One year later.
The day the entire Yellow Dust Star had been waiting for finally arrived.
Rumors had turned into certainty: flying boats wrapped in shimmering light had been sighted over distant continents. Immortal cultivators from the Azure Cloud Realm were indeed recruiting disciples across mortal worlds.
Willow Leaf Village buzzed with excitement for weeks. Young people between fifteen and twenty practiced standing straight, washing their faces cleaner than ever, dreaming of the crystal orb that could change their fate.
A temporary testing ground was set up on a flat plain five li outside the village — a large white tent erected overnight by county officials, ringed by mortal guards who stood in awe.
On the morning of the test, hundreds of youths from surrounding villages gathered, dressed in their best clothes.
Xiao Chen, now eighteen, walked alongside Qing Lian.
She wore a simple blue dress her mother had sewn from saved cloth. Her hair was tied neatly, a single wildflower tucked behind one ear — picked from the hill that morning.
"You look beautiful," Xiao Chen said quietly as they walked.
Qing Lian's cheeks pinked. "It's just old cloth. But… thank you, Chen-ge."
He smiled, heart beating a little faster. Over the past year, their evenings beneath the willow had become cherished routine — sharing food, talking about dreams, sometimes sitting in comfortable silence as stars wheeled overhead.
She had never accepted Li Wei's advances. Each time the magistrate's son visited, her refusal grew firmer. Rumors said he had grown angry, but his father cautioned patience — forcing a village girl would damage reputation.
Now, if either of them awakened spirit roots, all earthly power would mean nothing.
They reached the plain.
A massive crowd had already formed. At the center stood a floating platform of white jade, twenty zhang wide, hovering three feet above the ground. Mortal eyes had never seen such a thing.
Three figures in flowing azure robes stood upon it — two men and one woman, all appearing in their thirties, exuding an indescribable aura. Dust did not touch their clothes. The air around them seemed clearer, richer.
Immortals.
The middle-aged lead elder, stern-faced with a long beard, spoke. His voice carried naturally to every ear, neither loud nor soft.
"I am Elder Han of the Azure Cloud Sect's outer branch. We seek those with affinity for spiritual energy — what you call spirit roots. Talent determines everything in the path of immortality. Wealth, status, connections — none matter before the Dao."
He raised a crystalline orb the size of a human head, glowing faintly.
"Line up by village. One by one, place your hand upon the Spirit Testing Orb. If light appears, you possess roots. Color and brightness determine quality."
The testing began.
Most youths caused no reaction — the orb remained dull.
Some sparked faint gray or brown light — low-grade earth roots, barely usable.
A few elicited gasps: a girl from the county town produced bright red light — mid-grade fire roots.
Li Wei, standing proudly near the front, placed his hand confidently.
The orb blazed yellow — high-grade earth roots, pure and strong.
Elder Han actually nodded. "Not bad. Qualified for outer disciple."
Li Wei's smile was triumphant. He glanced toward Qing Lian, eyes saying: See? Even immortals recognize superiority.
Then it was Willow Leaf Village's turn.
Zhao Hu went first — faint gray light, low-grade. Disappointed mutters.
Others followed — mostly nothing, a few weak sparks.
Qing Lian stepped forward when her name was called.
She placed her delicate hand on the orb.
A soft blue light bloomed — pure, clear, like a mountain spring.
Mid-grade water roots, excellent purity.
Elder Han's eyes brightened slightly. "Good aptitude. Water roots suit alchemy and healing arts. Qualified."
Cheers erupted from the village group.
Qing Lian stepped back, face flushed with joy. She looked immediately for Xiao Chen.
He smiled encouragingly, heart pounding as his turn approached.
Li Wei watched her reaction, brow furrowing.
Finally, the elder called: "Xiao Chen of Willow Leaf Village."
Xiao Chen walked forward under hundreds of gazes — pitying, curious, mocking.
The orphan trash. What could he possibly awaken?
He placed his hand on the cool crystal.
For a long moment — nothing.
Snickers spread.
Then…
The orb trembled.
A strand of pitch-black light emerged — not gray, not dark elemental, but pure chaos, swirling with faint traces of gold and crimson within.
The light grew stronger, until the entire orb was shrouded in profound black mist shot through with dual-colored flecks.
Elder Han's calm face changed dramatically.
"This… Chaos origin? With dual righteous-evil fluctuations? Impossible in a mortal world!"
The other two immortals stepped closer, eyes wide.
"Elder Han, look — the orb is cracking!"
Fine lines appeared on the crystal surface.
Elder Han quickly withdrew a formation flag and suppressed the orb's reaction.
He stared at Xiao Chen as though seeing a monster.
"Boy… what is your name again?"
"Xiao Chen, Elder."
Elder Han took a deep breath. "Your roots… are unprecedented. Primordial Chaos Spirit Root — mutated dual nature. The sect has not seen such talent in ten thousand years."
Gasps turned to dead silence.
Li Wei's face twisted in disbelief.
Qing Lian's eyes shone with tears of joy.
Elder Han continued gravely. "However, such roots are heaven-defying… and dangerous. Tribulations will be severe. Many with similar aptitude perished young. But if you survive… your future is limitless."
He paused, then declared loudly:
"Direct inner disciple qualification! Upon entering the sect, you will be accepted by an Elder as personal disciple!"
The crowd erupted.
Xiao Chen stood stunned.
Inner disciple… personal disciple…
Everything felt unreal.
Qing Lian ran to him the moment he stepped down, grasping his hand tightly.
"Chen-ge… we did it. We're leaving together."
He looked at her radiant face, heart full.
"Yes… together."
Far above the clouds, unnoticed by mortals or even the three immortals, a faint heavenly eye opened briefly — gazing down at the black-marked youth.
Then it closed again.
The first ripple in the cosmic pond had been noticed… but not yet acted upon.
That night, beneath the old willow for the last time, Xiao Chen and Qing Lian sat closer than ever.
Stars wheeled overhead.
"Thank you for believing in me," he said softly.
She leaned against him, voice trembling with emotion.
"No… thank you for giving me hope."
In the quiet darkness, under the ancient tree that had witnessed their dreams, Xiao Chen gently turned toward her.
Their eyes met.
Slowly, hesitantly, he leaned in.
Qing Lian closed her eyes.
Their lips met — soft, warm, tasting of youth and unspoken promises.
The first kiss was brief, tender, filled with the sweetness of shared dreams finally coming true.
When they parted, foreheads still touching, she whispered:
"No matter what the immortal world brings… we face it together."
He held her hand tightly.
"Together."
Deep in his chest, the Primordial Chaos Bead thrummed in approval.
The Dual Paths stirred stronger.
A legend had truly begun.