The expressions on everyone's faces had become tense.
They wanted to see Zhang Ergou's limits.
Even the Summer Sun Ascetic looked with a tense expression at the five-colored crystal light pillar.
The crystal ball in Zhang Ergou's hand was getting hotter and hotter, slightly warm.
Hearing the gasps of the crowd, Zhang Ergou also became nervous.
He hadn't expected that testing his spiritual root would cause such a sensation.
His hand on the crystal ball began to tremble slightly.
"Earth-tier high grade, and it's still rising!"
This was undoubtedly the first time Feng Shun had seen such a promising disciple since he took charge of the recruitment.
Everyone held their breath, staring intently at the light on the five-colored crystal pillar.
For a moment, the secret room fell silent.
"It's risen, it's risen, Sky-tier initial grade, five-element spiritual root!"
Feng Shun's voice had become extremely sharp.
As the crystal light pillar broke through Earth-tier and reached Sky-tier, Zhang Ergou quietly moved his hand away.
Because the crystal ball was now scalding hot.
The five-colored crystal light pillar stopped rising as Zhang Ergou removed his hand from the crystal ball.
"Sky-tier initial grade, five-element spiritual root!" Zhang Ergou's test result finally stabilized at Sky-tier initial grade.
"Zhang Ergou, Sky-tier initial grade, five-element spiritual root!" The disciple in charge of the test reported the final result with a hoarse voice.
At this moment, the Misty Sect was already in an uproar.
Because at the same time Zhang Ergou's test result was revealed, the tower standing at the highest point of the sect emitted an extremely dazzling light.
This was a symbol of a Sky-tier spiritual root being detected.
The tower was not only connected to this secret room for testing in the outer sect of the Misty Sect.
It was also connected to several other testing secret rooms.
Once a Sky-tier spiritual root was detected, the treasure tower would emit a dazzling light.
The moment the treasure tower emitted light, several powerful divine senses scanned towards the outer sect area.
Zhang Ergou only felt a gentle breeze brushing past him.
The Spring Sun Ascetic and the Summer Sun Ascetic's expressions changed immediately. At their cultivation level,
they could naturally sense this powerful pressure.
Fortunately, these divine senses were merely probing and held no ill intentions.
The Spring Sun Ascetic and the Summer Sun Ascetic respectfully bowed towards the inner sect.
It was clear they knew what had happened.
As an even more powerful divine sense swept by, the previous divine senses immediately retreated completely.
The Spring Sun Ascetic and the Summer Sun Ascetic exchanged glances.
They had actually alarmed that person!
Both of them saw astonishment in each other's eyes.
Zhang Ergou walked softly behind the Spring Sun Ascetic. He was still somewhat confused about his test results.
Why did the crystal light pillar only have one color when others tested, but five colors for him?
He had heard Feng Shun exclaim several times and now saw the complex expressions of everyone looking at him.
Zhang Ergou guessed that his test result must have been very impressive.
But he didn't ask, he was still afraid of being ridiculed!
"Master! I'm done with my test. Are you satisfied?" Zhang Ergou stood beside the Spring Sun Ascetic and asked softly.
The Spring Sun Ascetic looked at Zhang Ergou with a loving expression.
"Hmph! What's so great about it? Isn't it just a Sky-tier initial grade, five-element spiritual root? We'll see who wins in the new disciple competition!"
Before the Spring Sun Ascetic could answer, an inharmonious voice rang out.
Liu Chuchen looked at Zhang Ergou with disdain.
He was extremely jealous of Zhang Ergou testing as a Sky-tier initial grade, five-element spiritual root.
But he couldn't lose face to Zhang Ergou and the others.
Especially seeing Zhang Ergou's tattered appearance, Liu Chuchen's disdain became even more evident.
"New disciple competition? What's that?"
Zhang Ergou looked at the Spring Sun Ascetic and asked doubtfully.
Feng Shun walked up to Zhang Ergou at this moment, without any elder's airs: "Let me tell you!"
"The new disciple competition is a martial arts tournament held every year by the Misty Sect for recruiting new disciples."
"This, like the spiritual root test, is a tradition of the Misty Sect and the most attractive event for everyone each year when recruiting new disciples."
"Because the spiritual root test can only reveal a new disciple's potential."
"The new disciple competition is a contest and demonstration for all newly recruited disciples."
"The top twenty each year will receive special rewards, including cultivation techniques, pills, weapons, and other valuable items."
"The higher the ranking, the more generous the rewards."
"So, every year the newly recruited disciples go all out, striving for the top ten."
Feng Shun patiently explained to Zhang Ergou and the others.
"Is there anything different about the top ten?"
"Of course, there is. After the competition, the remaining disciples will be assigned to their respective classes to study with their mentors and cultivate the corresponding techniques."
"The top ten in the competition will have a chance to enter the outer sect's scripture repository."
"In this scripture repository, there are all sorts of cultivation techniques, weapons, and pills. The top ten will have the opportunity to obtain one item from it."
Zhang Ergou's eyes gradually lit up. He never had too many good things.
Especially now, he only had a Sky-Piercing Blade and a copy of the "Chaos Art of Heaven and Earth."
He urgently needed these things to improve himself.
Zhang Ergou glared back at Liu Chuchen, not to be outdone.
He was not afraid of people who only knew how to badmouth others behind their backs.
He had seen many such people in Xinshan Village.
Liu Chuchen's face turned fierce as he saw Zhang Ergou glare at him.
Zhang Ergou slowly raised his middle finger, looking at Liu Chuchen provocatively.
Liu Chuchen's face instantly turned red: "Zhang Ergou, you bumpkin, don't be too arrogant. When the new disciple competition comes, I will definitely make things difficult for you!"
Liu Chuchen's twin brother, Liu Chufeng, also looked at Zhang Ergou with anger.
They did not expect that Zhang Ergou, dressed so poorly, would dare to provoke them.
"Haha, Ergou, don't get too carried away. Remember, there's always someone better, and there's always a higher heaven."
The Spring Sun Ascetic said with a chuckle. Of course, these words were also meant for the Summer Sun Ascetic.
He didn't want the disciple he had just recruited to be targeted by the Summer Sun Ascetic and the others.
Evidently, it was already too late.
The Liu Chuchen brothers had completely grown to resent Zhang Ergou.
Neither of them was broad-minded. Not only did Zhang Ergou steal their thunder,
but he also made such an insulting gesture.
If it weren't for the presence of several elders in the secret room, they would have already made a move.
They wouldn't have been able to hold back until now.
"Master, I just can't stand their arrogant demeanor, as if everyone owes them money!"
Zhang Ergou couldn't stand the haughty attitude of the Liu Chuchen brothers.
"You!" The Spring Sun Ascetic patted Zhang Ergou's head, saying nothing more.
At this moment, Liu Cuilan was standing next to the testing desk.
As Liu Cuilan placed her hand on the crystal ball, a brilliant blue crystal light instantly illuminated.