A moment later, Zhao Ting's meal was also brought over by the waiter.

Zhao Ting poured himself a cup of wine, hesitated for a moment, and raised his glass, saying, "Brother, although you're a bit harsh and not like a scholar, I still toast to you."

Chen Xun laughed, "Should I thank you for that?"

Despite his words, Chen Xun also raised his glass and clinked it with Zhao Ting's.

"Hahaha." After taking a sip, Zhao Ting found the other person quite interesting, truly the most intriguing person he'd met in recent years. He couldn't help but ask, "Brother, what is your name?"

Chen Xun replied, "Chen Xun."

Zhao Ting nodded and said, "So it's Brother Chen. I, Zhao Ting, am honored to meet you."

He quickly added, "I assume Brother Chen is not a local. You must be here in Celestial Clarity City for the Cultivation Aptitude Test?"

As he spoke, Zhao Ting glanced at Chen Xun's travel bag, showing his keen observation.

At the same time, Zhao Ting also noticed the wooden sword on Chen Xun's back, which puzzled him further.

Chen Xun shook his head and said, "I'm not here for the test. I was just passing through the city and decided to stay for the night."

Just as he finished speaking, Chen Xun suddenly felt a moment of dizziness, causing his heart to tighten slightly.

This sign...

"Not here for the test?" Zhao Ting was a bit surprised.

Chen Xun regained his composure and laughed, "It seems Brother Zhao is here for the test then."

Zhao Ting coughed awkwardly and said, "Brother Chen, you're mistaken. I'm not here for the test either. Believe it or not, I'm here for tomorrow's Dao Heaven Sect disciple recruitment."

Oh?

Chen Xun looked him over and found this person interesting, so he said, "You should be past the age for recruitment, right?"

Zhao Ting replied helplessly, "Yes, I'm already twenty-four, far beyond the age limit. But after years of studying, I suddenly realized that I, Zhao Ting, don't want to be an official or get involved in the political scheming. That's not what I want. I don't want to be an ordinary person for the rest of my life. I want to cultivate immortality, to explore the world and see the sights only immortals can see."

Chen Xun smiled at his words, "Brother Zhao, you might be a bit naive. The life of an immortal may not be as wonderful as you imagine."

The political scheming in the officialdom is nothing compared to the dangers of the cultivation world.

"Oh." Zhao Ting smirked, "Brother Chen seems to know a lot."

Then, Zhao Ting said with some disappointment, "But I'm already quite old, and I don't even know if I have spiritual roots. The first step in cultivation is a hundred, even a thousand times more demanding than the Cultivation Aptitude Test."

Chen Xun said, "In my opinion, Brother Zhao is full of spiritual energy, and you might just have spiritual roots."

Oh?

Zhao Ting was delighted and raised his glass with a smile, "I love hearing that from you, Brother Chen!"

Chen Xun smiled and asked, "Is your family well, Brother Zhao?"

"Of course, although my parents are getting on in years, they're in good health." Zhao Ting paused, then smiled bitterly, "But my thoughts are unfilial. My parents want me to achieve fame, but I'm thinking about the elusive path of cultivation."

Chen Xun nodded, "Brother Zhao, remember, once you enter the cultivation world, you'll be separated from the mundane world. You might not even have the chance to be with your parents in their final days."

In other words, even meeting them would be difficult.

Zhao Ting was stunned. Is it that serious?

He then laughed, "Brother Chen, you're exaggerating. Whether I can enter the immortal sect is still unknown, and those concerns are too far off."

Chen Xun smiled, "Not far at all."

Zhao Ting changed the subject and asked suspiciously, "By the way, Brother Chen, you seem to know a lot about the cultivation world!"

Chen Xun replied nonchalantly, "Hmm, I had ancestors who cultivated."

Zhao Ting was shocked and quickly bowed, "I didn't expect Brother Chen to come from a family of cultivators. My apologies!"

Chen Xun smiled without saying a word.

Though he was making it up, Zhao Ting was indeed exaggerating, quite adept at flattery.

What kind of cultivation family is this? A true family of cultivators would have generations practicing cultivation.

.........

The next day, as dawn broke, the entire Celestial Clarity City awoke, with people bustling in every street and alley.

Today was the day the Dao Heaven Sect came to recruit disciples in their city, a day of great significance for everyone.

"Hey! Brother Chen!"

As Chen Xun was leaving the inn with his bag, he heard a familiar call.

Turning his head, he saw Zhao Ting approaching quickly, rubbing his hands together.

"Brother Chen, I've been waiting for you for a while."

Chen Xun said, "Isn't today the day for the Dao Heaven Sect's recruitment? You should hurry."

Zhao Ting took a deep breath, "Brother Chen, I'll probably be the oldest one there. I'm so nervous. Could you accompany me?"

Chen Xun was speechless, "Brother Zhao, we only met yesterday. Why should your nerves concern me?"

Zhao Ting gritted his teeth and handed over a silver coin.

Chen Xun paused, accepted the coin, and put it away, "Alright, I was planning to check out the excitement anyway."

Zhao Ting: "......"

The sun rose steadily.

The Dao Heaven Sect's spiritual root test for recruiting disciples was held in the Central Plaza of Celestial Clarity City.

When Chen Xun and Zhao Ting arrived, they found the plaza packed with city residents, surrounded layer upon layer.

However, the residents dared not move closer, as many guards from the City Lord's Mansion were maintaining order, and the City Lord himself would be present today.

The plaza was bustling, with countless parents eagerly waiting with their children, hoping for a bright future.

Zhao Ting stood on tiptoe, looking inside, "Brother Chen, the immortals haven't arrived yet. They should appear with the City Lord soon."

Chen Xun nodded, but his mind was elsewhere. He rubbed his temples slightly as the vague feeling grew stronger...

Zhao Ting didn't notice anything amiss, as he was entirely consumed by his nerves.

"Clang!"

Suddenly, the sound of a bell rang out in the plaza, and everyone fell silent.

The head guard stepped forward and shouted, "All children participating in the spiritual root test, enter the plaza in an orderly line. Parents are not allowed inside!"

The guards immediately opened several entrances to the plaza.

The residents hurriedly sent their children in.

Support us at pawread.com .

Under the watchful eyes of the guards, the boys and girls entered and lined up obediently, with no one daring to cut in line.

In no time, five long lines formed.

There were quite a few children to be tested in Celestial Clarity City, and to finish in one day, it had to be done this way.

"Brother Chen, I'm going in now!"

Zhao Ting was so nervous that his palms were sweating.

"Alright..."

Chen Xun closed his eyes, frowning deeply.

Zhao Ting finally noticed something was off with Chen Xun and asked suspiciously, "Brother Chen, are you okay? You look more nervous than I am."

Chen Xun took a deep breath, shook his head, and said, "I'm fine, you go ahead."

"Alright, Brother Chen, wait for my good news. If I have spiritual roots, I'll treat you to a big meal!"

Zhao Ting gritted his teeth and, under countless curious gazes, quickly entered the plaza and joined the line with the other boys and girls.

Meanwhile, Chen Xun suddenly opened his eyes, a manic smile slowly spreading across his face, as the clarity in his eyes... vanished.