As Wuji stepped down from the platform, still processing the results of his spiritual root test, he felt a sudden gust of wind whip past him. Startled, he stopped in his tracks and looked up. A young man now stood before him, appearing out of thin air as if he had been carried by the wind itself.

The man looked to be about twenty-five years old, though Wuji knew better than to trust appearances in the cultivation world. His features were delicate and flawless, his skin pale like porcelain, with soft, feminine qualities that made him look strikingly beautiful rather than handsome. His long black hair flowed gracefully down his back, and his eyes—sharp and clear—bore into Wuji with a calm yet intense focus.

For a moment, Wuji simply stared at the man, trying to place him. Then it hit him—this was one of the elders who had been seated on the platform, overseeing the examination. The realization made Wuji’s heart skip a beat, and he quickly cupped his hands and bowed.

"Wuji greets the elder," he said respectfully, keeping his voice steady.

Though the man appeared young, Wuji knew he could be hundreds of years old. In the cultivation world, one's age often bore little connection to one’s appearance. As one progressed in cultivation, their lifespan lengthened, and elders of powerful sects were often far older than they appeared.

The elder’s lips curved into a smile, though his eyes remained calculating. "I am Bai Xuanfeng, elder of the Thousand Path Pavilion," he said, his voice soft yet carrying a weight that commanded attention.

Hearing the name, Wuji immediately recalled what he knew about the Thousand Path Pavilion. Ranked eleventh in the Golden Lotus Dynasty, it was a renowned sect, famous for its vast collection of techniques that spanned different fields of cultivation—alchemy, talisman crafting, formations, and more. The sect’s reputation was formidable, though it wasn’t as dominant as some of the higher-ranked sects like the Azure Cloud Sect. Still, its depth of knowledge made it a coveted place for scholars and cultivators who wanted to study various disciplines.

Before Wuji could gather his thoughts, Bai Xuanfeng continued, his smile widening. "I have taken an interest in you, Wuji. Would you consider becoming my disciple?"

The question stunned Wuji. Bai Xuanfeng, an elder of the Thousand Path Pavilion, had just asked him to become his disciple. Wuji's mind raced, his thoughts tumbling over one another in confusion. 'Why would someone of his status be interested in me?' Wuji thought. 'I may have an Earth-grade spiritual root, but surely others have shown more potential.'

Bai Xuanfeng must have sensed Wuji’s confusion, for his smile faded slightly, replaced by a knowing look. Then, without moving his lips, Wuji heard the elder’s voice in his mind.

"You possess a mutated spiritual root, Wuji," Bai Xuanfeng said, his voice gentle yet firm. "That’s why I’ve taken an interest in you. I, too, possess a similar spiritual root."

Wuji’s eyes widened in shock. ‘A mutated spiritual root?’ He had never heard of such a thing. In all his studies—whether from ancient books or from his scientific background before transmigration—there had been no mention of this. He knew about elemental affinities and grades, but the concept of a mutated spiritual root was entirely new to him.

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"Mutated…?" Wuji whispered aloud, his thoughts a swirl of confusion and intrigue.

Bai Xuanfeng nodded, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "It is rare, almost unheard of. Your spiritual root is not just a simple combination of elements. It has properties that others cannot understand. You will grow far beyond those with common spiritual roots."

As Wuji absorbed the elder's words, he quickly assessed the situation. Bai Xuanfeng was clearly excited, though he was trying to mask it behind a calm exterior. Wuji, despite being only fifteen years old physically, still carried the analytical mindset of his past life as an engineer and a scientist. He could see the opportunity before him, but he also recognized the power dynamics at play.

Wuji stood still for a moment, weighing his options. His initial plan had been to join the Azure Cloud Sect. It was the top sect in the Golden Lotus Dynasty, and it would offer him a path of advancement, albeit likely as an inner disciple at best. But now, with this new offer, things had changed. The Thousand Path Pavilion might not have the same prestige as the Azure Cloud Sect, but Bai Xuanfeng was offering personal tutelage.

After a moment of thought, Wuji straightened up, his decision clear. He cupped his hands once more and bowed deeply. "Disciple Wuji greets Master Bai Xuanfeng."

The elder’s face lit up with genuine pleasure at Wuji’s decision. His stern, delicate features softened for a moment, and he nodded approvingly. "Good," Bai Xuanfeng said. "You’ve made a wise choice. When we return to the sect, we’ll perform the master-disciple ritual properly. But for now…"

Before Bai Xuanfeng could finish, murmurs rippled through the crowd. Some of the other elders were visibly displeased with Bai Xuanfeng’s actions. Wuji could feel their eyes on him, burning with dissatisfaction. Even the elder from the Azure Cloud Sect looked frustrated but didn’t dare speak up. No one wanted to challenge Bai Xuanfeng directly—not in public, at least.

The Thousand Path Pavilion elder seemed completely unbothered by their reactions. He raised his hand, and in an instant, spiritual energy surged around Wuji. Before he knew it, he was lifted off the ground, carried effortlessly by Bai Xuanfeng’s power. Together, they soared toward the platform where the other elders were seated.

Wuji’s heart pounded with excitement. He had never flown before—at least, not like this. The sensation of being lifted by pure energy was exhilarating. Though he wasn’t flying on his own, the experience filled him with awe and ambition. One day, he would master such abilities himself.

As they landed on the platform, Bai Xuanfeng gracefully lowered himself into his seat among the other elders. Wuji stood behind him, glancing at the vast arena below. From this vantage point, the arena looked smaller, the participants like mere ants scurrying beneath them.

Wuji’s thoughts were still racing. He had just agreed to become the disciple of one of the most powerful elders in the Thousand Path Pavilion. He could feel the eyes of the other elders on him—some intrigued, others hostile. But none of them dared challenge Bai Xuanfeng’s claim, not openly.

Bai Xuanfeng, now seated, glanced back at Wuji and spoke in a low voice. "You have great potential, Wuji. But potential alone is not enough. You must be willing to work hard, to push your limits. The path ahead of you is long and arduous, but if you stay true to it, you will surpass even those with Heaven-grade roots."

Wuji nodded, his resolve hardening. He wasn’t afraid of hard work. In fact, he thrived on it. Whether it was in his previous life as a scientist or his current life as a cultivator, he had always believed in the power of effort and perseverance.

"Thank you, Master," Wuji said, his voice steady.

Bai Xuanfeng’s lips curled into a faint smile. "Good. We will see how far you can go, Wuji. For now, observe. There is much to learn, even from watching others."

As the spiritual root test continued below, Wuji stood behind his new master, his mind already racing with possibilities. He had made a bold choice, but it felt like the right one. He would learn from Bai Xuanfeng, unlock the mysteries of his mutated spiritual root, and rise above the competition.

For now, though, he watched the other participants with a calm focus, knowing that his path had just begun.