TGDS Chapter 74.1

The Good Dad System (Arc 10) Chapter 74.1: The Villain’s Dad in the Cultivation Novels (10)

The cultivation world’s method of recruiting disciples is actually somewhat crude. After testing their spiritual roots and spiritual power perception, talented young men are selected and brought back to their sects. Smaller sects, which prefer to recruit a small but elite group of disciples, are more selective and may include additional tests. Buddhist sects often emphasize understanding of Buddhist teachings, but other requirements depend on the individual sects.

The Lanyue Sect had held a sect meeting long before their departure. In recent years, sects have seen an increasing demand for disciples, and they decided not to over-select. After all, the path of cultivation ultimately depends on individual ability, and sects merely provide admissions. Furthermore, talent is the first hurdle.

The high platform in the clouds only allows those of appropriate age to ascend. No matter how anxious the accompanying parents and servants are, they cannot even take a single step.

Xiang Wentian clenched his fists as he climbed. The ladder was wider and longer than he had imagined, but he was only halfway up when he began to pant uncontrollably. He wasn’t moving very fast, and there were already quite a few people ahead of him, already lagging behind. Lin Lianxing, climbing incredibly fast, was way ahead, now in first place. As she neared the platform, he felt unconvinced, wondering if the Lord of Nebula City had gifted Lin Lianxing with some magical weapon. Otherwise, how could she, always thin and frail, with only modest stamina, climb so quickly?

This misunderstanding ultimately stemmed from Xiang Wentian’s lack of understanding of the Cloud Platform’s operating principles.

The cloud-topped platform is, in fact, a large magical instrument, its underside engraved with a complex formation that can both gather spirits and draw them into the body. Those who ascend it rely not simply on physical strength but, more importantly, on spiritual energy. Many young men and women, who haven’t formally initiated the path, are on the same starting line. When their own spiritual energy is depleted, they will autonomously absorb the spiritual energy of the cloud ladder to propel themselves upward. To put it simply, they are all human batteries: some charge for five minutes and use it for two hours; others charge for two hours and use it for five minutes. Climbing speed is naturally affected by varying levels of spiritual power perception. On the platform, all spiritual instruments and magical treasures are automatically detected. Anyone carrying tools that could cheat would have been detected and required to remove them.

Xiang Wentian, clueless, was sweating profusely. As he reached the back half of the climb, he felt almost unable to move his arms and legs, forcing him to fumble with his hands and feet. He could vaguely see the people on the platform looking down. Perhaps because of the height, the wind was especially noticeable; he could even see their clothes fluttering. The first group had clearly stood straight and walked with ease, so why were they in such a state? He felt a mixture of emotions, feeling both a laughingstock and a sense of inferiority before the test even began.

After an indeterminate amount of time, Xiang Wentian finally reached the platform. Two unknown boys had come up with him, lying there gasping for breath in a disgraceful manner. Refusing to join them and embarrass himself, Xiang Wentian forced himself to stand. That’s when he noticed Lin Lianxing, with her back to the stairs, staring intently at the still-closed hall door, not even glancing at him.

Haha, this is his fiancée, he felt a sense of sarcasm.

Dozens of young men were still climbing the ladder, unable to climb, slumped there, gasping for breath, faces of despair. Those on the platform were feeling fortunate, trying to seize the time, gathering strength, or quietly discussing the upcoming test with acquaintances.

Just then, the sealed door of the hall slowly opened, revealing the interior. The hall was bright as day, its interior covered in a vibrant red carpet embroidered with gold lace. In the center were two rows of long tables, each with several chairs at the back. In the front, a strange-shaped stone rested on a round jade ball, swirling with silver light.

Not many people emerged from the hall, only five in total. The leading one looked young, a teenager, while the others behind him were older, appearing to be young men. Each of them had an air of sagelike grace, so otherworldly that even those from less privileged backgrounds couldn’t compare.

Xiang Wentian stood up in a daze, feeling a bit overwhelmed. Gripping his last breath, he lined up. The few people who had just arrived had already briefly introduced themselves to them. They were all disciples of the Lanyue Sect, and the youngest, leading the group, was a direct descendant of the Lanyue Sect’s headmaster. Next, they would follow the order they had ascended the Cloud Platform to undergo spiritual root tests within the hall.

Without even asking, Xiang Wentian keenly sensed that the headmaster’s disciple, surnamed Pei, was likely a member of the “privileged class.” Despite his young age and seemingly low level of cultivation, he was able to stand in the center and even make the introductions. He despised such people.

However, as he watched the others in front of him enter the hall one by one, he grew increasingly nervous. From the outside, they dared not act rashly. They could only vaguely observe as those who entered stood before the small ball, heard something, and were escorted down the Cloud Platform. What was the outcome of this?

Xiang Wentian had suspected since childhood that he must possess a natural talent for cultivation. This wasn’t an unfounded fantasy. Both of his parents were cultivators. While their cultivation wasn’t high, they both possessed a natural talent for cultivation. According to rumors, he was likely to inherit his parents’ gifts. There were many young men and women who had come up with him, whose parents were ordinary residents of Xingyun City, or even farmers from the mountain villages outside the city. It was likely that none of their ancestors had ever practiced cultivation. At least compared to them, he was quite confident.

When he was young, his parents had regaled him with common sense about the cultivation world like bedtime stories. He knew that the most important factor in cultivation was spiritual roots. There were generally five types of spiritual roots, and anyone with more than five or four spiritual roots would likely be selected by a major sect. Both his father and mother had three spiritual roots, and he secretly hoped that he would test out a single spiritual root, shocking everyone. He imagined the Xingyun City Lord would only regret not treating him well.

Time flew by with his mind preoccupied. Before long, it was Xiang Wentian’s turn. He struggled to stand straight and adjusted his clothes. His attire, freshly made according to the City Lord’s Mansion’s allotment, was made of ordinary fabric. Compared to the clothes worn by the cultivators just now, they were a world apart. But that wasn’t a big deal. He’d heard that anyone who could enter a cultivation sect and become an inner disciple would have an endless supply of resources.

If he had those resources, he’d most likely be even more powerful than that young man.

“Xiang Wentian, a resident of Xingyun City, twelve years old, right? Place your hand on the spirit-testing stone.” Pei Mingzhen didn’t let his fellow brothers work, running around all by himself. Although they were kind to him and didn’t like to boss him around, it was because he’d been held by the entire sect’s brothers and sisters since he was a crybaby. They’d watched him grow up and loved him with a special affection, somewhat like a father or mother. But he had to repay others’ kindness, not push it any further. Since he’d agreed to lead the team, he had to learn more so he could contribute to the sect.

After all these years, Pei Mingzhen had long since come to terms with reality: he didn’t possess any exceptional talent for sect management or forging weapons and elixirs. There was no need to push himself too hard; with diligent practice, he could also contribute greatly to the sect.

“Yes,” Xiang Wentian nodded. He wasn’t stupid; he figured the round ball was some kind of spirit-testing stone. He placed his hand on it, no longer bothering to focus on Pei Mingzhen’s clothing, his unsettling face, or the results of Lin Lianxing’s recent test.

“Relax, don’t let your mind wander,” Pei Mingzhen guided him. His tone, now solemn from the beginning, softened. “Focus your whole body on your hands, close your eyes…” He’d started talking about channeling spiritual energy and gathering energy in the dantian, but all he was greeted with was a bewildered look.

Not long after Xiang Wentian closed his eyes, changes had occurred on the sphere. The surface, which had just been white jade, now became transparent. As it rotated, the colors inside were revealed: golden, fiery red, aqua blue, wood green, and earth brown. Five colors of light beams condensed together and spun around.

“Okay, you can open your eyes now. Five Spiritual Roots, Spiritual Aura Perception, Medium to Low.” Pei Mingzhen made a mark and pulled a plaque from the mustard seed space.

“What!” Xiang Wentian opened his eyes and saw the image on the Spiritual Measurement Stone clearly. Although he didn’t know how to use it, the sight of the five mixed colors and Pei Mingzhen’s conclusion instantly overwhelmed him. How could this be? How could he have five spiritual roots?

Exhaustion and inner despair threatened to cause him to collapse. Xiang Wentian clenched his fists, as if he had been sentenced to death. For him, embarking on the path of cultivation was his last chance. Only through cultivation could he defy fate and change his destiny. Otherwise, if he continued in this abominable place called Nebula City, wouldn’t his fate be just like everyone else? How could he possibly cause others to regret his actions?

Pei Mingzhen was a little panicked for a moment. He exchanged glances awkwardly with the senior brother behind him, thinking that he had done something wrong. None of the people he had just tested had such a big reaction. He hadn’t even announced the final result of the disciple-taking yet!

“This… little brother.” Senior brother No. 1 stood up. He was a little confused. “What’s going on with you?” He was also a little puzzled.

Xiang Wentian sneered twice. The Lanyue Sect was such a big sect, and its disciples still had to mock him a few times to be satisfied? How could they, the chosen ones of heaven, know their pain!

“Nothing.” He stood up from the ground with an indifferent expression. “Thank you!” He gritted his teeth and turned to leave.

Pei Mingzhen spoke awkwardly, still holding the jade token inscribed with the words “Outer Sect.” “Brother Xiang Wentian, based on the test results, the Lanyue Sect is willing to accept you as an Outer Sect disciple… or do you have other plans?”

Ever since the advent of the Five Elements Law, the cultivation world had long since eliminated discrimination against those with mixed spiritual roots. Xiang Wentian’s problem was simply a lower spiritual perception, which would slow his cultivation compared to his peers. But the Lanyue Sect wasn’t just looking for geniuses in cultivation; those with talent in other areas were also welcome and willing to cultivate them.

“You Lanyue Sect, do you also accept disciples with five spiritual roots?” Xiang Wentian asked, baffled, as he was about to leave.

In truth, he was suffering from an information asymmetry. Although Pei Naochun had shared the Five Elements Law with his fellow cultivators, no sect had made a public announcement, spreading the word throughout the mortal world. After all, when accepting disciples, they relaxed the requirements accordingly. Wasn’t that all going to happen soon? Even the Lanyue Sect hadn’t publicly announced their criteria for accepting disciples. After arriving at Yuntai and taking the test, they’d reveal the results. Of course, they wouldn’t accept those with extremely low spiritual power perception or no spiritual roots at all.

Pei Mingzhen finally realized what was happening, and he quickly explained, “They’ll accept them, but they’ll just be assigned to the Outer Sect first.” According to current Five Elements Dafa testing, those with more spiritual roots will still face a more challenging path in cultivation, as they have to go through an additional step of purifying their spiritual roots. Furthermore, Xiang Wentian’s spiritual power perception wasn’t even average, yet he was assigned to the Outer Sect. “Nowadays, most sects accept those with five spiritual roots.”