Chapter Thirty-Eight: A Threat from the Wang Family

“Boy! Give me back my son’s life!” A furious roar echoed in Lin Yanghao’s ears.

“Haha, I was just worrying about not having enough money, and now here it comes, delivered right to me!” A group of menacing figures surrounded Lin Yanghao. At a glance, he realized these people were from the Wang family, seeking revenge. Instead of fear, a thrill of excitement flickered in Lin Yanghao’s heart.

“Seize him! I want him torn to pieces!” the leader commanded.

“Hmph, it’s been a long time since I’ve had a real fight. Today, I’ll use you as practice. Let’s see what kind of strength you warriors of the Spirit Realm possess. Just don’t let me down!” Lin Yanghao channeled his spiritual energy, fists and palms flashing as he swept toward them.

“Tiger Claw!”

“Together! This boy is a cultivator, don’t underestimate him. He’s only at the ninth level of Qi Refining. No matter how skilled he is, surrounded by so many Martial Sovereigns, he cannot survive.” The Spirit Realm warriors were indeed formidable; with a single glance, they had already seen through Lin Yanghao’s cultivation. Lin Yanghao was truly surprised—on the Longwu Continent, Martial Sovereigns were pitifully rare, but here in the Spirit Realm, they seemed to be everywhere. Yet he felt no fear, surging into battle with his spiritual power.

“Wait, this boy isn’t a martial artist, he’s a cultivator. Everyone, be careful. But don’t worry, he hasn’t established his Foundation yet, he’s no match for us all.” After the first clash, the leader had already discerned Lin Yanghao’s true nature. But this was the Spirit Realm, not the Longwu Continent, so it wasn’t surprising someone could recognize a cultivator.

“The strength of Martial Sovereigns in the Spirit Realm truly eclipses those of the Longwu Continent! I fought with everything I had, yet only managed to kill three. I’m no match for them alone.” Lin Yanghao lamented inwardly. With no other choice, he fled, quickly stripping the money pouches from the corpses before dashing away. Given his current abilities, it was easy to evade their pursuit.

After a mad dash, Lin Yanghao successfully shook off his pursuers, escaping into an unnamed mountain outside the city. Catching his breath, he found some food to fill his stomach, then headed for Luoshu City, not far from Chiyang City. There was no returning to Chiyang now; his only option was to head to Luoshu and take a carriage to the Seven Luminaries Sect.

...

Wang Family, Chiyang City

“Useless! Are you all nothing but rice buckets? So many of you, and you couldn’t even deal with a single brat? And three dead, too! You might as well go home and retire!” In the main hall, a middle-aged man berated the gathered crowd.

“Master, it’s not that we couldn’t catch him. The boy is a cultivator, and even though he hasn’t established his Foundation, he’s not someone we martial artists can handle. Besides, he didn’t even fight us—he just ran away,” one of them explained.

“By the way, Master, that boy visited the All-Knowing Pavilion earlier. He was inquiring about cultivation sects and the state of the cultivation world. He’s on the verge of Foundation Establishment—he only lacks one Foundation Pill. So he’s definitely looking to join a sect to get that pill.”

“Oh? Then which sect do you think he’ll choose?” the master asked.

“I think he’ll go to the one where Young Master is. If he dares, with Young Master’s status as an inner disciple, he’ll be tormented to death.”

“Good. Write to Shaohui immediately and inform him of this.” The speaker was none other than Wang Jinping’s father, the head of the Wang family.

...

Upon arriving in Luoshu City, Lin Yanghao rented the fastest carriage available. As expected of Martial Sovereigns, each had tens of thousands of silver notes on them, so Lin Yanghao spared no expense and chose the finest coach. The journey to his destination would take just over twenty days.

After resting a day, Lin Yanghao set out early the next morning. After more than twenty days of travel, he finally arrived at the city of the Seven Luminaries.

He found a random inn nearby, stayed the night, and prepared to visit the Seven Luminaries Sect the next day.

“Have you heard? This time, the Seven Luminaries Sect discovered one Heavenly Spiritual Root and two pseudo-spiritual root prodigies during their disciple selection!”

“What! So many? It’s been years since the sect recruited so many geniuses. With such talents, the Seven Luminaries Sect might soon produce a few more Nascent Soul Realms, maybe even a Divine Transformation Lord!”

“I heard it’s not just the Seven Luminaries Sect—Shenyuan Sect, Extreme Fire Gate, and Azurefall Sect have also accepted disciples with Heavenly Spiritual Roots.”

“Really? In the past, just one Heavenly Spiritual Root was enough to shake the entire cultivation world. How could there be so many prodigies this year?”

While eating, Lin Yanghao listened to the nearby conversations. From their chatter, he learned much—who recruited which prodigy, and other anecdotes from the cultivation world.

...

Early the next morning, Lin Yanghao arrived at the gates of the Seven Luminaries Sect, ready for the Spiritual Root test. Only those who possessed a spiritual root had a chance to become outer disciples.

Before him towered a mountain, its peak lost in the clouds, mist swirling all around. A narrow path wound up the mountainside.

Beside the path, words were carved: “Thirteen hundred steps; above lies the Seven Luminaries Sect.”

Looking up, Lin Yanghao saw buildings and palaces perched on the mountaintop and halfway up, shrouded in mist, indistinct yet enchanting. The sight filled his heart with longing for the sect.

He was not alone; many others had come for the test.

Soon, Lin Yanghao reached the summit. That day alone, over a thousand people arrived to be tested.

Suddenly, several flashes of light appeared. A group of people materialized before them.

The white-haired elder at the center swept his gaze over the crowd.

He spoke: “Not everyone can join the Seven Luminaries Sect. Only those who test positive for a spiritual root may enter.”

He paused, then continued: “Of course, not all spiritual roots are equal. The quality of one’s root determines how far one may ascend on the path of cultivation.”