After the previous minor incident, everything returned to normal. Chen Xiao took his place in line and slowly moved forward. After about half an hour, it was finally his turn.
The same reception disciple was there, exuding an arrogant demeanor, practically looking at Chen Xiao through his nostrils. He asked, "Name, age."
"Chen Xiao, seventeen," Chen Xiao replied coldly, not having a good impression of him.
"Test your spirit root," the reception disciple said, looking at Chen Xiao.
"How do I test it?" Chen Xiao asked.
"The spirit testing stone is right in front of you, can't you see it?" the reception disciple replied impatiently.
Chen Xiao then noticed a stone, slightly larger than his palm, placed on the table before him.
"Place your palm on it and release your vital energy, then take it away," someone nearby advised.
Chen Xiao looked in the direction of the voice. It was the sturdy young man from earlier, who was now sitting on the ground in the shade with his dark-faced father, eating their own provisions.
"Thank you for the reminder," Chen Xiao said, cupping his fist in thanks. The young man returned the gesture with a smile.
Although Chen Xiao possessed an astonishingly high-grade spirit root, he did not wish to expose it to the public at this moment. This was because he currently lacked the strength to match it. Drawing attention to himself could easily incite jealousy and bring trouble upon him.
However, circumstances were pressing. If it had to be exposed, so be it. Hesitation and fear were not in Chen Xiao's nature.
Chen Xiao calmly placed his hand on the spirit testing stone and released his vital energy. Instantly, the surface of the stone became a riot of colors, with shimmering light enveloping the entire stone.
As the light faded, the words "First Grade" suddenly appeared directly above Chen Xiao's finger. This "First Grade" represented a Grade 1 spirit root. A moment later, the words on the stone shifted from "First Grade" to "Second Grade," and then from "Second Grade" to "Third Grade." This transition took slightly longer than the shift from "First Grade" to "Second Grade."
When the words on the stone moved from "Third Grade" to "Fourth Grade," many people's eyes began to gleam. A Grade 4 spirit root was already considered a sign of genius.
However, this was only genius in their eyes. For the Tianfeng Martial Academy, a Grade 4 spirit root was merely the passing mark. The reception disciple didn't even bat an eyelid at the sight of "Fourth Grade."
But when "Fourth Grade" changed to "Fifth Grade," the disciple could no longer remain indifferent. A Grade 5 spirit root, even within the talent-rich Tianfeng Martial Academy, was undoubtedly a top-tier existence. In the eyes of this reception disciple, Chen Xiao had instantly become someone worth befriending.
And just as everyone was immersed in shock, the words on the stone changed again, shifting from "Fifth Grade" to "Sixth Grade"!
"This!" The reception disciple's mouth fell open, and he was speechless for a long time. A Grade 6 spirit root! It was already the most elite spirit root within the academy. As far as he knew, only a handful of disciples in the entire Tianfeng Martial Academy had possessed Grade 6 spirit roots before.
Obvious signs of fawning began to appear in the reception disciple's eyes.
But just when everyone thought there would be no further changes, the words on the spirit testing stone flickered continuously, jumping directly from "Sixth Grade" to "Ninth Grade"!
The reception disciple could no longer believe his eyes. His gaze shifted from fawning to fervent admiration, wishing he could kneel and lick Chen Xiao's shoes. Not only him, but everyone present was plunged into an immeasurable shock.
Earlier, when the words on the spirit testing stone reached "Sixth Grade," all eyes had already turned towards it. After the "Ninth Grade" appeared, the vast square fell silent. The occasional mountain breeze rustling through the air sounded like a hurricane to the stunned crowd.
This was a Ninth Grade spirit root, truly unprecedented! Everyone felt that their trip was worthwhile; it was a moment of witnessing a miracle! Was this kid even human?
Among those present, the most composed person besides Chen Xiao was Xiao Liuzi. This was because he had become slightly desensitized to Chen Xiao's astonishing feats. However, this was only relative to others. Xiao Liuzi's shock was no less than the amazement he felt yesterday when the enchantment array talisman was given to him.
Chen Xiao had anticipated everyone's reaction. He muttered inwardly, "A Ninth Grade spirit root is like this. If it changes to an Ultra-grade spirit root later, I wonder what these people will do?"
As Chen Xiao expected, the words "Ninth Grade" changed again. However, Chen Xiao had only guessed the beginning, not the end.
Instead of rising, the words on the stone descended, changing from "Ninth Grade" to "Eighth Grade." It didn't stop there; after "Eighth Grade," it plummeted all the way down, finally settling on "First Grade."
And just as everyone, including Chen Xiao, failed to react, the words "First Grade" also disappeared. The entire spirit testing stone returned to its original state, as it was before Chen Xiao placed his hand on it.
Everyone was bewildered and confused. What was going on? Was everything that had just happened not real?
Chen Xiao, however, understood immediately. While a Ninth Grade spirit root was rare, it must have appeared before. An Ultra-grade spirit root, however, existed only in legends. The spirit testing stone was completely unable to identify it and finally stopped recognizing the vital energy.
A hint of smugness arose in Chen Xiao's heart. This was good; his previous worries would not materialize. Let him keep a low profile!
Chen Xiao understood, but others did not. They immediately began to murmur amongst themselves.
"What's going on? Is the spirit testing stone broken?"
"It must be! Otherwise, how could someone possess a Ninth Grade spirit root?"
"Exactly! Look at that kid's cultivation, only Body Refining second level. How can he possibly deserve a Ninth Grade spirit root?"
The reception disciple was also very puzzled. Such a thing had never happened before. Could the spirit testing stone really be broken? He examined it carefully, then placed his hand on the stone. Soon, the words "Fourth Grade" appeared on it.
The disciple's confusion deepened. "It's not broken. What exactly is going on?"
"Stop pondering. The spirit testing stone is fine. The problem lies with this Chen Xiao." Just then, a voice came from behind the reception disciple. Turning around, he saw Wang Hao, who had returned.
Wang Hao had noticed Chen Xiao in the crowd earlier. However, he had been away from home for many days and was unaware that Chen Xiao had humiliated Zhu Qian in Qingyuan City. Coupled with having matters to attend to, he had not sought trouble with Chen Xiao.
But after he left, he had felt uneasy. After finishing his business, he immediately came out intending to teach Chen Xiao a lesson, only to encounter this bizarre scene.
However, he never even considered the possibility that Chen Xiao might possess a Ninth Grade spirit root. He knew Chen Xiao's background too well. Therefore, how could he miss such an opportunity to humiliate Chen Xiao?
Wang Hao said, enunciating each word clearly, "This Chen Xiao is just a trash with a First Grade spirit root!"