Chapter 17: Supreme Talent

A clear, ringing voice echoed through the hollow at the back of the mountain. The expressions on everyone’s faces gradually shifted, becoming fascinated, surprised, or bewildered.

The Fang family’s Second Young Master… had he truly just pushed back the demonic ghost by shouting at it? Had he succeeded in clearing the academy’s treacherous Rear Mountain?

Many thoughts flashed through the minds of the spectators at that moment. Legends surfaced.

Every Qi Refiner nurtured innate Innate Qi. A truly awe-inspiring aura was fearless against ghosts and spirits!

The world held countless learned scholars who could banish ghosts with their righteous voices; butchers draped in fierce murderous energy who could intimidate lost souls; and battle-hardened veterans untouched by countless wars, said to be undaunted by evil forces. Yet legends remained legends. Witnessing it firsthand was entirely different. Especially considering… wasn’t this Fang family’s Second Young Master untrained in any cultivation at all? He had repelled those vengeful spirits of the Rear Mountain using only his innate vitality…

Even though it was daytime, when ghosts were weakest, this was still absolutely extraordinary.

……

“Look… judging by the sheer vigor surrounding him just now, his Qi Refining aptitude must be at least… Top-Tier?”

The academy disciples who had been watching couldn’t help but gasp in amazement.

The absolute limit for innate Innate Qi in ordinary folk was three inches, three-tenths, and three-hundredths. The academy’s acceptance standard was set at three inches.

Although standards existed, plenty of people found ways to slip in without meeting them, like the large, imposing cousin Cao Chang whom Fang Cun knew quite well. Actually, such instances weren’t rare within the academy. Consequently, there definitely were students there whose innate Innate Qi was below three inches – they were considered to have low-tier aptitude.

Those whose innate Innate Qi slightly exceeded three inches, yet hadn’t clearly reached three inches and two-tenths, were regarded as having medium-tier aptitude.

The vast majority of students fell into this category.

Surpassing three inches and two-tenths marked high-tier aptitude.

The closer one got to the absolute limit of three inches, three-tenths, and three-hundredths, the rarer that level became.

Breaking the threshold of three inches and two-tenths was highly uncommon in the academy. Reaching beyond three inches and twenty-five-hundredths, or even approaching three inches and three-tenths, was exceedingly rare. Currently, only one person at White Xiang Academy was known to achieve this near-impossible feat: Meng Zhixue, the niece of the City Governor and the Academy Dean’s personal disciple. Rumor said her overwhelming innate Innate Qi created a natural shield against evil forces, which was precisely why the Academy Dean personally recruited her.

As for innate Innate Qi exceeding three inches and three-tenths? Searching across the entire Great Xia Dynasty, individuals bearing such power were as rare as a phoenix feather or a unicorn horn.

The only one widely recognized with such talent was Fang Cun’s elder brother, Fang Chi.

Therefore, witnessing Fang Cun shout down the vengeful ghost with what seemed like a thunderous command inevitably caused a profound stir.

Could it be? Was the Little Immortal Master’s younger brother actually hiding such formidable potential?

……

“Hmph. A show-off blinded by ignorance!”

Seeing Fang Cun standing composedly beside the small green bell, hands pressed together in a respectful bow, the various Instructors present wore complex expressions. One among them, the old woman in black enveloped by her cloak, stared coldly at him. He seemed unnervingly familiar to her – likely reminding her of someone – leaving her face shadowed with hostility.

Not far from her, however, a tall Instructor wearing blue robes stiffened briefly before breaking into a soft chuckle.

“This… this is…”

Instructor Zhang Shixian wore an odd expression, somewhere between laughter and disbelief. “With aptitude like his, what need was there to even tackle the Rear Mountain?!”

His thoughts quickly corrected themselves. Fang Cun hadn’t chosen the Rear Mountain path based on aptitude alone. Had he not braved that dangerous route, the academy likely wouldn’t have accepted him regardless of his gifts – even surpassing three inches and three-tenths. This realization brought a wave of quiet justification. ‘Well… in the end, we helped him secure his spot. Accepting that gift beforehand was entirely justified by his success. It was a completely above-board transaction!’ he consoled himself, inwardly sighing. ‘Honest dealings, a conscience entirely clear!’

“The Second Young Master Fang doesn’t lose a step to his brother! Utterly impressive…”

“Hail to Second Young Master Fang!”

Behind them, like waves breaking, cascading cheers erupted as the citizens of Willow Lake City finally fully reacted to Fang Cun’s achievement.

Amidst this surge of acclaim, Fang Cun lifted his gaze, looking openly towards the platform above.

Standing between the two Elder Mentors, White Xiang Academy’s Dean, Gongyang Yanqing, now calmly looked down at Fang Cun. His expression remained as still as an ancient, tranquil well. His eyes methodically appraised Fang Cun several times. His gaze drifted, taking in the Rear Mountain Fang Cun had just left behind him. A long pause ensued.

Then, finally, he gave the faintest of nods and spoke: “You may come to the academy tomorrow.”

A buzz instantly rippled through the crowd surrounding him.

The ripple of surprise traveled outward to the Willow Lake City populace, igniting an even louder wave of astonished discussion.

A genuine smile bloomed involuntarily across Fang Cun’s own face.

He knew this sentence held decisive power. His enrollment in White Xiang Academy was now guaranteed.

Technically, a successful candidate challenging the Rear Mountain would face inspection afterward. The academy sought to confirm no borrowed force or concealed magical treasure had aided passage. But here… Fang Cun’s thunderous shout dispersing the vengeful ghost had offered undeniable proof of innate capacity right before countless witnesses. The need for post-trial checks melted away. The Dean simply formalized the outcome.

Face alight with a bright smile, Fang Cun respectfully pressed his hands together and bowed towards the Dean: “Thank you, Teacher!”

The Dean returned a faint smile. With a light flick of his wide sleeve, the green goat beneath him turned. He departed gradually into the distance.

Behind him, even louder cheers surged like a powerful wave crashing ashore.

……

“So… I’m actually an Academy disciple now…”

Retracing a small side path around the gathering crowd, Fang Cun returned to the green boulder where his father waited. A near-impossible scene unfolded before him; it seemed the entire population of Willow Lake City had descended onto the hillside! Faces radiated delight; voices clamored with congratulations directed at the newly minted ‘Second Young Master Fang’. Their collective joy bubbled so intensely one might think they themselves had earned admission! Several jostled close, eagerly surrounding Elder Fang to demand celebratory coin – acting as if the victorious entrant into the academy was, in fact, their very own son…

“Good, good, good… Yes, yes, yes… Later at Fang Manor… Coins for all, plenty of coins… plenty of coins…”

Elder Fang himself needed a moment to adjust. Emerging from earlier anxiety only to be swallowed by unexpected elation rendered him momentarily overwhelmed. All he could manage was repeating assurances in a breathless stream.

Eventually, the eager throng practically lifted both Fang Cun and Elder Fang onto their horses. Jubilation radiating, the townspeople escorted father and son triumphantly towards their manor.

Given such unrestrained festivity, there remained no doubt: News of Fang Manor’s Second Young Master entering the academy by conquering the treacherous Rear Mountain would spread like wildfire throughout Willow Lake City.

Everyone already knew: The Fang family’s First Young Master had been an unparalleled ‘Little Immortal Master’. A natural genius, his status climbed relentlessly. Indeed, for the humble folk of Willow Lake City, figures like the City Governor and the Academy Dean seemed untouchably distant – celestial beings residing entirely beyond their grasp. Yet the First Young Master Fang had existed beyond their ranks, ascending heights they dared not imagine.

His younger brother? He existed as something entirely opposite! Publicly notorious for idleness and drifting aimlessly? Drawn exclusively towards spectacles and chaos? Lavishly squandering wealth? Acting solely on reckless whims? Utterly uninterested in any respectable endeavor? Naturally, after the unexpected passing of his brilliant brother, widespread speculation arose regarding the doomed fate awaiting these vulnerable, unprotected elders… Who could fathom this very same ‘worthless’ Second Young Master, seemingly overnight, would suddenly display such extraordinary prowess? Braving the infamous Rear Mountain? Securing academy entry? The mere fact itself presented delicious gossip.

It undoubtedly gave pause to certain individuals. Those secretly eyeing the Fang family’s declining assets, greedily anticipating easy pickings, now found their calculations abruptly complicated. The status of an ‘academy disciple’, while respectable, wasn’t inherently overwhelming… But his displayed innate potential? That truly shifted everything.

They understood: Hadn’t the elder gifted brother perished? Yet… should this previously overlooked Second Young Fang harbor such heaven-sent gifts… who dared assert the Fang family couldn’t nurture another Little Immortal Master?

Just when they anticipated the Fang Manor collapsing – prime opportunity seemingly at hand…

……

“Hmph! The Fang family’s Immortal Master lies dead! Surviving as Second Son – even entering the academy – likely means little good!”

Barely a whisper within the cacophony, yet most spectating academy disciples murmured variations of it as they gradually dispersed back towards academy gates. Only the two Elder Mentors lingered behind beneath the shadowed canopy erected earlier. One, an ancient patriarch sporting flowing silver-white whiskers, watched the distant retreating figures of Fang Cun and his father on horseback with a frigid glare. Utter disdain filled his expression.

“Perhaps it signifies no direct improvement for them…”

The Elder Mentor clad entirely in solemn black robes offered a quiet, grim chuckle. “…But surely their position under siege grows no worse? Remaining static counts as progress for the besieged.”

“Hmph!”

Refusing any reply, the silver-bearded Elder Mentor turned upon his heel, large sleeve flicking through the air in dismissal. He strode swiftly away.

……

“Indeed, worthy of the Great Xia Immortal Master’s own younger kin…”

High in a distant location, overlooking the very academy Rear Mountain, upon a particular sheltered cliff ledge, a silent observer had watched everything unfold. Observing Fang Cun enter the treacherous terrain, deduce the labyrinthine spirit traps, navigate the poisonous fog, slaughter the swarm of mutated serpents… culminating in his sudden eruption of innate force – that shout which physically expelled the lingering wraiths. Not a single detail escaped the silent watcher as the scene unfolded below him. Only when Fang Cun and Elder Fang finally departed did the observer finally speak. A drawn-out, contemplative sigh escaped his lips.

“Such gifts… even if falling short of Immortal Master Fang, still represent the absolute pinnacle amongst mortals…”

The sigh unexpectedly held a thread of subtle amusement suddenly knitting into it: “It sparks my curiosity, however… This obviously formidable younger brother… Could the ‘Little Immortal Master’ truly bear suppressing that potential all along? Denying him formal academy instruction? Compelling him to remain obediently home, tending aging parents? Forever confined as just… ordinary?”

“…Or perhaps–”

A different voice immediately interjected beside him: “General Lord, truly, why the convoluted approach? Just apprehend him directly! One thorough interrogation provides every answer!”

Silence briefly descended upon the ledge. Several breaths passed before the first voice returned, low and controlled:

“The risk remains unacceptable… For the potential insight gained, the required stake remains too steep.”

……

Upon returning home, the entire Fang Manor exploded with unrestrained joy.

Their talented Great Young Master lay dead. Vultures circled overhead for their assets and land. Fear had permeated household servants anticipating calamity. Then… the Second Young Master suddenly achieved the impossible – braving hell itself to secure academy admission! It felt like injecting powerful stabilizing hope straight into terrified hearts. They hurried everywhere sharing the incredible news; delight lifted the corners of every eye and mouth.

Learning of the outcome, Madam Fang tightly grasped Elder Fang’s hand. Tears streamed freely down her face. Heartbreaking sorrow intertwined inextricably with soaring pride.

Truthfully, she and Elder Fang had always hoped Fang Cun would pursue studies at the academy. Even if destined never to reach his brother’s near-mythical heights, possessing practical skills could only benefit him. Yet he consistently rejected structured learning. He embraced dissipation. Elder Fang tried repeatedly. He hired multiple tutors. But each fled in frustration after tolerating Fang Cun’s deliberate, infuriating misbehavior for weeks or months. Some refused payment entirely.

Therefore, the aging couple resigned themselves long ago. They prepared to care for a uselessly spoiled boy, albeit handsome and charming enough to remain fondly endured.

Who envisioned this outcome? Who knew their hopeless Second Son… actually possessed such profound latent talent?

Yes, it brought joy. But it inevitably reminded them of their eldest gifted son – taken tragically far too young. Overwhelming sorrow threatened to choke the fragile newfound happiness.

Few souls could truly comprehend the agonizing contradiction warring within the hearts of these two grieving elders.

……

In past times, celebrating such monumental fortune for the Fang family demanded immediate action from Elder Fang. Grand celebratory banquets open as flowing water! Days-long feasts! Summoning Willow Lake City’s affluent merchants, respected gentry, neighbors near and far for three nights and days of luxurious indulgence! But circumstances remained harsh. Burial clothes for Great Young Master Fang scarcely touched the earth. Mourning shrouded Manor Fang. Grand displays remained inappropriate. Even so, Old Steward Huang oversaw distribution of celebration coins that day. They spilled whole baskets brimming generously amongst servants and cheering townsfolk.

Amidst the courtyard’s rising cacophony, however, Fang Cun retreated silently into his personal study. The broad smile carefully maintained before others vanished here. It completely dissolved beneath a noticeably brooding shadow clouding his youthful features.

One particular detail nagged relentlessly at him: The weather changing abruptly while navigating the Rear Mountain – bright sunlight vanishing beneath heavy, unnatural gloom.

‘Pure coincidence’ couldn’t possibly explain it.

Conclusion became chillingly unavoidable: Forces operating within the academy itself… likely wished him dead.

Possessing terrifying power – manipulating weather itself! Who among them commanded such terrifying might?

One after another, faces flashed behind Fang Cun’s closed eyelids: The imposing Elder Mentors observing his trial… those Instructors strategically positioned…

His lips pressed into a thin, grim line.