After enduring Li Nan's humiliation, my determination to quickly enter the Water Moon Sect and meet Dao Shan grew even stronger.
Without any strength, possessing only a heavenly figure and beauty, I could only end up as someone else's plaything.
"Miss, it's all my fault for not protecting you," Xiao Lan followed behind, head bowed, softly sobbing, as if feeling helpless and guilty for what had just happened.
I sighed, turned to face Xiao Lan, and cupped her face in my hands, gazing into her eyes. Only then did I realize that my silk scarf had fallen somewhere. With no other option, I used my hands to wipe away her tears.
"Xiao Lan, you are the only one left by my side. You are the one I trust most. My father is dead, and many things are no longer as they seem on the surface.
We must be strong to protect ourselves and our loved ones. The humiliation I have endured, I will repay Li Nan a thousandfold. I will make him wish he had never been born.
As two vulnerable women traveling alone, we already face many challenges. We must be even more cautious in the future to avoid falling into a situation with no way out." I spoke each word carefully.
"Miss..." Xiao Lan nodded earnestly with tears welling up in her eyes.
To avoid encountering someone like Li Nan again, I had no choice but to avoid the crowd ahead and take a detour through the forest, eventually arriving at the gates of the Water Moon Sect.
The entrance to the Water Moon Sect was already crowded with people. In the center was a large circular platform, with a glowing spherical object on top. Several Water Moon Sect disciples stood beside the sphere.
One after another, young disciples from prominent families stepped onto the circular platform, placing their hands on the orb-shaped object to undergo a spiritual root test. The young disciples from other prominent families around them chatted excitedly.
"Just now, the eldest son of the Shi family, Shi Jiu, actually emitted golden and red light. This person will achieve extraordinary greatness in the future!" exclaimed a burly man with an excited expression.
"Hmph! It's just a Golden Spirit Root that can only refine artifacts," said a man with a square face and dressed in black, looking down on him. He was clearly a young man from a family closely connected to the Immortal Sect, knowledgeable about Immortal Sect matters, and naturally far superior to most of the young men from prominent families present in his understanding of immortals.
"Oh, and who are you? From the sound of it, you must be even more powerful than Stone Nine, the young master!" The large-headed man showed no fear, crossing his arms across his chest and looking up to ask.
The black-clad man glanced at the large-headed man and snorted coldly, "I am Mo Lan, the second young master of the Mo family of Shuitian City. The difference between immortals and mortals is insurmountable, but do you know that there are also significant differences among immortals themselves?
Having a spiritual root is indeed an excellent sign, but having dual spiritual roots is not uncommon. Golden spiritual roots are not suited for combat and can only be utilized in alchemy and weapon forging. As for Shi Jiu's future achievements, I dare not make a hasty conclusion."
When someone mentioned matters related to immortals, everyone turned to look at Mo Lan. Curious, they had many questions but dared not approach. After all, the Mo Clan was a prominent family in Shuitian City, affiliated with the Shuimian Sect. Provoking the Mo Clan was akin to provoking an immortal.
Mo Lan seemed to enjoy the attention and fear he was receiving. Clearing his throat, he crossed his arms and continued, "Most of you are probably just dual-spirit roots, or even triple- or quadruple-spirit roots—useless spirit roots.
But do you know that only those with a single spiritual root are the true disciples that major sects focus on and cultivate?
In the past century, every single-spirit root individual who appeared on the Xuantian Continent was a prodigy of their era. Because only those with a single spirit root have a relatively smooth path to cultivation, and their cultivation speed far surpasses that of dual spirit roots!"
Upon hearing this, the crowd buzzed with discussion, many worrying about whether they were worthless spiritual roots. Some dismissed Mo Lan's words with disdain, sitting down to meditate and await the test.
"Next, Mo Lan of the Mo Clan!" The elderly disciple of the Water Moon Sect who had just come to Fang Ling's rescue shouted from the circular platform.
Everyone turned their gaze toward Mo Lan, seemingly eager to see what kind of spiritual root this disciple from such a prominent family with close ties to the Immortal Sect possessed.
Mo Lan flicked his sleeve, stepped onto the circular platform, and placed his hand on the orb. Moments later, the orb suddenly emitted a blinding green light.
The elderly Water Moon Sect disciple, seeing this, widened his eyes in astonishment. Before he could announce the result, a deafening voice rang out first.
"Hahaha, heaven favors the Water Moon Sect! A pure wood-attributed spiritual root! This one is mine, Master Man Tian! No one dare take him from me!"
A flash of light appeared, and a middle-aged man in purple robes suddenly materialized on the circular platform, eagerly addressing Mo Lan.
"Youngster, do you wish to become my direct disciple? I guarantee that your family will be secure for a hundred years, and you will never lack cultivation resources! All the resources of the Water Moon Sect will be poured into you!"
Seeing this, Mo Lan knew he wasn't a fool and quickly agreed. The True Immortal Man Tian laughed heartily, grabbed Mo Lan, and transformed into a streak of light, disappearing into the horizon.
The scene left the other clan disciples speechless. The overwhelming pressure from the True Immortal's presence left everyone struggling to breathe, and for a moment, they all envied Mo Lan for such a fortunate opportunity.
The elder disciples of the Water Moon Sect on the circular platform suppressed their excitement, their expressions growing much more joyful. Bringing such a prodigy with a single spiritual root into the sect would surely bring them glory in the future.
Although the fact that the Full Sky Immortal had personally descended to take away a single-elemental talent was shocking, the testing process was still proceeding in an orderly manner.
Fang Ling stood in the shadows nearby, hidden by the trees, unseen by anyone.
I had naturally witnessed every moment of that scene. Having seen the True Immortal with my own eyes, my heart couldn't help but feel unsettled.
Although I place great importance on this divine opportunity, such matters are the will of heaven. I can only accept whatever outcome comes. I clenched the green-hilted sword my mother had left me, as if doing so could bring me a modicum of peace.
The test continued.
Some were found to have no spiritual roots, and they left with a bitter smile. Others were found to have dual spiritual roots and burst into laughter.
In the blink of an eye, the difference between immortality and mortality is but this.
"Fang family disciple, Fang Ling!"
My heart tightened, but I forced myself to remain calm and stepped forward with the same composure as those before me.
The elder disciple of the Water Moon Sect seemed surprised, as if he hadn't expected it to be me. Perhaps because I was the only woman participating in the test, he gave me a reminder.
"Don't be nervous. Place your hand on the spirit-testing stone and relax your body."
I took a deep breath and placed my jade-like hands on the spirit-testing stone.
After a moment, there was no reaction. Seeing this, my heart sank to the bottom of my chest.
For a moment, memories of my father's death in battle, my mother's grief-stricken face, and the uncertain path ahead filled my mind. I was completely overwhelmed, tears streaming down my cheeks, unsure of what to do.
The elderly disciple of the Water Moon Sect sighed upon seeing this.
"The gap between mortals and immortals is insurmountable. Since you have no spiritual roots, it proves you have no connection to the path of immortality. I will arrange for someone to escort you away..."
Before he could finish, the spirit-testing stone suddenly burst into a blinding light, so intense that everyone below felt a stinging pain in their eyes, unable to discern the color of the light.
"Water spiritual root! A single-element water spiritual root! A water spiritual root with spiritual resonance! And it possesses the potential to evolve into a Heavenly Ice Spiritual Root! This... this..."
The elder disciple of the Water Moon Sect seemed utterly unprepared for such an outcome, momentarily speechless as he stared at the spirit stone with a look of excitement.
"Noisy!"
Before anyone could react, a black-robed old man suddenly appeared on the circular platform. The black robe was adorned with dragon patterns. The old man had white hair, and everyone present felt a sharp pain in their heads upon looking at him, immediately lowering their heads.
"Master... Master!" All the disciples of the Water Moon Sect knelt on one knee and bowed respectfully.
The black-robed sect master ignored the disciples and walked straight toward me. When he looked at me, even a sect master who had lived for over a thousand years couldn't help but flash a hint of astonishment in his eyes.
"Little girl, are you from the Fang family?"
Everything that had just happened seemed to unfold in an instant. I was still immersed in the tragic reality of having no spiritual roots, but in the blink of an eye, I now had the opportunity to defy fate, fulfill my own wishes, and search for my mother. The sudden change left me unable to process it all.
"Are you from the Fang family?"
The black-robed sect master seemed displeased and repeated the question.
I snapped back to reality and hurriedly bowed my head in respect.
"Reporting to the Sect Master, this humble maiden is the seventh daughter of the Fang family from the Southern Mountains Continent." Facing the Sect Master, there was an intangible pressure that made it hard for me to breathe, and I dared not lift my head.
"Transmit my order: send Elder Fran and ten Foundation Establishment disciples to the Fang family in the South Mountain Continent to establish a presence. As long as the Water Moon Sect stands, the Fang family shall not fall!"
The black-robed sect master took a piece of paper engraved with dragon patterns from the void and handed it to an elderly Water Moon Sect disciple beside him. His expression was so casual that it seemed as though he were doing something trivial.
"Little girl, besides that, you may make three requests to sever your karmic ties with the mortal world. Once you ascend to immortality, matters of the mortal realm shall only be your past, not your chains. I give you the time of a single incense stick." With that, the black-robed sect master crossed his legs and sat in a corner of the circular platform, closing his eyes to meditate.
What happened on the stage seemed to take a long time, but in reality, it was only half a stick of incense. The numerous clan disciples below only saw a woman as beautiful as a fairy walk onto the stage. Then, a blinding light appeared, followed by the arrival of the sect master, leaving everyone with a sense of unreality.
In an instant, the crowd below was filled with admiration, jealousy, desire, greed, and malice, all of which converged on me. I took a deep breath, suppressed my excitement, and stood up to walk toward the black-robed sect master.
"Master, I have a request!" This was a rare opportunity, and I couldn't afford to miss it! In this world, I was just a weak woman, but such an opportunity was a once-in-a-lifetime chance for me.
"Speak quickly." The black-robed sect master opened his eyes slightly and spoke calmly.
"My mother has been missing for years, and I humbly request that the sect master help me find her!" My mother's safety was the primary reason I had traveled so far. Though I had joined the sect, I still worried deeply about her well-being.
"Very well." The black-robed sect master seemed to possess an otherworldly aura, unaffected by anything in this world.
I clenched my teeth tightly. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I couldn't help but feel nervous.
"Master, may I bring my maid with me to the sect?"
"Those with dual spiritual roots or single spiritual roots have the privilege of bringing attendants into the sect. If your maid also has spiritual roots, she may accompany you in cultivation. This is not a request; please rephrase it." The black-robed sect master seemed unperturbed by the inconvenience, patiently explaining to me.
After hearing this, I felt slightly reassured and forced myself to remain calm as I continued to state my next condition.
"Master, may you grant this humble maiden the privilege of status and identity?"
I knew this request was somewhat excessive, but it was a test of the Black-robed Sect Master's limits. If it was unacceptable, I could seek other conditions.
There was a hidden motive behind this request. Though I didn't know whether my qualifications were top-tier or bottom-tier, the fact that the Water Moon Sect Master had personally intervened meant my qualifications couldn't be too bad! I must make the most of this opportunity!
With status and privileges, I can better ensure the safety and resources needed for my path to immortality.
The black-robed sect master did not respond, slowly standing up and gazing at me. After a moment,
"The condition I give you is to sever all earthly karmic ties. This is a matter of the immortal sect. Well, well, the words of this sect master are not to be taken back."
Upon hearing this, my face lit up with joy, and my body trembled slightly with excitement.
The Black-Robed Sect Master swept his sleeves, and a streak of light appeared in the sky, hovering before everyone. It was a scroll.
The Black-Robed Sect Master gripped the scroll tightly, picked it up, and began writing something on it. Moments later, he handed the scroll, which was now glowing with a dazzling light, to me.
"Drip your blood into this scroll."
Without hesitation, I bit my fingertip and let the blood drip onto the scroll. As my blood merged with the scroll, it suddenly burst into a blinding light, soaring into the sky. A thunderous, authoritative voice echoed through the air.
"The Sacred Scroll of the Mountains and Seas is here! All inner disciples and elders of the Water Moon Sect, heed my command! From this moment onward, Fang Ling shall be the sacred maiden of our sect, equal in status to the True Immortal, and subordinate only to the Sect Master. Anyone who dares to offend her shall be punished as if they had offended the Sect Master himself!"
Upon hearing this, my mind went blank. I never expected the Sect Master not only to overlook my petty thoughts but also to grant me such a tremendous opportunity. If I hadn't guessed wrong, the True Immortal was the highest position beneath the Sect Master.
In such a short time, I had become the most powerful disciple under the sect master—no, not a disciple! I was the Holy Maiden!
Overcome with joy, before I could even thank him, the sect master interrupted me.
"Considering your exceptional talent, I will grant you this request. However, I will count this as two requests. Thus, all your requests have been fulfilled."
The next moment, the Mountain and Sea Scroll in the sky erupted with a burst of multicolored light, forming a vortex at its center that violently sucked in all the spiritual energy within a hundred-mile radius.
Before I could react, a green beam of light shot out from the scroll, piercing directly into my body. Immediately afterward, my body also burst into light, leaving everyone around me unaware of what had just happened.