Chapter 155: Bad, I've Become a Genius

Chen Mobai was unaware of the true value of his triple-attribute "true spiritual root." However, after every cultivator in Nanxi Market had their spiritual root tested on the Spirit Testing Platform, he finally realized its significance. It turned out to be the best result among all participants. In the entire Nanxi Market, no one possessed more than a three-attribute spiritual root. Even among those with a three-attribute root, there were only a handful—just six individuals.

Apart from him and the young man from the Liu family, three other rogue cultivators were identified. One of them, already over thirty years old with only Level 3 Qi Condensation, was considered by Yuan Chiye to have a three-attribute spiritual root that bordered on a "pseudo spiritual root." While a three-attribute root typically grants direct admission, Yuan Chiye decided that this rogue cultivator must still participate in the second round of talisman assessments and would only be admitted if their performance met the required standard. Although somewhat resentful, the rogue cultivator could only reluctantly comply with the decision of a Divine Wood Sect True Disciple.

Of the remaining two, one was just a six-year-old boy, the son of a rogue cultivator couple, and had only reached Level 1 Qi Condensation. Nevertheless, Yuan Chiye judged his spiritual root to be promising and immediately reserved a spot for him. He gave the boy a token from the Divine Wood Sect, instructing him to present it to the next Spirit Envoy, who would arrive in ten years. After identity verification, the boy would be granted direct admission.

Chen Mobai was curious why the child wasn't immediately taken into the Divine Wood Sect. Wasn't there a risk of another sect snatching him away before the next recruitment period? Unable to ask Yuan Chiye directly, he inquired with an old acquaintance nearby, the proprietor of the Divine Wood Spiritual Medicine Shop.

"In Yun Kingdom, only the Five Elements Sect would dare to compete with our Divine Wood Sect for recruits," the proprietor explained. "However, relations between our two sects have eased significantly over the past two decades. They would never resort to such underhanded tactics just for a three-attribute spiritual root disciple." He continued, "Besides, even if the child were taken, it would simply mean he had no destiny with our sect. A mere three-attribute spiritual root—its loss wouldn't be significant."

The proprietor's words showcased the magnanimous spirit of the Divine Wood Sect, a major power in the Eastern Barrens. Chen Mobai felt a sense of relief, realizing he had likely chosen the right sect.

"Still, I never expected that we'd find three such talents in Nanxi Market this year," said Yu Tian, the proprietor of the Divine Wood Spiritual Medicine Shop. "Junior Brother Chen, if you succeed in Foundation Establishment within the sect in the future, don't forget your old friend here." Yu Tian himself had been recruited as a rogue cultivator, but he had only just reached Level 8 Qi Condensation and essentially had no hope of applying for a Foundation Establishment Pill.

However, he had accumulated a lifetime's worth of sect contributions, all for a single chance at Foundation Establishment, even without a Foundation Establishment Pill. Therefore, Yu Tian had constantly sought an opportunity to return to Giant Wood Ridge, as its abundant spiritual veins made it undoubtedly the best place for self-initiated Foundation Establishment. Yet, due to his lack of connections within the sect, his transfer requests had consistently been denied.

Now, seeing Chen Mobai, a top-tier three-attribute spiritual root holder who was sure to excel within the sect—perhaps even becoming a True Disciple in the next generation—Yu Tian felt a spark of hope. He immediately approached to curry favor.

"Oh, no, no," Chen Mobai humbly replied. "I've only just joined, and I'm not even a True Disciple yet, let alone ready for Foundation Establishment. Senior Brother Yu, you speak too highly of me." In the Celestial River Realm, Chen Mobai had always intended to maintain a low profile.

He had initially thought that with his talent, which bordered on a "pseudo spiritual root," he could underperform slightly during the talisman assessment to secure a mid-tier admission to the Divine Wood Sect. This would allow him to remain inconspicuous while still joining a major sect in the Eastern Barrens for study and exchange—killing two birds with one stone. However, he hadn't anticipated that the spiritual root testing artifact in the Celestial River Realm was so rudimentary. Combined with his age and cultivation level, Yuan Chiye immediately mistook him for a true spiritual root prodigy. This unforeseen turn derailed his initial plan for a low-key start.

"Senior Brother Chen, I was wrong earlier. Please take care of me in the sect from now on." At that moment, the last of the three-attribute spiritual root rogue cultivators in Nanxi Market approached. It was Zhuo Ming. Her beautiful and graceful face showed a hint of apprehension, her eyes a mix of excitement and trepidation.

She was excited because she also possessed a three-attribute spiritual root and was only twenty-four years old. Furthermore, her Level 5 Qi Condensation cultivation met the standard for direct admission without an examination. After her spiritual root results were revealed and Ding Ying examined her bones, Yuan Chiye summarily waved his hand, excusing her from tomorrow's talisman assessment and directly enrolling her into the sect's roster.

Though Zhuo Ming's mind was momentarily filled with excitement, she soon saw Chen Mobai conversing animatedly with Yu Tian. Remembering her earlier rejection of him, she felt as if a basin of cold water had been thrown over her. Having mingled among rogue cultivators for years, she naturally understood social dynamics and human relations.

Chen Mobai was clearly the most exceptionally talented individual in Nanxi Market's spiritual root testing ceremony, having already caught the attention of two Divine Wood Sect True Disciples. Moreover, he was already in the late stage of Qi Condensation. Once admitted to the sect and nurtured by its resources, he could very well become one of the next generation's twenty-four True Disciples. Given his age and talent, he might even acquire a Foundation Establishment Pill in the future. The ability to obtain such a pill meant the potential for Foundation Establishment, which was the ultimate goal for all rogue cultivators.

Consequently, Zhuo Ming felt extremely uneasy, despite her own successful admission into the Divine Wood Sect. She clearly understood that, given Chen Mobai's talent, he had a high probability of becoming a True Disciple. She, on the other hand, would most likely end up like Yu Tian, perhaps spending her entire life managing a sect shop in a market.

Having offended a potential future True Disciple even before officially joining the Divine Wood Sect, Zhuo Ming felt her prospects dim just thinking about it.

"Oh, it's nothing, Aunt Zhuo... no, Senior Sister... Junior Sister," Chen Mobai stumbled over his words. "There's nothing between us. We're both from Nanxi, Yun Kingdom, and when we join the sect, we'll surely help each other." Chen Mobai had initially thought Zhuo Ming was younger than him, but when Ding Ying examined her bones just now, she had stated Zhuo Ming was twenty-four. By age, he should call her "Senior Sister." However, in the Celestial River Realm, cultivation level dictates seniority, so Zhuo Ming could only really be his "Junior Sister," albeit an older one. He fumbled with the correct address for a moment before finally getting it right.

Yet, his mature tone led some bystanders to misunderstand. Just as Chen Mobai was considering inviting Zhuo Ming for a meal later and asking about Lu Shu, another person approached. It was Liu Wenbo, the young man from the Liu family. Guided by an elder, he respectfully saluted Chen Mobai and addressed him as "Senior Brother."

As if Zhuo Ming had set a precedent, the boy with the three-attribute spiritual root, Shen Wei, was also led by his parents to make an acquaintance. Even some rogue cultivators who had clearly failed the talisman assessment shamelessly came forward to pay their respects to Chen Mobai, treating him as a rising power. Thus, Chen Mobai, who hadn't even set foot in Giant Wood Ridge yet, suddenly found himself the leader of the Divine Wood Sect's new recruits from Nanxi, Yun Kingdom.

His plan for a low-key approach instantly fell apart. Chen Mobai even noticed Yuan Chiye and Ding Ying, the two True Disciples of the Divine Wood Sect, looking his way with pensive expressions. He secretly cursed his luck, fearing they were displeased with him for forming a clique so soon after joining. "Damn it, how did I become a genius?" he thought.