Chapter 717: Shock the Scene

Ye Mo placed his hand on the device and infused it with chi, but there was no reaction.

“No talent. Unsatisfactory. Next!” the interviewer’s cold voice cut him off. Before Ye Mo could respond, he was pushed aside.

Mu Xiaoyun quickly approached and took his hand.

Ye Mo looked at the device in confusion. How could he lack spiritual root? He could cultivate. Those without spiritual root couldn't cultivate, and he didn't believe he had a mutated spirit root, as his cultivation progress was far too slow for that.

“Husband, let’s go to another place. Their device must be faulty,” Mu Xiaoyun suggested, causing some laughter.

Ye Mo smiled, unconcerned. Faulty devices were common. He took Mu Xiaoyun’s hand and went to the farthest sect, figuring he might as well try an ungraded sect since he couldn't enter a third-grade one.

They visited several sects, but every test indicated he had no talent. This left Ye Mo speechless; he couldn't join any hidden sects, and without them, he couldn't obtain news of the Taiyi sect.

He pondered, “Wasn’t Ice Lake a special-grade sect? Why is it now only third-grade?” He stared at the small sect bearing the name Ice Lake.

“Husband, why don’t we try this sect?” Mu Xiaoyun also noticed Ice Lake.

“Okay, let’s go have a look at Ice Lake,” Ye Mo agreed.

A man nearby warned, “Brother, I suggest you not go there. It’s a third-grade sect, but they require level 3 talent or above. With level 3 talent, I’d go to a second-grade sect. Why bother with one barely clinging to third-grade?”

Ye Mo finally understood the lack of applicants. He scanned the area—five people: a black level middle-stage man in his 50s, a middle-aged black level woman, a black level young girl with a covered face, and a skinny teenager, presumably new disciples. The last person was a woman in her 60s.

Just as Ye Mo withdrew his spirit sense, he was shocked. He couldn't sense the old woman's power. Before she could react, he retracted his sense, aware that such a powerful cultivator could detect his every move.

One of the three individuals he couldn’t see through the previous night was at Ice Lake.

Why was Ice Lake a third-grade sect with such a master? Ye Mo was hesitant; it seemed too strange.

The old woman glanced around, seemingly sensing Ye Mo’s spirit sense. He dared not linger. As he prepared to leave with Mu Xiaoyun, the middle-aged woman said to Mu Xiaoyun, “Do you want to be tested? Place your hand on the device and infuse it with your qi.”

“En,” Mu Xiaoyun replied, approaching the device. The middle-aged woman’s tone was amicable.

“Husband, can I take the test?” Mu Xiaoyun asked Ye Mo.

Ye Mo smiled, “Sure, try it. We’ll come back tomorrow.” He knew Mu Xiaoyun’s spiritual root wasn't significantly better than his.

Mu Xiaoyun joyfully placed her hand on the device; she’d long wanted to test her talent.

The middle-aged woman liked Mu Xiaoyun’s pretty face and ethereal temperament, hence the offer.

Mu Xiaoyun placed her hand on the device and infused it with chi. A bright green light erupted.

“What?” Nearly everyone's attention was drawn to the bright green light. Even Ye Mo was stunned. He didn’t expect Mu Xiaoyun to be a level one talent.

The old woman at Ice Lake stood up in shock, gazing at Mu Xiaoyun with disbelief and joy.

“The best of level 1 talent! Good, good, good!” she exclaimed.

The middle-aged woman grabbed Mu Xiaoyun’s hand, “What’s your name? You passed! You are now Ice Lake’s core disciple.” Her hands trembled.

News of the exceptional level 1 talent spread rapidly. First-grade and special-grade sects learned of it.

Representatives from Taiyi, Kun Qian, and Ci Hang Jing’s Mosque arrived. Discovering a level one talent was rare, let alone an exceptional one.

“Grandma,” the middle-aged woman worriedly addressed the old woman as more people arrived.

“Haha—Grandma Feng, Ice Lake is truly fortunate. You found a level 1 talent on the first day. Kun Qian’s Ling Wushui is envious,” an old man announced his arrival.

Ye Mo observed the old man, sensing his power was no less than the old woman's.

“Thank you, Brother Ling. Miao Lian, record this disciple. She’ll be Ice Lake’s core disciple,” the old woman stated plainly.

“Yes, grandma,” the middle-aged woman responded.

“Wait,” Ling Wushui interrupted. “Kun Qian offers over ten cities and five herb collection spots at Five Wen Mountain in exchange for this disciple.”

Taiyi and Ci Hang Jing’s Mosque, having arrived later, remained silent after Ling Wushui’s offer; it was their limit as well. Accepting would elevate Ice Lake to second-grade sect status.

The old woman sneered, “Sorry, Brother Ling. Ice Lake has suffered a broken generation. We need disciples, but not at the cost of our foundation. Brother Ling, please leave.”

Ling Wushui sneered, addressing Mu Xiaoyun kindly, “Girl, Kun Qian is one of the big three. Joining us offers far greater resources and status, and honors your family.”

“Ling Wushui, what are you doing?” the old woman confronted him.

Taiyi and Ci Hang Jing’s sect members knew that despite Ice Lake's decline, Grandma Feng's power was formidable, making conflict unwise.

“How about this? Let the girl decide. If she wishes to join Kun Qian, so be it. If she prefers Ice Lake or Taiyi, she’ll be a core disciple,” an old man from Taiyi quickly interjected.