Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
The hundred cultivators who passed the initial trial each adjusted their condition within Flowing Cloud Immortal City, awaiting the final moment that would decide their fate. Some were busy making connections, trying to find a way before their aptitude was assessed; some were diligently cultivating behind closed doors, striving for improvement in the last moment; and some were self-satisfied, believing their exceptional talent guaranteed their entry.
Inside the guest room of Yunlai Residence, Ye Chen sat in quiet meditation. He was not anxious like the others. For the past three days, apart from necessary rest, all his time was spent consolidating his cultivation and studying the incomplete map and several mineral fragments he had obtained from the Ghost Market. The threat from the Shadow Pavilion loomed like a shadow, and he had to utilize every opportunity to improve himself.
"Pseudo Spirit Root..." Ye Chen opened his eyes and murmured. This was the biggest obstacle blocking his path. Immortal Gates like the Azure Profound Dao Sect had extremely high requirements for disciple aptitude; a Pseudo Spirit Root almost certainly meant no entry into the Inner Sect, and might even affect the allocation of resources for the Outer Sect. Although he had forged a Dao Foundation far surpassing his peers with the Primordial Dao Foundation Chapter, spiritual root aptitude was determined by birth and difficult to change.
His gaze fell upon the ancient Ascension Token in his embrace.
"It's time." He took a deep breath, a hint of determination flashing in his eyes. While hiding his identity and acting low-key was safe, sometimes, appropriate exposure was necessary to secure greater space and protection. This Ascension Token was his biggest bargaining chip to break the deadlock!
As the hour of Chen approached, the Dao Seeking Plaza once again gathered the hundred cultivators who had passed the initial trial, along with many more figures from various places who had come to witness the ceremony. The plaza was crowded, with discussions buzzing, and the atmosphere was even more fervent than three days prior.
On the high platform, Deacon Qingxu remained seated in the center, but several figures with profound auras had joined him. There were white-haired, wise-eyed elders; stern-faced middle-aged men with restrained fiendish energy; and a female cultivator with an ethereal aura, wearing a water-blue Daoist Robe. These individuals were all Inner Sect Elders or Deacons of the Azure Profound Dao Sect responsible for recruiting disciples this time, with cultivation levels at least at Mid-stage Foundation Establishment!
Their gazes swept over the hundred young cultivators below like searchlights, filled with scrutiny and expectation.
"Silence!" Deacon Qingxu stood up, his voice echoing across the plaza, "The final assessment begins now! First item, verification of root bone aptitude! Those whose names are called shall step forward and place their hands upon the 'Spirit Testing Jade Tablet'!"
He pointed to the side of the high platform, where a white jade tablet about half a person's height had been erected at some point. The tablet was smooth, with a palm-shaped indentation in the center.
One by one, the cultivators whose names were called stepped forward and placed their hands on the jade tablet. Instantly, the tablet lit up with lights of different colors and intensities, representing their spiritual root attributes and qualities.
"Zhang Lin, dual Gold and Wood spiritual roots, medium quality! Not bad!"
"Li Wan, single Water spiritual root, high quality! Good!"
"Wang Meng, single Earth spiritual root, above medium!"
"Zhao Qian, Five Elements Pseudo Spirit Root, inferior quality! Disqualified!"
Exclamations, praises, and sighs of regret arose intermittently. Those with single or dual spiritual roots naturally drew slight nods from the elders on the platform, their gazes eager. Those with mottled or inferior spiritual roots, like Zhao Qian, turned ashen-faced and were directly declared eliminated, without even the chance to strive for Outer Sect menial labor.
Spiritual root aptitude, at this moment, appeared so cruel and real.
Soon, it was Wang Tiechui's turn.
He walked forward somewhat nervously, and at Deacon Qingxu's signal, placed his large, fan-like hand on the jade tablet.
The jade tablet remained silent for a moment, then suddenly erupted with a chaotic, heavy, grayish light that seemed capable of devouring everything! The light was not dazzling, but it carried a heart-pounding sense of ancientness and weight, causing even the jade tablet itself to tremble slightly!
"What... what kind of spiritual root is this?" The crowd below erupted in an uproar, and even the elders on the high platform showed expressions of surprise and uncertainty.
Deacon Qingxu frowned, sensing for a moment before stating gravely, "Physique contains a peculiar bloodline, Qi and Blood like a furnace, spiritual root attribute... cannot be determined, suspected descendant of an ancient Battle Body! Root bone aptitude, special grade!"
Special grade! Although the specific spiritual root could not be determined, based on that peculiar bloodline, Wang Tiechui was directly assessed as having special grade aptitude! This undoubtedly caused a huge sensation, and countless envious, jealous, and inquisitive gazes fell upon him.
Wang Tiechui scratched his head blankly and walked back, giving Ye Chen a simple, honest smile, "Ye Chen, they said I'm special grade."
Ye Chen patted his shoulder, happy for him in his heart. The Chaos Battle Body was indeed extraordinary.
Finally, it was Ye Chen's turn.
"Ye Chen, step forward for spirit testing!"
Under the gaze of countless eyes, Ye Chen walked forward slowly, his expression calm. He gently placed his palm into the indentation of the Spirit Testing Jade Tablet.
On the jade tablet, light bloomed. However, this light appeared very dim and mixed. Red, yellow, green, blue, and brown colors intertwined, conflicting with each other, their brightness weak, like a candle in the wind.
"Five Elements Pseudo Spirit Root, quality... inferior!" The disciple responsible for recording glanced at it, his voice carrying a hint of formulaic indifference, and was about to announce the result.
A wave of low chuckles and murmurs arose from below.
"As expected, a Pseudo Spirit Root, a piece of trash!"
"I wonder how he managed to pass the first three rounds..."
"What a shame, looks like he's going to be eliminated."
On the high platform, the elders also shook their heads slightly, losing interest. Only Deacon Qingxu, looking at Ye Chen's overly calm face, had a thoughtful glint in his eyes.
Just as the recording disciple was about to announce "disqualified"—
Ye Chen suddenly raised his head, his gaze fixed directly on Deacon Qingxu in the center of the high platform, and said loudly, "Wait!"
His voice was clear and resonant, interrupting the surrounding clamor.
Everyone was stunned, looking at him in confusion. What did a trash with a Pseudo Spirit Root want to do?
Deacon Qingxu's gaze sharpened, "What do you have to say?"
Ye Chen was neither humble nor arrogant. He cupped his hands in a salute, and then, under everyone's watchful eyes, slowly took out an item from his embrace.
It was a palm-sized, ancient token covered in bronze patina. The front of the token was engraved with a blurry cloud pattern talisman, while on the back, the ancient character for "Immortal" spontaneously flowed with a faint but incredibly pure radiance in the rich Spiritual Energy of the Immortal City and the unique Dao Rhyme of the Dao Seeking Plaza!
He held the token in his palm, his voice clearly resonating throughout the entire venue:
"This junior, Ye Chen, has by chance obtained the legacy of a senior and received this 'Ascension Token'! With this token, I implore the Azure Profound Dao Sect to, according to the ancient system, allow me to directly enter the final assessment!"
Ascension Token!
These three words struck everyone's ears like thunder!
In an instant, the entire Dao Seeking Plaza fell into dead silence! One could hear a pin drop!
All eyes were fixed on the seemingly unremarkable bronze token in Ye Chen's hand! Shock, disbelief, greed, jealousy... a myriad of complex emotions intertwined on countless faces.
On the high platform, the Inner Sect Elders who had been sitting steadily like mountains suddenly stood up! Even the ethereal female cultivator's beautiful eyes burst with astonishing brilliance!
Deacon Qingxu's pupils contracted even further. He took a step forward, instantly appearing before Ye Chen, his gaze piercing, staring intently at the token, his voice carrying a barely perceptible tremor:
"Ascension Token... it's the long-lost Ascension Token! Where did you obtain it?!"
At this moment, Ye Chen and the Ascension Token in his hand became the sole focus of the entire Flowing Cloud Immortal City!
With the Immortal Token revealed, a storm was brewing! This small token would open the Immortal Gate for him, and it would undoubtedly attract a greater vortex!