I transmigrated to a chaotic world and became the sole player.

At the very first quarter of the morning, as dawn broke and the morning mist lingered, hundreds of people had already gathered densely in the square in front of Qingyun Tower. Men and women, young and old, tall and short, thin and plump, dressed in various styles, their auras varying in strength. There were young masters from noble families in brocade robes, wandering cultivators in tight-fitting clothes, rustic youths in simple clothes and straw sandals, and middle-aged and young cultivators with steady auras and hawk-like eyes. These people were either conversing in twos and threes, meditating alone, or curiously surveying their surroundings. Their expressions varied, but their eyes all carried a hint of anticipation, nervousness, and an irrepressible longing. Today was the day Qingyun Dao Sect opened its doors to accept disciples, an opportunity for countless wandering cultivators and scions of noble families to change their fate and embark on the path to immortality.

Lu Zhao blended into the crowd, completely inconspicuous. He had changed into an ordinary blue cloth robe, his face was sallow, and his aura was suppressed to the first level of Qi Refining. The "Concealing Breath Bag" hanging at his waist perfectly concealed his fourth level of Qi Refining cultivation. Only his eyes, calm and deep, like an ancient well, undisturbed, quietly swept across the crowd, observing his surroundings.

He saw Lin Qingfeng and Zhang Tie. Lin Qingfeng had changed into a brand-new blue Taoist robe, exuding a calm and composed demeanor. He stood with several other young men and women, also dressed in Taoist robes and with imposing bearing, clearly having come with fellow disciples to maintain order. Zhang Tie stood a little further away, his left arm still in a sling, but he seemed to be in good spirits. He was chatting and laughing loudly with several familiar rogue cultivators. Upon seeing Lu Zhao, he grinned and nodded from a distance, but did not approach, clearly to avoid suspicion. Lu Zhao nodded slightly, then glanced around at other places.

He saw some familiar faces—some rogue cultivators he'd met in Qingyun Town a few days ago. Among them were the same people who had confronted the Black Tiger Hall. They were now gathered together, talking in hushed tones, their gazes occasionally glancing in Lin Qingfeng's direction, their expressions a mixture of apprehension and complexity. Clearly, news of Lu Zhao's killing of Wang Biao had spread in secret, though no one dared to discuss it openly.

He also noticed several exceptionally prominent and eye-catching figures. A young man dressed in white, carrying an ancient sword, with a cool and aloof demeanor, stood alone, sword in hand, eyes closed in meditation. Within several feet of him, no one dared approach, as if shrouded in an invisible sword intent. A burly man with a leopard-like head, bulging eyes, and a full beard carried a giant axe the size of a door panel. His voice boomed like thunder as he chatted loudly with others. His aura was fierce; he was a body refiner at the fifth level of Qi Refining. There was also a graceful young woman in a pale yellow dress, veiled, accompanied by two maids. Her aura was restrained, and her manners elegant; she was clearly of extraordinary birth. These people all possessed auras at least at the fourth or fifth level of Qi Refining, and some, whom Lu Zhao couldn't discern, were likely at the late stage of Qi Refining, making them formidable opponents in this assessment.

"Clang—clang—clang—"

Three melodious, deep chimes rang out from the top of Qingyun Tower, carrying for miles and instantly drowning out the noise in the square. The crowd fell silent, and all eyes turned to the gate of Qingyun Tower.

The doors swung open, and several disciples dressed in cyan Daoist robes, their auras deep and composed, filed out and stood on either side. The leader, a tall man with a stern face, appeared to be in his forties, with a hooked nose and sharp, piercing eyes, exuding an imposing, unyielding aura. He wore a purple Daoist robe, the attire of an inner sect deacon of the Qingyun Daoist Sect, a jade belt around his waist, and his hand resting on his sword hilt—it was none other than the inner sect deacon, Zhao Wuji! Behind him followed two other inner sect disciples, a man and a woman, both dressed in cyan Daoist robes. The man possessed a commanding presence, while the woman was ethereal and refined; both were at the late stage of Qi Refining.

"Silence!" Zhao Wuji's gaze swept across the entire hall like lightning. His voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears, carrying an undeniable air of authority. "I am Zhao Wuji, an inner sect steward of the Qingyun Dao Sect. Today, I will preside over the entrance examination. I presume you are all already familiar with the rules. I will reiterate them: First, the 'Asking the Heart' test assesses one's character and perseverance. External force is forbidden, and interference with others is prohibited. Violators will be expelled! Second, the 'Testing the Spirit Platform' tests one's aptitude and innate talent. Cheating is forbidden. Violators will have their cultivation abolished and will be permanently banned from the Qingyun Dao Sect! Third, the 'Trial Peak' tests one's combat adaptability. Life and death are preordained, and wealth and honor are determined by fate. Private alliances are forbidden, and harming fellow disciples is prohibited. Violators will be executed without mercy! Do you all understand?"

"Understood!" Hundreds of people responded in unison, their voices echoing across the surrounding area.

Zhao Wuji nodded in satisfaction, his gaze sweeping across the crowd. It paused slightly on Lu Zhao, a fleeting, almost imperceptible coldness flashing in his eyes, before he looked away and announced loudly, "Now, the first trial: the Path of Inquiry. Those who enter this path must have a pure heart, unwavering will, and an open mind, unafraid of illusions or inner demons. Those who can complete the Path of Inquiry within one incense stick's time are qualified. Those who fail to complete it after one incense stick's time, or who lose their composure, go mad, faint, or self-harm, are eliminated! Hear my command, enter in turn!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhao Wuji waved his sleeve, and a beam of azure light struck a massive, ancient, mottled stone tablet, about three zhang high and one zhang wide, covered in moss, in front of Qingyun Tower. The tablet emitted a hazy azure light, its surface rippling like water, slowly revealing a phantom-like stone path, seemingly composed of light and shadow, leading to an unknown depth. The path wound upwards, disappearing into the void, its end invisible. Clouds swirled on both sides, and faint sounds of wind and thunder, ghostly wails and groans drifted from it, stirring the soul.

"The path to enlightenment has been opened; those who wish to enter, proceed swiftly!" Zhao Wuji shouted.

A stir ran through the crowd, and then some, impatient and eager, rushed into the portal and onto the stone steps. But the moment they stepped inside, they shuddered, their expressions instantly turning bewildered, pained, and struggling. Their steps became unsteady, as if burdened by a thousand-pound weight. Some gritted their teeth and persevered, struggling forward step by step; others took a few steps, then screamed and tumbled down, to be carried away by waiting disciples, already delirious.

"The Path of the Heart tests one's character, perseverance, and unwavering resolve. Illusions abound, and inner demons lurk. Only by holding fast to one's true self, without fear or trepidation, can one succeed." Lin Qingfeng's voice rang in Lu Zhao's ear, transmitted through telepathy. He had appeared nearby without Lu Zhao's knowledge, offering a soft reminder.

Lu Zhao nodded slightly to him, no longer hesitated, took a deep breath, and stepped into the light gate.

The moment he stepped in, the scene before him abruptly changed! The plaza, the crowd, the Qingyun Tower vanished instantly. Before him lay a winding, seemingly endless stone path shrouded in thick fog. An invisible pressure hung in the air, like a mountain pressing down, making each step difficult. Various voices filled his ears: whispers tempted him to give up, promising riches and glory; images of his parents and loved ones dying tragically, crying and pleading; grotesque demons, baring their fangs and claws, ready to tear him apart; beautiful women threw themselves into his arms, their eyes seductive, trying to drag him into an abyss of desire; countless treasures of gold and silver, secret martial arts manuals, and supreme power, piled high, were within his grasp…

It's an illusion! It's a demon in your heart! It's the deepest, most secret, most fearful, and most desired things in your heart, magnified infinitely in the illusion, impacting your mind and soul!

Lu Zhao's mind sharpened, and he immediately activated the [Refining Spirit Technique]. A cool, condensed spiritual energy gathered in his sea of ​​consciousness, transforming into a clear mirror that reflected everything around him, guarding the clarity of his mind. The [Pure Heart Jade Pendant] also emitted a soft, clear light, protecting his mind and resisting the erosion of illusions. The various illusions before him instantly became like reflections in a mirror or the moon's reflection in water—clearly visible, yet unable to shake him in the slightest. The tragic state of his parents tore at his heart, but it was not real; beauty, wealth, and power were nothing but fleeting clouds; evil spirits and inner demons were nothing but illusory obsessions. His Dao heart remained steadfast, dedicated only to cultivation, only to becoming stronger, only to protecting, only to seeking the truth, unmoved by external things.

"Nothing special." Lu Zhao's gaze was calm, his steps steady as he climbed upwards. The invisible pressure felt like a gentle breeze to him. With the [Refining Spirit Technique] and the [Purifying Heart Jade Pendant] protecting him, the illusions and inner demons of the Path of Inquiry were greatly reduced in power. He didn't walk fast, but every step was as steady as a rock, unmoved.

However, Wen Xinlu seemed to sense his powerful spirit, and the illusion suddenly changed! It was no longer temptation, fear, or desire, but... a blood-red purgatory! The distorted faces of the plague-afflicted villagers of Huai Shan Village, the sinister smile of the evil Gu master of Bei Ling Village, the ferocious roar of the monk Ku Wu, the churning blood pool and the howling of the evil god on Duan Hun Cliff, Su Qingqian's collarbone pierced and on the verge of death, Miss Yun fighting valiantly, Old Chen and Li Gang lying in pools of blood, himself being besieged by countless Black Fiend Cult members, swords and arrows piercing his body... scene after scene, incredibly realistic, as if replaying yesterday!

A surge of violent, desperate, hateful, and fearful emotions welled up in his heart like a tidal wave, assaulting his mental defenses! This was his inner demon, the most painful memory he had ever experienced or feared experiencing! It was magnified infinitely, intending to shatter his Dao heart!

"Kill! Kill! Kill! Slaughter them all! Avenge us!"

"Give up! You're too weak. You can't do it. You'll only ruin everyone!"

"Stay here, this is your destiny, sink into depravity..."

Various distracting thoughts, like venomous snakes, coiled around me.

Cold sweat beaded on Lu Zhao's forehead, his steps faltered slightly, and his breathing quickened. The clear mirror formed by the [Refining Spirit Technique] rippled slightly. But at that moment, within his body, a steady, profound aura, originating from the [Sleeping Dragon] technique, seemingly from the ancient primordial era, quietly rose. Like the earth, it bore everything; like an abyss, it devoured everything, slowly suppressing and calming the restless inner demons. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and when he opened them again, his eyes were clear, resolute, and as calm as a rock.

"The past is gone, the future is within. Fear, hatred, weakness—these are all inner demons. My path is the path of progress, the path of protection, the path of seeking truth. How can mere illusions disturb my will?!"

He let out a low shout, his blood and qi surging within him like a rushing river, washing away all distracting thoughts! His feet lifted again, steady and powerful, as he walked upwards step by step! No matter how the illusions changed, how terrifying they became, they could not shake him in the slightest. His heart was like an ancient well, undisturbed, and like a rock, unyielding through countless eons.

An incense stick's time passed quickly. When Lu Zhao stepped out of the portal at the end of the Path of Inquiry and reappeared in the plaza in front of Qingyun Tower, the scene before him became clear again. The sunlight was dazzling, and the crowd was bustling. He was now standing on the other side of the plaza, beneath a high platform. On the platform, Zhao Wuji, several deacons, and those who had passed the Path of Inquiry were waiting quietly.

Lu Zhao was the thirteenth to emerge; twelve others had passed before him. These included the white-robed swordsman youth, the burly man with a giant axe and a beard, and the masked girl in a yellow dress—all powerful figures. Most of these individuals had slightly disordered breathing and pale faces, clearly having undergone a significant test, but their eyes remained resolute, having passed the test of conscience.

Seeing Lu Zhao emerge, his breathing steady and his expression normal, a strange light flashed in Zhao Wuji's eyes, which he quickly concealed, and he expressionlessly memorized Lu Zhao's name and number. Lin Qingfeng, not far away, showed a hint of satisfaction in his eyes. The white-robed youth glanced at Lu Zhao, his gaze indifferent, as if looking at thin air. The burly man with the bushy beard grinned, seemingly finding Lu Zhao somewhat interesting. The masked girl, however, looked at Lu Zhao a few more times, her eyes filled with curiosity.

Lu Zhao nodded slightly to Lin Qingfeng, walked to the side, and stood quietly to regulate his breathing, awaiting the next stage of the assessment. He noticed that as time passed, more people emerged, but most were carried out or rolled out on their own, their expressions dazed, frantic, or terrified—clearly, their mental fortitude was insufficient, and they were eliminated. A stick of incense burned out, the portal closed, and the Path of Inquiry test ended. Nearly four hundred people participated in the assessment, but fewer than one hundred passed. The first stage eliminated the majority.

"The Path of Inquiry is over. Eighty-seven people have passed. Follow me to the second test, the Spirit Testing Platform!" Zhao Wuji announced loudly, taking the lead and walking towards the back of Qingyun Tower. The others quickly followed.

After passing through several corridors, we arrived at a spacious plaza behind the Qingyun Tower, shrouded in an array. In the center of the plaza stood an octagonal stone platform, about three zhang high, pure white like jade. The platform was covered with intricate and profound runes, radiating a soft, multicolored glow in the sunlight. Around the platform were eight thick jade pillars carved with cloud patterns, piercing the sky, from which faint sounds of wind and thunder could be heard. This was the "Spirit Testing Platform," a magical artifact used by the Qingyun Dao Sect to test the spiritual roots, aptitude, and cultivation potential of its disciples.

"This is the Spirit Testing Platform. It can measure the attributes, grade, and purity of one's spiritual roots, as well as determine one's cultivation level, bone age, presence of hidden injuries, and whether one has practiced evil arts. Please take turns stepping onto the platform, place your hands on the central 'Spirit Testing Stone,' and input your spiritual power. The results will be displayed on the eight jade pillars, clearly visible at a glance. No cheating is allowed; otherwise, you will bear the consequences!" Zhao Wuji solemnly declared.

Everyone's expressions tightened, and their gazes all focused on the spirit-testing platform. Spiritual roots are the foundation of cultivation; their quality directly determines future achievements. This stage is the true watershed. Some are nervous, some expectant, and some apprehensive.

"Begin! Number one, step forward!" a disciple in charge shouted.

The first to step forward was a thin, sallow-faced boy, who appeared to come from a poor family. He walked tremblingly onto the spirit-testing platform and placed his hand on a crystal-clear "spirit-testing stone" in the center. After a moment, the spirit-testing stone emitted a faint red light, and three of the eight jade pillars lit up with a dim glow, displaying red, yellow, and green colors respectively.

"Spiritual Roots: Fire, Earth, Wood, three spiritual roots; Grade: Low; Purity: 30%; Cultivation: First level of Qi Refining; Bone Age: 15. Qualified, Grade C, Lower." The disciple in charge glanced at the jade pillar and announced loudly, his tone flat.

The young man breathed a sigh of relief, a look of joy on his face, and quickly stepped off the stage. Although he was only a lower-grade student (Category C), being able to enter the Qingyun Dao Sect was already an immense stroke of luck.

The testing continued. Some possessed four or five spiritual roots, of low grade, with poor purity, and were immediately eliminated. Others had two spiritual roots, of mid-grade, with over 50% purity, drawing gasps of amazement and being ranked as Grade B, Upper. The burly man with the bushy beard possessed dual spiritual roots of "metal" and "earth," of mid-grade, with 60% purity, a cultivation level of Qi Refining Level 5, and a bone age of 25, and was ranked as Grade B, Upper. The masked girl possessed dual spiritual roots of "water" and "wood," of high grade, with 70% purity, a cultivation level of Qi Refining Level 4, and a bone age of 18, and was ranked as Grade A, Lower. The white-robed swordsman youth possessed dual spiritual roots of "metal" and "wind," of high grade, with 80% purity, a cultivation level of Qi Refining Level 5, a bone age of 17, and inner sword intent, and was ranked as Grade A, Middle, causing a stir.

"Number 378, Lu Zhao, come forward for the test!" It was finally Lu Zhao's turn.

The square fell silent. Many eyes were fixed on Lu Zhao. Although the killing of Wang Biao yesterday hadn't been widely publicized, many already knew about it. This seemingly ordinary rogue cultivator, with a cultivation level of only the first stage of Qi Refining, was actually the first ruthless individual to kill the third leader of the Black Tiger Hall in the streets of Qingyun Town and save a disciple of the Qingyun Dao Sect. What kind of talent did he possess?

Zhao Wuji's gaze also fell coldly on Lu Zhao, a barely perceptible chill flashing deep in his eyes. Lin Qingfeng, on the other hand, was somewhat nervous, clenching his fists secretly. Zhang Tie, standing to the side, whispered encouragement to Lu Zhao.

Lu Zhao took a deep breath, suppressing his distracting thoughts, and stepped onto the spirit-testing platform. Runes flowed across the stone platform, and an invisible force swept over his body, seemingly probing his innate talent and cultivation level. He walked to the spirit-testing stone, extended his right hand, and gently pressed it against the crystal-like surface. At the same time, he slowly infused his body with the pure, balanced, and tranquil spiritual power cultivated from the [Hibernating Dragon] technique, imbued with its unique aura.

In an instant, the spirit-testing stone trembled violently! All eight jade pillars simultaneously erupted with a dazzling, blinding light! This light wasn't a single color, but rather a mixture of red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, purple, gold, white, gray, black, silver, and more… even some indescribable, ambiguous colors, existing in a state between presence and absence, all blended together like an overturned palette, or a kaleidoscope, flashing, flowing, and shifting wildly! Moreover, the brightness was extremely weak, even less than that of the first test of the low-grade three-spiritual-root youth; it flickered and dimmed, chaotic and disordered, as if it might extinguish at any moment! Even more bizarrely, countless, dazzling lines and points of light appeared on the spirit-testing stone—like tadpoles, like stars, like runes, twisted and pulsating, incomprehensible, even conflicting—constantly twisting, combining, and separating, as if enacting some unspeakable, chaotic, and contradictory rule!

"What...what is this?!" The disciple in charge of announcing the names stared in disbelief, stammering as he looked at the chaotic, dim, mixed, flickering, and even canceling-out lights on the jade pillar, completely at a loss for words.

"The spirit-testing stone is broken?" someone exclaimed.

"I've never seen such a strange phenomenon before! Could it be the legendary Chaos Spiritual Root? But why is its light so dim?"

"Unlikely! A Chaotic Spiritual Root is one in a million. Legend has it that a Spirit Testing Stone would display a chaotic color and radiate brilliant light. How could it be so dim and mixed?"

"Could it be... a useless spiritual root? No, useless spiritual roots don't emit light at all! What... what is this?"

"Look at those runes! My God, what the hell is that? I've never seen anything like it before!"

The crowd erupted in a frenzy of discussion, countless gazes fixed on Lu Zhao with a mixture of astonishment, disbelief, and even mockery and disdain. Such a bizarre scene on the spirit-testing platform was unprecedented! Was Lu Zhao a peerless genius, or… a once-in-a-millennium good-for-nothing?

Zhao Wuji's pupils suddenly contracted as he stared intently at the chaotic, dim, and fragmented light, and the twisted, flickering runes on the spirit-testing stone. His face was ashen. He had presided over spirit tests many times, but he had never seen anything like this. This was definitely not some kind of genius phenomenon; it was more like… a chaotic, fragmented spiritual root, with conflicting attributes, even canceling each other out… a mixed spiritual root? No, worse than a mixed spiritual root! At least a mixed spiritual root could still display a few attributes, and its light was stable. What was this? The light was dim, sometimes present, sometimes absent, its colors mixed, even conflicting and annihilating each other! This was simply the lowest, most trashy, and most incomprehensible spiritual root! How could someone like this cultivate to the third level of Qi Refining? It was a joke! Did he get lucky, or did he use some evil method to forcibly boost his cultivation?

"Spiritual root... attribute unknown, grade... none, purity... zero, extremely mixed, conflicting and annihilated, truly... the worst of the worst spiritual roots!" Under Zhao Wuji's icy gaze, the disciple announcing the name, with a forced smile and in a tone uncertain even to himself, announced the result: "Cultivation: Qi Refining Level 3, Bone Age: 17. Rating: D... no, no rating!"

"Whoosh—!"

The entire audience erupted in uproar! Grade D? No evaluation? Isn't this tantamount to declaring that this person is a cultivation failure, utterly hopeless, and even inferior to the worst spiritual root?

"Hahahaha! A useless spiritual root! It's actually a useless spiritual root! And it's at the third level of Qi Refining? How incredibly lucky must it have been, how many rare and precious herbs must it have consumed to reach this level?"

"I knew it! What good talent could a rogue cultivator possibly have? Yesterday's killing of Wang Biao was probably achieved through some underhanded means, or perhaps Senior Brother Lin secretly helped him out, allowing him to reap the benefits!"

"A useless spiritual root, yet he dares to participate in the Qingyun Dao Sect's assessment? He's simply humiliating himself!"

"Exactly, you're wasting everyone's time! Get out of here!"

Amidst the crowd, undisguised jeers, disdain, and schadenfreude arose. Those eliminated or those with mediocre abilities, in particular, seemed to have found an outlet, venting their discontent and jealousy on Lu Zhao. Even the previously curious and even respectful gazes towards him instantly transformed into contempt, pity, and disdain.

Lin Qingfeng and Zhang Tie's expressions also changed. They stared at Lu Zhao in disbelief, then at the chaotic and fragmented light, their eyes filled with astonishment and worry. They knew Lu Zhao was strong and resilient, but they never expected his spiritual root to be so... bizarre! What should they do?

The young swordsman in white glanced at it indifferently before looking away, as if he were looking at a weed. The burly man with a bushy beard scratched his head, somewhat surprised, but said nothing. The masked girl frowned slightly, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes, as if she felt something was amiss, but couldn't quite put her finger on it.

Lu Zhao stood calmly on the spirit-testing platform, oblivious to the mockery and disdain around him. He had long anticipated that his spiritual root would cause a stir, but he hadn't expected such a bizarre sight. Mixed, chaotic, conflicting, annihilated, dim… was this how his spiritual root, with its dozens of attributes displayed on the panel, most of which were "none, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.5…", performed on the spirit-testing stone? Indeed, it was utterly useless, leaving even himself speechless. But for some reason, he felt no frustration, only a strange sense of relief. Since it was the worst, there was no expectation, and therefore no disappointment. The path of cultivation never relied solely on spiritual roots.

"Silence!" Zhao Wuji shouted coldly, his voice like ice, silencing the clamor in the hall. His gaze, sharp as a knife, fixed on Lu Zhao, and he said coldly, "Lu Zhao, your spiritual root is mixed and conflicting, truly a rare... useless spiritual root. Your cultivation is at the third level of Qi Refining, and your bone age is seventeen, which is acceptable. However, spiritual root is the foundation of cultivation. With such aptitude, even if you force yourself to cultivate, it will be difficult to achieve great success, and you may even have no hope of reaching the Foundation Establishment stage. According to the sect's regulations, those with mixed spiritual roots and inferior aptitude may be accepted as menial disciples, or... expelled. Are you willing to be a menial disciple?"

Disciple disciples, the lowest rank in a sect, are responsible for menial tasks such as sweeping, farming, guarding the gate, and feeding animals. They receive very few cultivation resources and have virtually no hope of advancement, essentially amounting to hard labor. Zhao Wuji's actions, seemingly offering Lu Zhao a path, are in reality a profound humiliation, utterly crushing him. If Lu Zhao agrees, he will forever be relegated to a lower status, subject to bullying. If he refuses, it's tantamount to giving up, which suits Zhao Wuji's wishes.

All eyes were once again focused on Lu Zhao, filled with mockery, sarcasm, and schadenfreude. A "genius" who had killed the third leader of the Black Tiger Hall and saved an inner disciple had, in the blink of an eye, become a good-for-nothing even worse than a menial disciple. This reversal was far too great and too dramatic.

Lu Zhao slowly withdrew his hand, and the light on the spirit-testing stone instantly went out, restoring its original crystal clarity. He stepped down from the spirit-testing platform, came before Zhao Wuji, his gaze calm and neither humble nor arrogant, bowed, and said in a deep voice, "Disciple Lu Zhao is willing to serve as a servant."

The voice wasn't loud, yet it reached everyone's ears clearly. There was no shame or resentment, only calm—a calm born of worldly wisdom.

A flicker of surprise crossed Zhao Wuji's eyes, quickly turning into deeper disdain and disgust. He had expected Lu Zhao to become enraged, perhaps even uttering disrespectful words, which he could then use as an excuse to expel him. But to his surprise, Lu Zhao accepted it so calmly. This left him feeling like he'd punched cotton, which greatly displeased him.

"Hmph, you do have some self-awareness. In that case, I'll keep you as a menial servant for now. But, menial servant disciples must start from the bottom, and you'll need to work twice as hard in future assessments. If you don't perform well, the sect can expel you at any time, understand?" Zhao Wuji said coldly.

"This disciple understands." Lu Zhao's expression remained unchanged.

"Alright, next..." Zhao Wuji waved his hand impatiently, about to continue.

"Wait a minute!"

A clear, melodious, yet undeniably authoritative female voice suddenly rang out, interrupting Zhao Wuji's words.

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw a white figure appear at the edge of the square. Clad in pristine white, with a half-silver mask covering her face, she possessed a cool and aloof air – it was Miss Yun! Behind her followed two elderly men with imposing presences, dressed in purple robes, clearly sect elders. Lin Qingfeng and Zhang Tie bowed respectfully upon seeing her.

"It's Uncle-Master Yun!"

"It's Elder Yunmeng from Yunmengze! What brings her here?"

The crowd stirred again, buzzing with discussion. Elder Yun Mengze, holding a transcendent position within the Qingyun Dao Sect, rarely made an appearance. Why had he personally come to the assessment site today?

Zhao Wuji's expression changed slightly, and he quickly stepped forward, clasping his hands in greeting, "Elder Yun, what brings you here? Do you have any instructions?"

Miss Yun didn't even glance at him, her gaze fixed on Lu Zhao. Her voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable authority: "This person's spiritual root, though showing unusual signs, possesses superior temperament, perseverance, and combat skills. My Yunmengze sect will make an exception and accept him as an outer disciple, so he won't have to do menial tasks."

"What?!" The entire audience erupted in uproar once again! Elder Yun Mengze was actually going to make an exception and recruit a good-for-nothing whose spirit root had been assessed as "useless" and "unassessable" by the spirit test stone as an outer disciple?! This was simply...unheard of!

Zhao Wuji's face instantly darkened. Suppressing his anger, he said in a deep voice, "Elder Yun, this... I'm afraid this is inappropriate. According to sect rules, those with mixed spiritual roots and inferior aptitude can only be menial disciples at best. This boy's spiritual roots are so poor; accepting him as an outer disciple would likely be difficult to gain the respect of the sect and would also be a waste of sect resources. I hope Elder Yun will reconsider!"

"Rules are rigid, but people are flexible. I, Yun Mengze, have my own considerations. I will take this boy in. If there are any objections, you may report to the Sect Leader." Miss Yun's tone remained calm, yet carried an undeniable air of authority. Her gaze swept over Zhao Wuji, a hint of coldness flashing in her eyes.

Zhao Wuji's breath hitched, his face flushed, but he dared not say another word. Yun Mengze held a special position in the sect, and Elder Yun Meng was a direct disciple of the sect leader, possessing an extraordinary status. How could he, a mere inner sect steward, dare to contradict him? However, this Lu Zhao had ruined his plans yesterday and was now favored by Elder Yun Meng—truly despicable!

"Since Elder Yun has spoken, there is nothing wrong with it." Zhao Wuji gritted his teeth and squeezed out a few words, his face ashen.

"Hmm." Miss Yun stopped looking at him and turned to Lu Zhao, a barely perceptible tenderness flashing in her eyes. She said, "Lu Zhao, would you be willing to join my Yunmengze sect as an outer disciple?"

Lu Zhao looked up and met Yun's cool gaze, a warmth spreading through his heart. He knew that Yun was standing up for him, repaying his kindness in saving Su Qingqian and helping her obtain the Moon Shadow Orchid. Although he didn't know why she valued him so much, he remembered this kindness.

"Disciple Lu Zhao is willing to enter Yunmeng Marsh to thank the elder!" Lu Zhao clasped his hands and bowed deeply.

"Alright. From this day forward, you are an outer disciple of Yunmengze. Lin Qingfeng, take him to complete the entry procedures and receive his identity jade token, robes, and cave dwelling." Miss Yun instructed Lin Qingfeng, then looked at Lu Zhao, "You still need to participate in the third trial, the Trial Peak. Outer disciples also need to take the exam. If you fail, you will still be demoted to menial labor. Take care of yourself."

"Disciple understands, and will certainly live up to Elder's high expectations!" Lu Zhao said solemnly.

"Hmm." Miss Yun nodded, said no more, and turned to leave with two purple-robed elders, leaving behind a sea of ​​shocked, puzzled, envious, and jealous gazes.

Amidst the complex gazes of the crowd, Lu Zhao followed Lin Qingfeng away from the Spirit Testing Platform. He knew that today's events would surely spread throughout the Qingyun Dao Sect, and his identity as a "crippled spiritual root" would become common knowledge. But he didn't care. So what if his aptitude was poor? He, Lu Zhao, had never relied on aptitude to get where he was!

"Brother Lu, congratulations!" Lin Qingfeng said softly, his eyes filled with joy and admiration. Although he was also shocked by Lu Zhao's spiritual root, he admired his mentality even more. To remain calm under such humiliation and ridicule, and even gain the favor of Elder Yunmeng, this young man's character was extraordinary.

"Thank you for your trouble, fellow Daoist." Lu Zhao cupped his hands in greeting. He knew that the real test had only just begun. The third trial, the Trial Peak, would be the true test of skill. Zhao Wuji would not let him off easily. Miss Yun's protection could only safeguard him temporarily, not forever. Only strength could secure his survival.

"A useless spiritual root, huh... Then let me see just how far this useless spiritual root can go."

A sharp glint flashed in Lu Zhao's eyes.