C10 Confusion

He had fainted upon the first step and was the last one to do so. How could someone like him possibly pass the Soulspark test?

That was the unanimous sentiment. No one took Wang Ye seriously, but if they had known that he was nearly the first to ascend the Sky Stairway, they might have thought differently.

Regrettably, aside from those on the Sky Stairway and Sun Qingshan, who controlled the Sky Stairway Array, no one else was privy to the true events.

Li Muqing gestured towards the still unconscious Wang Ye and turned to Sun Qingshan, "Elder Sun, he's yet to awaken. How can we conduct his Soulspark test?"

"No worries," Sun Qingshan replied with a shake of his head, approaching Wang Ye. He extended his palm, resting it on Wang Ye's chest, and began to mobilize his internal elemental energy.

"This..." Li Muqing was taken aback. He realized Sun Qingshan was healing Wang Ye's wounds, but surely Wang Ye's determination alone couldn't warrant such special treatment?

The crowd was equally astonished. The favoritism was blatant. What connection did this young man have with Elder Sun?

Lin Yuan's face soured. Sun Qingshan's evident regard for Wang Ye was a bad omen—if Wang Ye passed the Soulspark test, it would be to Lin Yuan's detriment.

Sun Qingshan's elemental energy flowed into Wang Ye, tending to his injuries. Wang Ye felt a comforting warmth spread throughout his body.

After a short time, Wang Ye's eyes fluttered open. He gazed around in bewilderment, realizing he was encircled by onlookers, a clear sign he had traversed the Sky Stairway and arrived at the Qing Xuan Sect.

Sun Qingshan offered a kind smile and announced, "You've surmounted the Sky Stairway Test. Now, we shall proceed to assess your Soulspark."

Wang Ye nodded. Though unfamiliar with the Soulspark test, he inexplicably trusted Sun Qingshan.

"Now, close your eyes and attune yourself to the Spiritual Qi of Heaven and Earth," Sun Qingshan instructed, reciting an incantation as a rich Spiritual Qi materialized around his hand.

Wang Ye complied, and before long, he sensed tendrils of Spiritual Qi converging upon him. His body eagerly absorbed every wisp of the Heavenly Qi, leaving none to waste.

Observing no change in the surrounding Spiritual Qi, Sun Qingshan was perplexed and murmured, "How could this be?"

"I... Can't I pass the Soulspark test?"

Wang Ye opened his eyes, voicing his confusion. He had clearly sensed the presence of the Spiritual Qi of Heaven and Earth, yet he was still unable to pass the Soulspark test?

"Elder Sun, I'm telling you, this kid is worthless. He doesn't have a Soulspark within him," Lin Yuan declared with scorn.

"That can't be right," Sun Qingshan countered, shaking his head. He turned to Wang Ye and instructed, "Try once more. Concentrate and really feel the Spiritual Qi around my palm."

Wang Ye closed his eyes again. Instantly, the Spiritual Qi of Heaven and Earth rushed toward him, but still, there was no change in the Spiritual Qi around Sun Qingshan's palm.

"How can this be? There must be a mistake," Sun Qingshan murmured, his brow furrowed in deep thought, yet he couldn't pinpoint the issue.

Li Muqing also felt puzzled. While a Soulspark and determination were not strongly related, it was hard to believe that someone as resolute as Wang Ye lacked a Soulspark.

The scene baffled the onlooking disciples. Wasn't it common to lack a Soulspark? Why was it assumed that Wang Ye must possess one?

"The nature of a Soulspark is unpredictable; even the offspring of a Martial Cultivator might not have one."

"Maybe this kid has a different background, and that's why Elder Sun is convinced he must have a Soulspark," they speculated among themselves.

Sun Qingshan, seemingly oblivious to their chatter, was lost in thought, trying to figure out the issue.

"Elder Sun, this guy simply doesn't have a Soulspark. He's not cut out to be a Martial Cultivator. You're wasting your concern on him!" Lin Yuan interjected with a mocking laugh.

"Do I need your guidance?" Sun Qingshan retorted with a cold stare. He then addressed Wang Ye, "This isn't right. Let's conduct the test once more."

Wang Ye, sensing Sun Qingshan's unusual treatment, was puzzled but complied, closing his eyes again.

"Damn it, who is this kid, anyway?"

"I've never seen Elder Sun be so generous to a newcomer, especially one without a Soulspark."

As Sun Qingshan performed the Soulspark test on Wang Ye for the third time, the servant disciples were once again astonished. Elder Sun was paying him so much attention. Who was this kid, really?

Li Muqing also felt that Sun Qingshan was being unusually persistent. If it weren't for Wang Ye's inability to afford even a single bottle of medicine during his ascent of the Stairway to Heaven, he might have suspected some kind of connection between the two.

With a thoughtful look, he mused to himself, 'Yet, if there was a connection, given Elder Sun's standing in the sect, would Wang Ye even need to go through the Stairway to Heaven trial?'

Observing Wang Ye's apparent unfamiliarity with Sun Qingshan, Li Muqing dismissed his suspicions, concluding that Sun Qingshan simply admired Wang Ye's determination.

The third test yielded the same result: Wang Ye had no Soulspark within him, deepening Sun Qingshan's puzzlement. Had he made an error?

"What is your name?" Sun Qingshan inquired, his voice tinged with confusion. Wang Ye replied truthfully, "I am Wang Ye."

Wang Ye felt uneasy. Though he was unaware of the specifics, the sparse number of people who had passed the Stairway to Heaven made the situation clear to him.

Failing the Soulspark test meant failing the Servant's assessment, which in turn meant no entry into the Qingxuan Sect.

Sun Qingshan nodded, then turned to Li Muqing and instructed, "Muqing, record his details. We're short on servant disciples this year; we need at least six."

"Yes!" Li Muqing responded. Despite his curiosity, he refrained from further questions. It wasn't his place to speculate on the thoughts of the sect elders.

Lin Yuan, overhearing this, voiced his objection, "Elder Sun, how can a man without a Soulspark become a servant disciple? It's against the rules!"

"Rules?" Sun Qingshan shot Lin Yuan a frosty look, his anger palpable. With a casual flick of his sleeve, Lin Yuan was sent tumbling backward, landing on his knees and coughing up blood.

"I'm speaking of the rules," Sun Qingshan stated with authority, "If this happens again, your cultivation will be stripped, and you'll be expelled from the sect!"

"Cough, cough!"

Lin Yuan coughed twice, his face pale, realizing his offense against Sun Qingshan. He quickly bowed to the ground and said solemnly, "I acknowledge my error and ask for Elder Sun's forgiveness."

"Scram!" Sun Qingshan huffed with a cold snort, his presence commanding and intimidating. He couldn't believe an outer sect disciple had the audacity to defy him. Did they think he was without temper?

"I will take my leave," Lin Yuan said, departing with a sullen air.

Li Muqing shook his head, musing to himself, "These Lin brothers are a disaster waiting to happen. I need to keep my distance from now on."