Chapter 106

Chapter 106: Eighth-grade Talent

As Mu Chen entered Duobao Pavilion, numerous gazes from the people inside immediately settled on him.

With the continued success of the Flame Symbol, Mu Chen's reputation soared. Facing a mix of envy, admiration, and longing, Mu Chen's emotions turned rather complex.

Yan Wu happened to be in Duo Bao Pavilion. Upon seeing Mu Chen, he glanced at him. After just one look, Yan Wu's face changed dramatically, "You... you've advanced to a Nine-Star Martial Artist?"

Mu Chen nodded with a smile, "By a stroke of luck."

Yan Wu dismissively replied, "Advancement is advancement. There's nothing lucky or unlucky about it."

Mu Chen lowered his head and chuckled, without replying.

Yan Wu looked at Mu Chen, a hint of peculiarity in his eyes. Mu Chen had learned alchemy, symbol creation, and inscription. Many speculated he'd bitten off more than he could chew, risking mediocrity.

Yet, in reality, even though Mu Chen had taken up so many arts, his prowess was exceptionally brilliant, leaving even the two eight-grade talents far behind.

While he's a nine-star martial artist, Zhuang Yu and Ye Shi are only five-star martial artists. Everyone wonders how this oddball cultivated, especially given his diverse studies, yet they didn't slow down his progression.

Yan Wu looked at Mu Chen and suddenly asked, "Mu Chen, are you sure you're a sixth-grade talent?"

"The test yielded such results," Mu Chen remarked with a subtle smile.

Yan Wu shook his head, "No, no, no, there's certainly a mistake in your talent assessment. Let's test it again."

Mu Chen frowned, "Senior, that's not really appropriate, is it?"

"What's inappropriate? I'm certain there's an error in your assessment," Yan Wu said, grabbing Mu Chen's arm and pulling him forward.

Song Xinyue watched as Mu Chen was pulled away by Yan Wu, rolling her eyes in exasperation. "Really, Uncle Yan? The academy's talent tests have never been wrong. Regardless of Mu Chen's accomplishments, his six-level talent is a fact that even Ye Shi can't change."

Xin Rugge disagreed, "That may not be the case. Mu Chen's current performance doesn't resemble a sixth-grade talent at all."

Song Xinyue pouted, "Regardless of all, he still has a six-level talent."

"Even if the academy's talent test has never been wrong, it doesn't mean it can't be. I think there might be something off with Mu Chen's talent," Xin Rugge jokingly remarked.

Song Xinyue rolled her eyes, "You really have quite the imagination."

"It's not just me who's imaginative. Uncle Yan is too, right?" Xin Rugong tilted her head, giving Song Xinyue a sidelong glance.

"Uncle, perhaps we should reconsider," Mu Chen suggested, his brows furrowing.

"No, it's not up for debate," Yan Wu said with unwavering determination.

"Pingshan, I asked for a talent testing device. Why is it taking so long? Your staff is getting slower," Yan Wu grumbled.

Upon hearing Yan Wu, the shop owner Pingshan offered an awkward smile, "It's on its way."

Soon after, a talent testing device was produced.

"Go on, test it," Yan Wu commanded, his brows knitted.

"Senior, I've already been tested," Mu Chen said, showing some reluctance.

"That doesn't count," Yan Wu dismissively replied.

"But..." Mu Chen hesitated further.

Yan Wu rolled his eyes in annoyance, "Enough! The device is out. Just test it. No more talking."

Mu Chen gave an embarrassed smile, stepped forward, and placed his hand on the device. Instantly, a radiant eight-colored halo shot up, dazzling the onlookers.

"This can't be," Song Xinyue exclaimed in disbelief.

Xin Rugong's eyes widened in shock, "How can this be?" Mu Chen actually has an eight-level talent? Now everything makes sense."

Yan Wu stared at Mu Chen, murmuring, "I knew it. I just knew it."

Mu Chen observed Yan Wu's reaction and calmly pulled back his hand.

"You tested as a six-level talent that day?" Yan Wu asked with suspicion.

"On that day, I had just completed my advancement. There was a slight mishap, which might have affected my physical condition," Mu Chen explained with a sheepish smile.

Yan Wu nodded thoughtfully, "So, that's the reason? Hence, there was an error in your talent assessment."

The news of Mu Chen's Level 8 aptitude spread throughout the Sacred Star Academy in no time.

…………

Elixir Department.

Uncle Ming wore a distressed expression, sighing repeatedly without a break.

Lu Han looked at Uncle Ming irritably, "Enough already. Can you stop sighing? You've been at it for two hours!" Hearing Uncle Ming's incessant sighs made him feel like sighing as well.

Uncle Ming looked up, gazing at Lu Han in a daze. "Principal, Mu Chen possesses a Level 8 aptitude!" he uttered in disbelief.

"Enough," Lu Han replied irritably. "I'm already aware of Mu Chen's Level 8 aptitude. Today alone, at least ten people have informed me of it. There's no need to repeat."

Uncle Ming frowned, "Such a disciple with a Level 8 aptitude and outstanding alchemy talent, and I missed the chance to mentor him."

Grinding his teeth, Lu Han said, "Even if Mu Chen joins the Dan Institute, he won't become your disciple. Let go of that idea." Should Mu Chen join the Institute and become his disciple, Lu Han would have something to boast about to his old pill-making colleagues. Alas...

"Principal, is there really no way to recruit Mu Chen to the Dan Institute?" Uncle Ming asked, clearly unwilling to give up.

Lu Han rolled his eyes. The two women from the Inscription Institute were as fierce as tyrant tigers, not to be trifled with!

Resignedly, Lu Han added, "Just drop it. It's not going to happen."

Silently, Lu Han thought: His heart ached even more! Yet while he was in distress, he had to console others, with no one to console him.

A dejected Uncle Ming sighed, "What a pity."

Narrowing his eyes, Lu Han muttered, "A pity indeed. What on earth did Landa do?"

…………

Symbol Institute.

Song Cheng angrily tore the letter in his hand into pieces.

"Bring him back? That damned scoundrel Fan Li has the audacity to suggest such a thing! Does he even realize the damage he caused the Symbol Institute?" Song Cheng exclaimed furiously.

Huang An observed Song Cheng's enraged face and felt a twinge of fear.

"Principal, please calm down," Huang An advised.

Song Cheng raged, "Calm down? Mu Chen has a Level 8 aptitude! How do you expect me to calm down?"

Huang An forced a smile, "Dean, no matter how angry you get, Mu Chen is now part of the Rune Department."

Song Cheng shot Huang An a murderous glance, which sent chills down Huang An's spine.

Lowering his head, Huang An thought: Why did I talk so much? Words can bring disaster!

"I'm well aware that Mu Chen is now with the Rune Department. Thank you very much for reminding me," Song Cheng retorted with gritted teeth.

Hearing Song Cheng's gritted teeth, Huang An's heart raced. "Principal, I'll take my leave now."

Annoyed, Song Cheng snapped, "Go!"

...

Inscription Department.

"Sister, the news just came in. Mu Chen has a Level 8 aptitude!" Xia Qingli exclaimed joyfully.

Xia Qingyan took a sip of tea, her face calm, but she was ecstatic on the inside.

"I knew from the start that he was extraordinary. It turns out I was right," she remarked in a leisurely manner.

Xia Qingli smiled, "Sister, you truly have discerning eyes."

Xia Qingyan smirked, "Of course. The heads of the Dan and Symbol Institutes are blind. They can't compare to me."

Xia Qingli chuckled, "You're absolutely right, sister. By the way, I heard Lu Han came looking for you again?"

Rolling her eyes, Xia Qingyan replied, "Not just Lu Han. Song Cheng has been around several times. While Lu Han remains gentlemanly, Song Cheng is ridiculous – throwing tantrums, crying, and making a scene. Unfortunately for him, he's dealing with me, and his antics don't work."

Xia Qingli raised an eyebrow, murmuring, "Principal Song has quite thick skin, doesn't he?"

Irritated, Xia Qingyan responded, "It's not just thick; it's very thick. All he has is thick skin on that head of his."

Xia Qingli: "..."

Array Department.

"Principal, there's an issue with Mu Chen's aptitude test. He's got a Level 8 aptitude," Di Han reported.

"I've heard it countless times these days. Everyone's been telling me about what Mu Chen has done, what's he been up to lately. That kid has become the talk of the academy," Hao Tu said with a hint of annoyance.

"Speaking of which, Mu Chen truly is outstanding," Di Han noted.

"What good is being outstanding? He first applied to the Dan Institute, ended up in the Symbol Institute, and now belongs to the Inscription Institute. He has no connection to our Array Institute," Hao Tu said, visibly displeased.

Di Han offered an awkward smile.

Annoyed, Hao Tu thought: Mu Chen's only flaw is his poor judgement. How can pill-making, symbols, and inscriptions compare to array techniques?

"In fact, it's just as well. The two old men from the Dan and Fu academies are now regretting so much, they're practically turning green," Di Han remarked.

Hao Tu chuckled coldly, "Those two elders had it coming."

...

Academy Cafeteria.

"So Mu Chen has a Level 8 aptitude. No wonder his cultivation speed is so impressive."

"Exactly! I knew a Level 6 aptitude couldn't be that extraordinary."

"He's already reached the nine-star martial master level, while Zhuang Yu and Ye Shi are only at five stars."

"He tamed a foreign flame, which naturally accelerates his cultivation."

"If the academy's aptitude test can be flawed, I wonder if mine was incorrect too," a girl murmured.

"Of course, it's wrong. You're probably not even Level 3, let alone Level 5," another girl teased.

"Senior Sister, you're bullying me!"

As Lan Ruofeng listened to the surrounding chatter, a shadow crossed his heart. Mu Chen's prowess in pill-making, symbol crafting, and inscription had overshadowed him. Now, even in aptitude, Mu Chen had surpassed him.

Mu Chen explained that it was due to an unstable condition during the test, which resulted in the discrepancy in his qualification assessment.

With a cold sneer, Lan Ruofeng thought, "Mu Chen's words might fool those naive students, but suspect he got something from Ye Shi that enhanced his qualifications, elevating them to level eight."