At the dinner table, Shen Pingsheng beamed as he showed off what he had earned that day.
"I picked up a big job at the Market today. It paid a full fifty Spirit Stones." Shen Pingsheng drained his cup, then said through bleary eyes, "I heard you tested as having a Three-Attribute Spirit Root. There are two thousand Spirit Stones in this Cosmic Bag. I'd meant to save them for when you got married, but take them and use them for now."
With that, he slapped a brand-new Cosmic Bag onto the table. Shen Yun glanced at the yellowed Cosmic Bag hanging from his father's waist, and warmth welled up inside him.
"Then I won't stand on ceremony, Dad."
He needed Spirit Stones right now, so he accepted the bag.
Artifacts, pills, Cultivation Methods... Cultivation was a beast that devoured gold. No one would complain about having too many Spirit Stones.
Shen Yun asked, "Dad, do you know any quick ways to earn Spirit Stones?"
Shen Pingsheng raised an eyebrow. "Are you that short on money? Has love started stirring in your heart? Are you looking for a Dao Companion?"
Cough, cough!
Shen Yun choked. Once he recovered, he said irritably, "I'm only twelve. Do you really think that's possible?"
Shen Pingsheng nodded without thinking, then declared with absolute certainty, "You and Qingruo have been inseparable since you were little. Who wouldn't like a girl that wonderful? But take your dad's advice: she's too good a catch for you to handle."
Shen Yun pressed a hand to his forehead. "I just want to learn an Immortal Dao Skill. It's not that complicated."
Seeing how serious Shen Yun looked, Shen Pingsheng knew his son had always had a mind of his own. After a moment's thought, he said, "Talisman Masters and Alchemists, of course. Those are the people who rake in Spirit Stones by the sackful."
Shen Pingsheng picked up his cup and shook his head with a sigh, muttering, "When will Formation Masters finally have their day?" and "I should've swallowed my pride and begged to enter the Alchemy Hall back then."
That was much as Shen Yun had expected. Unfortunately, the first floor of the Scripture Pavilion had no Jade Slips on Immortal Dao Skills, so he decided to visit the Market when he had time.
Early the next morning, Shen Yun arrived at the Lecture Hall, only to find the spacious room packed.
"Brother Shen Yun, over here!"
A sweet voice rang out. Shen Yun looked toward it and saw Shen Qingruo waving at him.
He sat down beside her. Feeling quite a few "friendly" gazes on him, he found it rather funny.
That little girl really is popular. Now I'm everyone's target.
Word of Shen Qingruo's talent had already spread through the clan. With both a powerful background and top-tier aptitude, what boy wouldn't yearn for her?
Shen Qiu stood surrounded by a crowd, like the moon ringed by stars. Ever since he tested as having a Dual Spirit Root, his circumstances had changed so drastically that heaven and earth might have traded places. People who had once refused to give him the time of day now greeted him with smiles.
Quite a few important figures had even extended invitations and promised him all manner of tempting benefits. His confidence swelled with every offer.
An idea took root in Shen Qiu's mind. If I defeat Shen Yun, will Qingruo start paying attention to me?
The Shen Yun of the past had been an invincible hero in his eyes. But now that the illusion had shattered, Shen Qiu wanted to take his place.
A short while later, an elderly man with white hair and beard strode in. His imposing presence instantly silenced the room.
"Greetings, Fifth Elder."
The Shen Family youths bowed, their eyes full of respect.
The Fifth Elder swept his gaze across the room, paused briefly on Shen Yun, then said calmly, "Today, I'll answer your questions about Cultivation Methods. You should all have visited the Library Pavilion yesterday, so I won't waste time. Ask whatever you want to know."
The moment he finished, Shen Kuangtao stood and asked loudly, "Elder, it took me all night to sense spiritual energy. How long will it take me to break through to the Qi Refining Realm?"
Quite a few people rolled their eyes. Since discovering his Three-Attribute Spirit Root, he had found every roundabout way he could to flaunt his talent. They were sick of it, and now he had found another opening.
The Fifth Elder's expression remained calm. "Since you've sensed spiritual energy, your Cultivation Method should be close to Entry. Once you draw in your first wisp, you should be able to open your qi sea and officially enter the Qi Refining Realm within half a month."
Only one night had passed, and those who could already sense spiritual energy could be counted on one hand. The Fifth Elder offered him a couple of polite words of praise.
Having secured his moment in the spotlight, Shen Kuangtao put on a solemn air. "Thank you for clearing that up, Elder. I'll be sure to break through to the Qi Refining Realm within half a month."
The sight of his smug face annoyed everyone, and the hall fell into an awkward silence.
Then Shen Qiu stood. "I've already reached Entry with my Cultivation Method. Elder, what comes next?"
Shen Kuangtao fell silent at once, thoroughly deflated. He felt like the brick someone had thrown out to draw forth a jade gem.
Everyone else stared in surprise, admiration plain on their faces.
"No wonder he's a genius with a Dual Spirit Root. He reached Entry in one night. Doesn't that mean he could break through to the Qi Refining Realm in three to five days?"
"That's what true talent looks like. Nothing can make up for it."
"Shen Qiu is bound to shine at the next Family Grand Competition and become a core disciple."
"Shen Yun used to shine so brightly, but now he's just a foil. Aptitude really is king."
"..."
Reaching Entry in a single night was enough to win them over. Even the Fifth Elder nodded approvingly. "Cultivation Methods have four stages: Entry, Minor Achievement, Greater Achievement, and Perfection. Your talent is excellent. You should reach Minor Achievement in half a year."
One day to reach Entry and half a year to reach Minor Achievement sounded extreme, but that was how it worked.
Entry meant grasping only the surface, enough to circulate the Cultivation Method in a rudimentary way. It was like barely managing to lift a treasured blade, then needing every ounce of strength just to swing it.
At Minor Achievement, one understood the Cultivation Method's subtleties and had stepped through the door. No longer looking at flowers through the fog, one could wield the blade as one pleased. The two stages could hardly be compared.
The Fifth Elder added, "If you can fill your qi sea with spiritual energy within fifteen minutes, your Cultivation Method has reached Minor Achievement."
Shen Yun's expression turned strange. Fifteen minutes counts as Minor Achievement? Then what does twenty breaths count as?
He realized his comprehension was rather extraordinary. If anyone learned that he had brought his Cultivation Method to Greater Achievement, or even Perfection, in a few hours, he would immediately become the center of a storm.
I can show some talent, as long as it gets me resources.
Shen Yun quickly settled on a plan. He had no intention of coming to future lectures; they were a complete waste of time.
His silence caught a few people's attention. Looks like Shen Yun hasn't accomplished anything. His earlier brilliance was just a night-blooming flower after all.
Shen Qiu thought the same. After the lecture, he slipped through the crowd without drawing attention and stopped in front of Shen Yun.
"Brother Shen Yun, if you have any questions about your Cultivation Method, I could give you a few pointers."
Shen Qiu spoke mildly, with something of an expert's bearing, though he kept glancing at Shen Qingruo beside him.
Shen Yun found the display amusing and replied casually, "I appreciate the offer, but I have something to do right now. Another time."
Shen Qiu smiled warmly, assuming Shen Yun was too proud to accept in public. He turned to Shen Qingruo. "There's a cultivation test next month. Qingruo, would you like to discuss Cultivation Methods with me?"
Shen Qingruo's face was expressionless, her steady gaze seeming to peer into the depths of his heart. "I have something to do as well. Perhaps another time."
With that, she followed Shen Yun out, her steps light and quick.
Shen Qiu's expression finally faltered. You still look down on me, even now? Once the test results come out, I'll prove to everyone who the real genius is.
Before you continue