As the testing commenced, the disciples stepped forward one by one for the Spirit Root Retesting.
The initial screening had used relatively crude spirit detection tools that could only gauge up to a Profound Spirit Root. They were completely unable to detect anything beyond the Profound Spirit Root, which was why this retesting was necessary.
At first, there were few surprises. Most had Profound Spirit Roots, some better than others, but none reached Earthly Spirit Root quality.
These disciples all had clear goals. After their testing concluded, the vast majority directly applied to the peaks they wished to join, leaving the Elders of those peaks quite satisfied.
Dozens of disciples were tested in succession, yet not a single one wanted to join Seven Stars Peak.
Qin Xiao knew they had come with particular peaks in mind. Trying to recruit them would only embarrass him. He was looking for the undecided disciples. Offer enough spirit stones, and he had a good chance of winning them over.
Soon, the majority of the disciples had completed their retesting, leaving only the final person. No Earthly Spirit Root disciples had appeared in the interim; all possessed a Profound Spirit Root.
Fortunately, there were also a few wavering disciples who had not made an immediate choice, so Qin Xiao was not too panicked. As long as he could take in just one disciple, he could preserve Seven Stars Peak.
The final disciple was a young woman. She slowly walked toward the retesting platform, extended her left hand, and placed it upon the Testing Stone.
Instantly, a pillar of purple light shot into the sky. This reaction was far more intense than anyone’s before her.
“A Heavenly Spirit Root?”
The first to react was Sect Leader Lin Tiancheng, for he too had entered the Tianyuan Sect with a Heavenly Spirit Root back in his youth. In just a few short decades, he had reached the late stage of Soul Formation and successfully ascended to the position of Sect Leader.
“Yun Man, Heavenly Spirit Root.”
Recovering from his initial shock, Tenth Elder Lu Wenrui immediately announced the result.
“What? A Heavenly Spirit Root?”
“The heavens truly bless our Tianyuan Sect! Our Tianyuan Sect is about to gain another Heavenly Spirit Root disciple.”
“Excellent, excellent. My Immortal Sword Peak claims this disciple.”
“My Immortal Cloud Peak wants her as well.”
The moment Lu Wenrui finished speaking, the Elders all spoke up in a flurry.
She should have held back a little. To think a mere Heavenly Spirit Root could excite people so much in this backwater.
Looking at the Elders’ expressions, Yun Man felt a trace of regret in her heart.
A Heavenly Spirit Root? He had to recruit her. A Heavenly Spirit Root!
Qin Xiao had hoped only to recruit a disciple or two and save Seven Stars Peak. He had never expected a Heavenly Spirit Root disciple to appear. If he recruited her, he could unlock new items!
“Yun Man, will you join Immortal Sword Peak? I will give you the best resources.”
Great Elder Yao Tiansheng took the lead in asking.
“Immortal Cloud Peak is every bit as good as Immortal Sword Peak. Join us, and I will take you as my Personal Disciple. You will receive at least as many resources as anyone else could offer.”
Second Elder Yao Yongzhi hurriedly added.
“Second Brother, what’s this? Are you trying to steal my recruit?”
Yao Tiansheng sounded displeased.
“Elder Brother, how is this stealing? We’re recruiting disciples for the sect. Every peak has a right to try.”
Yao Yongzhi had no intention of backing down.
As their names suggested, the two were related, both sharing the surname Yao. In truth, both were adopted sons and Personal Disciples of Supreme Elder Yao Zhan, and both possessed top-tier Earthly Spirit Root talent.
“Second Elder is quite right. My Immortal Artifact Peak also wishes to recruit her as a disciple.”
Kang Zhengye quickly chimed in. This Heavenly Spirit Root disciple was far more important than the dissolution of Seven Stars Peak.
The other Elders also spoke up one after another, all wanting to win Yun Man over.
Sect Leader Lin Tiancheng wanted to speak too, but the elders were already arguing red-faced. He could hardly join in.
“Yun Man, would you consider Seven Stars Peak? We can offer you generous support—at least as much as any of them.”
While the other Elders were arguing, Qin Xiao walked directly up to Yun Man and asked.
“Oh? I may be new here, but I’ve heard the rumors about Seven Stars Peak. What can it offer me?”
Since Yun Man had decided to join the Tianyuan Sect, she had naturally done some basic research.
She needed to rapidly improve her cultivation. As for cultivation techniques, Spirit Weapons, and the like, she had her own. What she needed was a massive amount of cultivation resources. This was exactly why she had not made an immediate choice. As long as she withheld her decision, the Peak Masters would definitely bid against each other, allowing her to maximize her gains.
“No matter what price they offer, I will give more.”
Qin Xiao did not dare to boast too loudly and could only give a vague answer for now.
After all, it had only been a little over an hour since the system activated, and he currently had just over four thousand Spirit Stones on him.
“Qin Xiao, what are you doing? Get back here! As a Peak Master, what kind of behavior is this?”
The sharp-eyed Great Elder spotted Qin Xiao conversing with Yun Man and immediately barked an order.
“Exactly! Seven Stars Peak is penniless, yet you want to compete with us for a Heavenly Spirit Root disciple? Are you that desperate for recruits? A disciple like her is beyond your reach!”
Seeing this, Kang Zhengye stopped arguing with the other Elders and shouted directly at Qin Xiao.
The other Elders also ceased their bickering. They knew that arguing further would yield no results; ultimately, it would still depend on Yun Man’s decision.
“Do not agree hastily. What if my offer is higher?”
Reprimanded by both the Great Elder and the Third Elder, Qin Xiao could only leave her with that suggestion and return to his seat, crestfallen.
“Since you all want her at your peaks, let’s make this fair. Each of you state your terms, and let her choose.”
Sect Leader Lin Tiancheng proposed, seeing that the Elders had stopped arguing.
“Very well. Immortal Sword Peak offers a Green Spirit Sword, a High Grade Spirit Weapon, a monthly stipend of one thousand spirit stones, and three hundred cultivation pills suited to her realm.”
Great Elder Yao Tiansheng was the first to state his terms.
“What a grand gesture, Elder Brother! A single High Grade Spirit Weapon is worth no less than fifty thousand Spirit Stones, plus a thousand Spirit Stones monthly and three hundred Pills of the same realm. Even if they are not Top Grade Qi Refining Pills, and merely High Grade Qi Refining Pills at thirty Spirit Stones a piece, three hundred would still be nearly ten thousand Spirit Stones.”
Second Elder Yao Yongzhi felt the pinch at his elder brother’s offer. He would have to bid even higher.
“Second Brother, I haven’t even made my final offer. Surely Immortal Cloud Peak can afford this much?”
Great Elder Yao Tiansheng replied with an expression that showed he was determined to win.
“Elder Brother, who said my Immortal Cloud Peak cannot afford it? Your offer is only about sixty thousand Spirit Stones anyway. I won’t make things as complicated as you, listing so many items. My Immortal Cloud Peak offers seventy thousand Spirit Stones. Within the limit of seventy thousand Spirit Stones, she can exchange for whatever resources she desires.”
Yao Yongzhi naturally would not admit defeat. It was merely a few tens of thousands of Spirit Stones, and it was not a long-term expenditure anyway; the subsequent monthly expenses would only be a little over ten thousand.
“Then Immortal Artifact Peak offers seventy-five thousand Spirit Stones. As her cultivation advances, we will also reward her with a Top Grade Spirit Weapon.”
Kang Zhengye naturally would not back down either, directly adding five thousand and throwing in the subsequent addition of a Top Grade Spirit Weapon.
The moment Kang Zhengye stated this price, the other peaks did not dare to bid anymore. Just the Top Grade Spirit Weapon alone was already worth over a hundred thousand Spirit Stones. It was not that the other peaks could not afford it, but this was only the beginning; they did not want to enter the fray right now, as it would offer no help other than driving the price up further.
Qin Xiao was already reeling at the prices. In such a short time, the bidding had surpassed a hundred thousand. Thank goodness he had activated the system! Otherwise, this sum of over a hundred thousand Spirit Stones would undoubtedly be an astronomical figure to him.
“My Seven Stars Peak offers two hundred thousand Spirit Stones.”
After a moment of careful consideration, Qin Xiao also stated a price. He had to let Yun Man know he could afford it, otherwise, she truly wouldn’t even consider him.