Path of Emotion Destruction, Spirit Testing Ceremony.
The plaza at the foot of the main peak sprawled over a thousand acres, its ground paved with dark demon pattern stones.
Tens of thousands of children wearing dojo uniforms crowded the plaza, with Chen Sheng blending into the Black Wind Valley Dojo's group.
The Black Wind Valley Dojo was merely one of the dozens of affiliated dojos of Path of Emotion Destruction; the children present today were just the tip of the iceberg in the annual selection of Path of Emotion Destruction.
At the third moment of the hour of the dragon, the sky suddenly darkened.
The originally gray clouds churned fiercely as a black demonic cloud swiftly drifted from the direction of the main peak. On the cloud, a carriage, entirely jade-white like a suspended Jade Palace, was slowly descending.
The carriage was drawn by four black demon steeds with wings, their wings spreading over ten feet wide, whipping up strong winds that made the children on the plaza bow their heads to avoid them.
The carriage's compartment was sculpted from a single piece of warm jade, its surface engraved with blood-colored flickering demon patterns, and inlaid with small blood-colored gemstones in the crevices, resembling peering eyes, emitting an eerie glow.
From afar, the entire carriage looked like a spirit vehicle rising from Hell, dignified yet terrifying.
Inside the carriage, a middle-aged cultivator in a moon-white daoist robe lounged on a couch draped with black fox fur, his face pale, his eyes somewhat brooding.
This man was the host of the Spirit Testing Ceremony, Elder Wuchen of the late-stage Golden Core.
He was surrounded by a faint demonic qi, with eight beautiful women in gauzy clothing around him.
Some knelt, massaging his legs, others held jade dishes filled with spirit fruits, while another carefully scooped spiritual liquid with a silver spoon to his lips.
Not long after, the demon cloud flying vehicle came to a steady stop in the center of the plaza, and dozens of dojo stewards quickly stepped forward.
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"We pay our respects to the Elder!"
The three leading late-stage Foundation Establishment stewards blushed deeply, rushing under the carriage and promptly "thumping" to kneel with their backs bent swiftly.
They waited for Elder Wuchen to step down upon their backs, the most direct "flattering" within a Demon Sect and a rare chance for an Outer Sect steward to climb up the hierarchy.
The other stewards stood behind, eyes filled with envy, some even discreetly adjusting their posture, hoping for those in front to fall out of favor so they might step in.
But Elder Wuchen didn't even lift his eyelids. He lazily lifted his sleeve, a faint gray demonic qi blocking the carriage door, indicating he wouldn't alight.
The maid by his side immediately understood, offering a purple grape to Elder Wuchen's lips, which he slightly opened to ingest.
Disappointment flashed across the faces of the three kneeling stewards, yet they dared not show any resentment, hurriedly rising to step aside, beginning to manage their sections and each overseeing a Spirit Testing Array.
These arrays were crafted from black demon iron, with Spirit Testing Crystals embedded at the array hubs, looking like gaping mouths ready to devour.
The spirit testing began quickly.
The children, divided into batches, were led into the arrays, and each time one stepped in, the array would light up in different colors.
If white light appeared, it indicated No Spiritual Root, and the child would be roughly dragged to the plaza's west side.
At that moment, dozens of similar No Spiritual Root children had already gathered there, their eyes vacant, like lambs to the slaughter; their fate was to serve as disposable materials.
If green or blue light appeared, with a range between thirty and fifty, they'd be allocated as Outer Disciples or servants in the Outer Sect.
Only those with a light scale above fifty would be singled out and queued beside the demon cloud flying vehicle. These individuals were eligible to enter the Inner Sect of Path of Emotion Destruction and gain actual cultivation resources.
"Not bad, this year, there's significantly more Earth Grade Spiritual Roots than previous years."
Elder Wuchen gazed at the dozen children gradually gathering beside the vehicle, a satisfied smile playing at his lips.
These children identified with Earth Grade Spiritual Roots were already a rare gain for Path of Emotion Destruction, which urgently needed fresh blood.
The other children on the plaza gazed at the dozen with eyes full of envy; some even secretly imitated their posture, as if doing so might help them get chosen.
Finally, it was the turn of Black Wind Valley Dojo.
Chen Sheng took a deep breath, suppressing his inner thoughts, and slowly stepped into the Spirit Testing Array.
He could feel the demonic qi flowing within the array and clearly "see" the Spirit Testing Crystal sensing his Spiritual Root.
The aura of the Celestial Grade Spiritual Root was like a dormant volcano, ready to erupt once stirred.
Just at the moment his toes fully stepped into the array, the originally dim Spirit Testing Crystal suddenly burst into dazzling golden light.
The golden light pierced through as if breaking the clouds, shooting straight into the sky, illuminating the entire plaza in a bright golden hue, even the blood-colored demon patterns on the demon cloud flying vehicle were highlighted by this golden light.
The needle on the scale on the edge of the array jumped rapidly, finally stabilizing at the top, where the words "Celestial Grade" were visible. The needle, unable to withstand the impact of the spiritual qi, even emitted a slight creaking sound.
"Celestial Grade Spiritual Root!"
Elder Wuchen abruptly sat upright, the previously languid gaze turning sharp, with blatant greed and surprise flashing in his eyes. He instinctively released his Divine Sense, sweeping across the surroundings like a vast net.
The plaza instantly fell silent, with all eyes on Chen Sheng.
Children with No Spiritual Root remained bewildered, the Inner Sect candidates filled with envy, while the stewards' eyes were wide with shock and excitement.
The steward in charge of the array where Chen Sheng was located trembled with excitement, rushing to Chen Sheng with a flattered attitude, his voice even trembling:
"Seventy-Seven...no, Brother Wang! You are truly the fortune of our Black Wind Valley! When you succeed in the future, please do not forget your old brother here!"
While speaking, he cautiously supported Chen Sheng's arm, fearing even the slightest injustice to him.
The other stewards surrounded them, offering Spirit Water, some bringing out Spirit Fruits, their gazes on Chen Sheng as if beholding a rare treasure that could bring them great fortune.
Elder Wuchen gently set down the jade cup in his hand, clapping lightly, the crisp sound echoing across the plaza.
All the stewards immediately quieted down, swiftly walking before the carriage and bowing to receive orders.
"Everyone, please halt momentarily."
Elder Wuchen's voice carried undeniable joy:
"Today, discovering a Celestial Grade Spiritual Root is a great joy for Path of Emotion Destruction! If the ancestor knows, there will certainly be generous rewards, and all of you involved in the spirit testing shall have credit!"
Upon hearing this, the stewards were overjoyed, bowing to express their gratitude repeatedly:
"Thank you for Elder's grace! Thank you, ancestor, for your grace!"
The entire Spirit Testing Ceremony was entirely halted because of Chen Sheng, with everyone's attention on this mere four-year-old child who had become the "treasure" determining everyone's fate.
A Celestial Grade Spiritual Root is rare, and throughout many generations, Chen Sheng's clan, despite numerous disciples, had never produced one with a Celestial Grade Spiritual Root.
The Three Elements Dao Sect, a major sect for ten thousand years, even across fifty-year generational disciples, doesn't always produce a Celestial Grade Spiritual Root, often taking hundreds of years to produce one Nascent Soul Seed with a Celestial Spirit Root.
The rarity of a Celestial Grade Spiritual Root is evident.
The golden light on the square gradually faded, but the discussions grew more heated. The stewards surrounded Chen Sheng, bombarding him with questions about his name and age...
Chen Sheng stood by the Demon Cloud Flying Vehicle, feeling the greedy or awed gazes around him. His sharp spiritual sense suddenly caused a strong unease to surge in his heart.
The next moment, this sense of unease was instantly realized.
Wuchen Daoist suddenly raised his hand, his robe sleeves suddenly swung, and countless strands of pale golden light shot out like flying needles, precisely piercing the foreheads of every Foundation Establishment Steward present.
Even the eight maidservants beside him were not spared.
The moment the light entered their bodies, all the stewards and maidservants froze in place, without a sound.
With these people gone, communication with the Sect was temporarily cut off, and no information could be transmitted.
The next moment, Wuchen Daoist, like a gray lightning bolt, flashed and appeared before Chen Sheng, grabbing him by the nape of the neck.
The hand was like an iron clamp, carrying a cold Demonic Qi, rendering him completely immobile.
Before Chen Sheng could speak, Wuchen Daoist gently pressed his raised hand against the back of Chen Sheng's neck, and a pure Demonic Qi surged in. Chen Sheng only felt his vision darken and instantly lost consciousness.
Wuchen Daoist's mind was tense to the extreme; he didn't dare to linger at all. He grabbed Chen Sheng's body and rushed out of the square at the fastest speed.
The children around were in a frozen state, and no one could stop him.
He rushed out of the Path of Emotion Destruction's mountain gate, pinched his fingers, and a Tier Three "Heaven-Covering Talisman" instantly shattered.
Pale gray mist spread from him, completely concealing his and Chen Sheng's auras, even reversing their aura trajectories.
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Immediately, he took out a "Golden Radiance Talisman" from his storage pouch, and as the talisman paper burned, it turned into a dazzling golden light, carrying him and Chen Sheng rapidly towards the west.
The sound of wind howled by his ears, and greed flickered in his eyes as he muttered to himself:
"The Emotionless Old Ghost coincidentally went out to seek a breakthrough opportunity and isn't in the Sect. Yet a Celestial Grade Spiritual Root has emerged. This is simply a heaven-sent opportunity!"
"Once I escape Jiang Country and auction off this Celestial Spirit Root Child at the Market, I'll definitely be able to exchange it for a Nascent Soul Spiritual Object. By then, I can break through to Nascent Soul and no longer suffer under that old ghost's oppression!"
The golden light streaked across the sky, flying towards a direction far away from the Path of Emotion Destruction, leaving a faint trail of light that quickly dissipated into the clouds.
...
Several hours later, Chen Sheng groggily woke up amidst a bumpy ride.
He opened his eyes to find himself lying inside the cabin of an Invisible Spiritual Vessel. The entire vessel was a light blue, with concealment runes etched on its walls, allowing it to blend into the surrounding environment, completely undetectable from the outside.
In the center of the cabin, Wuchen Daoist was sitting on a jade chair, playing with a spirit fruit in his hand, his gaze on Chen Sheng like one looking at a rare treasure, the greed in his eyes undisguised.
Noticing Chen Sheng had awakened, Wuchen Daoist's attitude became much warmer. He put down the spirit fruit and smiled, saying:
"Young friend, there's no need to panic. I'm saving you. Staying in the Path of Emotion Destruction, you would sooner or later become a vessel for the Emotionless Old Ghost's soul takeover."
"I am taking you away from Jiang Country and sending you to a Righteous Sect, where the cultivators will truly nurture you, allowing you to utilize the talent of your Celestial Grade Spiritual Root."
Upon hearing this, Chen Sheng was enlightened, truly feeling that Wuchen Daoist, being of Demon Dao origin, was indeed bold. A mere Golden Core dared to snatch food from the mouth of a Nascent Soul True Monarch.
However, Chen Sheng was well aware of the means of a Nascent Soul cultivator and doubted Wuchen could successfully escape with him. He could only pretend to be timid and afraid, as if he had just woken up, shrinking his shoulders and keeping his head down, not daring to speak.
Wuchen Daoist, seeing him like this, assumed he was simply frightened, chuckled softly, and said with a few hints of pride:
"You may not understand now, but in time, you will certainly thank me."
Having said that, he turned to the spiritual vessel's control platform and continued to steer the vessel westward.
...
Two days later, the spiritual vessel flew over a series of low hills that were covered with shrubs, seemingly unremarkable.
But just as the vessel was about to cross the hills, the sky suddenly darkened. A giant void hand appeared out of nowhere, looming over the spiritual vessel like a dark cloud. The fingers slightly contracted and directly plucked the invisible spiritual vessel from the air.
Wuchen Daoist's face changed suddenly, and he sprang to his feet, his eyes full of disbelief. However, before he could react, the void hand tightly clenched and dragged him out of the vessel, pressing him hard onto the ground.
A cultivator in a purple robe slowly walked out of the void, exuding a suffocating Nascent Soul pressure, and spoke with a cold sneer:
"Youngster, do you think with just a few low-tier talismans, you can escape the grasp of this old man? How little do you know the means of us Nascent Soul cultivators!"
The purple-robed cultivator waved his robe, and a stream of cyan light sprinkled over Wuchen Daoist.
The moment the cyan light entered his body, Wuchen Daoist's eyes turned from fear to blankness, evidently implanted with a restriction.
The purple-robed cultivator looked at him, eyes full of murderous intent, muttering in his heart:
"I shall skin you alive, strip your tendons, and use your Divine Soul as lamp oil for a hundred years to assuage my hatred!"
...
After a while, the purple-robed cultivator turned his gaze to Chen Sheng inside the spiritual vessel, forcing a rare gentle smile on his face.
He walked slowly to the side of the vessel, looking down at Chen Sheng from above, his voice softened a lot:
"Such a Celestial Grade Spiritual Root, truly a gift from heaven, with extraordinary bones. I am the master of the Path of Emotion Destruction, Emotionless True Monarch. Are you willing to become my direct disciple?"
Chen Sheng's heart tightened, knowing that this was the real crisis. He immediately climbed out of the spiritual vessel, his eyes full of fear, hesitantly cupping his hands towards the Emotionless True Monarch, with a trembling voice:
"Disc...Disciple Seventy-Seven, wishes...wishes to become True Monarch's disciple."
Chen Sheng deliberately made his voice thin and trembling, with a touch of childlike timidity, even using the Dao Grounds number for address.
He knew that by acting more like an ordinary child, he could reduce the Emotionless True Monarch's vigilance.
Hearing this, Emotionless True Monarch's eyes flashed a trace of satisfaction. He had been worried that he encountered a tough nut that would require some methods to tame. But it seemed that he was merely an ordinary genius frightened into submission by pressure, very compliant.
Especially upon hearing the number "Seventy-Seven," the corners of his mouth curved a little deeper, sensing that the Sect's rules had etched into his heart. A child who understands reverence would indeed be easier to train.
Being experienced and shrewd, Emotionless True Monarch subconsciously probed him further, only to have his expression gradually sink.
He stepped forward, increasing the Nascent Soul pressure by a few degrees, looking down at Chen Sheng with a voice that was no longer soft but rather tinged with unquestionable authority:
"Seventy-Seven? This is only your Dao Grounds number, not your true name. I, as a master, cannot accept a disciple without knowing his real name. Lift your head and honestly tell me your name."
Chen Sheng trembled even more as if struck by the sudden seriousness. He slowly raised his head, revealing a small face full of panic, his eyes slightly reddened, with a voice carrying a sobbing tone:
"Re...Return True Monarch, disciple...disciple has no name."
"No name?" Emotionless True Monarch frowned, a hint of perplexity in his eyes.
"It's...It's like this." Chen Sheng quickly explained, his speech fast and somewhat incoherent:
"My parents were both Outer Sect disciples of the Path of Emotion Destruction. After I was born, they went out on a mission and never returned. The instructor at the Dao Grounds only knew my surname was Wang and just called me Seventy-Seven, no one ever gave me a name..."
Hearing this, Emotionless True Monarch pondered briefly and then slowly spoke:
"Since that's the case, I will give you a name. Being my most esteemed disciple, you should have a name befitting the Celestial Grade Spiritual Root. You'll be called 'Life-Annihilating,' for only by extinguishing life can I prove my Path of Emotion Destruction."
"Tha...Thank you, True Monarch, for bestowing a name! Disciple Life-Annihilating greets Master!"
Emotionless True Monarch finally showed a genuine smile. He waved his hand, and a gentle Demonic Qi lifted Chen Sheng up, his tone returning to warmth:
"Rise, Life-Annihilating. With me here, you shall not suffer the slightest grievance."
Having said that, he ignored the dazed Wuchen Daoist nearby, surrounded by purple spirit light, enveloped Chen Sheng and Wuchen Daoist, and turned to fly towards the Path of Emotion Destruction.