"Nephew Ye, the Palace Master mentioned you possess Five-Element Spiritual Roots. What is the potential of each element?" Grand Elder Zhou Hong asked, his expression filled with surprise. "I recently researched a technique for discerning Spiritual Root potential; allow me to examine you first!"

Third Elder Zhou Xiang cast a subtle spell, and a faint blue light emanated from his pupils as he scanned Ye Qin. Ye Qin immediately felt as though he was being thoroughly inspected.

The light in Zhou Xiang's eyes swiftly vanished, and he let out an exclamation of awe, "Indeed, Five-Element Spiritual Roots, and each element possesses a potential of at least fifteen points! The Spirit Root potential for the Cai element alone must be over eighty! Such Five-Element Spiritual Roots, if used to cultivate the immortal arts of other sects, might yield little achievement in a lifetime. However, for cultivating the Violet Sword Art of the Violet Sword Palace, these attributes are incomparably perfect, capable of unleashing the full might of the Great Five Elements Sword Formation!"

"Each element above fifteen points? And so perfectly balanced?" Palace Master Zhou and the other three Elders displayed looks of astonishment upon hearing this.

"Naturally. The technique I developed for root discernment, while not perfectly accurate for Core Formation cultivators, is still close to the mark. Don't believe me? Ask Nephew Ye here what his actual root potential is!"

Hearing the surprise and doubt from the Palace Master and the other Elders, Zhou Xiang merely laughed heartily. "This is a top-tier Five-Element Spiritual Root that is a once-in-a-lifetime find! Even the potential of the founding ancestor of our Violet Sword Immortal Palace, the Violet Sword Divine Monarch, was barely comparable!"

Ye Qin listened to the debate between the Palace Master and the four Elders, his scalp tingling. He felt like a naked child being scrutinized by a group of high-level cultivators with shining eyes—an indescribably uncomfortable and awkward sensation.

A cultivator's Spiritual Root potential could only be precisely measured by a Heaven-Measuring Ruler, and this measurement had to occur at the very beginning of cultivation, during the Qi Condensation stage. If one advanced to later stages, the vast amount of spiritual energy interference within the body would render even the Heaven-Measuring Ruler inaccurate. Furthermore, for any cultivator, their Spiritual Root potential was a closely guarded secret.

Every single point of difference in potential translated to a different time required to advance one stage of cultivation. This detail influenced one's entire cultivation strategy, dictating which secret arts to choose and the pace of advancement; it was never revealed lightly to outsiders.

If an enemy were to learn a cultivator's potential, they could nearly calculate the progress of their cultivation, as well as the precise timing of their minor and major Heavenly Tribulations.

If an enemy seized the opportunity to strike when the cultivator was most vulnerable during a tribulation, it could be fatal, even resulting in death.

Ye Qin had never imagined that his inherent spiritual endowments would be roughly gauged by Third Elder Zhou Xiang's glance. Although this visual estimation was inaccurate—with a deviation of nearly twenty points in potential—it was enough to make Ye Qin’s scalp tingle with unease.

"Third Elder possesses truly keen eyesight! My Five-Element Spiritual Roots are indeed around fifteen points for each element. I was ignorant and measured my potential too late when I first became a cultivator, so I only know a rough estimate, not the specifics," Ye Qin complimented smoothly, steeling himself.

"See! Are they not all above fifteen? The Spiritual Root Potential Discerning Immortal Art I developed has proven itself!" Third Elder Zhou Xiang laughed smugly, pleased with himself for accurately gauging Ye Qin’s potential. "Very well, the guests from the various Immortal Palaces have mostly arrived. Shouldn't the Grand Elder announce Nephew Ye's appointment as the new Elder of the Violet Sword Palace?" Palace Master Zhou chimed in with a smile.

While the Violet Sword Palace Master, the four Elders, and Ye Qin were conversing, the gazes of the Core Formation cultivators in the main hall suddenly grew heated. They looked towards Ye Qin in astonishment, murmuring under their breath, causing a low hum to sweep through the hall.

"The selection for the new Elder of the Violet Sword Palace will be this mere first-layer Core Formation cultivator?"

"Who is this brat? Why have I never heard of him?"

In fact, even Zhou Yao, Liao Xiaozui, and the others showed surprise. They knew something important was happening in the Violet Sword Immortal Palace, but they were unaware that Ye Qin was about to assume the role of the fifth Elder of the Violet Sword Palace.

Only after the Palace Master, the four Elders, and Ye Qin finished their conversation and stood before the hall did the clamor among the Core Formation cultivators quieten.

Several Nascent Soul cultivators from other Immortal Palaces were also present in the Grand Hall as distinguished guests, witnessing this event.

"Esteemed guests, in my capacity as the Head of the Violet Sword Palace Elder Council, I officially appoint Ye Qin as the Fifth Elder of the Violet Sword Palace and a member of the Elder Council, vesting him with the authority of the 'War Order.' Once issued, no disciple of this Palace shall defy the command." Grand Elder Zhou Hong presented Ye Qin with the Elder Token of the Violet Sword Palace, which shimmered with a dark violet luster.

Ye Qin solemnly received the Elder Token with both hands, raising it high above his head for all to see, officially becoming the fifth-ranking Elder of the Violet Sword Palace. He then tucked the token away, his expression steady, and surveyed the cultivators in the hall.

"No way, it really is him!?" The previous speculations were confirmed, and the Core Formation cultivators in the hall erupted into an uproar.

Both the Core Formation cultivators of the Violet Sword Immortal Palace and the observing Nascent Soul guests from other Immortal Palaces were stunned by this announcement.

By established custom, the Elders of the Great Immortal Palaces of the East Sea were invariably Nascent Soul cultivators, with very few exceptions. Even the rare exceptions were at least peak ninth-layer Core Formation cultivators, just a breath away from the Nascent Soul realm.

After all, an Elder of an Immortal Palace held immense authority, requiring a high-level cultivator of profound strength to command respect.

Yet, the new Fifth Elder of the Violet Sword Palace was a mere initial-stage Core Formation cultivator—an unprecedented event.

Moreover, a significant portion of the Violet Sword Palace's Core Formation cultivators had never heard Ye Qin's name, and many had never even seen him before today. "Who is this brat? Why would the Grand Elder appoint a mere first-layer Core Formation cultivator as the Fifth Elder, granting him charge over such a critical authority as the 'War Order'?"

"Elders of Immortal Palaces have always been reserved for Nascent Soul ancestors. What ability does this youth possess to merit ranking among the Elders alongside the Nascent Soul ancestors?"

"Absolutely not! This youth is only at the first layer of Core Formation—far too low, lower than me, and lower than the vast majority of Core Formation cultivators in the Palace. I refuse to accept this!"

"Grand Elder, this cannot be allowed! The Violet Sword Palace has never set such a precedent, appointing a first-layer Core Formation cultivator as Elder!" The Core Formation cultivators in the hall, shocked by the news, began to clamor. The disciples of the Zhou Clan reacted most fiercely, stepping forward one after another to voice their strong opposition. This was no jest; the authority of an Elder was supreme, even extending to punishing Zhou Clan Core Formation disciples like them. How could they willingly allow an outsider, a mere first-layer Core Formation cultivator, to become an Elder, standing above them—the middle and late-stage Zhou Clan Core Formation cultivators—to issue commands arbitrarily? They were utterly unconvinced.

As for the Core Formation cultivators of the Violet Sword Palace from other surnames, they were inwardly delighted and made no noise. If Ye Qin became an Elder, wouldn't they also benefit?

"Grand Elder, this is unacceptable! The appointment of a new Elder must be handled with extreme caution. How can we allow a first-layer Core Formation cultivator to take the post? If this news spreads, we might become the laughingstock of the other Immortal Palaces in the Northern Isles."

"We implore the Ancestor to retract this decree!"

Palace Master Zhou frowned slightly as the Zhou Clan Core Formation disciples stepped forward to object vehemently. He had anticipated internal opposition, but not such a massive outcry.

Ye Qin bringing the Kui Niu Drum back to the Violet Sword Palace was a top secret known only to a handful of the Palace's high command. The vast majority of Core Formation cultivators were unaware of the matter, thus failing to understand the sudden decision to promote Ye Qin to the Fifth Elder.

He and the other four Elders had previously discussed that Ye Qin’s merits were sufficient to warrant the position of Fifth Elder. However, this immense merit could not be publicly disclosed, as it would invite covetousness from other Immortal Palaces regarding the Kui Niu Drum. Thus, they had to find an alternative pretext to install Ye Qin as an Elder.

"Silence!" Grand Elder Zhou Hong’s voice was deep, imbued with authority that needed no anger. "Ye Qin is a disciple of the lineage descended from the Violet Sword Divine Monarch in the Central Lands. Now that he joins the East Sea lineage of the Violet Sword Palace, the two lines merge, becoming one. My appointment, naturally, has its underlying reasoning."

Instantly, the Grand Hall fell silent; the earlier chaos vanished.

No one dared to challenge the Grand Elder's decree. The authority of the Grand Elder was not easily questioned. Only the Grand Elder had the right to appoint Elders; even the Palace Master could not object, let alone ordinary cultivators.

"Ancestor, according to the traditions of the Heavenly Dao Alliance Immortal Palaces, if a disciple within the Palace disagrees, they may issue a challenge to the Elder! I challenge the Ye-surnamed youth to gauge his true measure, lest he embarrass our Violet Sword Immortal Palace in the future!"

Among the Zhou Clan Core Formation disciples, a somewhat simple-minded young man stepped forward without fear, puffing out his chest. Grand Elder Zhou Hong frowned and glanced at Zhou Xiang. Third Elder Zhou Xiang also shook his head helplessly.

The disciple who spoke so arrogantly was Zhou Dawu, his direct grand-disciple, known throughout the Violet Sword Immortal Palace as a reckless fool. His innate spiritual root talent was high, but his mind was naturally dull and rash; he dared to confront even the Grand Elder.

Grand Elder Zhou Hong naturally would not stoop to dealing with a hothead like Zhou Dawu. He spared Ye Qin a glance. Knowing that Ye Qin had refined the Great Five Elements Sword, he was fully confident in Ye Qin’s strength.

Instead, Grand Elder Zhou leisurely stated, "If a disciple objects, a challenge is indeed permissible. However, by custom, such challenges are restricted to cultivators of the same rank. Cultivators of higher ranks are forbidden from participating. Whoever among you is capable of defeating Nephew Ye is welcome to challenge him; this Elder will oversee the contest."

Palace Master Zhou Yu and the other Elders inwardly admired the old fox’s wit. With a single sentence, he had effectively dismantled the challenges proposed by the dozens of Core Formation disciples.

The dozens of vocal Zhou Clan Core Formation disciples in the hall were instantly dumbfounded.

Because Ye Qin’s cultivation was relatively low—only at the initial layer of Core Formation.

The majority of them were at the middle or late stages of Core Formation, surpassing Ye Qin’s rank, meaning they were ineligible to fight. Only cultivators who were also at the first layer of Core Formation were permitted to issue challenges. However, there were only a scant few such cultivators.

These Zhou Clan Core Formation disciples had originally relied on their higher cultivation levels to bully Ye Qin, but their plan had entirely backfired.

"Nephew Ye, will you accept the challenge?" Grand Elder Zhou Hong turned to ask Ye Qin.

"Naturally! I accept any challenge from a first-layer Core Formation cultivator," Ye Qin replied calmly, showing no concern.

If he couldn't even handle challenges from peers, how could he secure his position as an Elder of the Violet Sword Palace? Since the Palace Master and the Elders did not oppose the challenge, using the discontented Zhou Clan disciples to establish his prestige was quite necessary. Ye Qin lightly tapped his foot, instantly shifting dozens of feet mid-air, flashing to the center of the Grand Hall.

"Golden Crow Luminous Sword, Celestial Sound Silk Sword, Primeval Abyss Water Sword, Southern Bright Separation Fire Sword, Yellow Heaven Thick Earth Sword..." "Great Five Elements Sword Formation, commence!"

Determined to assert his authority, he spat out five small swords. In an instant, five-colored light radiated outwards, transforming into five imposing giant swords suspended above him, forming an integrated Great Five Elements Sword Formation. "Who dares to challenge? I await you." Ye Qin calmly manipulated the Great Five Elements Sword Formation, his eyes sweeping over the clamoring Core Formation cultivators.

The Great Five Elements Sword Formation represented only a fraction of his strength, and he didn't mind using it to establish his prestige within the Violet Sword Palace.

The entire hall was stunned into a brief silence, which then dissolved back into chaotic noise.

"Heavens, Five-Element Spirit Artifacts, the Great Five Elements Sword Formation!?" Not a single Zhou Clan disciple had managed to refine it; how did he achieve it?" The few Zhou Clan initial-stage Core Formation disciples who had claimed they would challenge were terrified, their faces turning pale green. They exchanged fearful glances; none dared step forward. As disciples of the Zhou Clan within the Violet Sword Palace, they could not fail to recognize the sect's signature technique.

"The cultivation of the Great Five Elements Sword Formation has extremely harsh requirements. Once mastered, the sword formation boasts immensely powerful defense and offense."

"Even among the Zhou Clan disciples of the Violet Sword Palace, very few attempt to cultivate the Great Five Elements Sword Formation. After all, not everyone is born with Five-Element Spiritual Roots suitable for its cultivation. Most focus on single-element sword formations, such as Water, Earth, Metal, Wood, or Fire Sword Formations, and so on. If one lacks Five-Element Roots but forces cultivation of the Great Five Elements Sword, the formation’s power might not reach even a tenth of its potential."

"No single-element sword formation can contend with the Great Five Elements Sword Formation. Having all five elements, the Great Five Elements Sword Formation possesses potent generation and restraint effects, capable of neutralizing all single-element sword formations of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth. Single-element formations lack this comprehensive effect; the Water Sword Formation can only restrain the Fire Sword Formation but is itself restrained by the Earth Sword Formation, unable to counter others."

"This brat..." "Elder Ye's successful refinement of the Great Five Elements Sword Formation proves he must possess Five-Element Spiritual Roots. The Great Five Elements Sword Formation, silent for several thousand years in the Violet Sword Palace, seems destined to showcase its power through him. No wonder the Palace Master and the Elders are so eager to recruit him!"

The Zhou Clan initial-stage Core Formation disciples who had earlier clamored to challenge, creating such a commotion, now understood the formidable nature of the Great Five Elements Sword Formation, known as invincible among peers. They immediately shrank back in fear, none daring to advance.

As for the late-stage Zhou Clan Core Formation disciples, despite their superior strength, they were barred from challenging due to the rank restriction.

Ye Qin surveyed the hesitant Zhou Clan initial-stage Core Formation disciples and felt a cold sneer form internally. These Zhou Clan disciples were clearly opportunists who only preyed on the weak. Once they realized their opponent was an iron wall, they immediately softened themselves.