A low murmur of astonishment rippled through the crowd. Although they didn't understand the specifics, the phenomenon was clearly extraordinary.
Shitou himself was momentarily stunned before looking toward Hong Ling with a questioning gaze. Hong Ling nodded slightly to him, signaling that he had done well.
Then, under the expectant eyes of everyone, Hong Ling stepped forward and lightly pressed her slender hand against the stone surface.
"Hum—"
The Test Immortal Stone erupted in a brilliant purple light, accompanied by blazing flames.
【Hong Ling】
【Aptitude: Earth Grade fire spiritual root (Purple): Increases cultivation speed and work efficiency by 80%】
【Linglong Heart (Red): Clear-minded and inherently brilliant. Natural spiritual perception far exceeds ordinary people, allowing her to perceive the minute and subtle; perception increased by 200%. This transcendent comprehension also enhances techniques, doubling their power and increasing technique damage by 100%.】
【Luan Fire Talisman (Orange): An innate heritage brought by the Red Luan Fate; allows for the self-comprehension of the Heaven Grade technique, Luan Fire Talisman, without study. Talisman and fire coexist, possessing unpredictable power.】
【Red Luan Fate (Red): Mandate of the Red Luan, the first signs of a phoenix's grace. This fate greatly increases personal charm and comprehension by 100% each.】
The commotion caused by the two was significant. Even Jian Huaishuang, who had been sitting blankly to the side, couldn't help but lift his eyes, a hint of hard-to-detect surprise flickering within.
The level of cultivation talent could be directly judged by the light flashing from the Test Immortal Stone.
For two people so young to have such talent—even in the White Jade Sword Sect, they would be considered favored children of heaven.
This boy and girl were truly impressive. In a typical cultivation novel setting, they would definitely be fought over by the elders of every major sect.
With great interest, Chen Zhou also tested the Bone Ghost Servants and Netherflame Ghost Servants.
Regrettably, the ghost servants did not possess cultivation talent. The Bone Ghost Servants uniformly had only one trait.
【Battle Focus (Green): Work efficiency -50%, attack power +50%】
In contrast, the Netherflame Ghost Servants were the exact opposite: attack power -50%, work efficiency +50%. They also had a green trait called Production Specialization.
Finally, it was the turn of the snake demons captured at Lakeglow Ridge. The little black snakes didn't offer many surprises.
Most possessed both a Yellow Grade earth spiritual root and a Mysterious Grade water spiritual root. A few individuals carried largely useless traits like 【Slightly Stronger (White)】 or 【Cold Resistance (Green)】.
"Perfect. The spirit fields need more hands."
With a wave of his hand, Chen Zhou assigned all these little black snakes to irrigation and soil-loosening tasks. Their spiritual root attributes perfectly matched the needs of the spirit fields, which would also free up the villagers for other work.
"Rest assured, My Lord! I am a professional at farming!"
"I was a farmer in my past life!"
"I guarantee we'll double the yield per acre!"
Upon hearing this, the little black snakes were moved to tears of gratitude. They scrambled to show their loyalty, twisting their bodies as they dove into the soil of the spirit fields, tilling and wriggling with all their might as if they wanted to plow the entire plot three times over.
Finally, it was Nie Chaoxi's turn. As a rare mutated spiritual beast, her aptitude was indeed extraordinary.
【Nie Chaoxi】
【Aptitude: Earth Grade water spiritual root (Purple): Increases cultivation speed and work efficiency by 80%】
【Clean Water Body (Purple): As a spiritual beast, spiritual energy naturally dissipates from her body, allowing her to permeate and purify surrounding water sources, imbuing them with trace amounts of spiritual energy. Long-term consumption has health-strengthening effects.】
【Natural Auspice (Orange): Favored by the providence of heaven and earth. Wherever she resides becomes a blessed land, subtly bringing peace and auspiciousness to her dwelling.】
Spiritual beasts relied on absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to cultivate. Their demonic energy was thin, and their essence was closer to that of human cultivators, which was why she could successfully transform at the second-stage.
But Chen Zhou hadn't expected Nie Chaoxi to be a natural auspicious omen, carrying providence with her.
He looked at the white snake resting quietly to the side and announced:
"Good. From this day forth, you shall be the Well Dragon King of this place, in charge of nourishing the water sources."
"Well... Dragon King?" Nie Chaoxi raised her pale pink eyes, filled with confusion.
It sounded like a divine office, far more impressive than tilling fields or planting crops.
Nie Chaoxi was overjoyed. She had never imagined that, coming from a snake demon background, she would be granted such an important role.
It didn't matter if she didn't fully understand; she just had to follow orders.
Thus, she obediently bowed her head and responded respectfully, "Chaoxi accepts the command."
Immediately, she transformed into her true form, her long, slender snake body gliding toward the water well in the center of the territory. She carefully coiled herself around the well's rim, pressing her body against the cool well stones.
From now on, she would be in charge of this well. She was the Dragon King personally appointed by her Lord, and she had to protect this place!
Looking at the white snake so solemnly guarding an ordinary water well, Chen Zhou smiled slightly. "She is... quite obedient."
As for the Plague Rat, it sneered at such childish testing. It had already slipped away to the open-air banquet tables, scurrying between various bowls and plates, eating with great joy.
Chen Zhou found it hard to imagine how a rat the size of a peanut could stuff a mountain of food into its mouth.
...
Inside the White Jade City Lord's Manor, the atmosphere was heavy.
Su Zhiyuan's expression grew darker as he listened to his subordinate's report.
"My Lord, we have tracked Jian Huaishuang's last known location... he headed toward the Dead Man’s Forest."
"Dead Man’s Forest?" Su Zhiyuan's brow furrowed into a knot. Why would Jian Huaishuang go to that desolate dead zone, which was known for nothing but legends of evil spirits?
"What else?" he pressed.
"Also... according to our informants at the docks, two cultivators of unknown origin did indeed appear a few days ago. According to the descriptions of many ship workers, one of the young Immortal Masters once drew a blade and split the water in public, displaying an astonishing presence."
The subordinate reported everything about Shitou and Hong Ling's performance at the docks, as well as the subsequent rumors of them going to Lakeglow Ridge, slaying the snake demon, and subduing the survivors. Finally, he added:
"According to Wang Er and the others, those two cultivators—and the deity behind them who slew the great demon—all hail from the Dead Man’s Forest."
Bang!
Su Zhiyuan slammed his palm heavily onto the desk, causing the brush rack to jump.
"Absurd!"
Could a great demon of Fengdao County be killed by just any ordinary cultivator? Su Zhiyuan didn't believe it at all.
This force occupying the Dead Man’s Forest seemed to have appeared out of thin air. Before this, he had never seen any mention in the intelligence files of an organized group of cultivators existing there.
But the rumors were quite detailed, and Su Zhiyuan did not completely disregard them.
Overnight, a strange force had quietly risen right next to him, and he knew nothing about it!
This feeling of losing control made Su Zhiyuan feel uncomfortable.
Jian Huaishuang was the vessel designated by the White Jade Immortal. His fate was unique and crucial to the grand plan; he could not be lost, and he certainly could not fall into the hands of this mysterious force with unknown intentions!
"Immediately send capable men to infiltrate the Dead Man’s Forest!" Su Zhiyuan's voice carried a hint of anxiety.
"The primary mission is to find Jian Huaishuang. Bring him back to me at all costs! Remember, the operation must be secretive!"
A cold light flashed in his eyes. "If you encounter resistance... kill them without mercy!"
"Keep it clean. Disguise it as an accident or the work of forest monsters. We must not let anyone suspect us, and especially not let Jian Huaishuang realize anything! Everything must prioritize the Immortal's great cause!"
"Yes!" Sensing the gravity in the City Lord's tone, the subordinate dared not delay and hurried off to fulfill the command.
Rate on N.U.
