The Three Realms Thief Chapter 41

By this time, everyone had arrived.

The principal stood up, clapped his hands, and conjured a tree stump, half the height of a man and as thick as a millstone, from thin air.

“Today, let’s ask Old Tree to preside over today’s spirit root identification for us! Please!”

He placed the tree stump on the ground and then retreated.

Under everyone’s watchful eyes, the tree stump swayed back and forth for a while, then suddenly began to sing in an ancient voice:

“When heaven and earth first opened, spiritual energy grew from the roots;”

“Hey! Hey! Little ones, don’t hold back later, this old block of wood won’t stop until it uncovers your spirit roots;”

“Single spirit roots soar high, cultivating as fast as a rocket taking off;”

“Dual spirit roots are not bad either, encounter thunder-fire, golden light, water-wind, your cultivation advances a thousand li in a day, others can’t catch up;”

“Don’t be discouraged, those with multiple spirit roots, diligence can make up for deficiencies, you’re great, just a bit tired.”

Its voice suddenly rose, becoming wild and joyful:

“Oh~ your spirit root is not your destiny, only your accompanying shadow~”

“Go seek your fire, go plant your grass;”

“Go ride your wind, go command your tide;”

“Go chase your light, go walk your path to the heavens.”

“—And when you stand at the peak of life, remember to take a picture!”

The teachers and students applauded together.

“…” Xu Yuan.

Honestly.

What’s your relationship with that sorting hat at Hogwarts?

The principal cleared his throat and said, “Next, you will come forward one by one to test your spirit roots.”

“First, Zhang Qiang.”

A short boy walked into the large office and pressed his hand on the wood.

Immediately, a patch of green moss grew on the surface of the wood.

Within this green moss, a decaying black mass continuously spread.

Yang Xiaobing whispered in Xu Yuan’s ear, “It’s a Gold Spirit Root and a Poison Spirit Root, what a pity, these two spirit roots are incompatible.”

“Jiang Xueyao’s Thunder Fire Spirit Root is compatible?” Xu Yuan asked.

“Thunder governs destruction, and thunder gives rise to fire, and fire also destroys all things, similar to thunder—this can almost be considered the most destructive combination.” Yang Xiaobing said.

The wood indeed cried out, “Poison Gold Dual Root! Take your hand away, don’t give me skin disease!”

The short boy seemed to have known his spirit root for a long time, showing no expression, and after touching it, he stood to the side.

The principal continued to call names:

“Zhang Qiangxiao.”

Another boy walked into the office and placed his hand on the wood.

Immediately, a layer of frost “crackled” and froze on the surface of the wood.

It shivered and cried out loudly, “Mutated Ice Spirit Root, take your hand away, I’m freezing to death!”

The boy immediately walked to the side, standing with Zhang Qiang.

“There are also mutated spirit roots?” Xu Yuan asked in surprise.

“Yes, an Ice Spirit Root is quite good—this guy is the fifth-ranked in his grade,” Yang Xiaobing whispered.

Xu Yuan glanced at the boy.

The boy had a cold expression, and when Zhang Qiang spoke to him, he just twitched the corner of his mouth, not bothering to pay attention to the other person.

“This guy is very arrogant,” Xu Yuan whispered.

“Yes,” Yang Xiaobing nodded, “It is said that spirit roots and a person’s character influence each other, and there are even some books specifically discussing the relationship between spirit roots and human behavior.”

Xu Yuan looked thoughtful.

Ice is coldness.

Jiang Xueyao fights so fiercely, even cutting down your sword.

Thunder-fire, undoubtedly.

Yang Xiaobing has a good nature, always considerate of others, and can stand up when it matters, truly a woman like water.

What about me?

Xu Yuan suddenly became curious.

—And even felt a hint of tension.

Next, the principal called out names one by one.

Yang Xiaobing also went up and placed her hand on the wood for a test.

Immediately, water gurgled out of the wood like a fountain.

“Single spirit root, water—this girl is truly watery and spirited!” the wood loudly proclaimed.

Students were called up one by one.

Finally—

“Xu Yuan!”

The principal called out.

Xu Yuan walked into the office and placed his hand on the wood.

In a flash of lightning, cracks crisscrossed the back of the wooden stump.

Many people showed surprise.

Xu Yuan was also a little confused.

There was no reaction where he placed his hand, but sword-like marks appeared on the back of the wood.

This was a bit strange.

“Gold Dark Dual Spirit, keep an eye on this kid, make sure he walks the righteous path!”

The old wood began to sing.

Xu Yuan was bewildered.

What in the world is that about? Why should I walk the righteous path?

He looked around, only to see his homeroom teacher, Liu Mingdao, with joy and worry on his face, while other teachers seemed wary or suspicious, but the principal’s smile remained undiminished.

The spirit root test continued.

The principal was already calling the next person’s name.

Xu Yuan stepped back and quietly walked over to Yang Xiaobing.

Yang Xiaobing seemed to know what he was thinking and whispered, “Don’t worry, the combination of gold and dark is a dual spirit root that’s no less inferior to thunder-fire, it’s just a bit dangerous.”

“What does ‘dangerous’ mean?” Xu Yuan asked.

“Historically, many master criminals had Gold Dark Dual Spirit Roots,” Yang Xiaobing said.

“Spirit roots determine if someone will commit crimes? That’s too absurd,” Xu Yuan said.

“Because gold represents sharpness, keenness, and extension; while dark represents yin and concealment—their combination is like a hidden sharp blade, gaining many advantages in battle.”

Yang Xiaobing patiently explained, “As the saying goes, ‘having a sharp weapon breeds murderous intent.’ A cultivator who can hide their tracks at any time and easily take a life naturally has a higher probability of making mistakes than an ordinary person.”

Xu Yuan finally understood.

But Yang Xiaobing continued, “Those with Gold Dark Dual Spirit Roots are all insidious, cunning, and resort to any means necessary.”

“Considering your performance in the team battle, I suddenly feel like that’s quite accurate!”

Her tone carried a hint of teasing she couldn’t hide.

What is all this?

“Can a cultivator’s actions be considered sinister?” Xu Yuan couldn’t help but retort.

The students in the front and back rows looked at him—with eyes that saw him as an anomaly.

The air was filled with an eerie sense of unspoken understanding.

Several students around him subtly shuffled away, putting a bit more distance between them and him.

But Xu Yuan felt entirely justified.

In fact—

As a professional esports player, and one at the top of the esports world, you definitely need to be proficient in various tactics!

You can’t call that insidious!

Tactics—

Are for winning games.

They are merely a means and a necessity!

“I’m just kidding,” Yang Xiaobing said, tugging at his sleeve with a grin, “Don’t leave yet, I’ll introduce you to some teachers later.”

The spirit root test continued.

After another seven or eight minutes, everyone had finally finished testing.

The principal stepped forward to speak.

Then came the free interaction time—where teachers from various universities communicated with the students who had their spirit roots identified.

Xu Yuan keenly noticed that some school teachers were very enthusiastic towards him.

“Student Xu, you performed well in the monthly exam. Work harder and strive to reach the third stage of Qi Refining, and you can participate in our Qingming University’s Independent Admissions test,” the old man said with a smile.

“Student Xu, keep it up! You must reach the third stage of Qi Refining. Our Liuyun University welcomes you,” said a male teacher carrying a sword.

These teachers probably watched the entire monthly exam, which explains their attitude, Xu Yuan thought silently.

“Hello, Student Xu, I can give you a form right now. Why don’t you come and stay at our university for a while?” A male teacher handed him a form.

Xu Yuan took the form, and his heart trembled.

This teacher was unusual.

What he handed over was not an independent admissions test form, but a pre-admission notice.

A pre-admission, as the name suggests, is an early admission.

—Even if you haven’t reached the third stage of Qi Refining or fully manifested your spirit root attribute, we want you now!

Just come!

Xu Yuan looked closely at the notice, which detailed various arrangements, benefits, scholarships, and the freedom of two-way selection between mentors and students.

The other party clearly came with sincerity.

“Thank you very much, please allow me to think about it,” Xu Yuan said sincerely.

“No problem, take your time to think. After all, choosing a school is one of the most important things in a cultivator’s life,” the male teacher said cheerfully.

Good, truly straightforward!

He’s becoming more and more to my liking.

Alright, let me see which school this is—

Xu Yuan looked at the signature on the admission notice.

“Jiangbei Swordsmanship Vocational Technical College Night Correspondence Specialized Class.”

I’m sick, goodbye.

Wait, that’s not right!

How did your school sneak in to recruit students?

…Now I remember.

It seems that every time this school recruits a student, it gives a “kickback” to the corresponding high school.

The world truly is treacherous!

Xu Yuan quickly left, walked in a circle, and soothed his shocked little heart.

Then he saw Yang Xiaobing walking out of the crowd.

“How was it?” she asked.

“Not so good—why do all the good universities require the third stage of Qi Refining?” Xu Yuan asked.

“The third stage of Qi Refining is a hurdle. Not many people can reach the third stage of Qi Refining and activate their spirit root attributes in high school, so it’s used as a dividing line,” Yang Xiaobing said.

“Right, you seemed to have reached the third stage of Qi Refining before participating in the independent admissions,” Xu Yuan said.

“Precisely so, come on—”

Yang Xiaobing pulled him, leading him all the way to the innermost part of the crowd.

There stood a female teacher in professional attire, with long hair draped over her shoulders, light makeup, dignified and approachable.

“Hello, Teacher Lin!” Yang Xiaobing greeted cheerfully.

“Oh, isn’t this Bingbing? And who is this student?” the female teacher asked with a smile.

“Xu Yuan—my classmate, he’s very strong and about to break through to the third stage of Qi Refining—Xu Yuan, this is Teacher Lin Weiliang from Luofu University,” Yang Xiaobing introduced.

Luofu University!

—One of the two most outstanding universities among all.

“Hello, Teacher Lin,” Xu Yuan said.

“Hello to you too, Xu Yuan, I watched your team match,” Lin Weiliang extended her hand proactively.