Chapter 124: Snowfall

“Don’t be nervous.”

The Master of the Prayer Hall looked at Jiang Jian with gentle eyes. “Your Qi is extremely pure.”

“I haven’t seen such solid spiritual essence in a very long time.”

As he spoke,

the sleeve of his star-patterned robe brushed past, releasing faint light that settled on Jiang Jian’s fingers.

The Master of the Prayer Hall spoke again: “Demonstrate your talent.”

“Alright.”

Jiang Jian nodded.

With a thought, a wisp of moon-white flame spread forth.

Karmic Fire is too terrifying.

Jiang Jian did not unleash the full Karmic Fire here.

Instead, he used his soul to split off its origin, using only a fragment for testing.

After all,

a Level 5 talent is a prodigy of critical importance across all seventy surface prefectures.

A Level 6 talent, however, is an extremely dangerous target!

The former appears occasionally in every prefecture.

In Hanjiang Prefecture, this year’s new recruits produced two at once!

The latter is rare beyond compare.

Across the seventy surface prefectures, one appears only once every few decades.

Yet the disparity in resources allocated between the two is negligible.

Because the seventy surface prefectures already have a complete cultivation system for Level 5 talents.

Chang’an Prefecture is the advanced training ground for Level 5 talents.

Level 6 talents must also go to Chang’an Prefecture for training.

Their resource allocation is not much greater than that of Level 5 talents.

But the pressure they face is countless times greater!

The only difference between the two

lies in their potential for growth.

The Earth Alliance’s resources can no longer fundamentally interfere with the cultivation of a Level 6 talent.

And unlike Level 5 talents,

once a Level 6 talent emerges,

it immediately draws massive attention!

Much of it comes from beyond Earth.

Although the Earth Alliance has long been sealed tight,

there are still sporadic infiltrations across the Earth-Moon Four Realms.

Jiang Jian’s sole goal is this:

to reach the Spirit Platform realm before his soul shatters, and fight to survive.

Exposing himself like this brings far more harm than benefit—and could invite danger.

Jiang Jian absolutely will not do it.

After all,

a Level 6 talent sounds far too terrifying.

It could prompt extraterrestrial forces to expend immense effort, at all costs, to crush it in its infancy!

Because once, on Earth,

there was a Level 6 talent who fully matured.

He slaughtered hundreds of millions of Saturnian lifeforms and severed an entire chunk from Saturn’s rings!

The reason Earth’s ring could be rebuilt

was not only due to Neptune’s “Planetary Covenant,”

but also because that fragment of Saturn’s ring was immensely significant!

Yet,

after Earth’s ring was rebuilt,

a terrifying lifeform from Saturn emerged and ruthlessly crushed the Earth’s ring beyond the Moon’s orbit!

That event became a disgrace to the Earth-Moon Four Realms.

Since then,

Saturn’s rings have expanded wildly, and Spirit Platform lifeforms have emerged in endless numbers, growing immensely powerful!

Meanwhile, the Earth-Moon Four Realms have barely maintained a thin ring, their cultivation landscape steadily decaying.

“Excellent.”

The Master of the Prayer Hall gathered the flame, and the faint light scattered.

On the holographic screen,

countless beings from both prefectures held their breath, watching intently.

The moon-white flame merged with the faint light.

Finally, it vanished entirely.

The cliff by the waterside was utterly silent.

The Master of the Prayer Hall nodded and whispered: “Level 5 talent, Art: Karmic Fire.”

As soon as he spoke,

Jiang Wenjian’s expression confirmed what he had expected.

Many officials from Linjiang Prefecture also showed excitement, whispering among themselves.

Clearly,

this outcome was not surprising.

They had long believed the testing equipment in the lower cities and counties had malfunctioned.

On the Whale-Ray vessel, Zhang Jian slammed his fist hard against the table, heart pounding.

“It really is a Level 5 talent!”

Level 5 talents are exceedingly rare!

Chang’an Prefecture has long had a decree:

whenever a Level 5 talent emerges in any of the seventy surface prefectures,

once they reach the Gushing Spring realm, they must be sent to Chang’an Prefecture for advanced training!

Once a Level 5 talent is confirmed,

their home prefecture receives massive rewards!

At this moment,

the forum still had little discussion.

Anyone with eyes could see Jiang Jian was unquestionably a Level 5 talent.

Almost everyone waited in silence,

awaiting the most crucial bloodline test to come next.

“Student Jiang Jian, where are you from?”

The Master of the Prayer Hall swept his sleeve lightly as he performed the technique, asking.

Jiang Jian replied: “Anhezhou, Guangling City.”

“Anhezhou lies in the corner of Linjiang Prefecture, a very poor place,” the Master smiled. “How many people are in your family?”

Jiang Jian said: “I was raised in a public care center. My family consists only of me and my sister.”

“Your sister—is that the girl who spoke to you last during the combat?”

The Master said, “She’s truly beautiful. Within both prefectures, only that girl matches her in bone structure and appearance.”

Jiang Jian did not ask who the girl was, only smiled and said: “Thank you.”

As he spoke,

the Master of the Prayer Hall retracted his sleeve, gathered the faint light, and nodded gently. “The test is complete.”

Under countless gazes,

the Master of the Prayer Hall turned, stepped into the air, and rose. His robes shimmered with a brilliant river of stars, radiating magnificent light.

“Blood sample extracted by the Linjiang Prefecture Prayer Hall,”

the Master ascended the floating platform and stood beside the Hanjiang Prefect, speaking softly before all eyes.

“Linjiang Prefecture, Anhezhou, Guangling City.”

“Jiang Jian.”

He paused briefly, then continued.

“Bloodline: Earth Human!”

The Master swept his sleeve, and a vial of blood materialized, hovering before him!

On the holographic screen, the camera instantly zoomed in!

The blood sample’s details appeared clearly before everyone’s eyes!

“It’s definitely human!”

“Of course it is! What ‘Jupiter spirit’? Liu Yanshou is just spouting nonsense!”

“Liu Yanshou is disgusting!”

“Director Liu of this Hanjiang Mansion is deliberately provoking people!”

“I think he’s the Jupiter spirit himself!”

“It’s not impossible!”

“With his level of cultivation, how could he possibly be?”

“Hahaha!”

……

On the two-mansion forums, comments flooded the screen once again!

But.

This time, the comments were overwhelmingly one-sided!

Countless people denounced Liu Yanshou, nearly turning him into a sieve of insults!

On the floating terrace of Hanjiang Mansion.

Liu Yanshou glanced around and sensed many hostile glances; he instinctively shrank back.

The next moment, after a brief pause, he stepped forward, his eyes filled with regret: “My lord, it is all my fault—Hanjiang Mansion has lost so many resources.”

“No harm done,” the Hanjiang Mansion lord chuckled. “Every new prodigy emerging in the Earth-Moon Four Realms is a good thing.”

Liu Yanshou immediately showed admiration: “My lord, your heart holds mountains and seas—truly magnanimous! Your vision is far beyond anything I could ever match!”

Far away.

On the floating terrace of Linjiang Mansion.

Jiang Wenjian stared at Liu Yanshou and called out loudly: “Director Liu, what do you have to say now?”

Liu Yanshou looked embarrassed and forced a smile: “Congratulations to Linjiang Mansion on producing a Level-5 Talent prodigy!”

“And one of the rarest types: the Art Talent!”

He nearly spat out the last sentence.

The Hanjiang Mansion lord waved his hand: “Enough.”

Liu Yanshou fell silent and stepped back.

Even Jiang Wenjian softened his expression and asked respectfully: “Hanjiang Mansion lord, regarding the previous wager…”

The Hanjiang Mansion lord spoke softly: “Are you questioning me?”

Hearing this,

Jiang Wenjian’s expression hardened, and he grew even more deferential: “I would never!”

The Hanjiang Mansion lord said nothing.

Instead, he lifted his gaze toward the white-haired elder standing motionless above the sea cliff.

Under his gaze,

Elder Gui forced a smile; his earlier arrogance had vanished entirely. He bowed and spoke carefully: “Little spirit greets my lord—may my lord be well!”

The Hanjiang Mansion lord said: “Announce the results.”

“Little spirit obeys!”

Elder Gui replied promptly.

The next moment,

he cleared his throat and turned around.

His snow-white hair and beard fluttered in the wind, exuding an aura of a master.

“I declare,”

“For the Two-Mansion Dao Discourse, first-year squad combat,”

“The winner is Jiang Jian’s combat squad!”

“Member: Jiang Jian!”

“He crushed over one hundred thousand new students and claimed the top rank!”

“Authorized jointly by the two mansion administrations and the two mansion Prayer Temples,”

“They jointly bestow upon Jiang Jian the title:”

“Scholar-Head of the Two Mansions!”

As he spoke, Elder Gui swept his sleeve!

Boom!

The holographic screen trembled violently!

The names of the hundred thousand new students vanished!

Golden light surged and wove together, forming a brilliant line of golden characters:

“Scholar-Head of the Two Mansions, Jiang Jian!”

At the same time,

Jiang Jian’s identity device buzzed with dozens of notifications in rapid succession!

Each notification glowed with golden light!

Some mansion officials, who could not yet fly, descended in small aerial shuttles and landed before Jiang Jian, gesturing respectfully:

“Please, Scholar-Head, accompany me to meet the Deputy Mansion Lord!”

Jiang Jian followed the official onto the aerial shuttle.

The holographic screen slowly dimmed.

The live broadcast of the Two-Mansion Dao Discourse was temporarily suspended.

It would resume only during the individual combat segment.

A dozen seconds later,

The shuttle pierced through the clouds and landed on Linjiang Mansion’s floating terrace.

“Scholar-Head, please proceed,”

the official opened the hatch, smiling broadly.

Jiang Jian descended the ramp and walked to the table.

Dozens of high-ranking mansion officials sat there.

At the head seat sat the Deputy Mansion Lord of Linjiang Mansion.

Jiang Wenjian.

“No wonder you’re Scholar-Head of the Two Mansions!”

Jiang Wenjian studied Jiang Jian closely, his eyes filled with approval, and extended his hand first.

Jiang Jian, sleeves folded, lightly shook his hand: “Jiang Mansion lord.”

Jiang Wenjian laughed: “No need for such formality.”

He turned and retrieved a list.

“These are the rewards for the Scholar-Head of the Two Mansions.”

“Also,”

Jiang Wenjian handed the list to Jiang Jian: “You possess a Level-5 Talent: Art.”

“Today, I will report to higher authorities and attempt to secure a Level-5 resource package for you!”

“The resources inside are immense!”

Jiang Jian stepped forward and accepted the list: “Thank you, Jiang Mansion lord.”

Jiang Wenjian nodded, his tone gentle: “I heard your sister attends Anhe Academy. Would you like me to transfer her to Linjiang Academy?”

Jiang Jian paused, then said: “Jiang Mansion lord, I must consult her opinion before making any transfer.”

“You can transfer anytime,” Jiang Wenjian smiled. “As a Level-5 Talent, the mansion will register your records—you hold many privileges within the mansion’s territory.”

As he spoke,

Jiang Wenjian suddenly frowned and asked: “By the way, your original household registration has been lost, which hinders your application for the Level-5 resource package.”

“The mansion has found that your guardian once appeared and signed a Divine Oath Contract on your behalf.”

“It was the marriage contract between you and Zhao Jianxue of the Zhao family.”

“But the contract only lists you and Zhao Jianxue; the Prayer Temple’s records contain only the two of you.”

“Therefore,”

“The mansion cannot locate any information regarding your guardian.”

Jiang Wenjian’s expression grew slightly stern: “I urge you to recall any memories concerning your guardian.”

“Otherwise,”

“Your Level-5 resource package may be delayed.”

“It might not be issued for years.”

Hearing this,

Jiang Jian frowned slightly.

A few seconds later.

Jiang Jian shook his head slightly and said, “Director Jiang, since I can remember, I’ve lived in the Public Care Center—I have no memories of any guardian.”

Jiang Wenjian was not surprised; he nodded and said, “Good. When you were very young, the Public Care Center was still under the Shadow Zone’s administration.”

“If it had been a few years later, and the center had been contracted to non-citizens, you might not have survived to grow up.”

Jiang Jian smiled.

Not far away.

An official opened the hatch, his voice filled with delight: “Deputy Director, we found her!”

“I’ve brought her here!”

“She says she once saw a photo of the Learning Head’s guardian at Grandfather’s place!”

“The Level 5 resource package—there’s hope now!”

Hearing this,

Jiang Wenjian smiled and hurried over: “Where is she? Bring her at once for questioning!”

Jiang Jian felt something stir within him.

He turned his head in the same direction.

Below the gangway,

a young woman stood quietly in a plain dress, gazing directly at him.

Her attire was simple.

Yet her gaze was clear and calm.

Zhao Jianxue.

(End of Chapter)