A Zhu's departing figure had not yet gone far when the clamor in the Spirit-Testing Plaza rose once more.
This time, however, there were no arguments or angry shouts—only waves of astonished exclamations.
As spiritual lights of different colors and intensities lit up one after another, the Azurewood Sect's first batch of disciples began to emerge on this plaza.
The disciple guarding the stele remained composed. Each time a Spiritual Root was detected, he announced it loudly, his voice piercing through the crowd and reaching every ear with clarity.
Xu Changqing stood to one side with his hands behind his back, as did Li Sancai and Wang Han. The three of them slowly swept their gazes across the crowd, witnessing the scene firsthand.
Single Spiritual Roots were the most common. For every thousand people, one spiritual light would rise.
A youth dressed in coarse hemp clothes tested positive for a Metal Spiritual Root.
The youth clenched his fists, his eyes brimming with excitement as his entire body trembled.
A little girl with twin horn braids tested positive for a Water Spirit Root.
She looked timidly at the disciple guarding the stele. After receiving an affirmative answer, she turned and threw herself into her mother's arms, weeping.
There was also a middle-aged man who looked like a refugee and tested positive for an Earth Spirit Root.
He gave a deep bow toward the Azurewood Sect, looking as though a great burden had been lifted from his shoulders.
Though these disciples with Single Spiritual Roots varied in aptitude, none could conceal the wild joy in their hearts.
After all, this was their chance to defy heaven and change their fate.
Just then, a startled cry erupted from the line.
A young girl in a pale blue dress pressed both hands against the