In the vast Yiluan Greater World, talent was not measured by ambition or wealth—it was determined by the innate quality of one's Origin Root.
Every cultivator was born with an Origin Root. This invisible foundation of one's soul dictated their ability to sense, absorb, and refine spiritual energy from the heavens and earth. The stronger the root, the more swiftly and smoothly one could tread the path of cultivation. As such, Origin Roots were not equal, and their grades formed a strict hierarchy that shaped countless destinies.
The grades were as follows:
Mortal Origin Root: The lowest tier. Individuals with this root possessed extremely limited affinity for cultivation. In powerful sects such as the Ethereal Dao Sect, even entry as an outer disciple would be impossible without connection; even if you somehow get in, you can be a worker in the sect. Most of these individuals remained in the mundane world.Spirit Origin Root: A modest improvement. Cultivators with this root could be accepted as outer court disciples, provided they worked diligently and made up for their average foundation through sheer perseverance. Though slow, their path was not entirely without hope.Heaven Origin Root: A notable step above. This grade granted one solid talent and a strong start. Those with Heaven Roots were often accepted directly into the inner court, bypassing the struggle of lower ranks.Mythic Origin Root: A rare and prestigious root. Cultivators with Mythic Roots displayed exceptional talent and were typically recruited straight into the core disciple ranks. These individuals often drew the attention of elders and clan leaders.
Above these were the rarities that defied the laws of the mortal world:
Divine Origin Root: Legendary and awe-inspiring. Only a few had ever appeared in the Yiluan Greater World across thousands of years. Those who possessed it were viewed as destined for greatness, their potential nearly limitless.
And yet, beyond even Divine Origin Roots, there were greater existences found only in the Immortal Realm:
Primal Origin Root: Said to be blessed by primordial forces. Cultivators born with this root were capable of resonating with the fundamental laws of the universe.Dao Origin Root: The pinnacle of innate talent, this root was reserved for the direct descendants of lofty Immortals. It was a foundation born from the Dao itself, enabling one to comprehend divine mysteries from an early age.
In the Ethereal Dao Sect, the evaluation of these roots was a formal affair, especially for the direct descendants of the Three Great Clans and the lineages of high-ranking elders. To this end, two ancient testing stones were used.
The first stone measured one's Origin Root. When touched, it would emit a distinct glow corresponding to the root's grade:
Mortal – Dull graySpirit – Pale blueHeaven – Radiant goldMythic – Brilliant violetDivine – Shimmering white
The second stone was used to detect one's body constitution, more commonly referred to as a physique.
When an individual placed their hand upon it, ancient runes would activate. If the person possessed a special body constitution, those runes would awaken and begin to glow across their flesh. The colors and patterns revealed the nature of the physique. However, if no glow appeared, it simply meant the individual lacked any notable body constitution.
Thousands of body constitutions existed throughout the Chaos Plane. Some were weak, others rare, but among them, a hundred were considered truly valuable. Cultivators with one of the Top 100 Constitutions, especially when paired with a solid Origin Root, were considered great assets by any sect.
However, talent alone did not guarantee success.
Even the most extraordinary root or physique could go to waste if the cultivator lacked discipline, wisdom, or perseverance. On the other hand, those born with lesser roots but unyielding hearts had often risen to heights others deemed impossible. And multiple people can be born with the same constitution, except the top 10, only one can be born in a world at a given time.
Among the many physiques, ten stood at the very summit. These Top 10 Body Constitutions were recognized across all worlds—be it a minor world, a powerful greater world like Yiluan, or the Immortal Realm itself. Yet, one's environment played a crucial role in the activation and refinement of these divine bodies.
A cultivator born in a lesser world, even if they awakened the number one body constitution, would be unable to bring out its full potential. The laws, resources, and opportunities simply did not exist in such a place. Likewise, a cultivator from a greater world would fare better, but still fall short of the heights possible in the Immortal Realm.
This was why all cultivators who reached the Heaven Ascension Realm strove to transcend their world and ascend to the Immortal Realm—to pursue the Dao at its source.
As the time for the Origin Root and physique assessments approached, anticipation spread throughout the sect.
The descendants of the Three Great Clans and the children of the sect's elders would soon place their hands on the ancient stones, and the heavens would decide their worth.
And among them… stood Chen Chao and Feng Yumo.
Their fate was about to be revealed.