"Very well," said Sect Master Qin Jincheng of the Yuntian Sword Sect, looking at Su Zhan and nodding approvingly. "Su Zhan, this is the Talent Pillar carved with ancient formations. This pillar is specifically used by our Yuntian Sword Sect to test the aptitude of those we value most."
With the sect master's permission, Chen Changfeng gestured toward the stone pillar standing in the center of the hall, positioned within a large reflecting pool. "All you need to do is place your hand on the pillar and channel your true qi. The Talent Pillar will automatically assess your bone structure, cultivation aptitude, and even your comprehension of martial techniques!"
"Even comprehension can be tested?" Su Zhan looked surprised as he studied the imposing stone pillar.
He had noticed the grayish-white pillar, which stood about five to six meters tall, when he first entered the hall, but he had assumed it was merely decorative. He hadn't expected it to be the key instrument for this examination.
"Of course! Otherwise, what do you think the purpose of our Yuntian Sword Sect's Fenghua Hall would be?" replied Elder Liu, a rotund elder who noticed Su Zhan's surprised expression and answered with obvious pride.
"That's Elder Liu, who oversees internal affairs," Chen Changfeng explained. "Our Yuntian Sword Sect has a total of twenty-seven elders in the Core Formation Realm, and the six you see today are all influential figures within our sect."
Chen Changfeng shifted his gaze to a tall, thin elder. "This is Elder Miao from the Disciplinary Hall."
Elder Miao chuckled dismissively. "Brother Chen, there's no need to introduce me to him. If this child's talent isn't as remarkable as you claimed, then none of us here will pay him much attention. Introductions would be pointless in that case."
"Elder Miao speaks correctly," another elder agreed. "Currently, this child's talent appears unremarkable compared to Brother Chen's enthusiastic endorsement."
"If his aptitude is merely ordinary, what qualifications does he—a junior in the Yuan Condensation Realm—have to gather all of us here to wait for him?" yet another elder questioned.
"I still find it difficult to believe. As the possessor of a divine physique, how could he lack extraordinary bone structure and talent? How could someone achieve a divine body without exceptional natural gifts?"
The murmurs of doubt continued until Chen Changfeng's patience finally snapped.
"Enough! Stop this pointless chatter. Su Zhan, step forward and demonstrate your talent!" Chen Changfeng commanded, his irritation evident.
"Understood, Elder." Su Zhan nodded respectfully and walked to the edge of the reflecting pool, crossing a narrow stone bridge that led directly to the pillar.
Is this Talent Pillar really as remarkable as they claim? Su Zhan wondered as he placed his palm against the cool stone surface and began channeling his true qi.
Suddenly, a beam of brilliant light erupted from the base of the grayish-white pillar, ascending rapidly before halting at approximately three meters—halfway up the column.
Elder Miao laughed mockingly. "As expected! This child's talent might be considered high within the Xia Nation, but in our Yuntian Sword Sect, it's merely ordinary!"
"The talent light reaches three meters... if I recall correctly, when our inner sect disciples are tested, even the weakest among them achieves 3.5 meters. This child can't even reach the average talent level of our inner disciples!" another elder observed with disappointment.
"For years, the talent light of our Yuntian Sword Sect's inner disciples has blazed brilliantly on this pillar. By comparison, this child falls far short!"
"According to legend, someone with incredibly powerful talent can trigger celestial phenomena when the talent light overflows from the pillar's peak. I've never witnessed such a phenomenon myself. I thought Brother Chen had brought us an unparalleled genius to witness something extraordinary, but now... hmm? The talent light is still rising???"
The speaking elder's words were cut short as the talent light on the pillar paused momentarily before continuing its ascent!
Everyone present—the elders, Chen Changfeng, and even Sect Master Qin Jincheng—stared in astonishment.
Normally, the talent assessment displayed a person's capabilities instantaneously. Never before had anyone's talent light continued to rise after the initial measurement. This was unprecedented!
Could this child be activating his divine physique? they wondered.
Although it remained difficult to believe that someone with Su Zhan's "ordinary" bone structure could possess a divine body, witnessing the talent light's continued ascent left them with no other explanation.
Meanwhile, Su Zhan remained perfectly calm.
The elders were correct about his natural cultivation talent being relatively weak. Even after undergoing divine physique transformation, his baseline aptitude would only reach the upper tier. Moreover, his divine body was still in its early awakening stage, with its true potential only manifesting as his cultivation advanced.
However, what the observers didn't realize was that besides his divine physique, he also possessed his halo system!
Initially, wanting to test his original cultivation talent, Su Zhan had deactivated all his halos. Now, he could activate them!
Cultivation Halo, activate!
Comprehension Halo, activate!
The light on the talent pillar surged upward, now less than half a meter from reaching the apex!
"The talent light is nearly touching the pillar's peak... this child's aptitude should rank among the top ten throughout our entire Yuntian Sword Sect!" one elder exclaimed.
"Wait... the talent light is still ascending!" another elder stammered, pointing at the pillar with an expression of utter disbelief.
On the Talent Pillar, the light expanded and began condensing, as if being compressed by some unseen force!
"This talent level... has surpassed our current first disciple, hasn't it?" someone whispered in awe.
"This child's aptitude is truly extraordinary, but unfortunately, he doesn't seem to possess a divine physique after all!"
"Awakening a divine body typically causes large-scale natural phenomena and triggers distinctive manifestations. While there might not be exaggerated celestial displays, certain specific signs should still appear. It seems Senior Brother Chen was mistaken!"
"Even without a divine physique, such terrifying talent is enough for us to support his cultivation with our full resources!"
The elders' eyes sparkled with excitement as they conversed enthusiastically.
As elders of the Yuntian Sword Sect, the emergence of an unparalleled genius within their ranks naturally filled them with joy.
When Sect Master Qin Jincheng witnessed this spectacle, even his typically stern expression softened into a slight smile.
At this point, Chen Changfeng found himself thoroughly confused. Before arriving at the Yuntian Sword Sect, he had personally witnessed Su Zhan displaying his divine physique. But now, Su Zhan hadn't even activated his divine body, yet his talent level was already extraordinarily impressive. What would happen if he truly unleashed his divine physique?
Have I been underestimating Su Zhan this entire time?
"So this is my talent level when the Cultivation Halo and Comprehension Halo are fully activated," Su Zhan murmured to himself while observing the pillar.
Legend claimed that when someone's talent reached its absolute peak, it would manifest celestial phenomena. He wondered what kind of manifestations his abilities would generate.
With this thought, Su Zhan didn't hesitate and immediately triggered his divine physique. Golden radiance emanated from his body, condensing into the image of a magnificent sun floating behind him, radiating a powerful and domineering solar aura.
BUZZ!
As his divine body activated, the stone pillar began trembling violently. Deep, mysterious runes floated above the Talent Pillar, and the entire column blazed with brilliant light.
"A divine physique! It's truly a divine physique! Heavens above!" an elder cried out.
"If I'm not mistaken, this is the Sun God Divine Body! The Sun God Divine Body is considered far superior to most other divine physiques!" another elder proclaimed.
"Five hundred years ago, a genius with a divine body tested his talent on this pillar and triggered the phenomenon of rising seas and shining moons. I'm curious to see what kind of manifestation this pillar will display to express Su Zhan's talent level!"
In the Fenghua Hall, the elders—Core Formation Realm experts considered among the strongest throughout the entire Xia Nation—along with Sect Master Qin Jincheng, could barely contain their excitement. Their breathing quickened, their eyes widened, and they stared intently at the Talent Pillar, awaiting the unprecedented phenomenon about to unfold.