Chapter 5: Spirit Root Testing at White Cloud Sect, Forced into the Hundred Mines Division

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Yu Xian immediately raised both hands high, imitating the formal apprentice salute that the village’s only scholar had taught the children. He bowed respectfully and said, “Disciple thanks Senior for the guidance!”

“Rise.”

Elder Quan casually waved his hand.

Whoosh!

Snow and wind scattered as a slender, canoe-like object about two zhang long suddenly appeared in the courtyard, floating in mid-air and glowing with a faint tricolored light.

“Get on.”

Elder Quan stepped into the air and arrived at the front of the vessel.

“Yes.”

Yu Xian quickly followed and leapt aboard.

Elder Quan’s expression remained cold.

Truthfully, he had come here quite unwillingly. Today was the last possible day—once the new year passed, the promise would be void, and the Ascension Token would return automatically. Yet, to his surprise, just within the last two hours, the token activated, indicating someone had awakened it!

For cultivators, promises matter. Breaking them can leave a heart demon, which could severely affect future cultivation—especially when the promise is made in the name of the White Cloud Sect.

So, despite his anger, Elder Quan had no choice but to honor the agreement and come to retrieve the one chosen by the token.

He was angry for two reasons: one, the promise itself, and two, the loss of a precious Ascension Token slot.

If this child turned out to have good spirit roots, fine. But if the roots were trash? Then he’d be thrown aside immediately!

“Let’s go.”

Elder Quan said coldly.

In an instant, the long boat soared into the sky like a meteor, leaving a glowing streak behind as it vanished into the distance.

Yu Xian sat quietly inside. The intense speed made him extremely uncomfortable—his chest felt tight for quite a while before the vessel finally stabilized, allowing him to recover.

Only then did he dare peek out.

The land below was blurry, the mountains small and jagged, shrinking fast. His home, Dayu Tree Village, and even the entire An’nan County had long disappeared from view.

Yu Xian watched silently for a moment before withdrawing his head and slowly closing his eyes, waiting for the unknown future.

Even with its incredible speed, the long boat still took nearly four hours to reach its destination.

Ahead stood a massive mountain unlike anything Yu Xian had ever seen—majestic, towering above the clouds, surrounded by floating white mist, illuminated at times by brilliant lights.

This was the White Cloud Sect.

“We’ve arrived.”

The long boat landed before the sect’s grand gate. Elder Quan waved his hand, dismissing the vessel.

“Follow me.”

Yu Xian quickly obeyed.

“Greetings, Elder Quan!”

“Greetings, Elder!”

“Disciple greets Elder Quan!”

Every disciple they passed—regardless of age—stopped, saluted, and respectfully greeted Elder Quan. Clearly, he held a high position in the sect.

Elder Quan ignored them all and walked straight ahead, soon bringing Yu Xian to a large hall.

“Senior Brother Wang! You in the middle of cultivation?!”

The spacious hall echoed his voice.

“You’ve already disturbed me! What if I went mad from qi deviation?!”

An irritated, slightly aged voice responded, and an old man walked out from a side chamber, clearly annoyed.

“No time for small talk. Come test this kid’s spirit roots.”

The elder drew closer—his appearance terrifying.

He had no eyebrows, and his face looked like it had been mauled by a bear—full of scars and extremely frightening!

His sharp, triangular eyes glinted coldly as he glanced at Yu Xian.

“Oh? Found a good seedling, did you? Brought him before our official disciple selection just to test him?”

Yu Xian stood frozen. The elder’s gaze was more terrifying than a tiger’s. But he resisted the fear and stood firm.

“Should be decent. Test him and see.”

Elder Quan nodded with a faint smile, his eyes sharp. If the child could awaken the Ascension Token, surely his spirit roots were special.

In the cultivation world, perseverance, intelligence, comprehension, and willpower were all considered part of one’s potential—but the most crucial was always spirit root quality.

Without good spirit roots, even the most talented would struggle greatly and might fall early on. But with exceptional roots, even average talents could reach impressive realms!

Exceptions existed—some managed to rise high with poor roots—but those were extremely rare.

Cultivation largely relied on spirit root evaluation.

“Young one, since Elder Quan brought you here, you must be a rough gem.”

The scarred elder gave a hideous grin and waved his hand. A five-colored stone appeared before Yu Xian.

“Place your palm on the stone.”

Yu Xian raised his hand and touched the stone.

Immediately, it emitted a dull, flickering dark green light.

Elder Quan’s smile froze.

The elder’s grin vanished, replaced with a scowl. “A low-grade wood spirit root? And you made such a fuss, bringing him here personally? What a disappointment.”

He retrieved the spirit stone and shook his head, walking off.

“Low-grade wood spirit root.”

Elder Quan’s face turned ugly. After a moment, he looked at Yu Xian with disgust. “Such trash roots—how did the Ascension Token react to you? What a waste! You’ll train in the outer sect. And don’t think you’ll keep the Ascension Token privileges—I’ll reassign that to someone worthy!”

Yu Xian pressed his lips tightly.

He was just a mortal. His spirit root had been created by his mother using her own soul!

To him, this wasn’t just a spirit root—it was her life.

It was not trash.

But he said nothing, only held his thoughts deep in his heart.

Seeing Yu Xian remain silent and seemingly defiant, Elder Quan sneered coldly, “Fine. You’ll go to the Hundred Mines Division.”

The White Cloud Sect had six divisions in the outer sect:

Spirit Herb Division
Beast Taming Division
Law Enforcement Division
Pill Refining Division
Weapon Forging Division
Hundred Mines Division

Tens of thousands of outer sect disciples worked in these divisions, earning spirit stones while practicing cultivation techniques passed down by the sect.

Despite the illusion of freedom, the hierarchy was strict.

The Hundred Mines Division managed all the sect’s mineral veins and spirit stone quarries. It was also the harshest and most exhausting.

No disciple wanted to be sent there—but those with no status, backing, or talent had no choice.

Yu Xian understood from Elder Quan’s expression—this place was anything but kind.

But he had no other options.

So he simply bowed and said, “Thank you, Senior.”

Elder Quan sneered. “This trash really doesn’t know what’s coming.”

He led Yu Xian to the Hundred Mines Division.

The division hall was busy—disciples coming and going through teleportation arrays, traveling to and from the mines.

“Well, well! Elder Quan!”

A burly middle-aged man quickly approached, smiling obsequiously. “What brings you here tonight?”

“Delivering someone,” Elder Quan said flatly.

The man glanced at Yu Xian and immediately bowed, “You can count on me, Elder Quan! I’ll—”

“You dare show favoritism?!”

Elder Quan suddenly snapped. The man jumped in fright.

“I have nothing to do with him. Treat him like any other newcomer!”

The man’s eyes flickered, then he grinned, “Yes, yes, I understand.”

“Understand what?”

Elder Quan glared. “Just remember—he and I have no connection. He’s yours now.”

With a final cold snort, Elder Quan left.

The man’s face darkened as he watched him go. He then turned to Yu Xian, his tone now cool.

Those words had been full of emotional detachment—this boy must’ve angered Elder Quan badly.

“What’s your name, kid?”

“Yu Xian.”

The man nodded. “The Hundred Mines Division doesn’t force anyone to work. The more you mine, the more spirit stones you earn. Find rare ores, and you’ll be rewarded. Got it?”

“Yes, I understand.”

“Good.”

He snorted, “Come with me. I’ll get you your supplies and basic techniques. After that, it’s down to the mines with you! Let me tell you—our division has produced more Foundation Establishment cultivators than all the others combined!”

Once an outer disciple reached Foundation Establishment, they could become inner disciples.

Yu Xian followed the man to the division’s logistics office and received a package before being assigned to a small, shabby room.

The man clearly didn’t care much, gave a few brief instructions, and left quickly.

The room held only a wooden bed.

Yu Xian sat down and took a deep breath.

Since entering the White Cloud Sect, nearly two hours had passed in a blur. Finally, things had quieted down—for now.