"Qing San? Y–you?"
The young man in the blue robe immediately ran over, ignoring protocol, and hugged his childhood friend tightly.
"Xiao Chen… I'm truly sorry for the loss of your parents…"
Xiao Chen released the embrace and stared intently at the young man who had once been his close companion. Yet, due to certain circumstances, Qing San had had to leave, and they were separated for some time.
"How… how can you be here?"
Qing San shook his head. "How could I let you face the world alone? That's why I deliberately came looking for you…"
'Chen'er, be careful… I sense an Earth Realm practitioner watching your friend…'
"Qing San, did you bring anyone else with you?"
Qing San shook his head again and smiled warmly. "Master, why are you still hiding?"
Swuuuuuuush!
A woman wearing a blue robe identical to Qing San's suddenly appeared before Xiao Chen.
"San'er, is this the young man you were referring to?"
"Yes, Master… Could you take him as your disciple?"
The woman in blue squinted slightly, a hint of condescension in her eyes. "I'm sorry, San'er. You know the Misty Cloud Sect can no longer accept disciples easily… Unless your friend possesses extraordinary innate talent."
'Misty Cloud Sect? If Chen'er can become a disciple there… Then if the two-year agreement causes him trouble, he could use it as protection…' the Star Soul Spirit murmured in Xiao Chen's mind.
Xiao Chen understood the murmur, bowed respectfully, and looked at Qing San's master.
"Senior, if the Misty Cloud Sect can accept me, Xiao Chen would be truly grateful… Could you take a new disciple under your guidance?"
Qing San shook his head, though he gave Xiao Chen a glimmer of hope. "Once every three years, the Misty Cloud Sect holds new disciple intake. Even if this is a good chance, it doesn't guarantee admission… Your competitors are the geniuses of two continents. Considering your cultivation is still low, it won't be easy."
'Master, what do we do?'
'Patience… He hasn't said everything yet…'
"But if you possess innate talent from birth, the Misty Cloud Sect will gladly accept you…"
"Can the senior truly see the talent within me?"
"Hahaha! You overestimate me. But don't worry, in Pao City there is Pillar Baishan… This Pillar can detect the talent of anyone. So if you are determined, let it reveal your talent…"
'Pillar Baishan? I've tried hundreds of times before, but it always rejected my innate talent… Master, it seems hopeless!' Xiao Chen whispered to his master.
'Why not try again? Don't you believe it? You are a monster awakening!'
"Xiao Chen, why are you silent? Your master has just given you hope!"
"Ah… alright. I'll try once more…"
Qing San's master nodded and led the way to Pillar Baishan. Ten minutes later, they arrived, and Xiao Chen stepped forward, gathering his courage.
Then he heard his master's guidance: 'Use your Qi, focus your mind, and let the blood of your lineage speak…'
Following the instructions, Xiao Chen's Qi surged into the Pillar. Instantly, Pillar Baishan trembled and shot a golden light high into the sky. A Phoenix symbol also appeared on his forehead.
"G–golden light?! H–he…" Qing San's master nearly fainted from shock at the golden radiance emitted from Pillar Baishan.
Talent levels were divided into five lights:
White Light
Blue Light
Red Light
Black Light
Golden Light
Across the three continents of the Sky Continent, finding a golden-light talent was like searching for a needle in a haystack. In the past hundreds of years, no golden-light talent had ever appeared.
"H–how is this possible?"
Xiao Chen's awakening caused many powerful practitioners in Pao City to gather. Some felt jealousy, others admiration.
But what they didn't know was that every time black or golden light appeared from Pillar Baishan, it would create immense obstacles for Xiao Chen.
"Damn it… Xiao Chen, stop! You'll become a target for multiple forces!" Qing San's master panicked, fearing the disaster about to befall him.
Yet, no one knew that Xiao Chen himself could not withdraw. His Qi continued to be absorbed into the Pillar, and his entire body felt as if it was burning from within.
Then, Pillar Baishan resonated again, and the golden light transformed into a majestic Phoenix.
Kyaaaaaaat! Kyaaaaaaat!
"P–Phoenix Prince?!"
"H–he is… the son of the Ruler of Sky Hall who was declared unable to cultivate?!"
"Is this a dream?!"
Hehe… serves you right for underestimating the monster within! the Star Soul Spirit laughed, enjoying Qing San's master's panic.
Kyaaaaaaat!
Xiao Chen almost lost control. Suddenly, he let out a piercing scream, as if he were the last Phoenix about to soar above the heavens, trampling all the powers of the three continents beneath him.
'Chen'er…' The Star Soul Spirit lent him spiritual awareness, helping Xiao Chen maintain his focus.
Moments later, golden-blue smoke poured out from Xiao Chen's body, severing the energy supply to Pillar Baishan. The Phoenix symbol on his forehead vanished.
As his consciousness returned, Xiao Chen gazed at the golden light soaring high into the sky above Pao City.
"D–did I… succeed?"