The next morning.
Outside the Sect Grand Hall of the Luoyun Sect, those who passed the Heart-Questioning Pool assessment had arrived early.
“Hey, please make way!” Miao Miaomiao, who woke up a little late, arrived out of breath.
“What the heck!?” Someone who had seen her yesterday changed their expression upon seeing her face and shouted shrilly, “You—you… aren’t you already dead?”
“Hah, don’t make such a fuss,” Miao Miaomiao waved her hand, smiling faintly. “I was in a good mood, so I just faked my death. That’s perfectly reasonable, right?”
Everyone: “……” She said it so matter-of-factly that for a moment, they didn't know how to retort.
Just then, the Sect Master of the Luoyun Sect, Sect Master Mo Changfeng, arrived gracefully with a group of Elders.
“Arriving early is not as good as arriving at the right time,” Miao Miaomiao muttered softly, craning her neck to look ahead.
She saw that one of the Elders was holding a stone about the size of a human head—it must be the legendary Testing Stone.
“Please quiet down, everyone,” Mo Changfeng, standing on the steps, said with a gentle smile. “First, congratulations to everyone for being able to stand here. Next, we will test your Spirit Root aptitude.
I won't say much more. Those whose names are called should come forward and simply place their hands on the Testing Stone. First up, Zhu Yitou!”
“Coming, coming!” The little fatty whose name was called rubbed his hands and walked forward excitedly.
“Buzz~” The moment his hand touched the Testing Stone, the stone emitted both green and earthy colors simultaneously.
“Zhu Yitou, Earth and Wood dual Spirit Roots, dual root value seventy-seven, Grade B. Next!”
“……Xi Chengqi, Earth Spirit Root, root value eighty-nine, slightly below Grade A. Next!”
The testing proceeded quickly, and soon it was Miao Miaomiao’s turn.
At this moment, she had her hands tucked away, staring at the Testing Stone with a silly grin, her mind filled with images:
She lightly placed her hand on the Testing Stone, and in an instant, the heavens and earth changed color, winds and clouds surged, and five dazzling pillars of light shot straight up into the Firmament, accompanied by soul-shaking phoenix cries!
The Testing Stone could not bear the burden at this moment, and with a 'boom,' it shattered into pieces on the spot!
The entire crowd was shocked: “A genius! Truly a once-in-ten-thousand-years cultivation genius! Our Luoyun Sect is about to prosper!”
The Sect Master even shed tears of joy, kneeling before her in excitement: “I hereby announce that Miao Miaomiao shall be the successor to the Sect Master of our Luoyun Sect!”
“Boss is amazing! Please accept our kowtows!” The onlookers all submitted, bowing their heads like pounding garlic.
“Hahahaha…” Miao Miaomiao laughed heartily and unrestrainedly, completely failing to notice that everyone present was looking at her with the strange gaze reserved for lunatics.
“Miao Miaomiao!!”
Finally, a deafening voice pulled her back to reality. She was startled; okay! Perhaps she had daydreamed a bit too much just now.
She quickly coughed to cover her embarrassment: “Sorry, I just suddenly remembered something happy.”
The Elder, with a dark expression, scolded: “I’ve been calling you for ages! You’ve just been standing there grinning foolishly! Are you going to test or not? There are so many people waiting behind you!”
“Test, test, I must test!” Miao Miaomiao nodded repeatedly. If I don't test, how can I stun everyone?
She quickly walked forward, took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and slowly placed her hand on the Testing Stone.
A moment later, a cool breeze blew past, and the Elder’s voice rang out: “Miao Miaomiao, after testing… hmm, no Spirit Root. As for the evaluation… uh, slightly below Grade D… forget it, I won’t discourage you.”
“No way, are you kidding me? How could I not have a Spirit Root!?” Miao Miaomiao’s eyes widened in disbelief.
I, a dignified Transmigrator, don't even have a Spirit Root? Isn't this joke a bit too big?
However, the Testing Stone before her was as silent as a lump of scrap iron, emitting no light whatsoever.
Refusing to believe it, she snatched the Testing Stone and rubbed it vigorously in her arms in a 360-degree motion, just like kneading a glutinous rice ball, but unfortunately, no Miracle occurred.
No light, just no light.
She expected to shock everyone, but this was the result? One could imagine how ugly her expression became.
The Elder sighed and comforted her: “The Testing Stone does not lie. I know reality is cruel to you. But you must be strong and learn to face it calmly! You are still young, and the road ahead is long. Alright, next person!”
“How can this be? I feel like I should have a Spirit Root…” Miao Miaomiao was deeply struck, and the background music involuntarily played in her mind: “Ah~~? Snowflakes flutter, the north wind whistles, the world is vast and desolate?……”
Just as she was doubting her existence, the Elder’s voice sounded again: “Li Erhu, um… also no Spirit Root, next!”
Hearing someone sharing her plight, Miao Miaomiao’s mood inexplicably improved a tiny bit, and she cast a look of pity toward that person.
That person: “???” Wait, we’re all the same, and you still have the mood to pity me?
The testing continued: “Liu Chunhua, uh… still no Spirit Root, next one!”
“……None! This one doesn’t have one either!”
Eighteen people were tested consecutively, and none had a Spirit Root. This was clearly wrong!
Hope immediately sparked in Miao Miaomiao’s heart, and she pointed at that lump of Testing Stone to question: “Elder, is your stone broken?”
“That’s right! How can so many people have no Spirit Root?”
“We strongly request a retest!”
The crowd echoed in agreement.
The Elder said nothing; he personally placed his hand on it, and similarly, no light appeared.
He immediately frowned: “It really is broken!”
“Phew~” Miao Miaomiao immediately breathed a sigh of relief. “I knew it! How could I not have a Spirit Root? You scared me!”
“Someone, bring a replacement!”
Soon, a new Testing Stone was brought over.
The Elder tested it himself first. After confirming there was no issue, he nodded to Miao Miaomiao: “Then, starting with you, retest.”
“Alright then~” Miao Miaomiao immediately stepped forward and placed her hand on the Testing Stone.
She thought there would be a result this time, but reality delivered another heavy blow.
No light, still no light. Not even the slightest indication.
No one noticed that the moment she placed her hand on it, a subtle fluctuation occurred, and the energy inside the Testing Stone dissipated.
The Elder shook his head helplessly: “Accept reality, you truly have no Spirit Root. Next!”
However, it was bizarre that the people tested afterward still failed to show any Spirit Root.
“This is strange! Could this stone be broken again?”
The Elder was completely bewildered. The moment he placed his hand on it, his mouth twitched, “Damn it! It really is broken!”
What the heck! This phenomenon had never occurred before.
“Quick, bring another new one!”
The third Testing Stone was brought up. Just as Miao Miaomiao was preparing to try again, Sect Master Mo Changfeng spoke: “Wait a moment, let them test first.”
“What do you mean?” Miao Miaomiao raised an eyebrow and pointed to her face, “You don’t suspect there’s something wrong with me, do you?”
“We’ll know soon enough,” Mo Changfeng didn't say much more and nodded to the person behind her. “Begin.”
“Hey? There’s a result! Li Erhu, Fire and Wood Spirit Roots! Hey… this one got a result too!”
Just as Mo Changfeng expected, everyone lined up behind Miao Miaomiao produced results this time.
At this point, he became even more certain of the thought in his mind and smiled, making an inviting gesture toward Miao Miaomiao.
Please, please! Dear heavens, please light up this time! Miao Miaomiao prayed silently in her heart and slowly placed her hand on it.
Unfortunately, it seemed dear heavens hadn't heard her plea; there was still no light whatsoever.
The Elder beside her snatched the Testing Stone, placed his hand on it, and tested it—good! It was broken again!
He couldn't help but complain: “Are you cursed? The Testing Stone breaks with every test, what kind of rotten Spirit Root is this!?”
Miao Miaomiao: “……” You can dislike me, but please stop hurting me!