"No, he truly is only at the Three Talents Heaven cultivation level." Bai Qingya's delicate features were etched with a wry smile as she stared fixedly at Ji Changkong, unable to fathom the depth of his elemental power.

"What kind of joke is this? How could a Celestial Master at the Three Talents Heaven realm effortlessly manipulate the largest piece of Black Ink Stone!" Tan Li clearly didn't believe it. She leaned in close to Bai Qingya and suddenly chuckled softly, "Qingya, what is your relationship with this young man? You always maintain a proper distance from men, yet this time you personally brought someone over. Is there something... between you two?"

Perhaps recalling some suggestive scene, Bai Qingya's fair face flushed red. She hastily denied, "Sister Li, what nonsense are you speaking! His name is Bai Hui, he's my cousin!"

"Heh heh, in this day and age, things between 'sisters' and 'brothers' are the hardest to define..." Tan Li drew out her words, letting out a tinkling laugh.

Bang!

The millstone-sized Black Ink Stone settled squarely onto the circular platform.

Ji Changkong became interested and asked Tan Li with a smile, "Are there any other tests? Heh heh, these tests are quite interesting. Are there any established standards for judgment?"

"Your elemental power far surpasses that of an ordinary Three Talents Heaven Celestial Master. This boy has limitless potential!" Tan Li complimented, then waved her hand to make a mark on a piece of paper before her, passing it to Bai Qingya. She smiled, "Qingya, I don't need to test further here. Take him to try elemental power solidification."

Taking the paper from Tan Li, Bai Qingya glanced at it and let out a soft breath. "Elemental Power Density: Above his rank! Sister Li, the evaluation you've given is truly high!"

"The boy’s strength is self-evident. No matter who tests him, the conclusion will be the same! I am not showing him any favoritism." Tan Li smiled as she glanced up at some people in the viewing stands. "Look, those sharp-eyed old folks up there have already noticed what's happening here. As long as he doesn't drastically underperform in the next tests, those cunning old foxes will certainly be scrambling to claim him."

Following Tan Li's gaze, Ji Changkong noticed that among the well-dressed, powerful Celestial Masters who had initially been focused only on the combat in the arena, several were indeed looking his way with gleaming eyes, appearing deeply curious about his subsequent performance.

"Let's go! Little Hui, follow me to the area for testing elemental solidification." Bai Qingya waved the paper in her hand and led Ji Changkong to a shallow, man-made pool filled with clear water, spanning about an acre. The water in the pool was crystal clear, and nearby, several young people, under the guidance of a plump old woman, were using their elemental power to shape the water into various forms.

A few slightly older Celestial Masters were not even using the water in the pool, purely manifesting various flowers and exotic beasts in front of them using the elemental power within their bodies—this was the true sign of a peak Three Talents Heaven realm master!

"Granny Wang, are you busy? I've brought someone over to test." Upon arriving, Bai Qingya greeted the plump old woman with a smile.

"Ah, it's Little Ya, come right over." Wang Rong motioned for someone to step back, and once Bai Qingya approached, she casually accepted the paper Bai Qingya offered and exclaimed in surprise, "Elemental Power Density: Above rank!"

Looking at Ji Changkong with amazement, Wang Rong said, "Young man, try channeling your elemental power into the clear water in the pool first, solidify the water into the specific shapes I require."

Ji Changkong nodded. With a stir of elemental power in his body, a large mass of water from the pool before him suddenly flew out, hovering mid-air like a massive water sphere that refused to dissipate.

"A table!" "A round stone!" "A swift horse!" "A python!"

Wang Rong called out the four items in quick succession.

Suddenly, the large water sphere spun rapidly once. Not a single droplet splashed away. A small, perfectly square table materialized from the pool water. As Wang Rong uttered her second command, "A round stone," the table's four legs retracted, and it transformed into a massive, perfectly spherical rock.

The shapes of the swift horse and the python also materialized before Wang Rong after two transformations, appearing utterly lifelike. After forming, the horse and python even simulated movements—the horse galloping, the python slithering out of its lair—truly resembling a charging steed and a burrowing serpent.

"Marvelous!"

Wang Rong clapped her hands in admiration and turned to Bai Qingya with a smile. "This young man’s control over his elemental power is extremely skilled. Not only did he condense four objects in such a short time, but not a drop of water was wasted. The inanimate objects remain still, and the living creatures move dynamically—truly extraordinary!"

Bai Qingya smiled and nodded, clearly delighted.

"Young man, without relying on the pool water, try solidifying an object purely with your elemental power!" Wang Rong became even more interested, her wrinkled old face breaking into a brilliant smile.

In the stands, an increasing number of powerful Celestial Masters were paying attention to Ji Changkong. They would glance toward the young Celestial Masters fighting in the arena one moment, and then turn back toward this area the next, seemingly multitasking while eagerly anticipating Ji Changkong’s next display.

To everyone’s surprise, Ji Changkong shook his head and replied with a smile, "To solidify elemental power into physical objects, one must have thoroughly cultivated their Spirit, Will, and Perception to the peak of the Three Talents Heaven realm. Only then can I infuse my saliva, my vital essence, with elemental power; my blood is not yet fully refined, so I cannot yet purely solidify objects with my elemental energy."

"Ah..."

The plump Wang Rong gasped, a look of sheer astonishment on her face. "Your elemental power density exceeds your rank, and your control over it is already exquisitely refined. I truly thought you had already cultivated to the very pinnacle of the Three Talents Heaven realm!"

After a moment of hesitation, Wang Rong showed no disappointment; rather, her eyes sparkled with a strange light, her expression thoughtful. "Young man, your fundamental skills are truly solidly built! Excellent! Truly excellent! Little Ya, this young man has unlimited potential!"

With that said, Wang Rong took the paper Bai Qingya handed over, frowned in thought, drew another mark on it, and then returned it to Bai Qingya. "For the one-on-one matches later, you can select someone whose cultivation has reached the peak of Three Talents Heaven realm, mastering Spirit, Will, and Perception, to test him. This boy's elemental power is immense, and his control is exquisite; even fighting against someone of a slightly higher realm, he might not necessarily lose!"

"Elemental Power Mastery—Exquisite! Capable of challenging those above his rank!" Bai Qingya murmured upon reading the evaluation Wang Rong had returned, her face full of pleasant surprise. "Thank you for your kind words, Granny Wang!"

"Why are you thanking me, girl?" The plump Wang Rong put on a stern face, then immediately burst into laughter again. "This young man is indeed exceptional. I have seen so many so-called young talents, but I have never seen one whose foundation skills are as solid as his!"

Ji Changkong listened to their conversation with a slight smile, not interrupting. Through Granny Wang's words, he truly realized that Mo Yunyi's decision back then must have been extremely accurate. If Mo Yunyi hadn't advised him not to rush to cultivate Celestial Master Secret Techniques, but instead to first firmly stabilize his realm and solidify the foundations of the First Yuan Heaven and Second Harmony Heaven, his tests today would certainly not have been so easy.

Suddenly, a middle-aged man dressed like a steward jumped down from the viewing stands and hurried over to Ji Changkong, announcing loudly, "Little brother, are you interested in joining our Zhu family? If you come to the Zhu family, we guarantee you the highest quality Celestial Master Secret Techniques to study. Once you break through to the Four Symbols Heaven realm, we will immediately recommend you for service in the Imperial Palace Guard—your future will be boundless!"

"Thank you, Elder Zhu, but my cousin currently has no such plans." Before Ji Changkong could speak, Bai Qingya quickly stepped forward, placing herself in front of him to refuse.

"Is that so..." The old servant looked somewhat disappointed, nodded, and didn't say anything more, turning to ascend the stands to report in a low voice to a certain well-dressed elder who had been the first to notice Ji Changkong.

The elder's eyes gleamed as he looked at Ji Changkong. After listening to the servant's hushed report, he shook his head with an expression of deep disappointment.

"Little Hui, come, the upcoming duels are the main event. You rest now, don't worry about anything, I will arrange everything." Bai Qingya tugged on Ji Changkong's sleeve and led him to a resting area furnished with meditation cushions. After Ji Changkong sat down, she took the paper bearing the comments from Tan Li and Wang Rong and headed toward a crowded area to fill out some forms.

A short while later, Bai Qingya returned, smiling sweetly. Before Ji Changkong could speak, she sat on a cushion beside him and explained softly, "This is the designated area where the great families of Tianshui City and some Celestial Master Sects of the Water Cloud Kingdom select outer disciples and retainers. Unaffiliated cultivators and young talents who do not belong to any major family or sect usually come here to try their luck if they wish to enter these powerful factions."

"The great families and major sects naturally have the advantage. Through years of accumulation, they often possess complete Celestial Master Secrets and Secret Techniques, along with sufficient Yuan Stones and various rare Celestial Master materials."

"It is in these areas that independent cultivators are most lacking. Without sufficient Yuan Stones and guidance from masters, the path of Celestial Master cultivation becomes much more arduous. If they can join these major families or sects and utilize their resources, talented independent cultivators can immediately distinguish themselves, gaining opportunities not only to enter the powerful institutions of Tianshui City but also to secure a foothold in the major sects. With status and position, they can access even greater Celestial Master resources, making their future progress much faster than if they relied on solitary practice and exploration."

"Of course, once they enter these great families or sects, while enjoying their resources, they must also exert themselves for them and abide by their regulations."

"I know you are not lacking in Celestial Master resources. I brought you here not because I hoped you would be recognized by them, but because I felt your combat experience is too limited. Competing against others here to accumulate experience seems very suitable. With people watching, there won't be lethal battles during the duels—it’s a good opportunity to temper yourself."

"Furthermore, this place is a mix of all sorts, with many experts, and occasionally some unique Celestial Mountain Secret Techniques and arts will surface. Even just exposing you to these things for experience would be beneficial, don't you think?"

Ji Changkong nodded and smiled, "Thank you, Sister Bai."

"Why are you being so polite with me!" Bai Qingya playfully shot him a glance, then smiled sweetly. "Just wait, it should be your turn soon. Remember, when you fight, hold back some strength. Minor injuries are fine, but do not take a life."

"Mmm."

"Bai Hui! Tong Yuanjian!" Just then, a loud shout echoed from a battle platform that had just been vacated.

"Go ahead, be careful. The current fighter should be around your realm. If you win three matches in a row, they will arrange a match for you against a peak Three Talents Heaven Celestial Master who has cultivated Spirit, Perception, and Will." Bai Qingya gently nudged Ji Changkong and whispered.

Rising, Ji Changkong understood everything clearly. Calm and collected, he walked toward the platform where the call had come from.

... Seeking recommendation tickets urgently! Little Ni has three chapters today, everyone please help out, asking for recommendation tickets!!