The mighty wolf lowered its head and howled, while massive shadows leaped from behind its back - black bears, giant eagles, and enormous pythons.
The fully stretched python towered as high as a ten-story building.
Most of the children standing in the small courtyard were terrified, their souls scattered, with some even bursting into wails.
Those who had just considered it a scam saw their expressions drastically change.
A few brave ones stood at the fore, craning their necks with eyes shining bright.
For these modern children, computer special effects were nothing new. Having seen all manner of horrific monsters on screens, they were unafraid.
Yet the illusion didn't end there.
With a few whistling sounds breaking through the air, several tiny figures in long robes and riding on flying swords appeared.
As they moved with shifting stances, all sorts of talismans and magical artifacts flew out from their bodies, accompanied by brilliant hues of light, soaring towards the giant beasts one after another.
This was but a small glimpse of the battle between cultivators and demonic beasts, not the full process.
Song Jixing withdrew her hands to her sides, and all the illusions naturally vanished.
Some children cried, some screamed, while others immediately clamored to go home.
Song Jixing said, "There are only two paths before you: either become cultivators or leave now. The choice is yours; I won't interfere."
Although they were the only commoners currently screened to have spiritual roots, it didn't mean they were destined to be world saviors. It merely meant they could start cultivating a few years earlier. For them to truly be of use would take at least five or six years.
While a spiritual root was essential for cultivators, their mindset was even more crucial.
If they couldn't swiftly shift their mentality from before, even if they eventually embarked on the path of cultivation, they would always lag behind.
By then, a new generation of children with spiritual roots would emerge en masse, adapting to better environments.
If they still considered themselves heaven's spoiled children, they'd inevitably be left behind.
In this age of technology, low-level demonic beasts could be dealt with using conventional means, not necessarily requiring cultivators. Slightly stronger ones could be handled too, but at a substantial cost.
It wasn't that they were indispensable.
Song Jixing scanned the children in the courtyard - only a few remained composed.
There was no need for her in the subsequent activities; it would be better left to her fellow sect members.
The Qingyun Sect members wouldn't console the children, nor would they even attempt to do so. In their view, if a child cried endlessly during the spiritual root test or wanted to flee, they wouldn't be accepted into their cultivation sects.
As with all things, there were exceptions, and their presence here was one such exception.
Of course, the task of comforting the children would be left to their professional reception staff.
Regarding the matter of mindset, Shen Feixian had informed the reception staff that those wishing to return home could be allowed to do so, to live as ordinary people. After all, cultivation was an arduous and diligent undertaking, even more grueling than studying, and simply imparting knowledge would be futile.
If they cultivated unwillingly and learned the cultivation methods, not only would they be unable to protect the mundane, but they could also become potential safety hazards.
Upon hearing this, the superiors swiftly responded, indicating they would take the matter seriously.
The new year soon arrived.
Song Jixing, accompanied by Bai Ling and others, went on a business trip to the capital city.
They were provided with a chartered flight, official vehicles, and accommodations, including three meals a day.
Although Bai Ling had agreed to act as an auspicious figure during the new year, she didn't want to start work too early.
However, the liaison officer handling Bai Ling's arrangements was too clever, having already discerned her interests.
Not only did they list various activities and delicacies she might enjoy in the capital, but they had also crafted a transparent crystal dragon for her - one that would sparkle brilliantly under sunlight.
They mentioned that if Bai Ling liked it, she could take it with her; otherwise, she could leave it behind.
They then sent a photograph of the crystal dragon, and before Song Jixing knew it, Bai Ling had dragged her onto the chartered flight.
Everything happened so suddenly that Song Jixing had no time to prepare, though there wasn't much for her to prepare anyway.
After disembarking, the two were escorted to a luxurious hotel within the city's inner ring, where they encountered the crystal dragon on one of the floors.
Bai Ling was delighted with her transparent self, approaching it for photos that she shared with her friends on social media.
Finding it dull, Song Jixing went out for a stroll.
Coincidentally, right across from the hotel's exit stood a shopping mall.
The mall's massive outdoor screen was playing promotional videos of Song Jixing's previous films on a loop, with her posters plastered all over the entrance.
Although it didn't appear to be intentionally promoting her alone, it certainly felt contrived!
There was no need to go to such lengths!
Seeing all this, Song Jixing immediately abandoned her plans for a walk and decided to return to her room to meditate instead.
After informing the reception staff that she would be meditating for a few days and should not be disturbed, they expressed understanding.
Song Jixing then meditated until the first day of the new year.
On a sunny and pleasant afternoon, she opened her room's door and, guided by the reception staff, went to the hotel's rooftop.
The view from below was excellent, with a festive and harmonious atmosphere pervading the bustling streets. Despite the temperature hovering around ten degrees below freezing, many people were out enjoying the weekend, resulting in heavy traffic.
Bai Ling had already taken a seat on a swing under the rooftop, sipping a drink.
Song Jixing signaled for the others to retreat, and streams of radiance emanated from her body as Bai Ling's form vanished from the spot.
In no time, an enormous white dragon seemed to emerge from a white cloud, flying at a low altitude between the towering buildings.
Many people standing outdoors paused in their tracks at the sight of this white dragon, involuntarily exclaiming, "Look, a dragon!"
Crowds immediately whipped out their phones to take pictures.
"Is there some special event or new year's celebration happening today?"
Some office workers in nearby high-rises, holding meetings or at their desks, glimpsed the massive form passing by their glass windows and froze in bewilderment.
This dragon flight lasted three to four minutes, ensuring that at least ten million people witnessed the flying dragon.
Though not exactly as planned, it was ultimately a success.
With a dragon's roar, the white dragon dove into the colorful clouds in the sky, vanishing as mysteriously as it had appeared.
At the same time, Bai Ling reappeared on the swing chair.
The illusory dragon had been created by Song Jixing, while Bai Ling had merely been concealed with an invisibility technique at her original location.
Although this method was humiliating for a dragon race member, it seemed no other dragon was aware of it.
And even if the elders of the dragon race found out, what could they do to her? She hadn't disgraced the dragons!
Bai Ling casually walked towards the elevator, and the reception staff eagerly pressed the down button for her.
Meanwhile, Song Jixing remained on the rooftop, basking in the scenic view.
