Nine Yang Life and Death Transformation

However, as time passed, the spirit pillar remained completely still, like a sleeping giant, showing no reaction whatsoever to Wu Feilong's blood. The surrounding people began to whisper amongst themselves, their eyes filled with doubt and astonishment.

“Sun Kang has no spiritual root and no talent,” the elder in charge of the test announced expressionlessly.

Upon hearing this, Wu Feilong was struck dumb, as if by lightning. He stared wide-eyed at the unmoving spirit pillar before him, muttering to himself, "Impossible... This is absolutely impossible! Elder, could it be that the spirit pillar has run out of spiritual power and something has gone wrong?" As he spoke, his voice became hoarse with anger and resentment.

Dong Wu strode forward with steady steps, carefully examining the spirit pillar before him. After a moment, he shook his head and said, "There's absolutely nothing wrong with this spirit pillar! I've truly never heard of someone like you, who has neither spiritual roots nor any talent!"

These words were met with a burst of laughter from those around them. Some even mocked mercilessly, "Haha, no spiritual root? That's worse than a dog!"

"That's right, he's utterly useless!" The other disciples chimed in, their laughter rising and falling like sharp blades piercing Sun Wang's heart.

At this moment, Ouyang Chen, who was standing not far away in charge of the testing, shouted expressionlessly, "Next!"

Hearing this, Wu Feilong quickly walked to Sun Wang's side, gently patted his shoulder, and comforted him, "Brother, it seems I can't join the Heavenly Sword Sect with you. But don't worry, you must cultivate hard here and strive to make a name for yourself as soon as possible. Leave things at home to me; I'll go back and take good care of our parents for you."

Sun Wang gripped Wu Feilong's hand tightly, his eyes filled with resentment and disappointment, but he still mustered his spirits and said to his younger brother, "Brother, don't give up so easily. Maybe there's something wrong with the spirit pillar itself."

However, at that moment, something unexpected happened—just as the person at the back of the line was about to step forward for the blood test, the previously intact spirit pillar suddenly emitted a crisp sound, followed by the appearance of fine cracks on its surface. These cracks quickly spread, covering the entire spirit pillar like a spider web. Finally, with a deafening roar, the spirit pillar shattered before everyone's eyes, turning into a pile of rubble scattered on the ground.

Ouyang Chen froze, as if struck by lightning, his eyes wide with disbelief as he stared at the shattered fragments of the spirit pillar scattered on the ground. This spirit pillar had been used for hundreds of years! It had always been one of the sect's most important magical treasures; how could it have suddenly shattered?

Dong Wu, standing to the side, was equally shocked. He slowly put down the still-steaming teacup in his hand, his brows furrowed tightly. Just a short while ago, he had personally examined the spirit pillar carefully, and he hadn't found anything unusual at the time. So why had it shattered without warning?

Just then, He Ying hurriedly pulled a strange man along. She excitedly told Dong Wu, "Father, they're the ones who saved me!" Dong Wu was taken aback at first, then quickly realized what she meant and, along with the disciples behind him, clasped his hands in greeting, saying, "Greetings, Sect Leader!"

Sect Leader He Wei nodded slightly, indicating that everyone should dispense with formalities. He then turned his gaze to the fragments of the spirit pillar on the ground and asked, "Alright, I understand. But what exactly is the story behind this spirit pillar?"

The disciple standing at the front quickly stepped forward and respectfully replied, "Reporting to the sect leader, during the spiritual root test for the new disciples, Sun Kang was found to have neither spiritual root nor talent. A short while later, the spirit pillar suddenly cracked and exploded."

After listening to the disciple's report, He Wei fell into deep thought. He then scolded, "Utterly absurd! All things in the world exist within the Five Elements. How can someone be born without spiritual roots? Quickly, fetch another spirit pillar!"

"Yes!" Dong Wu replied, then led two disciples away in a hurry to move the spirit pillar over.

At this moment, He Wei looked at Sun Kang and said, "Sun Kang, right? It's your turn to be tested next."

Upon hearing this, Wu Feilong, who was standing to the side, quickly stepped forward, carefully squeezed a drop of blood from his fingertip, and gently dripped it onto the spirit pillar. Instantly, everyone's eyes were fixed on the spirit pillar. However, to everyone's disappointment, two full minutes passed, and the spirit pillar showed no reaction whatsoever. Just as everyone was wondering, a crisp "crack" was heard, and the spirit pillar suddenly split open, followed by a deafening roar as it exploded.

"Sect Leader, what... what exactly is going on?" a disciple asked, his face full of astonishment.

He Wei frowned, slowly shook his head, and muttered to himself, "This is really strange. This is the first time I've ever seen anything like this." Based on his many years of experience, there must be something fishy about such an unusual situation. This Sun Kang in front of him was either a once-in-a-century genius or a complete waste of space.

Thinking of this, He Wei decisively ordered, "Quickly, move the high-grade spirit pillar over here!"

Upon hearing this, Dong Wu hesitated and said softly, "Sect Leader, this is just a test for ordinary disciples. A low-level spirit pillar is sufficient. There is really no need to use a high-level spirit pillar."

He Wei's face darkened, and he gave Dong Wu a cold look before saying sternly, "Elder Dong, is it that my words no longer carry weight?"

Dong Wu was startled and quickly bowed, saying, "Sect Leader, please calm down. I wouldn't dare. I'll go move it right away." With that, he turned and called to the other two disciples, and together they rushed towards the place where the high-level spirit pillars were placed.

Not long after, Ouyang Chen and Sun Tong returned, their faces flushed and panting, carrying a huge, high-grade spirit pillar. Seeing this, Wu Feilong stepped forward again, took a deep breath, and dripped a drop of blood onto the spirit pillar.

In an instant, a strange scene unfolded. The spirit pillar first emitted a multicolored light, which then grew increasingly intense, resembling a dazzling sun. Within the light, lifelike images gradually emerged on the surface of the spirit pillar, including majestic mountains and agile birds and beasts, leaving onlookers in awe.

Upon seeing this, He Wei was so astonished that his mouth gaped open, and he couldn't speak for a long time. After a long while, he exclaimed as if waking from a dream, "This...this is the legendary Heavenly Yin-Yang Spiritual Root!"

The other disciples exchanged bewildered glances. Ouyang Chen, mustering his courage, asked, "Elder, what exactly is this Yin-Yang Spiritual Root? We've never even heard of it!"

The elder stroked his beard and slowly explained, "You must understand that ordinary people can only choose one of the five elements—metal, wood, water, fire, and earth—to cultivate. However, those with Yin-Yang spiritual roots are completely different. They can cultivate seven elements, not only the five elements but also the mysterious and unpredictable Yin and Yang. This kind of talent is one in ten thousand, far rarer than those so-called geniuses among geniuses. Otherwise, how could this spirit pillar have exploded?"

Upon hearing this, everyone gasped, filled with envy and awe for Sun Kang. The sect leader, however, grew increasingly fond of Sun Kang, his eyes gleaming with delight. He proclaimed loudly, "Good! Your name is Sun Kang, right? From this day forward, you are my personal disciple!" He secretly calculated that if his sect had such a gifted genius, the Heavenly Sword Sect would surely rise to even greater heights, becoming a renowned sect in the martial world.

Upon hearing this, Sun Kang was overjoyed and immediately knelt down to kowtow in gratitude: "Thank you, Master! Your disciple will certainly cultivate diligently and live up to your expectations!"

At that moment, those who had just insulted Wu Feilong all lowered their heads in shame. They were both taking the assessment, yet Sun Kang had destroyed the spirit pillar, while they could only barely become ordinary disciples. It was truly infuriating to compare themselves to others!