Chapter 3 — The Disciple Nobody Wanted

"Damaged spiritual root."

The elder's verdict carried across the testing platform.

"Next."

Lin Yue remained standing before the spirit-testing stone.

For a moment, she didn't move.

The stone beneath her palm gave off a weak, uneven blue light.

Faint cracks of pale frost had appeared across its surface.

Nobody seemed particularly interested in those.

The elder responsible for the examination had already turned toward the next candidate.

"Number one thousand seven hundred and twenty-three."

Lin Yue slowly withdrew her hand.

Around her, whispers followed.

"That's unfortunate."

"She came all this way with damaged roots?"

"Maybe she didn't know."

"Can damaged spiritual roots even be repaired?"

"With the right heavenly treasure, perhaps."

"Then she might as well give up."

The last comment earned a few quiet laughs.

Lin Yue lowered her eyes.

She had heard worse.

Much worse.

Three years ago, people had called her talented.

Two years ago, they had called her unfortunate.

One year ago, they had started calling her foolish.

Now—

Most simply stopped talking about her at all.

She stepped away from the testing stone.

Another candidate immediately took her place.

The formation activated.

Golden light erupted.

Gasps swept through the plaza.

Lin Yue stopped.

"High-grade metal spiritual root!"

The elder's bored expression vanished.

"Excellent!"

The difference was immediate.

Several representatives from the lesser peaks leaned forward.

An inner sect elder began writing something.

The young candidate smiled brightly.

Lin Yue watched for a moment.

Then continued walking.

She had expected this.

The Azure Origin Sect was one of the strongest righteous sects in the Eastern Region.

Why would they accept someone whose spiritual root was already damaged?

She had only come because this was the last place left to try.

And because someone had once told her that the Azure Origin Sect occasionally accepted unusual disciples.

Apparently, she wasn't unusual enough.

Or perhaps she was unusual in the wrong way.

High above the plaza, Shen Yuan hadn't taken his eyes off her.

[Name: Lin Yue.]

[Spiritual Root: Damaged.]

[Talent Evaluation: ???]

[Destiny Evaluation: ???]

[Hidden Condition Detected.]

[Compatibility: 97%.]

Ninety-seven percent.

Shen Yuan looked again.

The numbers remained unchanged.

He glanced toward Zhao Tianming.

The young man's testing stone was still shining brightly on another platform.

[Compatibility: 82%.]

Eighty-two was already extremely high.

Zhao Tianming possessed a Heavenly-grade spiritual root, exceptional talent, a strong foundation, and Purple Destiny.

Any elder in the Azure Origin Sect would happily accept him.

Lin Yue possessed...

Shen Yuan looked back.

A damaged spiritual root.

An unreadable talent evaluation.

An unreadable destiny.

And seventeen additional points of compatibility.

"System."

No response.

Shen Yuan mentally repeated the question.

What is the hidden condition?

The panel flickered.

[Basic Candidate Evaluation cannot access detailed information.]

Of course.

Can you identify why her spiritual root is damaged?

[Insufficient function authority.]

Shen Yuan's expression flattened.

The system was very generous when handing him Immortal cultivation.

Apparently, customer service remained lacking.

Beside him, Mu Qinglan followed his gaze.

"You've been watching that girl for some time."

Shen Yuan didn't look away.

"Have I?"

"Since her test."

"Perhaps I'm thoughtful."

Qin Feng snorted from the other side.

"You're staring."

Shen Yuan ignored him.

Gu Tianhe was busy speaking with several elders about Zhao Tianming.

That was understandable.

A Heavenly-grade spiritual root hadn't appeared in the Azure Origin Sect's recruitment ceremony for nearly two decades.

Zhao Tianming would become a core disciple almost immediately.

Possibly a personal disciple of a Peak Master.

Maybe even—

Gu Tianhe turned.

"Shen Yuan."

Shen Yuan knew what was coming.

"No."

"I haven't asked anything."

"You're going to ask whether I want Zhao Tianming."

Gu Tianhe paused.

"Do you?"

"No."

Several nearby elders looked over.

Qin Feng raised an eyebrow.

Even Mu Qinglan seemed mildly surprised.

Gu Tianhe lowered his voice.

"You haven't even spoken to him."

"I don't need to."

"Heavenly-grade spiritual root."

"I have eyes."

"Exceptional comprehension according to his preliminary tests."

"I heard."

"Sixteen years old and already at the ninth stage of Body Tempering."

"Very good."

Gu Tianhe waited.

Shen Yuan waited too.

Finally, Gu Tianhe frowned.

"That's all?"

"What else should I say?"

"Yesterday you suddenly decided you wanted disciples."

"Correct."

"The most talented candidate we've seen in years appears."

"Also correct."

"And you're not interested."

"I didn't say I'm not interested."

Gu Tianhe's expression eased slightly.

"I said I don't want him as my first disciple."

The expression returned.

Qin Feng laughed.

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"Then I'll take him."

Gu Tianhe turned toward him.

"You already have twelve personal disciples."

"Thirteen isn't an unlucky number."

"According to whom?"

"Me."

Before their argument could continue, another burst of light rose from the testing grounds.

The ceremony proceeded.

Candidates were divided according to their results.

Those with high-grade spiritual roots moved toward the inner evaluation area.

Those with mid-grade roots underwent further testing.

Those with low-grade spiritual roots could still attempt the outer disciple trials.

Failure at the first test didn't automatically mean rejection.

Cultivation talent wasn't determined by spiritual roots alone.

Comprehension mattered.

Willpower mattered.

Physical constitution mattered.

Combat ability mattered.

But a damaged spiritual root was different.

A damaged root meant cultivation itself had become unstable.

Absorbing spiritual Qi could become difficult.

Breaking through could become dangerous.

And unless the damage was repaired, the problem often worsened with time.

Lin Yue knew that better than anyone.

She approached the second registration table.

The disciple behind it checked her wooden token.

"Lin Yue."

"Yes."

"Age?"

"Seventeen."

"Current cultivation?"

"Body Tempering, seventh stage."

The disciple looked up.

There was mild surprise in his eyes.

"Seventh?"

"Yes."

He checked the report from the first test.

"Damaged spiritual root."

Lin Yue nodded.

"How long has it been damaged?"

"Three years."

The disciple's surprise deepened.

Maintaining the seventh stage of Body Tempering for three years with a damaged root wasn't impossible.

But it wasn't easy.

"Previous cultivation?"

Lin Yue hesitated.

"Ninth stage."

His writing brush stopped.

"You regressed?"

"Yes."

"Twice?"

"Yes."

The disciple looked at her for several seconds.

The impatience disappeared from his expression.

"What caused the damage?"

"I don't know."

"You've seen healers?"

"Many."

"Alchemists?"

"Yes."

"Any diagnosis?"

Lin Yue shook her head.

The disciple sighed.

He had seen candidates arrive with all kinds of hopes.

Some simply lacked talent.

Others had injuries.

A few had conditions even sect elders couldn't solve.

He stamped her token.

"You may participate in the second trial."

Lin Yue looked at him.

"Really?"

"Your spiritual root is damaged, not absent."

He handed the token back.

"The sect rules don't prohibit you from continuing."

Her fingers tightened around it.

"Thank you."

"Don't thank me yet."

He glanced toward the distant trial grounds.

"The second test measures spiritual pressure resistance. If your meridians are unstable, withdraw immediately."

Lin Yue nodded.

"I understand."

She stepped aside.

For the first time that morning, a little tension left her shoulders.

High above—

Shen Yuan smiled faintly.

"Good."

Mu Qinglan heard him.

"What is?"

"Nothing."

She looked toward Lin Yue.

Then back at him.

Mu Qinglan was far too observant.

Shen Yuan made a mental note to become less obvious.

The second trial began an hour later.

Hundreds of candidates stood within a massive circular formation carved into the central plaza.

The rules were simple.

Remain standing.

The formation would gradually increase spiritual pressure.

The longer a candidate endured, the better their result.

This test wasn't purely about cultivation.

It measured physical strength, meridian stability, mental endurance, and a cultivator's ability to circulate Qi under pressure.

Shen Yuan found it considerably more interesting than touching a rock.

Zhao Tianming stood near the center.

Lin Yue stood closer to the outer edge.

The formation activated.

A low hum spread through the plaza.

First level.

Most candidates remained relaxed.

Second.

Third.

Several younger participants began sweating.

Fourth.

The first candidate withdrew.

Fifth.

More followed.

Shen Yuan watched Lin Yue.

She hadn't moved.

Her breathing remained steady.

[Compatibility: 97%.]

Still unchanged.

Sixth level.

A dozen candidates collapsed onto one knee.

Formation disciples immediately removed anyone unable to continue safely.

Zhao Tianming remained perfectly calm.

Lin Yue's expression tightened.

Seventh.

Her body trembled.

Shen Yuan leaned forward slightly.

Something was wrong.

Not with the trial.

With her.

Spiritual energy flowed through the formation and pressed against every candidate.

Most resisted naturally.

Lin Yue's body reacted differently.

The moment the spiritual pressure entered her meridians, something inside her seemed to pull at it.

No.

Not pull.

Consume.

Shen Yuan's eyes narrowed.

His Immortal perception focused on her.

He had deliberately avoided using it earlier.

Examining someone internally without permission was invasive, and there had been no reason to do so.

Now there was.

For an instant, the world changed.

The plaza disappeared from Shen Yuan's awareness.

Flesh.

Bone.

Meridians.

Spiritual pathways.

Everything within Lin Yue's body became visible.

Then—

Shen Yuan froze.

Cold.

Not ordinary cold.

Deep within Lin Yue's lower dantian existed a tiny point of darkness.

Around it, pale blue energy slowly rotated.

Every strand of spiritual Qi entering her body was being drawn toward it.

Her spiritual root wasn't simply damaged.

Something inside her was starving it.

Shen Yuan focused harder.

The cold responded.

A strand of frost suddenly appeared beneath Lin Yue's foot.

Nobody noticed.

Then another.

The temperature around her dropped.

Lin Yue gasped.

Pain flashed across her face.

Her meridians contracted.

The pressure formation continued increasing.

Eighth level.

Lin Yue staggered.

"She should withdraw," Mu Qinglan said.

Shen Yuan didn't answer.

He could see the problem now.

Every time Lin Yue attempted to cultivate, the strange force inside her dantian absorbed part of the spiritual energy.

Her meridians compensated by pulling in more.

Over time, the repeated imbalance damaged her spiritual root.

The healers hadn't failed because the damage was impossible to repair.

They had failed because they were treating the injury.

Not the cause.

Shen Yuan's system flickered.

[Hidden condition responding to external spiritual pressure.]

Then—

[Additional information obtained.]

[Sealed Physique: Unknown.]

Shen Yuan's eyes sharpened.

Physique.

So that was it.

Lin Yue's spiritual root wasn't her true problem.

Her body was.

Or rather—

Something hidden inside it.

Ninth level.

Lin Yue dropped to one knee.

Frost spread beneath her palm.

This time, an elder noticed.

"What?"

The formation overseer frowned.

"Why is there ice?"

Mu Qinglan stood.

Her expression changed.

"That isn't from the formation."

Qin Feng's amusement disappeared.

Gu Tianhe looked toward the trial.

The temperature dropped again.

Lin Yue gritted her teeth.

She knew this feeling.

It had happened before.

Every time she tried to break through.

Every time she absorbed too much spiritual Qi.

Cold would spread from inside her body.

Then came the pain.

She had told healers.

They called it meridian backlash.

One said her damaged spiritual root couldn't properly process spiritual energy.

Another told her never to cultivate beyond the sixth stage again.

She hadn't listened.

She had returned to the seventh.

Then eighth.

Then fallen back.

Again.

Again.

Again.

She refused to stop.

Because stopping meant accepting that everyone else had been right.

That her cultivation path had ended at fourteen.

The pressure increased.

Lin Yue forced herself upward.

Her legs shook.

Around her, more candidates withdrew.

She took one breath.

Then another.

"Enough."

The voice wasn't loud.

But Lin Yue heard it clearly.

So did everyone else.

The formation stopped.

The entire plaza went silent.

Lin Yue opened her eyes.

A figure stood inside the formation.

She hadn't seen him enter.

Nobody had.

One moment, the center of the trial ground had been empty.

The next—

Shen Yuan was there.

Several elders stared.

Qin Feng slowly frowned.

Even Gu Tianhe hadn't seen Shen Yuan move.

Shen Yuan ignored them.

He looked at Lin Yue.

Up close, she seemed more exhausted than he had realized.

Her face was pale.

Frost covered the tips of her fingers.

But her eyes remained clear.

Stubborn.

Very stubborn.

"Can you stand?"

Lin Yue looked at him.

She recognized the robes.

The cloud insignia.

And more importantly—

The person wearing them.

Everyone in the Eastern Region who knew anything about the Azure Origin Sect had heard of Shen Yuan.

Cloudveil Peak Master.

One of the sect's youngest Soul Transformation cultivators.

A candidate to become the future Sect Master.

Lin Yue tried to rise.

Her leg failed.

Before she fell, an invisible force steadied her.

Shen Yuan didn't move.

"Don't force it."

Lin Yue swallowed.

"Peak Master Shen."

"Hm."

"I can continue."

Shen Yuan glanced at the formation.

"No."

Her expression tightened.

"I haven't failed yet."

"I didn't say you failed."

Lin Yue paused.

Shen Yuan crouched slightly so they were closer to eye level.

"How long have you experienced the cold?"

Her face changed.

"What?"

"The cold inside your dantian."

For the first time that day, Lin Yue lost her composure.

"You..."

Shen Yuan saw the answer immediately.

"Three years?"

She stared at him.

"Yes."

"Started around the same time your cultivation regressed?"

"Yes."

"Does it worsen whenever you absorb large amounts of spiritual Qi?"

Lin Yue's fingers tightened.

"Yes."

"Did anyone ever explain why?"

"No."

Shen Yuan nodded.

That matched what he had seen.

Behind them, several elders exchanged looks.

Mu Qinglan had descended from the viewing platform.

She stopped outside the formation.

"Shen Yuan."

He glanced back.

"Her condition?"

"Interesting."

Lin Yue blinked.

Interesting?

That was not the word she would have chosen.

Mu Qinglan frowned.

"Can you be more specific?"

"Not yet."

That was true.

Shen Yuan understood the mechanism.

He still didn't know what the sealed physique actually was.

The system had failed to identify it.

But ninety-seven percent compatibility wasn't something he intended to ignore.

And if he wanted detailed Disciple Inspection—

He needed his first disciple.

Shen Yuan looked at Lin Yue again.

This time, he didn't look at her damaged spiritual root.

He looked at the seventeen-year-old who had lost two cultivation stages, spent three years enduring pain every time she cultivated, been told repeatedly that her path was ending...

and still entered the Azure Origin Sect's trials.

"What is your name?"

"Lin Yue."

"Lin Yue."

Shen Yuan repeated it once.

"Why do you cultivate?"

The question caught her off guard.

Around them, thousands of people watched.

Lin Yue was silent.

Then she answered.

"Because I don't want other people deciding where my path ends."

Shen Yuan's expression changed slightly.

That—

was a good answer.

Not because it sounded profound.

It didn't.

It sounded stubborn.

Human.

He liked it.

Shen Yuan stood.

"Good."

Lin Yue looked up.

"Peak Master?"

"Rest."

"But the trial—"

"You've done enough."

Something in her expression dimmed.

She misunderstood.

Shen Yuan noticed.

He almost laughed.

"I didn't say leave."

Lin Yue froze.

Shen Yuan turned toward the formation overseer.

"Record her result at the ninth level."

The elder hesitated.

"Peak Master Shen, she didn't complete—"

"I stopped the formation."

The elder paused.

That was true.

"Record the point she reached before I interfered."

"...Yes, Peak Master."

Shen Yuan walked away.

Lin Yue watched him.

After several steps, he stopped.

Without turning around, he spoke.

"Lin Yue."

"Yes?"

"Don't accept any master today."

The entire plaza went quiet.

Lin Yue stared.

On the viewing platform, Gu Tianhe's mouth slowly curved upward.

Qin Feng looked toward Shen Yuan.

Mu Qinglan's eyes narrowed thoughtfully.

And Zhao Tianming, standing among the remaining candidates, turned his head for the first time.

Shen Yuan continued walking.

"Wait until the ceremony ends."

Then he vanished.

Back at his seat, Shen Yuan immediately opened the system interface.

[Candidate Lin Yue has demonstrated exceptional perseverance.]

[Compatibility remains: 97%.]

[Hidden condition partially analyzed.]

[Sealed Physique detected.]

[Detailed identification unavailable.]

Shen Yuan frowned.

Still unavailable.

The answer seemed obvious.

He needed Disciple Inspection.

And to obtain Disciple Inspection—

He needed to accept his first disciple.

The system had created a rather annoying circle.

"You're going to choose her."

Qin Feng's voice came from beside him.

Shen Yuan looked over.

"Did I say that?"

"You walked into an active trial, stopped the formation, personally examined her condition, and told her not to accept another master."

Qin Feng paused.

"If you aren't choosing her, you're crueler than I thought."

Shen Yuan considered that.

"Fair."

Gu Tianhe leaned over.

"You rejected Zhao Tianming for her?"

"I haven't rejected anyone."

"Zhao Tianming is the best candidate here."

"According to the testing formations."

Gu Tianhe looked toward Lin Yue.

"And according to you?"

Shen Yuan smiled.

"I haven't decided yet."

That was only partly true.

Ninety-seven percent.

Unknown physique.

Unknown talent.

Unknown destiny.

A damaged spiritual root that wasn't truly damaged by ordinary means.

And enough stubbornness to keep cultivating despite three years of regression.

Shen Yuan was already almost certain.

But there was one more thing he wanted to see.

Below them, the recruitment ceremony continued.

The third trial would test comprehension.

The fourth would test combat ability.

Peak Masters traditionally waited until all major trials were completed before extending invitations.

Shen Yuan intended to do the same.

Probably.

Then the system chimed.

[Special notification.]

Shen Yuan focused.

[Candidate Lin Yue's sealed physique has absorbed sufficient spiritual energy.]

His smile disappeared.

[Seal destabilization detected.]

Shen Yuan sat straighter.

What does that mean?

For once, the system answered immediately.

[Unknown physique is beginning to awaken.]

Shen Yuan looked toward Lin Yue.

She was sitting in the recovery area.

Everything appeared normal.

Then her breath turned white.

A thin layer of frost spread across the cup in her hands.

Lin Yue looked down.

Crack.

The cup split.

The first snowflake fell onto the Azure Origin Sect's plaza.

Then another.

Then hundreds.

Candidates looked toward the sky.

"But it's spring..."

Mu Qinglan stood.

Gu Tianhe's expression changed.

The sunlight above the sect disappeared.

Clouds gathered over the Five Great Peaks.

The temperature plummeted.

Across the entire Azure Origin Sect, lakes began freezing at the edges.

Spirit beasts raised their heads.

Ancient formations activated on their own.

And deep beneath the central mountain—

Grand Elder Mo Qingfeng opened his eyes.

At the center of it all, Lin Yue clutched her chest.

A pale blue symbol slowly appeared between her eyebrows.

Shen Yuan was already on his feet.

The system interface erupted with golden light.

[WARNING.]

[High-level bloodline phenomenon detected.]

Then the unreadable information beside Lin Yue's name began changing.

[Sealed Physique identification in progress...]

[10%...]

[27%...]

[43%...]

Shen Yuan watched.

The snowfall intensified.

[61%...]

Space around Lin Yue began frosting over.

[78%...]

Mu Qinglan whispered:

"What kind of physique could cause this?"

Shen Yuan didn't answer.

[92%...]

Then—

[Identification complete.]

The system panel changed.

For the first time, Lin Yue's hidden information became visible.

[Name: Lin Yue.]

[Innate Physique: Nine-Yin Immortal Body.]

[Current State: Partially Awakened.]

[Physique Grade: Immortal.]

[Destiny: Crimson-Gold.]

[Compatibility: 97%.]

Shen Yuan stared at the word.

Immortal.

Around him, nobody understood what they were witnessing.

Not Gu Tianhe.

Not Qin Feng.

Not Mu Qinglan.

Not the elders.

Perhaps nobody in the entire mortal world would.

But Shen Yuan did.

Or at least his system did.

Yesterday, he had wanted nothing to do with disciples.

Today, an Immortal physique had appeared directly in front of him.

Shen Yuan looked toward Lin Yue.

Then toward the system.

Then back toward Lin Yue.

His expression became unusually serious.

There was only one reasonable conclusion.

His first disciple—

was going to be expensive.