When the strange, artificial darkness faded, it was revealed that the sun had already moved much further than many had anticipated. From the horizon, its light shone on the felled trees whose trunks lay scattered about, and the remaining stumps stuck to the roots would now serve as seats.

  Gao Yu took his place at the center, still sluggish, his eyes drifting skyward whenever even the smallest cloud obscured the sun. — You really didn't see anything? Not even where that thing fell?

  — I've already said, stop talking about that before he gets here. — Gao Yao warned.

  With a clenched fist and distant eyes, Wu Xue said, — But that was really very strange...

  — And incredible..! — Guang Jun added amid the whispers and laughter he tried to suppress.

  — You too, keep quiet. — Guang Ai quickly warned him, making him shrink back in his spot. She sighed. Like many others there, and likely across the city, her heart still trembled, and her hands refused to regain their steadiness. Her nose tingled as she breathed; there seemed to be something odd in the air. A fearful and heated energy that made her blood burn when she inhaled it. It was similar to the energy that appeared when she tried using the Thunder God technique, and perhaps that's why it didn't seem to react too aggressively in her body.

  In silence, Xiao Yun took his seat between Gao Yao and Guang Ai, in the center. He had been one of the first to approach the spot and, with his ever-watchful eyes, had seen what happened both in the forest ahead and in the sky. He had witnessed something but wished he hadn't. Looking around, he hoped no one else had seen it either.

  He saw the skin peel away, revealing scales. The red hair consumed by a golden glow. He shouldn't have seen it and wished Noah hadn't noticed. Otherwise, would Noah kill him...? Xiao Yun believed he would, without hesitation. Not for the dragon, but because of what he saw after Ting's clothes disappeared from the spot.

  Maybe it's better to erase this from my memory...

  He sighed.

  He wished it were possible.

  The wind blew, and in unison, everyone straightened up in silence. They could hear footsteps approaching and were curious as to why there were two instead of one. Who was the other person? Even after glimpsing at her, Xiao Yun couldn't tell. That captivating face and gray hair streaked with purple weren't familiar to him.

  Is there anyone here with that kind of appearance?

  If so, he didn't know them.

  — Were any of you able to use the technique I gave you without issues? — Noah asked, stepping out from among the trees beside He Rui.

  Holding one arm, He Rui avoided their eyes and struggled to keep her steps steady. The stares in her direction were intense, but she didn't understand why. Was it because she was next to Noah? Looking at him, she realized her nervousness wasn't affecting him at all. Maybe she wasn't strong enough to bother him. On the contrary, Noah's indifference toward everyone in front of them seemed to help her maintain a bit of calm.

  Her hands trembled, and she clenched them. Swallowing hard, Guang Ai raised her palm, standing out from the rest. — It was a bit uncomfortable, but it didn't seem to hurt as much as the others made it sound... — she said quietly, then shrank back.

  Raising an eyebrow, Gao Yu very much wanted to ask her what had happened to make her act like that in front of Noah. He was scary, sure. But in his opinion, she was overreacting. Turning to He Rui, he raised his hand and asked, — Sorry for interrupting, but who is she? — From her refined clothes with indistinct embroidery patterns and her overall appearance, nothing about her seemed to belong here.

  — Who? Me...? — He Rui was confused to see them nod. Apparently, it was a general curiosity. — I am He Rui...?

  With raised eyebrows, lines of tension on their foreheads, and open mouths, the disbelief was visible on every face. But Gao Yu couldn't keep it to himself. — You're not. Impossible. You are – please don't take it the wrong way if you are – too beautiful for that to be true.

  The silence from the others seemed to agree.

  — Thank you...? — He Rui reconsidered. — That was a compliment, right?

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Gao Yu opened his mouth but couldn't speak. Gao Yao stopped him with his hands and then Noah spoke up, — Alright, that's enough. — The whispers went silent. — Since you use the same technique, you two can go ahead and train together for now.

  Guang Ai stood up with a sigh of relief. She wouldn't have to stay close to him for now, and that was good. She waited for He Rui, who, before joining her, received another book from Noah. Then the two moved off to the side away from the others.

  — What's that? — she asked as they sat down.

  — I'm not sure, miss. He just told us to read it together. — Taking the book in both hands, He Rui offered it to her. — Would you like to try it first?

  Out of habit and curiosity, Ai raised her hand. There was no harm in accepting, so why refuse? Why was Noah watching her from afar, as if warning her she shouldn't? She drew her hands back and shrank away.

  — You can read first, He Rui... And please, stop calling me 'miss'. — She felt she should ask, since Noah's reaction had been odd. Maybe those two had a different, closer relationship. — I don't think that fits our relationship anymore.

  — Our relationship...? But- — He Rui stopped when she saw Ai squeezing her clothes in secret. Reconsidering, she said, — So, would you like to read with me?

  Staring at Noah, Guang Ai sought confirmation. But now he seemed to be ignoring the situation.

  Does that mean I did the "right" thing..?

  She looked at the flustered expression in front of her. She sighed. — Sure, — she said, making room for He Rui to sit beside her, — but you're still calling me 'miss.'

  — Sorry, mis... — He Rui covered her own mouth. — I'll try to remember.

  Smiling, Guang Ai turned to the book. They opened the first page and read together—"Introduction to the Early Levels of Cultivation."

  At first, Guang Ai couldn't concentrate much on reading because she kept glancing at the girl beside her and wondering about the relationship between Noah and He Rui. She was curious, but didn't have the courage to ask. So, she withdrew and tried to immerse herself in the reading, managing only by the page that marked the explanation about Foundation Establishment.

  Seeing that nothing bad happened between the two, Noah could finally focus on what he was doing. He pulled the remaining books from his spatial bag and asked, — Do you know the attribute of your Qi?

  No one answered.

  [Wouldn't it be easier just to add that information along with their talent?]

  ...You know, forty trillion points is a huge amount, so it's best to start collecting early.

  [How stingy...]

  [I don't know if Ting would agree with that.]

  I don't know if she'd even want anything to do with you, so you might be right.

  [...]

  Turning to the books, Noah let four of them float in front of him and brought the other seven to his side, stacking them on the ground.

  — I'll give you some time. Try using these techniques to discover which element you belong to.

  The group split into four teams, with Gao Yao taking Guang Ai's group, and Xiao Yun taking He Rui's. Each team picked up a notebook, and when everyone managed to use a technique, those who were suited to it stood up and moved aside, forming new groups, while those left behind tried the next one.

  Wu Xue was the first to stand, lucky to have chosen her ideal technique, the Wind God Mantra, on her first try. Two others with her did the same, though a bit later. In the next teams, the Wind God Mantra suited nine more people: four in the second group, two in the third, and three in the last, who were also the only ones left besides Xiao Yun.

  Among the leaders, Ma Lei was the second quickest, receiving the Earth God Mantra on his second attempt. The mantra fit six more people, four of whom had already chosen earlier.

  Then it was Gao Yao's turn with the Flame God Mantra, which had already suited eleven people, and then another eight among those still to test it.

  Gao Yu came before Guang Jun, but both ended up with the Water God Mantra, which also suited another seven people besides them.

  Having tried every technique, failing repeatedly, Xiao Yun stood with the Wind God book in hand. He approached Noah, but couldn't meet his eyes. — What happens if someone can't use any of the techniques? — he asked, handing over the book.

  — Can't do it...? Then wait here, boy. — The seven books rose from the ground and went to the leaders. — I'll leave one of these with each group leader. It's important, so read as much as needed to absorb as much of the content as possible and come to your own understanding.

  A cluster of small spheres ranging from white to green appeared on the ground. — Since it's no longer necessary, I won't stay here with you all. — Five pills floated to each person's hands, and the techniques were handed to Gao Yao. — Use these if you get hurt and make copies of these techniques so everyone has one on hand. We're leaving now.

  He Rui rose at his words. She turned, but before leaving, bowed to Guang Ai. She ran to Noah, and, leaving everyone confused, they left together just as they arrived.

  As they walked, Noah stared at the interface.

  Two points just for that information is a bit much, don't you think? You only charged two and a half for information on everyone. He argued.

  [But that's an important piece of information... In some cases, a matter of life or death.]

  Sighing, Noah agreed. The interface blinked, changing the display. Without realizing, Noah raised an eyebrow.

  Does that kind of element really exist...? He glanced at Xiao Yun, who was following a few paces behind, looking skeptical. Blood? How could that be someone's Qi element?