The Day of Testing

The next morning, at dawn.

Inside the spacious, brightly lit hall.

Qin Hao and his father, Qin Yuntian, welcomed guests from every quarter.

"Brother Yuntian, congratulations! I always knew your son was no ordinary man. Now I see I was right!"

"How could a golden dragon remain in a pond? This must be your son, Brother Qin. A fine-looking young man indeed!"

"Qin Hao, I have a niece who just turned fourteen..."

"Hahaha! You flatter him. Hao's good fortune is his own. As for marriage, he should decide for himself!"

"Everyone, please, come inside!"

Qin Yuntian beamed as he greeted the leaders of the various factions.

Qin Hao stood with Liu Ruoxue, chatting with her now and then and drawing bell-like laughter from the girl.

The morning passed quickly.

"Screech!"

Just as everyone waited anxiously for the envoy from the Myriad Phenomena Hall, an unbearably sharp birdcall rang out overhead.

An enormous black bird, more than a dozen yards long, soared through the sky. Its wings alone spanned over three yards, blotting out the sun and casting a vast shadow across the Qin plaza.

The black bird descended and landed in the plaza.

It had razor-sharp teeth and dark pupils that shifted as its cold, bloodthirsty gaze swept over the crowd, sending chills down their spines.

"A Second-Level Demon Beast—the Giant-Toothed Vulture!"

The crowd stirred.

A Second-Level Demon Beast was the equal of a Meridian Opening Realm expert, and even the strongest people in Tianshui City had only reached that realm.

Their awe deepened.

An old man slowly dismounted from the Giant-Toothed Vulture.

"Welcome, envoy!"

"Welcome, envoy!"

The crowd greeted him with utmost respect.

The old man was Zhao Yuanji, envoy of the Myriad Phenomena Hall and a True Martial Realm Expert.

"Spare me the pleasantries. I must return to the Sect Headquarters, so let's begin testing Martial Souls. Which one of you is Qin Hao?"

Zhao Yuanji swept his gaze across the crowd. Though his expression was calm, it pressed down on them like an invisible mountain, filling them with fear.

Shaken, Qin Hao dared not delay. He hurried two steps forward. "I am Qin Hao. Greetings, Elder Zhao!"

"Not bad. No wonder those old fellows spoke so highly of you. You do have the air of a dragon waiting to rise." Zhao Yuanji studied him, then nodded approvingly. "Come and have your Martial Soul tested. I hope you won't disappoint me."

"Senior, please wait. I have a request, if you would be willing to grant it."

Qin Hao hurried on, "A friend of mine has considerable talent for martial arts and happens to be here today. I ask that you test her Martial Soul as well."

Everyone in the plaza was startled.

He was asking the Myriad Phenomena Hall's envoy to test someone else's Martial Soul?

Who among them didn't want the envoy to test their own juniors? But Zhao Yuanji was not someone who would readily agree. One wrong word could offend him and leave them asking for trouble.

"Hao, don't be rude! Apologize to Elder Zhao at once!" Qin Yuntian's expression changed.

Zhao Yuanji paused, looking at Qin Hao in surprise, then waved a hand. "You're an interesting Little One. Since you recommend her, I suppose she must be talented. Let your friend step forward."

"Yes, Senior!"

Qin Hao breathed a sigh of relief and turned toward Liu Ruoxue.

Delight filled Liu Ruoxue's face. She had not expected Qin Hao to keep his word and truly recommend her to the envoy. She hurried to the center and bowed. "I am Liu Ruoxue. Greetings, Elder Zhao!"

"Liu Ruoxue, the eldest daughter of the Liu family?"

"Qin Hao asked Elder Zhao to test her Martial Soul himself. Those two must be close."

Low murmurs spread through the crowd.

With Qin Hao and Liu Ruoxue so close, the others hoping to arrange a marriage with him likely had no chance. Quite a few had come today with that very aim.

Qin Yuntian's expression eased. He knew how close Qin Hao and Liu Ruoxue were, and as long as his son liked her, he had no objection.

"Not bad, girl. There's something remarkable about you. Let's begin, then. Liu Ruoxue, you go first."

Zhao Yuanji took out a crystal ball flowing with seven-colored light. It was the Seven-Colored Crystal used to test Martial Souls. Many eyes lit up with fervor; it was exceedingly precious, and only the Myriad Phenomena Hall possessed one.

Liu Ruoxue placed both hands on it and focused her mind.

Qin Hao stood to the side without disturbing her.

Everyone else stared at the Seven-Colored Crystal, anticipation in their eyes, especially Liu Fangzhi, the Liu Family Head.

Among the crowd.

A young man wore a dark expression, his eyes full of jealousy and resentment.

His name was Qin Fang, son of Qin Gaochi, the Qin family's Great Elder. Within the Qin family, he was the second-greatest genius after Qin Hao.

Yet Qin Hao's brilliance had eclipsed him time and again. Whenever anyone mentioned Qin Fang, it was only to make Qin Hao look better. He had long since grown bitter over it.

"Father," Qin Fang said quietly.

Qin Gaochi nodded without changing his expression and murmured, "Fang, the plan stays the same. In a moment, I'll ask Elder Zhao to test your Martial Soul."

Before Zhao Yuanji arrived, Qin Gaochi had already decided to make that request today. He had not expected Qin Hao to beat him to it.

Bzzz—

Almost at the same instant, dazzling Rainbow Streaks burst from the crystal ball beneath Liu Ruoxue's hands!

Four brilliant crimson streaks, radiant as a starry sky, circled her body.

More astonishing still, water flowed within them, murmuring softly.

"What?!"

Zhao Yuanji sprang to his feet and stared at the crystal ball. "This is... a Fourth-Grade Water-Attribute Martial Soul! It's actually a Fourth-Grade Water-Attribute Martial Soul!"

The hall erupted in an uproar.

"A Fourth-Grade Water-Attribute Martial Soul! An elemental Martial Soul!"

"Heavens! The Liu family's eldest daughter is a top genius with a Fourth-Grade Water-Attribute Martial Soul!"

The highest-grade Martial Soul in Tianshui City was only third-grade. A fourth-grade Martial Soul had not appeared in many years.

And this fourth-grade Martial Soul had an element!

Elemental Martial Souls came chiefly in eight kinds: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth, Wind, Thunder, and Light. Every one was exceedingly rare.

If someone with an elemental Martial Soul practiced a matching Cultivation Technique, they would cultivate at astonishing speed, with boundless potential ahead of them.

"A Fourth-Grade Water-Attribute Martial Soul..."

Joy touched Liu Ruoxue's face. She had never imagined her Martial Soul would be of such a high grade.

"Good, good, good! I never expected to find such a genius in Tianshui City. Liu Ruoxue of the Liu family shall enter my Myriad Phenomena Hall!"

Zhao Yuanji laughed heartily and announced it on the spot.

The Myriad Phenomena Hall had its share of fourth-grade geniuses, but one whose fourth-grade Martial Soul also had an element was exceedingly rare.

Qin Hao was surprised too. He had guessed Liu Ruoxue might have a third-grade Martial Soul. After all, she had reached the fourth level of the Body Tempering Realm and cultivated much faster than others. He had never expected a Fourth-Grade Water-Attribute Martial Soul.

Qin Fang stared, stunned for a moment, before envy and jealousy spread across his face.

"Father, I want my Martial Soul tested too," Qin Fang said urgently.

"Be patient, Fang."

Qin Gaochi nodded and quietly surveyed the crowd.

Everyone was still reeling. Those who recovered quickly began congratulating Liu Xuan, the Liu Family Head.

Liu Ruoxue not only possessed a Fourth-Grade Water-Attribute Martial Soul; Elder Zhao Yuanji had also declared on the spot that she could join the Myriad Phenomena Hall. What that meant went without saying.

"Elder Zhao." Qin Gaochi stepped forward and spoke respectfully. "My son Qin Fang is a genius of the Qin family. Last year, he mastered a Yellow-Grade Low-Rank Martial Technique, proving his extraordinary talent for martial arts. I hope you will give him a chance and test his Martial Soul."

Qin Gaochi kept his manner exceedingly humble.

Every gaze turned to him.

Some people suddenly realized what they had missed and regretted it bitterly. Why hadn't they thought to ask Zhao Yuanji to test their children's Martial Souls? Many had brought their juniors today.

"Oh? A genius of the Qin family?" Zhao Yuanji looked interested. "If he's a Qin family genius, there's no harm in testing him. Come over."

"Fang, hurry and thank Elder Zhao." Qin Gaochi's face lit up.

Qin Fang was delighted as well. He quickly bowed. "I am Qin Fang. Thank you for your great kindness, Elder Zhao!"

Zhao Yuanji nodded with a faint smile. "Place both hands on it. There's no need to be nervous."

"Yes, Senior."

Qin Fang drew a deep breath and put both hands on the crystal ball, his eyes faintly reddening.

Bzzz.

The mercury-like liquid inside the crystal ball began to boil. A dazzling crimson ray shot out, bathing the entire hall in light.

The number of crimson rays kept growing. One, two, three!

At last, the light stopped at three rays.

A green Giant Wolf appeared behind Qin Fang!

"This is... a Tier 3 Martial Soul!"

Zhao Yuanji paused, surprise filling his voice.

The hall erupted!

The Qin Family Elders and disciples were instantly beside themselves with excitement.

"A Tier 3 Martial Soul! Young Master Qin Fang has a Tier 3 Martial Soul!"

"Besides Young Master Qin Hao, our Qin family has produced another genius!"

Members of the other families looked on with envy.

"A Tier 3 Martial Soul! I'm a genius with a Tier 3 Martial Soul! Hahaha..."

Qin Fang froze, then nearly jumped for joy.

After all, a Tier 3 Martial Soul was rare even in Tianshui City, marking him as a top-tier genius.

Zhao Yuanji nodded approvingly and smiled. "A Tier 3 Martial Soul is not quite enough to enter the Myriad Phenomena Hall directly, but it's still good. Qin Fang, if you pass the trials at the Myriad Phenomena Genius Tournament in three months and join the Hall, I'll grant you an opportunity."

The Myriad Phenomena Genius Tournament was the Hall's disciple selection trial. Only the top three could join.

"Thank you, Elder Zhao!"

Qin Fang trembled with excitement.

Zhao Yuanji nodded and, before anyone else could speak, waved a hand. "Enough. Let's not waste time. Qin Hao, it's your turn."

As he spoke, his eyes shone with keen expectation.

He was far from alone.

Liu Ruoxue and Qin Fang were geniuses of Tianshui City.

But Qin Hao was universally acknowledged as the city's greatest genius!

What grade would Qin Hao's Martial Soul be?

"I have a feeling Young Master Qin Hao's Martial Soul will stun everyone."

"Young Master Qin Fang tested at third grade, and Miss Liu Ruoxue has a Fourth-Grade Water-Attribute Martial Soul. Young Master Qin Hao is Tianshui City's greatest genius. His Martial Soul can only be stronger. It might even be fifth-grade!"

"Fifth-grade? No one in Tianshui City has ever had a Fifth-Rank Martial Soul!"

"Brother Qin Hao, you've been gifted since childhood. Your Martial Soul must be high-grade."

Liu Ruoxue looked at him expectantly.

Qin Fang stared fixedly at Qin Hao, his eyes full of venom as he cursed inwardly: First-Grade Martial Soul. It has to be a First-Grade Martial Soul. Even second-grade would do. At the very least, it can't surpass mine...

Bzzz!

At last, the crystal ball in Qin Hao's hands released a crimson ray.

Within it, a tiny golden sword flashed and vanished.

The Qin Family Elders and disciples stared at the crystal ball with fervent eyes.

But no second ray appeared.

"A First-Grade... Martial Soul?"

Zhao Yuanji froze.