No one answered for a while. David Carter was just about to cross out the line when a petite figure squeezed out from the crowd, ran up, and apologized repeatedly, “Sorry, senior brother, there were too many people in front, and I accidentally fell asleep.”

David Carter: “……” She’s not even an official disciple yet, and she’s already calling me senior brother.

But seeing that the young girl was sincere and sweet-tongued, he decided not to argue with her.

David Carter: “Place your right hand on the spirit-testing stone and focus your mind.”

Lily Bennett obediently did as told. After a moment, the spirit-testing stone seemed to be asleep, showing no reaction at all.

“Looks like there’s no spiritual root…” The young girl looked a bit downcast and withdrew her hand, ready to step down.

Suddenly, the previously lifeless spirit-testing stone emitted a burst of green light, and the girl’s eyes instantly sparkled like stars.

She has a spiritual root!

“Lily Bennett, wood spiritual root!” Emma Sullivan dutifully announced.

A few more single and dual spiritual roots were detected after that, and David Carter’s mood finally improved. He took a deep breath as he looked at the last two names on the register.

“Next, Henry Carter!”

After waiting so long that the flowers had wilted, Henry Carter sprang up from the ground like a carp, tidied his clothes and hair, and then slowly walked up to the spirit-testing platform.

His family had already tested his spiritual root, so he naturally knew the process. Without waiting for David Carter to say anything, he placed his hand on the spirit-testing stone.

As expected, the spirit-testing stone emitted a golden light. Although it was a bit dimmer than when he tested at home, it wasn’t much different.

“Henry Carter, gold spiritual root!”

David Carter made a mark for the gold spiritual root in the register, then his gaze fell on the last name, a bit surprised. “Little junior sister, she has the same surname as you!”

Emma Sullivan glanced casually at the register and then looked away. “Senior Brother Carter, let’s hurry up and test the spiritual roots. The sect test is about to start.”

David Carter knew he couldn’t delay any longer and announced loudly, “Last one, Ethan Sullivan!”

A little girl with a sallow face timidly made her way through the crowd, head down, and came to the spirit-testing stone.

She tiptoed, barely able to reach the edge of the stone with one hand. Emma Sullivan noticed and casually formed a hand seal, condensing a block of ice.

“Step on the ice stone to test.”

Ethan Clark softly thanked her, stepped onto the ice stone, and was finally able to reach the spirit-testing stone. She wiped her right hand on her clothes, placed her palm fully on the stone, and stared intently at its changes.

“Heavenly—heavenly spiritual root?” David Carter looked at the little girl before him, who looked like a little stray cat in tattered clothes, and was deeply shocked.

How could someone with a heavenly spiritual root end up in such a miserable state?

But he had seen many things in his life, so he quickly composed himself and signaled for the girl to step aside and wait.

“This concludes the spiritual root test. A total of thirty-seven people meet the Sword Sect’s requirements: Grace Brooks, Olivia Foster… Ethan Sullivan!”

“The rest may rest on the mountain for one night and leave on their own tomorrow!”

After announcing the results, David Carter closed the register and said to Emma Sullivan, “Little junior sister, I’ll go submit this list to the sect leader for review. The upcoming sect test will be hosted by you.”

“As always, the tests are: spirit selection, heart illumination, and sword forging.”

Emma Sullivan took the white jade token and promised, “Don’t worry, senior brother, I’ll make sure to complete the task perfectly!”

Emma Sullivan infused a strand of spiritual power into the white jade token, and thirty-seven streams of light shot out, landing in front of each person and transforming into a round token.

“Testing spiritual roots is only the second threshold for entering the Sword Sect. To become a true disciple, you must pass three tests: spirit selection, heart illumination, and sword forging.”

“Next, everyone will be transported into the Floating Light Realm to take the first test: spirit selection. In this test, you must sense the spiritual energy of heaven and earth and find spiritual herbs or insects with attributes similar to your own spiritual root. You have the time it takes for one incense stick to burn, and you must find ten spiritual plants to pass to the next round.”

“Of course, the more spiritual plants you find, the better. After the test, the spiritual plants belong to you as a reward for participating in the Sword Sect’s test!”

“The round token in your hand can be crushed if you encounter danger or after you’ve found ten spiritual plants. Once it’s broken, you’ll be transported back.”

Emma Sullivan loudly announced the details of the first test. After making sure everyone understood, she activated the formation with both hands. Flashes of white light appeared, and everyone was transported away.

“Little junior sister, make the Water Mirror bigger. We can’t see what’s happening inside…”

A Sword Sect disciple tiptoed and finally squeezed into the best viewing spot, only to have half the Water Mirror blocked by someone’s head.

Emma Sullivan had no choice but to channel spiritual power and enlarge the Water Mirror. The scene inside the Floating Light Realm was now clearly visible to everyone.

“This is much better!”

“The last time I went to the Floating Light Realm was ages ago. The scenery inside has changed so much I can barely recognize it.”

“When I took the Floating Light Realm test, I ran into a little fire-type kitten. I wanted to catch it as a pet, but time ran out and I was forcibly transported back. I wonder if that little kitten is still in there.”

“Little junior sister, who do you think will take first place in this round?”