
"Disciple is willing."
Xia quickly said as she gave a disciple greeting to Elder Lin, he couldn't stop laughing as he gulped down wine continuously.
His gaze suddenly fell on Lixin, and he seemed to understand the emotion felt by him in an instant, which made him smile even more.
'Such a silly child. No, they both are silly.'
He thought in his heart as he turned his attention toward Xia, an idea came to his mind as he cleared his throat.
"Child, since you are my disciple, tell me your name."
He shouted out loud, making sure no one would miss his question. Lixin also looked at Xia, waiting for her reply.
His heart was beating like crazy, wondering what answer she would give. He still cared about her, his first friend in this new world.
"Name?"
Xia was confused for a while since her master already knew her name, but suddenly she thought of something as she looked in Lixin's direction.
He was staring at her as their gaze met. She smiled at him and then looked at her master. Now, with all the might she could muster, with all her heart, she shouted.
"Master, this disciple's name is.."
"Xia Ying!!!!"