They all nodded in agreement.
"All right, now that I've explained the rules, it's time to test your Spiritual Root aptitudes!"
"Of course, high Spiritual Root aptitude does not necessarily mean you possess talent in alchemy. Our final assessment will still be your alchemy skills; Spiritual Root aptitude will only serve as a supplementary factor in determining admission!" the middle-aged man added.
As he spoke, he signaled to a warden beside him.
The warden nodded and slapped his Storage Pouch.
A flash of azure light passed by, and a half-man-tall spiritual artifact shaped like a sundial—the Spiritual Root Test Disc—appeared in the courtyard.
"First, Zhongli Can!"
the warden called out.
A young man in white stepped forward, placed both hands on the Spiritual Root Test Disc, and slowly poured spiritual power into it.
"Water Spiritual Root sensitivity: 16. Wood Spiritual Root sensitivity: 19!"
Before long, Wei Shangyi stepped up as well. Confidence shone in his eyes as he placed his hand on it.
The result emerged:
"Fire Spiritual Root sensitivity: 31!"
Everyone revealed looks of envy.
This Spiritual Root aptitude was already above average among Medium Spiritual Roots.
Placed within the Four Great Clans, he would unquestionably be a seedling for Foundation Establishment.
Unfortunately, as a Rogue Cultivator, it would be difficult for him to obtain spiritual items for Foundation Establishment in the future. Still, reaching Late-Stage Qi Condensation was all but certain.
Several more people were tested, all of them possessing Inferior Spiritual Roots.
At last, it was Wang Erniu's turn.
Zhou Xun had always been curious about Wang Erniu's Spiritual Root aptitude.
The result came out quickly.
"Metal Spiritual Root: 55. Earth Spiritual Root: 36. Water Spiritual Root: 31!"
The crowd erupted in uproar.
Even Lin Zhishan was moved.
A Superior Spiritual Root!
And even among Superior Spiritual Roots, it ranked above average, nearly reaching the level of an Earth Spiritual Root.
With such aptitude, entering the Foundation Establishment Realm was practically set in stone. In the future, he might even have hope of glimpsing the Great Path of True Core.
No doubt this news would soon spread throughout Red Leaf Square.
"Silence!"
Lin Zhishan spoke personally. He then gave the warden several instructions before hurriedly leaving with Wang Erniu.
Everyone watched the two departing figures with envy, knowing that Wang Erniu had certainly caught someone's eye and would have great fortune awaiting him.
The remaining people continued their tests.
At last, it was Zhou Xun's turn.
"Fire Spiritual Root: 15. Wood Spiritual Root: 21."
Counting it up, he was one of only six people present with Medium Spiritual Roots.
A cultivator's Spiritual Roots were not fixed and unchanging.
Before the age of eighteen, it was common for Spiritual Root sensitivity to increase with age.
There were even great cultivation lineages that possessed precious spirit medicines and rare secret arts, allowing them to nurture the Spiritual Roots of their younger generations from childhood and raise their sensitivity.
Thus, although Zhou Xun had tested as having Inferior Spiritual Roots at Red Leaf Square when he was ten,
eight years had now passed, and his Spiritual Root sensitivity had risen by five points. While that was somewhat beyond ordinary people, it was not without precedent.
Others would only think Zhou Xun had been lucky.
After the Spiritual Root tests, the warden led Zhou Xun and the others around Danbao Pavilion. He then explained the arrangements for the coming month before leaving.
The thirty of them were assigned one Alchemy Room for every two people.
The Alchemy Rooms were not large, only two or three zhang square.
An alchemy furnace stood in the center, with earthfire connected beneath it.
The one sharing an Alchemy Room with Zhou Xun was Wang Erniu.
Earlier, Lin Zhishan had taken Wang Erniu away to meet Grandmaster Yun Ku.
Grandmaster Yun Ku personally tested Wang Erniu's Spiritual Roots again. After confirming there was no mistake, he immediately wanted to accept him as a disciple.
Yet Wang Erniu dug in his heels, claiming that he already had a master and would not take another.
Grandmaster Yun Ku naturally would not force him against his will, so he sent him back.
After returning, Wang Erniu told Zhou Xun about what had happened.
When Zhou Xun heard that Wang Erniu had refused Grandmaster Yun Ku, he admired Wang Erniu's deep sense of loyalty, yet also regretted that he had abandoned such an opportunity.
Wang Erniu, however, did not care in the slightest.
"I was originally nothing more than a cowherd from a mountain village. Being able to become a cultivator has already left me more than satisfied!"
Bookshelves lined both sides of the Alchemy Room.
They were all introductions to the various alchemy materials of the Cultivation World.
There was even a basic pill formula—the formula for the Pigu Pill.
Looking at the thick tome in his hands, Zhou Xun could not help but smile bitterly.
He had never imagined that a pill formula could be such a thick book. In his impression, a pill formula should have been nothing more than a simple sheet of paper.
Only when he opened it did he understand.
The tome recorded several different methods for refining the Pigu Pill.
It included every problem that might arise during the refining process, along with all sorts of solutions.
It could be said that once one had thoroughly understood this book, the process of refining Pigu Pills would be ingrained in one's heart. All that remained would be practical practice.
As for the sort written on a single sheet of paper, that was merely the pill's recipe. It would not include the refining methods for the spirit herbs required by the recipe, the various precautions, or solutions to problems arising during refinement.
Only a true master of pill refinement could possibly produce a pill from a simple recipe alone.
Zhou Xun quickly understood the logic behind it.
In his previous life, he had never heard of anyone being able to manufacture a product merely by looking at an ingredient list.
No tasks were arranged for the first day. They were only told to familiarize themselves with Danbao Pavilion.
Zhou Xun simply remained in the Alchemy Room, reading through the various books. Before this, he had never encountered alchemy at all.
Fortunately, he had now awakened divine sense and possessed the ability to remember everything at a glance.
Studying became far easier.
Zhou Xun was engrossed in reading when a knock suddenly sounded outside the door.
Wang Erniu hurriedly rose and opened it.
It was none other than Warden Lin.
Seeing Wang Erniu answer the door, Warden Lin was first taken aback before immediately revealing an amiable smile.
"So it's Erniu. You were assigned here too!"
"Greetings, Warden Lin. Is there something you need?" Wang Erniu first bowed, then asked with some confusion.
"I came to check on you and Nephew Zhou!" Warden Lin wore a kindly expression, like the uncle next door.
Hearing this, Zhou Xun came out as well and stepped forward to bow.
"Greetings, Warden Lin!"
"Mm, it seems what I said that day was indeed correct. You truly were selected!" Warden Lin revealed a satisfied expression.
He thought Zhou Xun did not know about his behind-the-scenes efforts and had deliberately come to make an appearance before him.
Seeing this, Zhou Xun sneered inwardly, though he still wore a grateful expression on the surface.
"I have Warden Lin to thank for this matter!"
Hearing that, Warden Lin laughed heartily. As if he had achieved his purpose, he waved his hand and said,
"I merely offered a recommendation. The true decision was still Grandmaster Yun Ku's! Oh, right, I have an alchemy manual here. You must study it diligently in your daily life and become a true pill master as soon as possible!"
As he spoke, Warden Lin took out a booklet from his Storage Pouch and handed it to Zhou Xun.
"Many thanks, Warden Lin!" Zhou Xun bowed once more.
Before you continue