Chapter 269: A Test of True Talent

Endless mountain ranges stretch deep within Daocheng.

Heavy leaden clouds pile up, reflecting the misty, rain-drenched mountains like watery mirrors, blurring the line between heaven and earth.

Spring rain continues its steady patter, sprinkling over the peaks where blooming spring plums resemble strokes of watercolor on an ink-washed landscape.

Before the Divine Sect’s Mountain Gate, a white jade archway spans the space, its inscription “Qiankun” gleaming brilliantly.

A mighty divine aura surges forth, gathering ahead into a massive white vortex of divine energy, evoking a scene as mysterious as a forbidden realm.

Gazing through the vortex, one can see what seems like a small celestial paradise beyond.

On the vast plaza in front of the archway, rain as fine as bovine hair falls incessantly, yet it cannot wash away the fervor of the prodigies’ excitement.

“Is Master Patriarch going to open his eyes?”

“Open his eyes? What, by taking drugs?”

“Sure, didn’t Sect Leader Taibai say that here the talent test covers Martial Arts, Divinity, Divine Eagle, Divine Talisman, and Divine Weapon – all six major aspects of cultivation today?”

“They won’t restrict any methods—as long as you can reveal your full potential. But using explosive methods might harm your body, right?”

Many prodigies huddled together, chattering excitedly.

It was only natural for children, with their curious nature, to be unable to hold back their wonder.

And aside from the kids, many accompanying parents showed subtle changes on their faces.

Sitting in the position of Sect Leader, Lü Taibai’s white robes fluttered in the gusts from the qi surging from the Qiankun archway. He smiled lightly and said, “Rest assured, the little celestial realm created by our Master Patriarch is imbued with profound Dao; any side effects from unleashing your talent will be neutralized by this mysterious power, ensuring no harm comes to your body.”

Dao power is something only cultivators of the Divine Tribulation Stage can truly harness.

Since Lü Taibai affirmed that the Dao power stands as a guarantee, his words were not mere bluster.

Many prodigies’ hearts began to stir with ambition.

Protectors from the families of Divine Capital Gongshu, Tian Dan Divine Sect, and Xuanfu Divine Sect, all accompanying the prodigies, exchanged glimmers in their eyes as they began quietly allocating treasures, pills, and divine talismans meant to boost talent.

Nearly every prodigy’s elder started preparing and making arrangements.

Sang Guanyin held XiXi closely, standing in the rain and wind with a puzzled look.

XiXi’s eyes grew wide as she blinked in stupefaction.

“Sister Yinyin, XiXi is going to be at such a disadvantage!”

XiXi pouted slightly.

“XiXi’s family is poor, and her father has only just become an Elder. There’s no way they can afford any talent-enhancing pills or divine talismans… That’s it, XiXi the Great will be suppressed.”

XiXi said this, pouting with grievance.

Her gentle and honest father wouldn’t have any valuable resources to enhance her talent.

Poor XiXi indeed.

Sang Guanyin was at a loss for words, unsure how to respond.

The changes in these rules truly caught her off guard.

Though her parents held decent standing in the Sang family, any means to alter one’s innate talent—even a temporary boost via sacred pills or talismans—were exceedingly precious and not easily obtained.

Sang Guanyin turned her head to look at Bian Yuanlong behind her.

Bian Yuanlong rubbed his head in bewilderment.

Struggling to gather resources for cultivation at the Daocheng Divine Sect, he was practically living paycheck to paycheck. Where would he find anything to boost talent?

For a moment, the atmosphere turned somber.

Standing beside them, Zhang Ya’s expression also shifted subtly.

Supreme Grandmaster Nie Yang furrowed his brow; he hadn’t expected the personal assessment to include such a step. His Nie Yang…

was equally strapped for resources.

“What are we going to do now?” Zhang Ya’s anxiety was evident.

Her daughter wasn’t failing due to lack of talent, but because her parents couldn’t offer proper cultivation resources. Zhang Ya felt an overwhelming pang of guilt and sorrow.

“Mother… I’ll take you to see your father.”

Zhang Ya quickly took XiXi from Sang Guanyin, pushing through the crowd toward Li Che, seated below the archway in the position reserved for elders on Shendiao Ridge.

“Husband!”

Zhang Ya lowered her voice to call softly.

But the moment she spoke, all eyes turned toward her—Li Che’s position was too conspicuous.

In an instant, it felt as if tens of millions of gazes descended upon her, making the fine hairs on her white neck stand on end as oppressive pressure overwhelmed her.

Yet, just as quickly, a warm aura enveloped her, dispelling her tension and unease.

Li Che had already stepped down from his position, wrapped his arms around Zhang Ya’s waist, and taken XiXi from her embrace.

“Husband…”

Zhang Ya, unconcerned about the gathered onlookers, whispered.

“Don’t worry, I understand…”

Li Che affectionately tousled Zhang Ya’s hair, then looked toward XiXi.

“Dear, you must believe in XiXi’s talent. Even without any enhancement, she won’t be weak… she can still rise above the rest in the first round of the talent evaluations.”

“Maybe everyone employs talent-enhancing tricks, but our XiXi, relying solely on her natural, peerless gift, will shock Master Patriarch and get his attention even more!”

At these words, XiXi’s eyes lit up.

“Do you have confidence, XiXi?!”

“Our family may be poor, and we might not have pills, talismans, or secret techniques for upping your talent, but… your father believes in you with all his heart!”

“We’ll beat our opponents using pure talent, showing them what a genius really is!”

“Let Master Patriarch see what pure, unparalleled talent really looks like!”

“Our very own XiXi the Great will conquer with nothing but raw talent!”

Li Che patted XiXi’s small shoulder firmly, his tone resolute and his gaze steely.

Unsullied Heart and divine energy surged wildly into XiXi’s body, mixed with a few Feilei Chess Pieces.

XiXi’s little face flushed bright red.

Her tiny frame trembled violently.

Ahhh—!

XiXi the Great is about to ignite!

Her father’s words made perfect sense. Who needs gimmicks? XiXi the Great will ascend solely on her natural ability!

What’s so terrifying about being poor?!

XiXi the Great’s talent is formidable—she’ll surely progress to the second round!

“Dad, I’ll do my best!”

XiXi clenched her tiny fist, speaking with earnest determination.

Beneath the archway.

Several elders from Shendiao Ridge exchanged glances and sighed quietly upon hearing the commotion.

“Elder Li… you’re just too righteous.”

“It’s a pity that Elder Li, having just become an Elder of Shendiao Ridge, didn’t secure enough resources. Otherwise, he could have managed a talent-enhancing pill. And… I don’t think he ever tried carving a boost talisman either?”

“Such a fine child… poor but determined! Her future is limitless!”

The elders murmured quietly among themselves.

At the base of the white jade Qiankun archway, Gongshu Jingjun, lord of Shendiao Ridge, furrowed his brow, then rose. With a swift gesture across the Qian Kun Jade, a black jade vial appeared in his hand.

“Li Che, this pill can temporarily boost divine energy by raising the purple qi pillar’s height by about ten feet… Give it to the child. I worry that a high-grade pill might overwhelm her frail body.”

Gongshu Jingjun said in a low tone.

At these words, Li Che’s eyes flashed with surprise.

He quickly expressed his gratitude.

Yet, stirred by Li Che’s encouragement, XiXi was ignited with fierce determination—as if a small ball of fire, she clenched her fists tightly.

“No! Dad, I don’t need it!”

“I want to rely solely on my own ability!” XiXi declared in her babyish voice.

Gongshu Jingjun was momentarily taken aback. Li Che smiled and, still cradling XiXi, replied to him, “Thank you, Ridge Lord, but as XiXi insists, she’s determined to do it herself.”

“Such spirit!”

“If XiXi fails to become the true successor of the sect, she can come to Shendiao Ridge where I will personally train her.”

Gongshu Jingjun chuckled heartily.

Because by holding XiXi under his arms in front of the archway, Li Che had essentially declined the offer of aid in full view of everyone.

Many prodigies frowned at once.

The prodigy from the Gongshu family, Gongshu Wéntian, who had already received a temporary boost pill and Divine Eagle from his family’s assigned guardians, immediately rejected the pill upon seeing XiXi’s refusal.

“If Li Nuǎnxi doesn’t need it, what chance does Gongshu Wéntian have?”

Gongshu Wéntian smiled confidently, his expression full of disdain.

“She trusts her own talent to prevail. I, Gongshu Wéntian, can do the same.”

Gongshu Wéntian’s pride was evident.

A guardian from the Gongshu family, exasperated, said, “Young master, please don’t be stubborn. Being personally taught by Sect Leader Taibai would greatly help your bid for the family head position in the future.”

“I—Wéntian—don’t need it!” The handsome prodigy’s face showed a trace of contempt.

“Then take the pill and the Divine Eagle with you. If you truly don’t need them, fine, but if you do, they might still save you.”

Gongshu Wéntian, after a brief hesitation, accepted the items as the Qian Kun Jade swept them up and stored them away.

Many such proud prodigies boasted about relying solely on their talent to impress Master Patriarch.

But after a reprimand from their elders, they quietly settled down.

Near the parked carts,

Old Chen sat on the carriage, a cigarette dangling from his mouth, exhaling a long sigh.

“XiXi, you’re so understanding.”

“Kids from poor families learn early to shoulder burdens…”

Inside the carriage, Granny Mu also sighed, her heart aching for little XiXi.

Having watched XiXi grow up, Granny Mu knew well how hard her family had struggled to reach where they were.

Sitting with Granny Mu, Li Qingshan rolled his eyes.

“You’ve all been hoodwinked by Li Che…”

Cat Face, who knew Li Che’s methods and strength best, refused to believe that Li Che had no hidden backup for XiXi.

Ogre… is the Underworld’s foremost schemer!

Look at Gongshu Wéntian, already half-crippled by false promises this time.

Beneath the white jade Qiankun archway,

Lü Taibai sat in the Grand Master’s chair, his lips twitching slightly.

Among everyone, only his Divine Perception was most alert, as he watched Li Che uprightly guide XiXi, though Li Che didn’t pause his efforts at all.

“What exactly did Li Che instill into XiXi? Divine energy?”

A strange glint flashed in Lü Taibai’s eyes.

“Then—!!!”

A bell chimed.

The bell’s sound rippled, and the spring rain exploded upon impact.

Lü Taibai, seated in his chair, spoke in a low, cutting tone, as if sword energy were spewing from his mouth, forcing everyone into silence.

“Alright, time’s up. Now… all prodigies wanting to partake in the examination, enter the little celestial realm.”

Lü Taibai declared.

His words fell like a sword slicing through iron—resonant and definitive.

Already fired up, XiXi, upon hearing Lü Taibai’s command, slipped from Li Che’s embrace. Being the closest to the vortex’s entrance, she stamped her little feet and sprinted toward it.

Bzzzz—

At the entrance to the celestial realm, divine energy swirled. Without a second glance, XiXi dove headfirst into the vortex.

She entered effortlessly, with no obstacles in her way.

Lü Taibai, still in his chair, suddenly shifted his posture and stared, astonished, at XiXi breezing past the entrance.

That little girl…

Gongshu Wéntian, watching XiXi beat him to enter the little realm, frowned.

That Li Nuǎnxi… what a cheat!

She squeezed her way to the front row, snagging the best entry spot.

Gongshu Wéntian twirled his short carving knife like a butterfly blade before gripping it firmly. With a point from his toes and a burst of blood and energy,

he shot forward like an arrow, weaving through the crowd. His every step splashed droplets like scattered rain.

At the moment Gongshu Wéntian began his dash, prodigy Gu He from Tian Dan Divine Sect—a young man with eight sheep-fat jade vials hanging from his waist—chuckled, flicked his fingers, and sent a pill flying high, gulping it down in one bite.

Immediately, a gust seemed to envelop him. Propelled by the wind’s howl, he chased Gongshu Wéntian toward the entrance of the little celestial realm.

Lü Qingxuan, ranked first in the Chu Long Register of the Daocheng Divine Sect, with a sword at his side, stepped lightly. The sword light burst forth like rippling water from his feet.

Accompanied by resplendent sword chants, he too soared out as if riding his sword.

From Xuanfu Divine Sect, Xuan Yue—a charmingly cute girl—popped out a divine talisman. Radiating divine energy, she vanished from sight only to reappear right at the front of everyone.

Prodigies from Seven Treasure Divine Sect—Ning Caihe, Yang Yi from Chu Long Register, Yue Linghu (grandson of the Dao Master of Daocheng), Tie Shancai, and other betters all dashed out.

Boom, boom, boom, boom—!

The atmosphere instantly heated up; chaotic winds roared and energy gales surged!

Countless spring rains, falling from leaden clouds high above, burst into splashes like watercolor bursts!

Gongshu Wéntian sneered as he watched Xuan Yue surpass him with her talisman tricks.

His grip tightened, his qi surging, and his speed soaring as if a white energy wave whirled violently around him.

In an instant, he surpassed Xuan Yue, who had just completed her leap using a divine talisman, colliding with the vortex at the entrance of the little realm.

The next moment—

Gongshu Wéntian’s eyes narrowed sharply as the haughty, scornful smile vanished. He felt a crushing, overwhelming pressure—as if mountains were collapsing and rivers crumbling onto him!

Then he sensed an invisible wall of air halting him.

The air wall wasn’t solid, yet he felt pinned as if embedded within it.

Creak, creak—!

Bones groaned under the strain; his skin shuddered violently as the barrier collided with him.

Most shockingly, Gongshu Wéntian’s handsome face, his prominent nose nearly contorted under the force, his mouth twisted upward!

Bang—!

A tremendous crash, like a runaway carriage smashing into a cliff, resonated with tragic destruction.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—

The prodigies behind Gongshu Wéntian frozen in their tracks, watching in horror at his dire state.

For those boosted by pills, talismans, or sword light, they barely managed to slow down in time.

But those relying solely on their raw physical qi and blood burst could not stop in time.

For instance, the grandchild of the Dao Master, Yue Linghu, and Ao Qingqing of the Dragon God lineage,

both crashed into the invisible barrier at the entrance.

Gongshu Wéntian, feeling the weight of countless gazes, felt his proud Dao heart shatter like glass, riddled with fractures.

Pride cannot tolerate even a hint of public humiliation.

Taking a deep breath, Gongshu Wéntian steadied himself, his fleshpower gradually straightening his twisted mouth and nose.

“Why?”

“Why did that little girl slide through so easily?”

Gongshu Wéntian exhaled slowly, now realizing that the entrance to the little celestial realm unleashed a tremendous pressure.

That little girl…

What is going on?

Did she bribe Master Patriarch?

Frowning, Gongshu Wéntian trudged forward against the pressure, and soon passed through the invisible barrier.

Then, prodigies Gu He, Xuan Yue, Lü Qingxuan, and others followed one after another.

Just the simple act of entering the little celestial realm led many powerful cultivators present to sense something amiss.

They noticed something was off.

“That little girl…”

“She seems to have entered with ease?”

Many mighty experts from influential sects found something strange.

Thinking of the little girl who vowed to suppress any prodigy using only her talent, many felt their hearts skip a beat.

…

…

Spring rain intensified, drenching the black tiles of the eight-sided, double-eaved Treasure Tower of the Imperial Watch in a veil of mist, as if draping the entire pavilion in a thin white shroud.

High above, by a balustrade,

gentle spring breezes stirred, tilting the steaming water atop the carbon stove.

The rain gathered into a cascade, streaming off the ornate eaves in beads.

At the Imperial Watch, Monitor Hong Shifo sat cross-legged, a black wooden chessboard laid out before him. Clearly, this was a new board, for the one he last played with Lü Taibai had split in two and thrown into a corner.

Suddenly,

the intricate, dense water curtain was torn apart.

A portly, jovial figure with a beaming smile and surging qi burst through the water screen beneath the Imperial Watch’s eaves, suspended in mid-air in splendid brocade attire.

“Monitor, might I challenge you to a game?”

Dao Master Yue Huanglong grinned amiably.

“If you’re going to play, then do. Spare me the fake smiles—after all these years, we both know who’s who.”

Monitor Hong Shifo shook his head and began gathering the chess pieces, sighing as he prepared for a new board.

Yue Huanglong found a seat, and the subtle aroma of sandalwood filled the air. His chubby fingers picked up a white piece and placed it on a star point.

Monitor Hong Shifo also picked up a piece and laid it down.

Clack, clack…

Inside the pavilion, all fell silent except for the faint sound of chess pieces sliding.

Narrowing his eyes, Monitor Hong Shifo, playing with black, captured one of Yue Huanglong’s white pieces.

Yue Huanglong smiled warmly, repositioning his piece elsewhere and counter-capturing one in return.

“Monitor, why didn’t the Imperial Watch send any prodigies to compete this time?”

“Sect Leader Taibai is busy recruiting his personal disciples while making a grand show of choosing the future heir of the Daocheng Divine Sect.”

“They’ve even opened the small celestial realm beneath the Qiankun Dao Power plaque…”

Yue Huanglong chuckled.

Monitor Hong Shifo’s expression grew stern as he placed a piece down and squinted, “What contest? The Daocheng Imperial Watch… simply doesn’t have any promising seedlings.”

“There’s no point in competing. If Lü Taibai chooses someone himself, can we really talk about fair teaching? That man’s sword never follows any rules…”

Monitor Hong Shifo glared at Yue Huanglong’s chubby fingers as they swept a sizable portion of his pieces away. His face trembled as he nearly raised the board to hurl it at Yue Huanglong’s hypocritical grin.

All the while, he chuckled, “You rough lad!”

“Oh? You can’t let the second position of the Daocheng Divine Sect fall into the hands of foreigners, can you?”

Yue Huanglong placed another piece, intentionally making a misstep that revived the Monitor’s dragon piece.

Then he asked, “May I ask… Who do you favor among these prodigies?”

Monitor Hong Shifo glanced at the misstep, stroked his beard with a smile, and slowly relaxed his grip on the board.

“Gongshu Wéntian? Gu He? Xuan Yue? Or… Lü Qingxuan?”

Yue Huanglong inquired.

“Gongshu Wéntian? That proud, stubborn heart from the Gongshu family?”

Monitor Hong Shifo scoffed and shook his head lightly, “The talent test’s threshold can be passed, but the temperament test is far tougher. If one can make it through the latter, they might just have a chance.”

Yue Huanglong, upon hearing this, placed another chess piece.

“As for your daughter, she stands little chance; even the talent threshold is a hurdle.”

Yue Huanglong frowned and made another misstep.

This revived Monitor Hong Shifo’s dragon piece, now ready to wreak havoc.

“Tell me, Monitor, among these prodigies, who do you think has the most potential?”

Yue Huanglong tossed two chess pieces onto the board.

Monitor Hong Shifo chuckled, clearly in his element. As always, high officials were more pliable than swordsmen.

“Who do I favor the most?”

Rising, Hong Shifo walked to the balustrade and looked out at the swirling mist and rain.

“The great Dao is presently obscured like fog.”

“My fingers are nearly cramping…”

“I just can’t see through it…”

…

…

Daocheng.

Outer City.

Deep within Tinglei Alley.

A mass of swirling smoke, expanding like a doughnut, spread out into the rain, breaking apart in disarray.

Big Black Dog lay on the ground, head held high with its two black ears perked up.

Its eyes sparkled with keen intelligence.

It got up, circled around the owner of the Restaurant who sat there, legs crossed, smoking, as the leisurely, carefree Boss paced around in circles.

“Alright, I got it.”

“Don’t worry, I’ve prepared a snack for XiXi.”

“Isn’t it just about opening her eyes?”

“Steady as she goes.”

The Boss gently patted Big Black Dog’s head, then flicked away the ash from his cigarette, saying softly.

Big Black Dog’s heart immediately relaxed.

It yawned, shook its fur, and strolled back to its spot, lying down to sleep soundly.

Dog, off to dream about playing with XiXi the Great.

…

…

XiXi dashed into the little celestial realm.

As she hit the invisible barrier at its entrance, she did feel a slight resistance and pressure.

But with burning determination, her strong body battered through the barrier, forcing it open.

XiXi knew she had no tricks for boosting her talent, so she had to rely solely on her natural gift!

What could she do? XiXi the Great, poor as she was, could only depend on her innate talent—no mutations allowed!

“XiXi must not let Dad and Mom down!”

“You can do it! Remember, you were the first to win in the Third Prince Temple Spirit Resonance, praised as a triple-outstanding prodigy by your father!”

XiXi’s arm flipped outward as she clenched her small fist; her dark hair whipped around, her bright eyes blazing with determination!

After entering the little celestial realm, she looked around and saw a staircase stretching out before her.

XiXi looked up at the top, counting aloud, “One, two, three…”

There were too many to count.

After counting a few steps, she gave up; squinting her eyes, she noticed on the highest step a statue of a majestic Divine Eagle in a dignified pose.

Could that be Master Patriarch?

Is it time to rush before him and have him open his eyes?

If that happened, XiXi’s talent would be recognized and she’d pass the test, right?!

XiXi took a deep breath and stepped onto the white jade stairs. An invisible pressure weighed down on her.

Looking upward, she saw above her a dense purple qi pillar of divine energy shooting skyward, seemingly countering some of the pressure from the stairs.

Thump, thump, thump—

After a few steps, XiXi saw her purple qi pillar quiver and weaken slightly.

“If the purple qi pillar is entirely diminished… would that mean the talent test is over?”

XiXi pondered quietly.

So this was what Sect Leader meant by limitless methods to boost one’s talent—extracting every last drop of potential.

To strengthen the purple qi pillar, one must exhaust all of their innate talent, no matter the means.

Martial Arts, Divinity, Divine Talisman, Tian Dan, Divine Eagle, Divine Weapon…

All six aspects contribute to fortifying the purple qi pillar.

But one’s talent in each area is finite, making this test a measure of one’s ultimate potential.

XiXi took a deep breath, choosing not to rush up the stairs.

Instead, she stood still and began to synchronize the Little Gun and Little Brick in her left and right hands.

First, maximize her talent in Divine Weapon!

Though her family was poor, Divine Weapon had always been a part of her—it was her own innate gift, nothing like artificial boosts!

No cheating!

XiXi had achieved everything solely through her own hard work!

Boom—!!!

A surge of deep purple divine energy burst forth from the Purple-Flame Serpent Spear Fire-Tipped Spear and the Gold Brick.

At the same time, the Yulian Fenghuo Jingguang Wheel hidden in her little foot began to hum, emitting purple divine energy that rushed into the purple qi pillar above her head!

The qi pillar thickened noticeably.

It swelled from the girth of a finger to that of a baby’s arm in an instant.

XiXi’s eyes lit up.

She quickly began to ponder what other trump cards she might have…

Suddenly, a white chess piece appeared in the palm of her hand.

Blinking, she immediately understood—this was what her father had left her.

Crush it!

It was as if her father’s voice echoed in her ears:

“Be the most obedient, the best!”

In the next instant, without any hesitation, XiXi crushed the white chess piece.

…

…

At the top of the stairs,

the statue of Master Patriarch of the Daocheng Divine Sect’s Divine Eagle shone with resplendent brilliance.

Purple-Flame Serpent Spear Fire-Tipped Spear?

Gold Brick?!

A Yulian Fenghuo Jingguang Wheel?

Has the First Temple Spirit of Jin Guang Mansion or the Third Prince come running over?

Suddenly,

Master Patriarch’s Divine Eagle began to shake violently…

Wait a minute!

Is that… Dao power?!

Seven-thousand Words—finally finished! Double monthly votes! Old Li begs for votes. This month already saw 390,000 words. Everyone, help Old Li surge ahead! Old Li thanks you!