The next day.

Before dawn, Dragon Return Town was like boiling water, bustling with activity.

Countless vendors flooded the streets, loudly hawking their wares.

People gathered in groups of three or five, either walking or riding ox carts and horse carriages, coming from all directions to Dragon Return Town.

Every three years, the Immortals of Luofu Peak from the Cloud Song Sect would recruit disciples, accepting only children aged ten to twelve. This had become a customary practice, and every recruitment day was also a grand gathering in Dragon Return Town.

Families from all around, as long as they had children of the right age, would bring them here to try their luck.

Firstly, they could purchase some daily necessities. Secondly, if their child was fortunate enough to be chosen as a disciple of an Immortal, it would be an honor greater than passing the imperial examinations, bringing glory to the family.

Su Shi'er mingled with the crowd and entered the town.

The road from Small Stone Village to Dragon Return Town was rugged and difficult to traverse. Su Shi'er had only been there once as a child with his grandfather. Fortunately, he had a good memory, and despite stumbling along the way, he managed to arrive by dawn.

However, his clothes were in tatters, and he was covered in dirt, looking just like a little beggar.

As he walked, Su Shi'er kept his ears open and looked around.

He had come alone and didn't know where the Immortals would be recruiting disciples. But he was sure that among the parents with children his age, there would be someone taking their child to become an apprentice.

Soon, Su Shi'er followed the crowd to the center of the town, to an open space surrounded by adults. Nearly a hundred children his age were gathered there.

From the conversations of passersby, Su Shi'er learned that this was the place where the Immortals would soon recruit disciples.

All the children hoping to become apprentices were waiting here for the Immortals to test their talents.

Su Shi'er squeezed into the crowd, found an empty corner, and sat down heavily.

After walking the mountain road all night, he was exhausted and hungry, his feet swollen. All he wanted now was a good rest.

Just then, clouds suddenly drifted across the sky, and a flying sword sliced through the air like lightning.

The sword was wide and broad, and two graceful figures stood upon it.

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"It's the Immortals! The Immortals have arrived!"

On the ground, everyone looked up, their faces tense, holding their breath.

The entire Dragon Return Town, which had been bustling with noise, fell silent in an instant.

In the blink of an eye, the flying sword passed over the open space, and the two graceful figures leaped down, landing in the center of the clearing.

In mid-air, the flying sword emitted a radiant glow, quickly shrinking into a three-foot sword that landed behind one of the figures.

"Immortal?"

Su Shi'er perked up, quickly turning to look at the newcomers.

The man wore a long robe of blue, his hair white as a crane, appearing to be in his sixties or seventies, with a thick, white beard flowing over his chest. His eyes were bright and full of spirit, exuding an extraordinary aura.

The other was a young woman of about seventeen or eighteen.

She had delicate eyebrows and white teeth, her lips red and teeth white, with long black hair cascading like a waterfall. Her light blue dress fluttered in the wind, making her look like a fairy maiden.

"Is that the Fairy Maiden? She's unbelievably beautiful!"

"I never thought, in my lifetime, I would see such a beautiful Fairy Maiden."

"I've heard the princess of the Song Kingdom is as beautiful as a Heavenly Immortal, but compared to this Fairy Maiden, she might fall short!"

***

As soon as the young woman landed, the crowd stirred. Faced with such a stunning beauty, the mortals present were all captivated.

In the open space, nearly a hundred children, including Su Shi'er, were also entranced.

After landing, the young woman curiously observed her surroundings, sighing, "It's been ten years, and I've finally come down the mountain! I never expected so many more people in Dragon Return Town after just ten years!"

The old man smiled at the young woman, "Alright, don't get caught up in nostalgia. Let's get down to business. If we can't surpass Heavenly Splendor Peak this time, I'll be laughed at by that old rascal Fu Boren!"

The young woman nodded with a smile, "Don't worry, Grandpa, I won't delay your matters! With so many people here for the test this year, we're sure to find some promising talents."

As she spoke, she waved her hand, and a square table appeared before them.

On the table lay a strangely shaped stone, the Spirit Testing Stone used by the sect to test disciples' Spirit Roots.

The old man nodded, his gaze sweeping over the children in the clearing, his eyes turning cold as he spoke with an emotionless voice, "Among you, only a very few will be chosen to join our Cloud Song Sect."

His cold and unfeeling words sent a chill through the crowd, silencing everyone.

Su Shi'er shrank his neck, feeling even more anxious inside.

"The Spirit Root is the foundation of a cultivator. Next, I will test each of your Spirit Roots. Now, everyone line up and come forward one by one to place your hand on this stone," the old man said calmly, pointing at the Spirit Testing Stone on the table.

With his words, the children slowly formed a line.

Su Shi'er stood at the end of the line, nervously clenching his fists, peering sideways.

At the front of the line, a somewhat brave child cautiously stepped forward and placed his hand on the Spirit Testing Stone.

The stone trembled slightly, emitting a dim red light.

The old man remained expressionless, saying indifferently, "Low Grade Fire Spirit Root! Qualified, stand to the right!"

Hearing this, the child's eyes lit up with joy. He quickly moved to the right and stood quietly, while a couple in the crowd became excited.

Then, another child stepped forward, but this time, the Spirit Testing Stone showed no reaction.

"Not qualified! Leave!"

"Not qualified!"

"Low Grade Earth Spirit Root, stand to the right!"

***

In no time, more than half of the children had been tested, and only two with Low Grade Spirit Roots stood beside the old man.

Seeing the few remaining children, the old man's brows furrowed noticeably, showing some impatience.

Low Grade Spirit Roots were the most common and mediocre in the cultivation world. With such roots, the future prospects were very limited.

Coming all this way, if he only recruited two people, he would be a laughingstock upon returning.

At this moment, a dark-skinned boy in coarse cloth stepped up to the Spirit Testing Stone.

As soon as he placed his hand on it, the stone shook violently, and a dazzling golden light and brilliant red light shone simultaneously.

The lights were radiant, with a hint of sharp intimidation emanating from them.

This scene left everyone stunned.

The old man's face lit up with joy, exclaiming, "What?! Top Grade Gold Spirit Root and Top Grade Fire Spirit Root?! Dual Spirit Roots, haha, this trip wasn't in vain!"

The old man was overjoyed, his voice trembling with excitement, unable to hide his delight.

It was no wonder he was so thrilled. For cultivators, the Spirit Root was the foundation of everything, determining their cultivation speed. If the Spirit Root was poor, cultivation would be twice the effort for half the result.

For ordinary people, having a Mid Grade or High Grade Spirit Root was considered good. If a Top Grade Spirit Root appeared, it was a one-in-a-million genius.

And a Top Grade Dual Spirit Root was a genius among geniuses. Such roots were rare, almost unheard of. In the Cloud Song Sect, over hundreds of years, only one such instance had occurred—the founder, Master Cloud Song!

Beside him, the young woman, though silent, looked at the boy with obvious joy.