Chapter 28: Qi Linger

The disciple in charge released his spiritual power and struck the bell on the high platform.

“The test now officially begins!”

“First, Fu Li.”

Before the testing started, the person in charge of each region had reported the names of those to be tested to the Lingdao Sect.

And those in charge were not really kept outside after they entered the Qingxin Hall.

Instead, they were led by Lingdao Sect disciples to a side hall.

There, an external affairs deacon awaited, matching them one by one to the candidates.

This also prevented any underhanded operations.

When the final selections were made, anyone who earned the status of a Lingdao Sect disciple would be issued an identity plate.

The identity plate was keyed to its owner’s unique aura and blood, and each plate could only be used by one person.

The testing on the high platform proceeded bit by bit.

The test-takers on the platform were nervous with anticipation, and the persons in charge observing from behind through the water mirror also waited eagerly.

After all, if there was a good seedling who got selected, it would have a significant impact—both in terms of the supplementary rewards received and the future development of their respective regions.

“Fu Li, three spiritual roots: metal, wood, water. Root values: forty-five, fifty-two, sixty-three. Soul divine sense strength: thirty.”

The girl named Fu Li couldn’t help but feel disappointed.

Originally, having three spiritual roots among her group was considered a decent aptitude.

But it seemed these root values were not very satisfactory, at least for entering the Lingdao Sect.

She barely belonged in the middle bracket.

And her soul divine sense strength was even more of a drawback.

You should know, this soul divine sense strength wasn’t calculated like cultivation stage level. Instead, the test pillar assessed it by the individual’s bone age.

And because of its rarity, most people didn’t know that the soul pillar contained a rare Soul Realm soul-separating stone from the Yellow Springs, giving the soul-testing pillar another powerful function: judging a person’s soul union stage strength.

To put it plainly, one of its functions was to determine if that body was its original one, and whether it had been controlled or seized by another soul.

Although in today’s Cultivation World, soul-seizing wasn’t some unheard-of event, among the current major sects, it was still considered taboo.

Shen Qingyi, who also didn’t know about this, felt somewhat nervous and scared. But her fear was that she might have no spiritual roots, be unable to cultivate, and thus continue down the same path as the original Shen Qingyi.

She also had no idea that the Lingdao Sect’s test pillar had this particular function.

In the original story, when the female lead Fu Yuyao entered a major sect in the mid part, this wasn’t mentioned at all.

The line in front of her was shrinking quickly.

Most of the tested disciples had four or five spiritual roots.

Those with three spiritual roots weren’t many, but also not scarce.

Those with dual spiritual roots were much rarer. Over a thousand people had been tested, and only a mere ten to twenty had them.

This also included those whose spiritual root values and soul strength weren’t particularly good.

“Qi Linger, dual spiritual roots: metal, fire. Root values: seventy-six, eighty-nine. Soul divine sense strength: seventy-three!”

A noticeable stir spread through the crowd.

All three of Qi Linger’s aptitudes were quite good; among the currently tested individuals, she easily ranked in the top five.

Elder Qi, waiting in the side hall, saw this scene via the water mirror and couldn’t help but feel excited.

The others nearby also offered their praises and congratulations.

Elder Qi was in a good mood. Although more tests remained, so far Qi Linger’s performance was excellent. Even these three aptitude scores were enough to earn extra points later on.