Spiritual root test? Test my ass!

The second morning of the Ascension Gathering, a massive plaza was erected in the center of the valley. Dozens of two-meter-tall Strength Testing Stones were set up around the plaza, each carved with intricate Runes.

Thousands of young men and women lined up, awaiting the Spiritual Root Test. The test was simple—place a hand on a Strength Testing Stone, activate the Rune array, and determine the presence of a "Spiritual Root" within the body. A Spiritual Root is the fundamental difference between a Cultivator and an Ordinary Person. Those with a Spiritual Root can absorb Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi and embark on the path of cultivation; those without, no matter how much they cultivate, will remain Ordinary People.

The recruitment standards of Cultivation Sects are based on "Spiritual Root grades." Spiritual Roots are divided into grades—Heaven, Earth, Black, and Yellow—with Heaven Spiritual Root being the rarest and Yellow Spiritual Root the most common. Even a Yellow Spiritual Root is a rarity among thousands of candidates.

Yan Kui stood at the back of the line, his height causing the surrounding youths to retreat. That oppressive sense of fear once again surfaced on the faces of these mortal geniuses.

"Did you hear? That monster is also participating in the Spiritual Root Test," a girl whispered.

"He's definitely just here for the show. With a body like that, how could he possibly have a Spiritual Root?" another young man sneered, "Cultivation emphasizes the harmony of Essence, Qi, and Spirit. His appearance..."

"Maybe he's not here for the sect selection at all, but to work as a Strongman," a confident youth laughed.

Yan Kui heard the discussions but showed no reaction. He had expected this. Without a Spiritual Root, he couldn't join the ranks of formal disciples. But this was not part of his plan—he intended to go undercover as a Strongman anyway. The Spiritual Root Test was merely a procedural formality for him.

However, the obsession these cultivators had with "Spiritual Roots" did pique his interest slightly.

By noon, it was Yan Kui's turn to be tested. An old man in a green robe was overseeing the testing in this area. When the old man saw Yan Kui approaching, a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes.

"Black Iron Tower?" the old man's voice held a hint of confusion, "I heard you've already reached an agreement with the Qingyun Sect to be a Strongman?"

"Yes," Yan Kui replied concisely.

"Then why are you still participating in the Spiritual Root Test?" the old man asked.

"Since I'm here, I might as well get tested," Yan Kui's reason was simple.

The old man nodded and asked no further questions. He pointed to the Strength Testing Stone before him, "Place your hand on it, concentrate, and let the Qi within your body flow into this stone. If you have a Spiritual Root, the Runes will glow, and the quality of the Spiritual Root will be determined by the color and brightness of the glow."

Yan Kui walked up to the Strength Testing Stone and placed his large, dark red hand gently on its surface.

The Runes began to glow.

But it wasn't the glow of a Spiritual Root test; it was a... blinding white light!

Crack—

The Strength Testing Stone shattered instantly.

The entire stone, starting from Yan Kui's palm, cracked like a spiderweb. In less than half a second, this two-meter-tall, multi-ton Strength Testing Stone was completely pulverized into dust.

White stone powder rose into the air, obscuring half the plaza.

Everyone stopped in their tracks.

Thousands of candidates turned to look, their eyes filled with shock and fear. The youths and maidens still undergoing their tests retreated hastily, as if afraid this monster would suddenly erupt and harm them.

"What happened?" several sect representatives walked over from a distance.

"The Spiritual Root Test formation exploded," the old man said with a frown. "This... the energy within this Strongman is too strong. The Strength Testing Stone couldn't handle it."

One of the elder cultivators approached and carefully examined the shattered Strength Testing Stone. His gaze grew serious.

"This isn't simple brute strength," the Elder said, gently touching the edge of a fragment with his finger, sensing the residual energy fluctuations. "This is... an extremely pure and condensed physical energy. This kid has no Spiritual Root, but his physical strength... far surpasses ordinary people."

"Senior Brother, this person is no Mortal Martial Arts practitioner," another Elder spoke up. "His physique and aura... he looks like some kind of special body cultivator. In the Mortal World, such individuals are extremely rare."

"Not just rare," the first Elder walked up to Yan Kui, scrutinizing the two-and-a-half-meter-tall Crimson Demonic Body. "This kid's physical strength is already approaching the level of a Foundation Establishment Early Stage cultivator. And—"

The Elder's gaze fell upon Yan Kui's eyes, which burned with a dark red flame. "He hasn't cultivated immortality yet. This is the pure limit of Mortal Martial Arts."

The Elder's name was Luo Yue, the Grand Elder of the Outer Disciples of the Qingyun Sect. He had roamed the cultivation world for decades and seen all sorts of geniuses. But someone like Yan Kui was indeed the first he had encountered.

A mortal without a Spiritual Root, yet with physical strength comparable to a Foundation Establishment cultivator... this was simply a "Test Subject" made by heaven and earth!

No, not just a Test Subject. With such a physique, if guided properly and strengthened through cultivation...

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"What is your name?" Luo Yue asked.

"Yan Kui."

"Yan Kui..." Luo Yue repeated the name, as if contemplating something. "I've heard of you. The 'Extreme Demonic God' of Tianwu City. Your name has already caused quite a stir in the Mortal World."

"Is that so?" Yan Kui's expression was blank.

"Are you interested in joining the Qingyun Sect?" Luo Yue suddenly asked.

This question drew the attention of several Elders nearby. They exchanged glances, a hint of confusion flashing in their eyes. Although this "Black Iron Tower" had a powerful physique, he had no Spiritual Root after all. According to the sect's rules, those without a Spiritual Root could at most be Strongmen or laborers. How could he be directly invited to join the sect?

But Luo Yue clearly had his own ideas. He sized Yan Kui up and down, then suddenly said:

"I can directly recruit you as an Outer Disciple of the Qingyun Sect. No Spiritual Root Test required, no trials whatsoever. Only one condition—"

"What condition?" Yan Kui asked.

"Listen to me and undergo some special training," Luo Yue's lips curved into an enigmatic smile. "I am very interested in your physique. If you are willing to let me study it, I can provide you with resources that only cultivators possess."

Yan Kui's eyes narrowed. He knew very well what this old fellow wanted—nothing more than to use him as an experimental subject. But this perfectly fit his plan. To enter the sect's inner workings, interact with high-level cultivators, and learn cultivation knowledge...

"I agree," Yan Kui said without hesitation.

"Very good," Luo Yue nodded with satisfaction. "I am an Elder of the Artifact Refining Peak of the Qingyun Sect, Luo Yue. You are now officially my disciple. Welcome to the Qingyun Sect, Yan Kui."

This announcement caused a stir of whispers around them. Several Elders from other sects looked at Luo Yue with confusion and incomprehension. Directly recruiting a mortal without a Spiritual Root as an Outer Disciple? This was indeed uncommon in the cultivation world.

But Luo Yue had already made his decision, and no one dared to question it.

The Ascension Gathering continued. More candidates completed their Spiritual Root Tests, and some geniuses stood out, sparking competition among the various sects. However, everyone was secretly discussing the monster named "Yan Kui"—a mysterious figure who shattered the Strength Testing Stone and was directly recruited by the Qingyun Sect.

As evening fell, Yan Kui was brought to the Qingyun Sect's temporary camp by Luo Yue. It was a camp set up on the side of a valley, with tents arranged in neat formations. In the center stood a building reinforced with runes, appearing to be the sect's meeting hall.

"The Ascension Gathering will end tomorrow," Luo Yue said. "The day after tomorrow, my people will come to pick you up and take you back to the sect. Until then, you can rest in the camp. Don't wander around, and don't cause trouble. Do you understand?"

"Understood."

Yan Kui was assigned to a spacious tent. As night descended, he sat cross-legged in the tent, his eyes calm as a mirror.

The [Crimson Modifier] panel appeared before his eyes.

[Crimson Modifier]

Host: Yan Kui

Status: Crimson Extreme Golden Body (Tier 1)

Origin Power: 31.5

Strength: 10.5

Agility: 3.0

Constitution: 12.0

Prompt: Has become an Outer Disciple of the Qingyun Sect. Successfully infiltrated a Cultivation Sect.

A cold smile flickered across Yan Kui's lips.

"The plan is proceeding smoothly."

His voice echoed in the tent, devoid of any emotion.

Currently, he had grasped the basic situation of the cultivation world. The importance of spiritual roots to cultivators was undeniable, but the fatal weaknesses of those cultivators were also fully exposed—their frail physical bodies. It would be even better if this Elder Luo Yue wanted to study his physical body. He could legitimately interact with the sect's High-level Cultivators, observe their cultivation methods, and learn their techniques.

"Qingyun Sect..." Yan Kui closed his eyes. "All your resources will become my nourishment."

Outside the tent, the night wind blew. From a distance, the sounds of laughter and conversation from the cultivation disciples could be heard. They had no idea that on this peaceful night, a wolf had infiltrated the flock of sheep.