5: One gate, three spiritual apertures!

Two days passed in the blink of an eye.

The day of the Spirit Testing Convention arrived.

The entire Xuantie Mine Slave Camp was in an uproar. Thousands of people poured out from their crude wooden huts and shanties, gathering toward the huge open space in the center of the camp.

Ten high platforms had already been set up on the open ground. In the center of each platform sat a pitch-black stone half the height of a person.

Spirit Testing Stone.

The fate of all the children would be decided by this stone.

A sea of people, the clamor reaching the heavens.

Parents' faces were etched with a mix of hope and anxiety as they tightly gripped their children's hands, giving them instructions over and over again.

Most of the children awaiting their judgment of fate were pale, nervously clutching the corners of their clothes.

Gu Changsheng was sandwiched between his uncle, Gu Dashan, and his aunt, Lady Li. His Elder cousin Gu Changfeng and younger cousin Gu Changyue were also by his side.

"Listen to me!" Lady Li lowered her voice, but still couldn't hide her shrillness. "If you don't test positive for a Spiritual Root today, don't even think about entering my house again! Changfeng, you're my son, show some backbone! Long Moon, you're a girl; if you can enter an Immortal Sect, you'll be an Immortal Lady in the future, enjoying endless wealth and glory!"

She skipped over Gu Changsheng alone, not even bothering to give him a side-glance.

In her heart, the probability of this cursed brat testing positive for a Spiritual Root was lower than a stone blooming.

Gu Changsheng lowered his head, appearing timid and submissive, but his heart was as calm as still water. He could clearly feel the current of Qi born within his body after the Marrow Cleansing and Bone Reforming. Although weak, it was real. He had already won at the starting line.

"Silence!"

A roar infused with spiritual power came from the high platform, instantly suppressing all the noise.

A white-haired Elder wearing the attire of a Taiqing Sect Outer Sect Deacon appeared on the central platform at some unknown time. His face was withered, and his expression was majestic as he scanned the field.

"The triennial Spirit Testing Convention begins now!"

"Those with a Bone Age of eight to twelve, step onto the platform in order and place your hand on the Spirit Testing Stone."

"Those with a Spiritual Root will enter my Taiqing Sect. Those without a Spiritual Root will leave on their own. Do not make any noise; violators will be severely punished!"

The Elder's voice was not loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears, carrying an unquestionable authority.

The atmosphere instantly froze to the freezing point.

Soon, the names of the first batch of ten children were called, and they walked tremblingly onto the high platform. Guided by the deacon, they pressed their small hands onto the cold Spirit Testing Stone.

One breath.

Two breaths.

Three breaths.

Out of the ten Spirit Testing Stones, nine had no reaction.

Only on one child's stone did a faint, almost invisible white light flicker.

"Wang Ergou, Pseudo Spirit Root, enters the Menial Service Courtyard," the deacon on the platform announced expressionlessly.

The child named Wang Ergou was stunned for a moment, then jumped up in wild joy! His parents, below the platform, wept with joy, excitedly kneeling on the ground and kowtowing repeatedly toward the direction of the Taiqing Sect.

Countless envious gazes were cast upon them.

The Menial Service Courtyard, although just for doing menial labor, meant escaping the status of a mine slave. From then on, they wouldn't have to worry about food or clothing, and might even have the chance to learn a few moves of immortal arts!

The nine children who failed instantly looked ashen, burst into tears, and were led away by their respective despairing parents.

The cruel screening had thus begun.

Batch after batch of children went up, and batch after batch came down crying.

Failure, failure, and more failure.

Among hundreds of children, the appearance of one Pseudo Spirit Root could cause a small sensation and countless envy.

"Next batch! Gu Changfeng!"

Hearing his name, Gu Changfeng's body shook, and his face turned pale instantly. He looked at Lady Li as if for help.

"Useless thing! Go quickly!" Lady Li pushed him hard.

Gu Changfeng walked tremblingly onto the platform and, under the gaze of countless eyes, pressed his hand onto the Spirit Testing Stone.

Seconds passed, and the stone had no reaction.

Gu Changfeng's lips began to turn white, and his body swayed.

Just when everyone thought he was going to fail as well, a white light, even dimmer than Wang Ergou's, suddenly lit up on the black stone, flickering as if it would go out at any moment.

"Gu Changfeng, Pseudo Spirit Root, enters the Menial Service Courtyard," the deacon's voice remained flat.

"He made it! My son made it!" Lady Li screamed, her face flushed with excitement, as if her son hadn't entered the Menial Service Courtyard but was about to be taken as a Personal Disciple by the Sect Head.

Gu Dashan also breathed a long sigh of relief, a simple and honest smile appearing on his face. No matter what, his son finally had a way out.

Surrounding neighbors stepped forward to offer congratulations. Amidst the flattery, Lady Li's chin was almost tilted up to the sky.

Gu Changsheng watched this scene with no ripples in his heart. A Pseudo Spirit Root and the Menial Service Courtyard—this was the great path to heaven in their eyes.

"Next batch! Gu Changsheng!"

Finally, it was his turn.

Everyone's attention focused on him, but mostly with the intent of watching a good show. Even the biological son was only a bottom-tier Pseudo Spirit Root; what could this disliked nephew possibly achieve?

"Go on, don't embarrass our Gu family," Gu Dashan patted his shoulder, his tone also carrying a bit of uncertainty.

Gu Changsheng nodded and, under a gaze of either sympathy or mockery, calmly walked onto the high platform.

He came before the cold Spirit Testing Stone and slowly reached out his right hand.

Under the transformation of the marrow cleansing grass, although this hand was still thin and small, it was fair and clean, with distinct knuckles, completely different from the rough and dark hands of the other children in the mine slave camp.

He gently pressed his palm against it.

The moment his palm touched the Spirit Testing Stone, a sudden change occurred!

Hum—!

The originally dead-silent black stone was like a sleeping giant suddenly awakened! A dazzling green radiance abruptly erupted from inside the stone, soaring into the sky, reaching three feet high!

The light was so intense that the people around subconsciously squinted their eyes!

"This... this is..."

"Medium-High Grade Spiritual Root! And it's close to High Grade!"

On the platform, the deacon, who had been as calm as an ancient well, had a violent fluctuation in his voice for the first time! He stared fixedly at the green pillar of light, his face full of shock!

All was silent.

Everyone was stunned by this sudden scene.

Below the platform, the smile on Lady Li's face froze completely, her triangular eyes filled with absurdity and disbelief.

How is it possible? This cursed brat, this jinx, how could he have a Medium-High Grade Spiritual Root!

Gu Dashan's mouth hung open, he was dumbfounded, his mind a complete blank.

"Good! Good! Good!" The white-haired Elder on the central platform smiled for the first time. He said "good" three times, his gaze toward Gu Changsheng filled with appreciation. "Child, what is your name?"

"Replying to the Elder, this Disciple is Gu Changsheng." Gu Changsheng withdrew his hand, the light dissipated, and he remained as calm as ever.

This composure, far exceeding that of his peers, made the Elder even more satisfied.

"Gu Changsheng, Medium-High Grade Spiritual Root, enters the Outer Sect!" the deacon announced loudly, in a tone completely different from before, carrying a hint of respect!

Whoosh—!

The crowd completely exploded!

An Outer Sect Disciple! That's a real immortal Disciple! They can practice immortal arts, receive a monthly salary, and reach the heavens in a single bound!

"Next, Gu Changyue!"

Under her cousin's dazzling halo, the appearance of the younger cousin Gu Changyue seemed somewhat ignored. She bit her lip, walked quickly onto the stage, and pressed her hand down.

Hum!

Another green pillar of light soared up, but it was a head shorter than Gu Changsheng's, and the light was much dimmer.

"Gu Changyue, Medium Grade Spiritual Root, enters the Outer Sect!" the deacon announced again.

This should have been a huge cause for celebration, and Gu Changyue should have been ecstatic. But looking at the calm Gu Changsheng beside her, and then at her own light which was clearly a level weaker, she couldn't feel happy at all.

Why? Why would this cousin she had always looked down upon have better Aptitude than her?

"Heavens! Smoke is rising from the Gu family's ancestral grave!"

"Three Spiritual Roots in one family! One menial worker, two Outer Sect Disciples! Great Mountain, you're going to enjoy good fortune from now on!"

"Brother Great Mountain, congratulations, congratulations!"

The neighbors who had come to their senses instantly surrounded Gu Dashan, their congratulations, flattery, and fawning endless.

Gu Dashan was dazed by this sudden happiness, only grinning and laughing foolishly, the wrinkles on his face blooming like a chrysanthemum.

Lady Li's face turned from green to white, feeling worse than if she had swallowed a fly. She was both happy that her daughter entered the Outer Sect and mad with jealousy that Gu Changsheng, the person she loathed most, had surpassed her daughter.

In the center of this clamor, Gu Changsheng quietly retreated to the side, watching coldly.

Becoming the center of attention was not the result he wanted. The tree that stands out in the forest will be destroyed by the wind. He only wanted to cultivate steadily for longevity and didn't want to be overly noticed by anyone.

Trouble.

He gave a two-word evaluation in his heart.

However, at this moment, another change occurred!

Boom—!

A roar, grander than any before, came from a platform on the far east side!

A thick golden pillar of light, like a sword piercing the sky, soared violently upward! Within the light, shadows of Dragons and Phoenixes faintly spiraled, immortal music played, and auspicious clouds gathered!

At this moment, the entire mine slave camp was dyed in a brilliant golden hue!

"Heavens... Heaven Grade! It's a Heaven Grade Spiritual Root!"

The white-haired Elder on the central platform trembled with excitement, his voice changing pitch.

"Quick! Go report to the Sect Master! A once-in-a-century Heaven Grade Spiritual Root has appeared!"

Everyone went crazy.

The neighbors who were just surrounding Gu Dashan were instantly turned away like iron filings attracted by a magnet, surging toward the east like a tide.

The deacon and Elder presiding over Gu Changsheng's side no longer cared about them, turning into two streaks of light and rushing toward the golden pillar of light at their fastest speed.

"It's that kid from the Lin family! Named Lin Yi!"

"Heavens! Reaching the heavens in a single bound! This is truly reaching the heavens in a single bound!"

Noisy discussions came from afar.

The area that was bustling just a moment ago became cold and deserted in the blink of an eye.

The smile on Gu Dashan's face froze; he held out his hand, still in the posture of accepting congratulations, but there was no one left beside him.

He looked at the golden pillar of light piercing the sky in the distance, then at the two "Outer Sect Disciples" before him who were just hailed as geniuses, and the expression on his face became extremely complex.

Compared to such a peerless Genius, what did his son, daughter, and this nephew count for?

Gu Changsheng, looking at the golden pillar of light that attracted everyone's attention, let the corner of his mouth curl into an unnoticed arc.

Great.

It was simply divine help from the heavens!

This guy named Lin Yi came just in time.

He felt the gazes that were just fixed on him—scrutinizing, jealous, probing—instantly vanish, and a sense of unprecedented comfort welled up in his heart.

Perfect.

This was the result he wanted.