I followed the cultivators along the winding dirt path, my heart pounding with a mix of excitement and uncertainty. This was it—the legendary sect where I would begin my journey to the peak.

  Azure Cloud Sect. The name alone carried weight, evoking images of towering mountains, powerful elders, and disciples who soared through the skies with their sword arts.

  The group of cultivators who found me walked ahead, barely paying me any attention. I kept quiet, focusing on my surroundings. The deeper we traveled, the more awe-inspiring the scenery became. Mountains loomed in the distance, their peaks shrouded in mist. Rivers glistened under the sunlight, and ancient stone pathways stretched toward an enormous gate guarded by armored disciples.

  I took a deep breath. This is where it begins.

  As we approached the sect entrance, the lead disciple, the one who had first spoken to me, waved his hand at the guards. "We found this stray in the forest. He claims to have no home or family. Let the elders decide his fate."

  The guards sneered at me. "Another beggar trying to join the sect?"

  Laughter erupted from some nearby disciples. "He looks like a starving dog! Where did you even find this trash?"

  I clenched my fists but kept my head down. Arguing wouldn’t do me any favors.

  The lead disciple ignored the mockery and led me into the sect grounds. The further we walked, the more grand the surroundings became. Majestic temples carved into mountains, disciples sparring in open courtyards, waterfalls flowing into vast lakes—it was everything I had imagined a cultivation sect to be.

  Yet, despite its grandeur, one thing was clear.

  I didn’t belong here.

  Everywhere I walked, I could feel the stares.

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  Judging. Mocking.

  I was nothing but a mortal among cultivators.

  [Ding! Host is experiencing public humiliation. System is recording.]

  The sudden system notification almost made me stumble. Even the system is taking note of my suffering? Great.

  After a few minutes, we reached an open hall. Several elders sat in meditation, their auras unfathomable. One of them, an old man with a long beard, opened his eyes.

  The lead disciple cupped his hands. "Elder Feng, we found this boy wandering near the outer forest. He wishes to join the Azure Cloud Sect."

  The elder’s sharp eyes landed on me, scanning me from head to toe. "A mortal with no cultivation?" He snorted. "Why would we waste our resources on trash?"

  The other elders chuckled. "He must think our Azure Cloud Sect is a charity!"

  I bowed slightly. "Senior, I may not have cultivation, but I am willing to work hard."

  More laughter erupted. "Work hard? Without talent, all the hard work in the world is meaningless."

  Elder Feng sighed as if dealing with an insect. "Fine. Test his aptitude. Let’s end this farce quickly."

  A disciple brought forward a small crystal ball, placing it on a pedestal.

  "Put your hand on the crystal," the disciple instructed.

  I stepped forward, heart pounding.

  This is the moment. If I had any talent, even a shred of spiritual aptitude, I could stay.

  I placed my palm on the crystal.

  Seconds passed.

  Nothing.

  Not even the faintest glow.

  Silence fell over the hall before—

  "Hahahaha!" A disciple burst out laughing. "He doesn’t even have a spiritual root!"

  The elders shook their heads in disappointment.

  "As expected. A complete waste of time."

  Elder Feng waved his hand dismissively. "Throw him out."

  My eyes widened. "Wait! There must be some mistake!"

  The guards grabbed my arms, dragging me toward the exit.

  I struggled. "Give me another chance!"

  One of the disciples smirked. "Another chance? Why don’t you beg properly? Maybe we’ll let you clean the toilets."

  Laughter erupted again.

  Anger boiled inside me. This was beyond humiliation.

  I will remember this.

  The guards tossed me onto the dirt road outside the sect gates.

  I hit the ground hard, coughing up dust.

  The gates slammed shut behind me.

  For a moment, I lay there, staring up at the sky.

  Thrown away like garbage. Humiliated like a dog.

  A heavy silence hung in the air.

  Then, the system spoke.

  [Ding! The host has suffered extreme humiliation. The Heavenly Ascension System has detected potential. Activating reward.]

  [Congratulations! The host has been granted the Heavenly Spiritual Root!]

  A sudden surge of power erupted within me.

  I gasped, my entire body trembling as an overwhelming force coursed through my meridians. It was like a dam had been shattered inside me, flooding my veins with a power beyond anything I had ever imagined.

  [Heavenly Spiritual Root Acquired!]

  [Rank: Supreme]

  I sat up, stunned.

  Supreme?

  I had read enough cultivation novels to understand what this meant. The Heavenly Spiritual Root was the rarest of all! The kind of talent that could shake entire sects, even empires!

  And the Azure Cloud Sect had just thrown me away.

  I clenched my fists.

  They will regret this.

  I looked up at the towering sect gates. Once, they had seemed unreachable.

  Now?

  One day, I’ll return.

  And when I do, those who laughed at me will bow before me.

  I turned away, stepping toward the unknown.

  The real journey was just beginning.