Chapter 4 : A Test of Talent

The courtyard of House Shen had never been this silent.

The appearance of the golden light from the Heaven Measuring Stone had shocked everyone who witnessed it.

For centuries, the stone had judged countless cultivators.

It had measured the spiritual potential of geniuses, warriors, and future leaders.

But never before had it reacted like this.

A chosen one.

That was the only explanation.

Yet Liang Zhen did not feel like someone chosen by heaven.

He only felt confused.

A few days ago, he was a simple young man from a distant village.

Now, powerful families knew his name.

Ancient forces were searching for him.

And a mysterious mark had appeared on his body, carrying a power he did not understand.

Liang Zhen looked at his hands.

"If this power belongs to me..."

"Why does it feel like I am borrowing it from something else?"

---

The next morning, House Shen gathered in the eastern training grounds.

The area was surrounded by ancient stone pillars carved with spiritual formations.

Young disciples of House Shen stood around the courtyard, watching Liang Zhen with curiosity.

Some looked impressed.

Others looked doubtful.

One disciple whispered:

"He doesn't look special."

Another replied:

"The Dragon Soul Seal cannot be judged by appearance."

"But he has no cultivation foundation."

"How can someone like that carry such power?"

Their voices were quiet.

But Liang Zhen heard them.

He did not blame them.

If he were in their position, he would probably think the same.

A person who suddenly received heaven's blessing would naturally be questioned.

---

Shen Yue stood at the center of the training ground.

Today, she wore simple white robes instead of the elegant clothing she wore before.

She looked less like a noble daughter.

And more like a cultivator.

"Before you can understand the Dragon Soul Seal, you must understand yourself."

Liang Zhen looked at her.

"What do you mean?"

"The Dragon Soul Seal does not create strength."

"It reveals what already exists."

She pointed toward three objects placed on a stone platform.

A sword.

A stone tablet.

And a crystal orb.

"Every cultivator has three foundations."

"Body."

"Soul."

"Spirit."

"The test will measure yours."

Liang Zhen nodded.

"What happens if I fail?"

Shen Yue looked at him calmly.

"Then you will know your limits."

"And if I succeed?"

"Then you will know where your journey begins."

---

The first test was the body.

Liang Zhen stood before a massive stone pillar.

A disciple explained:

"The Mountain Pressure Pillar increases gravity according to the strength of the person standing before it."

"Most beginners collapse within moments."

Liang Zhen placed his hand on the pillar.

Nothing happened.

Then the stone activated.

A heavy pressure descended.

His knees immediately weakened.

The ground beneath his feet cracked.

The weight felt like an entire mountain pressing down on him.

The disciples watched silently.

Many expected him to fall.

But Liang Zhen gritted his teeth.

He remembered his village.

The people who believed in him.

The unknown path ahead.

He refused to collapse.

Slowly...

He stood straight again.

The pressure increased.

His body trembled.

But he remained standing.

After several moments, Shen Yue raised her hand.

The test ended.

"His physical foundation is ordinary."

A few disciples exchanged disappointed looks.

But Shen Yue continued.

"However..."

She looked at Liang Zhen.

"His endurance is exceptional."

---

The second test was the soul.

Liang Zhen placed his hand on the crystal orb.

This time, the reaction was immediate.

The crystal flashed.

Images appeared within it.

A golden dragon.

A sky filled with stars.

A battlefield covered in darkness.

The disciples stepped back.

The crystal began shaking violently.

Shen Yue's expression changed.

"This..."

The orb shattered.

Everyone froze.

Liang Zhen quickly pulled his hand away.

"What happened?"

Nobody answered.

Because they had all seen something impossible.

The crystal had not measured his soul.

It had shown a memory.

A memory that did not belong to a human.

---

The final test was the spirit.

The stone tablet contained ancient words.

Only those with strong spiritual awareness could read them.

Most cultivators spent years studying before understanding even a small part.

Liang Zhen placed his hand against it.

At first...

Nothing happened.

Then the ancient words began glowing.

One by one, they transformed.

The meaning became clear.

A sentence appeared.

"The dragon does not choose the strongest."

"It chooses the one who carries the weight of heaven without losing himself."

Silence.

Everyone stared.

Even Shen Yue looked surprised.

The tablet had revealed a message that had never appeared before.

Liang Zhen stepped back.

"I don't understand."

Shen Yue looked at him.

"Neither do we."

---

That evening, Liang Zhen stood alone beneath the moonlight.

The events of the day replayed in his mind.

He had expected to discover that he was powerful.

Instead, he discovered something more complicated.

The Dragon Soul Seal was not simply giving him strength.

It was testing him.

Judging him.

Waiting to see what kind of person he would become.

A voice suddenly came from behind him.

"You are disappointed."

Liang Zhen turned.

Shen Yue stood nearby.

"Shouldn't I be?"

He looked toward the sky.

"I thought being chosen meant I was special."

Shen Yue was silent.

Then she said:

"Maybe it does."

Liang Zhen looked at her.

"But not because you have power."

She walked closer.

"Many people can gain strength."

"Few can carry it without becoming arrogant."

"The heavens did not choose a weapon."

"They chose a person."

Those words stayed with Liang Zhen.

For the first time since the dragon appeared...

He felt slightly less afraid.

---

But far away from House Shen...

A shadow moved through an abandoned temple.

A figure in dark robes stood before an ancient mirror.

Within the mirror appeared the image of Liang Zhen.

"The seal has awakened."

A cold voice echoed.

"Then the final heir has returned."

The figure smiled.

"Let us see..."

"Whether this chosen one becomes the empire's salvation..."

"Or its destruction."

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