As the incantation ended, the pale red formation in the air dispersed, giving way to a white formation pattern that emerged beneath the youth’s feet.
The Aptitude Examiner sighed inwardly. A mere white formation pattern meant the summoned creature was a Tier One spirit beast.
Spirit beasts on the Myriad Spirits Continent were divided into nine tiers, and each tier’s summoning formation possessed a distinct color. From Tier One through Tier Nine, they were white, yellow, green, blue, purple, orange, red, silver, and gold.
Sure enough, the spirit beast that stepped forth from the white summoning formation was a Tier One One-Eyed Ox, identical in kind to Chu Wangshan’s Natal Spirit Beast. However, this one was far smaller, looking as though it had only just been born.
The youth showed no disappointment. He happily wrapped his arms around the calf’s neck; even if it was only Tier One, he still stood a good chance of becoming a village chief one day.
Since most people lacked Spirit Lord Aptitude, the testing moved quickly. Soon it was almost Chu Qingyao’s turn. Over twenty people had already been tested in their line, yet only three had shown aptitude, and their Natal Spirit Beasts were all Tier One.
Chu Qingyao grew increasingly nervous. She had bragged so boldly to her parents; if she turned out to have no aptitude at all, the embarrassment would be immense.
Sensing her anxiety, Chu Shaoye reached out and patted her shoulder. “Let nature take its course.”
Chu Qingyao pressed her lips together. “Brother, if I don’t have any aptitude, you’re not allowed to laugh at me.”
Chu Shaoye smiled gently. “Life has more than one path. While it’s a pity if one cannot become a Spirit Lord, there are still many other ways forward. Don’t be afraid.”
His voice was gentle and reassuring. Chu Qingyao suddenly felt there was truly nothing to fear, and she relaxed considerably.
Her parents would never abandon her simply because she didn’t become a Spirit Lord.
A smile brightened Chu Qingyao’s face. “You’re right, Brother. Most people never become Spirit Lords, and aren’t they living perfectly well?”
Chu Qingyu quietly released the hem of her clothes, which she had crumpled tight in her grip. Though she hadn’t shown it, she had been anxious this entire time.
Neither of Chu Qingyu’s parents was a Spirit Lord, making the chances of her having Spirit Lord Aptitude very slim. Even so, she desperately wished to become one.
If she became a Spirit Lord, she and her mother could leave their days of hardship behind and live a better life—or at the very least, have enough to eat every day.
Hearing Chu Shaoye’s words, however, brought sudden clarity to Chu Qingyu. Even if she didn’t become a Spirit Lord, it was fine. She already knew how to embroider and could earn money to support their household. Life for her and her mother would surely improve over time.
For once, Chu Qingyu looked up at Chu Shaoye without any shyness. “Thank you, Brother Chu. I’m not nervous anymore either.”
Chu Shaoye smiled. Given her family background, Chu Qingyu was sensitive and lacked confidence, bottling everything up inside. It was good that she could let go of her worries.
The two people ahead of her both failed to show any Spirit Lord Aptitude. Chu Qingyao let out a breath, stepped forward as calmly as she could, and gently rested her slender, pale hand upon the Spirit-Sensing Beast’s back.
The Spirit-Sensing Beast let out soft cheeps like a chick newly pecked from its shell, and its color shifted rapidly.
Its transparent form gradually paled into white. Unlike the faint white produced by the few with aptitude earlier, its body now turned into a dense, translucent, milky white.
Astonishment flashed across the Aptitude Examiner’s face. “Such opacity! Little girl, your talent is extraordinary—your Natal Spirit Beast must be at least Tier Three!”
Unable to contain his anticipation, he guided Chu Qingyao to the center of the plaza to verify his judgment.
Chu Qingyao was just as astonished. She was still somewhat dazed as the Aptitude Examiner led her along. She not only possessed Spirit Lord Aptitude, but had exceptional talent as well?
Chu Qingyao could hardly believe it, a thrill of delight welling in her heart. She glanced back at Chu Shaoye, who gave her a slight nod and a reassuring look.
Chu Qingyao’s heart settled at once. Under the Aptitude Examiner’s guidance, she began the summoning ritual.
The blood-inscribed summoning runes slowly dissipated. In the very center of the plaza, an enormous formation rose up from beneath the ground, covering nearly a quarter of the entire square.
“This green light… a T-Tier Three spirit beast!”
The Aptitude Examiners from the other lines across the plaza turned to look, their eyes wide with shock. None had expected such a genius to appear in a remote town like this.
Born at Tier Three, its growth potential was bound to be extraordinary.
For most spirit beasts, the greater their growth potential, the higher their tier at birth. Though this initial tier was still only nominal, with just a little training their strength would advance by leaps and bounds.
Since Chu Qingyao’s Natal Spirit Companion was Tier Three straight from the summoning, she, too, would soon become a Tier Three Spirit Lord.
At the center of the formation—vastly larger and more intricate than a Tier One array—a fluffy little ball no larger than an egg emerged, letting out tender cheeps.
Chu Qingyao crouched down and scooped up the little ball in both hands. Her Natal Spirit Companion looked just like a chick, yet bore vibrant downy plumage: a yellow head, a white breast, a green neck, and blue wings. It was the very picture of multicolored brilliance.
Gaudy though it was, it was undeniably adorable. Chu Qingyao couldn’t resist nuzzling it against her cheek. “You’re so cute!”
Consulting the Spirit Beast Compendium, the Aptitude Examiner identified the colorful little bird. “This is a Rainbow-Robed Luan, a spirit beast of pure Light Attribute. Though it is only Tier Three at birth, it has the potential to reach Tier Six upon maturity. Congratulations.”
The Aptitude Examiner’s voice dripped with envy. After all, he was only a Tier Three Spirit Lord himself, and he had already reached his limit. Never in this life would he touch the threshold of Tier Six.
Perhaps his experience would allow him to best Chu Qingyao at present, but before long, her strength would leave him far behind.
Chu Qingyao, having little grasp of what her talent truly signified, thanked the Aptitude Examiner and happily carried the little colorful bird over to Chu Wangshan, holding it up for him to see.
Chu Wangshan didn’t understand much of this either. He only knew his daughter’s Natal Spirit Companion was remarkable, and he praised it repeatedly. In truth, with his own mediocre aptitude, he had never dreamed his daughter’s talent could be so extraordinary.
The town mayor of Qingwu Town had been watching the proceedings with listless boredom, never imagining such a genius would appear just as testing drew near its end.
He hurried over to exchange pleasantries, inviting Chu Wangshan and his daughter to rest at his seat.
Chu Wangshan waved a hand in polite refusal. “Thank you for the kind offer, Mayor, but the other children from our village haven’t been tested yet. I had better wait here.”
The mayor immediately had attendants carry chairs and a sunshade over, inviting father and daughter to sit. Finding it impossible to refuse such warmth, Chu Wangshan could only sit down alongside Chu Qingyao.
Once the brief shock subsided, testing resumed across the square. Chu Qingyao waved to Chu Shaoye, mouthing, “Good luck, Brother!”
Chu Shaoye smiled faintly.
Seeing their interaction, the mayor turned to Chu Wangshan. “Brother Chu, who is that handsome lad?”
Chu Wangshan smiled good-naturedly. “That is my son.”
The mayor clapped his hands in admiration. “Brother Chu, you are truly blessed! Both your son and daughter are dragons and phoenixes among men. Surely your son’s Natal Spirit Beast will not be of any low tier either.”
Chu Wangshan scratched his head in bashful embarrassment, unaccustomed to conversing with an important figure like the mayor. With an honest grin, he said, “I don’t expect them to become grand, powerful Spirit Lords. So long as they are safe and happy, that is enough.”
The mayor nodded, continuing his flattery. “Brother Chu truly possesses the heart of a devoted father.”