The burly elder lifted his chin toward the youth in fine robes and said in a deep, resonant voice, "You. Go first."
Hearing this, the youth unhurriedly straightened his collar and stepped forward with his head held high. When he reached the Spirit-Assessment Stele, he raised the hand bearing a white-jade thumb ring and pressed his palm firmly against the cold surface.
Light swirled within the spirit orb. Blue, red, and white radiance lit up in succession, intertwining into a rather brilliant glow. It was not particularly pure, but it was still impressive.
"Three-Element Spiritual Root. True Spiritual Root."
The disciple made a mark in the register.
The burly elder nodded, his voice booming like a great bell. "You may enter the inner sect and skip the next test."
He then waved a hand toward a disciple beside him. "Take him to the Heart-Questioning Stone for testing."
The disciple acknowledged the order and led the youth toward the left side of the mountain gate.
