This special talent... it couldn't be that it needs to rely on Su Qi to grow, could it

"Thud."

The door closed softly, shutting out everything outside.

That meal just now had left her feeling utterly uncomfortable.

Su Qi’s cautious demeanor, filled with guilt and an eagerness to please, was far more unsettling than his usual carefree or teasing self. It left her completely flustered.

It was almost as if… as if she were the one who had done something wrong.

Damn it!

He was the one who barged into her room without permission!

He was the one who saw… who saw…

Liu Yuan’s cheeks burned again, the heat spreading all the way to her ears.

How mortifying!

Why hadn’t she been more assertive?

At the very least, she should have scolded him a few times!

But what had she done instead?

She’d just muttered, "Who wants to eat your food," and then… then obediently sat down and ate.

And finished every last bite.

So spineless!

……

Liu Yuan walked to the bed and sat down, her body still feeling somewhat weak.

That earlier… experience.

That overwhelming sensation, like fireworks exploding deep in her mind.

Even now, a strange lingering thrill seemed to pulse faintly within her.

Wait…

Liu Yuan frowned slightly.

It wasn’t just a lingering feeling, was it?

Something inside her… felt different.

Not exhaustion, nor that shameful flutter.

But something… subtle.

Like something had…

Awakened?

Liu Yuan froze.

She focused intently on the changes in her body.

An indescribable awareness.

Her senses had sharpened slightly.

There was a faint surge of energy inside her?

This feeling… unfamiliar, yet somehow familiar?

Wait a minute—

Could it be… a special ability?!

It had been a while since she’d broken through to the fourth tier.

All these days, there’d been no sign of a special ability manifesting.

But she hadn’t dwelled on it.

Generally, if no unique energy fluctuations were sensed at the moment of breaking through the fourth tier, it meant one was destined to never awaken a special ability.

This was perfectly normal.

Most people never developed one.

But nothing in the world was absolute.

There were rare cases of "exceptional talents."

Some awakened under intense external stimuli.

For example, someone witnessing their entire family slaughtered might suddenly gain a new power in their rage.

Could it be… that the overwhelming shame and secret excitement she’d just felt… counted as "intense emotional stimulation"?

Liu Yuan’s heartbeat quickened.

If that were true, then… had she actually benefited from this?

Was it really a misfortune?

Or… a blessing in disguise?

No, that didn’t sound right either…

…Ugh, what was she even thinking?!

Liu Yuan shook her head vigorously, trying to dispel the chaotic thoughts.

Yet the strange sensation inside her grew clearer, stronger.

Unable to resist, she raised a hand and placed it against her chest.

The faint energy flow within her became more active, coursing slowly through her limbs.

A tingling, numbing sensation, mixed with an inexplicable… excitement?

Her body felt like a powder keg waiting for a spark, ready to explode at any moment.

This feeling… was so strange.

But also… a little… intoxicating?

Liu Yuan bit her lower lip, hesitation flickering in her eyes.

Should she… try it?

Could she control this energy?

After all, it might very well be her special ability…

Liu Yuan slowly closed her eyes.

She recalled the energy guidance techniques taught at the academy.

First, focus.

Then, sense the energy’s flow, gently coaxing and guiding it with her will…

At first, nothing happened.

The energy inside her continued its sluggish drift.

Liu Yuan felt a pang of disappointment.

Had she been wrong?

Or was the ability not fully activated yet, requiring even stronger stimulation?

No… no more intense stimulation!

She’d literally explode!

Just as she was about to give up—

A tingling sensation shot through her fingertips.

Liu Yuan’s eyes snapped open, locking onto her right hand.

The tip of her index finger glowed with an almost imperceptible… light?

The glow was faint, barely noticeable.

But this time, she could clearly feel it pulsing in sync with her thoughts, flickering like a breath.

And as she concentrated, the glow at her fingertip seemed to… brighten slightly?

So, what would her special ability be?

Enhanced physique? Elemental control? Or…

Yet this energy didn’t resemble any type she knew.

Neither hot nor cold, neither sharp nor heavy.

It didn’t seem like a combat-oriented ability.

Liu Yuan’s brow furrowed again.

After that humiliating experience… surely her ability wouldn’t be…

Her cheeks burned anew.

Don’t tell me it’s… a charm-enhancing or mind-influencing support ability?

As her thoughts spiraled, the glow at her fingertip suddenly dimmed.

The strange energy inside her receded like a tide, settling back into dormancy.

"Huh?"

Liu Yuan blinked.

What happened?

Had the energy depleted?

That couldn’t be—she still felt mentally alert.

She tried guiding it again.

This time, no matter how hard she focused, the energy remained unresponsive, as if asleep.

It was like a seed buried deep within her.

That brief sprouting seemed to have exhausted its stored strength.

It needed… nourishment?

What kind?

Liu Yuan tentatively prodded the "seed" with her will.

No response.

She tried nurturing it with 'source' energy.

Still nothing.

What about mental energy?

Again, no reaction.

Liu Yuan slumped in frustration.

Against her will, Su Qi’s face surfaced in her mind.

If it were her brother, he’d probably know how to…

But in that instant, she felt it—the "seed" inside her quivered faintly.

As if… sensing something it craved.

Liu Yuan: "…"

A ridiculous, almost horrifying thought struck her.

Could it be… that this special ability required Su Qi to activate or grow?

The more she considered it, the more plausible it seemed.

There were indeed rare cases where special abilities needed specific conditions—or even specific people—to function.

If that were true…

Did that mean she’d have to… rely on Su Qi from now on to use or strengthen this ability?