Su Yuan returned to the team, and the surrounding Disciples frequently looked at him and Zhang Wei.
Among them, Zhou Wuyou stared intently at Su Yuan, his expression changing unpredictably as he wondered what he was thinking.
Although Zhang Wei had been taken down a peg by Su Yuan, he still wore a complacent look, raising his head to look around, frequently nodding towards the surrounding Disciples with a beaming smile.
Su Yuan, on the other hand, slightly lowered his head, appearing very low-key.
As a result, Zhang Wei inadvertently attracted attention for Su Yuan, and many people redirected their gaze back to Zhang Wei.
On the high platform, the testing continued.
For the Disciples after Su Yuan, the probability of opening one spirit aperture significantly increased; basically, one out of three opened one spirit aperture, but none opened two spirit apertures yet.
It wasn't until the ranking reached 180 that a Disciple finally opened two spirit apertures.
But this Disciple's Spiritual Root was already a Middle Grade Three Spiritual Root, which didn't cause much of a stir.
Although reaching two spirit apertures with a Middle Grade Spiritual Root was good, it was merely good.
And at this rate, Su Yuan and Zhang Wei were guaranteed to be in the top 200 in the first cultivation test, with hopes for the Outer Sect!
Zhang Wei's smile became more pronounced. Su Yuan nudged his side and whispered, "Don't be too arrogant. The Upper Grade Spiritual Roots haven't made their move yet. Wait until your mindset doesn't collapse!"
Zhang Wei raised an eyebrow and said, "So what about Upper Grade Spiritual Roots? I'll catch up sooner or later!"
His tone was full of confidence.
Su Yuan was speechless.
In the subsequent cultivation tests, every single one opened at least one spirit aperture, and the proportion of those opening two spirit apertures rapidly increased.
The smile on Zhang Wei's face gradually faded, but he remained very confident.
Until the last Middle Grade Spiritual Root at rank 50, they also opened two spirit apertures, not exceeding three spirit apertures, but still had an energy surplus of over 300.
Zhang Wei felt that the gap between him and the top Middle Grade Spiritual Root was only about double.
Moreover, according to this ranking, he actually reached 143rd place, breaking into the top 150!
Of course, Su Yuan ranked even higher than him, already reaching 118th place!
This ranking made Su Yuan feel a bit helpless. He was a Lower Grade Spiritual Root, wouldn't this be too attention-grabbing?
When the ranking reached 49th place, the first Upper Grade Spiritual Root Disciple walked onto the high platform.
Everyone watched intently.
This was the first test for an Upper Grade Spiritual Root.
The light beam rapidly rose, increasing by a significant amount.
Zhang Wei stared intently at the text on the stone slab.
[120 wisps of spiritual energy]
[Three spirit apertures opened]
[Refining Qi First Layer]
"How is that possible!" Zhang Wei's eyes widened. "His progress is nearly three times faster than mine!"
Two spirit apertures are not comparable to three spirit apertures; the difference between them is huge!
Su Yuan wasn't surprised at all. He had already estimated the difference between Spiritual Roots; it was roughly between two and three times. Middle Grade Spiritual Root was three times that of Lower Grade Spiritual Root, and Upper Grade Spiritual Root was three times that of Middle Grade Spiritual Root. This comparison was made when the number of Spiritual Roots was the same.
Zhang Wei's progress was comparable to a Middle Grade Spiritual Root, so it was normal for the worst Upper Grade Spiritual Root to have nearly three times his progress.
However, the Upper Grade Spiritual Root Disciple's expression was not good; he went down with a sullen face!
Zhang Wei whispered, "He seems unhappy!"
"Heh heh, he's an Upper Grade Spiritual Root. He's definitely comparing himself to people at the same level, not you!" Su Yuan prompted.
"There are still stronger people?" Zhang Wei's confidence was somewhat shaken.
The 48th ranked Disciple stepped forward and placed his hand on the jade stone. He also reached three spirit apertures, and his spiritual energy storage had reached 200 wisps!
"Absurd!" Zhang Wei cursed inwardly.
Su Yuan, however, was very calm.
It wasn't until the 15th ranked Disciple that a change finally occurred.
[28 wisps of spiritual energy]
[Four spirit apertures opened]
[Refining Qi Second Layer]
"Damn animal! Is this an Upper Grade Spiritual Root?" A hint of seriousness flashed in Zhang Wei's eyes.
"Calm down, this is just the beginning?" Su Yuan said.
Zhang Wei looked at Su Yuan in surprise. He found that Su Yuan was truly calm. Whether it was the previous three spirit apertures or the current four spirit apertures, Su Yuan showed no fear or timidity.
He originally thought highly of his own temperament, but it wasn't until this moment that he realized Su Yuan's temperament was much stronger than his! That composure and calmness couldn't be faked. He even had the illusion of seeing the demeanor of his elder brother in Su Yuan, and his elder brother had already reached Foundation Establishment!
Su Yuan looked at Zhang Wei suspiciously. "What's wrong with you? Why are you staring at me?"
"Oh, it's nothing!" Zhang Wei gave an awkward laugh, and his state of mind inexplicably improved slightly.
Su Yuan felt that Zhang Wei was a bit strange, but he didn't care about these details. He continued watching the good show above.
'If I were to activate all five days of rest time, I wonder if I could compete with these Upper Grade Spiritual Roots?'
That's right, Su Yuan hadn't cultivated again since he cultivated once five days ago.
Originally, there were only 28 wisps of spiritual energy remaining in his body, but the spiritual energy automatically increased by the spirit apertures forcefully pushed his spiritual energy to around 60 wisps. The amount of spiritual energy he passively recovered was definitely not normal; it could increase by 6 wisps a day, which was better than the effect of ordinary Lower Grade Spiritual Roots cultivating diligently.
While he was deep in thought, the testing speed remained rapid, and soon it was the turn of the third ranked Disciple. This was also an Upper Grade Spiritual Root, but specifically an Upper Grade Single Spiritual Root!
[1278 wisps of spiritual energy]
[Four spirit apertures opened]
[Refining Qi Second Layer]
"This gap... tsk tsk!" Zhang Wei muttered, his tone becoming somewhat flat instead.
Su Yuan also praised it; this achievement was simply Heaven-Defying. He had only just cultivated for 10 days and directly opened four spirit apertures, becoming a Refining Qi Second Layer Cultivator, creating a huge gap!
Compared to Middle Grade Spiritual Roots, it was simply not on the same level, let alone Lower Grade Spiritual Roots; one couldn't even see their backs.
The last ranked Disciple's face turned green; the fractional part of his spiritual energy was more than twice as high as his!
The gap was despair-inducing!
"Liu Muwan, come up and test!"
The Valley Master smiled gently at Liu Muwan, the Perfect Spiritual Root.
"Okay!"
The young woman smiled gently, then her figure floated up, leaping onto the high platform like a wisp of smoke.
Zhang Wei's expression changed. "Basic Spell, Light Body Technique! Has she already started cultivating Spells?"
Su Yuan was thoughtful. This gap was indeed a bit large; he hadn't even seen a single Spell yet! The Burning Wood Forging Spirit Art itself only came with three Spells, and the first one could only be cultivated after reaching Refining Qi Third Layer.
The light beam of the testing artifact shone brightly.
Light golden text appeared on the stone slab.
[2815 wisps of spiritual energy]
[Six spirit apertures opened]
[Refining Qi Second Layer]
"Hiss!"
Gasps sounded throughout the entire venue, and the temperature rose by several degrees!
Liu Muwan instantly opened a gap of two spirit apertures!
Even cheating should follow basic principles, right?
When Su Yuan cheated, there was an upper limit to the absorption of surrounding spiritual energy. Did Perfect Spiritual Roots not care about this? Suddenly, Su Yuan thought of the reason: the spiritual energy consumed by Liu Muwan to open spirit apertures was definitely very little!
Since he could reduce consumption by 10% through comprehending Cultivation Techniques, Liu Muwan's Earth Grade Upper Rank Cultivation Technique might directly reduce spiritual energy consumption by more than 50%!
The gap was simply too large.
Su Yuan muttered inwardly. At this moment, he felt relieved. It seemed that his opening of two spirit apertures was not a big deal at all. Su Yuan, who deeply understood the path of caution, secretly rejoiced.
However, what Su Yuan didn't know was that according to the Valley Master's evaluation criteria, his ranking was second only to Liu Muwan. This point remained unchanged even after the Upper Grade Single Spiritual Root Disciple tested out four spirit apertures.
In other words, according to the Valley Master's evaluation criteria, Su Yuan's achievement of two spirit apertures surpassed the achievement of an Upper Grade Spiritual Root with four spirit apertures. As for how much lower he was compared to Liu Muwan, only the Valley Master himself knew.
It was the last person's turn, Ye Bufan!
A faint smile appeared on Ye Bufan's face as he walked towards the retreating Liu Muwan.
"This time, I've taken a step ahead!" Ye Bufan transmitted his voice to Liu Muwan.
Liu Muwan slightly raised her delicate eyebrows and turned to look at Ye Bufan's test results.
As Ye Bufan pressed his hands onto the jade stone, entirely new text appeared.
[2230 wisps of spiritual energy]
[Seven spirit apertures opened]
[Refining Qi Third Layer]
"Seven spirit apertures?" Liu Muwan's dark eyebrows furrowed slightly.
As soon as the result of seven spirit apertures came out.
Instantly, the entire venue fell silent. Everyone stared blankly at Ye Bufan, their eyes filled with disbelief.
This was Refining Qi Third Layer!
A world of difference!
Compared to him, everyone else had no qualification to compare!
The elder nodded and smiled, "Well done!"
Ye Bufan smiled slightly and said very humbly, "Thank you, Valley Master Lan, for your praise!"
The Valley Master nodded, then spoke to everyone, "Today's testing has concluded. From now until the cultivation test at the end of March, there will be no additional tests. But you should all have a clear idea now, so I won't say more. You may disperse!"
People left in twos and threes.
Su Yuan also left with Zhang Wei.
Along the way, the two parted ways. Su Yuan was going to the Lecture Hall to attend a lecture, while Zhang Wei was going back to continue cultivating diligently!
Su Yuan walked forward alone. When he reached a patch of woods, a figure appeared and blocked Su Yuan's path.
"Hmm? Zhou Wuyou?" Su Yuan looked at Zhou Wuyou with a solemn expression.
Behind him, there were a full eight Disciples standing!
He didn't expect that Zhou Wuyou would intercept him halfway!
Zhou Wuyou walked over alone, expressionless.
Su Yuan frowned as he watched him, waiting for his move, his gaze shifting around, searching for an escape route for later.
"Let me reintroduce myself. Zhou Wuyou, a direct Disciple of the Zhou Family, Lower Grade Three Spiritual Root. My Family is in the Medicinal Pill business!" Zhou Wuyou said.
Su Yuan already knew all this.
"So?" Su Yuan asked.
Zhou Wuyou continued talking to himself, "There are also fifteen Foundation Establishment Cultivators and one Pseudo-Core Cultivator in the Family. It's considered a not-weak Foundation Establishment cultivation Family. My father is a Mid Foundation Establishment Cultivator!"
Su Yuan's expression became solemn. This Family background was not weak!
Don't look at Foundation Establishment as just the second realm of cultivation. A single Foundation Establishment Cultivator can support a Foundation Establishment cultivation Family, and occupying a small spiritual mountain is completely possible. Out of a hundred Lower Grade Spiritual Roots, it's considered good if even one can break through to Foundation Establishment!
"What exactly do you want to say?"
Su Yuan guessed Zhou Wuyou's thoughts. He had no interest in joining the Zhou Family or becoming a subordinate.
"After three months, it will be difficult for me to enter the Outer Sect. As a result, the resource support my Family gives me will be greatly reduced. Although it's completely sufficient for my cultivation, it will be somewhat insufficient in other aspects," Zhou Wuyou sighed.
Su Yuan let out an "oh".
He had heard Zhang Wei's complaints. He knew that what followed would be the revealing of his true intentions!
"I've checked. You are a Lower Grade Three Spiritual Root, and you haven't had broken Spirit Stone supply during this time. You usually listen to lectures and read books outside!" Zhou Wuyou added.
Su Yuan's brows furrowed even deeper. He didn't expect this person was actually targeting him.
"Sorry, I still have to go to a lecture. I'll be leaving first!" Su Yuan said.
Su Yuan turned sideways and walked towards the Lecture Hall. He didn't believe Zhou Wuyou would dare to use force within the Immortal Seed Valley. This place was where Disciples' various abilities were assessed. Once they left an impression of bullying the weak on the Sect, they would definitely not have an easy time.
"Wait!" Zhou Wuyou shouted.
Su Yuan quickened his pace.
"I want to cooperate with you!" Zhou Wuyou suddenly said.
"Cooperate?" Su Yuan paused his steps.
"For these three months, I will fully assist your cultivation and help you achieve a ranking within the top fifty to obtain the qualification of an Inner Sect Disciple. After you become an Inner Sect Disciple, you will have the qualification to recommend an Outer Sect Disciple. I hope to obtain this qualification. As compensation, I will also provide you with many Medicinal Pills and Spirit Stones to aid your cultivation!" Zhou Wuyou said calmly.
"I know you are a Genius in terms of comprehension. Your current cultivation speed is not your limit. If you have enough resources, entering the top fifty is highly possible! This cooperation will be beneficial to both you and me!"
Su Yuan slowly turned around, his gaze towards Zhou Wuyou revealing a hint of surprise. This guy... was nothing like the "good-for-nothing" Zhang Wei described!