Chapter 38: Second Awakening of the Spiritual Root!

Although Cao Xuan hadn’t spoken these words aloud, he repeated them silently in his heart. Yet that was precisely the situation at this moment: so many disciples in the grand hall were watching him, and he couldn’t possibly delay the test any longer. Especially since he saw that the guardian of the Transmission Hall had already raised his hand, ready to drive him out.

Cao Xuan hurriedly activated the “Greenwood Art,” revealing the cultivation of the seventh layer of Qi Refining. Some disciples nearby, who were more knowledgeable, had their eyes light up.

“Oh, this aura—it truly is the seventh layer of Qi Refining!”

“Impressive. Is this a new magical artifact from the Spirit Tool Pavilion in Qingshan Market? Or perhaps the work of some genius brother from our Qingyun Sect’s Artifact Refining Peak?”

“With this, some tasks from the Law Enforcement Hall—like clearing out monsters—should become much easier. The seventh layer of Qi Refining would make many monsters tremble in fear, easily slain!”

In their eyes, Cao Xuan, like Lu Renyi, had used a magical artifact to fake his cultivation aura. The preconceptions had even led some to think, “This person, part of the batch from three years ago, probably has the fourth layer of Qi Refining now, at best the fifth.”

“A magical artifact that lets a cultivator simulate two or three layers higher—such a thing must be quite expensive.”

Every layer of identity within Qingyun Sect was significant: the fourth layer of Qi Refining marked an outer disciple, the seventh layer an inner disciple. Why did everyone in the sect willingly toil for cultivation resources? Was it not to raise their cultivation and thus their standing within the sect?

Therefore, it wasn’t hard to understand why some would risk simulating their cultivation to gain status and identity.

While the surrounding disciples were shouting and watching the spectacle, the Transmission Hall guardian narrowed his eyes slightly. The aura of the seventh layer of Qi Refining was continuous, not at all like the sudden burst produced by a magical artifact. To those of lower cultivation, the difference might not be obvious, but those at the Foundation Establishment stage could sense the distinction.

Cao Xuan ignored the noisy voices around him and focused his mind, directly using the basic technique of the “Greenwood Art”—the Greenwood Palm. Thanks to his perfected understanding of “Heavenly Steel Movement,” “Azure Dao Sword,” and “Golden Body Shield,” he had become adept at touching upon related arts. The basic Greenwood Palm, though hardly cultivated, was already second nature to him.

He channeled his true energy and struck out with a palm, even stirring up traces of steel wind in the air.

At the seventh layer of Qi Refining, aside from the lifespan not yet breaking the mortal limit, everything else was already transforming from mortal to immortal, becoming something otherworldly.

The voices of the surrounding disciples quieted, some smiles freezing on their faces. Only a few absent-minded disciples muttered under their breath.

“Uh… Does this magical artifact also have matching technique effects?”

Even now, they refused to believe that someone who had entered the sect three years ago could truly possess the seventh layer of Qi Refining. Even the aura at this moment seemed to them like an effect produced by a magical artifact.

“All right, shut up. If such an artifact exists, it’s already at the level of a spiritual tool!” A previously silent disciple, unable to stand it, spoke up sharply.

The Transmission Hall guardian nodded. Indeed, if there was truly a spiritual tool protecting him, granting him the identity of an inner disciple would be nothing to object to.

With a soft thud, Cao Xuan’s powerful palm struck the Spirit Testing Pillar, yet it landed lightly.

“Effortless strength—the technique realm is not low,” the Transmission Hall guardian commented.

The energy rings on the Spirit Testing Pillar instantly lit up, shining with seven rings.

“Seventh layer of Qi Refining—assessment passed!”

The entire area fell silent. It was truly the seventh layer of Qi Refining!

That meant this disciple, who had cultivated for about the same amount of time as Lu Renyi, had reached the seventh layer of Qi Refining in just three years?!

Everyone’s minds began to consider what this implied. The seventh layer of Qi Refining was not rare; what was rare was achieving it in three years!

Even the Transmission Hall guardian’s eyes showed a hint of admiration. With a wave of his hand, a crystal sphere appeared.

“Cao Xuan, before you become an inner disciple, let me test your spiritual roots once more.”

Cao Xuan nodded and stepped forward. The Spirit Testing Orb, for testing spiritual roots, had been the same test he’d taken three years ago, anxiously.

The Cao family, as a servant clan, had the privilege of entering the sect without examination. Even if Cao Xuan only had a single-forged spiritual root and was destined to be eliminated after three years, he could still enter Qingyun Sect without testing.

But so long as the Cao family wasn’t foolish, they wouldn’t waste such a spot. So, they chose Cao Xuan, though a concubine-born son from the third branch, who had four-forged spiritual roots, to enter Qingyun Sect.

Now, as Cao Xuan gripped the Spirit Testing Orb once more, he was no longer the powerless mortal he had been three years ago.

A dazzling light flared instantly.

Before the Transmission Hall guardian could announce it, a disciple cried out in astonishment.

“My god, nine-forged spiritual root! Wait, didn’t someone just say he and Lu Renyi both had four-forged spiritual roots?”

The probationary outer disciples had a three-year assessment period; those who reached the fourth layer of Qi Refining became official outer disciples. A peerless genius would reach the fourth layer in a single year—a rarity seen only once in several centuries. If one appeared, they’d be quickly taken by elders or peak masters as personal disciples and sent to cultivate in the Central Continent.

The Xuanhua Continent was divided into East Wilderness, Southern Border, Northern Region, Western Sea Islands, and Central Continent. Yun State was merely one of thirteen states in the East Wilderness, while the Central Continent was, well, the Central Continent!

The Qingyun Sect, dominant in Yun State, couldn’t even rank as a minor player in the treasure-laden Central Continent. Even the main branch of Qingyun Sect in Central Continent, which had elders at the Divine Transformation stage, was only considered a second-rate sect there.

Those who reached the fourth layer in two years were counted as talents within the sect, regarded as reserve inner disciples, with a chance to break through to the seventh layer in their lifetimes.

As for the disciples taking the assessment to be promoted to outer disciple today, they were either like Lu Renyi, awaiting elimination, or barely made it in—at best reaching the fifth layer of Qi Refining and remaining outer disciples for life, labeled as "wastes."

Thus, memories of those with four-forged spiritual roots were particularly vivid. Facing skepticism, a peer from the same batch quickly retorted:

“Our memories from three years ago—having reached the fourth layer of Qi Refining now—wouldn’t be mistaken.”

“Though I didn’t pay attention to the name, the appearance is still familiar. He absolutely had four-forged spiritual roots; I couldn’t be wrong.”

There was no need to be obstinate about such things.

Some disciples recalled the records they’d seen in the Scripture Repository. Enhancing one’s talent was something every cultivator aspired to over time; even Cao Xuan had sought out such texts two years ago.

Thinking of that possibility, their expressions grew complicated. “Second awakening of spiritual roots!”

They could think of no other explanation, and the Transmission Hall guardian thought the same.

Yet inwardly he mused, “Even with nine-forged spiritual roots, three years isn’t enough to reach the seventh layer of Qi Refining—this means he has other opportunities and considerable cultivation resources!”

Outwardly, he said, “It seems you are blessed with a special opportunity. Congratulations—from today, you are an inner disciple of Qingyun Sect!”

“I will update your identity token immediately. Go collect the inner disciple’s attire and rewards. Next!”

“Wait!” Cao Xuan suddenly raised his hand.