Lying in bed after yet another night session, Delia was tormented by one question, which she finally decided to ask her friend beside her:
— Tell me, if it's not a secret… how do you determine any illness in a person with just a simple touch? I've been watching you all day, but I still can't figure it out.
Qinxuan, briefly considering whether to share this knowledge, turned to her and calmly replied:
— I use Soul Perception.
— Soul Perception? What's that? I've never heard of it, — Delia asked in surprise.
— In short, it's the ability to see the world not with your eyes, but with your soul. Everything within a hundred meters of me falls under the range of my Perception. I can direct it at anything and gather the information I need, whether it's an object, a space, or the condition of a person. That's how I determine illnesses.
— A hundred meters… Hm… What if there's a wall in the way?
— That depends on its thickness and the material it's made of, as well as the presence of cracks or similar features, — Qinxuan explained, shrugging.
— Amazing ability! And how does one acquire it? Training? A special technique? — Delia continued, unable to hide her curiosity.
— Soul Perception appears in those who reach the Semi-Saint Realm, — her friend answered, but noticing Delia's bewilderment, she smirked and added: — Of course, there are exceptions.
— Exceptions? What kind?
— There are three known ways besides reaching the Semi-Saint Realm, — Qinxuan began explaining, clearly enjoying the moment. — The first is to use a special artifact that mimics Soul Perception. The second is to be born with the gift. And the third…
— And the third? — Delia leaned forward impatiently.
— To use a fragment of a Holy Soul, — she finished.
— The first two ways are clear, but the third… Tell me more, — Delia insisted.
— A Semi-Saint Realm expert or higher can, before death, condense a portion of their Holy Soul into a crystal. This crystal is then passed to a recipient, who subsequently gains its ability.
— Incredible… — Delia, amazed by what she heard, hesitated for a moment, but carefully asked. — And in your case?
Qinxuan fell silent for a moment, focusing her deep black eyes on Delia's face. Then, with a serious but soft tone, she said:
— I don't want to lie to you, but I can't tell the truth yet. In the future, you'll know, alright?
— Mm, — Delia agreed, feeling no discomfort and even satisfied with the answer.
— That's good. Good night.
— Good night.
Forest Gate — a city with a huge population, the most remote in the Alliance, bordering the Great Holy Empire.
Influence here was divided among seven powers: four clans — Xue, Lin, Wang, and Du, occupying the northwest, southwest, southeast, and northeast, respectively. In the central part were the Trade Chamber, the Mansion of the City Lord, and the Mercenary Guild.
A massive market called the Golden Circlet encircled the city center, seemingly separating the four clans from the three remaining powers.
Here, one could find everything: from noisy flea markets to multi-story buildings offering all kinds of services and goods.
In one of these buildings, with a sign depicting a dragon lying in a pile of gold, two girls were shopping. The taller one, with short black hair, wore a leather jacket and gray pants.
The other, a blonde in a simple white dress, hid her face beneath a veil. She was currently speaking to the vendor, pointing at a fruit the size of a fist:
— This bay cherry has clearly been here for quite a while and has lost its luster and firmness. One hundred and fifty gold is unjustified. I'm willing to pay one hundred.
— Your point is valid, miss… But I can only reduce it to one hundred and forty.
— One hundred ten at most. Judging by its condition, in a day or two it will be inedible, and you won't even get a single gold coin for it.
— One hundred ten it is, — the vendor agreed after a brief thought.
He quickly summarized the purchase:
— Night-blooming chamomile pollen — 50 grams, 200 gold coins. Two stalks of silverleaf — 60. Red sapote fruit — 80. Scorpion flower — 100. And the bay cherry — 110. Total: 550 gold coins.
Hearing the final sum, Qinxuan additionally ordered the delivery of a batch of cheap herbs to the shop, spending another one hundred gold.
Leaving the store, the duo headed to the square — to participate in the tournament selection. Upon arriving, they witnessed an interesting scene.
Ashen Dreams Square — the cultural and historical center of the city. Here were the main landmarks: the majestic Trade Chamber building, the bustling Mercenary Guild, monuments to heroes of past wars, and an ancient arena.
The latter served as a venue for a variety of events — from vibrant performances to brutal, bloody battles.
On one of the stairs leading to the arena, a confrontation unfolded. A young man in a blue robe blocked the path of another, dressed similarly, preventing him from ascending.
— Lin Tian, what do you think you're doing? — spoke the blocker, glancing up from under his brow.
— What I'm doing is none of your concern, Lin Yan, — the second replied coldly.
— Not my concern? You, a pitiful second-level Mortal cultivator, are about to disgrace the Lin family. That concerns everyone in the clan. And it's my duty to stop you.
— You're so sure I'll disgrace myself?
— You won't even pass the selection. The minimum level to participate is third. Everyone knows you've been stuck at the second for five years. Even if, by some miracle, you pass the first test, there's the spear trial — and that will be an insurmountable wall for you.
Lin Tian smirked.
— Want to bet?
— A bet? What kind?
— If I pass the selection, you'll kneel before me and apologize. If I fail — I'll do the same and admit I'm the most useless trash in the city. People, bear witness so that neither of us can back down.
The crowd buzzed in approval, encouraging the proposal. Confident in his victory, Lin Yan stepped aside with a satisfied smile, opening the way.
Lin Tian, unperturbed, approached the test column. Its surface had nine sections with transparent crystals. He placed his hand on it, drawing the curiosity of the spectators.
A minute passed, but nothing happened. Whispers and laughter spread through the crowd.
Among the spectators, Qinxuan watched with mild boredom: she had seen such conflicts too often to be interested. Delia, however, watched with unabashed curiosity, wondering:
Why do members of these families so often quarrel over kneeling? And why is Lin Yan so confident he'll fail the test?
Suddenly, the first crystal on the column lit up. Then the second, third, and, with a slight delay, the fourth. The last glowed dimmer than the others.
Lin Yan paled slightly, but recalling the next trial, calmed himself:He still won't handle the spear. Even some fifth-level cultivators failed.
Meanwhile, Lin Tian removed his hand from the column and moved to the second trial: lifting a massive dragon spear weighing five hundred kilograms and piercing steel boards made from special wood.
The minimum to pass — three boards.
Lin Tian grasped the spear. It seemed enormous in his hands. Struggling to lift it, he took a shaky step toward the target. The spectators held their breath as he swung with trembling hands.
Now he'll be humiliated.
Lin Yan was certain of it, but a cracking sound sent a chill through his body.
«Crack»
«Crack»
«Crack»
Three boards broken, no more, no less. Lin Tian slowly turned to his opponent, letting the crowd grasp his success. With a faint smile, he said:
— My performance is over. Now it's your turn, Lin Yan.
He paled, stepped back, barely keeping his balance. Lin Tian shook his head in mock disappointment.
— Don't tell me you want to lose the clan's face and back out of the bet? What will others say? Lin clan are empty words? Ay-ay…
The crowd murmured in approval, looking at Lin Yan with disapproval. His overconfidence evaporated like morning mist. Under the weight of the crowd's gaze and his own weakness, his legs trembled, and he almost went to his knees when a pleasant, soft female voice rang out:
— Brother Tian, Brother Yan was just joking with you. Do you need to take everything so seriously? Especially since you're from the same family.
The crowd parted, and a beautiful girl in a white-blue dress stepped forward. She stopped beside Lin Yan. He grabbed the offered support and immediately nodded:
— Yes-yes, as Sister Meili said, it was just a joke, Brother Tian.
— Brother? Don't you dare call me that! — Lin Tian's voice carried a chilling coldness. — That we are from the same clan didn't stop you from humiliating me. Today, you either run away like a coward or kneel before me.
Meili's face darkened, and tears glistened in her eyes. She looked confused and pitiful.
— Your character is exactly why we couldn't be together, — she whispered in a trembling voice. — If the dissolution of our marriage became a reason for your anger at others, it's my fault. I am willing to kneel before you if it will calm you.
The crowd murmured; their disapproval shifted to Lin Tian.
Despite his correctness, Meili's beautiful words and appearance won the sympathy of most. Lin Tian ignored it. With an indifferent expression, he took the badge confirming the trial completion and silently left the square.
When the crowd's attention shifted from Lin Tian to Meili, Lin Yan took the opportunity to slip away. Though he avoided public shame, his reputation was ruined.
Rumors of the incident would soon spread throughout the city. Returning to the clan, he felt hatred growing and taking root in his heart.
On the square, Meili wiped her tears and, thanking everyone for their support, took the badge and left with her clansmen.
—…
When Delia, finally lost for words, tried to process what she had seen, Qinxuan asked her:
— What do you think of the whole situation?
Delia noticed strange tones in her friend's voice but replied anyway:
— It seems it doesn't matter who's right — people support whoever is pleasing to the eye. If we evaluate the three: Lin Yan — a foolish, overconfident boy; Meili — excellent at playing to the audience, but didn't convince me; Lin Tian… steadfast and brave, but somehow irritates me rather than evokes sympathy.
Qinxuan nodded in agreement:
— You're partly right. But notice, not everyone judged him. Many, like us, just stood aside.
— Forget Lin Yan, — Qinxuan waved her hand. — And Meili really knows how to pretend. No wonder I suffered at her hands.
— So that's the famous Xue Meili?
— Mm.
Qinxuan gave her friend a meaningful look:
— And Lin Tian didn't seem familiar to you?
Delia frowned:
— He seemed… but I can't remember where I saw him.
Catching Qinxuan's gaze, she suddenly realized:
— It can't be! That's the masked guy?
— Exactly.
— But you said he was at level seven. Why is he fourth now?
Delia's surprise wasn't that Qinxuan knew his identity, but how drastically his power levels differed. In response, she received a rather long explanation of how the column crystals work and how using energy control methods, one can display only the level they want.
After the short lecture, Delia noted mentally.
{She is sometimes too meticulous, but it's useful to know these things.}
When it was her turn, Delia stepped onto the arena. After checking her ID badge, the judge granted permission for the trial. She placed her hand on the column and felt the device start drawing her energy.
{Qinxuan mentioned I could display a lower level than I have. But… what if I try to show a higher one? I do have my dantian. Should I risk it?}
When three crystals lit up, she sent energy from her dantian, and the fourth crystal began to glow brighter. Delia felt she could light two or three more, but decided to stop at four.
After the judge's approval, she approached the spear. Easily lifting it with one hand, Delia confidently walked to the target and struck.
«Crack»x5
Five cracking sounds and the surprised exclamations of the crowd marked her entry into the tournament.
How much she would achieve in the future remained to be seen.