"Senior Brother Jin, I told you long ago—I'm no ordinary spiritual bone."

The finely dressed young man opened his eyes, and upon seeing the changes in the dragon orb, his face filled with pride once again.

Xu Taiping, however, remained perfectly calm. There was no envy, no jealousy.

Lin Buyu, standing nearby, shared the same composed demeanor.

"Young one, what is your name?"

Elder Black Dragon retracted the dragon orb and asked the proud, finely dressed youth.

"I am Ye Xuan, the Ninth Prince of Tianlang Kingdom. From a young age, I..."

"That's enough. Step aside now," Elder Black Dragon interrupted with a wave of his hand, clearly displeased with Ye Xuan’s arrogance.

Although Ye Xuan seemed somewhat unhappy, he dared not argue. With a reluctant expression, he moved to stand beside Ling Hezhi.

"You, step forward."

Elder Black Dragon pointed at Lin Buyu.

Lin Buyu nodded and took small steps forward. She stretched out her petite hand and placed it on the dragon orb.

Seeing this, Zi Yan of the Sixth Peak felt her heart tighten.

While the Spiritual Bone Monument rarely made mistakes, there was always a slim chance it could. The difference between a Golden Spiritual Bone and a Profound Spiritual Bone was monumental. Furthermore, there were classifications even among spiritual bones.

It was impossible for Zi Yan not to feel anxious.

"Buzz..."

A faint hum resonated once again as the dragon orb in Elder Black Dragon’s hand began to emit a golden glow. However, this time, the flames surrounding the orb transformed into crackling electric sparks.

"A Lightning Variant Bone—and at the Gold Spiritual Bone level!"

Even the usually composed Zi Yan couldn’t suppress a gasp of astonishment when she saw this.

"Congratulations, Junior Sister Zi Yan! The Lightning Variant Bone at the Gold Spiritual Bone level—it’s been centuries since we’ve seen one in Qingxuan Sect."

"Zi Yan Senior Sister, the Sixth Peak has really struck gold this time. You’ll have to treat us at Drunken Immortal Pavilion in celebration!"

Qing Xiao and Zhao Linglong stepped forward to congratulate her.

Even Ling Hezhi reluctantly offered his congratulations despite his unwillingness. "Congratulations, Junior Sister Zi Yan."

At that moment, Elder Black Dragon, who rarely smiled, suddenly burst into hearty laughter. His voice reverberated through the grand hall, causing it to tremble.

"One lightning, one fire, and both are Gold Spiritual Bones—Qingxuan Sect has hope for revival!"

Elder Black Dragon exclaimed with joy.

Meanwhile, Xu Taiping observed everything with a calm heart. His expression remained serene.

As Lin Buyu walked past him, he quietly muttered, "Congratulations, Sister Buyu."

Lin Buyu turned her head to glance at Xu Taiping, nodding slightly. "Thank you," she replied.

The two of them were the kind of people who remained indifferent to fame and disgrace, though Lin Buyu seemed even more aloof.

"Young one, it’s your turn," Elder Black Dragon’s voice echoed again.

Xu Taiping looked up at Elder Black Dragon, whose vertical pupils were filled with anticipation as they locked onto him.

Even Qing Xiao and Zhao Linglong seemed suddenly tense, their gazes fixed on Xu Taiping.

"Yes," Xu Taiping replied calmly. After briefly meeting Elder Black Dragon’s gaze, he stepped forward.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone present, Xu Taiping placed his hand on the dragon orb and began to concentrate.

"Buzz..."

A warm force slowly enveloped Xu Taiping as he closed his eyes. Before long, he felt the dragon orb vibrating beneath his hand.

Opening his eyes, Xu Taiping saw that the previously clear dragon orb had turned an ashen white, resembling the color of decayed animal bones left abandoned by the roadside.

"As I expected," Xu Taiping murmured to himself.

His suspicions were correct. The pill his grandfather had given him had allowed his name to appear on the immortal registry but had not granted him a true spiritual bone.

"White... White Bone?"

Seeing the bone-white dragon orb, Senior Sister Zhao Linglong’s eyes filled with disbelief.

Although Qing Xiao said nothing, his expression revealed no less shock than Zhao Linglong’s.

"The Spiritual Bone Monument actually selected a White Bone. Your Seventh Peak’s luck is as terrible as ever," Ling Hezhi of the First Peak suddenly said with a mocking laugh.

"You—"

"Junior Sister," Qing Xiao interrupted Zhao Linglong as she prepared to retort.

"Elder Black Dragon, could you test him again?" Qing Xiao requested.

"Qing Xiao, you should know better. This dragon orb does not make mistakes," Elder Black Dragon replied with an air of authority, retracting the orb as he spoke.

Qing Xiao let out a long sigh, unable to refute the elder’s words.

"Zi Yan, Hezhi, take your recruits up the mountain. There’s nothing more for you here," Elder Black Dragon said after glancing at Zi Yan and Ling Hezhi.

"Elder Black Dragon, Qing Xiao, Zhao Linglong, farewell." Ling Hezhi smirked, taking Ye Xuan by the hand as they turned to leave.

"Ling Senior Brother, our Qingxuan Sect won’t actually accept White Bones, will we?"

"A waste like that? At least the First Peak won’t take him."

Their mocking voices drifted back from the doorway, making Qing Xiao and Zhao Linglong seethe with rage but leaving them powerless to respond.

Once the others had left, Elder Black Dragon reopened his eyes.

"White Bones are unqualified to become disciples of the Seven Peaks. You have two options: remain at the foot of the mountain as an unregistered disciple for three years and participate in the next selection, or leave immediately."

His gaze fell upon Xu Taiping, who stood silently in place, waiting for a decision.

"Taiping..."

"Let him decide for himself," Elder Black Dragon cut off Zhao Linglong before she could speak further.

Recognizing the elder’s authority, Zhao Linglong fell silent.

"If I pass the Seven Peaks selection in the future, can I join the Seventh Peak and become a disciple of Senior Sister Linglong and Senior Brother Qing Xiao?" Xu Taiping asked, turning toward Qing Xiao and Zhao Linglong instead of answering the elder directly.

"I can promise you this on behalf of my master," Qing Xiao replied solemnly. "If you pass the selection, the doors of the Seventh Peak will be open to you."

"Taiping, passing the selection would be great, but it’s incredibly difficult," Zhao Linglong said worriedly, shaking her head.

Xu Taiping smiled at her, then turned back to Elder Black Dragon. "Elder, I choose to remain at the foot of the mountain for three years."

Having made a promise to his grandfather, Xu Taiping would not go back on his word.

Elder Black Dragon nodded indifferently upon hearing Xu Taiping’s decision. He handed him a jade slip and said, "Take this slip. Someone will guide you to your accommodations and inform you of what you need to know."

"Thank you, Elder," Xu Taiping said, accepting the jade slip.

"Elder Black Dragon, since I brought him here, may I escort him down the mountain?" Zhao Linglong asked.

After a brief pause, Elder Black Dragon nodded. "Very well. Just this once. Remember, you cannot linger for more than two hours, nor involve yourself in matters below the mountain."

A moment later, outside the Dragon Gate Hall, Qing Xiao prepared to leave.

"Junior Sister, I must report this to our master. Take care of Taiping and ensure he’s settled in properly. It will be difficult to visit him again later," Qing Xiao instructed.

"Don’t worry, Senior Brother. I’ll handle it," Zhao Linglong assured him.

As Qing Xiao departed, Zhao Linglong smiled at Xu Taiping. "Let’s go, Taiping. First, we’ll register you, and then I’ll help you find the perfect place to both earn merit and cultivate."

"Earn merit?" Xu Taiping asked, puzzled.

"Yes," Zhao Linglong explained. "Outer disciples must earn merit every year to remain in the Qingxuan Sect. Without sufficient merit, they’re expelled."

When Xu Taiping asked how merit was earned, Zhao Linglong explained that all outer disciples were allotted resources—fields, herb gardens, or livestock—and could accumulate merit by cultivating or raising them for sale.

"Thank you, Sister Linglong. I understand now," Xu Taiping said, nodding.

"Come on, let’s get you registered at Westwind Pavilion and start making plans for your cultivation," Zhao Linglong said, smiling as she took him by the hand.

[--------------------------------------------]

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