Chapter 708: Root Bone Test

"What's your attitude!" Grandmaster Hai of the Vast Sea blocked the way. He had kindly greeted the Ancestral Master, but was met with a disdainful snort, immediately enraging him.

The man squinted, scrutinizing Grandmaster Hai of the Vast Sea. Besides Emperor Yu and the first Imperial Advisor, he had never encountered anyone who dared to speak to him in such a manner. In his eyes, Grandmaster Hai of the Vast Sea was already a dead man.

If the occasion weren't unsuitable, he could crush this mortal a thousand times over with a mere thought.

Seeing the two poised for an argument, the Innate Daoist quickly stepped between them. "Fang Ya, that's enough," he said. "This is my fault. I shouldn't have greeted him directly; he's shy. Please try to understand."

During the Great Yu period, the Innate Daoist would have assumed the other person simply didn't want to engage with him. He was very familiar with this behavior; cultivators back then would often remain silent for long periods, communicating only with a cold snort or a glance, as if everyone were deaf and mute.

However, this was the Great Xia period. Based on his observations over the past six months, people in Great Xia were generally more optimistic and cheerful; they wouldn't communicate with such impolite snorts. Therefore, the other person was most likely timid and shy.

Gu Junye sighed softly and remained silent.

Just as the man was about to speak, a commotion in the crowd interrupted him.

A swirl of water mist ascended, forming an auspicious cloud that lifted Dai Bufan into the air.

Dai Bufan stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his expression serious, and addressed the vast crowd gathered for the test in a clear voice:

"I am Dai Bufan, the primary overseer of this trial."

"This trial consists of three rounds. Those who successfully complete all three will be accepted as disciples of the Dao Inquiring Sect."

"We will now begin the first round: the spiritual root assessment."

"Please line up in order, and I will assess each of your spiritual roots."

"The rules for the first round are simple: anyone under the age of sixteen with three spiritual roots or more, or with a special physique, will pass this round."

Accompanying individuals are requested to remain clear of the Dao Inquiring Sect's mountain gate and await the final results, hoping their younger kin will be fortunate enough to join.

Dai Bufan sat upright at a table, facing a long line of hopefuls. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou stood beside him, hands behind their backs, like two formidable protectors.

Their eyes darted around, searching for Gu Junye, but they couldn't spot him after a long time; there were simply too many people.

The first person sat down and extended their hand. Dai Bufan took their pulse like a physician, placing two fingers on it and activating his cultivation method to quickly ascertain their condition.

"Suitable age, dual spiritual roots of Metal and Water, excellent. What's your name?"

The first person, flattered to be asked his name, replied, "My name is Pang Yu!"

"Alright, you've passed. You may proceed."

The very first candidate possessed dual spiritual roots, making Dai Bufan feel fortunate. It seemed they would be able to recruit many well-qualified disciples this session.

He proceeded to test thirty individuals, all of whom had dual or triple spiritual roots.

The mortals who came to participate in the Dao Inquiring Sect's trial could be divided into two groups: those who heard about the recruitment and came on their own accord to try their luck, and those who were scouted by Dai Bufan, suspected of possessing the aptitude required for the Dao Inquiring Sect.

Dai Bufan scouted for qualified mortals in advance because he was concerned they might instead join the Five Elements Sect or the Prison Suppressing Sect.

The Five Elements Sect, the Prison Suppressing Sect, and the Lunar Laurel Immortal Palace all conducted covert assessments before their recruitment drives. If a candidate passed their evaluation, they would reveal themselves and invite them to join their respective sects.

If all immortal sects engaged in this practice and the Dao Inquiring Sect did not, the Dao Inquiring Sect would be at a significant disadvantage.

In fact, numerous disciples mentioned in their mission reports encountering disciples from other immortal sects while on assignments. There were even instances where a single mortal was observed by multiple immortal sects.

When several immortal sects extended invitations to participate in their entrance trials, candidates would typically choose the Dao Inquiring Sect.

By joining the Dao Inquiring Sect, they might even become the protagonist of "Legends of the Dao Inquiring Sect."

"Triple spiritual roots. Are you Zhuang Ping?" Dai Bufan suddenly inquired.

"Yes, I am Zhuang Ping. Is there something you need?"

"Nothing at all. You may proceed." Dai Bufan suppressed his urge to ask further questions, recalling Ji Hongwen's mission report.

Ji Hongwen had kindly reported the incident, leading to the imprisonment of the Listening Sea Sect's high-ranking members and Zhuang Ping's mother. He had even thoughtfully arranged visitation procedures for Zhuang Ping.

He had originally thought Zhuang Ping wouldn't choose the Dao Inquiring Sect, so he was surprised to see him here.

About half of the candidates had completed the spiritual root assessment. Apart from a few imposters attempting to sneak through, most individuals passed the first round of the trial.

"Dual spiritual roots temporarily faked with pills? Do you truly believe I wouldn't notice? You have failed." Dai Bufan gestured to Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, signaling them to escort the person away for further handling.

Faking spiritual roots with elixirs was undoubtedly a fraudulent act. A mere mortal could not possibly access such high-level elixirs; there had to be someone else involved.

Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou stepped forward, escorted the person away to Maan Gu and Li Haoran, and then returned to stand like stoic guardians on either side of Dai Bufan.

Finally, an acquaintance of Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou approached.

Gu Junye exchanged a knowing glance with the Xuanyuan Sword Master and the Indestructible Sage. After all, the three of them had once fought valiantly across the cosmos, battling their way to the Heavenly Realm, descending into the Abyssal Lands, and quelling human realm unrest. This bond, forged in bloody combat, could not be erased by countless cycles of reincarnation.

He then generously extended his arm.

"A water spiritual root? Are you Gu Junye?" Dai Bufan asked in surprise. From Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou's reports, it was evident they held Gu Junye in very high regard.

"Indeed."

Gu Junye possessed a water spiritual root, the same type as Dai Bufan.

Dai Bufan also observed that Gu Junye had undergone long-term training. Only individuals of immense perseverance could achieve such a degree of physical conditioning, indicating a resolute Dao heart.

Dai Bufan pondered: if his other qualities were truly as excellent as Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou claimed, passing the trial should be no problem. Should he take him on as a disciple on his master's behalf, much like Senior Sister Yun had taken in Lu Yang?

Oh, wait, the situations were different. The Sect Master was imprisoned and unable to accept disciples, but his own master was still alive and well. There was no need to accept a disciple on his master's behalf; he could simply have his master accept him directly.

"Alright, you may proceed." Dai Bufan waved his hand. He had a vague feeling that Gu Junye's tone was unusual, but he didn't dwell on it.

As Gu Junye departed, he revealed the person standing behind him, and Dai Bufan's heart instantly tightened.

"Hello, my name is Qi Tong. I'm here to participate in the trial."

Dai Bufan had long heard that the Ancestral Master would also be attending the trial. While he was mentally prepared, the actual encounter felt incredibly awkward.

Should he offer his seat to the Ancestral Master and let him take his place?

Dai Bufan placed two fingers, instantly detecting the Ancestral Master's spiritual root.

"Wood spiritual root. Passed."

This wasn't favoritism; the Innate Daoist genuinely possessed a wood spiritual root.

The Innate Daoist's original aptitude was triple spiritual roots. After shedding his cultivation and re-cultivating, his aptitude transformed into dual spiritual roots.

Later, the Senior Sister personally visited the Luoshui Guard Headquarters, explained the situation, and retrieved the Golden Cicada Exuviae from Tao Tingfeng.

With the help of the Golden Cicada Exuviae, the Innate Daoist's aptitude reached its zenith, becoming a single spiritual root.