This sort of thing can't be faked, Ji Yuan also took the Jade Scroll closest to him.

As the Jade Scroll landed in his hand, the Spiritual Qi attached to it dissipated, and he saw clearly the character on the Jade Scroll—A.

Looks like it's the first group.

Damn!

Ji Yuan couldn't help but feel a stir in his heart, but then he thought, first group is fine, the sooner... oh no, the sooner joining the Water Dragon Sect the better.

If drawn later, witnessing too much death and injury might disturb one's state of mind.

"Which group are you in?"

Du Wanyi came over, and Ji Yuan showed her his. She opened her palm too.

D.

The last group.

Not in the same group, that's good, once he's done, he can lend her the Bronze Armor for protection.

Du Kang, who they were familiar with, also came over, and he was in group B, also different.

"Alright, drawing is complete, now group A come over."

As Yun Shangping's voice sounded, Ji Yuan felt somewhat panicked inside, this feeling was akin to being on a chopping block.

But thinking of those stage one late-phase demon beasts he'd previously slain in the water, Ji Yuan gradually calmed down.

After so many mock tests, now facing the real examination, there's naturally no need to panic.

There are six people in group A, and Ji Yuan found that Sang Zhongyuan from Huaiyin Square was also in his group.

And judging from his reaction, he seemed quite confident of victory.

"Alright, each person choose an area, go ahead."

Yun Shangping waved his hand, and everyone immediately descended onto the open space in the middle of the hills. Ji Yuan deliberately lagged behind, waiting for others to choose before he took the last remaining area.

Each area was separated by iron railings, each nearly ten zhang high.

The areas were roughly ten zhang in length and width… not spacious, the space was even considered small, maneuvering a Flying Boat would certainly not be feasible.

Impossible to fully exert power, and very easy to go out of bounds.

Once out of bounds, it means forfeiture.

So… only kill directly!

"Brother Ji."

Sang Zhongyuan's voice came from next door, Ji Yuan turned his head to see him smiling, "Brother Ji, you and I are both at the ninth layer of Qi Cultivation, how about a match to see who kills the demon beast first?"

"I am truly not good at Magical Combat, joining the Water Dragon Sect this time is already my best effort, let alone competing in speed."

Ji Yuan slightly cupped his hands, saying somewhat embarrassedly.

"Alright then."

Sang Zhongyuan didn't insist after hearing this, just waved his hand and turned around.

He didn't doubt Ji Yuan's words, because he thought the same, Ji Yuan's cultivation at this age… was probably built upon Spirit Stones, with that, how could he engage in Magical Combat?

Most likely just a silver spear wax spearhead.

In just a moment, the Foundation Establishment cultivator who had been silent all this time flew over everyone's head, and demon beasts snarled as they descended one by one.

Without a word, Ji Yuan retreated to a corner, while the Hundred Fish Shield appeared before him, and the Green Cicada Flying Sword hovered by his side, spinning continuously.

...

"Metal, Earth, Fire, and Wood four spirit roots, disqualified, next."

Zengtou City, Fish Cage, Spirit Root Testing Zone.

Although there was a Water Dragon Sect selection last year, due to no Spirit Root Testing Zone being set up, there was still a long queue here this year.

The Wen family, due to waiting for Ji Yuan in the morning, didn't make it to the first batch, and were currently at the end of the line.

Fortunately, the Spirit Root test didn't take long.

As long as the child places their hand on the Spirit Root Testing Ball and waits for a breath or two, the result can be obtained.

Lin Hu's family also came over at this time, standing beside the Wen Lin family of three, moving forward with the queue.

"Linger, are you scared?"

Wen Lin half-squatted and asked softly.

Despite having a sweaty nose, Wen Linger shook her head vigorously, "Not scared!"

After saying this, she thought for a moment, and then said weakly, "But Linger doesn't want to leave you guys, I want to live with Dad and Mom."

Zhao Yuechan, hearing this, hurriedly hugged her.

She was afraid that Wen Linger's spirit root quality would be too poor, which would mean staying in Cloud Rain Marsh, living a life like hers.

But she was also afraid that Wen Linger's aptitude would be too good, and being taken into the Water Dragon Sect would separate mother and daughter.

The queue slowly moved forward, and the testing cultivator continuously called out each child's spirit root aptitude, most of which were Pseudo Spirit Roots, with true Spirit Roots joining the Water Dragon Sect numbering only a dozen or so.

No Celestial Spirit Roots or Earth Spirit Roots appeared.

The situation of having a Celestial Spirit Root appear three years ago was the first in hundreds of years in Zengtou City.

"Almost there, only four more until it's Linger's turn."

Lin Hu ran back and forth, constantly relaying information.

Even though everyone could see the same information, sometimes he just liked to keep himself busy, especially when he was nervous.

"Three... this one's a true Spirit Root."

"Two more."

"It's almost Linger's turn."

Wen Lin held Wen Linger's left hand by now, slowly moving forward, and in front of them was a young couple, reeking heavily of fish, likely making their living from the water.

"All five spirit roots present, okay, next."

The officiating cultivator said with a blank expression.

The couple hurriedly took their dull-looking child away, the woman complaining, "I told you, your family has no talent, how could you have a true Spirit Root."

"Well now, it's still a five spirit root, what do we do about this!"

Zhao Yuechan gently patted Wen Linger's back, whispering, "Don't be nervous, Linger, just place your hand on it."

Wen Linger nervously reached out her right hand and placed it on the transparent sphere.

The sphere showed no reaction.

Wen Lin immediately panicked upon seeing this… if there's no Spirit Root, it would be troublesome, even if they were still around, it would be hard to say, but if they weren't anymore.

Wen Linger would have an extremely tough life in this Cloud Rain Marsh.

The best solution would probably be to take her to the Mortal Realm, living a stable life with her.

The officiating cultivator of the Water Dragon Sect waited for a moment, and was about to announce no spirit root aptitude.

But just then, a streak of green light appeared suddenly in the sphere, faint but unmistakable.

"Phew—"

No matter the kind of spirit root, having one is good, Wen Lin noticeably breathed a sigh of relief.

After waiting for another few breaths, the inside of the sphere remained this faint shade of green, with no other colors.

"This..."

The officiating cultivator of the Water Dragon Sect had already stood up.

Celestial Spirit Root?!

Zengtou City had another Celestial Spirit Root this year?!

And a Wood Spirit Root among the Celestial Spirit Roots at that.

This officiating cultivator intended to announce as much, but looking at the color on the sphere, he felt something wasn't quite right… the color for Wood Spirit Root should be deep green, how could it be so light?

Unable to discern clearly, he had to look up and call out, "Junior Martial Uncle Jiang, please come take a look."

Jiang Lin, who was meditating on a flying sword, glanced down.

With just one look, he almost fell off the flying sword, and before landing, he tossed out four Guardian Array Flags, surrounding the Spirit Root Testing Zone entirely.

The Void Array activated, mist emerged.

Immediately after, Jiang Lin took out a Golden Communication Talisman, and injected it with a message using his Divine Sense.

In a matter of several breaths.

A faint blue Golden Core Escape Light silently swept over Zengtou City, pausing only for a moment amidst the mist.

Once the mist dissipated, the Wen family of three... vanished, and not only that, the Water Dragon Sect disciple who controlled the Spirit Root Testing Zone also disappeared.

In their place appeared another Water Dragon Sect disciple, who was a bit bewildered, glancing at the expressionless Jiang Lin.

He had to brace himself to say:

"Spirit Root testing continues, next."

Lin Hu and Wu Qin exchanged a glance, both seeing the shock in each other's eyes, they had just been standing next to Wen Lin, clearly seeing the color of Wen Linger's spirit root.

And precisely because they saw it clearly, they were so astonished.

The mist that appeared out of nowhere, and once it cleared, the Wen family of three was gone.

If they couldn't guess what had happened… Lin Hu would have wasted his lifetime.

He reached out to tug Wu Qin.

Wu Qin, holding their daughter Lin Qiaoruo, immediately followed, and the two silently left the fish cage in Zengtou City.

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