Chapter Seven: Discovered

Blood recognition? Useless. Biting and spitting? Useless. “Brother Tang, how does this thing work? Is it just for show?” Zhang Qiang whispered.

“Shh! Not so loud, or you'll embarrass us if someone overhears.” Tang Yi pulled Zhang Qiang aside to a deserted spot. Tang Yi was frustrated; he had the item in hand, but couldn’t use it. It was maddening. Refusing to give up, Tang Yi tried various superpowers, though he dared not use anything overt or destructive like black holes, lightning, or fire.

“So that’s how it works... Ha! Serra’s ability is truly powerful... Wait, does that mean I only need to look at these divine weapons and treasures to fully understand them? This ring could be improved, but I lack the materials. Hmm... Better figure out how to use it first!” When Tang Yi used Serra’s universal understanding ability to probe the storage ring, he was astonished to find he could comprehend its materials and forging process in minute detail—yet he still couldn’t use the ring. This peculiar situation seemed unique to Tang Yi alone.

Tang Yi and Zhang Qiang were deep in their epic investigation of the storage bag in a corner of the trading market when someone finally noticed them.

“Elder Lu, look over there—the short-haired fellow gnawing desperately at the storage bag. Doesn’t he resemble the Tang Yi described by Xiao Su?” Li Xianyun, who was inspecting the trading fair with Lu Changsheng, said.

“Oh, he does look a bit like him. If so, all the better. It's a breach of convention, but the person he saved is under my tutelage, so I must show my gratitude, lest others gossip. Come, let’s meet this Fellow Tang.” Lu Changsheng strode toward Tang Yi.

“You must be Tang Yi, Fellow Tang?” Lu Changsheng addressed Tang Yi face-to-face.

“Uh…” Tang Yi realized these two were formidable; he’d do well not to underestimate cultivators, or he might not even know how he died. Tang Yi couldn’t use his superpower to read their thoughts, only to roughly gauge their cultivation.

Lu Changsheng and Li Xianyun were puzzled. They couldn’t discern Tang Yi’s cultivation; he seemed to have none, yet perhaps even surpassed them—but if so, there should be some sign of spiritual energy. If he were ordinary, how did he reach Talent Selection Peak? Moreover, according to the assassins of the Blood Fiend Sect’s Blue Robe Hall and the disciples of the Hundred Blossom Sword Sect, Tang Yi’s abilities were those only cultivators possessed. It was all a mystery, but they would unravel it in time.

Tang Yi dropped the storage bag from his mouth and tugged at Zhang Qiang, who still gnawed on the ring. He turned to Lu Changsheng. “Yes, my name is Tang Yi. How did you know?”

“Ha, I am Lu Changsheng, Master of the Divine Sword Sect, under which the Hundred Blossom Sword Sect also falls. Does that clarify things?” Lu Changsheng smiled.

“Oh, so that’s it. Understood. But what brings Master Lu to seek me out?” Tang Yi asked in confusion.

“It’s like this: as a token of thanks for your help, I’d like to invite you to our other courtyard for a chat and to express our gratitude.”

“Will there be good food? Honestly, I’m a bit hungry. Let’s go!” Tang Yi spoke lightheartedly, but inwardly he was scheming how to learn the secret of using the storage ring from Master Lu. If any cultivator heard this, they'd laugh themselves silly; after all, storage-type magical items were the most basic thing—if you couldn’t use even those, could you really call yourself a cultivator?

Tang Yi and Zhang Qiang followed Lu Changsheng and Li Xianyun to the Talent Selection Courtyard—a cluster of buildings reminiscent of Suzhou gardens. Before they even entered the large stone gate inscribed “Talent Selection Courtyard,” someone called out, “That monk-headed guy—isn’t he Tang Yi?” Tang Yi turned to see a handsome man whose expression suggested the world owed him a million spirit stones, draped in a bright red cloak: Su Xiong, Master of the Blood Fiend Sect. Behind him stood three others—the remaining three sect masters.

“Who are you? This hairstyle is called fashion, you rustic bumpkin. And that sour face—do I owe you money?” Tang Yi was irritated by Su Xiong’s shout.

“So you are Tang Yi! Pay me back—no, pay me my spirit stones!” Su Xiong, furious, rushed up and hoisted Tang Yi off his feet. Lu Changsheng and the others hurried over to break up the fight. Zhang Qiang, witnessing the scene, exclaimed, “Damn, immortals are brawling! I’m outta here!” He darted off faster than a rabbit—no, a leopard.

“Ah!” “Wow!” “Oh!” “Ping!” “Ack!” “Poof!”...

Su Xiong and Tang Yi had no cultivator’s composure; they fought like street thugs. Li Xianyun and the others, who had come to mediate, somehow got drawn in, turning the scene into a melee.

The commotion at the Talent Selection Courtyard gate drew a crowd.

“Stop—!” Lu Changsheng shouted. The combatants froze. “People are coming. We shouldn’t linger here!” He dragged Tang Yi away first; the others followed suit. Those who arrived only saw a few shadows flit by—no show to watch, so they dispersed.

Back in the previous assembly hall: “Look at yourselves!” Lu Changsheng pointed at the disheveled, tattered sect masters. Tang Yi was the worst—his clothes were in shreds. Lu Changsheng had tried to mediate, but as the chaos escalated, he withdrew, remaining the only one neat and tidy.

Su Xiong glared murderously at Tang Yi; Tang Yi returned the glare, and suddenly Su Xiong’s clothes burst into flames, startling everyone. The others now viewed Tang Yi with renewed curiosity—he was even stranger than they’d thought.

Su Xiong extinguished the flames and calmed down, then said with a complex look, “Your mundane affairs—I’ll overlook them for now. But tomorrow, you must face me in a proper duel. After that, our business will be settled.” He tossed his wild hair and strode off to change. Li Xianyun and the others also left.

Once they’d departed, Lu Changsheng turned to Tang Yi. “Fellow Tang, your cultivation method is quite peculiar. Would you care to explain?”

“No problem, but, uh, we have nowhere to stay and haven’t eaten yet. Could you help with that? Most importantly, could I have a change of clothes?” Tang Yi said.

“Ha, that’s easily arranged. You’ve done my sect a favor—during the Talent Selection Conference, your food, lodging, and all needs are covered by Divine Sword Sect. By the way, what about your friend?” Lu Changsheng replied.

“He’ll manage. I’ll find him after I change.” Tang Yi said nonchalantly.

“Very well. Please, Fellow Tang!” Lu Changsheng led Tang Yi to the Divine Sword Sect’s quarters...

“Brother Tang, eat! This is delicious... mm... really delicious...” Zhang Qiang praised the food between mouthfuls. Elder Lu chuckled, stroking his long beard.

“You reincarnated from a starved ghost? Slow down, you’re embarrassing me,” Tang Yi said, wolfing his own food.

“Hahaha...” Elder Lu and the other Divine Sword Sect members couldn’t help but laugh.

After the feast, Elder Lu took only Tang Yi to an outdoor pavilion. It was already dusk; the trading fair crowd had dispersed, and the setting sun, enormous atop Talent Selection Peak, glowed red.

“Here, have some tea—this is premium Spring Mist Peak tea. I traded hard for it with Li Xianyun.” As Tang Yi watched the sunset, nearly moved to poetry, Elder Lu had somehow produced a tea set and brewed a pot of fine tea.

Tang Yi couldn’t read Elder Lu’s mind, but judging by his demeanor, the old man clearly had a fondness for him, not to mention Tang Yi’s recent assistance to the Hundred Blossom Sword Sect. Elder Lu would surely help with this small favor. Resolute, Tang Yi glanced around and asked, “Is anyone listening in?”

“Don’t worry, I’ve already set up a sound-isolating barrier. No one outside can hear us.”

“Oh, then I’m relieved!” Tang Yi admired Elder Lu’s ability to lay a barrier so effortlessly.

“By the way, Elder Lu, how do you use storage rings, belts, and bags?” Tang Yi asked his most pressing question.

“Ah!” Elder Lu was baffled—how could he not know? Still, he patiently explained, “Ahem, it’s actually simple. For the ring, blood recognition suffices. The others don’t require it.”

“Blood recognition—I tried, but it didn’t work! The other storage items are the same,” Tang Yi replied.

“No effect? That’s odd. Let me see... Yes, it’s a storage ring. Oh, did you guide it with your spiritual power? All first-time magical items require spiritual power to activate,” Elder Lu realized Tang Yi was a total novice.

“Spiritual power? I don’t seem to have any!” Tang Yi said, frustrated.

“Ah... Impossible!” Elder Lu was astonished. After a moment, he asked, “If you don’t mind, may I examine your internal condition?”

“Sure!” Tang Yi agreed. Elder Lu placed his hand on Tang Yi’s wrist and sent a gentle stream of spiritual energy into his body. After a full circuit, Elder Lu was more puzzled than ever—Tang Yi was utterly ordinary, without any martial arts, true qi, or even basic internal energy, let alone the hallmark of cultivators: spiritual power.

“Fellow Tang, I find it very strange—how do you possess such abilities with no spiritual or internal energy whatsoever?” Elder Lu inquired.

“To be honest, I’ve never cultivated or practiced. It’s innate—I call it superpower.” Tang Yi replied truthfully.

“Superpower? In all my years, I’ve never heard of such a thing. If it’s innate, there should be others in this world.”

“There are, but very few. My friend Zhang Qiang is one, and here on Talent Selection Peak, I’ve found several more—one is even a member of your Divine Sword Sect, right here in your quarters.” Tang Yi revealed.

“Oh, I never noticed.” Elder Lu was amazed.

“Don’t feel bad; I’m certain no one in the world, apart from me, can detect superpowers—not even those who possess them.” Tang Yi boasted.

“Is that so? I’m curious—can you point out who in Divine Sword Sect has a superpower?” Elder Lu asked eagerly.

“That’s easy, but can you first help me with the storage ring?” Tang Yi pressed.

“That’s simple, here!” With a wave of his hand, the tea set vanished from the stone table, replaced by a book. He handed it to Tang Yi. The title: “Beginner’s Guide to Cultivation.” “Damn, there’s actually such a book!” Tang Yi exclaimed inwardly.

“Let’s go, I’m very curious!” Elder Lu, now like an inquisitive child, dragged Tang Yi inside.

“Hey, let me put away this book...”

In a grand hall of Divine Sword Sect, the senior members and those who might possess superpowers had gathered. Tang Yi indicated the one with a superpower; Elder Lu summoned everyone from that area.

“It’s him? Lin Jiang—Little Jiang is supposed to have an innate water constitution. Could it be that those with innate constitutions have superpowers?” Elder Lu wondered aloud.

“Most likely. To confirm, you could find more people with the so-called innate constitutions,” Tang Yi suggested. The others were baffled.

Lin Jiang bowed to Elder Lu and asked, “Master, what is a superpower? Could you enlighten us?” The rest nodded in agreement. “Fellow Tang, would you explain?” Elder Lu said.

Tang Yi realized mere words wouldn’t suffice; a demonstration was better. “Let me show you.” He had Elder Lu hold the “Beginner’s Guide to Cultivation,” with Lin Jiang standing in front. “Ladies and gentlemen, watch closely.”

Tang Yi rolled up his sleeves, reached his right hand through Lin Jiang’s chest, took the book from Elder Lu, and withdrew. The process wasn’t quick, leaving Lin Jiang dumbfounded. The others debated whether it was sleight of hand, but dismissed the notion—if it were, someone would have noticed.

“That concludes the demonstration. I’m off to bed—I need rest for tomorrow’s duel.” Tang Yi tucked the book under his arm and left.

“Who’s he fighting?” someone asked.

Elder Lu smiled and simply replied, “Su Xiong,” then departed.

“What? He’s going to fight the Blood Fiend Sect’s Master? My heavens... Incredible...” Only after a long pause did someone finally exclaim.