CHAPTER 18 DARREN'S TALENT (PART TWO)

Instead of replying, the guard of the Martial Skill Library directly tore open his upper garment, revealing

a horrendous scar on his body.

"I got this scar from fighting the strong cultivator. Even if I was not strong enough, I bravely fought him

at the risk of my own life, not like you cowards," Tyler proudly said.

Silence fell over them. The other elders were left speechless.

They had not known that Tyler Chu fought the strong cultivator of the Mysterious Realm. What had

them even more bewildered about the revelation was the fact that he had not been killed in the fight.

'Has he already learned the fourth part of the Profound Nine Sword Skills?' the Chief Elder thought.

'Tyler Chu is currently only in the sixth stage of the Spirit Realm. However, with the force of the

Profound Nine Sword Skills, he was able to fight the strong cultivator of the Mysterious Realm for quite

a while. That's fairly powerful.'

A sudden blast of strong wind distracted the Chief Elder from his thoughts. It was so strong that even

the clouds were stirred.

There was a flash and the next thing, a figure appeared on the test stage.

As the figure stood upright, more people began to take notice of the other person present on the stage.

The person was wearing a grey robe that reached the floor. He appeared to be middle-aged and his

eyes were as bright as stars. He had a severe commanding presence and gave off an air of

mysteriousness.

"It's Elder Thomas!" Jimmy exclaimed.

He hastily saluted and urged all the other Ilmen Sect disciples to salute as well.

"Welcome, Elder Thomas," he continued.

The man was Thomas Gongsun, an elder in the School of Sword Skill in the Ilmen Sect.

"Oh, it's the elder from the Ilmen Sect. Salute now. Quickly!" A tiny commotion had started to build up

among the Chu Clan elders.

Most of the Chu Clan members knelt directly to show their respects to the man whom they had only

heard about in stories.

The elders held a fist in their other hand and bowed submissively.

"Please stand up," Thomas Gongsun began. "I heard that there is a genius among the Chu Clan who

possesses the talent of the Black Degree. I've come here to see him." His voice was as loud as the

sound of thunder. Even his words seemed to hold the same force as that of a sword.

"He is a strong man of the Mysterious Realm. He may have already learned about the sword intent.

Amazing," complimented Tyler Chu, who was a fairly good swordsman himself. He couldn't help feeling

astounded by the man's presence.

"Elder Thomas, this is Darren. I guess he might have the talent of the Black Degree," Jimmy said as he

pointed towards Darren.

"You guess? Jimmy, you have been in the School of Boxing Skill for a long time. How can you judge

somebody's talent just by guessing?" Thomas Gongsun remarked. Jimmy's statement had clearly irked

him.

"My apologies," a flustered Jimmy said. He cleared his throat. "Darren claimed that he has learned the

seventh level of the Meridians Refining Scripture. But I'm not able to confirm it myself. So I sent a

message back to the sect for instructions. I'm sorry to bother you, Elder Thomas. Please forgive me,"

he continued.

"Oh? The seventh level?" Thomas Gongsun said, his interest returning. "Well, all right. Let me have a

check."

Thomas Gongsun prompted Darren to approach him on the stage.

"Elder Thomas, it is an honor to meet you," Darren greeted. He held a fist with his other hand and gave

the elder a salute.

Thomas Gongsun nodded and pressed his hand on the meridians on Darren's wrist. A peculiar energy Text © 2024 .

was instantaneously spread all over Darren's body.

With his strength and knowledge, he had the power to handily test Darren's talent.

It was just like how Darren was tested that day back when he had the talent only at level two of the

Yellow Degree.

"Ha-ha!" Thomas Gongsun laughed aloud.

"Wonderful. Your talent has reached the level one of the Black Degree. You are a super genius," he

stated. The elder was extremely pleased. "You have made a great contribution to the sect," he said as

he turned to Jimmy. "As a reward, you will receive three Dragon Herbs and a chance to stay in the

Mysterious Spiritual Pool to get meridians refining for three days."

"Thank you, Elder Thomas!" Jimmy delightedly exclaimed. 'The three Dragon Herbs are the highest-

grade herbs. They can help me increase my strength to at least one more stage. As for the Mysterious

Spiritual Pool, only super geniuses are allowed to get in. I have definitely earned a lot this time, ' he

thought.

Thomas Gongsun turned to Darren and looked at him with satisfaction. "Your name is Darren Chu, isn't

it?" he asked

"Yes, Elder Thomas," Darren replied.

"All right. Darren, you will be welcome to join our sect. Three days from now, you must choose a school

of martial arts skill. My school, the School of Sword Skill, is in need of talented people such as you.

Please consider it while making your choice," the elder said.

Hearing those words gave Darren the impression that Thomas Gongsun wanted him to attend the

School of Sword Skill.

"I would really like to be a swordsman. I will consider my options carefully and make a good choice."

The elder chuckled at Darren's response. "Very well. I should get going now. I have confidence in you,

my boy," he said and vanished away in a flash just as he did when he arrived.

A few scattered claps from the crowd started to be heard.

It then burst into a large applause.

Darren had been confirmed a genius with a talent of the Black Degree by an Ilmen Sect elder. It was

now official, then. It couldn't possibly be fake. The people who used to look down on and tease him –

all of them were now admiring him.

~

After about two hours had passed, Nicholas and the other candidates gloomily stepped out of the test

room. All of them looked dejected.

"Failed. All of you," Jimmy frankly said.

All those so-called talented people spent too much time inside the test room. They had a hard time

trying to pass the test for the Ilmen Sect. The level of their talents was just too low, after all.

Everyone had their eyes focused on Darren. Compared to the others who went out with no luck, he

was the star of the moment.

"Darren, I'll see you in three days," Jimmy said as he walked over to the other Ilmen Sect disciples who

were preparing to leave.

"See you, brothers," Darren politely called out. Jimmy waved goodbye and left with the others.

Darren then started to climb down from the test stage one step at a time. He felt everyone's eyes on

him with every step that he took.

As the last of the Ilmen Sect disciples left, Stan stood up and blocked Darren's way. He looked terribly

furious. He looked like he was ready to kill Darren.

"Your talent doesn't make you strong. No matter how talented you are, I will never let you go so easily,

Darren."