Divine Root Bone

As the crowd around the testing platform gradually dispersed, the guard on duty called out loudly, guiding all the disciples who had passed the physical fitness test to the bone-testing platform in the center of the square for the second round of assessment, which was also the key test that would determine whether they could stay in the Qingyun Sect—the root bone test.

"Physical strength is merely the external foundation for cultivation; innate talent is the true measure of one's future. Please follow me to await the bone analysis."

The deacon's voice was steady and resonated throughout the entire square.

Following the directions, the group of young men and women surged towards the pure white jade platform in the center of the plaza. Inlaid at the very center of the platform was a translucent jade piece, about ten feet wide, used for assessing one's innate potential. The jade was clear and contained a constantly flowing spiritual energy of heaven and earth, capable of accurately reflecting the cultivation talent hidden within each person, without the slightest falsehood.

While waiting in line, many former outer disciples took the initiative to popularize knowledge about root bones to the newcomers around them. Lin Wanqing also took the opportunity to slow down and gently tell Zhang Yang about everything in the world about root bones.

"Let's start with the most fundamental thing: what is the foundation?"

Lin Wanqing looked up at Zhang Yang's handsome and gentle features, and patiently explained, "The so-called innate talent is the original endowment for cultivation that is deeply buried in a person's bones, meridians, dantian, and soul from the moment of birth. It is the foundation bestowed by heaven and earth, and no matter how much one refines or consumes rare and precious materials later in life, it is very difficult to change it in the slightest. All the innate cultivation talents of everyone in the world are uniformly called innate talent."

"Within the entire Southern Region, innate bones are divided into only four categories: ordinary bones, low-grade bones, high-grade bones, and top-grade bones. This innate bone-testing jade in front of us can only reflect these four types of origins, nothing else. The grade of innate bones is judged by five symbiotic innate talents. These five are interconnected. The higher the grade, the stronger each talent will become simultaneously. There will never be a situation where one talent is extremely strong while the others are weak."

She extended her slender fingers and listed them out one by one, clearly and logically:

"The first criterion is spiritual affinity. Root bones are the carriers of the human body to receive the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. The higher the grade, the stronger the natural attraction of the body to spiritual energy. Ordinary bones absorb spiritual energy as if it were a light rain, and the progress of cultivation is slow; low-grade root bones have spiritual energy that actively gathers within a foot around the body, and the cultivation speed is three times that of ordinary bones; high-grade root bones have spiritual energy that automatically swirls within several feet, and a day of meditation is equivalent to half a month of hard cultivation for ordinary bones. The top grade is currently unknown."

"The second factor is the upper limit of the meridians' capacity. The root bone is rooted in the entire skeleton and connects to the meridians throughout the body, determining how much spiritual energy the meridians can hold and circulate, and whether they will be destroyed by violent spiritual energy. Ordinary bones have thin meridians, which will cause stinging and damage if there is too much spiritual energy; low-grade root bones have thick meridians, which can run regular cultivation techniques without any pressure; high-grade root bones have meridians like a wide river, which can steadily bear massive amounts of spiritual energy and high-level cultivation techniques; the status of top-grade is unknown."

"The third factor is the ability to comprehend martial arts techniques. One's physical constitution is connected to the foundation of one's soul and directly determines how quickly one can comprehend techniques and understand the principles of martial arts. Ordinary people with ordinary physical constitutions can read obscure techniques a hundred times but still can't grasp the surface; people with low-grade physical constitutions can understand basic techniques with a single glance, but advanced techniques require years of practice; people with high-grade physical constitutions can understand the core of techniques at a glance, and can master techniques that others have spent ten years studying in just a few months, and people with top-grade physical constitutions may be able to do it even faster."

"The fourth point is the physical body's tolerance limit. You are most familiar with this one. Your innate bone structure determines the toughness of your bones, your resistance to injury, and your self-healing ability. Ordinary bones and flesh are fragile, and they are easily fractured by a slight impact, with slow recovery; those with inferior bone structure can steadily strengthen their bodies through consistent training, and minor injuries can heal in a few days; those with superior bone structure have naturally strong bones, which are difficult to scratch with ordinary weapons, and their self-healing speed is far beyond that of ordinary people, and the best ones are even stronger."

"The fifth aspect is the foundation of one's spirit and soul. One's physical bones are bound to the origin of one's spirit and soul. The higher the grade, the more profound and stable one's spiritual sense and mental power, and the stronger one's ability to resist illusions and inner demons. Ordinary bones have weak spirits and souls, making it easy to generate inner demons and go astray during meditation; low-grade physical bones can condense basic spiritual senses, and ordinary illusions cannot shake one's mind; high-grade physical bones have long-lasting spiritual senses, and low-level illusions and mental attacks are completely ineffective. The best grade is still stronger."

After discussing the five innate talents, Lin Wanqing went on to explain the intuitive distinctions between the four types of bone structure, her gaze fixed on the innate bone-measuring jade in the center of the high platform:

"The first category is mortal bones, which is the type of innate talent for rogue cultivators. When tested by the bone-testing jade, only a layer of hazy, dim light will appear. All five innate talents are at the bottom, spiritual energy is absorbed slowly, cultivation is limited in many ways, and even after years of hard work, it is difficult to reach the lower levels of cultivation. Most of them can only do menial tasks in the sect, with a bleak future. Once mortal bones are detected, the Qingyun Sect will usually send them back directly."

"The second category, low-grade innate talent, is the upper limit that even the poorest students in our Southern Region can reach. When you place your palm on the bone-testing jade, the jade will emit a clear and soft white light. If your five innate talents are balanced to above average, you will encounter few obstacles in your cultivation and be able to steadily progress on the early stages of your cultivation. Among the young people who came for the assessment today, as long as they are found to have low-grade innate talent, they can stay in the outer sect of the Qingyun Sect and be allocated basic pills, cave dwellings, and cultivation techniques. It is a talent that countless people dream of. Most of the young people from aristocratic families that we encountered on the mountain path just now have low-grade innate talent."

"The third category is top-grade innate talent. In a single region, it might not be possible to produce even one person like this every few decades. The Bone Testing Jade will burst forth with dazzling golden light, attracting the surrounding spiritual energy of heaven and earth to spontaneously surround it. All five innate talents will reach the ceiling of the mortal realm. Once top-grade innate talent is detected, the sect will directly take them into the inner hall, where they will be personally guided by the elders and rewarded with a massive amount of cultivation resources. Their future is immeasurable."

As for top-tier quality, I haven't seen anything like it yet.

The other disciples waiting around them were also echoing each other's conversations, confirming the rules that Lin Wanqing had mentioned.

"Most ordinary people will be sent back. Only those who are classified as low-grade or above can stay and cultivate in the Qingyun Sect."

"Top-grade talent is a once-in-a-century find. Not to mention the Southern Region, it's rare even in the other regions. Among our batch of newcomers, it's probably very difficult to find one."

Zhang Yang listened quietly, his expression calm, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the black jade he wore close to his body beneath his clothes.

Lin Wanqing looked up at his handsome profile and gently comforted him, "Your physical body is so strong that it overwhelms everyone present. Even if your bone structure is just ordinary, the sect will still keep you, so there's no need to worry."

She had already decided in her heart that no matter what the bone marrow test results were, she would stay by Zhang Yang's side.

The line moved slowly forward, and soon disciples stepped onto the bone-testing platform, placing their hands on the central innate bone-testing jade in turn.

The first boy to step forward placed his palm on the jade, but the jade surface only emitted a layer of hazy, weak light.

The guard on duty calmly announced, "Fan Gu, you've failed the test. Go down the mountain."

The boy's face turned deathly pale instantly. He walked down from the platform dejectedly and left the square in a dejected manner.

Immediately afterwards, the second disciple stepped forward, his jade-like face emitting a soft white light of medium brightness.

"Low-grade mid-level root bone, qualified, enter the outer sect roster."

The boy was overjoyed, bowed to express his gratitude, and happily stepped aside to wait for registration.

A young man from a prestigious family stepped onto the stage, his white light dazzling and eliciting gasps of amazement from those around him.

"High-grade inferior talent! What remarkable natural gift!"

The steward nodded slightly, his tone more approving: "Your talent is quite good; you can be given priority in choosing an outer sect cultivation cave."

As several people took turns being tested, the ordinary ones were disappointed while the inferior ones were overjoyed, creating a constantly fluctuating scene that left everyone on edge.

Many girls waited while frequently turning back to look at Zhang Yang at the back of the line, whispering among themselves as they gazed at his refined and otherworldly appearance, eager to see what kind of innate talent this powerful and handsome young man would possess.

"To crush everyone with just his physique, his innate talent must be at least high-grade low-level, right?"

"If he can be identified as a top-grade candidate, he'll definitely be the winner of this year's top spot for newcomers!"

The whispers drifted into Zhang Yang's ears, but he ignored them completely, standing quietly in place. Lin Wanqing, standing beside him, quietly leaned closer to him, her palms clenching slightly, secretly nervous for him.

Finally, most of the disciples had finished their tests, and the line moved forward slowly. Soon it was Lin Wanqing's turn.

She glanced back at Zhang Yang, giving him a reassuring look, then turned and quickly stepped onto the bone-testing platform, gently placing her hand on the innate bone-testing jade.

A moment later, a soft, pale white light rippled across the surface of the jade, though its brightness was rather weak.

"Low-grade initial stage root bone, qualified, admitted to the outer sect."

Lin Wanqing breathed a sigh of relief, quickly walked down from the platform, and immediately returned to Zhang Yang's side, her eyes crinkling with joy: "I passed, now it's your turn."

Sunlight fell on the boy's handsome features, making his appearance even more striking. Zhang Yang nodded slightly, lifted his foot, and stepped onto the high platform for bone measurement, attracting the attention of everyone. Countless gazes converged on him, a mixture of anticipation, curiosity, and admiration.

He walked to the innate bone-measuring jade, slowly raised his right hand, and gently placed his palm on the cool and translucent jade surface.

The entire venue fell silent instantly. Everyone held their breath and waited for the Bone Testing Jade to reveal its light and unveil the innate talent of this young man with unparalleled physique and extraordinary appearance.