Chapter 963: Chapter 83: First Spirit Root Test (Part 2)

Zhang Xiaoman flew into the sky and used an Amplification Spell to say:

“Alright, Ni Yang, this is my newly recruited disciple, don’t scare him into something unfortunate.”

Then he looked down at the crowd below and said:

“This is the Mountain Guardian Beast of the Tianyuan Sect, you can call it Saint Venerable from now on.”

“Jiu Jiu! Jiu Jiu!”

Jiu Jiu also flew over, looking indignantly at Ni Yang, as if to seek justice for its two little brothers who were frightened.

“Hehe, interesting, to think that the Tianyuan Sect could rise from the ashes after a century, tsk tsk…”

Ni Yang said, shaking the water off its head, and then looked down at Yan Jiantong, continuing:

“But you know my preferences, deliberately bringing me a delicacy, thoughtful of you…”

It sniffed, revealing a reminiscent expression, and said:

“I can’t remember the last time I ate evil people, although the taste on this guy is faint, at least it can satisfy my craving a little…”

Yan Jiantong, seeing it look towards him, was instantly drenched in cold sweat.

A feeling as if facing the end of the world swept through his entire body, rendering him stiff as if plunged into an ice cave, unable to move a finger.

“Alright, Ni Yang, he’s not for you to eat, he is also a newly recruited disciple of our sect.”

Zhang Xiaoman spoke up.

He had heard some things about Yan Jiantong from Pei Laoliu and learned about the other’s character.

As for his behavior, Zhang Xiaoman neither agreed nor disagreed.

Facing those who showed a determined attitude to kill him, if he killed them after winning the battle, it seemed there wasn’t much of a problem.

Although some people might say, others wanting to kill him is just a thought and hasn’t become a reality.

And he could have stopped after capturing them; continuing would constitute excessive self-defense, considered an act of killing.

To this, Zhang Xiaoman could only secretly shake his head.

Not everyone is like Tang Sanzang from Journey to the West, waiting to be eaten by a monster before letting Wukong kill the monster for revenge.

However, what Yan Jiantong does will more or less kill some truly chivalrous people.

These people may have done a lot of good deeds, wanting to eliminate Yan Jiantong as an act of removing evil for the people.

According to Xianxia novels, killing them would stain Yan Jiantong with some karmic forces.

This might be why Ni Yang sensed the taste it likes on him.

Upon hearing Zhang Xiaoman’s words, although reluctant, Ni Yang retracted its gaze from Yan Jiantong and said regretfully:

“Fine, fine, I’ll give you face and not eat him… Tsk tsk, but if there are any evil people in the future, don’t forget me, preferably those extremely wicked ones, I just love their taste…”

As it spoke, it slowly lowered its body and retreated back into the Jade Spirit Lake.

“Splash…”

Yan Jiantong felt the pressure lighten, and he immediately knelt on the ground, supporting himself with his hands and panting heavily.

“Huff huff huff~ Thank you, Sect Leader… for saving my life…”

He swore he had never experienced such a moment of despair in his life.

When targeted by such a primordial beast, he felt as if he was directly plunging into the Yellow Springs.

Zhang Xiaoman willed it, and the Dark Energy Shock turned into an invisible force that lifted him, saying:

“There are more important things to do today, come with me, and I’ll take you to test your aptitude and Spirit Root.”

After speaking, he flew to the square first, and the others quickened their pace on the ground, arriving shortly at their destination.

Zhang Xiaoman wanted to recruit disciples for the Tianyuan Sect, so naturally, he needed to master a method to test Spirit Root aptitude.

But he hadn’t learned this ability yet, although he had another way to test others’ Spirit Roots.

According to the book, there are two methods to test one’s Spirit Root aptitude.

One is to use a specific spell to probe, but this method is slow and inefficient, unsuitable for mass selection of disciples.

The other method is to use Spirit Stones.

Just let the test-taker touch the surface of a Spirit Stone and use a specific Magic Door, the reaction of the Spirit Stone will determine the aptitude.

Of course, the Spirit Stones needed for this method aren’t just ordinary ones; they are called Spirit Testing Stele.

These are essentially a type of Spirit Stone, mostly made into monument shapes, hence the name.

Zhang Xiaoman found such a stele in the Tianyuan Sect’s treasury.

However, after the End of Dharma Catastrophe, it lost most of its Spiritual Power.

But it still retained a bit of Spiritual Energy fluctuation, which should be usable.

He initially intended to test it himself first.

But as soon as he started operating it, the stele made a “crackle” sound, as if about to shatter, so he stopped insisting.

“Master Liu, you don’t need to test, you and I will watch over when they test later to prevent any accidents.”

Pei Laoliu suppressed his eager heart and stood with Zhang Xiaoman on either side of the Spirit Testing Stele.

With their indication, Li Qiang, Li Mu, and Yan Jiantong stepped forward one by one to test according to the order.

The first to test was the oldest, Yan Jiantong.

When his hand touched the Spirit Testing Stele, Zhang Xiaoman activated the corresponding spell, waiting for the stele’s feedback.

One second.

Two seconds.

…

Ten seconds passed, and the Spirit Testing Stele showed no movement, giving no feedback.

Zhang Xiaoman frowned, Yan Jiantong was the one he had the most hope for among them.

After all, he possessed Inner Strength, offering some hope for testing Spirit Root aptitude, more than the ordinary Li Qiang and Li Mu.

The principle of this Inner Strength was something he still couldn’t understand.

He only heard from the other that it required practicing martial arts from a young age, soaking in a unique medicine liquid, and using corresponding Inner Power Secret Books, accumulating over ten years to generate it.

And according to different formulas and Secret Books, the Inner Strength developed varied.

Sinister and ruthless, vigorous and fierce, thick and enduring…

Different sects’ Inner Strength showcased different traits, truly evoking a bit of martial arts novel feeling.

However, the most hopeful Yan Jiantong was the first to fail, inevitably disappointing Zhang Xiaoman.

Compared to him, Yan Jiantong found it even harder to accept.

Having finally found the gateway to the Cultivation World, but heaven didn’t give him the key, leaving him blocked at the door, unable to progress.

Such a blow would be difficult for anyone to endure.

Yan Jiantong retracted his hand, dazed, like a beggar who had lost everything, his face full of emptiness and confusion.

Next was Li Mu.

This child seemed a bit silly, not quick-witted, always slower than others.

Including Pei Laoliu, no one held much hope for him.

The progress was as anticipated by everyone; the Spirit Testing Stele still showed no reaction, like Yan Jiantong, unable to cultivate.

Li Mu also showed a disappointed emotion.

Though foolish, he wasn’t stupid, knowing he had lost a significant opportunity.

Zhang Xiaoman felt a murmur in his heart.

Both individuals had been tested, and the stele didn’t react.

Uncertain if it’s due to the low probability of finding talents among humans or if the stele had lost its function.

However, this thought was temporarily set aside when Li Qiang tested, for they finally saw a faint light on the Spirit Testing Stele.

PS: After much consideration, the blue dragon doesn’t sound right, it sounds like a dragon from the Western world, so I’ve changed Ni Yang’s color to azure. Of course, the Saint Venerable is not a dragon.