Chapter Eight: So... Sister, Do You Understand?

Page (1/3)

The four spiritual roots... Their cycle of mutual generation and restraint—how is that any different from ordinary people? Oh, at most, cultivating to the Foundation Establishment stage might grant a slightly longer lifespan than normal. Throughout the entire continent, there has never been a record of someone with mixed spiritual roots ascending to the higher realms. It’s not that she didn’t believe Jiang Zao, but cultivation with mixed spiritual roots is hundreds or even thousands of times more difficult than with a single root. Many who start with mixed roots are initially full of fighting spirit, but when their cultivation stagnates without progress, they gradually give up on immortality and return to ordinary lives.

As Jiang Zao finished her insight, Youyou awoke. She knew little about spiritual power and spiritual roots in the cultivation world, only sensing an unusual lightness in her body. Eagerly, she asked Jiang Zhuoran about her own spiritual roots.

“Sister, how is it? Am I a supreme heavenly root?”

Seeing Jiang Zao’s hopeful and excited expression, Jiang Zhuoran couldn’t bear to shatter her dreams. After some inner struggle, she shook her head gently.

“You have the four spiritual roots of metal, wood, water, and fire.”

Jiang Zao was visibly stunned upon hearing “four spiritual roots.” Even without deep knowledge of spiritual root strengths, she could tell from this that her roots were among the worst of the worst—comparable to having five spiritual roots. Jiang Zhuoran watched her stunned expression and felt her own heart pound with worry, her breath growing heavier as she spoke with concern.

“Zao Zao, are you alright?”

Jiang Zao shook her head and forced a smile. “I’m fine, sister. Don’t worry about me.”

[Not being a supreme heavenly root is one thing, but even a single root would be acceptable—I’m not picky.]

[If that’s impossible, a dual root would do, so why did it have to be four?]

Jiang Zao was despondent about her root configuration. Spiritual roots are innate and unchangeable, meaning she would have to bear these four roots for her entire life’s cultivation.

[I thought cultivation was already tough enough, never imagined it could get even tougher.]

Jiang Zhuoran felt uneasy listening to her silent lament, regretting having taken her to test her roots. If she chose not to cultivate and lived as an ordinary person, that would be fine; at worst, she would work hard to protect her, enduring some hardship and fatigue, which was bearable. Jiang Zhuoran looked at her with resolve and said firmly, “Zao Zao, I will find a way for you to cultivate.”

[Is this what finally sparked her determination?]

“Sister, it’s my own burden. You don’t have to blame yourself,” Jiang Zao comforted her gently. “Besides, having four roots is still better than none.”

“With roots, one can cultivate. How far one reaches is just a matter of time. Cultivators never lack time, so... sister, please don’t worry about me.”

Jiang Zao took her hand, whispering softly, unwilling for this to become an obsession that might hinder her future cultivation. If it turned into a mental demon, the guilt would be too great.

Whether she cultivated or not, and to what extent, was of little consequence; it was just a matter of her own dissatisfaction.

Page (2/3)

After all the effort to cross into the cultivation world, who wouldn’t want to experience the thrill of sword flight?

“Zao Zao, I...” Jiang Zhuoran was still worried, unable to comfort herself.

“Sister, if you hadn’t taken me to test my roots, someone else would have,” Jiang Zao said.

“No matter who it was, my four roots were destined, and nothing would change that.”

“So... sister, can you understand?”

[This isn’t your fault. Don’t get tangled up in it.]

Whether single root or four roots, they are merely tools used by the world to measure one’s talent and do not truly define a person. Perhaps single roots possess the innate talent that promises great achievements, but that doesn’t mean mixed roots are weak—just that there are no cultivation methods suited for them. Since the world believes mixed roots can’t find a way, she will defy fate and carve her own path.

Jiang Zhuoran understood from her words and smiled again, her heart unburdened. “Zao Zao, I understand.”

Bai Yang remained seated, recuperating, and noticed the two emerging from the inner chamber cheerfully. He asked, “Young friends, how are your spiritual roots?”

The inner chamber was protected by a formation that concealed their aura, making it impossible to discern anything inside.

Jiang Zao nudged Jiang Zhuoran, who was about to speak, and with a sly smile diverted attention by saying, “Naturally, it’s an excellent supreme heavenly root.”

Bai Yang’s eyes widened in shock, his voice unconsciously rising, “Really?”

“Of course...” Bai Yang eagerly awaited her next words, but Jiang Zao’s eyes flicked mischievously as she grabbed Jiang Zhuoran and dashed out of the testing hall without hesitation. Once outside, she revealed the truth to him.

“It’s fake.”

Huh?

Fake?

By the time Bai Yang realized this, the two had already run far away, their cheerful laughter still drifting back. Bai Yang chuckled at the two cunning little ones, stroking his beard with a cryptic expression.

“Quite an interesting child.”

The two ran all the way back to Jiang Zhuoran’s courtyard, bent over with hands on their knees, gasping for breath, sharing a smile.

“Zao Zao, do you think Elder Bai will be angry about us tricking him like that?”

Jiang Zao smiled mysteriously. “I don’t think he will.”

“Why?” Jiang Zhuoran asked in confusion.

“He’s an elder of the Inquiry Immortal Sect. Would he really trouble us over such a small matter?”

Page (3/3)

Jiang Zao spoke with such confidence that Jiang Zhuoran nodded, convinced.

“That’s true.”

Indeed, Bai Yang was a senior elder of the sect, usually busy with other matters, and must meet many disciples. How could he possibly remember them all? Still, that moment had been quite thrilling.

Jiang Zhuoran rose with a knowing smile and then asked, “Zao Zao, now that you know your spiritual roots, will you cultivate with me?”

Although cultivating with four roots was difficult, she believed Zao Zao’s insight would be extraordinary and bring unexpected results. If her strength couldn’t rise, she would pile up pills and build magical tools, personally crafting an absolute safe haven for Jiang Zao where no one could harm her.

“Alright,” Jiang Zao agreed happily.

...

“Have you heard? It seems Immortal Venerable Bai Mo accepted a disciple with four spiritual roots—a useless one at that.”

“A useless disciple with four spiritual roots? Impossible. I thought even single roots couldn’t catch Bai Mo’s eye, let alone a four-rooted failure.”

“Yeah, where did you hear such rumors?”

“It’s definitely true. I heard it from a servant disciple on Jade Spirit Peak. Apparently, this four-rooted disciple was brought back by Bai Mo’s junior disciple about a month ago.”

“Maybe Bai Mo reluctantly accepted them out of respect for his disciple.”

“I’m so jealous. Why don’t I have a friend who’s a disciple under an Immortal Venerable?”

“Forget it.”

On the mountain path of the Inquiry Immortal Sect, three disciples gossiped about Jiang Zao. Soon, the news spread.

Confusion, doubt, envy, jealousy... this was the mindset of most disciples who heard the news. Bai Mo, who only accepted geniuses, had taken in a useless four-rooted disciple. No one found it believable.

When the sect leader heard this, he found it too absurd and decided to ask his junior brother directly to avoid embarrassment.

“Junior brother, is this rumor going around the Inquiry Immortal Sect true?”

Jiang Daochuan’s cold voice was casual as his long fingers tapped the table rhythmically.

On the other side, He Mobo leisurely lifted a cup of tea, inhaling its fragrance calmly.

“She has nothing to do with me. My junior disciple missed his sister, so he brought her back to the sect.”