From Shadows to Stars

silence covered the la

ion of the Thorne Family, si

st nights, this hall remained quiet, as it rarely hosted anyone. But tonight was different. Voice

ed open with a

sharp and clean, and though his face was calm, his he

uder than he intended. As soon as he st

ght? What brings you here?" a teenage boy called out with

ld. He was handsome, but his narrow eyes gave off a cold, harsh feeling.

hand. "Your cousin Silas may not be strong or gifted in cultivation, but I'm sure he's just curious. He mus

a young man dressed in a flowing purple robe who sat in

was the so-called "immorta

rtant guest. There was something odd about it. He felt like a stranger, watching a play from the outside. The feeling made him chu

ghtly in displeasure. It was no secret that he never looked kindly upon Silas. But even so, to

thing that had happened didn't bother him

eside him, known as Luca

wn son," Silas thought as he looked at Gerald a middle-age

d calmly and gave

North,"

od up slowly. T

lm but firm, "let's begin. Whether you're blesse

st respected cultivation sects in the land. Though their power had faded over the years, the name still carri

, they now barely counted among the mid-level sects. Yet, they still held sway over a vast r

espected them. For mortals, there was no greater chance than t

ets. The Thorne Family had long built ties with the sect, often hosting visiting disciples.

Azurelight Order were not fools. They allowed these deals to exi

could not bring someone into the s

ongtime friend Gerald and clenched his jaw. "Y

ual roots. Even the weakest would be enough. Otherwise... he didn't want to think about

eath, then turned

voice serious. "Whether you can walk the path of the

progress in one year as fast as a weak-rooted person could in ten. And those with no roots a

ay calm, but his heart was pounding. He knew this body's reputation. Ever

hoped. He hoped fate wo

ts" stirred the crowd. A few

udly and with a laugh. She stretched out the words "spiritual roo

lowed her lead, bur

g. "He's a waste if I've ever" But he stopped mid word, catching sight of Gerald's dark exp

kward silence, broken on

poken against Silas, shook his head and muttered, "These foolish brats. Teasing

o still wore a dark expres

kery didn't stir his heart. Instead, his mind returned to his earlie

spiritual roots is not something that can be guessed

er. In a flash of light, a bl

it and grip it tightly. If it shines, you have spiritual roots. The brig

nd. "Who wants

.

ro

ex

ro

ex

r teen stepped forward

the young people had shown spiritual roots. And this was a big generat

quietly. "We can't alway

lled again. This time,

o the corner of t

oked at the Spirit Measuring Stone.

," he sa

. Confidence flowed from him, though no

a moment. He stared at Silas, and for a brief second, he seemed to see a diffe

..." he

he frowned again. That warmth vanis

cle. At the center were the only two with spi

earlier warning. But whispers still floa

ally goin

arrassing the

far because his fath

leaned toward Marcus and whispered,

ed. "You're j

look, then l

uncaring, placed his hand

held it

ne? Or would