Chapter 5: False Dragon Emperor

It's called the Boundless Spirit Root.

Legend has it, it's formless, invisible, and transparent. This type of spirit root is ten, even a hundred times stronger than a ninth-grade one. However, this spirit root only exists in myths; it doesn't exist in reality.

"What, do you think you possess a Boundless Spirit Root?" the Tower Master scoffed. "A ninth-grade root is something you'll only ever look up to in this life. Cherish this chance to meet a ninth-grade prodigy face-to-face! Once he matures, you won't even be worthy of a glance from him for the rest of your life!"

Hearing this, the young man's eyes filled with bitterness. A single talent test determined their future status and standing. One was a true dragon in the heavens, the other an ant on the ground. This cruel comparison brought despair.

Jiang Fan, in the adjacent secret chamber, naturally noticed the commotion. "No way? Lu Zheng has a ninth-grade spirit root?" Jiang Fan's face showed surprise. If Lu Zheng had such talent, why had he consumed the Xu family's resources for ten years and still fallen short of Xu Yining's sixth-grade root?

As he pondered, he suddenly noticed his crystal ruler reacting again. A faint, clear ball of light flew out from the ruler, landing before him. When the light faded, two cultivation manuals appeared!

"Huh? Are these cultivation manuals a reward for me?" Jiang Fan's heart soared with joy. He quickly picked them up and examined them carefully.

One was a high-grade Yellow-tier inner cultivation technique called the 'True Scripture of Clear Wind'. The other was a high-grade Yellow-tier offensive technique called the 'Seven Star Sword Art'. The highest-grade cultivation technique in Solitary Boat City was only Yellow-tier middle-grade. He had actually received two high-grade Yellow-tier cultivation techniques simultaneously! Most importantly, one of them was an inner cultivation technique he desperately needed!

"What level am I, to receive such high-tier rewards?" Jiang Fan couldn't help but be surprised. Xu Yining, with her sixth-grade spirit root, had only been rewarded with a low-grade Yellow-tier inner cultivation technique.

But no matter the reason, with these two cultivation techniques and this transparent spirit root, he would make rapid progress in the shortest amount of time!

He tucked the cultivation techniques away and opened the stone door. The loud sound of the door opening drew the attention of countless onlookers.

"Oh, it's Jiang Fan! You startled me, I thought it was Lu Zheng coming out!""Jiang Fan's test this time, it seems he still has no spirit root, right?""Ah, just a wall separates them: one is a peerless ninth-grade talent, and the other has no spirit root. The gap isn't just large; it's enormous!""The Xu family is an amazing place. Ten years of living under their roof can produce both a good-for-nothing and a world-defying true dragon, haha."

Jiang Fan frowned. He wanted to argue with them, but on second thought, what was the point? Secretly cultivating the two high-grade Yellow-tier techniques and quietly improving his strength was the true path. He was currently without support, and if others knew his true capabilities, it would easily attract great trouble. So, he responded with a faint smile.

"Jiang Fan, you're here too? What's going on inside?" Xu Yining and Xu Zhengyan hurried over, finding Jiang Fan also undergoing the test. Xu Yining bit her red lip, questioning him rapidly.

Jiang Fan calmly wrote a note: "Lu Zheng tested as having a ninth-grade spirit root."

"What?" Xu Yining's face instantly paled, and she stumbled back several steps, unable to believe this reality. "Impossible, this is impossible!" A ninth-grade talent had truly appeared? And it was Lu Zheng, who had been fostered in their own home? Being strong-willed, she couldn't bear the blow and shed tears.

Jiang Fan sighed silently. He always felt there was something amiss with Lu Zheng's spirit root test result, so he casually offered comfort, writing: "Cultivate with peace of mind and quietly await the future."

Xu Yining glanced at it, but felt it was Jiang Fan's mockery towards her, and retorted angrily, "You're happy to see me cry, aren't you? You think I got what I deserved for rejecting your marriage proposal, don't you? You're overthinking it. Even if I'm not as good as Lu Zheng, I'm still a sixth-grade spirit root prodigy, a hundred or a thousand times stronger than a good-for-nothing like you!"

Jiang Fan was speechless. If you're upset, why take it out on me? She truly mistook his kindness for malice.

Just then, the Tower Master, who had also noticed Xu Zhengyan's arrival, quickly rushed over, plastering an extremely cordial smile on his face. "Brother Xu, congratulations, congratulations!"

Xu Zhengyan was flattered and overwhelmed. The Testing Tower Master usually showed deference to no one; only the City Lord received a slight smile from him. This sudden cordiality, and being addressed as 'Brother Xu', made him feel light-headed, as if he were treading on clouds.

Next, Solitary Boat City's strongest individual, City Lord Ye Jifeng, also approached with cupped fists. "Family Head Xu, this is truly joyous and something to celebrate! A true dragon has emerged from your Xu Residence!" Looking at Ye Jifeng's forced smile, Xu Zhengyan felt even more as if he were dreaming. There was a time when he brought heavy gifts to visit Ye Jifeng, only to be turned away, the City Lord not even bothering to acknowledge him. Now, however, with envy and jealousy in their hearts, they were actively trying to curry favor with him.

Even several reclusive old monsters, whom Xu Zhengyan usually had to address as seniors, came forward cordially to chat, speaking of the connections between his great-grandfather, and even the Xu family ancestors, and their own families. It was as if, overnight, the Xu family had transformed from an obscure, declining clan into the most sought-after and influential family in Solitary Boat City.

Xu Zhengyan remained dazed for a long time before gradually regaining his composure. He understood that this was all thanks to Lu Zheng!

Wang Yingfeng walked over with a proud expression. "Husband, what did you say back then, when I went against everyone's objections to bring Zheng'er to the Xu family for cultivation?"

Hearing this, Xu Zhengyan's face was filled with shame. At the time, he had vehemently opposed it. After all, the Xu family's resources were limited, and giving them to an outsider would mean less for their own clansmen. It was only because Wang Yingfeng threatened to die that he reluctantly agreed. He never imagined Lu Zheng would be so outstanding!

"I was blind! It's all thanks to you, my dear wife, our lucky star, that our Xu family has managed to form ties with Zheng'er, a future peerless powerhouse!" Xu Zhengyan embraced Wang Yingfeng, his heart overflowing with emotion.

Wang Yingfeng beamed with pride. "Isn't that right? The eighth-grade prodigy from Jade Cloud City, I heard he directly entered the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion and later became its Vice Pavilion Master. Our Zheng'er is a ninth-grade prodigy! The Heavenly Mystery Pavilion will come to recruit him very soon! Your Xu family, just wait to soar to greatness with my Zheng'er!"

Xu Zhengyan's mind reeled. Lu Zheng's ninth-grade spirit root had not only changed his personal destiny but also that of the entire Xu family!

Soon after, amidst everyone's anticipation, Lu Zheng finally opened the stone door and walked out with a confident expression. He approached Xu Zhengyan, knelt on one knee, and said, "Thank you, Uncle, for years of cultivation and guidance. Zheng'er has not failed your expectations; I've tested as having a ninth-grade spirit root!"

Instantly, everyone present envied Xu Zhengyan. What immense luck to acquire such a favored child of heaven! How could Xu Zhengyan dare to accept such reverence? He quickly helped him up. "You mustn't, Zheng'er! You are a ninth-grade prodigy; how could your uncle bear such a kneel? Quickly, rise."

Lu Zheng felt a sense of exhilaration he had never experienced before. In the past, he had always been cautious in his words and actions before Xu Zhengyan, knowing he would be reprimanded for the slightest mistake. Now, however, Xu Zhengyan revered him like a god. Meanwhile, the Tower Master, the Solitary Boat City Lord, and several old family monsters all looked at him with eager eyes, hoping to establish a good relationship. This gave him, who had been at the bottom for so long, a feeling of leaping to the ninth heaven and looking down upon the world, invincible.

However, out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of Jiang Fan. Everyone else bowed before the aura of his ninth-grade spirit root. Only Jiang Fan, with his hands tucked into his sleeves, stood calmly, showing not a hint of awe or reverence. This displeased him greatly. Why wouldn't a good-for-nothing mute submit to him?

"Jiang Fan? Are you defiant?" he questioned loudly and forcefully, in front of all the powerhouses, dignitaries, and martial artists of Solitary Boat City.