Chapter 6

When Master Li called Han Xiaoshu's name, Han Xiaoshu slowly stepped forward. He did not feel as nervous as the others. Taking the spirit stone from Master Li, he slowly closed his eyes and began to circulate the basic cultivation technique.

The little fatty also watched attentively.

Just like the little fatty, as soon as Han Xiaoshu began to circulate the technique, the spirit stone emitted light. However, unlike the little fatty, this time it emitted a green light.

But the brightness of the light seemed a bit dimmer than the little fatty's.

Seeing this, the little fatty let out a sigh of relief, while Master Wang looked at Han Xiaoshu with a smile, seemingly a bit surprised.

"Junior Brother Han, congratulations. Although your spiritual vein quality is not as high as Junior Brother Gou's, it should be at the peak of the lower grade, but it is of the wood element, which gives you a significant advantage over our fire element."

Master Wang's words left Han Xiaoshu a bit puzzled.

"Senior Brother, isn't it the same?"

"It's not the same. I'll explain more when we get to the outer sect. For now, stand next to me."

"You and Junior Brother Gou seem to know each other, which is great. Once you enter the outer sect, you can support each other."

Master Wang didn't seem to want to say more and didn't answer Han Xiaoshu's question.

Han Xiaoshu suppressed his doubts and stood next to the little fatty.

The two exchanged a smile.

"Very good. To have two awakened ones this year is quite unexpected. I hope the rest can bring me more surprises. Let's continue," Master Li said with a smile to the remaining people, seeming to be in a good mood.

The testing continued, but by the end, no one else awakened their spiritual veins.

But the three Masters, including Li, didn't seem to mind. After all, having two awakened ones this time was already a pleasant surprise, as usually one every five years was considered good.

...

"Alright, the spiritual vein testing for this year is over. Those who need a retest, please stand on my left."

As Master Li said this, the group of people who had passed the age limit began to line up as instructed.

But considering what the young man had said earlier, the number of people had greatly reduced, with only about twenty people remaining.

These twenty or so people were all around twenty-six or twenty-seven years old. For ordinary people, this age was not considered old, but for cultivators, the best age for spiritual vein awakening was around fifteen.

As expected, none of these twenty people awakened their spiritual veins and returned to the crowd with their heads hanging low.

"Alright, someone will assign you tasks. I hope you can return alive," Master Li said when no one came forward for a retest, then nodded to Master Wang.

Master Wang didn't waste any more words and said to Han Xiaoshu and the little fatty, "Junior Brothers, do you have anything or any matters to arrange? If not, follow me to report to the outer sect. You don't need to bring clothes; you will be provided with special attire once you enter the outer sect."

"Senior Brother, we have no other trivial matters," Han Xiaoshu and the little fatty replied with a bow, not daring to be arrogant given the courtesy shown to them.

"Good, let's go then." The young man was very satisfied with their response and turned to walk down the mountain path.

Han Xiaoshu, the little fatty, and two other middle-aged men followed.

On the way, Han Xiaoshu glanced back at the crowd. The people gathered there began to disperse, some with reluctance, others with indifference.

As he stepped onto the mountain path, his past and future were separated, with no further entanglements, the boundary between the mortal and the immortal.

...

On the mountain path

The mountain path was long, and looking up, it seemed to have no end, with only a point of light in the distance.

"Junior Brothers, it's my luck to have guided you two. My real name is Wang Chaoyang. You can call me Senior Brother Wang. We should communicate more in the future. After all, we both started as laborers. These two are Senior Brother Li, whom you've already met, and Senior Brother Zheng."

Wang Chaoyang introduced himself to Han Xiaoshu and the little fatty as they walked.

Han Xiaoshu and the little fatty also bowed and addressed the two as Senior Brothers.

"The place we're going to is called the Reception Hall. Someone will arrange your accommodation there. After some time, other Senior Brothers and Sisters will bring suitable disciples from the mortal world, and they will be arranged together. If you have any questions now, you can ask me, and I'll answer what I can."

Wang Chaoyang continued to explain as they walked.

The little fatty looked at Han Xiaoshu, who was always his main support.

Han Xiaoshu had many questions in his mind and asked Wang Chaoyang.

"Senior Brother, what do you mean by 'mixed upper grade' and 'mixed middle grade'? And what's the difference between the wood spiritual vein and the fire spiritual vein?"

Han Xiaoshu asked two questions because in the simulator, his spiritual vein was now at the third stage of mixed, not the lower grade.

The difference between the wood spiritual vein and the fire spiritual vein was something he, a novice in cultivation, did not understand.

"Let me answer your second question first. Our spiritual veins are divided into the five elements: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. You should know this. Each type of spiritual vein gives us different characteristics. For example, my fire spiritual vein and Junior Brother Gou's fire spiritual vein allow us to cultivate fire techniques faster. We also have a special sensitivity to fire energy, which gives us a significant advantage in alchemy."

Wang Chaoyang turned to look at Han Xiaoshu as he spoke.

He didn't explain the special qualities of the other three types of spiritual veins but continued.

"For us, the grades of spiritual veins are divided into mixed, mortal, and extraordinary. You don't need to know about the higher grades; you'll understand when you reach that level. Each grade is further divided into upper, middle, and lower grades. Junior Brother Gou and I are both middle-grade fire spiritual veins, which is quite rare. Junior Brother Han, you shouldn't be discouraged. Wood spiritual veins are much rarer than fire spiritual veins and are treasured by all sects. In the future, I might have to seek your help."

"I wouldn't dare. If Senior Brother has any requests, as long as they don't go against my principles, I will do my best."

Han Xiaoshu didn't dare to be arrogant, and Wang Chaoyang was indeed his guide, so it was only right to be grateful.

Hearing Wang Chaoyang's words, Han Xiaoshu had a thought. His simulator could increase all five types of spiritual veins. Could there be cultivators with multiple spiritual veins?

With this question in mind, Han Xiaoshu asked Wang Chaoyang.

"Senior Brother, are there people with multiple spiritual veins?"

"Yes, but each one is a remarkable figure. For example, alchemists usually have both fire and wood spiritual veins. This is because alchemy requires a thorough understanding of both fire and herbs. If Junior Brother Han can comprehend the fire spiritual vein, I would really be in luck this time."

Wang Chaoyang patiently explained Han Xiaoshu's question.

"Can someone with a spiritual vein comprehend other spiritual veins?" Han Xiaoshu was a bit surprised.

"Yes, but it's extremely difficult. You know, cultivators are one in a hundred, and those with multiple spiritual veins are one in ten thousand. It's incredibly hard for someone with a single spiritual vein to comprehend other spiritual veins. The five elements not only generate but also counteract each other."

Wang Chaoyang sighed.

Hearing this, Han Xiaoshu made up his mind. Before he became strong, he couldn't reveal that he could cultivate all five elements. If others found out, he might be treated like a lab rat by the cultivation world's big shots.

He didn't know if there were lab rats in this world, but he had to be cautious. Fortunately, he hadn't impulsively maxed out all the elements when he was in the back mountain.

As they walked and talked, they reached the end of the mountain path.

Exiting the mountain path, they came to an open area. The ground was paved with flat bricks, and the grand buildings were impressive. The central building had a plaque above its door with three characters.

"Reception Hall"

My cultivation journey, Han Xiaoshu's, begins here.