Chapter 134: Talent Level

Chapter 134: Talent Level

The White-robed Figure on the Third Level of the Heavenly Bridge was unimaginably powerful, nearly invincible, giving off an overwhelming sense of superiority.

Ning Xiaochuan’s chest and right shoulder burned with intense pain, blood continuously seeping out and staining his clothes red. Yet, he showed no intention of surrendering, his gaze firm and resolute.

"I have no choice but to go all out!"

Ning Xiaochuan took out the Cold Jade Vial and poured two drops of Martial Venerable's Blood onto the wounds on his right shoulder and chest.

The energy contained within the Martial Venerable's Blood was immense, its Blood Qi scalding and dense. The moment it touched his wounds, it seared his flesh with a sizzling sound.

The high temperature emitted by the Martial Venerable's Blood charred his wounds, sending waves of numbing pain through Ning Xiaochuan’s body, nearly forcing a cry of agony from his lips.

Eventually, the wounds scabbed over, forming a layer of blackened, burnt skin.

"Boom!"

The two drops of Martial Venerable's Blood merged into Ning Xiaochuan’s body, causing his blood to boil as if flames were raging within him. His Meridians surged violently.

The Demonic Sword in his heart began to spin, emitting a sword hum as it absorbed the Martial Venerable's Blood. It then released Martial Arts Profound Qi, which automatically gathered toward Ning Xiaochuan’s brow.

The divine ability "Blazing Sun Scorching the Heavens" was concentrated at his brow. After absorbing the power of the two drops of Martial Venerable's Blood, the ability grew even stronger, its temperature rising higher and higher, as if a furnace now floated within his body.

"Whoosh!"

Tendrils of flame escaped from Ning Xiaochuan’s brow, covering his forehead before enveloping his entire head and then spreading across his body. His hair stood on end, and his skin turned crimson as flames completely encased him.

"Roar!"

Ning Xiaochuan let out a long roar, like a bolt of Heavenly Thunder splitting the sky.

He stomped the ground fiercely, propelling himself forward as he threw a punch toward the White-robed Figure.

"Crack!"

The 30-meter-long greatsword in the White-robed Figure’s hand shattered into ice fragments under Ning Xiaochuan’s punch. His flaming fist struck the White-robed Figure’s chest, sending him flying backward.

Ning Xiaochuan launched himself again, stomping down on the White-robed Figure’s chest.

The White-robed Figure lay on the ground, forming a three-meter-wide, thirty-centimeter-thick ice shield with his palms to block Ning Xiaochuan’s foot.

"Crash!"

Flames burned on Ning Xiaochuan’s leg as he pressed down on the ice shield with all his strength, his eyes like two fiery stones locked onto the White-robed Figure.

"Whoosh!"

A golden flame shot out from his brow, shattering the ice shield.

The White-robed Figure struck Ning Xiaochuan’s sole with his palm, sending him flying backward.

The White-robed Figure stood up from the ground, staring at Ning Xiaochuan mid-air, and shouted, "Ice and Snow World!"

The temperature in the air plummeted rapidly. White snowflakes materialized out of thin air, suspended in the void, emitting a chilling Cold Qi. Each snowflake was the size of a palm, with six crystalline petals.

"Swish! Swish! Swish!"

A blizzard of snowflakes shot toward Ning Xiaochuan, carrying a sharp, murderous intent.

"Blazing Sun Scorching the Heavens!"

A beam of light shot from Ning Xiaochuan’s brow as he raised his hands, forming a fiery disk. The beam and the disk merged together before he thrust his palm toward the White-robed Figure.

"Boom!"

The snowflakes in the sky melted instantly, turning into mist.

A massive flaming palm strike emerged from the disc, stretching over 20 meters to slam down on the White-robed Figure's head, engulfing his entire body in flames and pinning him mercilessly under its force.

Ning Xiaochuan moved in an instant, appearing right in front of the White-robed Figure, their bodies nearly touching.

The White-robed Figure struggled against the flaming palm strike pressing down on his head, his entire body ablaze, his skin charred black. Yet, despite Ning Xiaochuan standing right before him, he lacked the strength to retaliate.

"It's over."

A beam of light shot from Ning Xiaochuan’s brow, shattering the White-robed Figure’s skull.

With a thud, the figure collapsed to the ground.

The White-robed Figure’s body was completely incinerated by the flaming palm strike, reduced to nothing but scattered black ashes.

Ning Xiaochuan finally let out a sigh of relief, withdrawing all the flames back into his body. Pain and scorching agony radiated from every inch of his being, his meridians feeling as though they had been torn apart.

"This fight was worth it. Though I nearly burned myself to death, I seized the chance to refine my fifth divine ability, Blazing Sun, to Great Perfection. And I’ve also cleared the Third Level of the Heavenly Bridge."

Through this battle, Ning Xiaochuan had reached the peak of the Fifth Level of the Divine Body Realm, with the Sixth Divine Source emerging within him. Breaking through to the Sixth Level of the Divine Body Realm was now within sight.

"Congratulations on clearing the Third Level of the Heavenly Bridge."

On the Heavenly Bridge, the third pillar of light rose.

Boom!

By the bridge, all the martial artists were stunned.

Ning Xiaochuan had done it—he had cleared the Third Level of the Heavenly Bridge, matching Ming Yang’s achievement, and possibly even surpassing him.

"Ning Xiaochuan has cleared the Third Level of the Heavenly Bridge while only at the Fifth Level of the Divine Body Realm. This means his talent surpasses Ming Yang’s, and his potential is even greater," Princess Lanfei murmured, her beautiful eyes shimmering with amusement as she gazed at the third pillar of light.

She thought that recruiting Ning Xiaochuan as her consort might truly be an excellent choice. With his potential, his future accomplishments would be limitless.

After recovering most of his injuries, Ning Xiaochuan continued forward along the Heavenly Bridge. After an indeterminate amount of time, he finally encountered the fourth White-robed Figure.

This figure looked identical to the previous three, but his cultivation was far more formidable, exuding an aura Ning Xiaochuan couldn’t even begin to fathom.

He stood upon the bridge, his body radiant like the sun, exerting immense pressure.

Before him, Ning Xiaochuan felt like an ant staring up at a towering mountain.

"This year’s newcomers are indeed stronger than those of previous years. You are the second student to make it this far, which means your talent is at least at the 'Once-in-a-Century Talent' level, possibly even 'Once-in-Two-Centuries Talent,'" the White-robed Figure said.

Ning Xiaochuan asked, "Talent has ranks?"

The White-robed Figure replied, "Naturally, talent is categorized. There are ordinary geniuses, supreme geniuses, and God-Sealing Geniuses."

"Ordinary geniuses are divided into: One-in-a-Thousand, One-in-a-Million, and One-in-a-Hundred-Million."

"Supreme geniuses are divided into: Once-in-a-Century Talent, Once-in-a-Millennium Talent, and Once-in-Ten-Millennia Talent."

"As for God-Sealing Geniuses—they belong only to legend. It is said they are reincarnations of deities, possessing heaven-defying talent capable of sealing gods. They are young divinities walking among mortals."

"Among the new students, those who can pass the first level of the Heavenly Bridge belong to the 'One-in-a-Million Talent' category. In previous years, each cohort might only produce one such outstanding individual, and sometimes not even one."

"Those who can pass the second level of the Heavenly Bridge among the new students reach the 'One-in-a-Hundred-Million Talent' level."

"However, whether it's One-in-a-Million or One-in-a-Hundred-Million, they can only be considered ordinary geniuses. New students who can pass the third level of the Heavenly Bridge reach the pinnacle of genius, possessing at least a 'Once-in-a-Century Talent.'"

"Ming Yang, who arrived here before you, has a Once-in-a-Century Talent. Yet, despite being two cultivation realms lower than him, you’ve managed to reach this point. This means you possess a 'Once-in-Two-Centuries Talent,' twice his innate potential."

Ning Xiaochuan asked curiously, "Can talent be quantified?"

"Talent can indeed be quantified, but assessing a person’s talent isn’t easy. It requires specific instruments for accurate evaluation. Take the Heavenly Bridge, for example—you can consider it a Mystic Artifact, one designed to test a martial artist’s innate potential."

Ning Xiaochuan said, "If talent can be summarized numerically, does that mean it isn’t fixed at birth? Can one improve their talent through hard work in the later stages of life, enhancing their natural gifts?"

"Since it’s called 'talent,' there is naturally 'innate talent' and 'acquired talent.' With enough effort, one’s talent can improve, even surpassing so-called natural prodigies," the White-robed Figure replied.

Though Ning Xiaochuan’s current talent was already high, reaching the "Once-in-Two-Centuries" level, there were still those with Once-in-Three-Centuries Talent, Once-in-Four-Centuries Talent… even Once-in-a-Millennium or Once-in-Ten-Millennium Talents in the world.

After all, the Yulan Empire was just one nation. Beyond it lay a much vaster world. While Ning Xiaochuan’s talent might be considered top-tier within the Yulan Empire, elsewhere, it might not even be noteworthy.

The higher one’s talent, the greater their potential, allowing them to journey further along the martial path.

Naturally, Ning Xiaochuan wished to enhance his own talent and asked, "Then how can one increase their talent?"

"I cannot tell you how to improve your talent—you must find the answer yourself. But I can tell you this: once your cultivation reaches the Respect Realm, your talent will solidify and no longer grow."

"The Divine Body Realm (also known as the Transcendent Realm) and the Transcendent Realm are the two best stages to alter one’s talent. Once you surpass the mundane, changing your talent becomes as difficult as reaching the heavens," the White-robed Figure said.

Ning Xiaochuan replied, "Thank you for your guidance."

"It’s rare for the Emperor’s Martial Palace to produce a Once-in-Two-Centuries Talent. Speaking a few extra words with you is only fitting," the White-robed Figure said.

Ning Xiaochuan asked, "Then how high must one’s talent be to meet the Master of the Martial Palace?"

A significant reason Ning Xiaochuan had come to the Emperor’s Martial Palace was to meet the "Master of the Martial Palace"—the master of both the Jade Emperor and the Great Golden Roc King.

"The Master of the Martial Palace has been in seclusion for many years and does not meet any outsiders. Unless your talent reaches the level of a Once-in-Eight-Centuries Talent and you can ring the Heavenly Bell, only then might the Master of the Martial Palace awaken from his seclusion and personally receive you," said the White-robed Figure.

"I will work hard," Ning Xiaochuan replied.

The White-robed Figure continued, "Then, do you still wish to challenge the fourth level of the Heavenly Bridge? However, I must warn you—with your current cultivation at the Fifth Level of the Divine Body Realm, unless you possess the talent of a Once-in-Three-Centuries Talent, you will not be able to pass my test. Otherwise, if I strike, I can kill you in a single move."

Ning Xiaochuan knew the White-robed Figure spoke the truth. Though he longed to attempt the challenge, he ultimately restrained himself and turned away, leaving the Heavenly Bridge.