Chapter 1: Useless Spiritual Root

“Wang Yu, waste spirit root, eliminated!”

“Next!”

The commoners surrounding the stage, having heard the immortal envoy’s verdict, cast looks of pity toward the young man on the platform, though their private whispers told a different story.

“That’s a scion of the Wang family, isn’t it?”

“He has a handsome face, but no fate to enter an immortal sect.”

“How can one’s spirit root aptitude be equated with their appearance? I think the Wang family has done too many wicked things; they deserve it!”

“Don’t talk nonsense. Young Master Yu is nothing like those other playboys; he has never bullied the commoners.”

“Heh… just a piece of trash, why hasn’t he rolled off the stage yet!”

This last sentence did not come from a bystander.

It was spoken by a youth standing outside the queue. He was dressed in fine silk robes, possessed handsome features, wore a green jade pendant at his waist, and tapped a landscape-ink folding fan against his palm, his face full of arrogance.

His name was Wang Wu, a cousin of Wang Yu. At sixteen years of age, he had already tested his spirit root earlier—a dual spirit root aptitude, a genius with the potential to reach the Foundation Establishment stage.

Their fathers were brothers, both vying for the position of the next family head. The rivalry between the older generation had extended to their offspring, resulting in the two being at odds.

Wang Yu clenched his fists. Without a word, he turned and left the spirit-testing platform.

Even though he had never considered himself a genius, he hadn’t expected to have a waste spirit root. With such aptitude, let alone Foundation Establishment, even breaking through to the middle stage of Qi Refining would be a problem.

Ever since he was reincarnated and broke through the "mystery of the womb," sixteen years had passed since he arrived in this world of cultivation. He possessed a magical "cheat," known as—[Placement Slot]!

As the name suggests, it could place things.

However, physical objects could not be placed inside. For the past sixteen years, what he had placed were books like the *Thousand Character Classic*, *The Eight Principles of Yong*, *Detailed Anatomy of Human Meridians*, *The Wonderful Scroll of Medicine*, and so on.

As long as he skimmed through a book once, he could place it in the [Placement Slot]. The effect was equivalent to another version of himself constantly studying, pondering the content, and practicing.

Never tiring, never stopping!

For instance, after placing the *Thousand Character Classic* for a few days, he had mastered it; even if his physical body had done nothing, he had learned many characters.

This function could undoubtedly save a lot of time in cultivation, but the immortal sects had their own rules for accepting disciples.

[Shihu City], where the Wang family resided, was under the jurisdiction of the [Lingjiu Sect]. Every year, youths of age in the city would have their spirit roots tested, officially stepping onto the path of cultivation at sixteen.

In this world, everyone had a spirit root, divided into six grades from top to bottom.

Single spirit root, also known as Heaven Spirit Root, the highest aptitude below a spirit body, guaranteed to reach the Golden Core stage; one is rarely seen in a century.

Dual spirit root, also known as High-grade Spirit Root, has a high probability of Foundation Establishment; a rare talent and a precious gem.

Triple spirit root, also known as Mid-grade Spirit Root, is the aptitude of most cultivators in this world. With proper cultivation techniques, they can basically reach the Great Perfection of Qi Refining before their lifespan ends.

Four-fold spirit root belongs to the Low-grade Spirit Root, also called "Mixed Spirit Root." The aptitude is poor, and it is difficult to achieve Foundation Establishment in one's lifetime.

Five-fold spirit root is the waste spirit root that Wang Yu possessed. It is difficult even to refine spiritual energy, and it is unlikely he will break through to the fourth level of Qi Refining in this life.

The last category is "Shattered Spirit Root," unable to sense spiritual energy—these are the mortals who cannot cultivate.

Aptitude does not determine a cultivator's end, but it determines one's starting point. The "difficulty" mentioned here refers to the upper limit one can reach given the same amount of resources.

There are, of course, those in the world who defy the heavens and change their fate.

But Wang Yu had lost at the starting line. The Lingjiu Sect was not a top-tier immortal sect, and they would not accept disciples with waste spirit root aptitude; they didn't have the resources to cultivate them.

Even if they were recruited as servants, those with four-fold spirit roots were the first choice.

And Wang Wu’s dual spirit root aptitude meant that as soon as he entered the Lingjiu Sect, he would become a candidate for Foundation Establishment, receiving a tilt in resources. The battle for the family head position was already lost.

The spirit-testing platform was set up in the square of the City Lord's Mansion. Wang Yu left without looking back. Some friends who had previously been on good terms with him turned their heads away, not even daring to greet him. Such is reality.

Human sentiment is cold and warm, and the state of the world changes in an instant.

Wang Family Estate.

Wang Yu pushed the door open and looked with some guilt at his father, who was offering incense before his mother’s spirit tablet.

“You know?”

“Yes.”

Wang Chongwen bowed slightly before the incense table, inserted three sticks of incense into the burner, and said in a low voice.

“If Wang Wu only had a triple spirit root, your father would still have the capital to compete. But he happens to have a dual spirit root.”

“The Lingjiu Sect will become his backing, and the City Lord’s Mansion will also lean toward him. Pack your things and prepare to leave Shihu City.”

Wang Yu couldn't help but ask.

“Are you worried that Uncle will make a move?”

“He won’t. Wang Wu will.”

“………”

Wang Yu was silent for a moment.

One’s life cannot be entrusted to the mercy of others. The battle for the family head was already intense, and Wang Wu was unruly, often committing evil acts like trampling people with his horse or forcibly seizing young women. There were even cases of him whipping servants to death. He was a notorious playboy in Shihu City.

Looking at his performance today, it was only logical that he would settle scores once he gained power.

“I understand. I’ll go pack my luggage now.”

“No need to pack. A carriage is at the back door; it will take you to Qianqiu City to live out your life in peace.”

“You aren’t coming?”

“The family elders will protect your father. A clan that wants to grow strong would never condone brothers killing each other. Once you leave, my branch will have no heirs, and thus no threat to the position of family head.”

Wang Yu was silent again. Ever since his mother died in childbirth, his relationship with Wang Chongwen had been very distant. Even though he had been known as a child prodigy since he was young, he had never received a shred of praise.

He hadn't cared before, but now that trouble had arisen and his path had been paved, he still felt a touch of emotion.

Cultivation—he would not give it up!

“Father, I’m leaving.”

“Mm, have a safe journey.”

As the door closed, Wang Chongwen let out a long sigh, opened his bloodshot eyes, and whispered to the spirit tablet.

“Rou’er, Yu’er has been exceptionally clever since he was young. Even without cultivation aptitude, he can live well. I hope he can live out his life in peace in Qianqiu City, and not be as spineless as I am.”

“It won’t be long before I come to join you.”

Wang Yu naturally did not know what had happened in the room after he left, nor did he know that Wang Chongwen had already resolved to die; the aptitude test was merely the fuse.

The spirit testing continued, while Wang Yu had already boarded the carriage, preparing to travel far to Qianqiu City and leave the vortex of the Wang family’s internal strife.

Meanwhile.

In a servant’s room at the back of the Shihu City Lord’s Mansion, a person in a black robe threatened in a hoarse voice.

“The Lingjiu Sect is only a third-rate force. Their sphere of influence is no more than these dozen cities, and the strongest in the sect is only a Golden Core cultivator. How can they compare to my Niling Blood Sect?”

The City Lord of Shihu spoke in a cold, hard tone.

“The Lingjiu Sect may not be as good as your Niling Blood Sect, but this is the territory of the righteous path. Demonic cultivators are like rats crossing the street. If you want people, it’s simple: pay with spirit stones.”

“Ten spirit stones for a five-fold spirit root, fifty spirit stones for a four-fold spirit root. Those with triple spirit roots or higher are not for sale.”

The black-robed man was somewhat annoyed.

“Ten for a waste spirit root? Why don’t you just go rob someone!”