Shen Yu discovered three important truths before breakfast.
First — the steamed bun seller watered down his dough again.
Second — his cultivation progress was still "average," which was polite sect language for *disappointing*.
Third — today was the talent assessment, and somehow his sandals had decided to break at the worst possible moment.
He hopped across the stone courtyard on one foot, muttering,
"Fine. Trip me. Humiliate me. But if Heaven thinks this will stop me from eating breakfast, it's underestimating my hunger."
The **Azure Mist Sect** courtyard buzzed with excitement.
Disciples stood in neat lines, robes fluttering dramatically, all pretending they weren't peeking at each other's spiritual light like nosy aunties.
Shen Yu took his place at the very end.
Naturally.
"Oi, Shen Yu," someone called. "Ready to blind us with your brilliance?"
Shen Yu grinned.
"Please. I'd hate to make you cry this early."
Laughter rippled through the back row.
Up front, the **Talent Measuring Pillar** shimmered — ancient, solemn, and extremely judgmental. One by one, disciples placed their hands on it.
Golden light.
Blue light.
Violet streaks.
Elders nodded.
Names were written.
Future legends were born.
Shen Yu watched calmly while chewing the last of his bun.
When it was his turn, an elder sighed before Shen Yu even touched the pillar.
"Name?"
"Shen Yu."
"Age?"
"Eighteen."
"Expectations?"
Shen Yu thought carefully.
"…Lunch."
A few disciples snorted. One elder pinched the bridge of his nose.
Shen Yu placed his palm on the pillar.
Nothing happened.
No light.
No shimmer.
No dramatic wind.
The pillar stayed as blank as Shen Yu's expression.
A breeze passed.
Someone coughed.
The elder frowned.
"Again."
Shen Yu pressed harder.
Still nothing.
The elder's voice turned professional — the tone used when delivering bad news politely.
"Spiritual output… negligible."
Another elder leaned in, squinting.
"…Is it broken?"
A third elder shook his head.
"The pillar responds to *everyone*."
Shen Yu withdrew his hand.
"Oh good. I was worried it just didn't like me."
The verdict was written:
> **Shen Yu — Ordinary. No notable talent detected.**
Shen Yu peered at the paper.
"Huh. That's shorter than last year."
Behind him, a sharp voice cut in.
"Move."
Shen Yu turned.
A girl stood there, arms crossed, eyes sharp enough to slice bamboo. Her robe bore **dual blade insignia**, and her expression suggested she'd never lost an argument in her life.
"Oh," Shen Yu said pleasantly. "You're next. Try not to intimidate the pillar too much."
She stared at him.
"…You talk a lot for someone invisible."
He smiled wider.
"Practice. It keeps me entertained."
She snorted and stepped forward.
The pillar erupted in silver light, blades of energy spinning briefly before settling.
Gasps.
The elders straightened.
"Lu Xinyi," one elder announced, impressed. "Exceptional flow alignment."
Lu Xinyi smirked — just a little — then glanced back at Shen Yu.
"See?" she said. "That's how it's done."
Shen Yu clapped.
"Very shiny. Ten out of ten. Minimal explosion. Elegant."
She paused.
"…Are you mocking me?"
"Never," he said seriously. "I lack the talent."
She laughed despite herself — quick, surprised — then walked off.
Shen Yu didn't notice the **old blind man** leaning against the courtyard wall.
But the old man noticed him.
Felt the air hesitate.
Felt space… *pause*.
The old man's lips curved faintly.
"Well now," he murmured. "That's interesting."
Shen Yu dusted off his hands and stretched.
"Alright," he announced to no one in particular. "Assessment complete. I'm officially unremarkable. Anyone up for lunch?"
The sky above remained calm.
The pillar silent.
But somewhere far beyond sight, a **blank line flickered** in the Sky Archive.
And for the first time in a very long while—
Something didn't know what to write.
### **End of Chapter 1**