315: Chapter 315 The Theory of Spiritual Roots

Three days later, Ling Ye finally obtained key information about "Spiritual Roots" from the teahouse.

It was a rainy afternoon, and there were fewer people in the teahouse than usual.

Only an old man with white hair and beard sat by the window, drinking tea alone, with a plate of peanuts in front of him.

Ling Ye noticed that this old man was different from the other tea drinkers—he sat with good posture, was neatly dressed, and had long, clean fingers, unlike someone who did manual labor.

Furthermore, he wore a small jade pendant at his waist; although its quality was ordinary, the carving was exquisite, not an item an ordinary family could afford.

Ling Ye deliberated for a moment before picking up his teapot and walking over.

"Elder, excuse me." He sat down opposite the old man with a humble attitude. "This Junior is new here and not yet familiar with local customs. I heard the shopkeeper say earlier that the Qingyun Sect will be opening its gates to recruit Disciples next month. This Junior intends to try, but I do not know how to prepare. Might you be able to offer some guidance?"

The old man looked up at him, his gaze pausing for a moment on the scar on his face before moving away.

He did not answer immediately, instead picking up his teacup to take a sip before speaking slowly: "You are from out of town?"

"Yes." Ling Ye did not hide it. "My hometown suffered a disaster, and I have drifted all the way here."

The old man nodded, seemingly unsurprised by this answer: "Wanting to join the Qingyun Sect requires more than just physical strength. Do you know what a 'Spiritual Root' is?"

Ling Ye shook his head: "Please, Elder, enlighten me."

The old man picked up a peanut, put it into his mouth, chewed slowly, and then spoke: "People in this world have different Physiques.

Some people are born with the ability to sense Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi and absorb and refine it; such people possess the Foundation to Cultivate.

This kind of Foundation is called a 'Spiritual Root'.

Spiritual Roots have distinctions of quality and the differences of the Five Elements.

Those with Peak Grade Spiritual Roots are one in ten thousand; those with High Grade Spiritual Roots are already Geniuses fought over by the Sect; those with Medium Grade Spiritual Roots can achieve something through diligent practice; those with Low Grade Spiritual Roots can barely enter the Sect, and it is difficult for them to achieve a major Breakthrough in their lifetime."

He paused, then added: "If you have no Spiritual Root, you will be fated to never touch the Dao of immortality. No matter how hard you work, you will be unable to sense Spiritual Qi and unable to Cultivate."

Ling Ye listened quietly, quickly digesting this information in his heart.

"Then how are Spiritual Roots determined?" he asked.

"The Sect has its own special Spirit Stone for testing," the old man said. "Applicants place their hands on the stone, and the Spirit Stone will emit light of different colors based on your Spiritual Root Aptitude.

The brighter the light, the higher the Aptitude; the purer the light, the more singular the attribute.

If the Spirit Stone shows no reaction at all—then it means you have no Spiritual Root, and you should seek another path early."

Ling Ye nodded and asked again: "Then besides Spiritual Roots, what other stages are there in the trial?"

The old man seemed to become interested, picked up another peanut, and said slowly: "The rules in previous years generally consisted of three stages. The first stage tests physical strength, the second tests observation, and the third tests willpower.

But the specific content varies every year, depending entirely on the Sect's wishes. Some say that a fourth stage might be added this year—testing actual combat."

"Actual combat?" Ling Ye frowned slightly.

"Fighting against Yao Beasts," the old man said, his tone flat as if he were talking about something mundane. "In the dense forest behind the Qingyun Sect, some low-level Yao Beasts are kept in captivity.

In previous years, only Inner Sect Disciples were qualified to go there for training, but this year there is talk that they might let applicants go in for a run. Of course, this is just a rumor and cannot be taken as fact."

Ling Ye was silent for a moment, then solemnly thanked the old man.

The old man waved his hand and said nothing more.

When Ling Ye left the teahouse, the rain had already stopped.

He stood under the eaves, watching the peaks of the Qingyun Sect in the distance, which appeared exceptionally clear after the rain. The clouds and mist on the mountainside had been washed away, revealing vast stretches of verdant forest and grey-tiled roofs hidden among them.