Talented Beauty and Talentless Trash

"Even the way she walks is elegant~"

"Of course it is! If you were half as perfect as she is, you'd do the same!"

"I don't even care about that. My goddess shall definitely outshine everyone here!"

Song Meiling remained composed as she focused on the altar before her. All eyes were fixed on her, each person eager to witness her remarkable display of talent.

Elder Stonehead was aware of her prestigious lineage as the daughter of Elder Ruyi, so he anticipated something extraordinary from her.

"Alright, hit the altar with your spiritual energy."

He instructed, keeping his words concise.

He knew that Song Meiling's actions would likely surpass any speculation.

Song Meiling chose to use a firm palm instead of a fist, capturing the attention of everyone present. Each movement she made seemed to captivate the onlookers. Only a few disciples weren't excited by every dance of her hair or motion of her hips.

"Hmm…" Song Chen muttered, observing her closely.

『One thing my followers pointed out about this novel is that the women mainly practice a special form of hand-to-hand combat called Spirit Tide Palm. They say it was created by a legendary female cultivator named Li Qingyun.

Basically, it's all about channeling dense spiritual energy through your palms, so when you strike, it's super precise and packs a serious punch.

Unlike regular martial arts, which rely on sheer strength, Spirit Tide Palm focuses more on finesse and control. That's why it's so popular among female cultivators who are agile and quick on their feet.』

Song Chen nodded approvingly.

Gathering the maximum amount of spiritual energy in her palm, Song Meiling struck the altar with force, causing a powerful rumble.

RUUUUUUUUMBLE!

The altar glowed with a bright white light, tearing a hole in the clouds above.

Witnessing this grand spectacle, the spectators were left in awe.

"WHAT?!"

"NO! It can't be!"

"What am I witnessing?!"

"This aura belongs to someone who has opened five spiritual seas!"

"Then how many spiritual seas does she have?!"

Soon after, the altar began to crack and crumble to dust.

"H-, How could this be?! T-, The altar… it's broken!"

"Elder Stonehead, the al-, altar… it's broken!"

But Elder Stonehead needed no narration. He witnessed the spectacle unfold before his eyes.

『That altar should be impossible for anyone at the Spiritual Sea-Opening Realm to break. Even a Qi Gathering cultivator wouldn't make a dent in it! But it just crumbled after that girl hit it… no, I'm pretty sure this is fate at work, maybe… this really is the rise of our Song Scholarly House…』

With cold sweat trickling down his neck, Elder Stonehead quickly jotted down on his scroll and glanced at the disciples, attempting to conceal his astonishment.

"Disciple Song Meiling, six spiritual seas. Qua-, Qualified…"

The entire area fell silent, save for the distant cawing of birds.

It was a silence born from shock.

The disciples were at a loss for words, faced with a peer possessing an emperor-born talent grade!

Only Song Chen and Song Tianyu remained composed, having anticipated such an outcome given their close relationship with Song Meiling.

Elder Stonehead cleared his throat, breaking the tension.

"Ahem!"

He addressed the stunned disciples.

"I will return the accumulated results to Patriarch Scholarly, and in a few days, the rewards will be distributed to those who have earned them. Have a great day, aspiring daoists!"

Despite his inner satisfaction, he maintained his stoic expression.

The disciples dispersed. They were eager to discuss the day's events on their way home. Ye Shan walked with his entourage, reveling in the praise lavished upon him──they fanned him and dressed his robes.

Meanwhile, Song Meiling hurried over to Song Chen.

"Big Bro Chen, did you see me out there?!" she asked, brimming with excitement.

Song Chen grinned, but before he could respond, Song Meiling noticed his troubled expression.

"Hm? What's wrong?"

"Well, uh…"

Before Song Chen could answer, Song Tianyu intervened, addressing Elder Stonehead.

"Elder Stonehead!" he called out.

It prompted the elder to pause and turn back. "Yes?"

Song Tianyu hurried over to Elder Stonehead, who waited with a bored expression.

"Is there a problem?"

The elder asked, clearly uninterested in prolonging the conversation.

He had other matters to attend to.

Song Tianyu pointed towards Song Chen, who stood with Song Meiling in the distance.

"You didn't let him test his spiritual sea…"

Elder Stonehead glanced at Song Chen, his eyebrows raising with mild curiosity. "Ah, Patriarch Scholarly's son?"

Song Tianyu nodded, a smile on his face. "Yes, him."

Elder Stonehead couldn't suppress a chuckle, so his stoic demeanor crumbled into laughter. His laughter boomed across the area, echoing loudly enough to be heard at the base of the hill. It was the sort of laughter one tried to hide but it just kept spurting out.

Song Chen sighed, covering his face with his hand.

"Oh wow, how noble…" he muttered.

After regaining his composure, Elder Stonehead placed a hand on Song Tianyu's shoulder.

"Listen, Tianyu, you're talented, but you're blind to reality. The patriarch's son is a lost cause. Don't waste your energy hoping for a miracle to fall from the heavens and spontaneously make him the martial world's top genius. He's destined for mediocrity."

The elder's words stung, made worse by his amusement.

"Maybe if the altar hadn't broken, he'd have had a chance. But he's not worth the effort. Just talentless garbage."

He chuckled and patted a shocked Song Tianyu on the shoulder before walking away gleefully.

"Ahahaha!"

Perhaps, the "joke" was still on his mind.

Song Meiling glared daggers at Elder Stonehead as he walked away. She was boiling with anger, her frustration ready to erupt like a volcano.

"How dare he speak to you like that, Big Bro Chen! Doesn't he realize you're the patriarch's son?!"

She marched forward, determined to confront the elder.

However, Song Chen grabbed her by the arm and pulled her back.

"Ow!" she yelped, her voice high-pitched with pain.

"Silly girl, don't do anything rash," Song Chen warned calmly, his tone matter-of-fact. For him, this kind of situation was nothing new, so he didn't see the need to make a fuss.

"But, Big Bro Chen, he insulted you! I can't just let it slide!" Song Meiling protested with a voice that carried childlike indignation.

It pained her to hear others speak ill of the person she saw as her future husband. She knew he wasn't incompetent, and she couldn't stand anyone thinking otherwise.

Song Chen shook his head.

"Let's just head home. I'm exhausted."

He forced a yawn to emphasize his point.

Reluctantly, Song Meiling agreed, muttering curses under her breath directed at the elder as she nodded.

"Fine, let's go…" she mumbled begrudgingly.

Song Chen smiled. "Good."

The two turned and began descending the hill.

Meanwhile, Song Tianyu observed their departure, his expression somber.

"I wish there was something I could do to help you…"

He murmured, clenching his fist.

"But for now, I can only watch."

Truly, he wanted the Young Master to keep his birthright.

With a heavy sigh, he adjusted his robes and walked away, his head facing the ground.

･･･

The sun dipped below the Sacred Mountains.

Evening greeted the land.

Song Chen and Song Meiling took their time strolling, mostly because Song Meiling wasn't ready to part ways just yet. Usually, it was because she'd miss him, but this time, she lingered longer because she feared he'd be depressed after enduring another round of shaming from his clan brothers and sisters.

"Yawn~"

Song Chen stretched tiredly, giving the young beauty beside him a side-eye.

"Mei'er, you know you really don't have to escort me home. It's supposed to be the other way around."

Song Meiling shook her head.

"No, no, I just feel like walking Senior Brother home today. Don't worry about it."

She flashed him a warm smile.

Song Chen nodded knowingly──clearly, her intentions were too innocent and pure to hide.

『Silly little girl…』

He chuckled, and they continued walking.

A sudden silence fell between them.

Song Meiling felt a weight on her chest, something she needed to share, and this moment of quiet felt like the right time.

Yet, she hesitated.

"If you've got something to ask, feel free…"

Song Chen said casually.

He could sense something bothering her without even seeing it.

"Uh──?!"

Song Meiling was momentarily shocked but quickly recovered, expecting such insight from her Senior Brother.

"Well..."

She paused and twiddled her thumbs.

"I was wondering if you hated Elder Brother Tianyu."

Song Chen showed no reaction to the question.

"Hate? No, that's like watering a weed in your own garden. Waste of energy. If anything, I'm more disappointed in myself for not being competent enough to earn my birthright."

A casual response free from resentment.

Song Meiling leaned closer to Song Chen, flashing her pretty purple eyes.

"Well I think you're plenty amazing and competent, Big Bro Chen!"

"Hah…"

Song Chen playfully knocked her head, but she took it with a bright grin and a giggle.

"You think everything I do is amazing."

"Because it is!"

The two laughed as they walked home.