Wandao 017
The morning sun rose over the western side of Niupu Village, where a fine mist still clung to the surface of the small Spirit Meadow. Sunlight filtered through the haze like golden threads, casting shimmering reflections on dew-covered grass blades. A cool breeze drifted through the trees, and the chirping of birds filled the quiet air—imbuing the day's coming trial with a solemn and expectant mood.
In the center of the meadow stood Wan Xiaochuan. He wore a light blue training robe that fit snugly around his lean frame, cinched at the waist with a sash woven from violet jade threads. The wind stirred the hem of his garment, revealing firm ankles shaped by dedicated practice. His youthful face had shed some of its softness; now it bore a trace of stillness and determination. After days of guiding spiritual energy and aligning his sword-heart with wind and thunder, his presence had settled inward—calm and fathomless like a silent lake.
Today marked the annual spiritual trial for the youths of Niupu Village. All who had reached the age of fifteen would gather on this day to participate in the village's ceremonial assembly. Overseen by the village chief and elders, each would place their hand upon the "Spirit-Testing Stone" to reveal their spiritual root potential and initial ability to circulate qi. It was the first step on the path of cultivation, a moment to determine whether one could embark on the journey to immortality.
Standing beside Xiaochuan was Lin Qixian. Dressed in pristine white, a blueleaf herb emblem embroidered over his chest, he held a copper-ringed talisman in one hand. Though a touch of laziness lingered in his expression, his eyes sparkled with anticipation.
"Xiaochuan, today I'm going to shock the entire village," he muttered, lightly tapping the spirit insect pouch at his waist. A faint rustle answered from within—the swarm of spiritual locusts clearly eager to act.
Xiaochuan chuckled softly. "If you really explode with spiritual energy, the whole meadow might take flight with you."
The trial had not yet begun, but villagers were already gathering around in twos and threes to spectate. Standing silently beneath a withered willow at the meadow's edge was Renee. Clad in a pale violet gauze robe, she looked different from the heroic figure who had stood amid the wind-thunder sword formation the night before—there was now an air of quiet grace and detachment about her. Her eyes remained fixed on Xiaochuan, glinting with a mixture of scrutiny and anticipation.
At the center of the field stood a tall, jade-green monolith—the Spirit-Testing Stone. Carved entirely from a single block of translucent jade, it was etched with intricate arrays of spiritual runes that shimmered faintly with circulating light. Beside it stood Niupu Village's chief, Wan Lizheng, dressed in a dark ochre robe. His beard was as white as snow, and his eyes were deep with wisdom. Along with two village elders, he would be overseeing and recording the results of the day.
"The trial will proceed in order of age," Chief Wan's voice rang out like a bell. "Each youth will approach the Spirit-Testing Stone. If the stone responds with light, that person will be entered into the preliminary cultivation ledger."
At this, the crowd fell silent. One by one, the young villagers stepped forward, placing their hands on the stone. Some drew faint glimmers of light; others left it untouched, their hopes quietly fading.
Then came Lin Qixian's turn.
With a playful grin, he pressed his palm to the jade surface. At once, a burst of emerald light surged out from the stone—accompanied by a faint chorus of insect hums that seemed to resonate with the qi he emitted. Whirls of unseen current stirred faintly in the air.
"An upper-grade Wood Root, with an affinity for spiritual insects… Rare indeed," murmured one of the elders, his recording brush pausing slightly.
"I told you so!" Lin Qixian declared, striding off triumphantly.
Soon, it was Wan Xiaochuan's turn.
He stepped up calmly, placing his hand on the stone without hesitation. At first, there was no reaction—murmurs began to ripple through the crowd. But after a few quiet breaths, the Spirit-Testing Stone began to tremble.
A streak of golden-blue lightning flared across its surface, like a bolt from a clear sky. Then, swirling wind runes followed—circling beneath his palm like a vortex.
"Wind and Thunder? A dual spiritual root?!" an elder exclaimed, nearly dropping his ink brush.
Wan Lizheng's gaze sharpened. "This boy's talent… is extraordinary."
As the lightning and wind symbols lingered on the stone, a low humming sound rose—resonating like wind and thunder echoing in unison. The leaves on the trees bordering the meadow trembled from the invisible surge. Onlookers stood stunned, unable to speak.
Wan Xiaochuan slowly withdrew his hand. A thin sheen of sweat dotted his brow, yet he remained silent.
He knew—this was only the beginning. The road to cultivation had just begun.