"Now that the lecture is over... we'll begin testing Spiritual Roots. Come up one by one."
After the eerie scripture ceased, Ju Liuzi called out loudly.
Everyone present had seemingly been bewitched. Their faces were blissful and intoxicated. "Daoist... take me as your disciple!"
"Daoist, please save me!"
A crowd shoved and jostled to get forward, willingly stepping into the monster's maw.
Among them, Sun Chu was a martial world man with a broad waist and thick arms. He charged forward first. "Immortal Master, please accept this humble one's bow!"
"Hmm, come here. I'll feel your bones and test your Spiritual Root."
An evil smile appeared on Ju Liuzi's face. He beckoned Sun Chu forward, then ran his palm across his chest.
Splurt!
His palm was withered, his skin like old tree bark, but his fingernails were razor-sharp. They ripped open Sun Chu's chest and seized his bloody heart.
The heart was still pounding, drenched in blood.
An evil red light flashed through Ju Liuzi's eyes. He stuffed the heart into his mouth and began wolfing it down. "Not bad... As expected, taking it alive makes it the freshest and spiciest..."
In the great hall, countless eyes watched.
Immortal Master Ju Liuzi had boldly cut open a man's abdomen and removed his heart, eating until drops of blood slid down his beard from the corners of his mouth.
This should have been a horrifying, terrifying sight, yet everyone else seemed blind. Smiling, they calmly watched it all.
"Your Root Bone is average, but your physique is strong. You may follow this old Daoist and serve as a menial!"
After eating Sun Chu's heart, Ju Liuzi stuffed a black flesh-burl back into the wound, smoothed the injury flat, and announced loudly.
"Thank you, Immortal Master! Thank you, Immortal Master!"
Sun Chu