Chapter 12: The Ten-Tier Divine Bone
At that moment, Yun Qingwan had become the center of attention.
Her stunning beauty, first-class Yuan Bone talent, and respectable family background coalesced into one thing: irresistible allure. Nearly every young man in the square stared at her with fiery admiration, while the girls simmered with jealousy and envy.
Among them, Shangguan Qianzhi's gaze was filled with undisguised desire.
"I must have Qingwan," he vowed internally. "A goddess like her… how could that cripple Mu Feng possibly be worthy of her now?"
In a six-story pavilion overlooking the square, Prince of the North, Nan Hao, stood on a balcony with his strategist, Duan Qianmou. The prince's eyes were fixed on the graceful girl descending from the platform.
"That girl," Nan Hao mused. "She's the daughter of Yun Hai?"
"Yes, Your Highness," Duan replied, "and also Mu Feng's former fiancée. However, Yun Hai has reportedly annulled the engagement."
Nan Hao chuckled. "Yun Hai shows wisdom, distancing himself from the Mu family before it's too late. This Yun Qingwan… she's impressive. Her beauty, talent, and background would suit my son, Ling'er, well enough."
Duan Qianmou caught the implication immediately. "Your Highness, shall I prepare a betrothal gift for the Yun family?"
Nan Hao nodded slightly, gently waving his gilded fan. "Yes, do it in a few days. The Yun family's strength could prove useful for the grand plans ahead."
"As you command," Duan replied, bowing.
Nan Hao then shifted his gaze toward the Mu family's contingent, his expression darkening. "Is everything in place?"
"Rest assured, Your Highness," Duan said confidently. "This time, there will be no mistakes."
Nan Hao's eyes glinted coldly. "Good. Weed out the roots, lest the spring breeze gives them life again."
Soon, it was the Mu family's turn to test their Yuan Bones. The first to step forward was Mu Qing.
Mu Qing sliced his palm and pressed it against the milky-white testing stele. The stele absorbed his blood, and one by one, eight Yuan Patterns lit up.
"Mu Qing, Eight-Tier Yuan Bone—Qualified!" the academy recorder announced loudly.
"Haha, as expected of Brother Qing!" one Mu family disciple cheered. "An Eight-Tier Yuan Bone, just like Shangguan Qianzhi."
"What do you mean, the second-best talent in the family?" another quipped, smirking as he glanced at Mu Feng. "He's the best now, isn't he?"
The disciples erupted in chatter, some sympathetic, others mocking.
Mu Qing cast a smug glance at Mu Feng and descended the platform with a sneer.
Next was Mu Kuang, who scored a Seven-Tier Yuan Bone.
One by one, the Mu family disciples ascended the platform, most meeting the academy's standard. Finally, it was Mu Feng's turn.
As he stepped forward, whispers rippled through the crowd.
"Hey, look—it's Mu Feng!"
"Yeah, I heard his Yuan meridians and Zifu were shattered during the war. Wonder if that's true."
"We'll find out soon enough."
Under the weight of countless eyes, Mu Feng took a deep breath, trying to appear calm. He approached the stele, sliced his palm, and let his blood flow.
Suddenly, the stele flared with an unusual crimson light.
One! Two! Three! Four! The Yuan Patterns began to glow.
Five, six, seven, eight! The ninth pattern lit up, but the stele didn't stop.
Ten!
The final Tenth Yuan Pattern burst to life, and the entire stele radiated a deep red glow, as if bathed in blood.
"What?! This is—"
"Ten Yuan Patterns! That's…"
The crowd erupted into chaos. Everyone knew that Yuan Bone talent typically maxed out at nine tiers.
"A Ten-Tier Yuan Bone! Divine Bone!" someone shouted. "This is the legendary Divine Bone talent—one in a million!"
The three academy elders shot to their feet. Two of them were visibly excited, but Zhao Heng's face darkened.
"A Ten-Tier Divine Bone! The academy has found another monstrous talent," one elder murmured.
"Indeed," Zhao Heng replied tersely. "With proper cultivation, he could certainly surpass the Yuan Dan Realm."
The plaza was abuzz with astonishment and envy. Even Mu Feng was taken aback. His father had tested him years ago, revealing a Nine-Tier Yuan Bone. When had it evolved into a Divine Bone?
A Divine Bone was a supreme talent for cultivation, offering unparalleled sensitivity to spiritual energy and a vastly accelerated absorption rate.
"Divine Bone!" gasped the academy recorder, his voice trembling. "This academy might gain a peerless prodigy!"
He began to announce the results. "Mu Feng, Divine Bone talent, qua—"
"Wait!" A cold voice interrupted him.
It was Zhao Heng.
The elder strode forward, his piercing gaze locking onto Mu Feng. "Mu Feng," he began, his tone icy, "is it true that your Yuan meridians and Zifu were shattered?"
A hush fell over the square as everyone held their breath, awaiting his response.
Mu Feng clenched his fists. He had expected this question. After a brief pause, he nodded. "Yes. My Yuan meridians and Zifu were indeed shattered."
The crowd erupted into murmurs.
"It's true, then…"
"What a waste. A Divine Bone talent, and it's all for nothing."
Zhao Heng's lips curled into a cold smile. "In that case," he declared, "remove his name from the list. He cannot enter the Royal Academy."
Mu Feng's face paled. He had dreaded this moment. Gathering his courage, he stepped forward and asked, "Elder, why? You yourself stated the rules—age and talent are all that matter."
"Why?" Zhao Heng sneered. "With your Yuan meridians and Zifu shattered, what use is your talent? You'll never become a true martial artist. The Royal Academy does not waste resources on cripples."
The word "cripple" struck Mu Feng like a hammer, echoing in his mind.
Trembling with anger, Mu Feng struggled to remain composed. The Royal Academy represented the pinnacle of martial education in the Southern Ling Kingdom—a place of unmatched resources, techniques, and mentors. It was the perfect platform for his recovery and growth.
But his shattered Yuan meridians loomed as an insurmountable barrier.
He couldn't reveal the existence of the Ancient Shura Sutra, either. That secret would only invite danger—powerful figures would kill to possess it.
"A treasure invites calamity," he reminded himself, swallowing his pride. For now, he could only endure.