The entire selection grounds remained unusually noisy even after Feng Li stepped down from the cultivation measuring formation. The result of his examination had spread through the crowd almost immediately, and countless gazes continued falling upon him as he returned to Feng Xue's side.
An eleven-year-old Rank 8 Soul Transformation Realm cultivator was something that none of the people present could easily ignore.
Even among the powerful sects and families that had gathered for the selection, such cultivation at Feng Li's age was extraordinary. The Northern Region might not possess the same reputation as the stronger regions of the Guan Region, but that did not mean the people representing those powerful forces were incapable of recognizing talent when they saw it.
Feng Xue, who had revealed herself to be a Rank 7 Soul Transformation Realm cultivator at the same age, had also attracted considerable attention. However, the attention surrounding Feng Li was clearly greater. The difference between Rank 7 and Rank 8 might not appear particularly large when spoken about casually, but among cultivators of their age, every rank represented a considerable difference.
Feng Li, however, paid little attention to the discussions surrounding him.
He stood calmly beside Feng Xue as his gaze remained fixed on the elevated platform. The Black Jade Sect disciples were still looking in his direction from time to time, especially the young man who had confronted him earlier. The hostility in the young man's eyes had not disappeared. If anything, Feng Li's cultivation result had only made it worse.
The young man had believed himself superior because of his background and cultivation. Yet Feng Li, someone he had looked down upon as a child from Emerald City, had revealed a cultivation level two ranks above his own despite being considerably younger.
It was difficult for someone like him to accept such a thing.
Feng Li noticed his gaze but did not react.
To him, the young man was nothing more than an insignificant disturbance. The other party's cultivation was not weak, but neither was it enough to make Feng Li treat him seriously. The only thing that made the situation somewhat troublesome was the Black Jade Sect standing behind him.
Feng Li was no longer living in a world where a person's individual strength was the only thing that mattered.
Powerful sects possessed elders, ancestors, disciples, resources, and connections that ordinary cultivators could not easily contend with. Creating an enemy was one thing, but creating an enemy without understanding their background was foolish.
Fortunately, Feng Li had never been someone who acted without thinking.
He would not deliberately provoke the Black Jade Sect, but neither would he tolerate being humiliated simply because they possessed a powerful background.
While the discussions continued below, several of the people seated on the elevated platforms were also quietly observing Feng Li.
Some appeared interested.
Others remained expressionless.
A few had already begun reconsidering the young geniuses they had initially paid attention to.
Although the selection had not yet reached its conclusion, Feng Li and Feng Xue had undoubtedly become two of the most noticeable participants.
The blue-robed man waited until the discussions gradually began calming down before finally stepping forward.
"Silence."
His voice was not particularly loud, yet the moment it entered the ears of the people below, the entire gathering gradually became quiet. The young cultivators turned their attention toward him, knowing that the next stage of the selection was about to begin.
The blue-robed man looked toward the remaining participants before speaking.
"You have now completed the examination of your age and cultivation. Those who remain have proven that they meet the basic requirements of this selection. However, cultivation alone does not determine how far a cultivator can walk on the path ahead."
His words caused the expressions of many young cultivators to become serious.
"Cultivation can be improved through resources, opportunities, techniques, and guidance. A person's talent, however, determines how naturally they can comprehend and progress upon the path of cultivation. Therefore, the next examination will measure your talent."
The moment those words were spoken, Feng Li's eyes narrowed slightly.
Talent.
His thoughts immediately returned to the talent measuring ceremony held within the Feng Clan.
That had been one of the first occasions where his abnormal nature had truly begun revealing itself to the people around him. At that time, the talent measuring method used by the Feng Clan had determined that he possessed what they called God Level Talent.
However, Feng Li knew that the Feng Clan's understanding of cultivation was limited.
Emerald City was only a small part of the Northern Region, and the Northern Region itself was only one part of the much larger Guan Region. What the Feng Clan considered the highest possible level did not necessarily represent the true limits of the cultivation world.
The God Level Talent that had caused such excitement within the Feng Clan was considered Heavenly Talent by the standards of the wider world.
At least, that was the understanding Feng Li had gained.
Now, standing before him were people who came from powerful sects and organizations far beyond the Feng Clan's reach.
The talent measuring method they used would naturally be superior.
Feng Li's gaze became thoughtful.
He was curious to see what the more advanced method would reveal.
The blue-robed man raised his hand.
A moment later, several cultivators moved forward from behind the platform. They carried a large object covered by a dark cloth, and the moment it was placed in the center of the selection grounds, the crowd became quiet.
The object was considerably larger than the Age Measuring Stone used earlier.
After the cultivators stepped back, the blue-robed man waved his hand, and the dark cloth covering it was removed.
A large circular platform appeared before everyone.
The platform was made from a type of stone Feng Li did not recognize, and numerous ancient markings covered its surface. Several talent measuring stones stood around it, each one different from the ordinary stones used during the Feng Clan's talent measuring ceremony.
The spiritual energy contained within them was far denser.
Even from where he stood, Feng Li could sense that the platform was considerably more advanced than anything the Feng Clan possessed.
The moment the platform appeared, discussions immediately began spreading through the crowd.
"That is the talent measuring platform?"
"It looks completely different from the one used in our city."
"Of course it does. This selection is being conducted by the major powers of the Guan Region. How could their methods be compared to the ones used by ordinary families?"
The conversations continued quietly as the young cultivators examined the platform.
The blue-robed man allowed them to observe it briefly before speaking again.
"This platform was created specifically for measuring the talent of cultivators. The talent measuring stones surrounding it possess far greater sensitivity than the ordinary talent measuring treasures used by small clans and families. The higher a person's talent, the greater the reaction produced by the stones."
His gaze swept through the crowd.
"The examination is simple. Step onto the platform and place your hand upon the central stone. The platform will determine the level of talent you possess."
Several participants immediately revealed nervous expressions.
Unlike the cultivation examination, where they already had a general understanding of their own strength, talent was something that many cultivators could not accurately determine on their own.
Some possessed powerful cultivation because of extraordinary resources.
Others had reached their current level through years of effort.
However, the talent examination would reveal something different.
It would show the potential they possessed.
Feng Li watched the platform quietly.
He could sense the interest of several sect representatives increasing. The cultivation examination had allowed them to see the participants' current levels, but the talent examination would help them determine who among the younger generation was worth paying greater attention to.
"Begin."
The first participant was called forward.
A young man walked toward the platform, his expression slightly tense. After reaching the center, he placed his hand upon the talent measuring stone.
For several moments, nothing happened.
Then the markings across the platform slowly began glowing.
The stones surrounding the platform reacted one after another, and a coloured light gradually appeared.
The people responsible for the selection carefully observed the reaction before announcing the result.
The young man's expression immediately relaxed.
He had passed.
The crowd quietly discussed his result as he stepped down from the platform.
Another participant soon followed.
The process continued steadily.
One after another, the young cultivators stepped onto the platform as their talents were measured by the superior measuring stones. Some produced only weak reactions, while others caused several of the stones to illuminate more brightly.
The reactions of the sect representatives also differed.
Most of the participants received little attention.
However, whenever someone produced a stronger reaction, the gazes from the elevated platforms would become noticeably more focused.
Feng Li carefully watched everything.
The talent measuring method was indeed far more detailed than the one used by the Feng Clan. The stones were capable of responding to greater levels of talent, and Feng Li gradually understood why the powerful sects had brought such a treasure to the Northern Region.
They were not simply looking for young cultivators who possessed high cultivation.
They were looking for people whose future potential was worth investing in.
Time slowly passed.
Several more participants stepped forward.
Some left the platform with relieved expressions.
Others appeared disappointed.
The difference between possessing sufficient talent and possessing extraordinary talent was not something that could easily be ignored within the cultivation world.
A cultivator with ordinary talent could spend decades struggling to reach a realm that someone with greater talent could achieve in a fraction of the time.
This was one of the cruel realities of cultivation.
Effort was important.
Resources were important.
Opportunities were important.
But talent could determine how easily someone could take advantage of all those things.
Eventually, Feng Xue's name was called.
The discussions surrounding the platform immediately became quieter.
Feng Xue had already revealed herself as an eleven-year-old Rank 7 Soul Transformation Realm cultivator, and naturally, many people wanted to see what level of talent she possessed.
She calmly stepped forward.
Feng Li watched her approach the platform with a faint smile.
Although Feng Xue had become considerably stronger over time, she still occasionally glanced toward him whenever something important happened. This time was no different. Before stepping onto the platform, she briefly turned her head toward Feng Li.
Feng Li simply nodded.
Feng Xue smiled before walking forward.
She stepped onto the circular platform and placed her hand upon the central talent measuring stone.
For a brief moment, the platform remained silent.
Then the markings began illuminating.
The talent measuring stones surrounding her reacted one after another as a powerful light gradually emerged from the platform.
The surrounding participants watched carefully.
Several sect representatives also focused their attention upon Feng Xue.
The reaction continued for some time before finally stabilizing.
The people responsible for recording the results examined the platform before announcing Feng Xue's talent.
A wave of discussion immediately spread throughout the gathering.
The result was enough to confirm what many people had already suspected.
Feng Xue was not merely someone who had obtained her cultivation through the support of Feng Li or the Feng Family.
She possessed genuine talent.
Feng Xue stepped down from the platform and returned to Feng Li's side, her expression considerably more relaxed than before.
"Brother Li," she said softly.
Feng Li smiled faintly. "You did well."
Feng Xue's expression immediately brightened at his words.
The Black Jade Sect disciple who had previously confronted Feng Li watched the two of them with a dark expression. Feng Xue's result had only made him more dissatisfied.
Two eleven-year-old children from Emerald City had already surpassed most of the young cultivators participating in the selection.
The young man clenched his fists before slowly looking away.
The talent examination continued.
More participants stepped forward, and as time passed, the atmosphere surrounding the selection grounds became increasingly serious.
Those with poor results became disappointed.
Those with better results attracted attention.
A few talented individuals even caused the powerful figures above to exchange quiet words with one another.
Feng Li remained where he was, patiently waiting.
He knew that his turn would eventually come.
However, unlike the cultivation examination, he found himself genuinely curious about the result this time.
The Feng Clan's talent measuring method had already reached its limit when measuring him.
The superior platform before him should theoretically be capable of revealing more.
What exactly would it show?
Feng Li's thoughts continued as participant after participant stepped onto the platform.
Eventually, his name was called.
"Feng Li."
The moment the name was spoken, the discussions throughout the selection grounds immediately stopped.
Everyone turned toward him.
Feng Li had already become one of the central figures of the selection. His cultivation had shocked the entire gathering, and after seeing Feng Xue's talent examination, many people were now eager to discover what kind of talent the Rank 8 Soul Transformation Realm eleven-year-old possessed.
Even the Black Jade Sect disciple looked toward him.
A cold smile appeared on his face.
He was unwilling to accept Feng Li's cultivation, but he still believed that the talent examination could reveal something different.
A person's current cultivation did not necessarily determine their future.
Feng Li calmly walked forward.
As he approached the platform, the gazes of the people seated above became increasingly focused.
The Black Jade Sect elder also watched him silently.
Feng Li stepped onto the circular platform.
For a moment, he stood quietly at its center as he examined the central talent measuring stone before him.
Then he slowly raised his hand and placed it upon its surface.
Nothing happened.
The crowd waited.
Several breaths passed.
Then the markings across the platform began glowing.
The first talent-measuring stone illuminated.
The people responsible for the examination immediately focused their attention.
Then another stone reacted.
The light became stronger.
The markings around Feng Li's feet began illuminating one after another as spiritual energy flowed through the platform.
The surrounding crowd gradually became quieter.
Another stone lit up.
Then another.
The reaction continued.
The expressions of the people responsible for recording the results slowly changed.
Feng Li remained calm.
The light around him continued to grow stronger.
The talent measuring stones surrounding the platform began shining one after another, and the spiritual energy within the selection grounds gradually became disturbed.
A faint frown appeared on Feng Li's face.
Something was wrong.
The reaction was continuing for far longer than it should have.
The people standing near the platform also noticed it.
"What is happening?"
"Why hasn't the result appeared?"
Several quiet voices spread through the crowd.
The sect representatives sitting above remained silent, but their expressions had become considerably more serious.
The talent measuring stones continued glowing.
Then the entire platform suddenly trembled.
Feng Li's eyes narrowed.
The spiritual energy around him became increasingly unstable, and the markings beneath his feet began flashing violently.
A strange pressure suddenly filled the air.
The people closest to the platform immediately stepped backward.
"What is going on?" someone asked.
Before anyone could answer, the sky above the selection grounds suddenly darkened.
Feng Li raised his head.
The same moment he did so, a deafening sound erupted from the heavens.
Lightning.
A terrifying bolt of lightning suddenly descended from the sky.
The crowd erupted into chaos.
The lightning struck directly toward the talent measuring platform, causing an intense explosion of light to spread throughout the selection grounds.
Feng Xue's expression immediately changed.
"Brother Li!"
The people standing closest to the platform retreated in alarm as the violent spiritual energy swept outward. Several powerful cultivators immediately released their auras to prevent the disturbance from spreading through the crowd. The blue-robed man's expression had completely changed.
"What happened?"
No one answered him.
Another bolt of lightning descended.
The entire platform trembled violently.
The talent measuring stones began flickering uncontrollably as cracks of spiritual light moved across the ancient markings covering the platform.
Feng Li remained standing at the center.
His robes moved violently from the force of the spiritual energy around him, but his expression remained calm.
He could clearly feel that the lightning had appeared because of the platform's reaction.
The measuring treasure was trying to determine something it could not understand.
Then, suddenly, everything stopped.
The dark clouds above began disappearing.
The violent spiritual energy faded.
The selection grounds became silent.
Feng Li slowly removed his hand from the central stone.
The platform had gone completely dark.
Every talent measuring stone surrounding him had lost its light.
For several moments, no one spoke.
The people responsible for the examination stared at the platform with disbelief.
The treasure had stopped functioning.
The blue-robed man immediately descended from the elevated platform and approached the talent measuring formation. Several other cultivators followed him as they carefully examined the ancient markings and measuring stones.
Feng Li stepped away from the center.
Feng Xue immediately approached him.
"Brother Li, are you alright?"
Feng Li nodded. "I'm fine."
Feng Xue carefully examined him before finally relaxing slightly.
The surrounding crowd continued watching.
Everyone was waiting for an explanation.
However, after examining the platform for some time, the expressions of the people responsible for the selection became increasingly strange.
The talent measuring platform had clearly reacted.
Yet no result had appeared.
The stones had illuminated.
The spiritual energy had become unstable.
Lightning had descended.
Then everything had gone dark.
"What does that mean?" someone within the crowd finally asked.
No one immediately answered.
The silence lasted for several moments before a cold laugh suddenly sounded.
Feng Li slowly turned his head. The Black Jade Sect disciple was looking at him with a mocking expression.
"It seems we were all mistaken."
The crowd became quiet again.
The young man slowly stepped forward as his eyes remained fixed on Feng Li.
"Everyone was so impressed by your cultivation that they assumed you possessed extraordinary talent. Yet when the talent measuring platform tested you, it could not even reveal a result."
His words immediately caused discussions to begin spreading through the crowd.
The Black Jade Sect disciple continued, "Perhaps your cultivation is nothing more than the result of consuming extraordinary resources. Perhaps your family discovered some treasure and used it to forcibly raise your cultivation."
His eyes became increasingly mocking.
"After all, without sufficient talent, how else could someone from a place like Emerald City reach Rank 8 Soul Transformation Realm at eleven?"
Feng Xue's expression immediately became cold.
"You're talking nonsense."
The young man glanced toward her before laughing lightly. "Am I?"
He looked toward the dark talent measuring platform.
"The result is right before everyone's eyes."
Several people exchanged uncertain looks.
The Black Jade Sect disciple's words were not entirely convincing, but the situation was undeniably strange.
Feng Li possessed terrifying cultivation.
Yet the superior talent measuring platform had failed to produce a result.
Some people began wondering whether the platform had simply malfunctioned.
Others began considering the possibility raised by the Black Jade Sect disciple.
Perhaps Feng Li's cultivation had indeed been raised through extraordinary resources.
The Black Jade Sect elder remained silent, but his eyes stayed fixed on Feng Li.
Unlike the disciple, he did not immediately reach a conclusion.
There was something about the situation that did not make sense.
A talent measuring treasure did not normally react in such a violent manner simply because someone possessed no talent. However, before he could continue thinking about it, the young disciple spoke again.
"It appears that our Rank 8 genius might not have the future everyone imagined."
Feng Li looked at him calmly.
The young man was clearly enjoying the opportunity to return the humiliation he had suffered earlier. Feng Li's expression did not change.
"You seem very happy."
The Black Jade Sect disciple's smile paused slightly.
Feng Li looked toward the dark platform before continuing, "You have already decided what happened despite understanding nothing about it. Is that something the Black Jade Sect teaches its disciples?"
The young man's expression immediately darkened.
"You still dare speak like that?"
Feng Li smiled faintly. "Why wouldn't I?"
The atmosphere immediately became tense again.
The Black Jade Sect disciple clenched his fists, but before he could say anything further, the Black Jade Sect elder finally spoke.
"Enough."
The young man immediately turned toward him.
"Elder..."
"I said enough."
The elder's voice was cold, causing the young man to lower his head. Feng Li's eyes briefly moved toward the elder. Unlike the disciple, the elder did not appear convinced that Feng Li possessed no talent. That was enough for Feng Li to understand that not everyone present would accept such a ridiculous conclusion. However, Feng Li did not intend to explain himself.
There was nothing for him to explain.
The platform had failed to provide a result.
Whether the people believed he possessed no talent or not made little difference to him. He knew his own strength. The blue-robed man and the other cultivators continued examining the platform, but after some time, it became clear that the examination could not immediately continue. The talent measuring treasure had completely shut down.
The discussions throughout the crowd gradually became louder.
Some people looked toward Feng Li with disappointment.
Others appeared confused.
A few continued watching him with interest.
The Black Jade Sect disciples, however, looked considerably more satisfied than before. The selection had begun with Feng Li humiliating one of them without even needing to fight. Now, although the truth of what had happened remained unknown, they believed they had finally found something they could use against him.
Feng Li returned to Feng Xue's side.
She looked toward him with concern. "Brother Li, why did it happen?"
Feng Li looked toward the dark platform.
"I don't know."
That was the truth.
He understood that his talent had likely caused the abnormal reaction, but even he could not explain why the platform had attracted such terrifying lightning.
Feng Xue remained quiet.
Feng Li noticed the concern in her eyes and smiled faintly.
"There's nothing to worry about."
Feng Xue nodded, though she still occasionally glanced toward the platform.
The selection grounds remained filled with discussion as the people responsible for the examination attempted to determine what to do next. No one noticed that far away from the gathering, high above Emerald City, someone had been silently watching everything. The young man stood upon a flying sword hidden among the clouds. His long black hair moved gently in the wind as his calm eyes remained fixed on the selection grounds below.
He had arrived in Emerald City earlier.
However, from the moment he arrived, he had concealed his presence.
No one had sensed him.
No one had noticed him.
He had quietly watched the selection from afar.
When Feng Li revealed his Rank 8 Soul Transformation Realm cultivation, his expression had remained unchanged. Even when the Black Jade Sect disciple openly confronted Feng Li, he had merely continued watching.
However, the moment the talent measuring platform began reacting and the violent lightning descended from the sky, a faint smile finally appeared on his face.
His eyes remained fixed upon Feng Li's figure below.
"Just as I was told," the young man muttered softly.
A faint smile remained on his face.
"This Feng Li is indeed interesting."
The flying sword remained suspended among the clouds as the young man continued looking toward the selection grounds.
No one below knew that he had already arrived.
And no one knew that while they continued arguing about Feng Li's talent, someone had been watching him from above.