Chapter 464: Propping Up a Collapsing Mansion

Sometime later.

Xu Lei arrived at his destination.

He began the talent test.

The test required the use of a large stone.

At that moment, Xu Lei was staring at the massive stone before him.

Its surface was smooth, and carved upon it were seven stars, arranged in a circle like the Big Dipper, shimmering with a faint light.

This stone was called the “Seven-Star Stone,” a mystical object used to test one’s Martial Arts Talent.

Xu Lei’s father explained that this type of stone had also fallen from the heavens long ago, descending along with the Immortal Martial heritage.

Later, people discovered that by using the Inner Strength of Immortal Martial Arts to activate the stone, it could peer into the human body, revealing whether a person had talent for Cultivation and even gauging a Martial Artist’s level of Cultivation.

That was why this stone chamber was built.

After all, if a person practiced blindly without knowing if they had talent, they would only end up wasting resources for no results.

Xu Lei’s mother told him to just relax and focus on the feeling.

Then, Xu Lei’s mother, the Grand General with extraordinary Martial Arts Talent, walked gently to the side of the Seven-Star Stone and placed her hand lightly upon it.

Instantly, the light on the stone intensified, flowing as if it were alive.

An invisible power surged from the Seven-Star Stone, enveloping Xu Lei completely.

The light washed over his body like flowing water, making him look like a crystal figure formed from light.

His mother had channeled the Martial Arts Inner Strength from her body, causing it to flow out.

At the same time, his mother explained that the Martial Arts Inner Strength of Ancient Immortal Martial Arts was what was known as Willpower. Practitioners of Ancient Immortal Martial Arts cultivate the legendary Seven Spirits—part of the Three Souls and Seven Spirits. She said the human body has eight Po Positions, but people in the past didn’t know how to use them for Cultivation.

That is, until the Ancient Immortal Martial Secret Collection and its heritage descended upon the Mortal World.

Xu Lei had some understanding of this, so he nodded, closed his eyes, relaxed his body, and focused inward.

“Relax, child,” his mother’s voice echoed in the stone chamber. “Focus on the Po Positions within your body. If you have talent, the light will illuminate them.”

Xu Lei concentrated, trying to sense the legendary Po Positions.

He had heard over the past few years that if he had talent, he should be able to feel eight Po Positions gradually lighting up under the glow.

However, as time ticked by, Xu Lei’s heart grew heavier.

He didn’t feel any of the Po Positions lighting up, nor did he sense any unusual power flowing within him.

The atmosphere in the stone chamber grew tense.

Xu Lei’s father’s brow furrowed, and a flicker of worry crossed his mother’s eyes.

But the test didn’t stop.

“It seems…” After a few more minutes, Xu Lei opened his eyes, a trace of disappointment in them. “I don’t have any Martial Arts Talent.”

The light from the Seven-Star Stone gradually faded, and Xu Lei’s figure became clear again.

Xu Lei was a little disappointed that he had no talent for Martial Arts Training in this life.

But then he thought, ‘Well, I can just practice in my next life. After all, I can still be reincarnated.’

But this meant he would probably have to have more children in this life—and specifically, more children with Martial Arts Talent.

Xu Lei’s father and mother, however, were rather surprised by his composure. Despite failing to show any talent, Xu Lei wasn’t upset at all.

Of course, his parents still tried to comfort him afterward.

But Xu Lei just smiled and told them not to worry. Even without Martial Arts Talent, he would still live his life seriously and wouldn’t lose hope.

His father and mother praised his positive attitude.

His mother then added that perhaps it was for the best. Without talent, he might live a more peaceful life, free from the world of slaughter and conflict.

But at this, Xu Lei’s father sighed, saying that was only possible if the Great Kang Dynasty wasn’t overthrown by Martial Artists.

Xu Lei’s mother declared she would help him defend the Great Kang Dynasty no matter what.

Xu Lei’s father managed a forced smile.

「Another three years passed in the blink of an eye.」

He was now six years old.

Martial Artists continued to emerge endlessly across the land.

All sorts of Ancient Immortal Martial Secret Collections were still changing the world.

However, the Great Kang Dynasty was still holding on and had not yet fallen.

Xu Lei’s life in the Imperial Palace remained relatively peaceful.

The only difference was that, knowing Xu Lei had no talent, his father, mother, and older brothers and sisters all tended to dote on him.

One day, two young men and a young woman approached him in the Imperial Palace.

“Sixteenth Brother, how have you been? Studying hard?” the young woman asked, patting Xu Lei’s shoulder. “Did you miss your big sister?”

That’s right, the young woman was Xu Lei’s older sister.

And Xu Lei was the Sixteenth Prince.

Xu Lei’s father, the Emperor of the Great Kang Dynasty, had fathered over twenty children.

Xu Lei’s mother was not his only Consort.

Xu Lei’s mother hailed from a family of loyal officials, and even her own Immortal Martial resources had been provided by the Royal Family. Because of this, she was utterly devoted to the Royal Family and Great Kang, and she never insisted that the Emperor refrain from taking other wives and concubines.

In fact, feeling that she couldn’t bear more children for the Emperor due to her constant military campaigns, she had even proactively suggested he take a few more Consorts.

However, the Emperor was not one for debauchery. After taking some Concubines in his early years, he had stopped.

After all, with the world in such a precarious state, he had no mind for such things.

He was already exhausted from diligently managing state affairs every day.

Dealing with the Concubines already in the rear palace was difficult enough.

Of course, even though the Emperor had over twenty children, Xu Lei held a special place in his heart.

This was because Xu Lei was the son of the Grand General. Since his mother was often away on campaigns, she hadn’t had the chance to bear the Emperor any other children.