Chapter 71
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Chapter 71: The Opportunity to Evolve My Spiritual Roots
In the Taoist Palace, instructors’ status directly depended on their students’ achievements. Given this, Dongfang Ya raising alarm over the matter made sense.
Yet Anping Taoist Palace wasn’t some low-tier academy—they had students entering the Hidden Dragon Rankings yearly. Sounding warnings over this felt excessive.
"You gathered us for this?"
The hoarse voice belonged to an elderly man. Dongfang Ya showed him deference, explaining patiently: "Had our Palace’s top student entered the rankings, I wouldn’t have disturbed you, Elder Qin. But this case differs."
"The ranked student is Mu Lin… with Level 3 Spiritual Roots."
She detailed Mu Lin’s background. Some listeners grew thoughtful while others remained confused.
"Level 3 Spiritual Roots? That makes the warning bell even less justified!"
"Exactly! By your own account, Mu Lin’s current strength matches Ji Xue’s. But with inferior roots, he’ll inevitably fall behind her—even Level 2 students will surpass him eventually. This alarmist approach is unwarranted."
Most teachers analyzed Mu Lin through Ji Xue’s lens—not entirely unreasonable.
Ji Xue earned "Excellent" marks solo. Mu Lin only achieved "Good" by partnering with Chu Lingluo. Alone, he likely couldn’t match Ji Xue.
Their predicted divergence stemmed from cold logic, not malice. For Qi Practitioners, cultivation level dictated everything.
Greater spiritual energy reserves magnified even basic spells’ effects. Conversely, insufficient cultivation rendered advanced techniques useless—like Mu Lin’s undead night spirit remaining unsummonable despite mastery.
Ji Xue’s Level 1 Spiritual Roots would propel her to Spring Fountain Realm within months. Meanwhile, Mu Lin’s low energy affinity might leave him stuck at awakening stage.
Such cultivation gaps naturally created power disparities. Thus teachers believed Mu Lin’s parity with Ji Xue was temporary, making their focus on him misplaced.
Dongfang Ya snorted. "If Spiritual Roots alone determined strength, why practice cultivation? We’d just parade our root levels daily!"
"Mu Lin entered with Level 3 roots. By your logic, he shouldn’t rival even Level 2 peers. Yet after one month, only Ji Xue keeps pace—both Level 2 students and the other Level 1s lag behind him. Explain that!"
"Er…"
Faced with evidence, the critics fell silent. Understanding dawned as Elder Qin spoke gravely:
"Xiaoya, you propose Anping Taoist Palace fully supports Mu Lin to boost our rankings?"
"Precisely."
“But his Spiritual Roots Talent is too low. Supporting Ji Xue and the others would be safer…”
Some hesitated to fully back Mu Lin, fearing their efforts would go to waste.
Dongfang Ya snorted coldly.
“If you think his Spiritual Roots Talent is low, then raise it!”
“?!!”
Her words stunned the crowd.
While they were frozen, she pressed on.
“Upgrading Level 2 Spiritual Roots to Level 1 is too costly—Anping Taoist Palace can’t afford it. But boosting Level 3 Spiritual Roots to Level 2 requires far fewer resources. Our palace can manage that.”
“Mu Lin already crushed countless talents and claimed first place in the palace with Level 3 Spiritual Roots, even making the Hidden Dragon Rankings. If he reaches Level 2, he might carry us into the top thirty-six.”
“…”
Some were swayed by her words.
Most, however, still saw it as reckless.
Pouring all resources into Mu Lin risked massive losses if he failed.
Since his ranking affected the teachers’ benefits, heated arguments erupted.
The quarrel lasted half an incense stick’s time before Elder Qin slammed the table.
“Enough! Silence!”
“If none of you can agree, let the juniors decide. I’ll monitor the Hidden Dragon Rankings closely for the next two months.”
“If Mu Lin keeps his top position here by then, using Rare Resources to evolve his Spiritual Roots could be considered… No, that’s still too generous.”
After a pause, he declared:
“In two months, the Southeast Province’s Taoist Palaces will hold a League Examination. If Mu Lin ranks in the top five, I’ll convince the palace to fully support him!”
Seeing Dongfang Ya about to speak, Elder Qin cut her off. “Don’t argue. Harsh rewards demand harsh trials. Rare Resources for evolving Spiritual Roots aren’t cheap!”
Dongfang Ya smiled. “I’m not opposing you, Elder Qin. In fact, this trial suits my intentions—I’d have tested him regardless.”
Mu Lin was merely a student she favored, not family. She’d never planned to hand him resources outright.
Her push for the palace’s support stemmed from the “open a window” tactic.
She knew the palace’s teachers prioritized talent. Without her proposal, they’d funnel resources to naturally gifted students, leaving Mu Lin overlooked.
By demanding extreme support first, she forced them to compromise—offering him a fair chance was her true goal.
Once the decision was made, she turned to Elder Qin. “Hehe, the palace’s resources are one thing, but Mu Lin and Ji Xue are your juniors in the sect’s inheritance. As their elder, shouldn’t you aid outstanding disciples?”
The scruffy old man rolled his eyes. “You’re shaking me down, girl… Fine. As Deputy Mountain Elder, their poor performance would shame me. Tomorrow, I’ll have some trivial items to discard. Tell them to come pick a few.”
“How noble of you! I’ll thank you on their behalf, Elder Qin.”
