Chapter Twenty-One: Twin Antagonistic Spiritual Roots

As soon as they arrived before the spirit beast carriage, a beautiful attendant greeted them. She led the group into the carriage, where more than a dozen people were already seated. After settling them in, the attendant left to wait at the entrance. An hour later, once all seats were filled, the carriage began to move.

Standing in the center, the attendant explained the travel time and requested everyone to present their tickets for verification. Dao Sansheng learned that the carriage was expected to arrive in Donglin County in two days, so he resigned himself to passing the time cultivating.

Two days passed in a blur, and the carriage finally stopped. The beautiful attendant opened the door.

"We've arrived at Donglin County. Please disembark in the order of your seats. Do not push or trample," she instructed.

Everyone queued to exit, including Dao Sansheng and his companions. Once off the carriage, Dao Sansheng realized they had entered Donglin County. This time, there was no inspection, nor any entry fee—likely because they had arrived on the spirit beast carriage operated by the station.

The other passengers had already left, but Dao Sansheng and his companions lingered. It was his first time in Donglin County, and he had no sense of direction; neither had the others.

Noticing their uncertainty, the attendant approached them.

"Gentlemen, we've reached Donglin County. If you have any questions or need directions, feel free to ask me. I charge only three low-grade spirit stones."

The fat man grumbled inwardly, thinking it was extortion to pay for simple directions—such a greedy merchant.

Dao Sansheng restrained him, took out three spirit stones, and placed them in the woman's hand. "May I ask where the various sects are recruiting disciples?"

The attendant tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and smiled. "You've come to the right person. After leaving the station, follow the main road straight ahead. When you reach the junction with another broad road, you'll find a large plaza at the center. That's where the recruitment takes place. You can inquire further when you arrive at the plaza."

After her explanation, Dao Sansheng bought a map and led his group out of the station. The midday sun was fierce.

Outside, they found a wide avenue paved entirely with large blue stone slabs, fitted together so precisely that the craftsmanship seemed flawless. The road was wide enough for six or seven carriages to travel side by side.

"I'm starving. This wretched street doesn't even have a place to buy food," the fat man complained as he walked.

"Once we've registered, I'll treat you to a feast," Dao Sansheng promised.

They followed the main road for quite some time without reaching the junction. While Dao Sansheng and the fat man managed, the little girl was so tired she could hardly continue. In the end, the fat man carried her on his back.

After an hour of walking, the group, breathless and weary, finally glimpsed the plaza.

It was vast, with a grand statue at its center—visible from afar—a young man wielding a colossal stone axe. As they approached, someone came over.

"Would you like this year's Immortal Sect Ranking?"

Dao Sansheng declined; his goal was clear—he sought only to enter the Violet Immortal Palace, with no interest in the other sects. Yet, the fat man eagerly paid for a copy.

"Let me have one. I'm quite interested," he said.

Dao Sansheng inquired about the location of the Violet Immortal Palace and prepared to head there, leaving the others to choose their own paths. Xue'er and the little girl followed him.

As they drew nearer, they saw a long queue before the Violet Immortal Palace. Dao Sansheng was surprised, and overheard nearby conversations.

"The Violet Immortal Palace is the most formidable sect on the Windwalker Continent. Most of its disciple slots are pre-arranged, and only a few remain open. Every year, candidates are rigorously screened."

The queue moved faster as those ahead debated loudly.

"Put your hand on the testing stone," someone instructed. The youth who had been arguing placed his hand on the stone. Three pillars of light—red, yellow, and blue—glowed faintly. The elder conducting the test grew irate.

"A mixed triple spirit root dares to try his luck? What's wrong with this year—so many recommended candidates are like this. The great families truly are negligent."

The youth, hearing this, hurried away.

"Next," the elder called, not even glancing up.

Xue'er stepped forward and pressed her hand to the stone. Two beams shone brightly—one a vivid blue, the other a weaker yellow. She waited calmly for the elder's verdict.

"Excellent, excellent. High-grade wood spirit root, basic earth spirit root. Earth nurtures wood—a particularly fine combination. This girl may be accepted."

Spirit roots are classified as basic, intermediate, high, and supreme.

Envious murmurs swept the crowd. Xue'er was unmoved, her gaze fixed on Dao Sansheng, then she was led to the house behind the elder.

Dao Sansheng looked toward that house; Qian'er must be inside as well. He resolved to do his best and gain entry.

The little girl stepped up and placed her hand on the stone. A brilliant red beam, pure and untainted, emerged—a legendary single spirit root. The crowd gasped.

"Supreme fire spirit root, single element!"

"Seems the Violet Immortal Palace hasn't come in vain this year—two single spirit root candidates in Donglin County. One is a girl called Dao Qian'er, and now another—a fire root and a water root."

"Hurry and bring this little girl inside. May I ask your name, little miss? I am Lu Youbing, and hope to learn much from you."

A chorus of disdainful voices rose from the crowd.

"My name is Dao Tiantian," she replied, then darted into the house behind, eager to find Xue'er.

Dao Sansheng stepped forward, rolled up his sleeves, rubbed his hands together, and placed them on the testing stone. A massive pillar of red light blazed forth, deeper and brighter than the previous one.

The plaza fell silent, heartbeats audible in the hush. The elder's hands trembled—another supreme single fire spirit root! He could expect promotion and abundant resources upon his return. Tears glistened in his eyes; his own dual basic spirit roots had left him resource-starved and bullied, but at last, his luck had turned.

"Bring him inside! Young man, what is your name?"

But just as the elder spoke, a sharp crack was heard. The testing stone split, a thick layer of frost enveloping it—it had frozen and shattered.

"Dual opposing spirit roots—such a combination cannot form a foundation. No matter how talented, no sect will accept him." Dao Sansheng was unaware, thinking he would soon enter.

"My name is Dao Sansheng. Elder, may I go in?"

"Get out!" the elder roared. The testing stone broken, the spare would have to be used—he had hoped to sell it for cultivation resources, but now that hope was gone.

Dao Sansheng tried to speak again, but the elder cut him off.

"You worthless dual opposing spirit root! You broke my testing stone!" With a palm strike, Dao Sansheng was sent flying, blood spraying from his mouth. As the elder prepared to strike again, Xue'er and the little girl rushed out to block him.

"If you hit him again, we'll withdraw from the Violet Immortal Palace," they said in unison.

"For the sake of a useless boy, you would abandon your bright future—the best sect, the best resources on Windwalker Continent? Boy, you are lucky today; for these two junior sisters, I will let you go."

The fat man had somehow slipped through the crowd and now hurried over to help Dao Sansheng to his feet.

"There are no worthless people in this world, only fools who fail to recognize gold inlaid with jade," he said.

"I will prove it to you, prove it to the world. One day, you will come seeking me, because you cannot do without me," Dao Sansheng declared, and the fat man supported him as they left.