Doubt, Monstrous Talent?

[You are greatly alarmed and immediately raise your sword to block.]

[Perhaps because the Fourth Elder only intended to capture you, you are merely knocked back a few steps, using the momentum to successfully deflect his attack.]

[The Fourth Elder stares at you with ill intent, demanding, "Tell me who you are!"]

[He believes your performance is far too astonishing, impossible for a disciple who awakened their Spirit Root only a year ago.]

"Not... Fourth Elder..." Mu Xingqi, staring at the Simulation Panel in reality, is momentarily at a loss for words, unsure what to say.

But indeed, his performance is too dazzling. Awakening his Spirit Root just a year ago, breaking through to Late Stage Qi Refining, mastering at least a proficient sword art—any one of these achievements, even if accomplished in a single year, would earn one the title of genius.

Only he himself knows that reaching this level required countless simulations.

Yet he cannot explain, and the simulated version of himself seems to have no memory of the Simulator, making it impossible to clarify.

Truly, it is like chewing bitter gourd—unable to spit it out, forced to swallow the pain.

[You know that no matter how you explain, the Fourth Elder won't believe you, so you decisively draw your sword and say, "If the Fourth Elder wishes to know, a trial will reveal the truth!"]

[This sudden turn of events frightens your Seventh Brother and Fifth Sister on the sidelines. Neither of them understands why the Fourth Elder suddenly attacked you.]

[And you, instead of defending yourself, are about to fight the Fourth Elder? This scene stuns them both, knowing that the Fourth Elder broke through to the ninth layer of Qi Cultivation years ago, his strength unfathomable.]

["Good!" The Fourth Elder wastes no time, his gaze sharpening like an eagle's, as if seeking a flaw in your expression.]

[You raise your sword, and a cyan Sword Qi from the Nan Sword Art slashes straight down. You hold nothing back with this strike!]

[Only when facing you head-on does the Fourth Elder realize that your Nan Sword Art is not merely proficient—it is at least at Major Accomplishment, perhaps even Perfected, a level he dares not imagine!]

[Without holding back, the Fourth Elder clenches his fist, and a surge of Water Spiritual Power forms into a dragon shape.]

You recognize this as the clan's Spirit Grade technique, Water Dragon Fist! The dragon's form is unstable, indicating only an entry-level grasp. For a Qi Cultivation cultivator to successfully master a Spirit Grade technique across realms, the Fourth Elder must have devoted years to Water Dragon Fist.

[Your Perfected-level Nan Sword Art collides with the Fourth Elder's Water Dragon.]

[With a thunderous boom, even the surrounding blue stone ground is shattered into large chunks by the clash.]

[As the smoke clears, you and the Fourth Elder face each other.]

[Now, the tiger's mouth of your sword hand is split and bleeding. You sigh in admiration—truly a Spirit Grade technique, and the Fourth Elder's cultivation is a minor realm higher than yours. Your loss is not unjust.]

[Yet, unbeknownst to you, the Fourth Elder opposite you is even more shocked. He has a higher cultivation and uses a Spirit Grade technique, yet he cannot gain the upper hand against you? This defies reason—unless the sword art you wield is at the Perfected realm.]

[But can anyone truly master a Perfected sword art? Even their ancestors never grasped a single Perfected technique?]

[At this moment, the Fourth Elder sinks into deep self-doubt.]

[The sight of you fighting the Fourth Elder leaves your Seventh Brother and Fifth Sister speechless with astonishment.]

[So you were this strong? Able to clash with the Fourth Elder without falling behind?]

[Just as the Fourth Elder prepares to strike again, a figure stops him.]

[You recognize the newcomer—it is your father!]

[Your father demands of the Fourth Elder, "Fourth Elder, why did you harm my son!"]

[The Fourth Elder is dumbfounded, muttering inwardly: Didn't I send you a message to come? Why are you questioning me instead?]

[But the Fourth Elder still points at you and says, "Patriarch, he absolutely cannot be your son, Mu Xingqi!"]

[Your father's face darkens with displeasure. "Do I not know my own son?"]

["This..." The Fourth Elder is momentarily speechless, unsure how to respond. It is his first time learning that the family patriarch is such a protective father.]

[At this moment, the other elders also arrive one after another.]

[But no matter how the Fourth Elder insists you are monstrous, bizarre, and absolutely not the Mu Xingqi who awakened his Spirit Root a year ago...]

[Your father and mother both shield you behind them. Your mother retorts, "Fourth Elder, my son is my son. As his mother, how could I not know?"]

[The Fourth Elder's face twists with bitterness. He sighs inwardly, muttering, "Another protective parent..."]

[Seeing your parents unhesitatingly stand before you, their trust in you makes you feel loved once more.]

[In the end, the Grand Elder steps forward to declare, "Take Mu Xingqi to see the ancestor. That will settle it."]

[Your parents look to you, seeking your stance.]

[You are unafraid—after all, a straight foot is not afraid of a crooked shoe. You agree decisively.]

[The Fourth Elder also agrees to this plan, as no one in the Mu Family has greater authority than the ancestor.]

[Your group arrives at the ancestor's secluded cultivation cave.]

[After learning the situation, your grandfather places his hand on your forehead. Following a thorough examination, he confirms that there is nothing wrong with you.]

[Upon hearing the result, your parents breathe a sigh of relief for you.]

[Even the Fourth Elder, who first doubted you, offers his apology.]

[You forgive the Fourth Elder. After all, he did not cause you serious harm—you are quite magnanimous.]

[With the matter settled, the Fourth Elder is even more astounded by your talent.]

[All the elders are left speechless by your astonishing talent.]

Your father had no choice but to make public his speculation that you might possess a special innate talent.

The elders and your grandfather all agreed with your father's guess, since there was no better explanation for the time being.

Your grandfather exclaimed, "Heaven blesses our Mu Family! With my precious grandson's talent, Foundation Establishment is certain in the future, and even Golden Core is within reach."

All the elders were delighted for you as well.

Among them, your parents were naturally the happiest.

You were appointed Young Clan Leader by your grandfather.

None of the elders raised any objections.

However, your grandfather still made everyone present swear a Heavenly Dao Oath, and specifically instructed the elders not to casually spread word of today's events.

Moreover, the matter of your appointment as Young Clan Leader could not be lightly disclosed for now—otherwise, he would personally clean house!

You knew that your grandfather already regarded you as the hope for the family's prosperity.

Your grandfather granted you the privileges of the Young Clan Leader, such as receiving one Yellow Grade High Rank Qi Gathering Pill every month, and unrestricted access to the Scripture Pavilion...

After all the elders had left, you specifically sought out your grandfather to inquire about the Blood Demon Sect.

Your grandfather was shocked that you knew of the Blood Demon Sect...