In front of a small, unassuming house stood twelve children, each between five and eight years old. They gathered in a loose cluster, shifting restlessly beneath the quiet morning sky. Some fidgeted with their sleeves, others clung to one another, whispering nervously. A few stared ahead in forced bravery—but even they could not hide the tension in their eyes.
Today was the day their destinies would be revealed.
Within the Lu Clan, one's spiritual roots determined everything. A strong root could open the path to power and status, while a weak one meant years—perhaps a lifetime—of struggle. And then there were the rare few… those born with unusual or mutated roots. Such power could elevate them beyond their peers—or destroy them entirely.
"You are all Kirin children of my Lu Clan."
The voice was calm, yet it carried undeniable authority.
Third Elder Lu Chanki stood at the entrance of the house, his hands folded behind his back. His presence alone seemed to press down on the children, silencing their whispers. At his feet lay a Wind-Grazing Spirit Wolf, its sleek body rippling as though shaped by the wind itself. Its fur shimmered faintly, and its sharp amber eyes swept across the group.
Several children instinctively stepped back.
"You are the future of this clan," Lu Chanki continued, his tone even. "No matter your spiritual roots, remember this—through effort and discipline, even the Foundation Establishment Realm is within reach."
The children exchanged uncertain glances. Most did not fully understand his words, but they felt their weight.
"It's enough."
The murmuring stopped instantly.
Lu Chanki's gaze sharpened as it passed over them, cold and measuring.
"Enter. One by one."
A chill ran through the group.
Slowly, hesitantly, they formed a line. It was uneven, filled with small shuffles and nervous pauses. At the very front, a girl stood frozen for a moment before forcing herself forward.
Lu Yanshi.
Her small hands trembled slightly at her sides, though she clenched them into fists to steady herself. Her heart pounded loudly in her chest as she stepped through the doorway.
Inside, the air changed.
It was still—unnaturally so. Heavy, as though something unseen pressed gently against her skin.
At the center of the dim chamber hovered a transparent sphere. It was so clear it was almost invisible, its presence revealed only by the way it bent the faint light into soft ripples across the polished floor. Beneath it lay a complex formation etched into the stone—intricate lines and symbols woven together in perfect precision. Faint energy flickered along its surface, like embers barely clinging to life.
The sphere was not merely an object.
It was judgment.
"Step forward," came Lu Chanki's voice from behind.
The first child approached.
Lu Yanxi, a girl with long dark hair and steady eyes, knelt carefully before the sphere. Her hands hovered above its surface, trembling just slightly.
For a brief moment, nothing happened.
Then—
Soft light bloomed.
Three threads of energy slowly emerged, coiling around her dantian. A flowing blue current of Water, gentle yet persistent. A vibrant green thread of Plant, alive and growing. And a sharp, gleaming strand of gold-colored Metal, steady and unyielding.
The three moved together in quiet harmony.
The sphere pulsed once, as if acknowledging her.
A hush fell over the room.
The children stared, wide-eyed.
"She's… glowing," one boy whispered.
"Is that… good?" another murmured, unsure.
Even those who had been confident before shifted uneasily, unable to understand what they were seeing—but instinctively aware that it mattered.
Lu Chanki stepped closer, his expression calm.
"Three spiritual roots," he said. "Rare."
The children looked at one another, confused.
"Does that mean she's strong?" a girl asked hesitantly.
Lu Chanki's gaze swept over them.
"Strength is not determined by number alone," he replied. "Harmony, control, and understanding—those are what define true power."
Some nodded, though most did not truly understand.
One by one, the children stepped forward.
Some awakened simple, steady roots. Others faltered, their energies uneven and unstable. Each result drew whispers, shifting emotions rippling through the group—envy, relief, fear.
Then—
"Next."
Lu Yanshi stepped forward.
The room seemed to grow quieter.
Her breath caught as she approached the sphere. Each step felt heavier than the last, as though the air resisted her presence. She knelt slowly, her hands hovering just above the surface.
For a moment, there was only silence.
Then the energy stirred.
A cool stream of blue appeared first—Water, calm and steady.
A sharp glint followed—gold-colored Metal, firm and stabilizing.
And then—
Flame.
Scarlet Fire burst forth, flickering with fierce intensity.
A ripple of tension spread through the room.
Fire and Water… opposing forces.
Yet instead of clashing, they flowed together.
The gold-colored Metal wove between them, binding the two into perfect balance.
The three threads circled her dantian in flawless harmony.
The sphere pulsed—brighter this time.
A collective gasp rose from the children.
"She's glowing too!"
"But… that one feels different…"
Even without understanding, they could feel it.
Something was… extraordinary.
Lu Yanshi swallowed, her voice soft but steady.
"The Metal… it keeps them balanced."
Lu Chanki's eyes gleamed faintly.
"Correct."
He turned to the others, his voice carrying clearly through the chamber.
"Remember this moment. Both Lu Yanxi and Lu Yanshi possess three spiritual roots—rare, and powerful. But do not mistake this for simple advantage. Without discipline, even great potential is meaningless."
The children shifted uneasily, their earlier confidence shaken.
Outside, the Wind-Grazing Spirit Wolf lifted its head, its gaze fixed on the doorway. Its ears twitched, sensing the surge of energy within.
Lu Yanshi slowly lowered her hands.
Her heart was still racing.
Three roots.
Balanced.
Rare.
She clenched her fists slightly, a quiet determination forming beneath the lingering fear.
This… was only the beginning.