"This assessment is only open to those under the age of twenty. Those who are older should leave immediately," the disciple in charge of registration announced loudly.
A commotion broke out in the crowd, and some people left dejectedly.
"Now we begin the first stage of the entrance examination—testing spiritual roots and cultivation level."
The examiner began the assessment as soon as he finished speaking.
"Zhang Yi, thirteen years old, with a low-grade wood spiritual root and a low-grade earth spiritual root, at the first level of Qi Refining."
"Wang Hu, fifteen years old, middle-grade metal spiritual root, low-grade earth spiritual root, Qi Refining level three."
"Li Mu, ten years old, middle-grade water spirit root, middle-grade wood spirit root, Qi Refining level four."
…………
The number of people in the group decreased one by one, and soon it was Qin An and Ye Feiyu's turn.
"Ye Feiyu, twelve years old, with a superior-grade lightning spirit root and a superior-grade fire spirit root! Qi Refining level eight!"
As soon as Ye Feiyu's test results came out, the crowd erupted in uproar.
“He’s a promising talent,” said one of the elders who was observing the area.
"A top-grade dual spiritual root of thunder and fire! That's amazing!" Many children of similar age were very envious.
"Brother Qin, how was it? Wasn't I amazing?" After finishing the test, Ye Feiyu approached Qin An again, his smug expression quite irritating.
Qin An completely ignored him.
It was Qin An's turn. Qin An took a deep breath to calm his nervousness. Then he slowly walked forward and placed his hand on the dark spirit-testing stone.
As required by the examiners, I tried my best to clear my mind and meditate, establishing a connection between myself and the spirit-testing stone.
The spirit-testing stone slowly emitted a dazzling golden and red light.
"Qin An, eight years old, with a superior-grade gold spiritual root and a superior-grade fire spiritual root, at the fifth level of Qi Refining."
The crowd stirred again.
"Another top-grade dual spiritual root."
"Amazing!"
"A young genius!"
...
Venerable Lieyang had already been observing the assessment from a small hill with Shulan.
Upon seeing this, Venerable Lieyang couldn't help but exclaim, "You've taken on quite a good disciple; his aptitude is quite high!"
"That's right, look who my disciple is!" Shu Lan said proudly, standing tall and proud.
The disciple in charge of the assessment was also very excited and wrote down Qin An's score.
"Brother Qin, I didn't realize you were so amazing!" Ye Feiyu came over again after Qin An finished the test and put his hand on Qin An's shoulder.
Qin An impatiently slapped Ye Feiyu's hand away and walked towards the waiting area without looking back, ignoring Ye Feiyu completely.
"Hey! Brother Qin, wait for me!" Ye Feiyu followed closely behind Qin An and entered the waiting area together.
After all the personnel had finished their tests, except for those without spiritual roots who were dismissed, the rest of the people gathered in the waiting area.
The disciple in charge of the assessment led them to the second stage.
"Now we begin the second stage of the entrance examination—climbing the ladder of inquiry. You only need to do your best to climb the ladder of inquiry."
Looking up, everyone saw the towering white jade staircase standing atop the mountain peak, stretching as far as the eye could see, with mist swirling around it, a truly magnificent sight.
"The assessment will now begin." Before everyone could finish watching, the disciple in charge of the assessment began the test.
People couldn't wait to climb the stairs, scrambling to get up.
Qin An leisurely ascended the Ascension Ladder. Ye Feiyu followed closely behind.
Venerable Lieyang led Shulan to the top of the Inquiry Ladder, overlooking it from the air.
Every move of the people on the ladder of inquiry was clearly visible, including Qin An.
As people climbed the stairs, many felt their burden growing heavier. Breathing became increasingly difficult, and many were so exhausted they could barely breathe.
Qin An also felt the pressure, but he remained calm and walked uphill at a leisurely pace. Only the beads of sweat running down his temples betrayed his exhaustion.
Ye Feiyu was able to chatter on and on at first, but now he's too tired to speak anymore.
As Qin An walked, he felt the white fog around him growing thicker and thicker. Gradually, he could no longer see anyone else.
"Hit him! Hit him!"
"Kill that bastard!"
"His mother is no good, and this little bastard is no good either! Beat him to death!"
It hurts...it hurts so much...
Qin An was surrounded by the sounds of other children yelling and hitting him, and his body was constantly being struck by fists and feet. His whole body felt like it was about to fall apart.
Qin An struggled to open his eyes and saw a group of arrogant children. They were grinning and excitedly punching and kicking him.
They kept muttering "bastard, bastard, bad thing, bad thing."
This is clearly a scene from my childhood. Have I returned to my childhood?
Qin An was shocked. He quickly scrambled to his feet, ignoring the children's punches and kicks. With all his might, he broke free from the encirclement and ran towards the direction of his home, which he remembered.
As Qin An approached his house, he heard the sounds of things breaking, cursing, and kicking coming from inside.
Qin An stopped in his tracks and slowly moved to the door. He peered into the house through the crack in the door.
The mother was thrown to the ground by a group of servants, while the master stood by arrogantly, ordering the servants to punch and kick her. The mother cried out in pain, but received not a shred of sympathy from anyone.
As her mother's cries grew weaker and weaker, Qin An instinctively covered her mouth tightly with both hands to stifle any sobs, but tears still streamed down her face.
Just then, a servant opened the door and discovered Qin An hiding outside. He grabbed him and threw him inside.
When she saw Qin An, the mother broke down. "No, don't hurt my child!"
As her mother struggled to move over, she used her body to shield Qin An.
The servants' fists and feet rained down on his mother, and Qin An watched helplessly as they beat her to death.
"Mother, mother!"
"Bad luck!" The owner patted his clothes as if he had seen something dirty. "Sell this child."
"yes!"
A group of servants seized little Qin An. Qin An struggled, trying his best to get back to his mother.
"Let me go! Let me go!"
Someone, please save me!
"Xiao An, what's wrong..." Shu Lan noticed that Qin An had suddenly stopped on the steps of the Dao, his eyes closed and his expression extremely painful.
"This is an illusion within the Ladder of Inquiry," Venerable Lieyang explained to Shulan. "Those trapped in this illusion will recall their greatest fears. Those with strong minds can break free from the illusion, while those with weak minds will become trapped within it."
"Won't this harm Xiao An?" Shu Lan asked with some concern.
"Of course not, this is just an assessment. At most, the kid will suffer a little."
Hearing what Venerable Lieyang said, Shulan could only suppress her emotions and continue to wait anxiously on the side.
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