Wuji stood motionless, his sword gripped tightly in his hand, eyes locked on the figures emerging from the shadows. As they stepped into the light cast by his campfire, the tension in the air grew thicker. He quickly sized them up—both looked around seventeen or eighteen years old, with lean and athletic builds.

The young man wore a simple blue robe, and on his back was strapped a spear that gleamed faintly in the firelight. His face was sharp, eyes alert, yet there was no malice in his gaze. The woman beside him was strikingly beautiful, her skin as fair as jade, with long, flowing hair tied back in a simple braid. Like the young man, she wore a blue robe, and from her waist hung a slender sword. Wuji's eyes darted to the emblem on their robes—two interlocking ice crystals. He recognized it immediately. It was the symbol of the Frozen Lake Sect.

The sect was well-known in the region, particularly around Green Willow City. While it wasn't counted among the five strongest sects in the dynasty, its reputation was still formidable, ranking among the top twenty. The Frozen Lake Sect was known for its skilled disciples and their mastery over ice and water-related cultivation techniques. Wuji's grip on his sword tightened. He had no idea what their intentions were, and the sudden appearance of cultivators in the wilds always raised the possibility of danger.

Sensing the tension in Wuji's posture, the young man raised his hands, palms open, in a gesture of peace. "We didn't mean to startle you," he said, his tone calm and disarming. "We saw your campfire and thought we might share the space for the night. We have no intention of disturbing you."

Wuji studied their faces carefully, his muscles still taut, ready for action. But the young man's relaxed stance and open demeanor suggested that they meant no harm. The woman beside him remained silent, her gaze steady, but she, too, showed no signs of hostility.

Slowly, Wuji allowed his guard to lower, though he kept his sword close by. "Very well," he said, stepping back. "You can join me. But be aware, I don't trust easily."

The young man smiled and nodded. "That's fair. We appreciate your kindness. I'm Zhao Kai, and this is Yang Rui," he said, gesturing to the woman. "We're disciples of the Frozen Lake Sect, out in these woods on a small mission."

Wuji glanced at the two of them again, now more intrigued than wary. He gestured to the fire and the roasted meat. "You're welcome to some bear meat, if you're hungry."

Yang Rui's eyes lit up at the mention of food, and the two sat down by the fire. "Smells good," she said, her voice soft yet confident. Wuji cut off a few pieces of the meat and handed it to them. They accepted the offering gratefully and began to eat.

As they ate, Wuji found himself relaxing in their presence. They chatted about mundane things at first—the weather, the forest, and the constant threat of demonic beasts. Through their casual conversation, Wuji's suspicions were further eased. Zhao Kai and Yang Rui seemed genuine, and there was an openness in their demeanor that put him at ease.

After a while, Wuji finally asked the question that had been nagging at him. "You said you were from the Frozen Lake Sect. What brings you to this part of the forest?"

Zhao Kai wiped his mouth, leaning back slightly. "We're here searching for herbs. Both of us are on the verge of breaking through to the Qi Gathering Realm, but we need specific medicinal herbs to stabilize our foundation. Yang Rui is already in the late stage of the ninth level of the Body Refinement Realm, and I'm at the peak, but neither of us can advance without the proper materials."

Wuji nodded, understanding their quest. He had learned that breakthroughs were never as simple as just training harder. The body needed to be in perfect harmony, and the right external factors—like herbs or medicinal pills—could make all the difference.

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He hesitated for a moment, then asked, "I'm still new to all this. I haven't started cultivating yet. Can you explain a bit more about the basics of cultivation? I've heard about the realms and stages, but I don't understand everything."

Zhao Kai's eyes lit up, eager to share his knowledge. "Ah, you're aiming for the sect exams, right?" he asked, his tone enthusiastic. "Well, the basics are pretty simple. The exam tests a few different things, but the most crucial is your Spiritual root."

"Spiritual root?" Wuji asked, raising an eyebrow. He had heard the term in passing but wasn't entirely sure what it meant.

Yang Rui, who had been quietly listening, chimed in. "Yes, spiritual roots are the foundation of any cultivator's potential. They determine how well you can absorb and utilize Qi. There are different types—single, double, triple, quadruple, and even five-element spiritual roots. The fewer elements your spiritual root has, the better, because it means your cultivation path is more focused. A single-element root is considered ideal because it allows you to focus entirely on one element."

Zhao Kai nodded in agreement. "Exactly. If you have a single-element spiritual root, you're a prodigy. People with double or triple roots can still do well, but the more elements you have, the harder it becomes to progress. The worst are those with five-element spiritual roots. Their cultivation speed is extremely slow, and they often can't go far in their training."

Wuji listened intently, absorbing every word. He had no idea what kind of spiritual root he had, but the way they described it made it clear that the quality of one's spiritual root could determine their entire future.

Yang Rui continued, "Then there's the matter of quality. Spiritual roots can be graded as inferior, human, earth, and heavenly. Most people have human or earth-level roots, but heavenly spiritual roots... those are one in a million. People born with heavenly roots are destined for greatness. They progress so quickly that even the most talented cultivators can't compare."

Wuji's mind raced. This was critical information, and it made the upcoming sect exams seem even more daunting. The testing of spiritual roots would reveal the very core of a person's potential.

Zhao Kai finished the last of his meat and stretched. "Of course, the sect exams aren't just about your spiritual root. They'll test your physical abilities, your willpower, and your basic understanding of cultivation. It's not easy, but it's the best way to join a powerful sect and advance your cultivation."

Wuji felt a surge of determination. He had been preparing for the sect exams, but now, with this new knowledge, he knew he had to train even harder. His thoughts raced ahead, imagining the challenges that awaited him.

Suddenly, Zhao Kai interrupted his thoughts. "By the way," he said, leaning forward with a grin, "since you're out here hunting demonic beasts, why don't you join us tomorrow? We're heading deeper into the forest to look for those herbs I mentioned. It's dangerous, but with the three of us, we should be able to handle whatever comes our way."

Wuji's eyes widened in surprise. "You're inviting me to join you?"

"Of course," Zhao Kai said with a casual shrug. "You're clearly capable. If you can handle an Ironclaw Bear on your own, you'll be a great help. Plus, it's always better to have more hands in case something goes wrong."

Yang Rui nodded in agreement. "We could use the extra help, and it'll be a good opportunity for you to see some higher-level beasts in action."

Wuji felt a spark of excitement. The chance to deepen his connection with cultivators from the Frozen Lake Sect and gain more experience in combat was too tempting to resist. And after the fight with the Ironclaw Bear, he was confident that he could hold his own against stronger beasts, especially with Zhao Kai and Yang Rui by his side.

"Alright," he said, a grin spreading across his face. "I'll join you."

Zhao Kai clapped him on the back. "That's the spirit! We'll set off at first light."

With the plans made, the three of them settled down for the night. Wuji's thoughts churned with anticipation for the day ahead. He had learned so much in just a few hours, and now, he was about to take another step forward in this mysterious and dangerous world.

As he lay down by the fire, staring up at the stars visible through the cave entrance, sleep began to pull him under. But just before he drifted off, a single thought pierced through the haze of his exhaustion—what kind of spiritual root would he have? Would he be able to carve a path for himself in this world, or would fate conspire to hold him back?

These questions would have to wait. For now, he let the darkness of sleep claim him, his dreams filled with images of distant mountains, roaring demonic beasts, and the unknown challenges that awaited him on the path of cultivation.