Just as the golden light around Di Min began to fade, a sudden ripple tore through the air above the platform.
A powerful aura descended like a storm.
Everyone looked up—
and saw a man slowly appearing in mid-air, surrounded by faint golden clouds.
City Lord Luo Tian immediately stood and bowed deeply.
> "Greetings, Grand Elder Man Luo!"
The entire stadium erupted in shock. Elders and clan leaders from every side quickly stood and saluted.
Even Cang Ti, the Cang Clan leader, went pale.
> "The Grand Elder of the Mojin Sect… a peak Martial Emperor cultivator!"
Man Luo smiled faintly, his gaze sweeping the platform.
> "Good, good… who is this child?"
Before anyone else could speak, Di Pu hurried forward.
> "Grand Elder, this child is from my Di Clan—his name is Di Min, eight years old."
The elder nodded slowly.
> "Young man, your talent is remarkable. I invite you to join my Mojin Sect."
Di Min blinked, stunned.
> "Mojin Sect… what is that?"
Di Pu quickly whispered, excitement trembling in his voice.
> "Di Min! The Mojin Sect is one of the strongest sects on the continent! Its leader is a Martial Venerable cultivator. You must accept immediately!"
Di Min looked up at the floating elder.
> "Alright… I will join."
Man Luo laughed softly.
> "Good. I will watch the rest of this ceremony, then return to the sect. Ten days later, I shall come back to take you."
With that, the Grand Elder gracefully descended and sat in a chair beside City Lord Luo.
> "Continue the ceremony," Luo Tian commanded.
---
Time passed. One after another, children stepped forward.
An hour and a half later, the City Lord finally announced—
> "Next—Cang Yan!"
A ripple of murmurs spread through the crowd.
Cang Yan stood, his heart pounding. His father, Cang Jun, smiled from the elders' seats.
> "Yan, don't be nervous. I believe in you."
> "Yes, Father," Cang Yan replied, exhaling slowly.
He walked onto the stage, each step echoing through the silent arena. When he reached the crystal, he placed his hand on its surface.
One second… two… a full minute passed.
Nothing.
Whispers began spreading among the spectators.
> "Did something go wrong?"
"Why isn't it reacting?"
Then—
BOOM!
The entire platform shook as the crystal erupted in golden radiance brighter than the sun. Energy waves exploded outward, filling the sky with swirling runes of light.
Everyone shielded their eyes.
When the glow finally stabilized, shining words appeared on the crystal's surface:
> Root Grade — 10
Martial Spirit Grade — 11
Gasps filled the arena.
City Lord Luo Tian, Grand Elder Man Luo, and every elder present stood in absolute shock.
> "A Tenth-Grade Root… and an Eleventh-Grade Martial Spirit?! Peerless!"
"Such talent hasn't appeared in a thousand years!"
Cang Jun clenched his fists, eyes gleaming with pride.
> "My son… truly a genius of heaven!"
Grand Elder Man Luo slowly rose, his aura pressing down on the entire stadium.
> "Child, what is your name?"
> "My name is Cang Yan," he answered calmly.
Man Luo's eyes softened.
> "Cang Yan… I wish to take you as my disciple. What do you say?"
Cang Yan hesitated for a moment.
> "If I become your disciple… what will I receive?"
A murmur swept through the crowd—no one had ever dared ask a Grand Elder such a question.
But Man Luo only chuckled.
> "If you become my disciple, you will receive a personal cultivation technique, monthly cultivation pills, and spirit stones. So… what is your answer?"
Cang Yan thought quickly.
> "If I join the Mojin Sect, I'll gain high-grade techniques and pills to strengthen my martial spirit… this is the best path."
He bowed deeply.
> "Alright—greetings, Master!"
Man Luo smiled proudly.
> "Good! From this day forth, you are my third disciple."
He reached into his robe and withdrew a small jade bottle that glimmered with golden light.
> "Inside are twenty Fifth-Grade pills. My gift to you, Cang Yan. Prepare yourself—ten days from now, I shall return to bring you to the Mojin Sect."
The Grand Elder waved his sleeve, and his figure disappeared into the sky.
Cang Yan stood beneath the fading golden glow, determination burning in his red eyes.
> "Ten days… until my true journey begins."