Chapter 2: The Spirit Root

The Huangfu Sect's disciple selection ceremony was in full swing.

A massive stone platform stood before the towering sect gates.

Thousands of young men and women from across Cyan Country had gathered, each hoping to begin the path of cultivation.

At the center of the platform stood an enormous Spirit Root Detection Stone, nearly three meters tall. Ancient runes covered its surface as spiritual energy flowed through it.

Several Huangfu Sect elders and disciples watched over the ceremony.

Leading the examination was a young cultivator in the Early Foundation Establishment Realm.

One by one, applicants stepped forward.

The young cultivator called each name before instructing them to place a hand on the Spirit Root Detection Stone.

The stone would determine their cultivation talent.

The crowd watched eagerly.

A boy placed his hand on the stone.

Buzz!

Two brilliant rays of light shone from the crystal.

"Dual High-Grade Spiritual Roots!"

The examining elder smiled.

"Excellent talent."

"You are accepted directly as an Inner Sect Disciple."

The crowd erupted in envy.

Another youth stepped forward.

Three rays of light appeared.

"Triple Spiritual Roots."

"You qualify for the Outer Sect."

The young man bowed excitedly.

As the examination continued, most applicants revealed four or even five mixed spiritual roots.

The elders merely shook their heads.

"Miscellaneous Spiritual Roots."

"Poor talent."

"Accepted only as Miscellaneous Chore Disciples."

Some were rejected completely.

Others chose to stay, hoping that hard work might change their fate.

Standing among the crowd, Mohsin silently watched everything.

"So this is how cultivation sects select disciples..."

Just then, the System quietly spoke.

Ding!

Language Translation Activated.

Host can automatically understand and speak the language of crimson phoenix world

Mohsin smiled in relief.

"That's convenient."

Time slowly passed.

Finally...

"Next!"

The Foundation Establishment cultivator looked at Mohsin.

"Young man, your turn."

Mohsin's heartbeat quickened.

"This is it..."

He slowly walked toward the Spirit Root Detection Stone.

Every step felt heavier than the last.

"What if I have a Heavenly Spiritual Root?"

"What if I'm actually a cultivation genius?"

His palms became sweaty.

Taking a deep breath, he placed his right hand on the ancient stone.

For a brief moment...

Nothing happened.

Then—

Buzz!

The Spirit Root Detection Stone began to shine.

Mohsin's eyes lit up.

"It's working!"

One ray of light appeared.

Then a second.

Then a third.

Then a fourth.

Then...

A fifth.

Five different colors illuminated the platform.

Water.

Fire.

Wood.

Wind.

Metal.

The entire platform fell silent.

A moment later...

Laughter erupted from every direction.

"Hahaha!"

"Five-element mixed spiritual roots!"

"What terrible luck!"

"So another useless cultivator."

"I've never heard of someone with mixed roots reaching Foundation Establishment."

The Foundation Establishment cultivator glanced at the result before sighing.

"Another one..."

He looked at Mohsin with disappointment.

"This year's disciple selection produced only a handful of talented seedlings."

"The rest are mostly trash."

He pointed toward Mohsin.

"Listen carefully."

"You have a Five-Element Mixed Spiritual Root, commonly called a False Spiritual Root."

"Your cultivation speed will be extremely slow."

"Without unimaginable opportunities, reaching Foundation Establishment is nearly impossible."

"You have two choices."

"First..."

"You may leave the Huangfu Sect and return home."

"Second..."

"You may stay and become a Miscellaneous Chore Disciple." "There's one more thing you should remember."

"As a Miscellaneous Chore Disciple, you have only ten years."

"If you fail to advance to the Outer Sect within those ten years, you will be expelled from Huangfu Sect."

"The sect does not waste its resources on disciples with no future."

"So cherish every day, cultivate diligently, and seize every opportunity."

"Your fate depends entirely on your own efforts."

"As a chore disciple, you will perform manual labor for the sect while cultivating in your spare time."

The examiner folded his arms.

"The decision is yours."

Mohsin looked at the ancient sect standing before him.

His dream was within reach...

But reality had dealt him a cruel blow.

What will Mohsin choose?

Mohsin fell silent for a moment.

Although everyone had laughed at his Five-Element Mixed Spiritual Root, he wasn't discouraged.

Instead, he smiled inwardly.

"They don't know that I have the Infinite Cultivation System."

"As long as I work hard and make good use of my opportunities, I can become stronger than anyone."

"Cultivation has never been only about talent. It also requires determination, perseverance, and the courage to seize opportunities."

Taking a deep breath, Mohsin looked at the Foundation Establishment cultivator and said firmly,

"I choose to stay."

"I wish to become a Miscellaneous Chore Disciple."

The examining cultivator looked at Mohsin with surprise before a faint smile appeared on his face.

"Good."

"Very good."

"There are countless geniuses in this world, but many of them become arrogant and die young."

"Likewise, there are many people with poor talent who give up before they even begin."

He looked into Mohsin's eyes.

"What truly matters on the path of cultivation is an unyielding heart."

"In this world, only those with an unwavering will, who dare to risk everything for opportunities and never give up in the face of hardship, have a chance to become true experts."

"Remember this."

"Talent determines where you start."

"But determination decides how far you can go."

The cultivator handed Mohsin a simple gray robe and a wooden identity token engraved with the words:

Huangfu Sect - Miscellaneous Chore Disciple

"From today onward, you are a disciple of the Huangfu Sect."

"Your cultivation journey begins now."

Mohsin tightly gripped the identity token.

His eyes shone with determination.

"One day... I'll prove to everyone that even someone with a Five-Element Mixed Spiritual Root can stand at the peak of the cultivation world."

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