Adrian stood quietly with his group, watching as one child after another stepped forward to test their talent.


    Most children showed low-level talent, and their results were announced without much excitement. A few displayed mid-level talent, earning small nods from the elders. Occasionally, a child revealed high-level talent, causing their families to cheer with pride.


    Adrian frowned. "What if someone has a talent stronger than high-level?" he wondered. "Wouldn''t their true potential be wasted if they receive the same training and resources as others with high-level talent? Isn''t that unfair?"


    This thought troubled him. He knew talent was crucial in the cultivation world. If a truly exceptional genius was mixed in with the rest, wouldn''t they be held back?


    Hearing his thoughts, the Cube chuckled in his mind.


    "You''re sharp, Adrian," the Cube said. "But you''re only looking at one side of the situation."


    Adrian raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean? And what if there are talents that the testing stone simply can''t measure?"


    The Cube chuckled again. "Who knows? Maybe they cant . Or maybe they can''t afford these type of stones or there''s another reason."


    "Another reason?" Adrian asked, narrowing his eyes.


    "Benefits," replied the Cube, his tone amused as if waiting for Adrian to piece it together.


    "Benefits? What kind of benefits?" Adrian''s curiosity grew.


    The Cube explained, "Think about it. Our sect is only mid-tier. High-level talents might not be rare in stronger regions, but here they are uncommon. If a genius with talent beyond high-level appears, stronger sects would surely hear about it. Instead of taking them by force, they might offer benefits—resources, techniques, or political backing—in exchange for the disciple."


    Adrian''s face darkened. "That doesn''t sound entirely bad. Wouldn''t our sect gain something in return?"


    "Short-term, yes. But in the long run, if they keep handing over their best talents, how will they ever grow stronger? A mid-tier sect with ambitions won''t stay in the same position forever. By keeping their true geniuses hidden, they avoid external pressure and have a chance to nurture them in secret. In time, they might rise to a high-tier sect on their own."


    Adrian slowly nodded. It made sense. Giving up a rare genius might seem like a good deal now, but it would only keep the sect beneath stronger forces. To climb higher, they must keep their trump cards hidden.


    "Everything in this world has a reason, Adrian. What seems like a disadvantage might actually be a strategy for long-term survival," the Cube added.


    Adrian considered this deeply. He realized that he needed to look beyond the surface and understand the hidden reasons behind things. The world was not black and white—sometimes a rule that seemed unfair actually protected people.


    With this new understanding, he continued watching the talent tests, waiting for his turn.


    Later, as the children gathered again for another round of tests, Adrian observed with calm detachment. Some faces lit up with joy at being declared mid or high-level talents; others turned pale when told they had little talent. He absorbed not only the results but also the reactions around him.


    Finally, an elder called, "Adrian."


    Without hesitation, he stepped forward. His clan members murmured with curiosity—everyone knew he was a bright child, and they wondered how his talent would compare to his reputation.


    When Adrian placed his hand on the talent stone, he felt a gentle warmth spread through his palm. The stone trembled slightly, and moments later, a golden glow burst from its core—indicating high-level talent.


    The elder nodded in satisfaction. "High-level talent. A good seedling."


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    The Eldenwood Clan elders exchanged pleased glances. They had long seen potential in Adrian, and now his talent confirmed it. With high-level talent, he would receive proper resources and a firm place in the sect.


    But something unusual happened—something only the Cube noticed.


    Deep within the talent stone, hidden from plain sight, a faint crack appeared. It was subtle and did not affect the outward test result. Yet the Cube, linked to Adrian, sensed it immediately.


    Adrian withdrew his hand, unaware of the crack. Though he remained calm, he doubted the stone''s limits. If it could only measure up to high-level talent, then his true potential must lie beyond that.


    Later, as the group moved away from the testing area, Adrian spoke to the Cube in his mind.


    "What is my real talent?" he asked.


    The Cube paused, then replied, "Well, since you''ve already entered the cultivation world, I wouldn''t mind explaining it to you. Let''s break down the talent levels, shall we?"


    Adrian listened intently.


    "There are five levels of talent in this world:


    1.Low-Level Talent


    2.Mid-Level Talent


    3.High-Level Talent


    4.Superior Talent


    5.Saint Talent


    You, Adrian, have at least Saint Talent—the highest known level. That means your potential far exceeds most others."


    Adrian''s eyes widened. "At least Saint Talent? So, does that mean I might even be beyond that?"


    The Cube chuckled softly. "Perhaps, but that''s a story for another time. For now, just focus on your journey. The true measure of talent will reveal itself through your actions, not just your title."


    Adrian fell silent, deep in thought. Though he had expected this answer, hearing it only fueled his determination. If the stone couldn''t fully reveal his strength, he would have to prove it through his deeds.


    For now, he would keep this secret. He would not recklessly display his talent, but he would judge the situation carefully and use his strength when it truly benefited him.


    The testing ground buzzed with excitement as the last few children had their talents evaluated. Families whispered about the results—some celebrating with tears of joy, others consoling those who had fallen short.


    Adrian stood quietly, watching as the children were divided. An elder on a raised platform announced in a calm, firm voice, "You have been divided into three groups. Low-level talents will go to a different branch of our sect, while mid-level and high-level talents will join the main sect."


    The crowd stirred. For some, this was welcome news; for others, a painful reminder of their limits. Adrian remained unmoved, confident in his own place.


    Suddenly, a large, floating vessel descended from the sky. Its body was carved with intricate designs that shimmered in the sunlight. It was a Spirit Vessel, used for transportation, and its presence silenced the crowd with awe.


    One by one, the chosen disciples stepped forward to say their goodbyes. Many cried as they hugged their families, reluctant to part. Some parents wiped tears from their eyes, their hopes and dreams riding on their children''s futures.


    Adrian, however, had no parents to bid farewell to. A few Eldenwood Clan elders approached him.


    "You''ve made us proud, Adrian," one elder said, patting his shoulder.


    Another smiled, "Work hard in the sect. With your intelligence and talent, you will go far."


    Adrian nodded. Their words were kind, but he remembered the Cube''s soft voice:


    "Their kindness is not without reason. You are a rare talent in this clan—that is why they treat you well."


    Though his face remained calm, Adrian felt the truth of the Cube''s words. He thought, "Even if they treat me well because of my talent, I must appreciate it. In the end, people value what benefits them. I''ll remember that."


    With a final glance at the elders, he turned and walked toward the Spirit Vessel.


    As he stepped onto the deck, he sensed a change. In that moment, he was no longer just a boy from the Eldenwood Clan—he was now a disciple of the sect.


    The Spirit Vessel soared into the sky, its grand exterior hinting at the vast space within. Inside, the ship was enormous—more like a great hall than a small boat. As the vessel moved steadily through the clouds, the elders gathered the new disciples for a short meeting.


    One of the senior elders spoke in a clear, calm voice, "This vessel is large enough to hold all of you. We have prepared rooms for each disciple—a quiet place to rest and reflect during our journey to the sect. The journey will take six hours, so you have plenty of time to rest. In three hours, gather here again, and I will explain how large the sect is and how it is divided so you can get a general idea."


    The elder then led the group along long, winding corridors lit by soft lanterns. The warm light revealed spacious halls and many comfortable rooms. Adrian''s eyes widened with wonder at the size of the place. Finally, he reached his own room—a simple, cozy space with a low bed, a small desk, and a window that offered a view of the endless sky.


    Adrian stepped inside, his heart pounding with excitement. This room felt like a promise—a first step toward the great sect that awaited him. He carefully placed his few belongings on the shelf and looked around, taking in every detail of the room—from the smooth stone floor to the soft murmur of voices in the corridor.


    He walked to the window and gazed out at the drifting clouds. A gentle smile spread across his face as hope filled his heart. Although he had not yet reached the sect, the vast space of the Spirit Vessel and the comfort of his new room made him feel that his journey was just beginning.


    With the soft hum of the vessel and the distant voices of his fellow disciples in the background, Adrian settled into his room. He closed his eyes, filled with anticipation for the future that awaited him at the sect.


    — — — —