Chapter 69: No Spiritual Root

"What?"

Xu Yining couldn't believe her ears. "Master, didn't you already decide that I would be the true disciple? How did it end up with my sister?"

Regarding Liu Qingxian, he couldn't disclose anything and could only say tactfully, "Some things, as your master, I cannot openly state. I can only tell you that your sister is more suitable to be a true disciple than you." Seeing Xu Yining's eyes well up with tears, he comforted her, "How about this: you'll be an inner disciple in name. In reality, I will treat you as a true disciple. How does that sound? Besides, you are sisters, not outsiders. Why bother about a title?"

Xu Yining's eyes became even redder. If it were before, she wouldn't have cared; after all, they were sisters. But now... She glanced at Jiang Fan. Although Jiang Fan was expressionless at the moment, she felt that he must be gloating and mocking her inside. Being a true disciple had always been her pride, her glory, and her capital for boasting in front of Jiang Fan. Now, this honor had been given to someone else. In Jiang Fan's eyes, she must be a joke! She had to get it back!

"Master, I refuse to accept this!" Xu Yining said, biting her silver teeth. "Why can my sister be a true disciple? You haven't even tested her spiritual root!" Xu Youran also felt extremely guilty and quickly said, "Master, please give the true disciple position to my sister instead. What virtue or ability do I possess to be worthy of being a true disciple? It's already a stroke of luck for me to become an inner disciple."

Li Qingfeng also had a headache. With Xu Yining's aptitude, becoming a true disciple was certainly not an issue. However, Xu Youran was also the disciple personally chosen by the Sect Master's daughter. How could he neglect her?

Just then, Jiang Fan stepped forward and showed Li Qingfeng a note. "Elder Li, why not test Xu Youran's spiritual root?" Xu Youran tugged hastily at Jiang Fan's sleeve. "What are you doing? I'll be too embarrassed." How could her second-grade spiritual root aptitude be presented? Jiang Fan, however, smiled and said, "I believe Youran is qualified to be a true disciple." A hint of confidence showed in his words. The Mortal Cleansing Pill, which the branch master had spent over a decade trying to acquire, couldn't possibly only raise one's level by a single grade, could it? Xu Youran's spiritual root at this moment must be at least fourth-grade or higher, not far from Xu Yining's. It was more than enough for her to serve as a true disciple.

Li Qingfeng looked at Jiang Fan in surprise. Then, looking at Xu Yining, who was full of stubborn defiance and refused to give up, he pondered for a moment and said, "Alright, Xu Youran's spiritual root needs to be tested anyway. Let's test it in front of everyone."

He took out a palm-sized circular disc and said, "Xu Youran, place your hand on it, and your spiritual root grade will appear." Xu Youran blushed deeply and said with difficulty, "Master, my spiritual root is very low." Li Qingfeng said, "It doesn't matter how low it is; you are still my disciple." Helpless, she could only brace herself, step forward, and place her small hand on it. Her face was filled with dismay; she could already imagine the embarrassing scene when her second-grade spiritual root was detected.

Xu Yining, meanwhile, stared intently at the disc. She wanted to see what excuse Li Qingfeng would have to keep Xu Youran as a true disciple if she tested as a second-grade spiritual root.

The disc whirred, rotated for a moment, and then quickly stopped. It projected a beam of light, forming a clear line of words suspended in mid-air: "Seventh-grade spiritual root."

Li Qingfeng suddenly sat up straight from his chair, his old eyes gleaming. "A seventh-grade spiritual root? Xu Youran, you... you have truly surprised your master!" He had originally thought Xu Youran's aptitude would be very poor. The result was an existence one grade higher than Xu Yining's sixth-grade spiritual root! The Xu family members were also utterly shocked. They let out exclamations of astonishment.

Xu Youran herself had a bewildered expression. "X-Xiaofan, what's going on?" The changes in her body must all have come from Jiang Fan. Were they those mysterious liquids? Or the spiritual pill she just consumed?

Xu Yining stumbled backward, her pretty face instantly pale. She shook her head in disbelief. "Impossible... impossible! This can't be! How could you be a seventh-grade spiritual root?"

Xu Youran, a little scared of her sister's frantic state, nudged behind Jiang Fan. This made Xu Yining notice Jiang Fan. Realizing that her sister's transformation began precisely when she and Jiang Fan were betrothed, she guessed what had happened. She had more than once secretly seen Jiang Fan secretly giving Xu Youran mysterious liquids. And that clearly precious spiritual pill in the jade box just now. It was Jiang Fan! It must have been Jiang Fan who brought about these changes in her sister! Turning a waste of a sister with a second-grade spiritual root into someone superior to her.

Understanding everything, Xu Yining broke down. The tears that had been brewing in her eyes for a long time fell like raindrops. "Jiang Fan! Why did you do this to me? Why? Why? Why?" After asking three times, she ran out crying.

Jiang Fan looked speechless and muttered, "What did I do to you? How bizarre." Xu Youran, however, looked ashamed. She understood her sister's thoughts and sighed softly, "She's not blaming you. She's blaming herself for pushing you to my side. Everything I have today should have belonged to her."

Jiang Fan understood. But he gently shook his head and lightly put his arm around her shoulder. "No need to blame yourself. Everything is her own choice."

Li Qingfeng observed their relationship. He couldn't help but frown slightly. He said, "Xu Youran, your master still needs to search for that ninth-grade spiritual root in the city. These next few days, prepare well. Once I find that person, you will return to the Azure Cloud Sect with me."

Xu Youran's heart tightened. She looked at Jiang Fan beside her and asked, "Master, can you also take Jiang Fan as a disciple?"

Li Qingfeng glanced at Jiang Fan and said, "First, let's test his aptitude. If it's acceptable, I can consider taking him as a disciple." He handed the circular disc to Jiang Fan.

Jiang Fan took it and immediately infused it with spiritual power without hesitation. He was a little worried. This disc was clearly rougher in detection sensitivity than the bronze ruler. It wouldn't fail the test again, would it? What he feared came true.

Soon, the three words "No Spiritual Root" were projected into the air.

Li Qingfeng shook his head and said, "I'm afraid not. Even as an Elder of the sect, I have no right to admit someone with no spiritual root into the mountain gate." Xu Youran anxiously said, "But, but Jiang Fan has cultivation!"

Li Qingfeng's eyes showed surprise, and he stroked his beard, saying, "No spiritual root, yet able to cultivate? Such a thing exists? Unheard of." Xu Zhengyan also quickly said, "Elder Li, it's absolutely true. Not only has Jiang Fan cultivated, but his cultivation is also quite profound."

"Profound?" Li Qingfeng merely smiled. In his eyes, only those above Foundation Establishment could barely be considered cultivators. The Qi Condensation realm was just child's play. How far could someone with no spiritual root go? At most, they might have consumed some rare treasures and accidentally reached Qi Condensation three or four layers. However, to make Xu Youran give up hope, he nodded and said, "Then I'll give Jiang Fan a chance. Show us your cultivation."