“Indeed, there are cases like this. Some people are exceptionally suited to certain cultivation techniques, advancing rapidly in their training.”
“What was his name again, Ning Zhuo, right? He must be incredibly lucky to be so well-matched with the Five Elements Qi Regulation Technique.”
“Oh, why couldn’t such a fortune fall to me?”
Most had never heard of the name Ning Zhuo before, yet now, it was on everyone’s lips.
In the martial arena, even the Ning family cultivators were curious.
Those nearby flocked to Ning Zhuo, introducing themselves with smiles, as if the world’s attitude toward him had transformed in an instant—from indifferent to full of warmth.
Ning Chen and Ning Yong, who had been by Ning Zhuo's side, were crowded out.
Proudly, Ning Yong shouted, “Ning Zhuo is my schoolmate, my schoolmate!”
A passing Ning family youth overheard and sneered, “Who isn’t? I am, too.”
Ning Yong clicked his tongue, glaring.
“But can you compare to my bond with him? Ning Zhuo and I are comrades who’ve faced life and death together!”
A Zhou family cultivator approached with a smile. “Young brother, you seem close with Ning Zhuo?”
“Not bad,” Ning Yong nodded, feigning indifference, though pride shone through.
The Zhou cultivator cupped his fists in respect and inquired about Ning Zhuo, but Ning Chen discreetly tugged Ning Yong’s sleeve, prompting him to fall silent.
Ning Chen continued, “Indeed, the two of us are his schoolmates, and we’ve even faced life and death together.”
“Ning Zhuo is sincere, friendly, and brave; it’s our honor to call him a friend."
"He’s also an inspiration for us all. I remember when we were in school…”
Ning Chen began recounting tales of Ning Zhuo.
To outsiders, Ning Chen exaggerated Ning Zhuo’s virtues, showcasing the Ning family’s foundation.
Furthermore, Ning Zhuo's deeds during their time in the Demon Lava Cave, especially when confronting the Shadow Demon Cultivators in the dungeon, earned their deep respect.
In an instant, Ning Zhuo became the most radiant figure in the arena, his reputation soaring after a single cultivation test, as if stepping onto a new path in life.
The test continued, and as other Ning family cultivators entered the formation, they showed average results, attracting little attention.
Yet Ning Zhuo alone had already shifted the entire atmosphere!
The three-family joint test served as a presentation, an assessment, and a basis for negotiations on resource distribution.
In the cultivation world, outstanding individuals with high cultivation levels often surpass the collective.
Comparing the three families’ strength depended mainly on their top cultivators.
Without Ning Zhuo’s performance, Ning Xiaohui was Ning family’s only third-layer peak, Zheng Jian represented the Zheng family, and Zhou Zhu led the Zhou family, though Zhou Zeshen, another Zhou talent, nearly matched him and was bound to catch up in time.
Thus, Zhou family counted as having one-and-a-half top talents, making them the strongest.
The Zheng family and the Ning family each had one, but the Zheng family’s other cultivators generally outpaced the Ning family’s by a significant margin.
However, with Ning Zhuo’s appearance, the Ning family now had two top cultivators, rising to first place, with the Zhou family second and the Zheng family relegated to third.
After the test, the Ning family patriarch returned in high spirits.
Though negotiations for resource division were still to come, Ning Zhuo’s performance had shifted their prospects, lifting the gloom and clearing the way forward.
The Ning patriarch summoned the young clan leader, his face alight with joy. “Xiaoren, something delightful happened in the martial arena today; you’ve probably heard?”
Ning Xiaoren replied, “Yes, Father, I’ve heard. I was the one who arranged for Ning Zhuo to join our reformation team!”
The Ning patriarch nodded. “Gather all information on Ning Zhuo and compile it for me.”
“I’ve already instructed the staff to do so,” Ning Xiaoren replied.
The Ning patriarch nodded. “I suspect Ning Zhuo may possess some form of innate talent that went undetected.”
Ning Xiaoren replied, “There are countless aptitudes. Even with our annual tests, we can’t catch them all. Your suspicion is reasonable, and we could arrange for additional testing methods specifically for him.”
“However, if he does have an unusual talent, it’s unlikely to show up in ordinary tests.”
The Ning patriarch nodded. “If he does have an innate talent, that’s excellent."
"Even possessing a lower-grade talent makes him a genius! With this, our Ning family’s reformation team could stand on equal footing with the Zhou family.”
The Zhou family has Zhou Zeshen and Zhou Zhu, both with innate talents. Ning Xiaohui and Zheng Jian have them, too.
In the joint test, Ning Zhuo only demonstrated third-layer peak cultivation, proving that the Five Elements Qi Regulation Technique suits him well.
Ning Xiaoren said, “Father, doesn’t the determination of innate talent lie with us?”
“If the test results are inconclusive, or he’s simply well-matched with the Five Elements Qi Regulation Technique, it doesn’t matter."
"We could simply declare that our family has two genius cultivators!”
The Ning patriarch shook his head. “That’s unwise. This isn’t merely family affairs—it’s not our prerogative to decide alone.”
“If we falsify anything, the other families will investigate. This power comparison affects negotiations and distribution among us."
"Our family has only recently joined forces with the Zhou and Zheng families, breaking previous hostilities."
"We cannot compromise our integrity. If caught, it would harm the Ning family’s reputation.”
Ning Xiaoren nodded in understanding.
The Ning patriarch sighed. “Even if Ning Zhuo is confirmed to have innate talent, it might still pose a problem. Xiaoren, do you understand my meaning?”
Ning Xiaoren nodded again. “Yes, Father. Ning Xiaohui belongs to the main branch, while Ning Zhuo is from a branch family."
"Both are at the same cultivation level, but Ning Xiaohui receives our family’s full support, unlike Ning Zhuo.”
“In our reformation team, branch family members far outnumber those from the main branch.
On the martial arena, Ning Zhuo’s display drew a swarm of branch family members to him, making him immensely popular.”
“If he’s found to have innate talent, I fear Ning Xiaohui won’t be able to maintain authority.”
The Ning patriarch looked pleased. “Since you understand this, I trust you’ll handle Ning Zhuo’s situation properly. Go ahead.”
“Yes, Father. Rest assured, I’ll handle it beautifully.” With that, Ning Xiaoren left, carrying a complex mix of feelings toward Ning Zhuo.
Sixteen years ago, during the Ning family’s migration, Ning Xiaoren escaped thanks to Ning Zhuo’s parents, who took him aboard their mechanical carriage.
To ensure the carriage escaped safely, Ning Zhuo’s father disembarked to block their enemies.
Ning Zhuo’s father was Ning Xiaoren’s savior, and Ning Xiaoren had sworn to care for Ning Zhuo and his mother, aiding Ning Zhuo’s cultivation.
But he hadn’t fulfilled this promise.
Ning Zhuo’s mother died fourteen years ago, and Ning Xiaoren had largely ignored Ning Zhuo’s upbringing, assuming him to be an ordinary child—until Ning Zhuo suddenly shone, making a stunning impression in the joint test!
Upon hearing this, Ning Xiaoren felt embarrassment rather than joy, and a lingering question gnawed at him: “Why him?”
As his family courtyard came into view, Ning Xiaoren sighed, thinking, “If only it wasn’t Ning Zhuo.”
“He’s sixteen now, with his own ideas. Hard to persuade.”
Ning Xiaoren recalled what Ning Ze had said.
After the leaderboard results were announced, Ning Xiaoren had tried to extort him, even pressuring Ning Ze multiple times.
Ning Ze had reported Ning Zhuo’s stubborn nature, saying he was headstrong and wouldn’t heed elders.
Considering this, Ning Xiaoren made a decision: “For now, it’s best not to approach Ning Zhuo directly.”
“This child’s disposition isn’t easily swayed by words.”
“Ning Zhuo knows his father was my savior and is aware of my neglect over the years. I’ll need a good explanation for that.”
“It’s best to start with Ning Zhuo’s uncle.”