"White Spirit Bone, also known as False Spirit Bone, can indeed be cultivated, but the cultivation speed is extremely slow, often unable to break through the Opening Gate Realm for decades, and the difference from those without Spirit Bone is not significant."
"If I am detected to have a White Spirit Bone, will I not be able to become a disciple of the Seventh Peak?"
Xu Taiping hesitated for a moment, but ultimately asked this question.
In his view, the pill left by his grandfather could make his name appear on the Spirit Bone Stele, but it might not deceive the Qingxuan Sect's detection of the disciples' Spirit Bones.
After all, he was very clear that he had no Spirit Bone.
"That's true, but since you, Taiping, have been chosen by the Spirit Bone Stele, even if it's not the rare Heavenly Spirit Bone, it must at least be a Golden Spirit Bone, or at worst, a Mystic Spirit Bone. It absolutely cannot be a White Spirit Bone."
Zhao Linglong said with great certainty.
"Your Senior Sister Linglong is right. Disciples chosen by the Spirit Bone Stele are often Golden Spirit Bones or even Heavenly Spirit Bones. Junior Brother, you don't need to worry too much."
Qingxiao also patted Xu Taiping's head with a smile.
"That's right. Even if it's a White Spirit Bone, there's no need to worry. Even disciples with White Spirit Bones can cultivate at the foot of the mountain for three years. If they can pass the test after three years, they can still become disciples of the Seven Peaks."
Zhao Linglong added with a smile.
Xu Taiping nodded, forcing a smile.
Hearing that even a White Spirit Bone wouldn't be immediately expelled, he felt a bit relieved.
Qingxuan Sect, Dragon Gate Hall.
This was a hall located on a mountain in the sky, with flowers blooming and rare beasts visible everywhere. The path to the summit was extremely rugged. If it weren't for Zhao Linglong and Qingxiao, Taiping might not have been able to reach the summit even after several days.
As soon as they reached the open ground in front of the hall, a voice, old but full of authority, spread out from the hall like ripples.
"Seventh Peak, Dugu Qingxiao."
"Seventh Peak, Zhao Linglong."
"We pay our respects to Elder Black Dragon."
Upon hearing the voice, Qingxiao and the others reported their identities and bowed respectfully.
Although Xu Taiping did not recognize Elder Black Dragon, seeing Qingxiao and the others bow so respectfully, he also bowed in the direction of the hall.
Lin Buyu, however, remained calm throughout, standing silently in place.
"Why have you come to the hall today?"
The old and authoritative voice sounded again.
"Today, I and my junior sister Ziyang from the Sixth Peak have each brought back a disciple chosen by the Spirit Bone Stele. We would like to ask Elder Black Dragon to test their Spirit Bones before returning to our peaks."
Qingxiao answered respectfully.
Soon, the voice came from the Dragon Gate Hall again.
"This is... Elder Black Dragon?"
As soon as he entered the hall, Xu Taiping was startled by the sight of Elder Black Dragon sitting in the center.
In the middle of the hall, a man of extraordinary build sat on a large mat. Standing in front of him, Xu Taiping felt like he was standing in front of a small hill.
More terrifyingly, although the man wore a purple robe made of silk and had a body like an adult man, his head resembled a fierce water dragon.
"Elder Black Dragon's true form is a spirit dragon from the Xunyang River, who has cultivated for five hundred years to attain human form. He later followed our Qingxuan Sect's ancestor and became one of the mountain-protecting spirit beasts of the Qingxuan Sect. Although his appearance is frightening, he is actually very kind-hearted. You don't need to be afraid."
Seemingly anticipating that Xu Taiping would be frightened, Zhao Linglong quickly explained.
"Um, Senior Sister, I'm not afraid."
He was more surprised than afraid.
"Junior Sister Ziyang, what a coincidence."
At this moment, a man in white, accompanied by a richly dressed young boy, walked out from beside Elder Black Dragon.
Seeing the man, Ziyang's eyebrows furrowed.
Qingxiao asked rather rudely.
Although he didn't know the reason, Xu Taiping could tell that both of them disliked this man.
"I was exorcising demons in the Tianlang Kingdom a few days ago and coincidentally discovered that this young prince of Tianlang has a Spirit Bone, so I brought him up the mountain to have his Spirit Bone tested by Elder Black Dragon."
The man said with a smile.
He didn't look at Qingxiao at all, but instead looked at Ziyang and Linglong with a bold gaze.
"Years have passed, and I didn't expect that Junior Sister Linglong has grown into a young lady."
He looked at Zhao Linglong with a smile that had a hint of malice.
"Jin Hezhi, if you don't want your eyes, I'll remove them for you now."
Qingxiao stepped forward, blocking the man's view.
"Then I'll take a look..."
Just as Jin Hezhi was about to argue with Qingxiao, Elder Black Dragon, who had been silent, suddenly opened his eyes, revealing a pair of strange golden vertical pupils.
"This is not the Seventh Peak, nor the First Peak. This is my Dragon Gate Hall."
Elder Black Dragon's gaze swept over both of them.
Qingxiao and Jin Hezhi both stepped back.
"Bring the children to be tested for their Spirit Bones forward."
Elder Black Dragon instructed, reaching into his sleeve to take out a dragon pearl.
The dragon pearl was as big as Taiping's head, crystal clear like a transparent amber ball, with green light waves spreading out from it.
Xu Taiping, Lin Buyu, and the richly dressed young prince all stood in front of Elder Black Dragon.
"You three children, come forward one by one and place your hands on this pearl."
Elder Black Dragon held the dragon pearl, his gaze sweeping over Xu Taiping and the others.
As soon as he finished speaking, the richly dressed young prince rushed forward and placed his hand on the dragon pearl.
Elder Black Dragon frowned slightly but didn't say anything more.
"Close your eyes and focus. Open them only when I tell you."
Elder Black Dragon coldly instructed, and then a golden light enveloped him. Golden energy streams gathered in his hand and then covered the young prince's entire body.
A moment later, with a slight buzzing sound, the dragon pearl in Elder Black Dragon's hand emitted a bright golden light, and flames rose around it.
"Fire-type Golden Spirit Bone, actually a Fire-type Golden Spirit Bone, hahaha!..."
Seeing this, Jin Hezhi, standing beside Qingxiao, suddenly burst into laughter.
Although Elder Black Dragon was displeased with Jin Hezhi's loud noise, he did not stop him, as he considered it a cause for celebration that the Qingxuan Sect had gained a disciple with a Fire-type Golden Spirit Bone.