Barely Making a Move Was Already Your Limit

Before they knew it, ten days had quietly passed.

The family atmosphere grew solemn. As the test drew near, the Shen Family youths cultivated more and more diligently.

It was not only this batch of newcomers. Anyone under fifteen had to take the cultivation test, which was used to select promising seeds for the Dao.

Cultivation talent was important, but it was ultimately only potential. Only those who turned their talent into cultivation were the talents the Shen Family needed.

Those who performed outstandingly in the test would not only receive abundant resources, but the best among them would also receive an olive branch from the Main Branch and be given focused training.

The Lecture Hall was now packed to the brim, with countless Shen Family youths chattering away.

"This batch can truly be called a gathering of heroes. Ten people have already broken through to the Qi Refining Realm."

"They are indeed impressive, but Shen Qiu is still the strongest. I heard he has already touched the bottleneck of the Qi Refining Second Layer."

"Really? It has only been a month. The gap between people is truly bigger than the gap between humans and dogs."

"Did you see those senior students? They finished their tests long ago. They stayed here just to witness Shen Qiu's brilliance."

"..."

Only then did everyone notice several tall youths in the distance, their gazes fixed on Shen Qiu amid the crowd.

At the very front stood a long-haired youth with a jade-like face. His name was Shen Qingshu. He had just claimed the top spot with his Qi Refining Fourth Layer cultivation and received personal praise from the Fifth Elder.

Standing some distance opposite him was a short-haired young girl, her face full of heroic spirit. Her aura was evenly matched with Shen Qingshu's. She was Shen Feiyan, likewise at the Qi Refining Fourth Layer. She had fallen slightly short in their earlier contest and placed second.

Quite a few people surrounded Shen Qingshu, while Shen Feiyan stood alone, seeming somewhat isolated and helpless.

"The Wind Vein truly has no successors. Aside from Shen Feiyan, the rest are all mediocre."

"I believe Shen Qiu will make a wise choice. Our Lightning Vein is the Broad and Smooth Road."

"..."

The Shen Family had two major factions: the Lightning Vein, led by Shen Family Patriarch Shen Leiyuan, and the Wind Vein, led by First Elder Shen Linfeng.

Even within one family, disputes would arise when it came to the distribution of benefits. The Shen Family had a full hundred thousand members, each with different demands. Over time, this structure had formed.

Fortunately, the two factions merely differed in philosophy. Both wished to see the Shen Family prosper, so the Supreme Elder tacitly permitted this competition.

These youths belonged to the Lightning Vein. They had remained in this place precisely to recruit Shen Qiu.

Shen Qingshu waved a hand and said thoughtfully, "At the year-end Family Grand Competition, Brother Shen Feng will surely claim the top spot. When that happens, the Lightning Vein will gain more resources. What we need to do is recruit true geniuses."

"Brother Qingshu is right. The Wind Vein has always revered bloodlines and simply does not care about branch family disciples. For the family's growth, we should do our part."

"What distinction between legitimate and illegitimate bloodlines? I have long had enough of it. Only an enlightened leader like the Patriarch can lead the Shen Family into the future."

"I heard the Wind Vein produced a genius named Shen Qingruo, and the family immediately began nurturing her heavily. What a monstrous injustice. We must let those people who worship bloodlines know that heroes are not judged by their origins."

"..."

The Lightning Vein youths were fired up, vowing to achieve great things in the future. Even the newcomers present were infected by their fervor and felt the urge to join the Lightning Vein.

Shen Kuangtao's face was full of excitement as he could not help but advise, "Miss Qingruo has already gone to cultivate in the Main Branch. Why should Brother Shen Qiu continue agonizing over factional differences? Why not join the Lightning Vein? We can meet again at the summit in the future, and that would make for a fine tale."

Shen Qiu looked hesitant. He had seen the Lightning Vein's sincerity, and with Shen Qingruo's departure, the scales in his heart had already tipped.

Seeing this, Shen Kuangtao immediately added fuel to the fire. "Miss Qingruo has an extraordinary background. Only great strength is worthy of such a favored daughter of heaven."

Shen Qiu clenched his fists and said solemnly, "Once the test is over, I will join the Lightning Vein."

Upon hearing this, Shen Kuangtao's face lit up. Shen Fan had personally promised that if he could bring Shen Qiu into the Lightning Vein, he too would receive a spot.

Once I join the Lightning Vein, Shen Yun, I will repay your humiliation a hundredfold.

Shen Kuangtao roared inwardly. Ever since awakening his Three-Attribute Spirit Root and boarding Shen Qiu's great ship, he had been treated with respect wherever he went, riding favorable winds and smooth waters.

Then he had encountered Shen Yun. That strike had swept away all his prestige and smashed his self-esteem to pieces. That gaze, as though Shen Yun were looking at a pitiful worm, had deeply stabbed at his humble pride.

Only when the Fifth Elder strolled over did the noisy square finally quiet down.

Almost at the same time, Shen Yun arrived right on cue, without causing much of a stir.

The Fifth Elder swept his gaze around, then said methodically, "Step forward in order. The spirit-testing formation will display your cultivation."

As his words fell, light flickered at the front of the square. A formation shaped like a six-pointed star materialized, and then a white pillar rose from the center of the Formation Eye, marked with various scales.

The Shen Family youths stepped forward methodically, entering the formation one after another.

The testing proceeded quickly. Everyone noticed that the Fifth Elder only lowered his head to record the results when someone was close to the Qi Refining Realm. He did not even spare the others a second glance.

The senior students understood this clearly. These people had already been eliminated and would never again receive the family's attention. There would be three rounds of selection over three years, and those left behind would truly be gold panned from the waves, regarded as seeds for Foundation Establishment.

Shen Kuangtao returned with a smug expression. His Qi Refining First Layer cultivation ranked among the best and drew quite a bit of attention.

When he turned to look at the senior students, however, he found their expressions indifferent, with no sign of interest.

If Shen Yun had not injured me, I could have gone even further. Damn it.

Shen Kuangtao was unwilling to accept this, and his hatred for Shen Yun rose another level.

When Shen Qiu stepped onto the platform, he immediately became the center of attention. Even Shen Feiyan, who had remained silent all along, looked over.

Shen Qiu stood tall and proud. He first glanced back at Shen Yun, arrogance written across his face, before stepping into the formation.

The scale instantly surpassed the Qi Refining First Layer and continued climbing. Under countless expectant gazes, the blue pillar stopped just below the second-layer mark, only three inches away.

"As expected of Shen Qiu. He is only a single step away from the Qi Refining Second Layer. He will likely break through soon."

"To achieve this much in a month—this is what a true genius looks like."

"..."

The scene erupted. The newcomers looked at Shen Qiu with envy, their faces filled with admiration.

The senior students were no longer calm and composed either, sighing in amazement. "As expected of a Dual Spirit Root genius. Even Brother Qingshu..."

At this point, their voices abruptly stopped. Shen Qingshu took over, saying, "There is nothing that cannot be said. I am far inferior to him."

He then stepped forward and stopped before Shen Qiu. "On behalf of the Lightning Vein, I extend another invitation to Brother Qiu. I hope you will consider it carefully."

Shen Feiyan also walked over, her expression serious. "Would you be willing to join the Wind Vein? We are willing to nurture you with resources equal to those of the direct line."

Faced with both invitations, Shen Qiu replied neither humbly nor arrogantly, "I would rather join the Lightning Vein. My apologies, Miss Feiyan."

Shen Qingshu laughed heartily. "Good. A bird chooses a fine tree to roost in. Brother Qiu will certainly not regret this."

Shen Feiyan's expression stiffened. She pursed her lips and walked away somewhat dejectedly.

This scene did not surprise anyone. The Lightning Vein was growing more and more powerful. Not only did it have Shen Feng, the Number One Person of the younger generation, but new geniuses also continued to emerge.

The Wind Vein, by contrast, was weakening by the day. Even a fool knew how to choose.

Shen Qingshu stepped forward and stood shoulder to shoulder with Shen Qiu, then said, "Today is a joyous occasion. I have prepared a little wine at Tianxiang Tower. Brother Qiu, you must come."

Shen Qiu stood with his hands behind his back. Hearing this, he replied, "Brother Qingshu, please wait a moment. I want to see one person's test result."

Shen Qingshu was somewhat curious. "Oh? What sort of person deserves such importance from Brother Qiu?"

Shen Kuangtao jumped out and said coldly, "That Shen Yun. He is jealous of Brother Shen Qiu's talent, and he had some conflicts with us before."

His gaze was gloomy as he transformed into a lackey, standing behind Shen Qiu and borrowing the tiger's might as a fox.

Shen Qingshu looked toward the platform and said calmly, "That Shen Yun who calls himself a youthful genius? It seems he is drowning in the past and cannot distinguish reality. If I get the chance, I will help Brother Qiu vent this anger."

"Thank you, Brother Qingshu, but I still wish to settle this matter myself."

Shen Qiu clenched his fists. He wanted to personally shatter Shen Yun's pride and let the world know who the true genius was.

Amid countless ill-intentioned gazes, Shen Yun strolled forward and entered the formation.

Not only did you skip class for a month, you even dared provoke Qingruo. I would like to see what you are made of.

The Fifth Elder stared at the formation. The next moment left him standing there in stunned silence.

The spiritual light shot upward wildly. The first layer and second layer posed no obstacle whatsoever...

"Qi Refining Second Layer... Qi Refining Third Layer... and it is still not stopping!"

The Fifth Elder's face was filled with shock. Only when it was about to touch the Qi Refining Fourth Layer did the pillar finally stop rising.

In an instant, the entire square fell silent. Everyone stared dumbfoundedly at the formation, the stormy waves in their hearts refusing to settle.