Li Gang's extraordinarily high battle strength was due to his understanding of Secret Techniques and their corresponding elements.
Further, he experienced no rejection due to incompatibility between his Spiritual Imprint and the Secret Techniques. Even before he arrived, he had reached the Intermediary stage in all of his Secret Techniques. Plus, he was able to harness around 50% of their true power.
But a few months ago, he had made a terrifying deduction about this World when he saw a stream of water appearing out of nowhere. As Li Gang pondered it, he sighed.
'No wonder the wind behaves entirely differently in this world.'
'No wonder they use special glasses to store water, or else it would disappear.'
'That also explains why sometimes casting a Secret Technique, especially one using external elements, fails. I failed three times during my fight!'
'There is also a source of light—I finally understand why light appears out of nowhere every twelve hours.'
'Now that I think about it, I finally realize why Wang Xueyao said what she did.'
During his first encounter, Wang Xueyao had said, "Your assumptions are limited because you are just a frog at the bottom of a well. You can never comprehend the true reality of this World."
Although his understanding of the Secret Techniques had reached the Intermediary stage even before arriving here, he still couldn't exploit their full potential.
There were two factors indicating how skilled one was at using Secret Techniques:
Exploitation percentage: Depends on understanding of elements, compatibility with the Spiritual Imprint, and some external factors.
Understanding of the Secret Techniques.
Before coming here, his Secret Techniques were:
Grade 2 Thundering Dragon Strike: 56% (Intermediary mid-stage)
Knife Dance: 100% (Intermediary late-stage)
Grade 2 Crimson Lotus Palm: 59% (Intermediary mid-stage)
Grade 2 Wind Rider Sprint: 44% (Intermediary late-stage)
Grade 4 Wind-Thunder Eagle Eye: 49% (Novice peak-stage)
His current Techniques and their levels were:
Thundering Dragon Strike: 81% (Advanced mid-stage)
Knife Dance: 100% (Advanced early-stage)
Crimson Lotus Palm: 95% (Advanced peak-stage)
Wind Rider Sprint: 80% (Advanced late-stage)
Wind-Thunder Eagle Eye: 79% (Advanced early-stage)
Face Mask Alteration: 89% (Advanced peak-stage)
Voice Manipulation Technique: 95% (Elite early-stage)
Jiang Wushuang was completely shocked by Li Gang's performance. "How can such a monster appear here? Such a high level of understanding and even compatibility with different attribute Secret Techniques? What kind of Spiritual Imprint does he possess? It's a pity he didn't take the talent test. But I can feel his talent is low—probably less than C grade."
Huang Weimin frowned. "Is this why Wang Xueyao took him as her fiancé? He's not half bad and deserves it. Even with low talent, his understanding is too heaven-defying, not to mention his scheming abilities."
As Huang Weimin pondered this, a chill ran down his spine.
At this time, Jiang Wushuang spoke loudly. "Now that the Battle Strength has been tested, we will move on to the next stage. This will be the test of mental fortitude. Everyone, enter the formation."
One by one, they entered the formation. As soon as they took their positions, they fell into a dream—no, not just a dream, a nightmare.
Li Gang's dream:
He fell into a deep sleep. When he woke up, he found himself on Earth, sitting at a dining table with his parents.
Li Gang looked at them and felt weird emotions within. "Mom… Dad…"
His mother looked at him affectionately. "What happened, Little Hao?"
Tears welled in Li Gang's eyes. He immediately left and went to the washroom to clean himself up. His name on Earth was Zhang Hao.
Looking at his reflection, he whispered, "I know this is an illusion, but let me fall for it. Even if it's not real, I want to feel this warmth."
He returned with a happy expression and spent the whole day living this life. At night, he saw his parents going to bed and stood up.
"It's time to leave."
Easier said than done—it took him about an hour to leave this place and return to the real world.
As he opened his eyes, he saw he was the only one remaining. He sighed. "But I don't regret it."
Li Yuxong looked at him, shocked. "What did he dream? How can he wake up after so long? Does he have some trauma?"
Jiang Wushuang announced the list of winners:
1. Wang Xueyao
2. Huang Ling
3. Long Yifan
4. Deng Wei
5. Huang Weimin
...
16. Li Yuxong
...
Jiang Wushuang addressed everyone. "I had planned to choose the successor who could win all four tests, but looking at the geniuses gathered here, I no longer have to wait. I will distribute my inheritance among four people instead. Each can choose one, in order of their rank."
The four people selected for the inheritance were:
1. Wang Xueyao
2. Li Yuxong
3. Huang Ling
4. Ren Ying
Long Yifan shouted, pointing at Ren Ying. "Why is he getting the inheritance? Even though he got first in two tests, he also came last in the others!"
Jiang Wushuang frowned. "Are you questioning my decision?"
A massive aura spread, pressing Long Yifan to the ground. He immediately regretted speaking so recklessly.
For a monarch, answering someone of Rank 5 was meaningless—like explaining something to an ant.
With a wave of his hand, all four selected individuals disappeared.
They reappeared atop a mountain, where beautiful sceneries stretched endlessly, with various beasts flying in the clouds and rivers connecting the world like a network of roots.
This was the Central Mountain, from which one could see the entire small world—if their vision was good enough.
Jiang Wushuang spoke softly. "I was the 4th generation Sword Gate sect master. But due to my ambition to break through Rank 9 Warrior, I neglected the sect and caused it to face a massive war. I regret not defending it. I don't know its current situation. I want only one thing from my successors: go there and offer my apologies. Are you willing?"
Wang Xueyao was first to respond. "Currently, I can't leave. I still have many responsibilities in the Southern Region."
She murmured inwardly, 'Do you think you're worth it? If not for lack of resources, I wouldn't even come here.'
Huang Ling replied, "I can help deliver the message."
Li Yuxong nodded. "I will definitely go."
Jiang Wushuang nodded in approval.
Li Gang spoke next. "I am willing to go right away if you can send me directly to the Central Continent. I am too weak to travel there on my own, but if you can send me…"
Wang Xueyao's expression changed. 'What is this guy plotting now?'
Jiang Wushuang smiled. "Okay, good. I didn't choose the wrong person."
"Now, you may request what you want. First, Wang Xueyao."
Wang Xueyao said firmly, "I want all the resources you have."
Jiang Wushuang was surprised. "Are you sure you don't want the cultivation techniques and Secret Techniques?"
She nodded firmly. Jiang Wushuang silently threw her a space ring filled with millions of Spirit Stones and thousands of Soul Stones, along with several other space rings containing Spiritual Plants.
Huang Ling stepped forward. "I want your mastery of formations."
Jiang Wushuang nodded and handed her a scroll. "It contains all my understanding of formations and answers to common questions people face."
Next was Li Yuxong. "Senior, I've always wanted to become proficient in Sword Cultivation. I hope you can help me."
Jiang Wushuang smiled. "Good kid. Take these—these are all the Sword Techniques I possess. This is one of my unique Sword Cultivation techniques, called Blade of Brilliance. It's a peak Grade 8 technique I created, but it's not complete. You must study it and incorporate a particular attribute so it suits you. It's excellent for someone like you, who focuses on speed and attack."
Li Yuxong nodded. "I will definitely study it."
Finally, it was Li Gang's turn. He said humbly, "I don't want anything, but I hope you'll give me a chance. I will definitely deliver your message to the Sword Gate Sect."
Jiang Wushuang smiled. "You may ask for anything. If possible, I will help."
Li Gang hesitated, glancing at the others.
Jiang Wushuang, understanding him, motioned his hands, isolating them completely. "Now you can speak freely. No one will hear us."
Li Gang spoke softly, "I was poisoned when I was very young. I don't know the exact poison, but I remember my father saying one of its components was Purification Fern. It not only reduced my talent but also destroyed my Spiritual Imprint. I initially had Grade A talent, but now I'm reduced to Grade D. I just want to know— is there a way to at least increase my talent?"