Lu Taobao suddenly roared, startling not only Yizixie and Namu Zhong, but also Shen Xiaoyan and the others.
"What are you doing?" Shen Xiaoyan asked, touching her ear with a helpless expression.
"I want to cultivate, whether it's true cultivation or demonic cultivation. I want to become strong..."
Lu Taobao stood up abruptly, clenched his fists, and declared with conviction.
"What nonsense are you spouting?" Shen Xiaoyan reprimanded him sternly.
Although she could understand Lu Taobao's feelings at the moment, she couldn't allow him to resort to crooked paths just to become stronger.
And where did he even hear the term "demonic cultivation"?
"That..."
Lu Taobao realized his words were a bit off after he had spoken them. Hearing Shen Xiaoyan's scolding, he sheepishly said, "That... I misspoke, I misspoke."
"Oh? Where did you go wrong? Didn't you say you just want to become stronger? I happen to have a cultivation technique that can rapidly enhance a person's strength. Would you like to try it?" Yizixie raised an eyebrow and looked at Lu Taobao, his words filled with temptation.
Lu Taobao looked at Yizixie's seemingly benevolent face, but felt as if a fierce ghost was approaching, sending chills down his spine. He involuntarily took a step back and fell onto the wooden chair.
"No, no need," Lu Taobao waved his hand.
"Why is that?" Yizixie asked, looking genuinely puzzled.
"Alright, Brother Xiao Xie, stop teasing him. If he really asked for it, where would you find a quick cultivation technique for him?" Namu Zhong interrupted Yizixie, chiding him with a smile.
"I was just testing him, to see if his resolve was firm. What if he loses control of himself when tempted in the future? Wouldn't that be my fault?" Yizixie explained earnestly.
Although she felt Yizixie's argument was a bit of a stretch, Shen Xiaoyan still nodded in agreement. They indeed couldn't let Lu Taobao have such thoughts.
"Don't worry, I was just speaking casually. Even though I desperately want to become stronger, I won't stray down the wrong path. Otherwise, not only will you all be disappointed in me, but... how would I have the face to see her?"
Although Lu Taobao didn't finish his sentence, Shen Xiaoyan and the others could all guess that the unfinished part was related to Bai Ying.
Indeed, no matter the time, it's crucial to see without saying. Therefore, they didn't dwell on the matter.
"Alright, now can you tell us if you have any cultivation techniques for us to practice?" Shen Xiaoyan turned to Yizixie again.
Yizixie hadn't intended to muddle through this. Hearing Shen Xiaoyan's question, he straightforwardly said, "To cultivate, you must first know your own attribute and what kind of cultivation suits you."
Shen Xiaoyan wanted to ask if this was related to the so-called spiritual roots. She opened her mouth but ultimately didn't speak.
This wasn't something a village girl like her should know. If she were to ask, it might immediately arouse Yizixie's suspicion.
"It's similar to the spiritual roots mentioned in storybooks," Yizixie continued before anyone could ask.
"Testing spiritual roots? Doesn't that require specific items?" Shen Xiaoyan couldn't help but speak this time. After all this talk, would it all be in vain?
"Do I seem like someone who speaks empty words? Since I mentioned it, it means I've made preparations." With that, Yizixie flipped his palm, and a crystal ball appeared in his hand.
"Come, who wants to try first?" Yizixie held up the crystal ball, his gaze sweeping over each person.
"I'll go first," Lu Taobao said when no one else spoke, standing up.
No matter what, he had to cultivate and become stronger. It was just a test of spiritual roots, what was there to fear?
The most terrifying thing would be if he had no spiritual roots.
Thinking of this, Lu Taobao shook his head, trying to drive the thought out of his mind.
Bah, how could he think that way?
He definitely had spiritual roots, absolutely.
"It's not like you're getting married, why are you dawdling like a bride? What's the rush?" Yizixie said, growing impatient after waiting for a long time.
It was only a few steps away, but Lu Taobao made it feel like a journey of a thousand miles, which truly left Yizixie speechless.
"Why the rush? I need to think. Who knows if your thing actually works?" Lu Taobao retorted, but he also strode towards Yizixie.
"Come on."
Yizixie suppressed a laugh, looking at Lu Taobao's death-defying expression, and didn't know what to say.
Despite finding it amusing, Yizixie didn't waste any more time. He took Lu Taobao's right hand with his left and made a small cut on Lu Taobao's palm. Blood immediately welled up.
"What are you doing?"
Feeling the pain in his hand, Lu Taobao's eyes snapped open. Seeing the cut on his palm bleeding, he instinctively exclaimed.
"What are you yelling about? It doesn't hurt," Yizixie said, even pinching Lu Taobao's wound fiercely.
Before Lu Taobao could cry out again, Yizixie placed his hand on the crystal ball.
The originally transparent crystal ball, upon contact with the fresh blood, slowly turned a bright red, as if absorbing Lu Taobao's blood into itself.
Once the entire ball turned red, it emitted a dazzling light, so bright it was hard to open one's eyes.
Lu Taobao was astonished by the strange sight. His previous worries, fears, and nervousness were all forgotten.
"Quick, tell me, what kind of spiritual root do I have?"
Unable to wait for Yizixie to speak, Lu Taobao asked himself.
Yizixie, however, kept his eyes on the crystal ball, not saying a word.
Lu Taobao wanted to say more, but Namu Zhong's disapproving glance silenced him.
As the dazzling light gradually faded, Yizixie finally let out a sigh of relief.
"I haven't used this in so long, I was worried it was broken. It seems to be functioning normally now."
Seeing Yizixie's expression of relief, as if he had narrowly escaped a disaster, Lu Taobao felt extremely annoyed.
What did he mean by that?
"You were using me as a test subject, weren't you?" Lu Taobao asked sinisterly.
Yizixie looked up, his innocent eyes wide, and retorted, "How can you blame me for this? I asked who wanted to go first, and you volunteered."
After speaking, Yizixie nodded to himself, affirming that he was telling the truth.
Lu Taobao thought back and realized it was indeed true. He no longer hesitated, and thinking of the spiritual roots, he eagerly asked, "What kind of spiritual root do I have? Is it powerful?"
Yizixie nodded, then praised, "Although you are a person who..."
Yizixie shook his head, leaving his sentence unfinished, and continued, "Your spiritual root is quite good. It's a Metal spiritual root, belonging to the offensive type."
The previous second, Lu Taobao was still wondering what Yizixie's unfinished sentence meant. Although his intuition told him it wasn't something good, he still wanted to ask.
But now, hearing Yizixie's words, he had already forgotten his previous question.