'Hmm, in that case, I can gain a unique advantage by learning a large number of Training Techniques.' Su Chen pondered the possibility.
Based on what he knew, very few people did this.
The abilities gained from Training Techniques were too unpredictable, whereas mastering a single one to perfection was beneficial for developing one's Profession.
Unless their Profession required it, very few people would learn additional Body Refining Techniques.
'It's true that Training Techniques aren't very efficient when you're not proficient with them, but I have [Scholar]. I can raise my proficiency quickly and bring the cost down to a minimum.'
'Sacrificing a bit of efficiency to gain a new ability...' Su Chen considered it a worthwhile trade. It wasn't as if other Training Techniques couldn't be developed after switching.
'However, this will require a ton of resources for Training Techniques. That would have been difficult before, but with Old Yuan backing me now, it shouldn't be a major problem.'
He glanced at his status panel. The development level for [Sky Splitter Warrior] had reached 41%.
Mid-afternoon, a servant came and knocked on the door. Yuan Chenyang was back.
In the living room, Old Yuan was massaging his temples, looking quite exhausted. Bai Fengxi sat beside him.
"Come here, kid." He waved, beckoning for Su Chen to sit.
"What took you so long to get back?" Su Chen took the teapot from a servant and poured Yuan Chenyang a cup of tea.
Bai Fengxi raised an eyebrow and pointed to the empty cup in front of herself.
Speechless, Su Chen poured her a cup as well.
"That old son of a bitch…" Yuan Chenyang took a sip of tea and started cursing, then sighed mournfully. "Kid, I've let you down."
"Hm?" Su Chen's heart skipped a beat. 'They aren't going to make me pay for Zhou Zhong's life, are they?' He forcibly suppressed his unease and asked, "What's wrong?"
"You have to go to the Inspectorate," Yuan Chenyang said, resigned.
"The Inspec…torate?" Su Chen paused, then asked hesitantly, "Your department?"
Yuan Chenyang nodded.
"Is that supposed to be bad news?" Su Chen was a bit baffled.
'Yuan Chenyang is the Minister of Inspection, and I'm his student. Wouldn't I fit right in at the Inspectorate, like a fish in water?'
"You're hopeless!" Yuan Chenyang slammed his cup down, his voice thick with exasperation.
"He probably doesn't know about the slot," Bai Fengxi said in a low voice.
It was only then that Yuan Chenyang seemed to realize, saying awkwardly, "Er, right. The academy gets one slot to the Yingfeng Judicial Court each year. It's incredibly precious."
"The Judicial Court?" Su Chen glanced at Bai Fengxi. "Isn't your teacher one of the Chief Judges or something?"
He had gleaned as much from the snippets Bai Fengxi had let drop.
"What do you mean, 'your teacher'? That's your grandmaster," Yuan Chenyang said with a dry cough.
Su Chen: "…"
Yuan Chenyang continued, "The Judicial Court is the cradle of power. It's the very core of Ying Feng's direct lineage."
"Only the best and brightest from each city get to go. Originally, the strongest candidate this year was Zhang Hengyu, but then you burst onto the scene and made the City Lord wary."
"The City Lord is wary?" Su Chen caught on. "Is Zhang Hengyu his son?"
"Mhm." Yuan Chenyang gritted his teeth. "That Zhang Hongbo… he may look friendly, but he's cold-hearted. To eliminate you as a potential threat, he wants to have your file sealed."
"Fuck, what an old bastard," Su Chen cursed as well, but then added, "Still, it can't be helped. You don't need to feel guilty on my account."
Seeing Su Chen's lack of resentment, Yuan Chenyang inwardly nodded in approval. He had only told part of the story, deliberately creating the impression that his hands were tied.
He had wanted to see if Su Chen would grow dissatisfied if he appeared unable to fight for the position.
They had known each other for too short a time, and Su Chen was a refugee besides; he didn't have a good grasp of the boy's Heart.
Only then did Yuan Chenyang explain, "But it's not that simple. Even if you wanted to go this year, I wouldn't let you. Your records list you as a refugee, which is an inherent disadvantage."
"The higher-ups discriminate against refugees?" Su Chen frowned.
"It's not discrimination, more of a lingering historical issue," Yuan Chenyang said vaguely. "The higher-ups are reluctant to let a refugee become a City Lord, for example."
"But by conceding this time, I've gotten Zhang Hongbo to agree to amend your file next year and erase your refugee status."
Su Chen finally understood. Because of his refugee status, he never really had a chance at that slot to begin with.
But Yuan Chenyang had pulled some strings and struck a deal with Zhang Hongbo. What looked like a concession was actually a victory.
"Thank you for all your trouble," Su Chen said with genuine sincerity.
"Since I've taken you as my student, and accepted your things, it's only natural I do my best for you," Yuan Chenyang said casually. "You're a Professional now; there's no point in you staying at Southwind Academy."
"The Inspectorate will be a good training ground for you, too."
"Er…" Su Chen thought for a moment before asking, "Is it… busy over there?"
He hadn't wanted to attend classes at Nanfeng Academy, and he didn't want to actually work at the Inspectorate either.
Yuan Chenyang replied irritably, "You're my student. Who over there would dare order you around? Just don't give anyone any major dirt on you, and I can pull some strings for you."
"And of course, it's safer." Here, Yuan Chenyang paused. "Any other requests?"
Su Chen's eyes lit up. He immediately rattled off, "A Body Refining Technique, a Meditation Technique, and some Support Potions. Oh, right, do you know about the [Scholar] profession? Are there any similar ones?"
"Look at you, ordering from a menu," Yuan Chenyang shot him a glare. "Don't you know not to bite off more than you can chew? You have a great Profession as your foundation; focus on the Physical Side."
"I've looked over the information on your Profession that you gave me. I estimate you'll have no problem advancing to the Tier Two [Gale Hunter]. As it happens, the Inspectorate has the information for that Profession in its archives."
"But I have a feeling my Spirit Talent is really good," Su Chen insisted.
"A feeling?" Yuan Chenyang shot him a look, annoyed. "What damn good is a feeling? Come on… I'll test it for you."
As he spoke, he retrieved a metal case from the side.
HUMMM—The case opened, and white vapor poured out. Inside were two palm-sized, hemispherical objects, one silver and one black.
"First, the physical test…" Yuan Chenyang pointed to the black hemisphere on the left.
Su Chen was amazed. He had no idea what principle it operated on, but he placed his hand on it.
A humming sound started, and dense golden lines appeared on the sphere's surface. After about two or three breaths, a brilliant silver beam of light shot through his palm.
"Canyin, as expected…" Yuan Chenyang's expression relaxed, and he broke into a grin. "I knew it. To become a [Sky Splitter Warrior] at your age… even with years of accumulation, your physical Talent couldn't be low."
"Is that high?" Su Chen couldn't help but ask. 'Isn't it the second-to-last rank in the Talent hierarchy?'
Yuan Chenyang explained, "It's already quite good. The vast majority of people have no Talent at all. With enough resources, even someone with Brass Talent can grind their way to Tier Three. Zhang Hengyu only has Canyin Talent, and he'll have no problem becoming a Tier Five Professional."
Su Chen was surprised. 'I actually have a physical Talent?'
'The previous owner of this body never felt it; in fact, he was much weaker than other people.'
'It's understandable that my Spirit Talent would increase after I transmigrated, but my physical body couldn't have just improved out of thin air, could it?'
'Could it be…' A thought struck him. '[Scholar]?'
'Increasing Skill Proficiency also increases efficiency, which is basically the same as increasing Talent. This device in front of me probably can't tell the difference.'
"Let me test my Spirit Talent…" Su Chen said quickly, seeing that Yuan Chenyang was about to put the device away.
Yuan Chenyang was rendered speechless for a moment. "Spirit Talent is far more precious than physical Talent. And if someone's Spirit Talent is truly high, there are usually outward signs."
"Besides, Spirit and physical Talents tend to conflict. If one is high, the other is usually low."
Despite his words, he didn't stop Su Chen.
He could understand. Who didn't secretly hope they were that one in a million?
Su Chen placed his other hand on the silver hemisphere. This time, he felt a cool sensation rush up his arm and into his head.
It took only two or three breaths.
Suddenly, a beam of Red Gold light shot through his palm, dazzling and magnificent.
"Is this… Red Gold?" Su Chen looked up, uncertain.
He saw Yuan Chenyang staring blankly at the beam, muttering to himself, "So there really are fucking Hidden Gems out there!"