Chapter 71 – An Opportunity for Spirit Root Transformation

In the Dao Palace, the treatment of instructors is closely tied to the disciples’ achievements, so it is understandable that Dongfang Ya sounded the alarm over this matter.

However, Anping Dao Palace is not a low-ranking academy. Every year, they have disciples who make it onto the Hidden Dragon Rankings, so sounding the alarm over this seems like making a mountain out of a molehill.

“Is that why you called us here?”

The speaker was an old man, whom Dongfang Ya held in high regard and was willing to show some respect to. Thus, she explained, “If the top-performing disciple from our Dao Academy had made it onto the rankings, it certainly wouldn’t have been worth calling Elder Qin here. But the current situation is different.”

“The one who made it onto the rankings this time is Mu Lin, who has a Third-Class Spirit Root.”

As she spoke, Dongfang Ya explained Mu Lin’s situation to everyone.

After hearing about Mu Lin, some fell into thoughtful silence, while others still didn’t understand Dongfang Ya’s perspective.

“A Third-Class Spirit Root? That makes it even less of a reason to sound the alarm, doesn’t it?”

“Exactly. As you said, Senior Dongfang Ya, Mu Lin’s strength is only on par with Ji Xue’s. But he has a Third-Class Spirit Root. Over time, his strength will gradually fall behind Ji Xue and others. Even disciples with Second-Class Spirit Roots will eventually catch up to him. It’s really not worth sounding the alarm for him.”

After learning the details, many equated Mu Lin’s strength with Ji Xue’s.

This comparison wasn’t entirely wrong.

Ji Xue alone had earned a “Good” evaluation, while Mu Lin and Chu Lingluo combined had earned an “Excellent.” On his own, Mu Lin might not have achieved as high a result as Ji Xue.

At the same time, the belief that Ji Xue’s strength would gradually surpass Mu Lin’s wasn’t meant as a slight—it was simply a logical conclusion.

For Qi Refiners, everything ultimately depends on cultivation level.

As long as one’s cultivation level is high and their mana is abundant, even ordinary spells can produce miraculous effects.

Conversely, no matter how well a spell is mastered, if one’s cultivation level is insufficient, the Qi Refiner won’t be able to cast it.

This was why Mu Lin’s Yaksha could only be observed but not summoned.

With her First-Class Spirit Root talent, Ji Xue’s cultivation level advanced rapidly. In just two or three months, she might already reach the Gushing Spring Realm.

In contrast, Mu Lin, with his Third-Class Spirit Root and low affinity for spiritual energy, would at most reach Spirit Awakening in the same timeframe.

Once there was a gap in cultivation level, their strength would naturally diverge as well.

Therefore, many instructors believed that Mu Lin and Ji Xue’s strength would only be temporarily equal.

They had higher expectations for the more talented Ji Xue and felt it wasn’t worth making such a fuss over Mu Lin.

However, Dongfang Ya held a different view.

“Hmph, if we Qi Refiners only judged by Spirit Roots, what would be the point of cultivating the Dao or refining Qi? We might as well just flaunt our Spirit Roots all day.”

“When Mu Lin first enrolled, he had a Third-Class Spirit Root. According to all of you, there was no way he could ever catch up to someone with a First-Class Spirit Root… No, according to you, he couldn’t even compare to disciples with Second-Class Spirit Roots. And yet, a month has passed. Aside from Ji Xue, who remains on par with him, everyone else—whether with Second-Class Spirit Roots or the other two with First-Class Spirit Roots—has fallen behind Mu Lin. How do you explain that?”

“Uh…”

With the facts laid bare before them, Dongfang Ya’s cold remarks left the others unable to refute her.

By now, everyone had understood Dongfang Ya’s point.

After exchanging glances, it was finally Elder Qin, whom Dongfang Ya also treated with considerable respect, who spoke.

“Xiao Ya, are you suggesting that our Anping Dao Palace fully support Mu Lin to strive for a good result?”

“Mhm.”

“But his Spirit Root Talent is too low. Wouldn’t it be more reliable to support Ji Xue and the others…”

Some harbored reservations about fully supporting Mu Lin, fearing that the investment might yield no return.

In response, Dongfang Ya sneered and said:

“Since you think his Spirit Root Talent is low, then improve his Spirit Root Talent!”

“?! !”

These words left many stunned.

While they were stunned, Dongfang Ya was not.

“Upgrading a Second-Class Spirit Root to a First-Class Spirit Root is too costly. Our Anping Dao Palace cannot afford it, nor do we have the capability. However, upgrading a Third-Class Spirit Root to a Second-Class Spirit Root reduces the resource expenditure by tens or even hundreds of times. Our Dao Palace can manage that.”

“With just a Third-Class Spirit Root, Mu Lin was able to surpass a group of Prodigies, secure the Dao Palace First position, and be the first to enter the Hidden Dragon Rankings. If he becomes a Second-Class Spirit Root, perhaps he can lead us into the top thirty-six.”

“…”

This proposal stirred some interest.

But more people felt it was quite risky.

Investing all resources into Mu Lin—if successful, everything would naturally be excellent, but if it failed, they would suffer a huge loss.

The rankings of these Disciples, like Mu Lin, were closely tied to the interests of the Dao Palace teachers. Consequently, arguments erupted in the room.

This debate lasted for half an incense stick’s time, until finally, Elder Qin made the decisive call.

“Enough, all of you be quiet!”

“Since none of you can convince the others, let those juniors decide the outcome themselves. For the next two months, I will closely monitor the Hidden Dragon Rankings.”

“If Mu Lin can Stabilize his performance as Dao Palace First after two months, it wouldn’t be impossible to purchase Natural Treasures to help him undergo Marrow Cleansing Bone Forging… No, this reward is still too high.”

After pondering briefly, Elder Qin spoke:

“I have it. Two months from now, the Dao Palaces of our Southeast Region will hold a Grand Joint Examination. If Mu Lin can achieve a top-five result in the examination, I will persuade the Dao Palace to fully support him!”

After speaking, seeing that Dongfang Ya still wanted to say something, Elder Qin waved his hand and said, “You needn’t say more, and don’t think I’m making things difficult for him. If he wants to receive such a massive reward, he must undergo a higher trial. The Natural Treasures needed for Spirit Root transformation are not cheap!”

This made Dongfang Ya smile. “Elder Qin, I’m not opposing you at all. In fact, I think this trial is just right… Even if you hadn’t mentioned it, I would have given Mu Lin a trial.”

After all, Mu Lin was merely a Disciple Dongfang Ya saw potential in, not a nephew or relative. She had never considered directly helping him obtain resources for Complete Transformation.

The reason she had earlier insisted on the Dao Palace fully supporting Mu Lin was due to the “open window” theory.

She knew very well that many teachers in the Dao Palace valued talent highly. If she hadn’t brought it up, the Dao Palace would never treat Mu Lin fairly. Instead, they would concentrate resources on Disciples with better talent.

—That was the safer approach.

Not wanting to see this happen, she had proposed that the Dao Palace fully support Mu Lin.

Human nature always prefers compromise and moderation. If Dongfang Ya had initially suggested giving Mu Lin an opportunity to advance his Spirit Root, the others would never have agreed.

But by first advocating for the Dao Palace to fully support Mu Lin, they would come to mediate, willing to give him a chance.

And giving Mu Lin fair treatment was precisely Dongfang Ya’s true intention.

As for why she called out to Elder Qin after the matter was settled, it was because: “Hehe, Elder Qin, the resource support just now was given by the Dao Palace, but Mu Lin, Ji Xue, and the others are all your juniors. In terms of master-disciple lineage, they can even be considered your grand-disciples. As a senior, when you see outstanding juniors, shouldn’t you offer some support as well?”

These words made the disheveled old man named Elder Qin roll his eyes.

“You little girl, you actually dare to extort an old man like me… But you’re right. As the Vice Headmaster, Mu Lin and the others, who come from Anping Academy, can barely be considered my grand-disciples. If they are weak and looked down upon, this old man’s face won’t look good either. Coincidentally, I have a few small things to deal with tomorrow. Have them come over and pick a few trinkets from me.”

“Elder Qin, your generosity is truly admirable. On behalf of Mu Lin and the others, I thank you for your reward.”

(End of Chapter)