Disciples from the Purple Dawn Sword Pavilion widened their eyes, their throats struggling to move.

Their voices trembled as they said, “A nine… nine-grade sword spirit soul!!”

“Such a person… as long as they don’t die, they will surely shake the Great Xia Domain in a hundred years!!”

Disciples from the Myriad Immortals Sword Faction were equally shocked, unable to regain their composure for a long time.

They had no idea why the nine stone pillars changed from white light to red light.

But it was definitely not as simple as a change in color!

The talents they once took pride in were like rotten leaves that even stray dogs on the streets would disdain to glance at in front of this person.

Moreover, they had also learned about Li Guanqi’s conversation with disciples from the Seven Strings Sect.

Not only did his Spirit Root possess the most terrifying killing power of the thunder type, but it was also a Saint-Grade Spirit Root!

Saint-Grade!!

At this moment, a disciple from Orient Loong Island murmured, “How long has he… been cultivating…”

Ye Feng glanced at him and said sarcastically, “Too slow, it took him five months just to reach Foundation Establishment!”

“Cough cough… me too.”

The one who had just spoken almost rolled his eyes to the sky.

Li Nanting’s chest heaved violently, his eyes sparkling as he watched Li Guanqi.

It was as if the hope of the Great Xia Sword Sect in the future was all pinned on him.

The commotion here had long since alarmed the higher-ups of the Purple Sun Hall.

A dozen Elders arrived through the air, among them Elder Miao, whom they had seen before.

Even in front of Elder Miao was a stranger, the Deputy Hall Master of the Purple Sun Hall, Gu Xiong!

The old man’s body surged with Primordial Energy, his presence subtle yet undeniable, dressed in a purple robe embroidered with golden threads.

His cheeks were slightly gaunt, with a hooked nose, triangular eyes, and thin lips.

Despite his graying temples, his posture was as straight as a sword, his gaze sharp beyond compare.

Upon seeing Gu Xiong appear, everyone immediately bowed and said in a deep voice, “Greetings to the Deputy Hall Master!”

The other five Sect Elders and disciples bowed and said, “Greetings to Elder Gu.”

Gu Xiong’s voice was deep and powerful.

“What just happened? Why did the spiritual energy of heaven and earth become so turbulent?”

There was an inevitable sense of inquiry in his voice; Gu Xiong had just begun his retreat when the spiritual energy within a hundred miles of the Purple Sun Hall suddenly began to run wild!

Then Song Ru recounted the previous events truthfully.

Unexpectedly, Gu Xiong, who was half a step into Divine Transformation, turned to Li Guanqi and said.

“Oh? Such talent!”

“How about becoming my personal disciple? I too possess a thunder-type Spirit Root.”

At these words, everyone’s eyes widened in shock!!

Gu Xiong was actually offering to take Li Guanqi as his personal disciple!!

With a master who was half a step into Divine Transformation, plus the backing of the Purple Sun Hall.

Once Li Guanqi became Gu Xiong’s personal disciple, his status would instantly rise to the very top echelon!

Li Nanting clenched his teeth, his head bowed in silence.

Envy was evident in the eyes of the disciples from the five Sects.

The white-browed old man behind Gu Xiong frowned slightly and transmitted a message to him with a buzz of his lips.

The old man turned to look at the bowing Li Nanting and said with a light laugh, “What does it matter to have a Sect?”

“Being a disciple of Gu Xiong will not bury his talent, and the Purple Sun Hall has ample resources to support his consumption.”

Gu Xiong’s words were blunt, not sparing anyone’s feelings.

But Li Guanqi remained calm, stepping forward and bowing to the old man.

Then Li Guanqi slowly raised his head to look at the old man, his face sincere.

“Junior Li Guanqi, greets Hall Master Gu.”

At these words, everyone was slightly stunned, for Gu Xiong was only the Deputy Hall Master, yet Li Guanqi addressed him as the Hall Master.

Gu Xiong smiled faintly at the words and said softly, “What do you think? Don’t worry about the issue of already having a Sect.”

“In the world of cultivation, fine birds choose trees to nest in, and changing Sects is not uncommon.”

Li Nanting’s fists were clenched under his sleeves, the blood seeping through his teeth giving him a metallic taste in his mouth.

The other party was blatantly poaching in front of him, yet he could say nothing!

Li Guanqi took a deep breath and spoke softly, “As a junior from humble beginnings, I was nothing but a beggar. The Great Xia Sword Sect did not despise me, and like the broad-minded teachings of the Purple Sun Hall, which embraces all rivers, they accepted me.”

“If I were to leave such a Sect, and later, if an even stronger Sect wanted me to join them.”

“Then, should I go or not?”

“If I go, wouldn’t the senior be heartbroken at the loss of a beloved disciple, and wouldn’t the resources invested be wasted?”

“So… I am grateful for the senior’s high regard, but I am unworthy.”

“I find it difficult to comply.”

Gu Xiong’s originally stern face gradually softened, his eyes full of admiration.

Li Nanting’s brow relaxed, his face showing relief.

Gu Xiong couldn’t help but praise, “The Great Xia Sword Sect is indeed fortunate!”

“Your words make me feel somewhat ashamed, haha.”

“Since that’s the case, I hope you can tread a smooth path in your cultivation and reach higher realms soon.”

With that, the old man left with the other Elders of the Purple Sun Hall.

After the old man left, Li Guanqi’s heart, which had been hanging, finally settled.

His words seemed light, but the wisdom behind them was profound; a single misstep could have put Li Nanting in a difficult position.

Li Nanting turned to look at Li Guanqi, who obediently called out, “Master.”

“Hahaha, you lad!”

“I thought you were the impulsive type, but you’re no less cunning than some old foxes when it comes to worldly wisdom!”

“If it weren’t for your impeccable words, I might have thought about taking you and running away.”

Li Guanqi smiled slightly, then Song Ru came to Li Nanting’s side and gave a thumbs-up.

Looking at Li Guanqi, he couldn’t help but say, “You had me sweating; Hall Master Gu is known for his bad temper.”

“Alright, let’s continue with the test. I’ll change the stone pillars.”

A disciple from the Seven Strings Sect said in a daze, “He just rejected a half-step Divine Transformation powerhouse? And he’s still alive!”

The leading disciple from the Myriad Immortals Sword Faction narrowed his eyes and said softly, “In the future, we must not provoke this person if we can help it!”

The subsequent tests weighed heavily on everyone’s hearts.

Eight consecutive people from the Great Xia Sword Sect were found to have empty Spirit Ruins until Ye Feng stepped up.

He too awakened a sword spirit soul, reaching the seventh grade.

And among the Seven Strings Sect, Myriad Immortals Sword Faction, Purple Dawn Sword Pavilion, Orient Loong Island…

Not a single one from these four Sects awakened a useful spirit soul.

It was like an actor cramping on stage, unable to exit gracefully.

When it was Zhenyue Mountain’s turn, the first to go up, Shen Qi, awakened a shield spirit soul!

Although it was only fifth grade, it was enough to excite Shen Qi.

After the Spirit Ruin test ended, the disciples from the other four Sects left dejectedly, not even attending the banquet prepared by the Purple Sun Hall.

After the banquet, the Purple Sun Hall handed two balls of Spirit Light to Li Nanting, entrusting him with some matters and informing him of only ten years of usage rights.

Because of Shen Qi, Zhenyue Mountain also received a ball of Spirit Light, gaining five years of usage rights.

The next morning, Li Nanting left the Purple Sun Hall with a radiant face, leading everyone on the journey back to their Sect.