The courtyard lay in quiet ruin. Dust and debris clung to every surface, the faint scent of ozone still lingering in the air. The golden light of the extreme orb's energy had dissipated, leaving only Wen Chen suspended in mid-air, chest heaving, palms glowing faintly with residual golden energy.
To the world, nothing had happened. Luo Feng continued his practice, unaware of the invisible orb, his Qi flowing naturally, completely oblivious to the cosmic clash Wen Chen had endured. Even the junior disciples passing by shrugged at the cracked stones and flying leaves, assuming it was an ordinary aftereffect of training.
But for Wen Chen, every nerve screamed. His body trembled violently, golden warmth pulsing in his veins. The power surge from the extreme orb had amplified his Talent, but the strain was undeniable.
---
Talent Panel Update
The translucent floating golden panel appeared once more, flickering with new energy:
---
[Floating Golden System Panel — Critical Update]
Name: Wen Chen
Cultivation Level: Body Tempering – Stage 2 (Partial)
Talent Grade: Intermediate Human Talent
Talent Progress: 25% → 40%
Luck Points: 71
Current Effects:
Extreme orb absorption successful. Temporary body fatigue: Severe.
Perception heightened: Reflexes +35%, combat insight +20%.
Luck Points increase Talent comprehension speed by 50%.
Warning: Overuse may result in physical injury or fainting.
---
Wen Chen exhaled shakily, golden energy trembling around him. Pain lanced through his ribs, a burning ache across his arms and legs. His vision blurred, faint streaks of purple and gold lingering in the air as his body struggled to cope with the extreme surge.
I… survived.
A mix of elation and fear washed over him. The extreme orb had granted a tremendous boost—but at what cost? Every fiber of his body seemed to hum in protest, reminding him that his mortality still bound him.
---
The Aftermath
Slowly, Wen Chen lowered himself to the ground, the stone floor rough against his palms. His golden eyes scanned the courtyard. Everything appeared normal—too normal, almost suspiciously calm.
Luo Feng's voice cut through the silence:
"Hmm… seems my practice is disrupted. I could have sworn…"
But he shook his head and continued, oblivious to the invisible energy that had just swept through the area. Wen Chen's lips twitched faintly. Luck Orbs were invisible to everyone else, yet their effects were undeniable for him. Every surge, every point, every system alert—it was his alone.
The realization filled him with exhilaration. He wasn't just a weakling anymore. He had power no one else could even sense.
---
First Secret Training
Wen Chen knew he couldn't return to normal training. His body needed recovery, but his mind was racing with possibilities. He glanced around and spotted a quiet corner near the bamboo grove. There, he crouched and focused, letting the golden energy from the orb flow through him, integrating with his Talent.
If I can stabilize this… I can accelerate my cultivation faster than anyone else.
He extended his hands, fingers brushing the air. Tiny golden particles swirled around him, Luck Points pulsating softly in response. Each pulse translated into comprehension, each flicker accelerating muscle memory and qi circulation.
Minutes felt like hours. Wen Chen's body burned with fatigue, yet his mind sharpened beyond normal limits. He could sense the tension in every muscle of Luo Feng, even from afar. Not because the orb revealed it—but because his Talent comprehension had just reached a level capable of perceiving subtle cues others couldn't notice.
I can feel everything… every weakness, every motion.
---
Unexpected Visitor
A rustle in the bamboo caught his attention. His body tensed, golden aura flaring faintly. Out stepped Wen Rou, the instructor who had always doubted him. Her sharp eyes scanned the courtyard, noticing his posture and the faint glow surrounding his body.
Her voice was cold, yet tinged with curiosity:
"You've changed… something about you is different, Wen Chen."
Wen Chen's pulse quickened. Fear flickered momentarily across his chest, but he forced calm. He had to hide the Luck Orbs and the panel. The secret was vital—if anyone knew, the clan would treat him as either a prodigy to control or a threat to eliminate.
"I… I'm just practicing harder, Instructor Rou," he said evenly, masking every tremor.
Her eyes narrowed, suspicion flickering. But she said nothing else, turning back to leave. Wen Chen exhaled slowly. Close call.
---
The Next Orb Appears
As he resumed his secret training, golden particles still swirling, his eyes caught a faint shimmer near a practicing junior. Only he could see it: a small Luck Orb, radiating soft golden light.
A thrill of anticipation coursed through him. He reached out—but paused.
If I touch it too soon… can my body handle another extreme absorption?
The orb floated lazily, unbothered by anyone else's presence. To everyone, it was invisible, harmless—a small, glowing nothing in the air. But to Wen Chen, it was potential beyond imagination.
He clenched his fists, mind racing. Luck Points could only upgrade Talent, and this orb alone could push him closer to mastery than any peer in the clan.
---
Panel Alert
---
[Floating Golden System Panel — Orb Detected]
Location: Near Junior Disciple Li Wei
Energy Level: Moderate
Luck Points Contained: 12
Warning: Absorption will cause minor fatigue, but Talent gain guaranteed.
---
Wen Chen's chest tightened with anticipation. Every instinct screamed to reach it. His hand trembled, sweat running down his temple, golden energy flickering along his skin.
Just one touch… and I'll improve… again.
A faint smile crossed his lips, golden warmth spreading from his chest to his fingers. This was the future—the path no one else could see, no one else could touch.
---
Cliffhanger
He leapt forward, extending his hand toward the shimmering orb. Just as his fingers grazed the edge…
A sudden surge of energy erupted—not from the orb, but from an unknown source deep within the clan grounds. The ground trembled, and a faint rumble echoed across the mountain.
Wen Chen froze, golden aura flaring violently. His chest pounded, sweat dripping into his eyes, heart racing with both fear and exhilaration.
What is this…?
The Talent Panel flashed urgently before him:
---
[Floating Golden System Panel — Alert]
Warning: Unknown extreme energy detected. Approach with caution. Potential for massive Talent surge… or fatal injury.
---
Wen Chen's golden eyes narrowed. This was beyond any orb he had ever encountered. Yet the pull was irresistible. Every fiber of his body screamed to reach it… to grow… to surpass.
One more step… one more touch…
And then—
A shadow stretched across the courtyard, dark and immense, moving faster than the eye could follow, accompanied by a low, bone-chilling roar.
The world seemed to freeze.
This… is no ordinary challenge.