The two choices before the young man were clear:

The first option: ignore the girl and continue running forward. Once the monster eats her, it would leave.

The second option: help the girl, but doing so would likely lead to being devoured by the monster.

The monster was already closing in, offering the young man no time to think.

“Only decisions made in a state of panic reveal the true nature of a person,” the Second Elder explained. “Let’s see what this little guy will do.”

In the image, the young man clenched his fists, shouted, and dashed towards the girl.

His sense of justice wouldn’t allow him to watch as the girl was eaten by the monster.

But unfortunately, before he could help her, the monster lunged from behind and swallowed him whole.

“A sense of justice, and very brave—this is a good child!” The Third Elder commented.

“Indeed, very brave!” The Second Elder made a mark with his finger on the crystal mirror and coldly said, “Eliminated.”

“Why? Isn’t courage a good thing?” The Third Elder asked.

“Courage is indeed good, but too much courage makes one reckless,” the Second Elder explained. “This young one knew helping the girl would mean death, yet he blindly rushed in and sacrificed his life for a stranger.”

“He doesn’t understand how to weigh the risks, acting purely on impulse.”

“The path of cultivation is fraught with danger. Someone like him, who would die recklessly after encountering a few threats, is bound to perish early.”

“Eliminating him is for his own good. At least as a mortal, he might preserve his life and save the sect resources.”

Everyone present nodded in agreement.

When facing danger, it’s important to remain calm and think before acting, to ensure survival and to go further down the path of cultivation.

“Next!”

The scene changed, revealing another young man. This was none other than the prime minister’s son, Tang Aotian, who had tried to cut in line earlier.

The image played out normally until the girl appeared.

“Help! Save me!”

Tang Aotian showed no hesitation, darting past the girl without even breaking his stride.

Not even a second of hesitation—he clearly thought, The monster will eat her, and it won’t target me.

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

“Prioritizing safety, truly decisive!” The Third Elder sneered.

“Indeed, very decisive!” The Second Elder, without hesitation, marked the crystal mirror with an “X” and coldly said, “Eliminated!”

Hearing the Second Elder’s declaration of elimination, the Third Elder’s expression relaxed a bit.

The Second Elder solemnly declared, “We cultivate to eradicate monsters, protect the weak, and keep the peace of the world.”

“Yet here we have a girl in peril, and this person does nothing but flee for his own safety. He’s selfish, without humanity!”

“If he can’t even protect a small girl, how can he protect the world? How could we count on him to help the sect in times of crisis?”

“Well said!” Everyone nodded in agreement.

However, now that both those who helped and those who didn’t were eliminated, how should they judge the next case?

Should the girl be saved, or not?

“Everyone, don’t worry!” The Second Elder said, sensing the confusion in the room. “Please continue watching.”

A new scene appeared in the mirror.

This time, the person in the image was a young boy who looked to be no older than seven or eight.

“Such a little thing!”

It seemed a bit unreasonable to have someone so young participating in this test of character.

As expected, within moments, the little boy rushed to help the girl, only to be swallowed by the monster in the process.

“Such a pity!” The Third Elder sighed. “But this child is so young. He still has time to try again.”

The Second Elder’s finger subtly moved on the crystal mirror, and he marked a check by the boy’s image.

However, his actions didn’t go unnoticed by the other elders.

“?” The Third Elder asked, raising an eyebrow.

“?” The Sect Leader and Great Elder both looked at the Second Elder with confusion.

“Ahem,” the Second Elder coughed awkwardly and muttered, “He’s just a child! But when facing a monster, he showed no fear. He didn’t hesitate to help a girl his age. That kind of sense of justice, strong confidence, and courage—such a disciple must pass!”

“Of course, if any of you have objections, I can personally take him on as my disciple. I will guide him.”

“I’ll take full responsibility,” he added.

The Sect Leader narrowed his eyes, probing, “Is this your illegitimate child?”

The Second Elder immediately nodded, “Yes, yes, just let him join my side. No need to trouble the rest of you.”

Clang!

The Great Elder drew his sword, pointing it straight at the Second Elder’s throat.

At the same time, the other elders began using their skills, attacking the Second Elder without mercy.

“Damn, you’re serious?!” the Second Elder shouted, clutching his backside, running for his life, no longer appearing at all dignified.

“Tell us, what talent does this child have?”

“There’s no talent. I already told you, he’s my illegitimate son!”

“Would you admit it if he were really your illegitimate child? Keep fighting me!”

“Alright, alright! Fine, I admit it! His name is Su Lingfeng, and he has an extraordinary spiritual root!”

“Ah!” The crowd instantly quieted.

Su Lingfeng had a perfect spiritual root, but that wasn’t all. The Second Elder wasn’t finished yet.

“There’s one more thing,” he added.

Everyone leaned in, and the Second Elder’s voice lowered, “He has a trace of Thunder Spirit Qi within him. If properly nurtured, his perfect spiritual root could evolve into a Thunder Spirit Root.”

Spiritual roots were classified into four levels: low-grade, mid-grade, high-grade, and perfect-grade. However, a perfect spiritual root, if it awakened an elemental affinity, could evolve into an even rarer elemental spiritual root, such as Thunder, Water, or Fire.

Among all the elders in the hall, only the Sect Leader and the Great Elder possessed elemental spiritual roots.

Once they heard "Thunder Spirit Root," the elders stopped questioning the Second Elder.

Such an exceptional talent, even if flawed, had to be brought into the sect and nurtured.

Moreover, Su Lingfeng was courageous and just—he just needed a little guidance due to his young age.

“Alright, let’s move on to the next one!” the Second Elder said, covering his rear and sounding a little disgruntled.