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Li Guanqi's Insight perceived that at this moment, it seemed as if only Lu Kangnian existed between heaven and earth.
The figure that approached on a path of rosy clouds, like a banished immortal, exuded an otherworldly aura.
Such a person seemed to do nothing, yet just by standing there, they would catch anyone's eye.
"Greetings to the Sect Master!!"
"Greetings to the Sect Master!"
All the elders and disciples of the Great Xia Sword Sect instantly set aside their tasks, bowing respectfully to the figure above in the sky.
Lu Kangnian's gaze swept across the crowd with sharpness, his voice stern, "An elder of a peak, bickering and squabbling, what kind of decorum is this!"
"All elders are fined three months of their stipend!"
Upon hearing this, all the elders wore bitter expressions—three months' stipend!
With the Sect Master present, they couldn't say much and could only nod in agreement.
Lan He glared resentfully at Lu Kangnian, muttering, "I won't be able to afford my rouge and powder for the next few months!"
Lu Kangnian turned to look at Lan He, his expression indifferent as he casually said, "Lan He, for talking back to the Sect Master, you're fined an additional month. This month, the Outer Sect will have ten extra lectures."
Then he turned his head, no longer looking at Lan He's murderous gaze.
Li Guanqi, witnessing this scene, felt that the atmosphere within the sect was rather pleasant.
An elder of Heavenly Water Peak could joke with the Sect Master—it was just a month's stipend, a trifle for an elder.
The Sect Master's punishment for the elders was also a boon for the Outer Sect disciples.
Li Guanqi murmured to himself, "Perhaps… this sect could be a place to settle down."
Lu Kangnian slowly descended onto the high platform, looking up at the sky filled with rosy light.
With a warm smile on his face, he looked into Li Guanqi's eyes without showing any oddity.
Instead, he spoke very seriously and sincerely, "My name is Lu Kangnian, the thirty-eighth Sect Master of the Great Xia Sword Sect."
"What's your name?"
Although Li Guanqi's attire was somewhat worn, he straightened his clothes.
He performed a very standard and noble junior's salute!
Throughout, Li Guanqi remained calm and composed, which impressed Lu Kangnian even more.
Zhao Yuanlin struggled to rise from the ground, his body's intense pain like being burned by fire!
But the physical pain couldn't compare to the bitterness in his heart!
His eyes fixed on the figure on the platform, he then turned and left the Great Xia Sword Sect.
Li Guanqi took a deep look at Zhao Yuanlin's retreating figure, then spoke up.
"In response to Senior Lu, this junior is Li Guanqi."
As these words were spoken, Lu Kangnian's eyes lit up, and his smile deepened.
The elders of various peaks began to communicate through Divine Sense, whispering among themselves.
"See that? Old Lu is cutting in halfway through!"
"Tsk tsk, after accepting Wu Bing, he's opening the doors again!"
"Pah, shameless Lu Kangnian, is it so easy to open and close the doors?"
Lu Kangnian glanced at the crowd inadvertently, and immediately everyone fell silent.
"Good, good, a fine name!"
"Is this your first time testing for your Spirit Root?"
Li Guanqi scratched his head and nodded, "Yeah, every time I asked my grandfather, he just smiled and said nothing, so I don't know what my Spirit Root is."
Lu Kangnian had already assessed the youth's constitution and found it to be excellent!
Not only were his internal organs and viscera exceptionally resilient, but his meridians and bones were equally so!
It seemed the person who taught him was extraordinary!
"Can you tell me your grandfather's name?"
"Su Xuan."
"Su Xuan… I haven't heard of any Elemental Infant cultivator by that name…"
"No matter, since that's the case, let me explain to everyone what the Void Spirit Root is."
Li Guanqi nodded slightly, and then Lu Kangnian explained in a soft voice before everyone, "The Void Spirit Root, also known as the Root of the Void."
"The most precious aspect of this Spirit Root is that a cultivator can freely choose any one of the eight elements as their own Spirit Root!"
A collective gasp rose from the Sect Disciples at this revelation.
Their gazes towards the young man were filled with envy and respect.
"Moreover, the chosen Spirit Root will be far purer than a Heavenly Spirit Root!"
"For example, if cultivating with a Triple-Element Spirit Root is like pouring water from a bucket into a tub."
"A Dual-Element True Spirit Root is like four buckets, while a Five-Element True Spirit Root has the cultivation speed of six buckets."
"And a Five-Element Single Heavenly Spirit Root is ten!"
Lu Kangnian turned back to look at Li Guanqi, his lips parting softly to say.
"A Royal-Grade Spirit Root is fifteen."
"A Saint-Grade… is twenty!"
Boom!!
At these words, the crowd, which had felt something extraordinary, erupted into a commotion!!
And this was the talk among countless powerhouses in the Cultivation World.
"Talent determines the limit!"
Effort can only make up for so much; in the face of true talent.
All hard work is in vain!
It's cruel, but that's the reality once you embark on the path of cultivation.
Perhaps some people encounter fortuitous adventures, cleanse their marrow, reshape their Spirit Roots, and step onto the supreme path.
But no one has ever heard of someone with a Triple-Element Spirit Root ascending above the Elemental Infant!
Li Guanqi suddenly asked, "Is there anything above a Saint-Grade Spirit Root?"
Lu Kangnian saw the inquisitive look on the young man's face below and revealed a playful smile.
"There is!"
"Wow!! There actually is!"
"My god… no wonder all sects care about Spirit Roots, about talent! This… sigh!"
Lu Kangnian spoke softly, "A Heavenly Spirit Root is already a sign of genius, a Royal-Grade Spirit Root is one in ten thousand, known as the pride of heaven."
"A Saint-Grade is about chance and luck, rarely seen in thousands of years, known as a monstrous talent."
"Above Saint-Grade is the Divine-Grade, those with such Spirit Roots are individuals with great fortune."
"Their Spirit Roots are the ultimate expression of a certain element! The speed of cultivation is… like thirty buckets."
"It is said that in the Six Domains, the daughter of the Ice Rift Domain Lord recently awakened a Divine-Grade Ice Element Spirit Root."
With a smile, Lu Kangnian added, "Alright, that's enough about other domains, just to broaden your horizons."
"A Royal-Grade Spirit Root is already precious in our Great Xia Domain, let alone in our Qingyun Continent."
"Today, having a Sect Disciple awaken a Saint-Grade Spirit Root is a sign of a prosperous era for the sect, indicating the strong fortune of the Great Xia Sword Sect!"
"Today, all Sect Disciples with a Triple-Element Spirit Root may join the sect and temporarily enter the Outer Sect!"
At this announcement, cheers erupted, and the disciples with False Spirit Roots who had not been selected were overjoyed.
"So, Li Guanqi, which element of Spirit Root will you choose?"
At this question, all the elders and Peak Masters were on edge.
Because Lu Kangnian's Spirit Root was an Earth Heavenly Spirit Root, as long as Li Guanqi didn't choose the Earth element, they would have a chance!
And Li Guanqi also wanted to become a sword cultivator, with the strongest killing power being the Metal Element Spirit Root!
At this moment, Li Guanqi suddenly entered a mysterious state.
It was as if he was in a vast expanse of white, surrounded by eight differently colored orbs that were drawing near to him.
Just as he was about to touch the golden orb, a premonition struck him!
He turned his head towards a direction beside him.