Infinite Regressor: SSS-Ranked Skill In Cultivation World!
Chapter 46: Shi Jing’s Aptitude (1)

Chapter 46: Shi Jing’s Aptitude (1)

The noble youth strode confidently to the testing stone, his chin held high.

The moment his hand made contact, the crystal erupted in brilliant light—far brighter than anything seen so far.

"Lower Rank A!" Elder Wang’s voice carried genuine surprise and approval.

The platform erupted in excited murmurs.

"Lower Rank A! That’s incredible!"

"I heard only one in ten thousand possess such aptitude!"

"The Heavenly Crane family really produces exceptional talents!"

Even some of the elders leaned forward with interest. The youth basked in the attention, offering slight bows to acknowledge the praise.

Zhao Gongzu’s expression remained unchanged, though his eyes narrowed slightly.

As someone with his own considerable talents, he was clearly evaluating this new competition.

Ye Ming, as always, showed no reaction whatsoever.

Shi Jing found the contrast fascinating.

The noble gets praise and opportunity, the merchant’s son gets tolerance, and the commoner gets ridicule. Yet between them is a single stone.

"Next candidate," Elder Wang called, his mood noticeably improved after the impressive display.

A thin, scholarly-looking young man approached nervously, adjusting his worn robes. The crystal’s glow was weak and inconsistent.

"Lower Rank D," Elder Wang announced with barely concealed disappointment.

This time, the mockery was swift and merciless.

"Another waste of space!"

"Why do these insects keep crawling in?"

Some disciples began placing small bets on the remaining participants’ results, treating the solemn aptitude testing as entertainment.

Elder Wang made no effort to stop this behavior.

In fact, Shi Jing noticed the elder’s expression had grown considerably colder when dealing with the lower-ranked participants.

So much for not discriminating, Shi Jing thought wryly.

The testing continued with a parade of mediocrity—mostly C and D ranks with the occasional B rank causing mild interest.

Each result reinforced the social hierarchy being established among the new disciples.

Then came an unexpected moment.

A small, unassuming girl who looked barely old enough to cultivate stepped forward. Her appearance was so ordinary that most disciples had overlooked her entirely.

She placed her tiny hand on the crystal.

The stone exploded with golden light so intense that several people had to shield their eyes.

The radiance pulsed with an almost musical quality, creating patterns in the air that seemed to resonate with the very essence of cultivation itself.

For a long moment, Elder Wang stared in stunned silence.

"Upper... Upper Rank A!" He finally stammered.

The platform fell completely silent. Even the chattering disciples were struck dumb.

Upper A rank aptitude.

The little girl looked around confused, not understanding why everyone was staring at her with such intensity.

Zhao Gongzu’s composure finally cracked, his eyes widening in genuine shock.

Even Ye Ming’s perpetual indifference wavered slightly, though he quickly masked it.

"Impossible..." someone whispered.

"Look at her, she’s nobody special!"

Elder Wang quickly regained his composure, but Shi Jing caught the calculating gleam in his eyes.

This girl had just become the most valuable asset in the entire testing ground.

However, despite Elder Wang’s calculating thought, he was helpless.

This is because the moment her aptitude was revealed, a wave of spiritual sense appeared. With a simple look, he could discern the origin of these spiritual senses.

’Inner and Legacy Elders!’

Facing these higher status figure, he could not compete.

Upon thinking of this, Elder Wang wasn’t the only one who sighed with regret. Many outer elders shared the same sentiment.

This is because the manor function on the basis of merits. That means that any action which ultimately benefit the manor would reward merits.

These merits can be exchanged for resources or favor.

If not for this, why else would Elder Chen spent his time wandering in hope of recruiting talented individuals instead of cultivating in seclusion?

Is it not for resources?

This is also why he was excited on the prospect of recruiting Shi Jing. However, the child he brought in hasn’t shine in the slightest. This matter has became one of his regret.

At this moment, it was Zhao Gongzu turn to step up.

Unlike the previous participants who approached with varying degrees of nervousness or excitement, Zhao Gongzu moved with the fluid grace of someone of high status.

His robes, while following the same basic design as the other disciples, were clearly cut from superior materials.

As he approached the testing stone, conversations among the spectators shifted noticeably.

"That’s the young master of the Zhao family!"

"I heard esteemed Zhao Yu Yan has high hope for this child!"

Elder Wang straightened unconsciously, his earlier disappointment replaced by anticipation.

Testing a scion of the Zhao family was an entirely different matter than dealing with common disciples.

Zhao Gongzu paused before the crystal, not from hesitation, but as if allowing the crowd a moment to properly appreciate what they were about to witness.

His dark eyes swept over the assembled disciples with cool assessment before finally settling on the testing stone.

He placed his hand on the crystal with ease.

The response was immediate and overwhelming.

Deep red light erupted from the stone with such intensity that it seemed to challenge the very sun above.

The radiance pulsed with a steady, controlled rhythm. Not like the wild, chaotic burst of the girl’s awakening, but something that is more refined and controlled.

"Upper Rank A!" Elder Wang announced, though his voice carried less surprise than reverence.

The platform erupted in a mixture of awe and expectation fulfilled.

"As expected of the Zhao bloodline!"

"Upper Rank A aptitude is an indication of great potential!"

"The family’s reputation remains untarnished!"

Yet amidst the general celebration, three figures remained notably unmoved.

Ye Ming’s expression didn’t shift even slightly.

His perpetual indifference seemed almost supernatural in its consistency.

While others craned their necks to get a better view of Zhao Gongzu’s performance, Ye Ming simply stood with his arms crossed, as if watching paint dry on a wall.

Shi Jing, meanwhile, observed with detachment.

Unlike the small girl’s shocked confusion, Zhao Gongzu accepted the crowd’s adulation as his natural due.

But it was the reaction from the viewing platform that truly caught Shi Jing’s attention.

High above the testing ground, a figure in pristine white robes sat in meditative stillness.

The Supreme Elder, a man whose very presence seemed to bend reality around him, opened his eyes for the first time during the entire proceedings.