Spirit Ruin, Sword Coffin, Blind Swordsman - Chapter 13 The Spirit of Emptiness

What Li Guanqi’s heart and eyes witnessed at this moment made it seem as though there was only one person left in the entire world — Lu Kangnian. A figure, bathed in rosy light, approached as if he were an exiled immortal, exuding an aura that transcended earthly concerns.

He appeared to do nothing more than stand there, yet his mere presence drew everyone’s gaze with effortless charisma.

“Sect Master, we pay our respects!”

“Sect Master, we pay our respects!”

In this moment, all the elders and disciples of the Great Xia Sword Sect set aside their tasks and respectfully bowed to the figure in the sky.

Lu Kangnian’s sharp gaze swept across the entire assembly, and he addressed them with a stern tone, “As Elders of our heavenly peaks, having these bickering and disputes—such behavior is unbecoming.”

“All elders will be deducted three months’ salary!”

Upon hearing this decree, the elders couldn’t hide their bitter expressions. Three months’ salary!

With the Sect Master present, they refrained from protest and simply nodded in agreement. Lan He shot a resentful glance at Lu Kangnian and muttered, “I won’t be able to afford my cosmetics for the next few months!”

Lu Kangnian turned his gaze toward Lan He, his expression unaffected, and casually remarked, “Lan He, for disrespecting the Sect Master, you’ll receive an additional month of punishment, along with ten extra lectures in the outer sect this month.”

With that, he shifted his attention away, ignoring Lan He’s predatory gaze.

Li Guanqi, observing this scene, found the atmosphere within the sect surprisingly pleasant. Even an elder from the Heavenly Water Peak could jest with the Sect Master; it was merely a month’s salary, a trifling matter for the elders. The Sect Master’s disciplinary actions against the elders were, in essence, a way to grant preferential treatment to the outer sect disciples. Li Guanqi mused to himself, “Perhaps… this sect is a place to call home.”

Lu Kangnian descended gracefully onto the high platform, then directed his warm smile and an unwavering gaze at Li Guanqi, without revealing any ill intent.

He spoke sincerely and directly, “I’m Lu Kangnian, the 38th Sect Master of the Great Xia Sword Sect.”

“What’s your name?”

Though Li Guanqi’s attire appeared somewhat worn, he quickly adjusted his clothing and delivered a perfectly poised and dignified junior’s greeting. Moreover, Li Guanqi remained composed throughout, earning additional respect from Lu Kangnian.

Zhao Yuanlin struggled to rise from the ground, experiencing searing pain coursing through his entire body! But the physical torment paled in comparison to the bitterness in his heart! His gaze remained locked on the figure atop the platform, and then he turned and departed from the Great Xia Sword Sect.

Li Guanqi cast a penetrating glance at Zhao Yuanlin’s retreating form and then introduced himself, saying, “In response to Senior Lu, I am Li Guanqi.”

Upon hearing these words, Lu Kangnian’s eyes gleamed, and his smile grew even warmer! The peak elders exchanged furtive messages using their spiritual senses.

“Do you see that? Old Lu just swooped in out of nowhere!”

“Tsk tsk, first he accepts Wu Bing, and now he’s snagging another one!”

“Ugh, that shameless Lu Kangnian, is he really so nonchalant about taking our prospects?”

With an unassuming glance, Lu Kangnian swept his eyes across the assembly, casting an instant hush over the crowd.

“Excellent, a fine name!”

“Is this your first time testing your Spirit Root?”

Li Guanqi scratched his head and nodded, saying, “Yes, whenever I asked my grandfather, he’d just smile and stay silent. I never knew what kind of Spirit Root I had.”

Lu Kangnian had just appraised the youth’s aptitude and noticed that his physical body was also exceptional. Not only were his internal organs incredibly robust, but his meridians and bones were extraordinarily resilient as well.

It appeared that this mentor wasn’t normal!

“Can you tell me your grandfather’s name?”

“Su Xuan.”

“Su Xuan… I haven’t heard of any Nascent Soul cultivator with that name…”

“No matter. In that case, let me explain to all of you why it’s called the ‘Void Spirit Root.’”

Li Guanqi nodded slightly, and then, in front of everyone, Lu Kangnian softly said, “The Void Spirit Root is also known as the Spirit of Emptiness.”

“The most remarkable aspect of this Spirit Root is that cultivators can freely choose any one of the eight elemental roots for themselves!”

Gasps filled the air as soon as he said this, and all the disciples paying homage to the sect couldn’t help but be taken aback. Their eyes toward the young man brimmed with envy and respect.

“What’s more, the purity of the chosen root far surpasses that of a Heaven-Grade Spirit Root!”

“For instance, if we liken the cultivation speed of a three-element mixed root to pouring water from a bucket into a barrel.”

“A dual-element True Spirit Root is akin to having four buckets, and a five-elemental True Spirit Root, benefiting from the mutual enhancement of the elements, is akin to having six buckets.”

“However, a single-element Heaven-Grade Spirit Root is akin to having ten buckets!”

Lu Kangnian turned to look at Li Guanqi and continued softly, “A King-Grade Spirit Root is fifteen buckets.”

“A Saint-Grade Spirit Root… is twenty!”

Boom!

As these words resounded, the once casual assembly erupted into a fervent buzz. In the world of cultivation, there was a saying—

“Talent determines the upper limit!”

Effort could only make up for a fraction when faced with true innate talent.

It was a harsh reality that awaited those who embarked on the path of cultivation. While some might undergo extraordinary adventures, purify their essence and marrow, and reshape their spiritual roots to reach the pinnacle, there had never been a record of anyone with a three-element Spirit Root ascending beyond the Nascent Soul stage.

Li Guanqi suddenly inquired, “Is there anything beyond Saint-Grade Spirit Roots?”

Seeing the eager thirst for knowledge on the faces of the audience, Lu Kangnian’s lips curled into a playful smile.

“Yes!”

“What?! There’s more??”

“Unbelievable… no wonder all sects scrutinize spiritual roots and talent! This… sigh!”

Lu Kangnian continued in a hushed tone, “Heaven represent innate genius, Kings are exceedingly rare, known as the pride of the heavens.”

“Saints depend on fate and luck, with only one appearing every few thousand years, referred to as deviations.”

“Above Saint-Grade Spirit Roots are Divine Spirit Roots, and those who possess them are individuals blessed with extraordinary luck and destiny.”

“Theese Spirit Roots represent the paragon of a specific type of Spirit Root! Their cultivation speed is equivalent to… imagine thirty buckets of water.”

“It is said that within the Six Domains, the Icebound Domain Lord’s daughter awakened to a Ice Elemental Divine Spirit Root not too long ago.”

With a smile, Lu Kangnian added, “Alright, that’s enough about the other domains. This information should suffice to broaden your horizons.”

“King-Grade Spirit Roots are already exceptionally rare in our Great Xia Domain, let alone in our Blue Cloud Continent.”

“Today, for a novice sect disciple to awaken to a Saint-Grade Spirit Root is a testament to our sect’s prosperity, a sign of our Great Xia Sword Sect’s flourishing fortune!”

“Today, all novice sect disciples with three-elemental spiritual roots are eligible for entry into the sect, joining the outer sect for now!”

With these words, cheers erupted, and those with lower grade Spirit Roots who had previously been excluded rejoiced with newfound enthusiasm.

“Now, Li Guanqi, which elemental root series will you choose?”

As this question hung in the air, all the peak elders and peak masters held their breath. Lu Kangnian possessed an Earth-affiliated Heaven-Grade Spirit Root. As long as Li Guanqi didn’t choose an Earth attribute Spirit Root, they would have a chance!

Li Guanqi also aspired to become a sword cultivator, and in sword cultivation, the most potent element was Metal! He closed his eyes and contemplated his choice.

At this moment, Li Guanqi found himself enveloped in a profoundly mysterious state. It was as if he existed within a boundless white expanse of space, with eight different colored orbs of light continuously drawing near him.

As he reached out to touch the golden light sphere of the Metal affinity, he suddenly felt an inexplicable sensation in his heart. He turned to look in the direction beside him.

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