Insidious Intent

In the grand shadow of the Emperor Star Monuments, the cream of the crop gathered on the stone seats, their presence captivating the attention of every student around.

A spirited figure at the forefront of the monument couldn't help but burst into laughter. "Would you believe it, folks? Just a measly month left till the year's end. Coming together here with all my talented siblings, sharing our growth in the art of cultivation, and swapping secrets - it's like living the dream, ain't it?"

"Senior Qiu, your words do you justice. Simply being in your esteemed company is a stroke of good fortune," someone chimed in politely.

Qiu Mo, the powerful figure in question and one of the famed 10 prodigies from Emperor Star Academy, graciously acknowledged the compliment. He was the 4th among these elites. On the surface, he appeared to be 18 or 19 years old, an epitome of scholarly refinement with a warm, approachable demeanor.

Curiosity brimming, Qin Wentian leaned over to Luo Huan and inquired, "Who's the other one?"

Luo Huan replied in hushed tones, "That would be the gentleman standing right next to Qiu Mo. His name's Jiang Xiu, ranked 10th among the 10 prodigies in the Royal Capital. But, let me tell you, you can't underestimate any of those prodigies. They're the crème de la crème of young talents in the Royal Capital, and their cultivation levels are on the cusp of breaking into the Yuanfu realm. Their martial prowess far outstrips their peers."

She continued, "The rankings among these prodigies can change after the Jun Lin Banquet, without a doubt."

As Qiu Mo took the lead in the conversation, he turned his attention to a more mature-looking youth named Luo Cheng. Though not that old, he exuded a gravity beyond his years and a wild intensity in his eyes.

The Asura Faction, notorious for their ruthlessness and dedication to self-improvement, had a reputation for sending their disciples into the unforgiving Dark Forest for extended periods, showing no regard for their own lives. This training made them exceptionally formidable in combat.

Qiu Mo broke the silence, asking, "Luo Cheng, you've been hidden in the Asura Faction for the past year. We haven't seen much of you. Your skills must have seen a significant boost. Would you care to share your experiences and spar with us?"

Luo Cheng's calm response sent a shiver through the audience.

Last year, he had reached the peak of the 6th level of cultivation. Rumor had it that he had now ascended to the 8th level, boasting unparalleled combat abilities.

"I'm game," a brave soul stepped forward, and all eyes fell upon him. Mountain, the chosen contender, strode to the center of the stone stage, glancing at Luo Cheng. "Let's see just how far you've come."

Luo Huan couldn't help but shout, "Mountain, be careful!"

With a grin, Mountain nodded to Luo Huan and Qin Wentian, ready for the challenge.

Curiosity got the better of Qin Wentian. He asked Luo Huan, "What's Mountain's cultivation level now?"

"Peak of the 8th level," Luo Huan replied.

Luo Cheng rose from his seat and approached Mountain. An astral light gathered into a formidable saber in his hand, sending icy shivers through the air.

Boom! Luo Cheng surged forward, a veritable beast in motion. His body descended as his mighty saber cleaved through the void, leaving a trail of frosty brilliance in its wake.

Mountain's fist rocketed forward, as unyielding as steel, to meet the saber's challenge.

Yet, in a lightning-quick maneuver, Luo Cheng's saber veered, aiming straight for Mountain's throat. The audience, despite the sun still gracing the sky, couldn't help but shiver as a chilling atmosphere descended upon them.

The blade's icy edge sent a shiver down everyone's spine.

"Talk about an unpredictable saber! Senior Mountain's got his work cut out for him," Qin Wentian whispered with an air of concern.

Indeed, after a few rounds of combat, Mountain was visibly fatigued. His blows were as powerful as his opponent's, if not stronger, yet Luo Cheng's saber techniques were enigmatic and impossible to predict. They bore a hint of murderous intent, as though they existed only to take lives.

A swift flash, and both fighters paused. The menacing saber vanished, leaving Mountain standing beside Luo Cheng, admitting defeat with a simple, "I'm done for."

A few strands of hair drifted down from Mountain's head. He trembled as he recollected their final clash. If Luo Cheng had tweaked the angle of his attack just slightly, Mountain's life would have been forfeit.

"You lack finesse in your attacks. Your innate techniques lack your own unique insights," Luo Cheng commented, resuming his seat with an air of calm authority.

"Many thanks for the lesson," Mountain replied, his smile indicating he wasn't too fazed by the loss.

In that moment, Qin Wentian grasped the essence of these gatherings. The exchange of pointers among prodigies, the chance to learn from others' experiences, and to uncover one's own vulnerabilities. These were lessons not found in ordinary classrooms but etched into experience.

"Absolutely. Our predecessors created these innate techniques. But why can't we infuse them with our own creativity and insights? Luo Cheng's sabre techniques clearly echo his personal insights. The insights honed on the brink of death and during intense training hold immense killing power," Qin Wentian reflected, remembering his own Divine Inscription painting – a peak he strived for but hadn't yet reached.

Soon, other elites took the stage, each displaying their distinctive styles.

One youth pushed their Arterial Circulation to the limit, turning every part of their body into a weapon. Qin Wentian realized that every participant had something unique to offer – lessons he was eager to absorb.

Offstage, the remaining students watched their senior peers' sparring intently. This was a golden opportunity, hard to come by.

Onstage, Qiu Mo's gaze fixed on Qin Wentian. A smile curved his lips as he commented, "Junior Brother Qin, your talent is exceptional. A 3rd-level divine inscriptionist at such a tender age, your fame echoing throughout Chu Country. Any thoughts on sharing your insights with your senior martial siblings?"

As a first-year student, Qin Wentian was the sole newcomer on the stage, surrounded by more experienced elites.

"Compared to everyone here, my cultivation is rather shallow. I wouldn't dare presume to share my experiences. I'm content observing and learning," Qin Wentian replied with humility. His modesty wasn't just courtesy; he genuinely believed he had much to learn before seeking guidance from these elite seniors.

"Junior Brother, you underestimate yourself. Advancing from Body Refinement to the 6th level of Arterial Circulation in just a year is remarkable. But even more impressive is your mastery of Divine Inscriptions. Weapon forging usually takes ages to master, yet you've soared to such heights. It's evident that you're talented in both cultivation and inscription arts. Your modesty is unwarranted," Qiu Mo complimented, his elegance undiminished.

"Perhaps it's because my first Astral Soul is a forging-type, giving me an edge in Divine Imprints. Plus, a bit of luck helped me along the way," Qin Wentian responded calmly.

"I understand, but let me remind you, Junior Brother, that cultivation isn't a walk in the park. This world still values absolute strength above all else. Divine Inscriptions are significant, but they can consume a substantial chunk of your cultivation time. If you dive too deep into them, your martial heart might lose its purity, leading you astray from your intended path," Qiu Mo advised, his tone a mix of guidance and concern.

He continued, "In the realm of cultivation, countless prodigies have fallen by the wayside. Some hit insurmountable bottlenecks after breakthroughs and never progress further. Others appear to advance rapidly but eventually plateau because their martial hearts lack resolve."

Qiu Mo's words carried the air of a senior instructing a junior, but there was an undercurrent of something unsettling. His praise for Qin Wentian's remarkable talent should have been more straightforward. Yet, his cautionary words seemed to imply that Qin Wentian might become one of those fallen geniuses.

Many in the audience picked up on the hidden meanings. Qiu Mo's honeyed words concealed a subtle, perhaps deliberate, hostility towards Qin Wentian. It was a masterclass in passive aggression.

Qin Wentian wasn't naive; he sensed that something was amiss. However, he couldn't fathom why Qiu Mo would harbor ill will towards him. They had never interacted before, so what could have caused this apparent animosity?

But he chose not to confront Qiu Mo openly in front of everyone. Instead, he replied with a casual laugh, "I appreciate your advice, Senior."

"It would be wonderful if you heed it," Qiu Mo nodded with a hint of condescension. He continued, "Being a 17-year-old 3rd level Divine Inscriptionist, you're the first in Chu Country. Undoubtedly, you've had a fortunate encounter that allowed you to obtain several 3rd level Divine Imprints, which led to your achievements today. But in the path of cultivation, one shouldn't rely too heavily on chance. Dedication and hard work are paramount."

If the doubts in Qiu Mo's first statement were subtle, his intentions were crystal clear now. His words insinuated that Qin Wentian's qualifications were questionable. First, he claimed that no other 17-year-old in Chu's history had achieved what Qin Wentian had. Then, he suggested that Qin Wentian's 3rd level Divine Imprints might not be of his own creation but obtained through some stroke of luck.

In milder terms, he was questioning Qin Wentian's credentials. In harsher terms, he was making a venomous accusation.

The legendary 3rd level Divine Inscription painting featuring a never-before-seen human-type Divine Imprint - how many such Divine Imprints had Qin Wentian gained through his fortunate encounter?

Within the academy, this might be manageable. However, if word of this spread beyond the academy's walls, how many factions would covet Qin Wentian's Divine Imprints, potentially putting him in grave danger?

Qin Wentian's brows knitted deeply. Beside him, Luo Huan wore a troubled expression. The malicious intent in Qiu Mo's words was too blatant to ignore.