Nature's Perfection; Nine Exquisite Body! . . .
They were all flabbergasted, their mouths agape as if they were gasping for air like stranded catfish in a parched pond. It was as though their collective shock had sent numerous jaws plummeting to the ground.
Even Zhan Yunfei, who had been aware of Cha Eun Xiao's Nine Exquisite Body, found himself in utter disbelief. He was left utterly dumbfounded. If it weren't for the frames of their eyes, their eyeballs would likely have shot out of their sockets by now.
A total of eighteen floors...
—Shoot, shoot, shoot...—
The Tower of Talent had finally revealed its pinnacle, its spire radiating with moonlight that bathed every nook and cranny of the hall. For the first time in history, the Tower of Talent had displayed its spire, signifying that Cha Chongxiao had transcended the limitations of human potential.
The Moonlight Trial was now fading away, and both the moonlight and starlight were gradually receding. The Tower of Talent, however, continued to revolve slowly in the air. Suddenly, a beam of bright light shot from the spire toward a piece of paper in front of Yue Changtian.
Words began to appear on that paper.
In the next instant, the Tower of Talent suddenly burst into countless sparkling fragments and streamed into Cha Eun Xiao's body like rivers flowing into the sea. It entered his dantian, causing his body to momentarily become transparent before returning to its normal state.
—Boom!—
Something extraordinary had taken place, leaving those in attendance bewildered. They gazed at Cha Eun Xiao as though he were a monstrous aberration, a being defying the natural order.
He was a marvel—a figure who seemed to defy the laws of nature itself.
He had undergone a breakthrough without any apparent cause, during a Moonlight Trial, in which he was unable to utilize any martial arts. His spiritual power had been sealed during the trial, which should have made such an accomplishment impossible.
And yet, he had transcended to a new level without exerting any effort.
Questions raced through their minds: What about cultivation? What about experience? What about his mental state?
Were these matters no longer relevant to him?
Cha Eun Xiao had achieved something unprecedented, prompting whispers throughout the hall. Was he truly this fortunate, or was he the Chosen One?
Even the three grandmasters of the sect noticed that their Prime Master was trembling slightly. His hands shook as he clutched a paper in his hand. He remained silent but appeared utterly bewildered.
The three grandmasters approached him, concern etched across their faces.
"How is it? What did the God of the Moon say about him?" they inquired.
Evidently, not even the three grandmasters could discern Cha Eun Xiao's newfound talent.
Yue Changtian had yet to speak, but one of the three grandmasters seized the paper from his grasp. The other two joined him to examine the document.
A few words had been written in moonlight, slowly fading but still legible. The three grandmasters were similarly flabbergasted.
"Nature's Perfection; Nine Exquisite Body."
As they read the paper, the letters finally faded away.
The impact of these words had already seeped deep into the hearts of the three elderly grandmasters. Their astonishment was palpable.
The three venerable grandmasters were left in a state of stupefaction.
In the Qing-Yun Realm, the Natural Exquisite Body was universally recognized as the most superior physique. Even the illustrious Cold Moon Palace, a sect of considerable repute in this realm, had never recruited an individual with the Natural Exquisite Body throughout its millennia-long history.
It was widely believed that the Nine Exquisite Body surpassed the Natural Exquisite Body. However, it was often considered a mere myth, with no one ever having witnessed it in reality.
Some skeptics even asserted that the Nine Exquisite Body was nothing more than a fable and that the Natural Exquisite Body was the pinnacle of human potential. After all, the realm's history spanned over a hundred thousand years, and no one had ever encountered an individual with a Nine Exquisite Body. They considered it a non-existent entity.
However, at this moment, these men were confronted with the irrefutable evidence of its existence.
Cha Eun Xiao's physique not only rivaled the Nine Exquisite Body but surpassed it, as it was described as "nature's perfection." This phrase was wholly unprecedented, not even found in myths or legends.
Yue Changtian and the three grandmasters stared intently at Cha Eun Xiao, their eyes glowing with avarice.
Even someone as composed as Cha Eun Xiao found himself perturbed by the openly greedy gazes directed at him. During the Moonlight Trial, his recollections were limited to the sight of a brilliant light. He had no genuine comprehension of the events that had transpired during that time, leaving him bewildered.
As he gradually returned to his senses, he was confronted with the sight of four pairs of covetous eyes locked onto him, akin to ravenous dogs upon the scent of a bone. Their collective intent was unmistakable: if it were feasible, they would have devoured him whole.
Even the normally unflappable Cha Eun Xiao felt a pang of anxiety.
Yue Changtian acted with haste to address the assembly. "Esteemed masters, it has been a considerable length of time since the office of the Prime Master had need of an apprentice. This matter pertains to the lineage and succession of our esteemed Prime Master. Masters, I beseech you..."
"Out of the way!" One of the three elderly men interrupted rudely.
Each of them desired a perfect disciple for themselves, with scant regard for the Prime Master or other matters at this moment. The words of the Prime Master held little weight for them presently.
Yue Changtian, no longer able to maintain his usual composure, turned his head, an air of despondency settling over him. "Damn it. Am I not the Prime Master here? They've told me to 'fxck off' in front of all these people..."
"I don't care! He's mine! Mine!"
The three elderly men shouted in unison, their gazes locking onto each other with a burning intensity. Three surges of fierce and murderous intent surged skyward.
"You two should back down. You're both weaker and younger than me. I am the eldest here. Why do you think you can take precedence over me? Show some restraint! Display respect for your elder! Don't bring disgrace upon yourselves!" The oldest among them spoke sternly, his breath heavy with agitation.