Chapter Fifty-Two: The Troubling Aptitude Test

“Hmm, everyone is here,” the Lord of the City nodded in approval, his face still haunted by the lingering fear from Mr. Wu’s incident. Only after the arrival of the Bright Martial Assembly’s envoy did he finally enjoy a restful night. A smile broke across his face, “Mr. Kong, please test their talents.”

A middle-aged man dressed in white martial attire nodded and smiled, his robe adorned with exquisite golden embroidery, radiating a noble air. He instructed, “Let’s begin.”

An elderly man hurried forward, standing before the assembled trainees. Suddenly, a cascade of glowing rings appeared in his hand. With a flick of his finger, the rings scattered like petals, soaring towards the trainees.

Some instinctively flinched, but the elder barked, “Do not move!” His voice, though not loud, thundered in their ears, arresting every movement.

The rings soared overhead, expanding swiftly, then descended, enveloping each trainee in a luminous halo.

Moments passed, and the colors of the rings began to shift, each one glowing differently.

Tang Tian stared curiously at the ring around his feet, which shimmered with a black radiance.

The elder’s voice rang out, “Those with golden rings, step forward ten paces.”

Only five complied: Sima Xiangshan, Liang Qiu, Han Bingning, Amory, and another unknown trainee. The latter looked bewildered; had Zhou Peng survived, he would have recognized this as Gu Xiaoyu, the one he often bullied.

Principal Ander’s face lit up with wild joy upon seeing Gu Xiaoyu selected.

“Those with silver rings, step forward seven paces.”

This time, a larger group moved, including the well-known Wang Zhen and others. The remaining trainees, sparse in number, totaled only seven.

“Those with bronze rings, step forward three paces.”

Six advanced, leaving Tang Tian alone at his original spot.

Tang Tian glanced around, realizing he seemed to be the only one with a black ring.

The elder turned to the middle-aged man and reported solemnly, “Sir, five with excellent aptitude, forty-two good, six qualified, and one exceedingly poor.”

The expressions of those present grew exceedingly strange. The “exceedingly poor” one could only be Tang Tian, for he stood alone.

For the first time, an absurd and inexplicable amusement danced in their hearts.

Tang Tian’s talent is exceedingly poor?

Is this a joke… Surely it must be… Or a collective jest…

Tang Tian, unconcerned, looked around with curiosity at the magical, colorful rings. He cared little for the Bright Martial Assembly. Had he not heard the Path of Heaven was perilous, he would have perfected his other martial arts and gone straight to Perseus to seek out Chihui.

Suddenly, Amory’s eyes widened as he shouted, “This can’t be right! Basic Tang’s talent is exceedingly poor? Impossible! Absolutely impossible!”

The elder’s face darkened, “I have assessed talents for over twenty years and have never erred.”

Han Bingning’s cool voice rang out, “Sir, might you test him again?”

Liang Qiu, his shoulder now healed, spoke with calm detachment, his voice as serene as his smile, “Sir, you use a secret treasure, yes? Sometimes, secret treasures can fluctuate.”

Sima Xiangshan’s face beamed, but his voice drifted from some cold, damp crevice, “If young Tang’s talent counts as poor, what does that make the rest of us?”

The elder’s expression soured; he had never encountered such a situation, especially before Mr. Kong—his reputation was at stake. Had it been any other trainee, he would have barked them down, but these few possessed outstanding talents and might one day enter the Bright Martial Assembly.

Tang Tian blinked in confusion, “The old gentleman didn’t make a mistake. My talent really is poor!”

Tang Tian knew well that his talent was mediocre. His elemental balance was average, nothing notable elsewhere. His physical strength, thanks to five years of basic training, could not compare to Amory’s natural brute force.

Those who heard this nearly burst with frustration.

Come on, feigning ignorance is one thing, but pretending to have poor talent as well? Do you take us for fools?

Amory’s eyes bulged, “Basic Tang, you’re a legendary youth—how could your talent be poor?”

“What does being a legendary youth have to do with talent?” Tang Tian replied, unconcerned.

Everyone turned their faces away, unable to bear the sight. This…this…was a blatant challenge to their intelligence…

Do you think we believe you? Believe you? If we believe you, we’re fools!

Had anyone else said such infuriating words, they’d have been mobbed and stomped to death. Yet Tang Tian’s fierce reputation meant everyone endured; but oh, how unpleasant it felt!

The elder, seeing their reactions, hesitated. Could there truly be an issue? Had the boy somehow masked his talent with a secret treasure?

He wasted no time, flicking his finger again, sending an even brighter ring to envelop Tang Tian.

Every gaze fixed on the ring.

Jet-black and gleaming!

Even darker and more lustrous than before!

The elder was certain now; this time, he could guarantee there was no mistake. Such a dark ring was unprecedented—this youth’s aptitude was not merely poor, but abysmal.

Strange looks crept across faces, suspicion turning to the elder.

Tang Tian, meanwhile, was triumphant, “See, I told you—my talent is dreadful!”

The crowd’s awkward expressions froze.

This fellow…he’s actually proud!

A collective taunt! This wretched fellow must be mocking everyone! How vile—does great strength make one so arrogant?

Tears welled in everyone’s hearts. They were now certain: Tang Tian was doing this on purpose!

Absolutely on purpose!

Of course, they forgot another oddball. Amory, shocked, exclaimed, “Basic Tang! You truly are a legendary youth! To achieve such prowess with such poor talent is truly inspiring!”

Smack!

Amory received a slap to the head, turned angrily, then saw it was Brother Liang. His anger vanished, replaced with confusion, “Brother Liang, why did you hit me?”

Liang Qiu replied airily, “Oh, my hand slipped.”

Han Bingning frowned, “Tang Tian, stop playing around!”

“Huh? Young lady,” Tang Tian replied, bewildered, “Playing around?”

Everyone wisely fell silent; if Tang Tian wouldn’t even heed Han Bingning, no one else dared presume.

All Tang Tian’s words were automatically filtered out. This scoundrel was simply trying to drag everyone’s intelligence to his level, and then defeat them with his experience! That must be it—certainly it must!

Still, was this Bright Martial Assembly really as impressive as legend claimed? If they couldn’t even test talent properly, the future seemed worrisome…

Tang Tian was so eccentric that even the elder wavered, wondering if the boy had used some secret treasure to confound his own. Should he test again?

The elder’s heart was tangled with doubt.

Mr. Kong’s eyes flashed, and he smiled at the Lord of the City, “I have visited many cities, but never have I seen so many talented youths as in Starwind City. I have long heard of your devotion to education; today, I am truly impressed.”

The Lord of the City beamed, “You flatter me, Mr. Kong! Of these trainees, how many meet your standards?”

“These five are certainly outstanding. Their talent is remarkable, and they are still young, with great potential.” Mr. Kong then glanced at Tang Tian, “This young man is intriguing as well. Though slightly older, he could be assigned to our external camp.”

The Lord of the City was overjoyed—six were chosen! For Starwind City, this was a splendid outcome. From now on, Starwind City would belong to the true sphere of the Bright Martial Assembly, under its protection.

“I want to go to Perseus!” Tang Tian raised his hand, determined—if he couldn’t go to Perseus, he’d have nothing to do with the Bright Martial Assembly.

“Perseus?” Mr. Kong smiled kindly, “That’s easily arranged. We have a sizable branch in Perseus; you can join the external camp there.”

“Wonderful!” Tang Tian jumped for joy, raising his arm in triumph, “That’ll save on travel expenses!”

The corners of Sima Xiangshan and the others twitched. Please, you’re a master—could you act with some composure? Must you be so eccentric?

“I want to go to Perseus! Wow, I can see Miss Chihui!” Amory also cheered, arm raised.

Miss Chihui!

Han Bingning instantly declared, “I want to go to Perseus too!” She was a devoted fan of Shangguan Chihui; nothing would stop her from seeing her idol.

Sima Xiangshan’s face grew darker, teeth clenched, “Shangguan Chihui… Wonderful, Perseus! I didn’t expect to have the chance to settle that score!”

“A score to settle?” Tang Tian blinked, “Eh? Wasn’t it several scores?”

Sima Xiangshan froze, feeling as though a thousand arrows pierced his heart. He finally understood why Shangguan Chihui favored Tang Tian—

Because Tang Tian was even more outrageous than she!

“Indeed! Several scores!” Sima Xiangshan’s eyes brimmed with murderous intent, his voice cold as ice.

Liang Qiu spoke with tranquil detachment, “To have never dueled Miss Chihui is a lifelong regret. Let us all go together.”

Gu Xiaoyu murmured timidly, “I…I’ll go with everyone.”

The elder was utterly dumbfounded. Since when did the Bright Martial Assembly allow recruits to choose their own branch?

Mr. Kong was surprised as well, but smiled, “Young people’s bonds are admirable. The Perseus branch is strong; your talents will not be wasted. If that’s where you wish to go, there’s no problem.”

The elder was astounded—they had come with a mission; what if not a single recruit returned with them…?

He was about to object when he suddenly remembered the head of the Perseus branch was Mr. Kong’s sister. The elder immediately shut up—he knew better.

That terrifying woman!