"Not bad. Both of your Cultivation speeds are quite fast, and you’re both currently practicing the Heavenly Cycle."
Magnus spoke calmly, his expression unchanged.
"However, remember this: you must push your Heavenly Cycle to its absolute limit before condensing your Spiritual Seed. Otherwise, it will affect your future Realm.
"For those with weaker Talents, Cultivation is extremely slow. Being able to complete a standard Heavenly Cycle is already considered quite good for them. However, their potential is limited. At best, they can reach the Martial Grandmaster realm, while many will never progress beyond Martial Master.
"A Spiritual Seed formed through a Small Heavenly Cycle has a maximum potential of the Martial General realm. A Spiritual Seed formed through a Great Heavenly Cycle can reach the Martial King realm, but even then, they will only be among the weaker Martial Kings."
"Only a Perfect Heavenly Cycle can allow someone to break past the Martial King realm, and that requires both sufficient Talent and opportunity.
"Those with a Talent Rank of B or higher will generally strive to complete a Perfect Heavenly Cycle before condensing their Spiritual Seed. The stronger the foundation you build now, the greater your potential will be in the future."
As he said this, Magnus gave Lucian a deep look.
For a moment, Lucian felt as though Magnus could see straight through him, leaving none of his secrets hidden.
Damn, is this what a true powerhouse is like? His strength is completely unfathomable.
Thankfully, he’s Evelyn’s father.
"It has only been three days since you awakened your Martial Soul, yet you’re already practicing the Heavenly Cycle. That alone proves your Talent is extraordinary.
"I hope you won’t give up on completing a Perfect Heavenly Cycle just to become a Martial Artist a little sooner. That would be a foolish choice."
Magnus’s words carried a hint of disdain for those who sacrificed their long-term potential just to become Martial Artists a little sooner. At the same time, they were clearly meant as advice for both Evelyn and Lucian.
"I have a question for you, Lucian. How many Heavenly Cycles have you completed so far?"
"Don’t worry. I won’t reveal your secret. This villa is equipped with modern anti-surveillance technology, and it’s also protected by a formation that prevents even Advanced Martial Artists from detecting what’s happening inside with their Divine Sense. You can speak freely."
As expected, Evelyn’s father had already noticed something unusual about him.
Completing more than 108 Heavenly Cycles was already strange enough—even Lucian himself had no idea what it meant.
However, he was still hesitant.
Should he really tell Magnus the truth?
Seeing Lucian’s hesitation, Magnus continued to reassure him.
"Don’t worry. Although people who surpass 108 Perfect Heavenly Cycles are extremely rare, they do exist. It’s nothing to be alarmed about.
"Besides, I’m well aware of your relationship with my daughter. I, Magnus Sterling, am an open minded man. Who knows? One day, you might even stop calling me ’Uncle’ and start calling me ’Dad.’ I certainly won’t let your secret get out."
Hearing this, Evelyn’s face instantly turned bright red.
"Dad! What are you talking about?"
Reassured by Magnus’s words, Lucian decided not to hide anything.
"139 Heavenly Cycles. Uncle Magnus, I’m confused about it too. I thought something might have gone wrong with my Cultivation. Do you know what’s happening?"
Indeed, in the short time they had been talking, his Shadow Soldiers had completed another Heavenly Cycle, further increasing the density of Spiritual Energy within his Meridians.
Magnus’s expression remained calm, but his heart was already in turmoil.
His claim that people could surpass 108 Heavenly Cycles had merely been an excuse to coax Lucian into revealing the truth.
As far as Magnus knew, even SS-Rank and SSS-Rank Talents had never surpassed 108 Heavenly Cycles.
In other words, Lucian might very well be the first person in Blue Star’s history to surpass 108 Heavenly Cycles.
Magnus answered Lucian’s question directly, even though his own mind was filled with questions. However, remembering the Divine-Rank Talent Lucian had mentioned to Evelyn, he quickly came up with an explanation.
"It’s because of your Talent. Once your Talent reaches the SSS-Rank level, you may be able to surpass 108 Heavenly Cycles. Just continue Cultivating. When you feel you’ve reached your absolute limit, you can condense your Spiritual Seed."
"Oh, I see. Then I’ll just keep Cultivating. Thank you, Uncle Magnus, for clearing that up."
Lucian nodded, but then a thought suddenly struck him.
Wait... does Uncle Magnus already know about my Talent?
"Don’t worry. Uncle will keep your Talent a secret too."
Lucian was speechless.
Uncle Magnus, are you seriously a mind reader?
"Every medicine has its side effects. I haven’t prepared any Medicinal Pills for you. It’s better to use natural Spiritual Items to build a solid foundation. I happen to have some Tier-3 Spiritual Items called Earth Stone Spirit Milk."
"Ya Ya, you and Lucian can take it when you’re nearing the end of your Heavenly Cycle if you need help breaking through."
As he spoke, Magnus took out two bottles and handed one to Evelyn and the other to Lucian.
"Thank you, Dad."
"Thank you, Uncle Magnus."
Magnus waved his hand dismissively.
"Just focus on your Cultivation. Now, let me see your Martial Skills. Evelyn, you go first."
"Okay, Dad."
"The Martial Skills I chose are the Green Spirit Whip Technique and True Martial Fist. I’ll demonstrate them for you."
With that, Evelyn drew the whip from her waist and began demonstrating the technique. After completing the whip technique, she followed it with True Martial Fist.
"Not bad. Both techniques are a little stiff, but you’ve already grasped the basics."
Magnus paused before continuing.
"However, remember this, Evelyn’s Green Spirit Whip Technique is all about flexibility and unpredictability. A whip wielder must be agile and adaptable. Your movements cannot be stiff when you swing the whip, or you’ll be at a disadvantage in a real fight.
"As for True Martial Fist, it’s a highly practical close-combat technique. You can’t master it simply by practicing alone. Sparring with someone is the fastest way to improve."
Magnus pointed out a few flaws in Evelyn’s techniques, and she listened carefully, taking his advice to heart.
"Lucian, come and demonstrate your Martial Skills."
Hearing the sudden change in how Magnus addressed him, Lucian couldn’t help but think:
Uncle? You’re already calling me ’Little Lucian’ now?
"Okay, Uncle Magnus."
Lucian stepped forward and immediately unleashed his Blood Battle Saber Technique, followed by True Martial Fist.
This time, even Magnus couldn’t remain calm.
Minor Achievement in Blood Battle Saber Technique... and True Martial Fist too?
Damn, how did this kid even manage to practice them to this level?
Magnus was inwardly speechless.
"Not bad. Very good, in fact. You’ve reached Minor Achievement in both Blood Battle Saber Technique and True Martial Fist. Little Lucian, your talent for Martial Skills is truly impressive. Tell me, how did you practice them? Did someone teach you?"
Magnus couldn’t help but praise Lucian’s talent for Martial Skills.
How could it not be strong? My Shadow Soldiers have been practicing day and night.
Lucian secretly chuckled to himself.
"No. I just downloaded the Cultivation manuals and training videos for both Martial Skills and figured them out on my own."
Magnus was speechless.
This kid is a true prodigy.
Under normal circumstances, who could possibly reach Minor Achievement in a Martial Skill in just three days?
Even Magnus himself had needed half a year to reach Minor Achievement in True Martial Fist.
"However, both Blood Battle Saber Technique and True Martial Fist are Martial Skills that focus heavily on actual combat. You can only truly grasp their essence through sparring and real battles. Little Lucian, you should spar with Ya Ya more often."
Magnus had nothing more to teach him at this point, so he could only let Lucian hone his Martial Skills through actual combat. After all, real fights were the best way to improve.
"Evelyn, Lucian, you two can start sparring. If you have any questions later, just come to me. This is my personal Martial Artist terminal number."
Magnus exchanged his personal Martial Artist terminal number with both of them. That way, if either Lucian or Evelyn ever encountered danger, he could contact them directly and rush over to help as quickly as possible.
Lucian and Evelyn soon began sparring.
It quickly became obvious that Lucian’s mastery of Martial Skills was far superior to Evelyn’s. Most of the time, he was the one taking the initiative and guiding her through the exchanges.
As for Magnus, he had already slipped away.
Lucian is impossible. I can’t even teach him anything anymore. Watching this kid practice is just frustrating.