"If I'm not mistaken, this girl is the princess of the Water Moon Dynasty, Shui Nianyao."

"Her talent is impressive, with a Supreme-Grade Water Spiritual Root. She can join my Mirror Moon Mountain, and I will personally take her as my disciple."

"Your Mirror Moon Mountain only teaches some underhanded assassination techniques. Wouldn't it be a waste for someone with a Supreme-Grade Water Spiritual Root to go there? Wouldn't it be better for her to come to my Vast Waves Mountain?"

"Coming to my Fire Maple Mountain wouldn't be bad either."

"Get lost, Liu Yan. With your active volcano, do you think someone with a water attribute spiritual root would survive, let alone enjoy it? Why are you even in this discussion?"

"Indeed, among everyone here, you're the least qualified to take Nianyao as a disciple, Liu Yan!"

At this moment, many Mountain Lords present began to clamor over the white-clad girl, even the powerful fire cultivator Liu Yan joined in.

Compared to these excited Mountain Lords, Li Zhoujun seemed out of place.

"A Supreme-Grade Water Spiritual Root... I remember when I awakened my spiritual root, there was no spiritual energy in my body..."

Li Zhoujun watched the scene before him, his thoughts drifting back to years ago when his master tested him for spiritual roots and found none, the disappointment in his master's eyes was truly heartbreaking.

[Ding: A Supreme-Grade Water Spiritual Root is nothing special, not even worthy to be the disciple of the Host.]

"You make it sound like people are lining up to be my disciple," Li Zhoujun said helplessly.

[Ding: What do you know, Host? You'll see soon enough that anyone who becomes your disciple is incredibly lucky.]

At this moment, Shui Nianyao's gaze fell on Li Zhoujun, who seemed out of place compared to the other Mountain Lords.

Li Zhoujun gave her a warm smile.

In his heart, he was surprised. Could it be that this girl sees him as an ordinary person and thinks he's a super strong master in disguise, wanting to become his disciple?

Oh no, how embarrassing would that be?

However, in the next moment, Shui Nianyao's gaze passed over him and landed on the Vast Waves Mountain Lord, her eyes showing affirmation.

When heading to Dao Heaven Sect to participate in the trial, her father had specifically reminded her that if she saw a Mountain Lord who appeared ordinary on the Ascension Platform, she should definitely not become his disciple as it would lead nowhere.

As for the other Mountain Lords, she could choose as she saw fit.

The Vast Waves Mountain Lord was a young woman with a handsome face. Seeing Shui Nianyao's gaze on her, she gave a kind smile and said, "Nianyao, would you like to become my disciple? My Vast Waves Sword Technique is something water attribute spiritual root cultivators dream of."

"Disciple Shui Nianyao, greets Master!"

Shui Nianyao was decisive and clear in her intention to become a disciple.

"Good, good, Nianyao, come stand by your master," the Vast Waves Mountain Lord said with a smile.

The other Mountain Lords could only sigh in frustration.

But it was undeniable that a Supreme-Grade Water Spiritual Root was indeed suited to join Vast Waves Mountain.

"Congratulations to the Vast Waves Mountain Lord for gaining such an excellent disciple. Vast Waves Mountain has a promising future," a middle-aged man in a robe adorned with the sun, moon, and stars said with a smile to the Vast Waves Mountain Lord.

This man was none other than the Sect Master of Dao Heaven Sect, Mu Taiyu!

The Vast Waves Mountain Lord respectfully replied to Mu Taiyu, "Sect Master, you flatter me."

Mu Taiyu smiled without saying more.

At this moment, several more young men and women entered the Ascension Platform.

However, they all had Mid-Grade Spiritual Roots and were not favored by the Mountain Lords, so they stood there awkwardly and respectfully.

These individuals, if not chosen by the Mountain Lords by the end of the trial, would become Outer Sect Disciples of Dao Heaven Sect. To become Inner Sect Disciples, they would have to train diligently and then pass the trials of the various mountains.

In Dao Heaven Sect, the disciple ranks from highest to lowest are Sect Holy Son, True Disciple under the Sect Master, True Disciple under a Mountain Lord, True Disciple under an Elder, Inner Sect Disciple, and Outer Sect Disciple.

***

Moments later.

Dozens more arrived, but none had the potential of a Supreme-Grade Spiritual Root.

Naturally, the Mountain Lords did not rush to claim them, waiting for all the disciples to gather before slowly selecting.

Suddenly, a young man clad in black, surrounded by blazing fire, strode onto the Ascension Platform.

"This one has a Supreme-Grade Fire Spiritual Root. If I'm not mistaken, he's the genius from the Ye Clan in Dragon Flame City, Ye Yu!"

"No need to say more, a Supreme-Grade Fire Spiritual Root is likely here for the Fire Maple Mountain Lord, Liu Yan."

The Mountain Lords sighed.

As expected, the young prodigy named Ye Yu directly became a disciple under Liu Yan, standing by his side.

Witnessing this, Li Zhoujun felt a pang of envy.

"This is the Cloud Dwelling Mountain Lord, pay your respects," Liu Yan instructed Ye Yu, pointing at Li Zhoujun.

"Disciple Ye Yu, greets Cloud Dwelling Mountain Lord," Ye Yu said, cupping his fists towards Li Zhoujun, though a hint of disdain flashed in his eyes.

Cloud Dwelling Mountain Lord?

Isn't he the useless Mountain Lord of Dao Heaven Sect?

Truly occupying a position without doing anything.

Li Zhoujun naturally noticed the disdain in Ye Yu's eyes.

"No need for formalities," Li Zhoujun chuckled lightly, not minding Ye Yu's gaze.

***

An hour had passed, and the trial was nearing its end.

But just at the last moment of the trial's conclusion.

A plain-clothed, ordinary-looking young man slowly walked onto the Ascension Platform.

As this plain-clothed youth stepped onto the platform, all the Mountain Lords gasped.

"My heavens! It's a Saint-Grade Wood Spiritual Root!"

"Disciple! Look over here at your master!"

"Nonsense! Who's your disciple? That's my disciple!"

"Disciple! Most of my mountain's true disciples and Inner Sect Disciples are female, come to my bowl... I mean, my mountain!"

With the appearance of the plain-clothed youth, the Mountain Lords erupted in excitement.

"Would you like to become my disciple?"

A voice like thunder suddenly boomed across the platform.

The Mountain Lords fell silent, turning their gaze to the speaker.

It was none other than the Sect Master of Dao Heaven Sect, Mu Taiyu!

With Mu Taiyu speaking, the Mountain Lords dared not compete for the disciple.

Even the arrogant and reckless Liu Yan, who would burn mountains and boil seas, had to be respectful and humble before the Sect Master, like a grandson.

"Disciple Ku Fengchun, greets Master."

The plain-clothed youth cupped his fists towards Mu Taiyu.

"Come over here," Mu Taiyu said with a slight smile.

Ku Fengchun calmly walked to Mu Taiyu's side.

"A Saint-Grade Spiritual Root, my goodness..."

Li Zhoujun felt a pang of envy at the scene.

[Ding: What's there to envy? There's more than one Saint-Grade Spiritual Root here, and this wood attribute Saint-Grade Spiritual Root isn't to my liking.]

"You even disdain a Saint-Grade Spiritual Root," Li Zhoujun rolled his eyes. "If there were another Saint-Grade Spiritual Root here, how could the Sect Master and these Mountain Lords remain seated?"

Search "pawℝead.com" for the original.

At this moment, he just wanted to find a lucky Mid-Grade Spiritual Root disciple and head back to his Cloud Dwelling Mountain.

[Ding: Hidden Saint-Grade Ice Spiritual Root detected!]

[Ding: Host's Disciple Recruitment Mission target confirmed!]

[Ding: Mission changed from recruiting a disciple to recruiting the owner of the Saint-Grade Ice Spiritual Root. Upon completion, the Host will receive generous rewards!]

"Damn it, changing the mission like this, you rascal, can you even do that?!"

Li Zhoujun's eyes widened.

However, with the system's prompt, Li Zhoujun's gaze suddenly fell on a young girl in green among the thousand new Dao Heaven Sect disciples who had passed the final trial and were standing on the Ascension Platform.

The girl had a delicate appearance, not the kind that would leave a strong first impression.

But after a while, one couldn't help but marvel at how such a beautiful girl could exist in the world.

At this moment, a transparent panel appeared above the green-clad girl's head in Li Zhoujun's eyes.

[Target]: Su Nan

[Age]: Sixteen

[Cultivation]: None

[Talent]: Mid-Grade Wood Spiritual Root, Saint-Grade Ice Spiritual Root (Hidden)

"It really is a Saint-Grade Ice Spiritual Root, but can I truly recruit such a talented prodigy as my disciple?" Li Zhoujun felt a bit uncertain.

[Ding: You can do it, Host, especially with a system as awesome as me!]

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Proofreader & Editor: Peter Pan