Beyond the God Tier?

The Elder Steward led Xuanyuan Che all the way to an ancient and solemn hall.

The hall was imposing, with a plaque above the door bearing three bold characters—"Eastern Xuan Hall"—their strokes coiling like dragons and snakes, faintly exuding a soul-shaking pressure.

"The Academy Lord is waiting for you inside. Enter." The Elder Steward bowed respectfully toward the hall and gestured for Xuanyuan Che to go in on his own.

Xuanyuan Che nodded and pushed open the heavy doors.

Creak—

The light inside the hall was somewhat dim. Straight ahead lay a wide chessboard, where an old man with snow-white hair and beard, clad in a green Daoist robe, sat upright, playing a game with a handsome young man across from him.

The old man had an immortal bearing, his brow carrying an imposing aura that commanded respect without anger.

He was none other than the Academy Lord of Eastern Xuan Academy, Lu Xuanchen.

Hearing the door open, Lu Xuanchen slowly raised his head, his gaze landing on Xuanyuan Che. His eyes were sharp as an eagle's, as if trying to see through him.

"You are Xuanyuan Che?" Lu Xuanchen's voice was low and resonant, carrying the authority of one in power.

"That is correct." Xuanyuan Che neither humble nor arrogant, cupped his hands in greeting.

Lu Xuanchen set aside the chess game and studied the youth before him with keen interest. Having lived for over a thousand years and seen countless people, he had never encountered such a unique young man.

Though only fourteen years old, he was steady and reserved, unmoved by favor or disgrace—a temperament far beyond his peers. Even rarer was the faint, otherworldly aura emanating from the youth, ethereal as an immortal, elusive and unfathomable.

"Twice shattering the Spirit Testing Stele—do you know your crime?" Lu Xuanchen suddenly changed the subject, his tone turning stern.

Why are you suddenly shouting so loud!

Xuanyuan Che cursed inwardly, but his face remained calm as he replied unhurriedly, "This junior does not know what crime he has committed. Though the Spirit Testing Stele belongs to the academy, its quality is merely so-so. The shattering was not intentional on this junior's part; it was simply that the stele was too fragile."

"How dare you!" The young man beside Lu Xuanchen immediately barked in anger, "Slandering the academy's sacred artifact only adds to your crime!"

Xuanyuan Che didn't even bother lifting his eyelids, completely ignoring the outburst.

But Lu Xuanchen waved his hand, signaling the man to step back, then turned back to look at Xuanyuan Che, a slight smile curling at the corner of his mouth. "Interesting. Young man, do you know why I summoned you?"

"I do not." Xuanyuan Che shook his head.

"Hmph, what I see is your talent!" Lu Xuanchen's eyes blazed, his tone carrying a hint of excitement. "To shatter the Spirit Testing Stele twice is enough to prove that your Bloodline Talent far exceeds ordinary people, and may even reach the legendary... Divine Tier!"

Divine Tier!

The young man who had stepped aside gasped sharply, and when he looked at Xuanyuan Che again, a flicker of jealousy flashed in his eyes.

Divine Tier? Is that how people in the Lower Realm classify bloodlines?

Xuanyuan Che chuckled inwardly, filing away the term, but on the surface, he feigned surprise. "Divine Tier? This junior is merely a wandering cultivator; how could he dare to hope for Divine Tier talent?"

In truth, by their definitions, even Immortal Tier would be an insult to the Xuan Yuan Bloodline and the Ji Family Bloodline.

But it seemed they didn't even have the term Immortal Tier here.

"Don't sell yourself short." Lu Xuanchen waved his hand grandly. "A horse or a mule—we'll know when we take it out for a run! Xiao Chen, fetch the Spirit Ascension Liquid!"

"Academy Lord, this..." The young man named Xiao Chen was startled.

The Spirit Ascension Liquid was a treasure of the academy, capable of manifesting one's bloodline and enhancing its purity—extremely precious!

On ordinary days, only Core Disciples like him were qualified to use it, and even then, only a small vial per year. Wasn't it too wasteful to use Spirit Ascension Liquid to test a mere brat?

"Go when I tell you to go! What's with all the nonsense!" Lu Xuanchen shot him a glare, leaving no room for argument.

Xiao Chen gritted his teeth but had no choice but to obey.

After a moment, Xiao Chen returned carrying a jade tray. On the tray sat an intricately carved small bottle, its liquid shimmering like jade, exquisitely refined—it was the Spirit Ascension Liquid.

Lu Xuanchen took the bottle and personally handed it to Xuanyuan Che, his tone gentle. "Drink it. Let me see just how far your Bloodline Talent can reach!"

Xuanyuan Che took the bottle, his heart utterly calm, even a little amused.

To him, the Spirit Ascension Liquid was no different from plain water, far inferior even to the Ice Soul Candy he often ate as a snack.

He put on a show, taking a deep breath, then tilted his head back and downed the Spirit Ascension Liquid in one gulp.

It was slightly sweet on the tongue, with a faint herbal taste and a smooth texture. But that was all.

Ascension? Sorry, I really don't feel it.

Still, he played the part convincingly. Xuanyuan Che smacked his lips, licking them as if savoring some exquisite delicacy.

Lu Xuanchen watched him, his eyes full of anticipation. But one second, two seconds, three seconds...

Time ticked by, and Xuanyuan Che remained there, his expression unchanged, no sign of anything happening to him.

The atmosphere in the hall grew awkward.

"This..." Xiao Chen looked at Lu Xuanchen, confusion in his eyes. Could the Spirit Ascension Liquid have failed? Impossible—I used it just a few days ago, and it worked fine!

Lu Xuanchen was also baffled. Had he misjudged? Was this kid not Divine Tier after all?

"How do you feel?" Lu Xuanchen asked, a hint of uncertainty creeping into his voice, lacking the confidence from before.

"Not bad." Xuanyuan Che nodded, speaking truthfully. "It tasted pretty good. Sweet."

Lu Xuanchen: "..."

"Sweet? The point is what it tastes like?! I'm asking about the bloodline, the bloodline!"

"Try to feel carefully—do you have any special sensation inside?" Lu Xuanchen persisted, guiding him.

Xuanyuan Che closed his eyes as instructed, focused for a moment, then opened them with a blank look and shook his head. "No, nothing at all. It's a bit like drinking a cup of sugar water."

A cup of sugar water...

Lu Xuanchen's mouth twitched.

Spirit Ascension Liquid—that was Spirit Ascension Liquid! A precious liquid refined from countless rare herbs, consuming massive manpower and resources! Drinking it, even the most garbage Mortal Tier bloodline could be reborn, its quality skyrocketing! And yet you tell us it felt like drinking water?!

This was an utter waste of a heavenly treasure!

Lu Xuanchen refused to give up and pressed further: "Really no feeling at all? Like, your body heating up, meridians expanding, or... a surge in power or something?"

Xuanyuan Che shook his head again. "No, Academy Lord. Could it be someone passed off a fake? This Spirit Ascension Liquid—maybe it was watered down?"

"How dare you! The Spirit Ascension Liquid is a treasure of such caliber—how could it be fake? Don't spout nonsense!" Xiao Chen flared up in anger, then just simmered down.

Watered down...

Lu Xuanchen nearly spat out a mouthful of old blood. He swore this was the most absurd thing he'd ever heard in his life!

Water down Spirit Ascension Liquid? This kid actually came up with that! The Spirit Ascension Liquid was priceless—who would dare water it down?! Did they have a death wish?!

Besides, he knew the effects of this Spirit Ascension Liquid better than anyone—there was absolutely no way it could be defective!

Wait! Could it be... the problem was with this kid himself?

Lu Xuanchen's gaze fell on Xuanyuan Che again, his expression turning strange.

Just what background did this kid have? Even the Spirit Ascension Liquid had no effect on him? Could it be... his bloodline was already so powerful that even the Spirit Ascension Liquid couldn't budge it an inch?!

In his youth, he had seen Divine Tier experts from the Central Continent, but never had he encountered a situation where nothing could be detected at all.

If that were really the case, then this kid's talent... could it be even more terrifying than the Divine Tier?!

At this thought, a storm surged in Lu Xuanchen's heart, and the look he gave Xuanyuan Che grew even more fervent.

Earlier, the Elder Steward had mentioned that this kid seemed to be an orphan?

"Hehehe!"

No matter what, this kid—the Eastern Xuan Academy was taking him!

"Academy Lord, what are you laughing at? It's ugly."

"Ahem." Lu Xuanchen coughed dryly to cover his embarrassment, put on a kind and amiable smile, and said to Xuanyuan Che, "Nothing, nothing. Well, the Spirit Ascension Liquid—some people have special constitutions and absorb it slowly. It might take a while for the effects to show. Don't rush; just wait a few days and see."

Xuanyuan Che blinked. "I see. Alright then." He chuckled inwardly, playing along with Lu Xuanchen.

His main purpose in coming to the Lower Realm was to travel and enjoy the scenery, with a bit of training on the side—what they called tempering the heart through the mortal world. As for the Spirit Ascension Liquid or Divine Tier bloodline, he couldn't care less and didn't need them.

"Mm." Lu Xuanchen nodded with satisfaction. "Now I formally extend my invitation to you. Are you willing to become my personal disciple?"

"I am willing!" Xuanyuan Che said, moved.

It was also the first organization he'd found on his own after descending to the Lower Realm—full of a sense of achievement. Though something felt a bit off? ⑉･ᴗ･⑉

"Good! Oh, right—Xiao Chen, come here!" Lu Xuanchen pulled the young man over.

"Xiao Che, this is Xiao Chen, the closed-door disciple of our academy's Grand Elder. He entered a few years before you. Though his talent might not match yours, he's very hardworking and is already a Xing Yuan Realm Peak expert! Xiao Chen..."

"Like this?" Before the words finished, the two saw Xuanyuan Che release his cultivation base. Thick, pure Spiritual Energy swirled around him—clearly also at Xing Yuan Realm Peak!

My god!

A fourteen-year-old Xing Yuan Realm—what kind of monster was this!

They'd been so focused on staring at his bloodline that they hadn't even noticed this kid's cultivation was just as heaven-defying!

"Hahaha! Heaven truly aids my Eastern Xuan Academy! Good! Good! Good!" Lu Xuanchen was now completely certain—this child's talent was terrifying beyond imagination! Unfathomable!

But he shifted his tone, turning serious:

"Xiao Che, remember this—what happened today must not be spoken of. Don't casually reveal your bloodline or realm. There are many covetous eyes out there. This is also to protect yourself, understand?"

Xuanyuan Che nodded. Lu Xuanchen then looked at Xiao Chen.

"Xiao Chen, you as well. This is a matter of great importance—do not breathe a word of it! Alright, take Xiao Che to Xuanqing Peak to meet his senior brothers and senior sisters."

Xiao Chen nodded in acknowledgment, smiled, and beckoned for Xuanyuan Che to follow. As he turned, a cold glint flashed in his eyes.

Xuanyuan Che narrowed his eyes and followed.