14 - The Ascending Dragon Sect selection (03)

The tests proceeded calmly after Elder Tian's demonstration. No one dared question anything further. Those who had passed gathered behind the elder, while those who had failed left with their heads down.

Some sniffled with tears in their eyes, others let long sighs escape, but all remained silent.

Soon, more than two hundred faced the test, but only forty passed.

"Next!" Elder Tian's voice rang out, as a tanned beauty stepped forward with large steps, her fertile hips swaying in a smooth roll and the two large, plump masses of flesh that formed her perfect, round ass jiggled with every step.

Qingyi had to admit, she was just as attractive from the back as she was from the front.

Stopping in front of the pillar, she gracefully raised her hand and touched the stone structure, which immediately shook. A vibrant brown aura spread and, in the next moment, seven lights lit up on the pillar.

"Seventh level earth spirit root, approved," the elder spoke, his eyes barely sweeping over Hua Feiyan's body before calling for the next one.

Fifty more were called until Xu Tianming stepped forward. He seemed to have calmed his mind, but still flinched with anger whenever he noticed Qingyi's gaze.

Stopping in front of the pillar, he took a slow breath and pressed his hand, releasing his Qi.

'Has this bastard had a breakthrough?' Qingyi was taken aback. He had felt Tianming's Qi the day before, and he was a long way from being able to advance, with a very unstable base.

How on earth had this bastard stabilized his base and broken through in such a short space of time?

But then Qingyi remembered: Tianming was rich, filthy rich. His family probably had a fortune so great that it would make even the Ascending Dragon Sect jealous.

'Ugh... damn rich bastards, using their wealth to take advantage of us lowly, unsupported cultivators!'

Fortunately, he didn't have time to reflect on how absurd it was for him, of all people, to complain about wealth.

The pillar was surrounded by a silvery aura, trembling as the lights slowly came on.

Elder Tian's eyebrows rose slightly, but soon a smile took over his face.

"As expected of Young Master Xu. Seventh level sword spirit root, approved."

As he joined the rest of the passers, Xu Tianming cast a teasing glance in Qingyi's direction.

'Let's see if this pretty face can beat that!' Tianming thought, trying to force some confidence into his face.

He stood next to Feiyan, but she barely spared him a glance, which made his heart burn even more.

'Who the hell does this woman think she is to ignore me like that?' He gritted his teeth, trying to control his murderous intent, but a little still leaked out, all focused on Qingyi.

'What a pathetic little man...' Qingyi shook his head. That level of murderous intent was barely enough to touch his skin, but Elder Tian sensed it perfectly.

The old man's eyes focused on Tianming for a few brief moments before he sighed. His expression looked disappointed as he called for the next person to be tested.

Soon, it was Qingyi's turn.

He stood in front of the pillar and touched it lightly. A bluish light took over the structure, and exactly five lights came on.

Tianming's eyes shone more brightly than ever, his body trembling as a triumphant smile dominated his face.

Elder Tian opened his mouth to give his verdict, but something changed. His aged eyes twitched slightly as he took a step closer.

From the blue aura surrounding the pillar, a silver one emerged, dancing before merging into a beautiful blue covered in silver threads. Sharp electric rays streaked violently through the air.

'A two-colored spirit root? No... it's a lightning sword spirit root!' The elder exhaled heavily. In over hundred years of recruiting for the Sect, he had only seen two-colored spirit roots a handful of times, but fused spirit roots? It was unheard of for him.

He hesitated for a moment.

The requirements were sixth-level spirit roots as standard, but he couldn't force himself to refuse that young man.

Raising the level of a spirit root was expensive, but it was still a possibility. The Sect had plenty of pills for that.

But a spiritual root base? That was almost impossible to change. If you were born with a bad element, you were probably doomed.

From the aura he sensed exuding from Qingyi's body, he could already tell that, despite his level, his spiritual root was no lower than a level seven. So the young man would probably have no problem standing out.

If he could cultivate well enough to obtain a spirit root enhancement pill... he would probably become part of the Sect's backbone in the future.

"Fifth level lightning sword spirit root, approved," Elder Tian finally announced his decision.

Tianming's face crumpled as he clenched his fists tightly. Feiyan's excited voice only made him even angrier. How could nothing go wrong for that bastard? Why was the woman who was supposed to be his throwing herself into his arms like that?

"Junior Brother Qingyi really is amazing! It's the first time I've seen a fused spirit root!" Feiyan smiled encouragingly at Qingyi.

She wanted to throw herself into his arms to stoke Tianming's jealousy even more, but Elder Tian's stern gaze made her abandon that idea.

"Don't get too cocky, there's still the combat test," Tianming growled between his teeth.

The rest of the tests were less exciting. Lots of failures and a few seventh level spirit roots, nothing more.

"Well done," Elder Tian smiled as he looked at the crowd. The numbers had dropped considerably - the six hundred who had passed the will test had been reduced to just one hundred and twenty.

The quality was lacking, but the numbers were acceptable.

"Follow me, we're going to the Sect arena to start the combat test," Elder Tian's voice echoed as he started walking.

Everyone had anxious and curious expressions on their faces as they entered the large central gate. Even if they were rejected, just seeing the inside of the Sect would be enough for some there.

[Note: Feiyan's Dominant trait has been removed and changed to 'Natural Alchemist', her age has also been reduced to 23. it was an idea I wanted to work on before but I gave up and changed it, sorry for the trouble].