No further disturbances followed.

  After learning that Lin Ye easily attracted hostility, Xia Li forcibly dragged Lin Ye behind a large boulder to hide.

  Lingxu Cave Heaven's peak-climbing elimination would last three days, and today was only the second day.

  In other words, there was still another day to wait. Xia Li didn't want to encounter any more trouble.

  Second day, noon.

  A mountain-shaking tremor jolted Xia Li from his cultivation state.

  Heaven Chip had three cultivation modes: automatic cultivation, assisted cultivation, and deep cultivation. Xia Li had just been in deep cultivation.

  【Spatial inversion phenomenon detected】

  【Secondary space manifesting】

  【Please be cautious】

  Heaven Chip provided a notification. What had just occurred was a phenomenon called spatial inversion. The so-called secondary space was a subspace, also called mirror space.

  Compared to independently carved, unstable phase spaces, secondary spaces had much higher stability—nearly equivalent to primary space.

  Xia Li immediately emerged from behind the boulder. Lingxu Peak remained, but the surrounding scenery had completely transformed as if heaven and earth had been replaced.

  Before, Lingxu Peak had been surrounded by ordinary mountain scenery. Now, massive architectural complexes surrounded it, with floating islands drifting in the sky.

  This was the true Lingxu Cave Heaven—standing majestically like an enormous city.

  "Brother Xia, what do you think? We came to the right place. This is why Cave Heavens and Holy Lands rank above Sects. Any power with Cave Heaven or Holy Land as a suffix possesses the ability to carve out realms."

  "This is the Lingxu Realm—a blessed land that doesn't appear in the mortal world."

  Lin Ye began introducing Lingxu Cave Heaven's impressive features. After all, he'd been the one to suggest Xia Li come.

  "Mm, not bad."

  Xia Li nodded. During the journey, Xia Li had watched many documentaries, including one specifically about secondary spaces.

  Secondary space was indeed an effective method to increase spatial utilization, nearly doubling usable space. But why wasn't it widely adopted on Earth?

  Because Earth was too lacking in spiritual energy.

  Maintaining a secondary space long-term consumed too much. Only worlds that didn't lack spiritual energy could be so extravagant.

  With vast beautiful landscapes in primary space, they still had to show off by creating secondary spaces.

  Claiming a realm exclusively sounded wonderful, but by Earth's pragmatic standards, secondary spaces weren't practical—at least not currently. Future, more practical solutions couldn't be ruled out.

  "Not... not bad?"

  Lin Ye didn't dare continue Xia Li's conversation, nor did he dare ask why Xia Li had said "not bad"—better to avoid continuing this topic.

  Fortunately, no one was nearby. Otherwise, if someone heard Xia Li's assessment, they'd definitely grab him for a good lecture.

  Before long.

  A group of cultivators flew up to Lingxu Peak—they must be the ones responsible for evaluating new disciples.

  "Those who succeeded in climbing, assemble."

  "Come forward in order for spiritual root testing."

  Among this group, two people jointly carried a prism-shaped crystal as tall as a person. That must be the spiritual root testing device.

  And so...

  The successful climbers automatically lined up in order of their arrival time. As those young people stepped forward to test their spiritual roots, Heaven Chip was also collecting and analyzing data.

  【Analyzing high-purity biological spiritual organ...】

  【This data can be used to produce Spirit Cores of wider variety and higher quality】

  Xia Li didn't stop what Heaven Chip was doing. Though Earth's technology was advanced, spirit-tech had progressed slowly—everything was crossing the river by feeling for stones.

  Existing data was far too scarce. Even an ancient corpse from the Spirit Era could fetch astronomical prices.

  For example, collecting data on a Heavenly Spiritual Root now...

  Could contribute to developing Heavenly Spirit Cores in the future. Such data was no longer merely valuable—it could also earn Heavenly Dao Points.

  That was Earth's most precious resource and the fastest path to ascending social classes.

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  Thus, Xia Li quietly recorded the spiritual root data of all these geniuses. Unfortunately, he couldn't get closer right now.

  It seemed that in the future, when opportunity arose, he should get assigned to evaluate new disciples—close contact with the detection crystal would yield more detailed data.

  Soon...

  It was Lin Ye's turn to step forward for testing. Lin Ye wore a confident expression, head held high and chest puffed out as he walked forward. From his demeanor alone, one could tell his spiritual root was certainly impressive.

  Lin Ye placed his hand on the detection crystal. After just a few seconds, the crystal suddenly emitted spatial fluctuations.

  "Spatial Spiritual Root? You actually have a Spatial Spiritual Root?"

  The examining elder looked at Lin Ye in astonishment, his aged face full of envy.

  "Remarkable talent—you may directly enter the Inner Sect!"

  After speaking, the examining elder glanced at Lin Qi, his eyes carrying a hint of apology.

  Obviously.

  Lin Qi had used some means to bribe the examining elder. But Lin Ye's Spatial Spiritual Root couldn't be suppressed—if the examining elder dared cause trouble, Lingxu Cave Heaven would directly have him killed.

  Standing among the crowd, Lin Qi's expression changed dramatically. His face was extremely gloomy, and his gaze at Lin Ye carried intense killing intent.

  Lin Ye exposing his talent was also a gamble, but he had no choice but to gamble.

  After Lin Ye...

  It was Xia Li's turn to step forward for testing. However, after Lin Ye left, Xia Li didn't approach. He simply released his aura.

  His aura was extremely condensed. At the Foundation Establishment stage where there should have been slight instability, there was no instability whatsoever. If others' auras were like clouds, then Xia Li's aura was like an immortal peak piercing through the clouds.

  Qi foundation like clouds, spiritual foundation like seas, Dao foundation reaches the firmament!

  This aura directly proclaimed Xia Li's Foundation Establishment quality—Heaven-path Foundation Establishment!

  "Heaven-path Foundation Establishment—examination exempt, enter Inner Sect!"

  The examining elder squeezed out a smile more unsightly than crying, thinking how fortunate he was to be cautious. Even though he'd agreed to make things difficult for Lin Ye and Xia Li.

  He hadn't dared act rashly before seeing through their depths.

  Years of caution had saved him!

  That damned Lin Qi was trying to get him killed!

  One Spatial Spiritual Root, one Heaven-path Foundation Establishment—if he dared eliminate these two, higher-ranking elders would dare slaughter him and feed him to spirit hounds.

  "Wait!"

  However, Lin Qi stepped forward at this moment. When Xia Li had released his aura, he'd sensed something off about Xia Li's spiritual root!

  This was the Lin Family's special talent—an innate sensory ability.

  "You have a deficient mixed spiritual root—how did you achieve Heaven-path Foundation Establishment!!"

  Lin Qi deliberately shouted loudly. His purpose wasn't anything else—even if he couldn't prevent Xia Li from joining, he could at least tell everyone one piece of information.

  Xia Li harbored a great secret, a great opportunity!

  An opportunity that let someone with such garbage spiritual roots achieve Heaven-path Foundation Establishment!

  Sure enough.

  After Lin Qi's declaration, all the young people around looked at Xia Li with fervent gazes.

  Xia Li's expression remained unchanged on the surface, but internally he'd already had Heaven Chip lock onto Lin Qi's head.

  Damn it—tonight, he'd put one right through that forehead!

  "It was ruined by enemies after Foundation Establishment. I used to have a Lightning Spiritual Root, but it's not a big deal—I have ways to repair it."

  Xia Li had refined Lightning-Struck Wood, so his spiritual root attributes would indeed carry the power of thunder. This statement was credible, and even if someone insisted on testing, it wouldn't expose any flaws.

  Therefore...

  This directly lowered much of the curiosity that had just risen in many people.

  Seeing his scheme had failed, Lin Qi didn't continue wasting words. He stepped back and obediently shut his mouth.