Jiang Ran, Classmate

"That's the situation..." The attending physician narrowed his eyes.

"Generally, everyone chooses their most outstanding innate Spirit Root for transplantation. That gives the best results."

"Of course, some people prefer other attributes. It all depends on personal preference!"

"Is that so..." Jiang Ran fell into thought.

According to the doctor, every normal person was born into this world with all five elements present.

It was simply that the vast majority of people had extremely weak Spirit Roots, far below the Low-Grade Spirit Root standard—in other words, they were commonly said to have terrible aptitude.

Yet among those five faint Spirit Roots, there would always be one or two that stood out more than the rest.

Take Jiang Ran, for example. His water-attributed Spirit Root was more prominent than his other four Spirit Roots, making it his primary Spirit Root. Choosing a water-attributed one during transplantation would naturally suit him better.

Nothing was absolute, just as the doctor had said.

If he truly wanted to choose a Spirit Root of another attribute, that was possible too; its fusion rate simply would not be as high as that of a Water Spirit Root.

"A Water Spirit Root is definitely the best fit for me..." A bold idea gradually took shape in Jiang Ran's mind.

Back in the Grand Ruins Realm, immortals of the Hundred Yue Sect had tested his fate.

"Jiang Ran, your fate belongs to Ren Water."

The so-called fate of the Grand Ruins Realm now seemed to have some strange connection with Spirit Roots.

Then what if Jiang Ran removed his own Low-Grade Water Spirit Root and replaced it with a new "Mid-Grade Metal Spirit Root"?

Would his Qi-Absorption Path... change along with it?

There was an iron law in the Grand Ruins Realm: "The Dao Path cannot be altered." Once one underwent Qi-Consuming Initiation, one's future Dao Path was set.

If changing Spirit Roots could alter one's Dao Path, then this was no small matter.

"Forget it. My funds are limited. I can test that out when I get the chance later." Jiang Ran came back to himself.

"So, Mr. Jiang, which one have you taken a liking to?"

"Our hospital doesn't have much Metal Spirit Root stock. If you need one, I'll have to submit an application..."

"No need." Jiang Ran smiled. "I was only asking out of curiosity."

"Doctor, I'll take a Mid-Grade Water Spirit Root."

"Alright!"

The attending physician readily printed out another price list and handed it to Jiang Ran.

[Type-One Mid-Grade Water Spirit Root (Quality 9)---Fusion Rate 99%---3.9 million yuan]

[Type-One Mid-Grade Water Spirit Root (Quality 9)---Fusion Rate 98%---2.4 million yuan]

[Type-One Mid-Grade Water Spirit Root (Quality 8)---Fusion Rate 98%---2.1 million yuan]

"The records show that you haven't undergone sterilization, so you can only choose a Type-One Spirit Root."

"Mr. Jiang, pick whichever you like. If your budget allows it, it's best to choose the high-quality Spirit Root with Quality 9 and a ninety-nine percent fusion rate." The doctor pointed at the Spirit Root listed at the very top.

"Grade 9 is the highest quality. A fusion rate of ninety-nine means that Spirit Root can produce results infinitely close to an innate Spirit Root."

"Is that so..." Jiang Ran frowned.

The doctor's words were easy enough to understand. A surgically transplanted Spirit Root was, after all, an external addition; the ultimate goal was to stand shoulder to shoulder with an innate Spirit Root.

But this Water Spirit Root with a ninety-nine percent fusion rate was far too expensive. It actually cost nearly four million Heavenroad Coins.

Before coming to the hospital, Jiang Ran had done some basic research. He had learned that Mid-Grade Spirit Root surgery generally cost around two million, yet only after arriving did he realize there was such a maze of details involved.

The Mid-Grade Water Spirit Root with a ninety-eight percent fusion rate was only one percentage point lower on paper, yet it was a full 1.5 million cheaper.

Was the gap between the two really that great?

"Doctor, I'd like to know how big the difference is between this ninety-eight percent one and the best Spirit Root."

"This..." The doctor lowered his voice.

"The difference isn't really that huge. According to the latest research from Heavenblade Journal, their cultivation speeds differ by roughly five percent."

"Only five percent?" The tight crease between Jiang Ran's brows suddenly eased.

"Then I'll take the second one!"

So after all that, 1.5 million only bought him five percent more cultivation speed?

What was there to hesitate about? He would obviously choose the one with the best value for money!

"Take the form and make the payment. I'll schedule your surgery."

"It can be done today?"

"It can be done immediately!"

Jiang Ran raised his brows. After only a moment's hesitation, he said, "Alright!"

Was a five percent difference in cultivation speed significant? It actually was.

Mid-Grade Spirit Roots were already vastly stronger than Low-Grade Spirit Roots. Families that came in for Mid-Grade Spirit Root transplantation generally had decent means. Since they had come this far, most would not mind spending another million for peace of mind.

After all, Mid-Grade Spirit Roots were already the ceiling for the vast majority of families.

Superior Spirit Roots were far too expensive. Ordinary people simply could not afford them.

But Jiang Ran was different.

A five percent increase in cultivation speed would certainly have considerable long-term effects after reaching the Foundation Establishment Realm, or even the Golden Core Realm.

But during Qi Refining, that bit of efficiency could practically be ignored.

Besides, he was bound to pursue higher-grade Spirit Roots in the future. An Earth Spirit Root was his true goal.

Although it was not the weekend, the hospital was still packed.

In this age of universal cultivation, many people displayed stupidity beyond imagination. Some appeared no different from ordinary people, yet in truth had no ability to recognize themselves at all.

Those who had never experienced it would find it hard to believe that some overdosed on pills and suffered medicinal poisoning, while others practiced spells and burned themselves to death...

The First People's Hospital's "Meridian Department," "Dantian Department," "Burn Specialty Clinic," and "Poisoning Specialty Clinic" had all been established for such people.

Jiang Ran stood in the long line, feeling both anxious and somewhat excited.

He was anxious because he did not know whether the transplant surgery would hurt...

He was excited because this was his first time openly throwing around two million. The feeling was far too delightful.

Just as he slowly moved forward with the line,

a voice suddenly called out to him from behind.

"Jiang... Jiang Ran?"

It was a girl's voice, somewhat familiar.

He could run into an acquaintance even at the hospital?

The moment he turned around, Jiang Ran froze slightly.

"Zhang Jingjing? Why are you here?" he blurted out.

He had never imagined that he would encounter an acquaintance at the hospital—and that acquaintance would actually be Zhang Jingjing!

They had known each other for more than two years, and he had confessed dozens of times. No matter how one put it, they were much more familiar with each other than ordinary people...

"My grandfather is sick. He was admitted for surgery, so I came to see him." Zhang Jingjing showed no disgust whatsoever, her expression calm and open.

"What about you? Why are you here?"

"I..." Jiang Ran scratched his head, unsure how to explain it.

Should he directly say that he had come to transplant a Mid-Grade Spirit Root?

A poor student coming in for Spirit Root surgery sounded like it would be too troublesome to explain.

"I'm fine. I just felt a little unwell, so I came to get a checkup." He simply chose not to explain and casually made up an excuse.

"A checkup?" Zhang Jingjing nodded, just about to offer a polite greeting.

But then she suddenly caught sight of the medical booklet in Jiang Ran's hand.

[Pingjiang First People's Hospital—Spirit Root Department]

Spirit Root Department... Could he be...

In an instant, Zhang Jingjing thought of many things. Then, recalling Jiang Ran's miserable background, her eyes immediately reddened.

She lifted her head and solemnly looked at Jiang Ran's handsome yet pale face.

"Jiang Ran, Classmate, stop lying to me. Did you come here to sell your Spirit Root?"