In the following days, Xiao Yifeng stayed obediently on the spaceship. After landing, he continued to reside in the temporary disciple quarters, only exchanging a few words with Ye Jiusi and making no other unnecessary actions. Liu Hanyan seemed not to recognize him and did not seek him out.

On this morning, the sunrise slowly ascended into the sky. Xiao Yifeng and the others were led to a vast plaza at dawn. The plaza's ground was entirely paved with flawless white jade, creating a sense of insignificance in those who stood upon it. In front of the plaza stood an extraordinarily majestic hall made entirely of bluestone, its doors tightly shut. Above it hung a massive plaque with the bold characters "Taiji Hall."

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In front of the hall were nine enormous jade chairs, each with a different pattern on the top of its backrest. Some patterns depicted flames, others gourds, but the central chair was unique and exceptionally large, adorned with a Taiji Diagram.

Beside Xiao Yifeng were dozens of boys and girls of similar age. These children, around ten years old, had never seen such an immortal-like scene before. They were either stunned or looking around, but none dared to speak.

Surrounding these children were young men dressed in blue robes and wearing jade crowns. They stood neatly on both sides of the plaza, their expressions solemn, appearing almost like immortals amidst the clouds.

Gazing at this familiar yet unfamiliar scene, Xiao Yifeng couldn't help but become lost in thought, various emotions flashing across his face. He had never returned to the Heaven-Inquiry Sect, and now, by a twist of fate, he found himself here once more.

The group didn't wait long before the doors of the Taiji Hall opened, and more than twenty people slowly emerged. These individuals varied in height and build, male and female, and were the hall masters of the Heaven-Inquiry Sect and their disciples. Nine of them took seats on the nine giant chairs in front of the hall, while the others stood behind them.

Suddenly, the numerous disciples on the plaza bowed in unison, saying, "We welcome the Sect Master and the hall masters." Some of the cleverer boys and girls among them also shouted, "Greetings, Immortals." The other children, as if waking from a dream, quickly followed suit and bowed.

In the center, a person with a dignified voice said calmly, "You may rise." Hearing this, several bolder boys and girls looked up, including Xiao Yifeng. They saw nine individuals, each with a distinct appearance, some male, some female, most possessing an immortal aura.

The person in the center was tall, dressed in a snow-white robe, with eyes like torches, exuding an aura of authority without anger, truly embodying the essence of an immortal. He was none other than the renowned Sect Master of the Heaven-Inquiry Sect, Master Guangling.

Xiao Yifeng looked at Master Guangling, his eyes filled with complex emotions. Master Guangling, noticing Xiao Yifeng's direct gaze, was unperturbed, assuming it was just another child from the mortal world who had never seen such grandeur. After all, there were many young boys and girls like him, and Xiao Yifeng did not stand out among them.

Liu Hanyan sat calmly in the third seat on the right, dressed in a white palace gown, her beauty as stunning as a celestial being. However, her demeanor was too aloof, making her difficult to approach, yet it only enhanced her ethereal presence. Her unparalleled beauty also drew the attention of most of the boys and girls present. She seemed accustomed to it, her gaze serene and unruffled.

Xiao Yifeng felt a pang of bitterness as he noticed she didn't even glance at him. But recalling her nature from years ago, he didn't dwell on it. He then looked at the man sitting at the far left of Guangling, a fair-skinned man with a neatly trimmed mustache. This man resembled a wealthy merchant from the secular world, dressed in a blue robe, exuding a certain dignity. However, compared to the other real immortals, who either had an immortal aura or an authoritative presence, he seemed somewhat lacking.

This man was none other than Xiao Yifeng's master from his previous life, Su Qianyi. Xiao Yifeng felt as if he were dreaming, yet seeing his master so vividly, even if it were a dream, he didn't want to wake up. He mouthed silently, "Master..."

Could it be that he had truly returned to the past? Was all of this a dream or reality? Why had he mysteriously returned to the time when he first entered the Heaven-Inquiry Sect? Or was he merely trapped in a dream?

Master Guangling's authoritative voice came from above, not loud but clearly reaching everyone's ears. "I am Master Guangling, Sect Master of the Heaven-Inquiry Sect, welcoming all of you young friends on behalf of the sect.

Each of you has been chosen from various places as the pride of heaven, having passed various tests to meet the entry requirements of our sect.

After the final test, you will be officially admitted into our sect, and in the future, you will become the pillars of the Heaven-Inquiry Sect."

He paused before continuing, "Let me briefly introduce our sect. The Heaven-Inquiry Sect has been established for thousands of years, divided into nine halls, each with its unique skills and extraordinary abilities.

After the test, you will be ranked according to your spirit root as A, B, C, or D, and the hall masters will select you accordingly.

Soon, a disciple will bring the measuring instrument, and you will come forward one by one for the test. Do you understand?"

The boys and girls answered in unison, "Understood."

"Xuanyi, you will oversee the spirit testing," Guangling nodded.

At this, a person stepped out from the ranks of disciples, tall and handsome, almost like an immortal. He bowed to Guangling and said, "Yes, Master."

Xuanyi turned to face the children and, with a wave of his hand, a massive instrument appeared in the center. The base of this device was a circular disk, with a large glowing orb floating above it. The disk was inscribed with numerous small characters, arranged in the pattern of the Book of Changes, with several light rings slowly rotating around the perimeter.

Xuanyi announced loudly, "This is the Spirit-Testing Instrument. When I call your name, simply place your hand on this orb, and it will determine your spirit root."

"Step forward when your name is called. Zeng Niu."

A chubby boy in the crowd quickly raised his hands and shouted, "I'm here!"

The chubby boy hurried to the instrument, placing his hands on the glowing orb, which emitted a green light. Xuanyi nodded, recording the result as he announced, "Zeng Niu, Wood Spirit Root, B middle!"

He waved the boy back into the group.

Xuanyi continued, "Zhang Lingheng!"

"Here!" shouted a small boy in the crowd.

***

The testing proceeded smoothly. The children present had undergone similar tests before, though none as detailed as this. However, they were experienced, so the testing progressed quickly.

Xiao Yifeng watched the handsome Xuanyi and fell into reminiscence. Xuanyi was the last disciple of Master Guangling, exceptionally talented and powerful. Xiao Yifeng's deep impression of him stemmed from the fact that his senior sister had married Xuanyi after their master passed away.

"Ye Jiusi!" Xuanyi's call snapped Xiao Yifeng back to reality.

It was Ye Jiusi's turn. Xiao Yifeng and Ye Jiusi exchanged a glance. Xiao Yifeng whispered, "Good luck!"

Since both of them had joined midway, neither had undergone such a test before. However, Xiao Yifeng knew that Ye Jiusi had excellent aptitude.

Ye Jiusi nodded at Xiao Yifeng and stepped out from the crowd. With a hint of nervousness, he placed his hands on the orb, which suddenly emitted a dazzling green light. Xuanyi's eyes lit up, and the crowd gasped in amazement at the brightest light so far.

"Ye Jiusi, Wood Spirit Root, A top!" Xuanyi announced with a smile.

He nodded kindly at Ye Jiusi, who returned to Xiao Yifeng with a slight smile on his face. Xiao Yifeng also smiled and said, "Well done!"

Xuanyi then called out, "Xiao Yifeng!"

Xiao Yifeng responded quickly, and Ye Jiusi discreetly patted his shoulder. Xiao Yifeng walked forward silently, giving a wry smile as he placed his hands on the Spirit-Testing Instrument. The device struggled to emit a faint glow, the light a blend of colors so weak it was barely visible.

Xuanyi was momentarily stunned, a look of surprise crossing his face. He carefully examined the instrument, confirmed everything was in order, and announced with a peculiar expression, "Xiao Yifeng, Impure Spirit Root, D bottom."

---

Proofreader & Editor: Peter Pan