As Shen He finished speaking, a collective gasp echoed through the square.

The townspeople looked at Zhao Ting with eyes full of envy and newfound respect, not daring to harbor any other thoughts.

After all, the words of this immortal master from the Dao Heaven Sect were crystal clear...

To be considered a top-tier existence in the entire Northern Profound Cultivation Realm, that statement said it all.

This Zhao Ting, with his extraordinary talent, was like a hidden dragon in the abyss, destined to soar into the heavens in the future!

In comparison, Zhao Ting truly seemed to have ascended in one leap!

The four children with spiritual roots earlier now appeared mediocre.

But that was only in comparison to Zhao Ting; those four children still had far better prospects than the countless others who were eliminated.

Even Xu Hai felt a chill in his heart, his gaze towards Zhao Ting turning respectful.

In just one day, his attitude as the City Lord had undergone a dramatic change.

Xu Hai never imagined someone could ascend to such heights overnight.

"A metal attribute... Heavenly Spirit Root."

Zhao Ting muttered to himself, feeling as if he were in a dream.

"Hehe, Zhao Ting, why don't you come up and take a seat with me, and wait for the rest of the children to finish their tests," Shen He said, gesturing towards the seats on the platform with a smile.

His face was all smiles, and he couldn't have been happier.

Shen He's attitude towards Zhao Ting made everyone even more awed.

"Oh, okay."

Zhao Ting nodded in a daze and followed Shen He onto the platform. Even now, everything felt unreal to him.

After stepping onto the platform.

The disciple who had previously commented on Zhao Ting's age now bowed and called out, "Senior Brother Zhao."

Zhao Ting waved his hands repeatedly, "I don't dare."

He hadn't even joined the Dao Heaven Sect yet, so how could he be considered a senior brother? But it was clear that his spiritual root was indeed extraordinary.

"Senior Brother Zhao, you're too modest, hehe."

The disciple chuckled awkwardly, his words filled with caution and flattery.

There was no other way; once Zhao Ting returned to the sect, with his aptitude, he would surely be promoted directly to a Purple-Robed Disciple, a status countless disciples of the Dao Heaven Sect dreamed of!

In the Dao Heaven Sect, aside from the Sect Master and the elders, the Purple-Robed Disciples held the highest status!

At this moment, the tests in the square continued.

However, everyone's attention was subtly focused on Zhao Ting, as his talent was simply too dazzling.

"Zhao Ting, is your family from Celestial Clarity City? Why didn't you come when our Dao Heaven Sect recruited disciples in previous years?" Shen He asked, puzzled.

Although, with Zhao Ting's aptitude, a few years didn't mean much, it still felt like a bit of wasted time.

Moreover, Shen He was even more puzzled about Zhao Ting's background. How could someone with a Heavenly Spirit Root appear in such a place? The possibility seemed incredibly slim.

Zhao Ting snapped back to reality and replied, "Immortal Master, my family is not from Celestial Clarity City, but from Fortune and Blessing Town, south of Celestial Clarity City. As for why I didn't come in previous years... it was because I was preparing for exams."

Beside him, City Lord Xu Hai felt a pang of disappointment upon hearing Zhao Ting wasn't from Celestial Clarity City.

If Zhao Ting were from Celestial Clarity City, he, as the City Lord, would have some credit and might even receive a reward from the immortal master. What a pity.

Fortune and Blessing Town?

Shen He nodded, though he had no impression of this small town. But from today on, he would remember it well.

However, upon hearing Zhao Ting's last sentence, Shen He was puzzled again and asked, "Exams? What exams?"

Zhao Ting scratched his head and said, "The Cultivation Aptitude Test."

Shen He paused, instinctively wanting to scold 'nonsense,' but quickly held back, coughed lightly, and earnestly advised, "Alright, Zhao Ting, with your talent, focus on cultivating immortality from now on. Don't waste time on the Cultivation Aptitude Test."

Zhao Ting nodded, "Yes."

Shen He found Zhao Ting pleasing to the eye; he was exceptionally talented yet humble and respectful to his elders.

There were other disciples with Heavenly Spirit Roots in the Dao Heaven Sect, but they were all proud and arrogant. Someone like Zhao Ting was rare.

Honestly, even if Zhao Ting were to scold Shen He at this moment, Shen He might not dare to retort and would have to endure it.

After Zhao Ting's mood calmed down a bit, he suddenly thought of Chen Xun and quickly looked over. When he saw Chen Xun lying on the ground, sound asleep, his expression turned strange.

What happened to Brother Chen?

How did a perfectly fine person suddenly become like this?

Why did he suddenly go mad?

Now that he had time, Zhao Ting couldn't help but ponder.

......

By evening.

The spiritual root tests were completed.

No more children with spiritual roots appeared.

Parents took their children home, disappointed.

Since cultivating immortality wasn't an option, they could only study hard for exams.

"Immortal Master, I have arranged accommodations at the City Lord's Mansion..."

Before Xu Hai could finish, Shen He waved his hand to interrupt, "No need, City Lord Xu, I appreciate the gesture, but we must set off for the sect immediately."

Under normal circumstances, Shen He would have stayed for a night or even a few days, but with a disciple like Zhao Ting with a Heavenly Spirit Root, he was eager to return.

"Uh, alright," Xu Hai said, regretfully.

Beside him, Zhao Ting's expression changed, surprised at how soon they were leaving!

Was there really no time to say goodbye to his family?

He had told his family he was going for the Cultivation Aptitude Test, but now...

Zhao Ting quickly said, "Immortal Master, before we leave, may I say goodbye to my family?"

Shen He paused, unable to refuse Zhao Ting's request, and smiled, "Of course, it's only natural to see your family. After all, once you join the sect, opportunities to visit the mundane world will be rare."

Zhao Ting's mouth opened slightly, as Shen He's words were almost identical to what Brother Chen had said yesterday.

Does cultivating immortality require giving up so much?

Thinking of Chen Xun, Zhao Ting hurriedly looked over. Seeing Chen Xun still lying there, he quickly walked over.

Seeing this, Shen He waved to Xu Hai, "City Lord Xu, please return. We'll be leaving shortly, so there's no need to see us off."

With that, he walked towards Zhao Ting and Chen Xun.

The six disciples followed, along with the four newly recruited boys and girls.

The four youngsters were obedient, but their eyes kept glancing at their families, who hadn't left.

These families knew their children were leaving and wanted to approach and speak, but without Shen He's permission, they didn't dare and could only watch longingly.

"Uh, yes."

Xu Hai bowed in response. Though he said he would leave, he didn't, standing at a distance, likely waiting until Shen He and his group truly departed before leaving.

As the City Lord, Xu Hai naturally had a keen sense of timing.

"Brother Chen! Brother Chen! Wake up!"

Zhao Ting crouched down, gently shaking Chen Xun.

"Ugh."

Chen Xun groggily opened his eyes and mumbled, "What do you want?"

Zhao Ting paused, smiling wryly, "Brother Chen, what happened to you..."

Chen Xun's unfamiliar demeanor made Zhao Ting uneasy, his heart aching.

How did things turn out this way?

Zhao Ting couldn't help but wonder if he had somehow taken Brother Chen's luck.

Naturally kind-hearted, Zhao Ting felt inexplicably guilty, as the timing seemed too coincidental.

"Zhao Ting."

Read the most updated version of this novel and other amazing translated novels from the original source at [ pawread.com ]

At this moment, Shen He and the disciples approached.

Zhao Ting quickly stood up and said, "Immortal Master, could you take a look at my friend? He was fine yesterday, but this morning he inexplicably became like this."