Chapter 30: Surprise

The light on the spiritual pillar passed fifty and still did not stop.

It continued to climb.

Sixty, seventy, eighty…

Now, not only were the testing disciples holding their breath while watching the testing pillar, but the cultivators in the Main Hall also found themselves holding their breath and focusing intently.

Ninety!

Ninety-one… ninety-three… ninety-six!

The pillar of light stopped rising.

A collective gasp erupted from the crowd.

And the few people sitting in the Main Hall abruptly stood up from their seats.

A Heavenly Water Spirit Root, and its foundation was above ninety, nearly perfect!

Such talent could already be discussed alongside the three Heaven’s Chosen Ones from the Five Great Sects!

The disciple in charge of testing naturally also knew what this meant for the Sect.

Most importantly, recruiting such a disciple for the Sect meant the rewards he would receive would certainly be substantial!

Shen Qingyi’s hand reached out towards the third testing pillar once more.

But the moment her hand touched the spiritual pillar, an Aura Pressure washed over her heart and mind.

Shen Qingyi’s body swayed involuntarily. Before dizziness could set in, however, a warm force began to spread from her heart.

That Aura Pressure seemed to hesitate briefly, then gradually faded away.

Because it happened so quickly, to outside observers, it simply looked like Shen Qingyi had placed her hand on it and the pillar did not light up immediately.

Just as people were starting to feel puzzled, the spiritual pillar suddenly shone brightly.

“Twenty, thirty, forty, sixty, seventy, eighty…

Finally, the Spiritual Root foundation settled at ninety-two.

Shen Qingyi did not understand what the earlier palpitation in her heart was, but as she opened her eyes again now, she felt something was different.

The testing disciple was already laughing heartily with joy.

An Outer Sect testing disciple who had rushed over upon hearing the news signaled for Shadow Gate disciples to take charge of the surrounding security.

The testing continued.

Shen Qingyi was still somewhat in a daze. Even as she stepped down from the platform, she felt a bit disoriented.

In the side hall, Elder Qi was also a bit stunned.

When he had been willing to bring Shen Qingyi here, it wasn’t because he thought she was promising material.

In his mind, if genius disciples could just be picked up anywhere, would they still be called genius disciples?

He had even thought that if this little girl had a Spiritual Root, even a five-element one would have been good enough.

But he never expected…

Not only did this little girl have Spiritual Roots, but her Spiritual Root aptitude was also this exceptional.

Many people nearby had come over again to congratulate him.

“Hahaha! I said Elder Qi’s discerning eye was as sharp as ever! See! After producing a double Spiritual Root talent among the juniors, now another one comes along!”

“Exactly! Hahaha! Congratulations, Elder Qi! Who would have thought the Northern Territory would be so full of hidden talent this year! Elder Qi, you’re not being fair! Keeping such a treasure so tightly under wraps! We, your brothers, didn’t hear a single whisper about it! The Northern Territory is truly clever!”

“Exactly! This is a Heaven’s Chosen Spirit Root! If word had been spread beforehand and someone or some force snatched her up first, wouldn’t that have been…”

Elder Qi was still rather dazed, but his daze did not last long. Faced with the congratulations from various people, some genuine, some jealous or hypocritical, Elder Qi was no pushover.

“Hahaha! This old man thanks all fellow Daoists for your congratulations! This old man also never expected the Northern Territory would gain two such outstanding juniors this year. This truly is also an honor for our Northern Territory! However, I’m afraid you all don’t know, this little girl, it’s really not that this old brother didn’t tell you.”