Standing there, Senior Mo turned his gaze toward Nian Lin.
"Our mission and training inside the ruins have finally come to an end," he said calmly. "If you wish, you may continue traveling with us. We are heading to the gathering point where the other disciples who entered different ruins to gain experience will meet before returning to the sect."
Nian Lin nodded before asking, "Do you do this often? Enter dangerous ruins to train?"
Senior Mo glanced at him and replied, "Yes. The younger generation of our sect regularly accepts missions to explore ruins, hunt demonic beasts, search for ancient inheritances, and temper themselves through life-and-death experiences. Whatever treasures they obtain belong to them. If they have no use for those treasures, they can exchange them within the sect for contribution points or other cultivation resources."
He paused for a moment before looking directly into Nian Lin's eyes.
"However..."
"Your foundation is extremely poor."
"If our sect were to evaluate your aptitude today, you would most likely receive a Grade D talent."
"You were able to cultivate to your current level through nothing but luck, determination, and perseverance."
"But luck and perseverance are not the same as talent."
"Your spiritual root is simply too poor. In fact... it is almost as though you do not possess one at all."
"With your current aptitude, even reaching the peak of Qi Condensation would likely take you many years."
"And in the cultivation world..."
Senior Mo slowly shook his head.
"Time waits for no one."
"If you continue following us, perhaps you can find work in one of the branch cities under our sect's jurisdiction. There, you can register as an ordinary citizen, live comfortably, and spend the rest of your life in peace."
"Of course..."
"The decision is yours."
Nian Lin remained silent for a long moment before asking another question.
"I thought survivors of the ruins were considered important."
This time, Li Qing answered.
"They are."
She looked at the endless ruins behind them before continuing.
"Many years ago, a catastrophic war and a strange energy engulfed these ruins."
"Over the years, the major sects discovered something remarkable."
"Those who somehow survived the disaster and managed to grow up often possessed extraordinary destinies."
"Many eventually became geniuses after entering a sect."
Her voice paused briefly before becoming gentler.
"But..."
"That only applies to those who possess sufficient talent."
She looked at Nian Lin with a complicated expression.
"With a spiritual root like yours..."
"I'm afraid you would die long before becoming a true disciple."
"You probably wouldn't even survive long as an Outer Disciple."
"The competition within sects is far crueler than the outside world."
"Every day, disciples fight over cultivation resources, contribution points, missions, inheritances, and opportunities."
"If your talent is insufficient, no one will waste precious resources on you."
"The best choice for you is to register in one of the nearby cities, find steady work among mortals, and live a peaceful life."
After saying those words, Li Qing fell silent.
The surroundings also became quiet.
Only the sound of the evening wind drifted across the empty plains as everyone waited for Nian Lin's response.Nian Lin fell silent.
"So... this is it?"
"So this is my fate?"
"A Grade D talent... a pitiful spiritual root..."
His eyes lowered slightly.
"Live as a mortal."
"Find a job."
"Marry."
"Have children."
"Leave behind descendants."
"And then die after a few hundred years..."
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
However, there wasn't the slightest trace of happiness in that smile.
Instead, he laughed at himself inwardly.
Who wanted to die?
Every living being was born with an instinct to survive.
Every human desired life.
He wanted to live.
He wanted to survive.
He wanted to climb the highest mountains.
He wanted to stand above heaven and earth.
He wanted to see the end of the cultivation path.
If he had wanted to die...
Why would he have struggled to survive all those years inside the ruins?
What was so noble about living and dying as an ordinary mortal?
Perhaps others would think such a life was peaceful.
But to him...
It was pathetic.
Just then, his thoughts were interrupted.
Zang Tian suddenly laughed and flashed him a sly grin.
"If you really want to cultivate, you might even become an Outer Disciple."
"After all, Senior Mo is an Inner Disciple of the sect. He was the one who brought you out of the ruins, and everyone witnessed your determination during the battle."
Although Zang Tian was smiling, Nian Lin could clearly sense the hidden malice beneath that smile.
The other party wasn't helping him.
He was merely waiting for an opportunity to erase the humiliation he had suffered.
Ignoring Zang Tian completely, Nian Lin turned toward Senior Mo.
"Senior..."
"Do you have a map?"
The sudden question surprised everyone.
Senior Mo quietly looked at him for several breaths.
Without saying anything, he waved his hand.
A scroll suddenly appeared in his palm.
He tossed it toward Nian Lin.
"This map will be your payment for the core of the Two-Headed Bird."
Nian Lin caught the scroll.
He nodded before respectfully cupping his fists and bowing.
"Thank you... for everything."
After saying those words, he turned around and began walking away without another glance.
He would never allow his future to be decided by nothing more than a talent test.
How many people in this world had their destinies been determined by talent alone?
Where were they now?
Some possessed extraordinary talent yet accomplished nothing.
Others, despite being born with heaven-defying aptitudes, wasted their lives in comfort until they became worthless.
And there were also those born with poor talent who, through relentless determination, climbed step by step until they stood at the pinnacle of the world.
Some succeeded.
Others died trying.
As he walked away, Nian Lin briefly glanced at Zang Tian.
"He possesses a noble talent..."
"But he is nothing more than trash."
Watching Nian Lin's departing figure gradually disappear into the distance, Li Qing couldn't help but take a step forward.
She wanted to call him back.
However, Senior Mo gently raised his hand, stopping her.
His gaze remained fixed on the lone youth walking toward the horizon.
After a long silence, he spoke calmly.
"Every person has their own path."
"Some rise to greatness."
"Some perish before reaching their destination."
"That..."
He slowly withdrew his gaze.
"...is the rule of this world."