Chapter 24: Radiance of the Blazing Sun

"Old Xu, do you know what this phenomenon is?" asked the attendant official Wang Wu cautiously to his companion.

His companion shook his head and replied, "I'm not quite sure either. I've never seen anything like this before."

"Should we... check the books?" suggested Wang Wu.

"A high-ranking official like us flipping through references in public would be embarrassing, wouldn't it?" his companion replied.

"Well... then should we try contacting Lord Chu?"

"I think... we should check the books!"

As they spoke, the two attendants took out a thick book from their luggage and began rapidly flipping through its pages.

Fortunately, they were relieved that everyone's attention was captivated by Gu Xu and the Heavenly-Origin Stone beside him, and no one noticed their discrete actions.

A few minutes later, the attendant known as "Old Xu" pointed to a passage in the book and said, "Found it!"

The passage read: "The golden crow rises, morning qi abounds. It is a third-stage phenomenon known as the 'Radiance of the Blazing Sun.'"

"Third stage... It's actually the third stage!" exclaimed the other attendant in astonishment. "I never imagined that this frail young man would be a cultivation prodigy like Lord Chu!"

"No wonder Sir Luo attached such importance to this assessment... Sir Luo's divination skills are unparalleled. Perhaps he had foreseen all of this," the attendant speculated.

With this thought, he took a deep breath and announced to the people present in a hoarse voice, "A third-stage phenomenon, the 'Radiance of the Blazing Sun.'"

A commotion erupted.

...

Gu Xu slowly withdrew his right hand.

At this moment, the surface of the Heavenly-Origin Stone was scorching hot.

The intense light instantly vanished, and all things in the world lost their vibrant colors.

The world after the rain returned to a black and white ink painting.

Gloomy, monotonous, and desolate.

Upon hearing the result, Gu Xu's face didn't reveal the expected joy or excitement. Instead, he appeared unusually calm.

For someone with the talent of the [Ill-Fated Genius], this was within his expectations.

In fact, he felt a small sense of disappointment within his heart—

Is this the talent I exchanged half of my lifespan for?

Just like that narcissistic Chu Fengge?

Chu Fengge is already approaching thirty, and he's still only a cultivator at the Fourth Realm.

If my talent is only on par with his, can I truly break through to the Seventh Realm before the age of thirty, even with all my efforts?

He let out a sigh and stopped pondering the uncertain future.

...

Wang Yang immediately approached Gu Xu after the talent assessment and said, "Brother Gu, you are truly an extraordinary person. You remain calm and composed even in the face of such major events. A third-grade talent... It's something I wouldn't dare to dream of!"

"Brother Gu, when you become a prominent figure like Lord Chu in the future, please don't forget us, your brothers! If you don't mind, I can go to your official residence and guard the gate for you!"

Shi Xiaohan also said with a cheerful smile, "Gu Xu, with your talent, you will definitely become a focal point of attention for the Chief of the Bureau. Your official rank will start at the fifth grade. Who knows, in a few years, we may all have to address you as Commander."

Gu Xu smiled and humbly responded, "It's hard to say what the future holds."

Chen Jisheng silently observed the young people without participating in their conversation.

As Gu Xu's unnamed mentor, he knew that this young man possessed a terrifying comprehension ability and aptitude. In just three months, he had comprehended the profound and complex knowledge of talismans, and he could remember and apply the knowledge from the entire library effortlessly. Furthermore, his cultivation speed was astonishing.

Even those prodigies that the great clans and sects were proud of were likely not on the same level.

However, Chen Jisheng also knew that possessing an enviable third-grade aptitude only represented astonishing potential; it didn't guarantee becoming a top-tier expert.

Cultivators absorb Yin and Evil Qi into their bodies, embarking on a path fraught with hardships and dangers.

In the centuries of Great Qi's history, countless geniuses had emerged, but many of them were fleeting, either dying prematurely or fading into obscurity.

Only a few managed to climb to the pinnacle and become legendary figures.

Gu Xu's "small goal" he set for himself—breaking through to the Seventh Realm before the age of thirty—was nothing short of a fantasy.

Thus, upon seeing the dazzling "Radiance of the Blazing Sun," Chen Jisheng felt even more regret for Gu Xu.

He felt that fate had played a huge joke on him—first, it opened a window for him, and then it closed his path.

...

After the aptitude assessment concluded, the promotion assessment temporarily came to an end.

The final and most challenging practical assessment would take place the next day.

"You can rest now," said Xu San and Wang Wu, Chu Fengge's two attendants, to Gu Xu and Ma Qin. "Gather here tomorrow at the same time. We will arrange the practical assessment for you."

Ma Qin timidly raised his hand and asked, "Can I choose to withdraw in advance?"

"Why?" Xu San asked.

"I feel that I'm no match for him," Ma Qin pointed to Gu Xu beside him.

Ma Qin had already deeply realized the meaning of his participation in this assessment—it was merely to serve as Gu Xu's foil, enhancing his exceptional brilliance with his own mediocrity.

He didn't want to endure this humiliation any longer.

"No, as cultivators of Great Qi, we cannot easily admit defeat," Xu San shook his head.

Ma Qin sighed and could only reluctantly agree.

At this moment, he had already lost any aspirations for his desired official position. All he hoped for in tomorrow's assessment was to give his best and have no regrets.

...

Subsequently, Xu San and Wang Wu lifted the heavy Heavenly-Origin Stone and moved it to Chu Fengge's temporary residence at the official inn.

"Old Xu, do you feel like this stone is a bit hot to the touch?" Wang Wu suddenly furrowed his brows, perplexed.

"Indeed," Xu San nodded, agreeing, "I remember it used to be cold to the touch. Now, it feels like it's been in a furnace."

"Could it... could it be a problem?" Wang Wu asked nervously.

"It definitely won't be a problem," Xu San said with absolute confidence. "The Heavenly-Origin Stone is a treasure refined by the high-ranking officials of the Exorcism Department using countless precious materials. It is said to be indestructible. After nearly a hundred years of use, it has never shown any abnormalities."

"Since you say so, then I can rest assured," Wang Wu breathed a sigh of relief.

...

Fifteen minutes later, Xu San and Wang Wu finally brought the Heavenly-Origin Stone to the official inn, panting heavily.

However, just as they placed the Heavenly-Origin Stone on the ground, an unexpected incident occurred—

This treasure, which had been passed down for a hundred years by the Exorcism Bureau and was said to be indestructible, suddenly developed a crack.

Then, with a muffled bang, the Heavenly-Origin Stone shattered into countless pieces, scattering all over the ground.

Wang Wu immediately raised his hands and said, "It wasn't me!"

Xu San also had an innocent expression, "It wasn't me either!"

"If it wasn't you, then who could it be?" a cold voice suddenly came from outside the door.

Hearing this voice, the two attendants turned their heads and immediately bowed, "Greetings, Lord Chu!"

They saw Chu Fengge, an Exorcism Bureau physician and a cultivator at the Fourth Realm, standing outside the door, leaning on a longsword.

His face was bruised and swollen, his hair disheveled, and his body covered in bloodstains. He looked pitiful, far from his former handsome, carefree appearance.

"We didn't see anything, my lord," the two attendants immediately responded.

Witnessing this scene, the two attendants were frightened, thinking: We broke the Heavenly-Origin Stone and saw Lord Chu in such a miserable state... Could he possibly behead us in anger?

...

Footnotes:

(1) "The golden crow rises, morning qi abounds. It is a third-stage phenomenon known as the 'Radiance of the Blazing Sun.'" — From the poem "Poem in Response to King Zhao's Teachings on the Sun" by Meng Kang during the Southern and Northern Dynasties.