Chapter 8: Hidden Families

Arc 2 - Chapter 8: The Spiritual Root Testing Ceremony

The morning sun bathed the Qin Family estate in warm golden light. The entire household was bustling with excitement as today was the day of the spiritual root testing.

Ruoyan sat calmly in her courtyard, sipping tea. Despite her young age, her demeanor was far too composed for a child about to undergo such an important test.

Her brothers, on the other hand, were energetic.

"Little sister, are you nervous?" Qin Yu asked, ruffling her hair.

Ruoyan shook her head with a soft smile. "Not really."

Qin Hao grinned. "That's our Ruoyan! Let's go—we don't want to keep the elders waiting."

Her mother, Lady Qin, gently adjusted her daughter's clothes.

"No matter what the results are, you are still my beloved child."

Ruoyan felt a warmth in her chest. She truly had a loving family in this life.

But she knew that power was the only thing that would allow her to protect them in the future.

And today was just another step toward that goal.

The testing hall was a grand, open pavilion in the heart of the Qin Family estate. Inside, a large crystal orb rested on an altar, glowing faintly with spiritual energy.

Many Qin Family members had gathered, including elders, clan heads, and younger disciples. The testing was an important event—it determined the future of the next generation.

One by one, children stepped forward to place their hands on the orb.

"Qin Wei—Water and Earth dual roots! Good talent."

"Qin Xian—Single Earth root! Stable foundation."

"Qin Hao—Fire and Metal dual roots! Strong battle potential."

When it was finally Ruoyan's turn, whispers filled the air.

"She didn't test last time, right?"

"I wonder if she has any talent…"

"Her mother is from a strong family, maybe she inherited good roots?"

Ruoyan ignored them and calmly walked forward.

She placed her small hands on the glowing crystal orb, carefully controlling her Qi output.

A moment later, the orb shimmered, releasing two distinct colors—red for fire, and green for wood.

The elder inspecting the test nodded in approval.

"Qin Ruoyan—Fire and Wood dual spiritual roots! A good balance between offense and recovery."

Lady Ye beamed with pride, while Qin Yu and Qin Hao cheered.

"That's our little sister!"

Ruoyan lowered her gaze, feigning modesty.

Inside, she smirked. Her disguise was perfect.

No one suspected that, beneath this ordinary talent, she was hiding power that could shake the heavens.

After the testing, the family's main elders discussed the results.

"Qin Hao has good battle potential."

"Qin Ruoyan's Fire-Wood combination is useful—she could become an alchemist or healer."

"Both should be nurtured well."

The Clan Head, Qin Zhen, stroked his beard thoughtfully.

"Ruoyan is still young, but her spiritual roots are stable. Assign her a good teacher."

Ruoyan listened quietly, her expression unreadable.

'An alchemist or healer, huh?'

She knew her Fire and Wood roots naturally led others to think she would choose pill refinement or support techniques.

'That's exactly what I want them to think.'

Let them assume she was harmless.

The Yueying Continent was vast, divided into regions controlled by powerful factions. While commoners and small cultivator clans lived ordinary lives, the true rulers of the cultivation world were the sects and noble families.

Each faction had its own strengths, legacies, and ambitions, shaping the balance of power across the continent.

Although called "small," these sects still held significant power, nurturing thousands of disciples and producing formidable cultivators. They served as stepping stones for those aiming for greater heights.

Cloud Mist Sect – Known for its strong body-refinement techniques and defensive formations.

Moonlit Sword Pavilion – A sect specializing in sword cultivation and assassination techniques.

Alchemy Jade Sect – Famous for its alchemy skills and herbal cultivation.

Blazing Sun Sect – Masters of fire-element techniques and battle formations.

Azure Spirit Sect – Skilled in taming spiritual beasts and summoning techniques.

Thousand Mirage Sect – Experts in illusion techniques and spiritual manipulation.

Ironwood Sect – Focused on wood-element cultivation and beast companionship.

Golden Thunder Temple – A sect practicing thunder-element techniques and Buddhist arts.

Silent Abyss Sect – A sect of assassins and shadow cultivators.

Flowing River Sect – Masters of water-element techniques and healing arts.

These sects constantly competed for resources, disciples, and influence, forming alliances and rivalries that shaped the cultivation world.

The Seven Super Families

These noble families had ruled for generations, possessing vast territories, unique bloodlines, and ancient inheritances. Their members were born with powerful spiritual roots and had access to rare techniques.

The Qin Family – A family with a long history of fire cultivation, known for their warriors and generals.

The Bai Family – Masters of ice techniques, producing powerful dual-element cultivators.

The Feng Family – Dominant in wind techniques, with a reputation for speed and agility.

The Xuan Family – Holders of earth techniques, with unmatched defense and endurance.

The Lei Family – A family specializing in thunder techniques, producing many battle-hardened experts.

The Yun Family – Known for their water techniques, alchemists, and scholars.

The Zhen Family – Holders of metal techniques, famous for crafting spiritual weapons and armor.

Each super family had branch families and loyal sects under them, forming a network of power that influenced the continent.

The Three Hidden Families

Unlike the super families that ruled openly, these mysterious families kept to the shadows. Their influence was immeasurable, and even the strongest sects feared provoking them.

The Ye Family – Masters of illusion techniques, assassination, and forbidden arts.

The Gu Family – Holders of cursed bloodlines, known for using poisons and Gu insects to control others.

The Ling Family – Keepers of ancient bloodlines, possessing forbidden spatial and time-related abilities.

Their members rarely appeared in public, but when they did, the entire cultivation world trembled.

The sect alliances, super families, and hidden clans constantly fought for resources, power, and secrets of immortality.

Ruoyan, now reborn into this world, knew that sooner or later, she would have to navigate this dangerous battlefield.

For now, she would remain low-key.

But one day… all these powerful forces would kneel before her.

To be continued...