Even Bi Xinya's confident expression cracked at that moment, her eyes widening as she stared at Su Tianya in disbelief. The pride she had carried just moments ago wavered, replaced by something far more uncertain.
Chen Kuo's gaze sharpened further, no longer merely approving but filled with clear intent. He studied Su Tianya closely, as if reassessing her value entirely.
"Origin root… and Spirit Inner Sun."
Su Tianya stood frozen in place, her hand still resting against the mirror as if she had not yet understood what had just occurred. Her mind seemed unable to catch up with the reality unfolding before her.
The courtyard erupted once more, but this time the reaction was entirely different. The noise was no longer filled with excitement or disbelief, but with something quieter and heavier.
It was reverence.
Lin Yuan stood quietly at the back of the line, his expression unchanged.
Root… bridge.
Inner Sun… vessel.
His gaze lowered slightly, his thoughts moving in silence.
So this is how this world draws the line between ordinary… and extraordinary.
Although it was only one grade above Mortal, the difference between them was vast. Anyone who possessed a Spirit-grade Inner Sun had the potential to step onto the path of cultivation, leaving behind the limits of ordinary life.
But what exactly was a cultivator? That question traced back to the earliest eras of the world, long before temples, sects, or even structured cultivation methods existed.
In ancient times, beings known as Half-Gods walked the land freely, ruling over all living creatures with unquestioned authority. Mortals lived beneath their shadow, bound by fear and forced obedience, unable to resist their overwhelming power.
Yet mortals were not content to remain beneath them forever. The Half-Gods were powerful, but they were not true gods, and that truth ignited the first spark of defiance within humanity.
Thus, the path of cultivation was born. It was a method through which ordinary humans learned to harness spiritual energy, the same force the Half-Gods wielded naturally from birth.
Through cultivation, mortals gained the ability to refine their bodies, strengthen their Inner Sun, and eventually stand as equals—or even rivals—to those ancient beings.
Su Tianya stepped aside confidently, shooting Bi Xinya a teasing grin. "Your turn—don't disappoint me."
"Please. It's just Spirit grade," Bi Xinya scoffed, lifting her chin slightly. "Don't get ahead of yourself." She flicked a glance at Lin Yuan. "Even he can see that."
Lin Yuan nodded lightly, not bothering to argue. Instead, he glanced toward the front with quiet calm. "Looks like it's your turn."
All eyes shifted toward Bi Xinya. She acted as though she didn't notice, though the slight lift of her chin betrayed her confidence as she stepped forward.
Without hesitation, she placed her hand on the mirror.
The reaction was immediate. Light surged across the surface, gathering at the center with astonishing speed before condensing into a sharp, star-shaped brilliance.
It flared so brightly that several children squinted and instinctively stepped back.
"Star grade."
"No way!"
"A Star grade? Really?"
"I've never seen one before!"
Even the adults at the back exchanged stunned glances. For most of them, this was the first time they had witnessed such a level of talent with their own eyes.
Bi Xinya stepped back, attempting to appear indifferent, though the faint curve of her lips betrayed her satisfaction.
Lin Yuan looked at her with a small, genuine smile. "Congratulations."
She shrugged, though her posture straightened slightly. "It's just a grade. You don't have to look at me like I saved the village."
Lin Yuan shook his head lightly, amused by her reaction but choosing not to press further.
Elder Chen Kuo raised the mirror once more, addressing the gathered children with a calm yet authoritative tone. "For those unfamiliar with the system, there are five grades commonly seen in this region."
He paused briefly before continuing. "Barren, Mortal, and Spirit are the most common. Star comes next, and above that is Wheel."
"The higher the grade, the stronger your ability to sense spiritual energy—and the faster your cultivation will progress."
A boy in the crowd raised his hand nervously. "Has anyone ever reached anything above Wheel?"
Chen Kuo shook his head slowly. "Not within this region. There are higher realms beyond Wheel, but they belong to a different world entirely—one most of you will never see."
Bi Xinya puffed her cheeks slightly, clearly pleased with her result despite her earlier indifference.
The remaining children stepped forward one by one.
"Spirit."
"Spirit."
"Mortal."
"Mortal."
Soon, only one remained.
Chen Kuo glanced down at his wooden list, pausing longer than usual before lifting his gaze. His eyes settled on Lin Yuan.
A subtle shift passed through the crowd. Some children exchanged uncertain looks, while others simply watched in quiet curiosity.
Lin Yuan exhaled inwardly and stepped forward calmly. His movements were neither hesitant nor hurried, as though he had already accepted whatever outcome awaited him.
But before his hand could reach the mirror—
"Lin Yuan, are you certain you wish to proceed today?" Chen Kuo lowered the mirror slightly, his gaze deep and unreadable.
Bi Xinya turned sharply. "Why wouldn't he try?"
Chen Kuo did not look at her. "His body is fragile. The mirror will not harm him, but it may cause dizziness or discomfort… that is all I will say."
Lin Yuan blinked, momentarily caught off guard. He glanced at the mirror, then at his own hand, as if weighing something invisible.
"I want to try."
Chen Kuo's expression softened faintly, as though he had expected that answer yet still felt a trace of reluctance. Even so, he raised the mirror again and held it steady.
"When you are ready."
Lin Yuan nodded and lifted his hand.
But before his fingers could touch the surface—
"Wait! It's my turn, not him!"
The shout cut through the courtyard abruptly, breaking the tension like a thrown stone.
A boy pushed his way through the crowd, stumbling slightly as he rushed forward. His hair was messy, his breathing uneven, and his expression carried a mix of embarrassment and stubborn determination.
Bi Xinya clicked her tongue. "Seriously? Now?"
"Ah… Su Tianya's brother. Of course he'd show up late."
The boy stopped in front of Chen Kuo, bending slightly as he caught his breath. "I'm sorry, Elder, I was helping my mother—"
His voice held both apology and pride, as if he refused to hide the reason behind his delay.
Chen Kuo glanced at his list, a trace of annoyance flickering across his face before fading. He sighed quietly and nodded. "You are next. Step forward—and do not waste time."
Lin Yuan lowered his hand without complaint and stepped aside calmly. There was no impatience in his expression, as if waiting meant nothing to him.
Su Tianya's brother shot him a brief, apologetic glance before taking his place.
The atmosphere shifted again. Many in the crowd knew him, and several temple elders had long held high expectations for his talent.
He stepped forward and placed his palm against the mirror.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then, a soft blue glow emerged at the center, steady and clear.
Before anyone could react, a second light appeared beneath it—warm and orange, equally stable yet entirely separate. The two lights overlapped without merging, each maintaining its own distinct boundary.
Murmurs spread instantly through the crowd.
"You… have two?"
Bi Xinya narrowed her eyes slightly. "Dual Inner Suns… that's rare."
Chen Kuo's expression grew serious. He studied the mirror in silence for several breaths before finally speaking.
"Spirit grade."
He paused, his voice lowering slightly.
"Both are Spirit grade."
A wave of hushed astonishment rippled across the courtyard. Dual Inner Suns were rare enough on their own, but to have both reach Spirit grade made it even more extraordinary.
Parents exchanged stunned glances, while several children stared openly, unable to hide their envy.
Su Tianya let out a quiet breath of relief and patted her brother's shoulder. He still looked uncertain, but he bowed respectfully to Chen Kuo before stepping back.
Chen Kuo lowered the mirror slightly, his gaze lingering on the boy for a moment longer. When he finally spoke again, his tone carried quiet certainty.
"There is no need to test your spiritual root."
The courtyard fell silent once more, the weight of that statement immediately understood by all.
Bi Xinya's brows lifted slightly. "You're not even going to test it?"
Chen Kuo shook his head slowly, his voice calm yet firm. "A dual Spirit-grade Inner Sun does not exist without foundation."
He paused briefly, allowing the meaning of his words to settle.
"In nearly all such cases, the spiritual root will be Origin grade—or higher."
A ripple of understanding spread through the crowd, replacing confusion with quiet acceptance.
"Then… it's already decided."
"So his root is definitely Origin?"
"That's unfair…"
Chen Kuo did not respond to the murmurs. His attention had already shifted forward, as if such conclusions required no further explanation.
Bi Xinya folded her arms, clicking her tongue. "Shows up late and still ends up with something like that. Some people are just born lucky."
With his test complete, the line finally emptied.
Chen Kuo adjusted his grip on the mirror and turned toward Lin Yuan once more. His gaze was steady, carrying a weight that made the surrounding air feel heavier.
"Lin Yuan… you are the last one. Step forward."