"Senior Brother Jin, I told you long ago. My spirit bone is anything but ordinary."
The richly dressed youth opened his eyes then too. Seeing the change in the dragon pearl, he immediately looked just as smug.
Xu Taiping remained perfectly calm, feeling neither envy nor jealousy.
Lin Buyu, standing beside him, was the same.
"Little fellow, what is your name?"
As Elder Black Dragon withdrew the dragon pearl, he asked the richly dressed youth, whose face was full of arrogance.
"I am the ninth prince of the Heavenly Wolf Kingdom, surnamed Ye, given name Xuan. From childhood, I..."
"Enough. Stand aside."
Before the youth could finish, Elder Black Dragon waved him away, seemingly displeased with his arrogance.
Though Ye Xuan was somewhat unhappy, he did not dare say anything more and could only walk dejectedly to Jin Hezhi's side.
"You, come here."
Elder Black Dragon pointed at Lin Buyu.
Lin Buyu nodded, then approached Elder Black Dragon with small steps and placed one little hand on the dragon pearl.
At this sight, Ziyan of the Sixth Peak felt her heart tighten.
Although the Spirit Bone Stele rarely "misjudged," there was always a chance. After all, the future cultivation achievements of those with Golden Spirit Bones and Profound Spirit Bones differed by far more than a little, and spirit bones also came in different types.
It was impossible for Ziyan not to be nervous.
"Hum..."
With another faint hum, the dragon pearl in Elder Black Dragon's hand glowed golden once more. This time, however, the flames surrounding it became crackling sparks of lightning.
"It's a Thunder Variant Bone, and a Golden Spirit Bone-grade Thunder Variant Bone at that!"
At this sight, even the normally reserved Fairy Ziyan could not help crying out.
"Congratulations, Junior Sister Ziyan. Our Azure Profound Sect hasn't seen a Golden Spirit Bone-grade Thunder Variant Bone in centuries."
"Senior Sister Ziyan, the Sixth Peak has picked up such a treasure. You'll have to treat us all to a proper feast at the Drunken Immortal Abode."
Qingxiao and Linglong stepped forward to congratulate her.
"Congratulations, Junior Sister Ziyan."
Jin Hezhi also reluctantly came forward to offer his congratulations.
"Hahaha..."
Then Elder Black Dragon, who had been stern and unsmiling throughout, suddenly broke into hearty laughter that shook the hall.
"One lightning, one fire, and both Golden Spirit Bones! There is hope for our Azure Profound Sect's resurgence!"
Elder Black Dragon laughed.
Taking it all in, Xu Taiping's heart remained as still as an ancient well. Only when Lin Buyu passed him did he quietly say, "Congratulations, little sister Buyu."
Lin Buyu turned to glance at Xu Taiping, then nodded. "Thank you."
Neither of them was easily swayed by favor or disgrace, though Lin Buyu seemed even more composed.
"Little fellow, your turn."
Elder Black Dragon's voice rang out again.
Xu Taiping raised his head and saw Elder Black Dragon's slit pupils fixed on him, full of anticipation.
Beside him, Qingxiao and Linglong suddenly grew tense, both turning their eyes toward Xu Taiping.
"Yes."
After meeting Elder Black Dragon's gaze, Xu Taiping nodded calmly.
Then, under everyone's watchful eyes, Xu Taiping pressed his hand against the dragon pearl in Elder Black Dragon's palm and closed his eyes to concentrate.
"Hum..."
He felt a warm power slowly envelop him. Before long, he felt the dragon pearl beneath his hand begin to tremble.
Xu Taiping opened his eyes and saw that the formerly transparent dragon pearl had turned a ghastly white, much like the bleached bones of a wild beast abandoned by the roadside.
Just as I thought.
Xu Taiping murmured inwardly.
His guess had been correct. Although the pill his grandfather had left him could put his name on the Immortal Register, it could not give him a true spirit bone.
"A... a White Bone?"
Staring at the bone-white dragon pearl, Senior Sister Zhao Linglong's eyes filled with disbelief.
Qingxiao said nothing, but his expression showed that his astonishment was no less than Zhao Linglong's.
"The Spirit Bone Stele actually picked out a White Bone. Your Seventh Peak's luck is as rotten as ever."
At this sight, Jin Hezhi of the First Peak laughed again, then spoke in a voice dripping with mockery.
"You!"
"Junior Sister."
Zhao Linglong was about to argue, but Qingxiao stopped her.
"Elder Black Dragon, could I ask you to test him once more?"
Qingxiao made his request to Elder Black Dragon.
"Qingxiao, you should know very well that this pearl of mine does not make mistakes."
Elder Black Dragon put away the dragon pearl and spoke with an air of authority.
"Ah..."
Qingxiao let out a long sigh.
"Ziyan, Hezhi, take your young ones up the mountain. There is nothing more for you to do here."
Elder Black Dragon looked up at Ziyan and Jin Hezhi.
"Elder Black Dragon, Junior Brother Qingxiao, Junior Sister Linglong, I'll take my leave."
Smiling, Jin Hezhi took Ye Xuan by the hand and turned to leave.
"Senior Brother Jin, surely our Azure Profound Sect doesn't even accept White Bones?"
"Our First Peak certainly wouldn't accept such trash."
Their conversation drifted back from the doorway, sending Qingxiao and Linglong's anger blazing three feet high, though there was nothing they could do.
Knowing the two were upset, Ziyan said little and took her leave with Lin Buyu.
Only after they had gone did Elder Black Dragon open his eyes again.
"A White Bone is not qualified to become a disciple of the Seven Peaks. You may either remain below the mountain as an Unregistered Disciple, train for three years, and attempt the Seven Peaks Selection then, or leave the mountain immediately."
He turned his gaze toward Xu Taiping, who stood silently in place.
Clearly, he wanted Xu Taiping to make his choice.
"Taiping..."
"Let him decide for himself."
Linglong seemed to want to remind Xu Taiping of something, but Elder Black Dragon interrupted her.
At that, Linglong sensibly closed her mouth and said no more.
"If I pass the Seven Peaks Selection, can I still join the Seventh Peak and become your junior brother, Sister Linglong, Brother Qingxiao?"
Instead of answering Elder Black Dragon immediately, Xu Taiping turned to Qingxiao and Linglong.
"I can guarantee that on our master's behalf. If you pass the selection, the gates of the Seventh Peak will certainly be open to you."
Qingxiao spoke with a solemn expression.
In truth, he felt somewhat guilty that he had been unable to bring Xu Taiping up the mountain.
"Taiping, passing the selection would certainly be wonderful, but it's far too difficult."
Linglong shook her head at Xu Taiping, her face full of worry.
Xu Taiping smiled at Linglong, then turned to Elder Black Dragon and said:
"Elder, I would like to stay below the mountain and train for three years."
Xu Taiping would not go back on the promise he had made to his grandfather.
Seeing that Xu Taiping had made his decision, Elder Black Dragon nodded impassively, then took out a jade slip and held it out to him.
"Take this jade slip. Someone will bring you down the mountain, settle you in, and explain what you need to keep in mind from now on."
"Thank you, Elder."
Xu Taiping accepted the jade slip.
"Elder Black Dragon, I was the one who brought this child up the mountain. Please let me take him down and settle him in."
Linglong stepped forward and made her request to Elder Black Dragon.
"Disciples of the Seven Peaks may not descend the mountain at will or meddle in affairs below it. However... since you were the one who escorted this child here, This Old Man will make an exception this once."
Elder Black Dragon considered it briefly, then slowly nodded his assent.
"Thank you, Elder Black Dragon!"
Having gained permission, Linglong was overjoyed.
"You may not remain below the peaks for more than four hours. And don't try any tricks. Affairs on the Seven Peaks are beyond This Old Man's jurisdiction, but below them, even a broken blade of grass or branch cannot escape This Old Man's perception."
Elder Black Dragon gave Zhao Linglong a warning.
"Don't worry, Elder. I promise I won't do anything beyond what is necessary."
With her intentions seen through by Elder Black Dragon, Linglong stuck out her tongue, then narrowed her eyes in a smile as she gave her assurance.
A short while later.
Outside Dragon Gate Hall.
"Junior Sister, I need to report what happened here to our master. I'll leave Taiping in your care. Make sure you settle everything properly for him. It will be difficult for us to come down and visit him in the future, after all."
Qingxiao gave Linglong these instructions.
"Don't worry, Senior Brother. I'll take care of everything."
Linglong assured Qingxiao.
Qingxiao nodded, then leaped into the air. With a jade flute beneath his feet, he streaked through the sky like a ray of light.
"Come on, Taiping. Let's get you registered first, then find you a good place below the mountain where you can earn merit and cultivate."
Linglong patted Taiping's shoulder with a smile.
"Earn merit?"
Xu Taiping was puzzled by the term.
"That's right."
Linglong sighed, then explained to Xu Taiping:
"The Azure Profound Sect's outer disciples below the mountain have to earn merit every year. Only by earning enough can they continue to stay in the Azure Profound Sect. Otherwise, they'll be driven off the mountain."
"Then how do I earn merit?"
Xu Taiping asked.
"After registering, every outer disciple receives a courtyard dwelling and a few mu of immortal fields or medicinal gardens. You can raise cattle and pigs in the courtyard, and grow immortal grain, rice, or medicinal herbs in the fields. Once they're ready, you can sell them for Merit Coins."
Linglong explained it to Xu Taiping in great detail.
"Thank you, Sister Linglong. I understand now. This merit is like silver in the mortal world."
Xu Taiping nodded.
"That's not wrong."
Linglong smiled, then took Xu Taiping's hand and said:
"Come on, Taiping. Let's go to the West Wind Pavilion to register you first, then see if there's any work that suits you."
Before you continue