I was just making up techniques… how did all of you become Emperors? Chapter 614 Testing the Root Bone

"We pay our respects to the Sword God!"

Atop Sword Peak, leaders and high priests from the diverse human tribes gazed upon the youthful figure who appeared as a divine being among mortals, then knelt in homage successively.

"Rise."

Xiao Chen parted his eyelids and methodically surveyed the assembly, his voice calm and detached.

"Thank you, Sword God."

With those words, the group averted their eyes and inclined their heads; none ventured to meet the gaze of this formidable presence standing before them.

Xiao Chen directed his attention toward the high priest of the Wolf Fang Tribe, inquiring, "Have the chiefs of all human tribes once ruled by that wolf demon made their way here?"

The high priest answered with deference, "To the Sword God, except for about a dozen tribes, the heads of the other tribes have all come. Each has delivered more than ten youngsters to our Wolf Fang Tribe—er, now known as the Famous Sword Holy Land."

Xiao Chen remarked coolly, "With nearly all gathered, I will declare several matters.

Firstly, the Wolf Fang Tribe now bears the name Famous Sword Holy Land. Humans from anywhere can arrive at the Famous Sword Holy Land for guidance. Should they succeed in my evaluation of their root bone and bloodline, no matter their prior status, they can take on the role of my disciple.

Secondly, starting today, my disciples among humans must refrain from slaying each other or sacrificing to demons. Upon discovery, I shall personally subdue them. Is that clear?"

"We obey the Sword God's decree with utmost respect."

The assembly chorused together.

Xiao Chen continued, "Incidentally, I overlooked mentioning one detail. I am not truly a Sword God. When addressing me, use Ancestor of Ten Thousand Swords, or simply Sword Ancestor."

Glances passed among the group, followed by their unified statement, "We pay our respects to Sword Ancestor."

Xiao Chen responded, "Good. Now gather every youth under your leadership. I shall inspect their bloodlines and root bones individually. Even those unable to train directly with me will receive suitable cultivation methods from my instruction."

Could such fortune truly exist?

Eyes widened across the crowd as they stared at the Ancestor of Ten Thousand Swords. In their view, mighty figures always guarded their cultivation techniques with utmost rigor.

Xiao Chen observed their astonishment, then grinned and explained, "My master once declared his purpose in coming here: to enlighten the human race, end their subjugation by the hundred races, and eventually enable humans to stand tall in this realm. Thus, I have no reluctance to share my cultivation methods.

Should exceptional talents emerge from your lineages, after my guidance, they may join my master's sect to pursue the path to immortality. In time, attaining Sainthood—or as you term it, becoming a Witch God—lies within reach."

These words struck like thunder amid clear skies, resounding through every mind.

Even the high priest of the Famous Sword Holy Land couldn't restrain himself, questioning, "Sword Ancestor, you aren't misleading us, are you?"

Xiao Chen chuckled, replying, "Why would I expend such effort just to mislead you?"

At this, realization dawned on the group. Indeed, this supreme entity had no reason to trifle with insignificant beings like themselves.

"Any further inquiries?"

Xiao Chen displayed unusual patience that day, his eyes sweeping over the gathering anew.

"No, we shall fetch all the young ones from our clans right away."

With that, the assembly dispersed one by one, until only the high priest of the Famous Sword Holy Land remained.

Thirty minutes passed, and a lengthy queue stretched at Sword Peak's base. The younger members of the Famous Sword Holy Land's humans converged here, including chieftains' grandsons and slaves fetched from other tribes.

Initially, the Famous Sword Holy Land's folk resisted offering cultivation chances to these slaves, yet the chieftain overruled them. He assembled the slaves, delivered an address, and promised that becoming Sword Ancestor's disciple would free them and their kin.

The mention of freedom ignited hope in the slaves' gazes. As a result, seekers of a master at the Famous Sword Holy Land this time numbered a full thousand.

Xiao Chen perched upon Sword Peak. From his storage ring, he retrieved a rare pearl for root bone examination and passed it to the nearby high priest, instructing, "Soon, you will oversee the initial round of examinations. Participants should infuse their blood energy into it. A glow from the blood energy signifies passage."

"Understood."

The high priest acknowledged, then probed further, "My Lord, what of those without cultivated blood energy?"

Xiao Chen directed, "Instruct them to place a drop of blood upon it. A glow indicates they pass. Also, note down these glowing youths. Greater brilliance signals superior talent."

This pearl, a spiritual treasure from the Holy Academy, could discern root bones and bloodlines of any entity.

The high priest, unfamiliar with such a wondrous item, deepened his reverence for Sword Ancestor, pondering the lineage of his master. "This elder complies with Sword Ancestor's command."

Uttering this, he clutched the pearl securely and descended the slope. Xiao Chen's divine sense trailed the high priest throughout, gauging his integrity. Any foul play would seal his fate.

Soon, the high priest reached Sword Peak's foot. He set the pearl atop a broad boulder and proclaimed the testing guidelines.

Upon learning the rules, all eyes turned inquisitively to the pearl.

The initial tester was Lang Xiao, eldest grandson of the Famous Sword Holy Land's chieftain. He drew a steady breath, approached the pearl, and channeled his body's blood energy into it. Promptly, a golden radiance exceeding seven feet burst forth.

This glow captivated the onlookers utterly. Such a spectacle was unprecedented, heightening their fascination with the luminous orb.

Xiao Chen, witnessing the display, nodded approvingly. The golden hue indicated a metal-attribute root bone and bloodline in the youth. Seven feet of light qualified him for the Asking Path Academy on Xuanzhou Continent. For a tribe of thousands to yield such a prodigy proved no small feat.

The chieftain, beholding the light, lit up with joy and bellowed, "My grandson bears the makings of that Lord's disciple!"

His outburst snapped the crowd from their trance. The high priest cleared his throat and announced, "Cough, cough. Lang Xiao, stand aside. Next."

"Yes."

Lang Xiao withdrew, content.

Thereafter, the Famous Sword Holy Land's youths underwent testing sequentially. Over a hundred later, the assembly grasped the pearl's marvel. Beyond detecting root bones and bloodlines, it gauged their potency.

An hour elapsed before the slave youths of the Famous Sword Holy Land faced their turn. Er Gouzi and his parents lacked proper names, merely designations, and had never practiced cultivation.

He eyed the distant pearl and advanced hesitantly. Nearing it, he bowed profoundly to the high priest.

"Er Gouzi pays respects to the high priest."

"Child, dispense with ceremony. You've yet to cultivate, correct?"

The high priest inquired gently. This debut assignment from Sword Ancestor demanded flawless execution to solidify his position in the Famous Sword Holy Land.

Er Gouzi replied nervously, "To the High Priest, Er Gouzi has not cultivated."

Noting the boy's anxiety, the high priest smiled and proffered a dagger. "As you lack cultivation, prick your finger and let a drop of blood fall on this pearl to join the test."

"Thank you, High Priest."

Er Gouzi hadn't anticipated the lofty high priest's kindness. He accepted the dagger reverently, nicked his pinky, and let blood drop onto the pearl.

In the instant that followed, a brilliant purple light soaring nine feet erupted from the pearl, leaving all witnesses dumbstruck!

In that instant, a single notion gripped every mind: how could this be? He was merely a slave.