Chapter 16: Talent Systems, Rising Stars

  Su Tianhao glanced at Xie Ling, noting the fleeting melancholy that had settled over her features. After a moment of contemplation, his eyes brightened. "Ling Ling, how exactly is a person's cultivation talent determined?"

  The question seemed to pull her from her brooding thoughts. "Once a person reaches fifteen years of age, their latent potential awakens. It can then be measured using a Talent Orb," she explained, her enthusiasm returning.

  "A Talent Orb?" Su Tianhao leaned forward.

  "It is a spirit treasure specifically designed to assess aptitude," Xie Ling replied. "One need only place a hand upon the crystal to reveal their grade. There are nine grades in total, ranked from one to nine stars."

  She began to pace slightly, as if reciting a well-known lecture. "One-star talent is the lowest—those individuals typically become ordinary servants or laborers. Two-star is average, qualifying one for a servant disciple position. Three-star is the threshold for family disciples, while four-star is considered outstanding."

  She paused for dramatic effect. "Five-star talents are recognized as genuine geniuses. Anything above that is rare. In our Su family's younger generation, only Senior Sister Su Mei has awakened a six-star talent."

  "Interesting," Su Tianhao murmured, memorizing the hierarchy. "Based on this, you awakened a two-star talent. Is it possible for that grade to improve over time?"

  Xie Ling shook her head firmly. "Talent grades are fixed at birth. There is no known method to elevate them. It is considered an absolute law of the heavens."

  Su Tianhao nodded. "What about Senior Brother Chang?"

  "Senior Brother Chang awakened a five-star talent," Xie Ling said with a knowing smile, her voice tinged with awe.

  "I suspected as much. And seven stars or higher?"

  Xie Ling's expression grew wistful. "No individual with seven stars has ever appeared in Oakwood City. Such extraordinary aptitudes are found only within the Great Sects or the Imperial Academies."

  "I see," Su Tianhao said, before shifting to a more personal note. "What realm have you reached, Ling Ling?"

  A bitter smile touched her lips. "I am currently at the 9th Level of the Martial Apprentice Realm."

  "So you are on the verge of becoming a Martial Disciple? That's respectable," Su Tianhao said encouragingly.

  "It's nothing," she sighed. "I've been cultivating for five years, yet my progress is so low. Consider Senior Brother Chang and Senior Sister Mei—they awakened their talents only last year, yet they have already reached the 3rd Level of the Martial Disciple Realm."

  "Wait," Su Tianhao interrupted. "Senior Sister Mei reached the 3rd Level? She was at the 2nd Level just days ago."

  Xie Ling laughed softly. "Senior Sister Mei achieved her breakthrough two days ago. With six-star talent, her advancement speed is naturally terrifying. People like me simply cannot compare."

  Su Tianhao smiled warmly. "You shouldn't be so hard on yourself. They have access to resources and high-grade techniques most people never see. Besides," he added with a flicker of his usual fire, "I refuse to believe someone with my intellect could be cursed with poor potential. I will awaken a high-grade talent, and when I do, I'll make sure you receive more help from the family."

  "I don't doubt it, Young Master," Xie Ling said, her eyes showing genuine respect. "Now, since you've been secluded in the library for so long, how about the arena? Senior Sister Mei is scheduled for a rematch against Young Master Chang today."

  Su Tianhao's eyes lit up. "Let's go immediately."

  ---

  The martial arts arena buzzed with the energy of a lightning storm. At the center, on the elevated platform, stood two solitary figures.

  On one side was Su Mei, her violet robes fluttering. Her long black hair flowed like silk, and a purple-sheathed sword hung at her waist. Opposite her stood Su Chang, dressed in emerald green, his posture reflecting the pride of a direct descendant.

  The gathered disciples were split in their loyalties. The boys cheered for the "No. 1 Beauty," while the girls screamed for the "Emerald Prince."

  Su Tianhao arrived at the edge of the crowd with Xie Ling behind him. His presence was immediate; his fine azure robes and piercing golden eyes drew whispers that rippled through the audience.

  "Is that the adopted orphan? Su Tianhao?"

  If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  "He looks like a young prince... if that's an 'ordinary' commoner, what does that make the rest of us?"

  Su Tianhao frowned at the scrutiny. The spotlight was uncomfortable, but Su Mei noticed him and chose that moment to intervene.

  "Alright, that's quite enough. Leave my little brother alone," she declared with protective firmness.

  Turning toward Su Tianhao, her expression softened into a warm smile. "Little Tian! It's been a while."

  "Oh my heavens! Did Senior Sister Mei just call him her little brother?"

  "When did they become so close?"

  "Lucky little brat gets all the attention."

  Even Su Tianhao felt shocked by her familiar address. Since when had she claimed him as family?

  Seeing his puzzled expression, Xie Ling leaned close to his ear and whispered discreetly, "Senior Sister Mei is actually the Fifth Elder's daughter."

  "Uncle Yuan's daughter?" Su Tianhao murmured as understanding dawned. "That explains it. Uncle Yuan must have asked her to look after me."

  Warmth spread through his chest at this realization, but it was quickly replaced by an uncomfortable chill running down his spine. Turning, he discovered Su Jian's small frame positioned behind him, glaring with undisguised hostility.

  The boy wore luxurious robes that emphasized his privileged status, his jet-black hair tied in the signature family topknot. His brown eyes burned with resentment as they fixed upon Su Tianhao.

  Beside Su Jian stood a middle-aged woman whose unremarkable appearance and complete lack of visible cultivation made her seem like any harmless commoner. When she noticed Su Tianhao's attention, she offered what appeared to be a gentle smile—though something in her expression made Su Tianhao's instincts prickle with unease.

  "Who is she?" Su Tianhao whispered.

  "Madam Niu, Su Jian's nanny," Xie Ling whispered back, her voice trembling. "Don't be deceived. She is seventy years old and a Martial Soul Realm expert."

  Su Tianhao's heart skipped. "She looks forty at most!"

  "In our world, appearances are deceiving. As a Martial Soul expert, she can live over two centuries. She is barely past her prime."

  Madam Niu stepped forward, her voice cutting through the chatter like a frozen blade. "Continue with the duel. Act as though I am not present."

  Even Su Mei and Su Chang bowed deeply. "Yes, Madam Niu."

  Su Mei turned back to the platform, her playful demeanor replaced by cold, sharp focus. She unsheathed her sword. The violet blade shimmered with rhythmic light.

  "A High-grade Mortal rank weapon!" someone shouted in awe.

  The crowd held their breath.

  "Draw your sword, Senior Brother," Su Mei commanded, pointing the tip at his chest.

  Su Chang didn't move his hands toward the sword hilt on his back. Instead, he folded his arms with casual arrogance. "If you want me to draw my sword, you'll have to make me do it."

  "How arrogant," Su Tianhao muttered, his own temper flaring.

  Su Mei didn't waste another word. Her aura dropped in temperature until the air itself seemed to tremble.

  Swoosh!

  She moved like liquid lightning. Her blade slashed outward with a hum of high-frequency vibration, arriving before Su Chang's throat in a heartbeat.

  Clang!

  The metallic ring of steel meeting a parry echoed across the arena. Time seemed to freeze for a moment.

  Without warning, a silver blade materialized in Su Chang's grip as if conjured from the void, deflecting her strike with practiced ease.

  "So fast! I didn't even see him draw!" Su Tianhao's eyes widened. His analytical mind tried to track the trajectory, but the speed was beyond his current perception.

  Su Mei pressed her advantage, unleashing the full force of her 4,000-pound strength. Ripples appeared in the air around her blade—a sign of pure force—as she gripped her hilt with both hands, bearing down on Su Chang like a descending mountain.

  Sweat beaded on Su Chang's pale face. He braced his silver sword in a desperate horizontal parry, his muscles bulging as they strained against the overwhelming pressure.

  "Senior Sister Mei's first-strike advantage is decisive!" someone shouted from the crowd.

  Just when it seemed Su Mei would crush his guard, Su Chang made a tactical gamble. He released one hand from his hilt, curling it into a tight fist.

  "Collapsing Fist!" he roared.

  The moment he abandoned his two-handed defense, Su Mei's blade crashed through his guard, slicing into his shoulder and sending him tumbling across the platform. However, his counter-strike found its mark—the force of the fist slamming into Su Mei's ribs, forcing her several steps back.

  Su Mei's face paled, but Su Chang fared far worse. He spat a mouthful of blood as he struggled to his feet, his body trembling.

  "Junior Sister Mei... I underestimated you," Su Chang admitted, wiping blood from his lips.

  "Make your move," Su Mei replied, her voice dropping into a cold, lethal tone.

  "Very well." Su Chang's expression grew deadly serious. "Be careful—I won't hold back anymore."

  Swoosh!

  Su Chang initiated the next assault. His blade moved with razor-sharp speed, seeking a swift end to the duel.

  Clang! Clang! Clang!

  The arena filled with the rhythmic music of combat as they exchanged dozens of moves. Sparks flew like fireflies with every collision. Neither showed signs of fatigue; their faces were masks of pure, crystalline concentration. This was no longer a friendly spar—it was a contest for the title of No. 1 genius of the younger generation.

  As the fight reached its peak, Su Chang's eyes flashed. He pivoted, his weight shifting into a perfect stance.

  "Falling Leaf Slash!"

  His blade moved with fluid, haunting beauty. To the spectators, it created the illusion of an autumn leaf drifting on a lethal breeze, impossible to predict and harder to catch.

  Faced with this high-level technique, Su Mei did the unthinkable. She sheathed her sword completely and closed her eyes.

  "What is she doing?" Su Tianhao whispered in bewilderment.

  Just as Su Chang's blade was about to reach her throat, Su Mei's lips moved.

  "Jade Echo."

  The words were like a deadly whisper, but what followed was a piercing sword-shriek that vibrated in the bones of everyone present.

  Shing!

  Her sword left its scabbard in a blur of violet light, slashing in an arc that seemed to defy physics.

  Clang!

  She intercepted the Falling Leaf Slash at its weakest pivot point, deflecting it effortlessly. In the same breath, she redirected her momentum, bringing the cold point of her blade to rest precisely against Su Chang's Adam's apple.

  Silence fell over the arena, so heavy it was suffocating.

  Even Madam Niu narrowed her eyes. "Such impressive swordsmanship," she murmured. "Su Chang lacked patience. He staked everything on a single strike and lost the rhythm."

  Su Tianhao's mouth hung open. "Complete defeat in an instant. If this were a life-or-death battle, his head would be rolling."

  He turned to Xie Ling, his brow furrowed. "They are both at the 3rd Level. Why was that final exchange so one-sided?"

  Xie Ling smiled. "It's not the cultivation level, Young Master, but the technique and Mastery Stage. Young Master Chang used a High-grade Mortal rank technique at the Great Success stage. But Miss Mei used a Peak-grade Mortal technique also at Great Success. That single grade of difference in the technique's quality creates a gap that skill alone cannot bridge."

  "Mastery Stages?" Su Tianhao asked, absorbing the new terminology.

  "There are four levels of mastery for any technique," Xie Ling explained. "Initial Stage, Small Success, Great Success, and Perfection. To reach Great Success with a Peak-grade technique at her age... she is a monster."

  On the platform, Su Chang touched the thin, red line on his neck where her blade had kissed his skin. "I... I lost?"

  Su Mei sheathed her sword with a satisfying click and offered a shallow bow. "An excellent fight."

  She leaped gracefully from the platform. The crowd parted like the Red Sea, gazes filled with a mixture of awe and fear. When she reached Su Tianhao, her icy mask melted into a warm, sisterly grin.

  "Well? Did I fulfill my promise, Little Tian?"

  Su Tianhao nodded, his respect for her reaching a new peak. "You were incredible."

  "Come along," Su Mei said, taking his hand. "You've been cooped up for too long. Let's see the rest of the compound."

  She ignored the surrounding disciples and only spared a nod for Xie Ling. The hierarchy was clear—she, a talented genius, didn't need to pay respects to a servant disciple. Xie Ling followed behind them with a bittersweet smile, knowing her place.

  As they walked away, Madam Niu placed a hand on Su Jian's shoulder. "We should also take our leave, Jian'er."

  Su Jian cast one final, venomous look at Su Tianhao's back before following his nanny.

  Left alone on the platform, Su Chang clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white. "Su Mei... I will grow stronger. Just you wait."

  But Su Mei didn't hear him. She was already busy introducing her "little brother" to the sights of the estate, their bond forged in the shadow of her victory.