Volume One, Chapter Nine: Talent Only Slightly Inferior to a Dog

“Excellent! Truly worthy of being my son, Lin Ting’s heir!”

Watching the silver radiance surging from the Spirit-Linked Stone, Lin Ting clenched his fists with excitement.

The Lin family members in the crowd erupted in cheers. Although it was only a silver-level divine talent, it was still divine-level! It was well known that the Great Qian Dynasty hadn’t produced such gifted geniuses in many years. Now, the Lin family could finally hold their heads high!

Even some of those who had come with Qian Yun showed expressions of surprise. Clearly, Lin Xiao’s talent was on par with theirs, perhaps even surpassing them slightly.

Amid the noisy cheers, Lin Xiao wore a proud smile. Turning around, he strode back to stand before Jiang Mu.

“Young Master, Envoy Qian Yun, does my talent qualify me to join the Xuantian Dao Sect?” he asked, his tone void of any humility. In his eyes, a prodigy of his caliber would be sought after by any sect. The mere Xuantian Dao Sect would one day be beneath his feet.

Jiang Mu met Lin Xiao’s proud gaze without a word. Beside him, Qian Yun nodded, preparing to speak.

But just then, the tiny creature that had been lying in Jiang Mu’s arms let out a couple of barks, remarkably human-like in expression, rolling its eyes at Lin Xiao. Then, it jumped down and swaggered toward the Spirit-Linked Stone.

“Young Master, this…” Lin Ting was puzzled and instinctively tried to stop the little one, but Jiang Mu raised a hand to halt him.

“No matter. Perhaps even this dog wants to see its own talent!” Jiang Mu said, though he had no idea what the little one intended. At this moment, he was struggling to suppress the shock in his heart.

Moments ago, he had heard the little creature speak to him—not in ordinary words, but as if through telepathic communication.

The little one had said only one thing:

“To flaunt such mediocre talent? Let me see what’s really going on!”

Jiang Mu was bewildered, unsure if he had imagined it or if this companion he brought out of the house had an unknown side.

Since the little one had its own mind, Jiang Mu decided to let it be.

Thus unfolded a dramatic scene: all eyes widened in astonishment as a tiny yellow dog, no larger than two palms, confidently approached the Spirit-Linked Stone and slowly raised a paw.

The next moment, the Spirit-Linked Stone trembled, emitting a dazzling golden light that shot skyward, blooming in brilliant gold.

Gold!

Divine-level talent!

A dog possessed divine-level talent!

“Holy hell!”

The crowd was dumbfounded. Many rubbed their eyes in disbelief, thinking they had seen things.

Yet the golden glow from the Spirit-Linked Stone lasted a full fifteen minutes without fading. Meanwhile, the little yellow dog strutted back to Jiang Mu’s side, once again rolling its eyes at Lin Xiao.

---

Ahem—

Lin Xiao cleared his throat, feeling a lump in his throat and involuntarily stepping back half a pace.

Seeing this, Jiang Mu’s mood brightened. Though even he hadn’t expected this scene, clearly now was not the time to question it.

Standing, Jiang Mu lightly patted Lin Xiao’s shoulder, then answered his earlier question.

“Master Lin, your talent is indeed extraordinary, only a notch below mine as this dog. Truly rare. For the Lin family to produce a divine-level talent is surely a blessing from your ancestors. Very well, the Xuantian Dao Sect agrees to accept you!”

“Pfft—”

Lin Xiao staggered, unable to hold back a mouthful of blood. In a mere instant, he had sustained internal injuries.

The crowd below clenched their fists in anger and frustration. Didn’t this openly imply that their Lin family’s genius was inferior to a dog?

Before anyone could react, Lin Ting cleared his throat and shot a fierce glare toward the crowd.

They dared not make another move, finally sobering up and realizing how close they had come to offending the Xuantian Dao Sect. Cold sweat broke out down their backs.

They had nearly brought ruin upon the Lin family!

Jiang Mu smirked, knowing full well the nature of the Lin family: bullies who preyed on the weak but cringed before the strong. Even if he openly insulted Lin Ting, the Lin family would dare nothing.

Seeing Lin Xiao silent for a long moment, Jiang Mu asked, “Well, Young Master Lin, do you not wish to join the Xuantian Dao Sect?”

“I—”

Lin Xiao clenched his fists tightly. Since returning to the Lin family, he had never endured such humiliation. Even facing the Xuantian Dao Sect, he was unwilling to bow down.

Geniuses had never lacked pride!

Before he could speak, Lin Ting hurriedly intercepted him, fearing he might offend the powerful figure before them.

“Young Master, nonsense. It is a great honor that the Xuantian Dao Sect would accept us. We dare not show the slightest reluctance.”

“Good, then…”

Jiang Mu prepared to seize the opportunity and bring Lin Xiao back, thinking it would be a fine lesson to humble the Lin family’s arrogance.

But just then, a voice thundered from nowhere.

“Wait!”

The sound was like a clap of thunder. Some weaker disciples were forced to take two steps back.

Jiang Mu felt as if his insides were being squeezed, stifling a grunt. Then the little dog at his feet let out a grunt, and the oppressive pressure instantly dissipated.

At that moment, Qian Yun stood up as well. The grand aura of a Supreme Realm master burst forth, instantly dispersing the pressure.

“Since you have come, why bother with these antics?” Qian Yun said coldly, stepping forward to shield Jiang Mu.

---

“Haha, Qian Yun, you’re still as fiery as ever. No wonder you’re the disciple personally trained by Sect Master Jiang!”

Laughter rang out brightly as a group swiftly approached the plaza.

Six figures, all clad in orange robes embroidered with auspicious cloud patterns on their chests.

The Yunyang Sect, one of the five great powers of the Northern Domain, equal in status to the Xuantian Dao Sect.

“So it’s you. Deputy Sect Master Yang of Yunyang Sect. May I ask the purpose of your esteemed visit?” Qian Yun spoke bluntly, offering no pleasantries. After all, Yunyang Sect and Xuantian Dao Sect were rivals, and there was no need to show them any courtesy.

“Qian Yun, I naturally have my reasons for coming here. The host has yet to speak, yet you steal the scene. Isn’t that improper?” Yang Kang smirked, showing no respect to Qian Yun. He then approached Lin Ting.

“Master Lin, does your noble clan welcome the Yunyang Sect’s visit?”

Lin Ting swallowed nervously, never expecting both top sects to appear today. He stood frozen for a moment before quickly replying.

“Welcome, welcome! It is an honor for the Lin family!”

Yang Kang smiled, expecting such a response, merely aiming to silence Qian Yun.

Turning his gaze, Yang Kang scrutinized Jiang Mu before speaking.

“Miss Qian Yun, pardon my curiosity. Since Sect Master Jiang remains unmarried, who exactly is this Young Master? Why not introduce him to me?”

“Heh, if I say he is the Young Master of Xuantian Dao Sect, that should suffice. As for his identity, Deputy Sect Master Yang likely has no right to inquire,” Qian Yun sneered.

Yang Kang hadn’t expected to learn much, only curious about Jiang Mu.

“Since Miss Qian Yun declines to say, I won’t press. But if the Xuantian Dao Sect comes to recruit talent, surely this Young Master’s conduct was improper? Even if Master Lin’s talent is mediocre, he should not be so suppressed. Besides, Master Lin’s talent is hardly poor. Has the Xuantian Dao Sect grown so disdainful that it no longer values even divine-level talent?”

Hearing Yang Kang’s aggressive tone, Qian Yun was about to retort when Jiang Mu interrupted.

Though unaware of the full history between Yunyang Sect and Xuantian Dao Sect, Jiang Mu grasped the gist from their brief exchange and spoke without hesitation.

“Our Xuantian Dao Sect always treats those who join as brothers. However… some people become arrogant just because of their talent, and such arrogance must be tempered. Deputy Sect Master Yang, what do you think?”

Yang Kang narrowed his eyes, studying Jiang Mu for a moment before smiling lightly.

“If the Xuantian Dao Sect claims Young Master Lin is arrogant, then I think he is unfit to join you. Master Lin…”

Turning to Lin Ting and his son, Yang Kang continued:

“If the Xuantian Dao Sect fails to recognize Master Lin’s talent, would Master Lin consider joining Yunyang Sect? If Master Lin agrees, I will make an exception and take him as my personal disciple. How does that sound?”