As Xiao Jietian's soul perception swept forward, it detected a palatial structure up ahead. A stream of people was filing into it, suggesting it had just opened.
"It looks like it just opened, and many have already entered. There might be something good inside. Let's hurry and check it out."
Without further ado, he gently took her arm and guided her towards the building.
"Those people probably entered with me."
By the time they reached the entrance, the others had already gone in. They stepped inside as well.
They walked in silence until they arrived at a vast hall. The space was filled with numerous elevated platforms, each occupied by a single person. Nearly thirty young men and women already stood upon them.
As Xiao Jietian and his companion appeared, two more platforms rose from the ground. Understanding the implication, they exchanged a nod and each chose a platform to stand on.
Among the crowd, a young man in black robes and another in purple robes both noticed the woman beside Xiao Jietian.
The black-robed youth's face lit up with joy at the sight of her, but then, seeing the two of them talking and laughing together, a flicker of deeply hidden jealousy flashed in his eyes.
The purple-robed youth, in contrast, visibly relaxed, as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He seemed about to speak.
Suddenly, a deep, mechanical voice echoed through the air.
"Welcome to the Hall of Souls. The assessment will now commence. Those who pass will receive corresponding rewards."
"This assessment is a test of soul talent. Before each of you is a crystal sphere. Place your hand upon it. The colors indicate talent level: red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, purple, and gold."
"Those who reach the cyan level or above will receive a reward. The greater the talent, the greater the reward. Those below cyan will be directly eliminated and receive nothing."
"You may begin."
As the voice faded, a crystal ball materialized before each person.
A crystal ball also floated in front of Xiao Jietian.
This is remarkably similar to those attribute testing devices. I wonder what my soul talent is like.
He examined the crystal ball before him, a faint smile playing on his lips as he murmured to himself.
Not in any hurry to begin, he glanced around at the others. Many had already started, and for a moment, the hall was ablaze with colorful lights, a dazzling spectacle.
After about five breaths, most of the crystal balls had ceased their radiance, their colors now fixed.
Aside from ten individuals who failed to reach cyan, the majority had achieved cyan or above.
The black-robed youth and the purple-robed youth both displayed a deep, profound purple, while Xuan Qingying's crystal ball shimmered with a purple hue tinged with traces of gold.
"Why aren't you testing?"
Xuan Qingying's clear, gentle voice, tinged with a hint of curiosity, reached him.
The black-robed youth nearby heard her soft tone, and a trace of hostility flickered in his eyes. They were fellow disciples, yet he had never heard her speak with such warmth.
"Little brother, are you worried about something? If your talent isn't good, there's no need to fret. Perhaps there are things in this world that can alter one's talent."
The black-robed youth spoke with a facade of gentle concern, but a subtle sneer of disdain lurked at the corners of his mouth.
Hearing his voice, Xuan Qingying's delicate brows furrowed slightly. She could vaguely sense the abnormality in his tone, and even a faint hostility directed at Xiao Jietian.
She cast an apologetic glance at Xiao Jietian. Her impression of the black-robed youth, once that of a friendly and gentle senior brother, plummeted several notches.
Xiao Jietian offered her a slight smile, indicating it was of no consequence.
A mere clown. He's not worth my attention. Seeing the man's posturing, Xiao Jietian could already guess who he was.
He glanced at the black-robed youth, his voice indifferent.
"My talent is none of your concern, brother."
He placed his hand on the crystal ball. Instantly, he felt as if something had swept through his entire being, scanning him completely.
In the next moment, the crystal ball erupted with a dazzling light. It blazed through the colors with blinding speed, shifting from red to purple in less than a single breath and immediately beginning its transformation towards gold.
After a few more breaths, the crystal ball in Xiao Jietian's hand turned a pure, radiant gold. Its brilliant light bathed the entire hall in a golden glow.
*Crack! *
A faint, sharp sound echoed. Tiny fissures began to spiderweb across the surface of the crystal. Xiao Jietian instantly withdrew his hand.
The light slowly receded, the fading golden glow illuminating his calm, composed face, as if this outcome was nothing more than he had expected.
The others stared, slack-jawed and wide-eyed, at the now-golden, slightly cracked crystal ball.
"How is this possible? I've never seen such talent from him!"
"Terrifying… a golden legend…"
For a moment, all attention was fixed on Xiao Jietian. A buzz of excited discussion filled the hall.
"No wonder your soul is so powerful despite your primary cultivation focus. So your talent is this terrifying."
Xuan Qingying was also stunned. She drew a sharp breath, gathering herself, before speaking with a warm smile.
"I never expected your talent to be so extraordinary. This humble girl can only admire and envy you."
She looked at him again, unable to suppress an inward sigh: It seems all the best things in the world belong to him. Peerless appearance, unparalleled talent, and even a strange flame. It's truly maddening how some people have it all.
The purple-robed youth, meanwhile, breathed a silent sigh of relief. He was glad he hadn't spoken out of turn earlier, or he would have offended someone for no reason.
The black-robed youth's face darkened, but he knew the situation was not in his favor. He also understood that his previous actions had clearly displeased the woman. His hand clenched tightly within his sleeve. He forced a smile. "I didn't expect little brother's talent to be so remarkable."
"You flatter me. My talent is merely average. Perhaps, as you said, there are things in this world that can help one improve."
Xiao Jietian looked at him calmly and replied.
Xuan Qingying rolled her eyes at him inwardly. I didn't expect him to be so vengeful… or rather, to exact his revenge so immediately.
"Those who fail to meet the standard are eliminated."
As the mechanical voice fell, those who had not reached cyan were instantly eliminated, vanishing from the hall without a trace.
Then, clusters of light descended before each of the successful participants. Most people glanced at their rewards before quickly storing them in their storage rings.
It was best not to flaunt one's wealth and attract unwanted attention.
Xiao Jietian reached out and took his light cluster. Within was a scroll – a seventh-grade medicinal formula. He barely glanced at it before tossing it directly into his system space.
As everyone received their rewards, the space around them warped, and they were suddenly deposited outside the building.
Just as the assessment concluded, a vortex-like portal materialized before the structure.
"Sister, shall we leave together? I was so worried when I couldn't find you earlier."
Although the purple-robed youth was her brother, his standing within their family was far inferior to hers. If she was the treasured pearl held in the family's palm, he was little more than a beast of burden, driven by the family's whip.
Hearing this, Xuan Qingying did not reply to her brother. Instead, she looked at Xiao Jietian.
"Do you have any plans? This is the final trial here. You can leave anytime now, or wait until the deadline. Would you like to go together?"
The black-robed youth stood nearby, watching her converse with Xiao Jietian. His face grew increasingly ashen.
He felt his beloved slipping further and further away, and the jealousy burning within him made it almost impossible to maintain his composure.
"I have no specific plans. There's still time, so I'll just search for some medicinal herbs. Since you've been reunited with your family, let's part ways here."
Xiao Jietian smiled faintly, his gaze deep and resolute.
"Very well. But remember, if you need anything, come find me."
She lowered her head slightly, a flicker of disappointment crossing her features. But she quickly masked her emotions and nodded gently.