Limited Natural Talent

It was afternoon.

Though it was time for school to let out and for lunch to be served, none of the children had left. Instead, they gathered outside the courtyard gate, waiting in hushed anticipation for the verdict from within.

Even the usual mischief-makers dared not peek through the cracks in the door.

After all, the Old Clan Leader himself was gracing the courtyard with his presence at this very moment.

This legendary Martial Spirit expert was a god-like existence in Qinghe Town. The children viewed him with nothing but absolute awe, suppressing their natural curiosity.

Considering that today’s outcome concerned their teacher, they were even more nervous and obedient. They waited sensibly outside the schoolhouse, praying fervently that Mr. Yi would be accepted under the Old Clan Leader's wing.

While the scene outside the door was tense and hushed, the atmosphere inside the courtyard was exceedingly peaceful.

The white-haired elder, hale and hearty, sat quietly by the wooden table, stroking his beard as he sized up the man before him.

His shrewd eyes scrutinized the youth for several breaths, and he pondered for a long time, yet he could discern nothing special about the young man sitting across from him. He possessed nothing more than the mediocre root bone of a mortal.

It was no exaggeration to say that such aptitude was considered inferior even within Qinghe Town.

Even so, the old man revealed no sign of disdain; his face remained adorned with a gentle smile.

He nodded and spoke in a friendly tone.

"Hmm, not bad."

"Mr. Yi, you have handsome features and a refined demeanor. I have heard a little of your recent conduct, and seeing you today confirms that you are indeed a well-read scholar."

He opened with praise, displaying none of the arrogance of a superior being nor the posturing of a Martial Spirit expert. He seemed more like a kindly elder or relative, his eyes gleaming with benevolence, appearing to highly value Yi Feng, the town's only schoolteacher.

Only then did he reveal the hard truth.

"However..."

"You seem to have passed the age of twenty. Your root bone is set, and your spiritual potential is limited. Unless you were to use a supreme-grade Body Tempering Pill to defy the heavens and change your fate, there might be a slim chance."

"Regrettably, Body Tempering Pills are far too precious. Only certain great clans and noble families might possess them. Even this old man is powerless in that regard."

"If you were to step onto the path of immortality, I fear you would struggle to achieve greatness. It would not be a wise move."

The "facts" stated by the old man were a bit stinging, but coming after his praise, they were somewhat easier to swallow. His high emotional intelligence was on full display, evidence of his rich life experience.

Both logically and emotionally, his words were impeccable.

Yi Feng listened calmly and did not respond immediately. However, Wei Xiaowei, standing by the table, looked anxious. She quietly leaned in, bowing nervously.

"Old Clan Leader, this..."

She had barely spoken when the old man caught her expression. He smiled and waved his hand.

"No rush, no rush."

"Although he is ill-suited for the path of immortality, with my guidance, learning a few self-defense techniques will be a simple matter. In the future, should he accidentally encounter a demonic beast, he will be able to protect himself."

"And as long as he remains in Qinghe Town, the entire town will ensure his safety."

Receiving such a promise, Wei Xiaowei finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Glancing back and seeing that Yi Feng had remained silent for some time, she deliberated for a moment before leaning in to whisper words of comfort with a smile.

"Sir, the path of cultivation cannot be forced, so there is no need to be discouraged..."

"The Old Clan Leader himself said that you are a well-read man. Literary talent is the rarest gift of all, and you have already surpassed the vast majority of people in our Qinghe Town."

"In the future, once you learn self-defense from the Old Clan Leader, you will be versed in both the pen and the sword, making you an outstanding figure in our town!"

"If there is ever any danger, we will all protect you. Besides, my cultivation is actually quite strong, and my home isn't far from the schoolhouse. I will definitely keep you safe at all times..."

Towards the end, the young girl's voice grew quieter and quieter. She lowered her slightly blushing face, her delicate features looking even more charming.

The old man's kindness was rare, and Miss Wei's concern was genuine.

Facing these simple, honest people, Yi Feng felt a long-lost warmth in his heart. As for everything else, it had long since ceased to matter in his eyes. Life, death, honor, disgrace, or the so-called level of cultivation—all had dissipated like a gentle breeze.

Facing their expectant gazes, Yi Feng played along with the atmosphere, smiling and bowing.

"In that case, many thanks to the Old Clan Leader."

Wei Xiaowei finally relaxed completely, looking up with a beaming smile. The Old Clan Leader also stroked his beard and nodded, his face full of goodwill.

Amidst his smiling praise, he produced a scroll from his sleeve.

"Good, good."

"Sir, you possess a steady disposition. You are truly a rare seedling. With such a state of mind, your cultivation will surely yield results, and mastering self-defense techniques is just around the corner."

"This is a body-refining technique passed down through my clan for generations. Take it and study it well. Once you have read it through, this old man will personally guide you."

Yi Feng accepted the scroll, committing this act of kindness to memory.

Wei Xiaowei watched with even greater delight, her eyes filled with joy as she looked at Yi Feng. It was as if she were seeing an ambitious, steady young man about to rise to greatness.

The courtyard suddenly filled with an indescribable vitality and cheer. Even the old man's eyes grew more gratified.

Noticing Yi Feng's composed demeanor, his appreciation for the young man grew unconsciously.

Seizing the opportunity, he offered a few more words of guidance.

"Mr. Yi, since you are about to begin your cultivation, there are things you should know. The Great Dao is vast and boundless; a single step in difference is like the distance between heaven and earth. Do you know how the hierarchy of cultivators is determined?"

Before Yi Feng could speak, the old man was already smiling, exuding the unfathomable air of a senior expert.

"I am ashamed to say..."

"Although this old man is a Martial Spirit expert—terrifying in the eyes of ordinary people—if one looks at the fellow Daoists across the world, I am not even worth mentioning!"

Wei Xiaowei listened in astonishment, as if hearing the secrets of the heavens.

The old man's face turned solemn, and a trace of awe surfaced in his eyes.

"Above this old man, there exists the Martial King realm. With a raise of their hand, they can split mountains and crack rocks; they can ascend to the heavens and burrow into the earth while chatting and laughing! And after the Martial King comes the Martial Emperor—those are the true mighty ones who look down upon the world with disdain!"

"Years ago, during my bitter travels of cultivation, I was fortunate enough to witness the glory of the Spear Emperor, Lord Zhao Juedong, at Sword Discussion Peak. With a single spear, he swept aside thousands of geniuses. He was truly unrivaled in this world!"

"The might of a Martial Emperor is truly terrifying. Compared to the Spear Emperor, I am nothing but an ant! A figure like the Spear Emperor is a true cultivator, an invincible prodigy whose name will be remembered for generations!"

Hearing this, Yi Feng showed no reaction, appearing as if he had been frightened into silence.

Wei Xiaowei, however, turned pale and stood up in shock.

"How is that possible..."

"Old Clan Leader, are you saying even you are far inferior to Lord Spear Emperor? Has he already reached the peak of the Great Dao?"

Hearing her question, the old man did not answer immediately. Instead, he wore a bitter smile.

He slowly stood up, gazing up at the endless firmament for several breaths. Only when a look of longing solidified on his wrinkled face did he sigh with emotion.

"The peak of the Great Dao..."

"The path of cultivation is vast and misty; it is not something people like us can grasp."

"Even someone as breathtakingly brilliant as Lord Spear Emperor is far from reaching the end of the Great Dao. As for the realms above the Martial Emperor, I have only heard rumors. The legendary Immortal Realm is even more unreachable..."

"We are not even qualified to look up to such existences. If I could lay eyes upon an Immortal in this lifetime, I would die with a smile on my face."

As these shocking words settled into silence, Wei Xiaowei was too stunned to speak.

Had it not been for the Old Clan Leader's account, she would never have known that such terrifying powerhouses as the Spear Emperor existed in this world.

In this moment, she finally realized just how vast the world truly was!

A profound shock permeated the small courtyard as the old man and the young girl sighed with emotion.

Several breaths later.

The old patriarch finally snapped out of his reverie and changed the subject with a hearty laugh.

"Haha..."

"I've let myself ramble on a bit too much. Mr. Yi, please don't take it to heart. Those legendary figures are beyond our league. However, as long as you cultivate diligently, you will surely achieve success in the future—at the very least, you will have the strength to survive and find your place in these chaotic times."

"I was overcome with emotion and said all that simply to help you understand one thing: this boundless world is teeming with talented individuals. We must not belittle ourselves, but neither should we be like a frog at the bottom of a well, ignorant of the vastness of the heavens."

Listening to these earnest words, Yi Feng nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

Seeing his composed demeanor, Wei Xiaowei's admiration grew. The old patriarch felt even more gratified, thinking to himself that this young man was truly teachable—a true refined scholar.

With the matter settled, the old patriarch stood up with satisfaction to leave.

The three of them opened the courtyard gate, and farewells were exchanged respectfully.

The children, who had been waiting for a long time, looked nervous and immediately swarmed around the entrance.

Gazing into the children's innocent, anxious eyes, the old patriarch took the opportunity to encourage these young sprouts of Qinghe Town, while also making sure to give Yi Feng plenty of prestige.

"From this day forth, Mr. Yi Feng shall be under my personal instruction."

"The Great Dao is vast and ethereal; one must tread the path with feet firmly planted on the ground. Mr. Yi understands this principle deeply. He is truly a rare talent, and I am extremely pleased. He is destined for greatness. You must all look up to Mr. Yi as your role model. Study your books diligently and cultivate with focus. Strive to become accomplished in both literary and martial arts, just like him, and become the pride of Qinghe Town!"

His powerful voice resonated through the surroundings. Not only did the children at the gate cheer with excitement, but the townspeople and parents nearby also smiled with visible inspiration.

The small town, brimming with the vibrant breath of life, seemed to glow with a new radiance. As the news spread, the excited chatter filling the streets and alleys was full of hope.