Volume One, Chapter 8: Talent Assessment

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Xianyun was momentarily stunned. "How did you know?"

Jiang Mu gave a bitter smile, surprised that it really was him. For a moment, his thoughts grew tangled.

But only for a moment. He soon came to a realization. Since Lin Xiao had joined the same sect, he might as well see just how much talent the Lin family’s so-called prodigy possessed.

“No worries, Sister Xianyun. I just happened to find out. So, are we heading to the Lin family now?”

Xianyun nodded. “The sect leader assigned seven of us for this mission. With Lin Xiao from the Lin family, that makes the full group. After this, we can return directly to the sect.”

Jiang Mu responded with a nod but said no more, instead sinking into thought.

Xianyun didn’t speak further either, though her curiosity was piqued. She dared not pry into Jiang Mu’s affairs. After giving some instructions to the other youths, she withdrew to a quiet corner to meditate and focus.

After some time, the outline of Jing’an City gradually came into view beneath the clouds.

Jiang Mu snapped out of his reverie, his gaze fixed on a particular spot—the location of the Lin family.

The exotic beast folded its massive wings and descended.

Xianyun simultaneously opened her eyes and rose, coming to Jiang Mu’s side but deliberately stepping back a half pace.

In moments, the beast hovered above the Lin family estate. Dozens of figures stood waiting at the gates, with Lin Ting, Lin Xiao, Lin Xiu, and other Lin family elites prominently at the front.

“Young Master, shall we dismount?”

Xianyun placed a hand on Jiang Mu’s arm. The next instant, Jiang Mu felt his vision blur, and when it cleared, he was standing firmly on the ground.

The group of youths followed suit behind him, and even the little one leapt from the beast and into Jiang Mu’s arms.

“Lin Ting, current head of the Lin family, pays respects to Envoy Xianyun. Your esteemed presence honors our family greatly!”

Lin Ting hurried over, bowing respectfully to Xianyun.

Jiang Mu studied the familiar faces before him, his mind swirling with complex emotions. Then Xianyun’s words left him utterly bewildered.

“Master of the Lin family, no need for formalities. I am here by the sect leader’s orders to test the talent of your son, Lin Xiao. But I am not the one in charge of this matter. Whether Lin Xiao may enter the Profound Heavenly Dao Sect depends on the will of our Young Master.”

With that, Xianyun subtly stepped aside, revealing Jiang Mu standing beside her.

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Young Master?!

Lin Ting and his followers were dumbfounded, then overcome with boundless excitement. They never expected the Young Master of the Profound Heavenly Dao Sect to personally visit the Lin family. This was no less than the sect leader himself arriving. Now, the Lin family’s fortunes were surely turning!

Lin Ting immediately bowed deeply to Jiang Mu. “Lin Ting pays respects to the Young Master. We were unaware of your status earlier and apologize for any disrespect.”

Behind him, the Lin family members bowed in unison. Even those who had previously ordered Jiang Mu around now showed utmost deference, not daring to raise their heads for fear of displeasing him.

This dramatic scene caused Jiang Mu’s expression beneath the mask to twitch involuntarily. He instinctively glanced at Xianyun, perplexed as to why she had pushed him forward.

Seeming to understand his thoughts, Xianyun whispered, “Young Master, this is all arranged by the sect leader. Do you think the ceremony can begin?”

Since Xianyun had said as much, and given the audience was the Lin family, Jiang Mu naturally could not refuse. He nodded.

“Very well, let us proceed.”

Fortunately, the mask Jiang Yuan had given him not only concealed Jiang Mu’s aura but also altered his voice. Otherwise, if the Lin family recognized the Young Master before them as the much-disdained Jiang Mu, the spectacle would surely be unforgettable.

But Jiang Mu clearly had no intention of revealing his identity now. He intended to dismantle the Lin family’s confidence step by step.

At Jiang Mu’s words, Lin Ting immediately turned and waved, signaling his people to clear a path. Then he bowed again.

“Please, Young Master.”

Without hesitation, Jiang Mu strode forward, followed by Xianyun and six newly recruited youths of the Profound Heavenly Dao Sect. Behind them were Lin Ting and the others.

The difference in status was obvious at a glance.

They arrived at the Lin family square, where a tall platform had been set up. On it stood a massive ten-zhang-high stone engraved with countless pits and grooves forming strange patterns.

Two chairs were placed at the platform’s side—one clearly for Xianyun, the other was Lin Ting’s subtle ploy.

If he could sit on equal footing with Xianyun, it would greatly enhance the Lin family’s prestige.

But alas...

Having lived long in the Lin family, Jiang Mu knew Lin Ting’s schemes well. He took one chair, while Xianyun naturally took the other.

Lin Ting could only smile and stand awkwardly to the side.

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This scene left the Lin family members silently seething. Their dignified patriarch forced to stand, while Xianyun showed no intention of allowing Lin Ting to sit beside her. They gritted their teeth, hoping Lin Xiao’s talent would be enough to earn Xianyun’s respect.

“Master of the Lin family, since everything is ready, please have your young master ascend the stage for the talent test!”

Jiang Mu deliberately emphasized the word “young master.” Lin Ting, however, took no offense and beckoned Lin Xiao forward.

Lin Xiao climbed the stage, immediately surrounded by the Lin family. They had heard rumors of his divine-level talent but knew no details. With the family’s fate on the line, they could not be indifferent.

Even the six youths accompanying Xianyun looked on with heightened curiosity.

Lin Xiao did not rush to the test but instead bowed before Jiang Mu.

“Please watch closely, Young Master and Envoy Xianyun. I will not disappoint you.”

His words brimmed with arrogance. Whether to prove himself against his father’s slight or for other motives, no one could say.

Jiang Mu smiled faintly. “Then let us see just what level of talent young master Lin can awaken!”

In this world, cultivation talent was divided into ten ranks, all measured by these spirit stones. Different talent levels caused the stones to emit different radiances.

Common cultivators’ talents ranged from highest to lowest as red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, and purple. Red talent was considered semi-divine level. Above that were divine-level talents, subdivided into silver, gold, and the rarest—seven-colored brilliance.

What level of divine talent would Lin Xiao awaken?

Hearing the barely concealed challenge in Jiang Mu’s voice, Lin Xiao snorted coldly and turned to the spirit stone, placing his hand upon it.

A beam of light surged from the stone into Lin Xiao’s body. The next moment, the spirit stone erupted in dazzling silver light, a silver radiance shooting skyward and lasting for ten breaths before fading.

Silver!

Indeed, divine-level talent!