Chương 2: Mortal Spirit Root

Light emitted from Lin Yi's body as he was awakened from his trance-like state. A hand ruffled his hair.

"Haha, good, good! Yi, you are the first in our family with immortal talent. One day, you will become an immortal and bring honor to our family and ancestors!" His Big Brother Yang laughed in joy and continued to ruffle his hair. Lin Yi looked up towards him, but his beaming smile wilted when he saw him.

"Big brother, you..." Lin Yi didn't know what to say. Lin Yang's body was normal as ever, and no light exuded from his body. As if he already knew what Lin Yi wanted to say, Lin Yang could only smile wryly.

"Don't worry, Yi. I already resolved myself for this. It is highly unlikely that anyone would awaken immortal talent at my age." Lin Yang seemed as if he wanted to say more, but the authoritative voice of Immortal Elder Dou echoed.

"Those with immortal talent step forward, the rest disperse!"

"Go, Yi. We'll talk later." With these last words, Lin Yang returned to Uncle Wang and the rest. Slowly but steadily, the gathered group moved to the town folk, and Lin Yi walked towards Immortal Elder Dou. This was the first time he saw him up close. While Immortal Elder Dou looked like a middle-aged man, he was clearly different. His posture, aura, and physique were completely different. To Lin Yi, it felt like Dou Ling was brimming with energy and was in the condition of a young man in his prime.

A silver pearl, inscribed with mysterious engravings, hovered beside him. At the sight, Lin Yi's eyes opened a little wider in wonder. Immortal Elder Dou looked towards those who remained. When he saw Lin Yi, his face couldn't help but show a little surprise.

"You three all have the talent for immortal cultivation and will be accepted by the Charging Bull Sect as disciples."

"Next, I will test you individually again to record your specific grade of talent and your names." Lin Yi looked astonished at his side. There were really only two people, one was a girl, and the other was a slightly older boy. He didn't expect that out of hundreds only three would possess immortal talent. The other two were even more surprised when they saw Lin Yi, after all, it was quite a wondrous sight to see a four-year-old child beside them possessing immortal talent.

It had never happened before in the immortal examinations they took part in. Their internal musing was interrupted by Immortal Elder Dou. He looked at the only girl of the three.

"You first, disciple. State your name and age." He moved his hand under the pearl, as it started to emit gentle flowing light, scanning the girl. The young teenager questioned, stiffened her body, and spoke nervously.

"My name, my name is You Lei, and I am currently thirteen years old!" The Spirit Discerning Pearl flashed for a moment, and Immortal Elder Dou nodded.

"You Lei, thirteen years old. Spirit Root: Four Elements Yellow Spirit Root. Earth, Water, Wood, Metal." Dou Ling pondered for a moment and then asked You Lei a question.

"You are the younger sister of You Leyou?" You Lei's face brightened at the mention of her sister and nodded vigorously.

"Yes, yes. Immortal Elder, my big sister is You Leyou. She was accepted into the immortals sect five years ago." Immortal Elder Dou only nodded and turned towards the other boy beside Lin Yi. Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. The spirit pearl flashed again, and the light started to envelop him.

"Your name and age, disciple." The young man swallowed once and then spoke.

"My name is Lang Mo, sixteen years old, Immortal Elder Dou." Immortal Elder Dou nodded again, as the spirit pearl flashed again. He spoke.

"Lang Mo, sixteen years old. Spirit Root: Five Element Yellow Spirit Root." He then turned to Lin Yi. The Spirit Discerning Pearl flashed again as light washed over his body.

"Your turn, disciple." Lin Yi nodded and answered. Though he was nervous, he spoke smoothly and politely.

"Yes, Immortal Elder Dou. My name is Lin Yi, and I am currently four years old." The spirit pearl, like the other times, flashed again. But this time Dou Ling visibly showed his surprise, and when it came to the Spirit Root, he hesitated slightly.

"Lin Yi, four years old. Spirit Root... Mortal Spirit Root. Innate Spirituality." The trio naturally noticed the Immortal Elder's surprise and hesitation. Lin Yi also didn't know the difference between a Mortal Spirit Root and an Elemental Spirit Root. He read cultivation and Xianxia novels in his past life. But this was a real life and a real world. He couldn't take any facts for granted. And Mortal Spirit Root didn't sound really good. So, he steeled his nerves, bowed slightly, and asked the Immortal Elder.

Though Innate Spirituality sounded quite good, anything with Innate in it normally means something good.

"Immortal Elder Dou, if I may ask. Is something wrong with a Mortal Spirit Root, and what does Innate Spirituality mean?" Immortal Elder Dou looked at Lin Yi for a few moments before answering.

"Normally, you would learn this during your first few years of learning in the sect. But it wouldn't harm to speak of a few things first." He continued.

"The talent for immortal cultivation can be divided into many different categories. The simplest and easiest category to detect and measure are Spirit Roots."

"Spirit Roots are divided into different grades. The known grades are the following, from lowest to highest. Mortal Spirit Root, Yellow Spirit Root, Profound Spirit Root, Earth Spirit Root and Heaven Spirit Root. I don't know any higher grade, though that doesn't mean they may not exist."

"Ninety-nine percent of cultivators possess Yellow Spirit Roots. Yellow Spirit Roots are also divided into five standard grades and one special grade. For example, You Lei's Four Element Spirit Root is higher in grade than Lang Mo's Five Element Spirit Root."

"Every living being possesses Spirit Roots, without Spirit Roots, there can be no life, or, to be more specific. Spirit Roots are the origin of life."

"But not in every living being or human do Spirit Roots manifest. The basic rule is that the higher grade of a Spirit Root a living being possesses, the higher the chance of manifesting."

"The chance of manifesting a One Element Yellow Spirit Root is over fifty percent, while someone with a Profound Spirit Root manifests them nearly always. Of course, there are always exceptions." He paused for a moment.

"Like you, Disciple Lin Yi."

"The chance of manifesting a Mortal Spirit Root, without external influence, is nearly null!" Lin Yi's heart sank a little bit. From what he understood, a Mortal Spirit Root is the worst immortal talent that exists. Maybe only due to his reincarnation and/or awakening of his memories did his Spirit Root manifest. Maybe his Innate Spirituality came into existence from the same cause. Immortal Elder Dou's next words partially confirmed his thoughts.

"But you are lucky. You were born with Innate Spirituality. It too is an immortal talent, but outside of the category of Spirit Roots."

"Spirituality is born from the consciousness and the brain. It is normally only nurtured once one enters the Qi Condensation Realm. It brings many benefits, like a sixth sense, inner sight, and more."

"A strong enough spiritual strength is necessary to break through to the seventh level and third stage of the Qi Condensation Realm. It is necessary to open the Purple Mansion and gain immortal wisdom and divine sense."

"I am, too, currently, in the third stage of the Qi Condensation Realm and opened the Purple Mansion. Without it, I wouldn't be able to control a pseudo-magic artifact." His head slightly nudged towards the Spirit Discerning Pearl.

"The benefit of Innate Spirituality is that, during cultivation, one's spiritual strength is much higher than normal cultivators, and opening the Purple Mansion and entering the third stage of Qi Condensation is easier."

"As long as you cultivate properly and don't undergo misfortune, you have a high chance of breaking through the third stage of the Qi Condensation Realm."

"After all, one's spiritual strength existed since birth and was nurtured from that time on. Once you start cultivation, others' spiritual strength may only be one, but yours will be at three or higher and will only get more powerful over time. Of course, this is very simplified."

"Furthermore, in the grand view, Innate Spirituality is not that strong. Profound Spirits Roots have around the same spiritual strength once they start to cultivate, let alone someone with Innate Wisdom whose Purple Mansion was opened since birth."

"It is likely that your Innate Spirituality forcefully manifested your Mortal Spirit Root, which in itself is not a bad thing." Immortal Elder Dou waved his arm and ended his explanation.

"This should be enough explanation to calm you. The rest you three will learn during your first years at the sect." Lin Yi and the other two marveled at the mystery of immortal talents. Alone, one talent in one category possesses so many insights, not to mention that there were many more talents and many more categories. And that was just immortal talents. They couldn't fathom the whole profundity of the immortal path. Lin Yi knew from his past life that there are other worlds with completely different aspects.

He couldn't wait to explore the mysteries of cultivation. Deep in his heart, he hoped there would never be an end to the immortal path, to the immortal dao of cultivation. Again, Immortal Elder Dou awakened them from the musings.

"We will leave soon. I will give the three of you some time with your families and to pack your things. In at least half an hour, we leave towards the Dang Prefecture Capital. There you will be transported to the Charging Bull Sect's Outer Court of the Dang Prefecture."

"Be prepared and say proper farewells. After entering the sect, you will only be able to leave once you break through to the second stage and fourth level of the Qi Condensation Realm and open your Crimson Palace." The three felt slightly uneasy at these words. The other two were never far from the town, and while Lin Yi had the experience of another full life, his time in this world only amounted to a few years. It will be quite a novel experience for him.