C80 The Strange Youth with a Crippled Quinary Spiritual Root.

"I see," Jiang Su said, sparing Shen Yunqing any embarrassment.

The air fell silent for a moment.

Demon Birds sliced through the sky above the mountain gate, their cries piercing the quiet.

Yang Tian had long harbored admiration for Shen Yunqing, yet it seemed his affections were unrequited.

He clenched his jaw in frustration. Jiang Su, once a mere cook, likely had no clue how many in the Ten Devil Domains held Shen Yunqing dear.

"Junior Sister Yunqing, there's no need for me to sit. Please, take the seat. We'll have our hands full once the new junior brothers and sisters arrive."

Yang Tian sidled up to Shen Yunqing, gesturing to the small stool with a comical earnestness.

Shen Yunqing was aware her master was correct; the Eldest Senior Brother would never harbor feelings for her. Yet, she couldn't conceal the emotions stirring within her.

Her heart had been set on Jiang Su from their very first encounter.

To her surprise, Jiang Su had discerned her feelings.

Unwilling to endure the discomfort of the moment any longer, Shen Yunqing took a seat on the stool she had initially reserved for Jiang Su.

There was no real need for the Holy Maiden's assistance in the Devil Sect's recruitment of new disciples; she was there solely because of Jiang Su's presence.

Inside the Life Sword, Shangguan Yue mused with amusement, "You certainly have a way with the ladies, attracting the interest of both the Empress and the Holy Maiden of the Devil Sect. Shen Yunqing is undeniably beautiful, reminiscent of an Immortal Sect's Holy Maiden I once met in the Cultivation World."

Jiang Su had no interest in engaging in conversation; his system mission remained at the forefront of his mind.

Meanwhile, two youths were still laboriously ascending the mountain path.

Beyond those earnestly climbing from the base to the gate, many sought to cheat using magical artifacts. Inevitably, Lin Tian caught and expelled each one.

Jiang Su's gaze first landed on a black-robed youth at the peak, then shifted to another in the middle, clad in blue brocade with intricate embroidery, clearly of noble heritage.

Despite the sweltering heat, not a bead of sweat marred his brow. Others flocked to him, drawn by the coolness that seemed to emanate from his presence.

The young man clad in blue ascended leisurely, seemingly indifferent to the sweltering heat around him, as if it bore no relevance to him whatsoever.

Jiang Su narrowed his eyes in contemplation, pondering whether it was a Water Spiritual Root or perhaps a mutated Ice Spiritual Root at play.

Ignoring Jiang Su's lack of response, Shangguan Yue glanced at the Water Mirror and stretched out listlessly. He couldn't resist teasing, "What's so fascinating about that brat in the Water Mirror? Did you skip your cultivation today just for a bit of entertainment? But to return to the matter at hand, I suspect the Female Ruler harbors just a slight fondness for you. Her stature and level of cultivation are leagues beyond your reach. Shen Yunqing, on the other hand, is a different story."

Before Shangguan Yue could finish, Jiang Su cut in with a scoff, "Master Shangguan, you don't think I'm aware of your thoughts?"

His impeccably chiseled features were devoid of any smile, adding to his aloof demeanor.

Shangguan Yue's guilt surged; his intentions had been laid bare far too quickly.

He was well aware that as Jiang Su's master, it was improper to covet his disciple's spouse. Yet, he found the Empress of Devil Sect irresistible, and fantasies inevitably crept in.

He had lived for millennia without so much as a touch from a female cultivator. Now, the woman he admired was none other than his disciple's wife.

Jiang Su's expression turned icy, his disinterest in engaging with Shangguan Yue palpable. The chill he radiated was so intense that even Yang Tian and Shen Yunqing were taken aback.

Shangguan Yue hastily offered an apology, "My apologies, disciple. It was mere talk, nothing more—I wouldn't act on it."

Jiang Su was all too familiar with Shangguan Yue's disposition, but when it came to his wife, indifference was not an option.

"Eldest Senior Brother, two individuals have arrived at the entrance. Could either you or Senior Brother Yang Tian escort them to the second trial's location?" A disciple in black, nudged forward, struggled to maintain composure in front of Jiang Su, barely managing to get the words out.

"Very well, I'll handle it," Yang Tian replied, his demeanor turning earnest. With Jiang Su showing no interest in Shen Yunqing, it was his chance to shine. He was determined to prove his superiority over Jiang Su.

No sooner had Yang Tian's words fallen than the two young men approached. They had scarcely a moment to register what was happening before they both collapsed to the ground.

The youth in the black robe was the first to struggle to his feet, while the one still lying down cried out, "Who's the first? It's obviously me!"

Before the other disciples clad in black could step forward, Jiang Su moved to the side of the black-robed youth and helped him to stand.

His face remained stoic, yet inside, a storm of emotions was brewing.

How was it possible that this black-robed youth possessed a Quinary Spiritual Root?

Jiang Su had instantly seen potential in the black-robed youth, deeming him worthy of being his junior brother. Yet, the youth was only endowed with a Quinary Spiritual Root, marking him as someone incapable of cultivation.

Jiang Su himself had once been unable to cultivate due to the absence of a spiritual root within him, rendering him unable to harness spiritual energy and no different from an ordinary mortal.

The Quinary Spiritual Root, however, was a source of even greater despair. Although possessing any spiritual root technically qualified one as a cultivator, having a Quinary Spiritual Root was hardly cause for celebration.

A cultivator with a Quinary Spiritual Root harbored all five elements within their body: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth, each interdependent and conflicting. While capable of absorbing spiritual energy, practicing any single element's cultivation technique would inevitably lead to internal elemental conflict, resulting in obstructed spirit veins.

Jiang Su, blessed with a Celestial Spiritual Root, had the freedom to practice any and all cultivation techniques and study from the Immortal Classics without concern for spiritual root compatibility.

His masters had simply provided him with texts on the Five Elements and left him to his own devices.

In the Cultivation World, no techniques existed for martial artists with Quinary Spiritual Roots to practice.

Chen Pingsheng was the sole exception; a martial artist with a Quinary Spiritual Root who achieved great power. Not only did he ascend to the position of Immortal Sovereign, becoming the most formidable being in the Lower Realm, but he also ultimately succeeded in his Ascension.

Leaning on Jiang Su for support, the black-robed youth managed to rise, his eyes as dark as ink locking onto Jiang Su's gaze.

To be precise, his gaze was fixed on the Life Sword at Jiang Su's waist.

At that moment, Shangguan Yue was within the Life Sword, contemplating how to apologize to Jiang Su. He was aware that the young man's attention was on the sword, yet it felt as though Jiang Su had peered into his very thoughts.

The black-robed youth's eyes rested on the sword for several seconds before he seemed to come to a realization and said, "Thank you, Senior Brother."

Once Jiang Su saw that he was steady on his feet, he casually withdrew the hand that had been steadying him.

Yang Tian approached and helped the other youth who had been sprawled on the ground to his feet. Gasping for breath, the youth expressed his gratitude, "Thank you, Senior Brother."

Noticing Yang Tian's attire, he remarked, "Senior Brother, you must be an Inner Sect disciple, right? Your cultivation level is impressive. I hope you'll look out for me in the future."