Chapter 266 – Don't Even Have the Courage to Test?

“Auntie, what are you trying to do?”

Xu Qianqian was the first to become wary.

There was no helping it—she knew all too well how unorthodox her aunt could be, often whimsically pulling mischievous stunts that left people flustered and embarrassed.

Xu Qianqian was genuinely worried her aunt might do something inappropriate and offend Su Ming.

“Relax, relax. It’s just a little test.”

Xu Xiayan wore a cheerful smile as she unfolded the object in her hand.

Upon closer inspection, it appeared to be an alchemical device shaped like a globe.

“This is a Spiritual Energy Tester, an alchemical tool specifically designed to measure spiritual aptitude.”

Xu Xiayan placed the alchemical device in front of Su Ming and Xu Qianqian, explaining its function.

“Spiritual Energy Tester?” Xu Qianqian furrowed her brows, expressing surprise. “Is it another version of the Bloodline Tester?”

“Exactly.” Xu Xiayan nodded approvingly.

“Bloodline Tester?” Su Ming also raised an eyebrow slightly.

He actually knew about this item.

As the name implied, the so-called Bloodline Tester was an alchemical device used to assess bloodline rank.

It could detect the Phantom Demon bloodline within a person’s body and determine its rank, making it a commonly used tool among Hunter Families.

Whether it was newly established minor families or long-established great ones, they all used this alchemical device to evaluate the bloodlines of their younger generations, determining whether their inherited bloodlines were strong or weak.

Xu Qianqian herself had been tested with a Bloodline Tester since childhood, revealing an exceptionally high-grade bloodline. This was why she received the Family’s attention and was regarded as the leading figure of the Xu Family’s new generation, a future pillar of the clan.

Xu Xiayan had also undergone Bloodline Tester assessment, through which her remarkable bloodline and high innate potential were discovered.

Virtually all Family descendants, especially those from Hunter lineages, had their bloodlines tested with this device during childhood to understand their talent, potential, and future prospects.

One could say a Bloodline Tester determined many people’s futures.

Now, Xu Xiayan had brought out another version of the Bloodline Tester—the Spiritual Energy Tester, used to measure spiritual aptitude.

“As everyone knows, a Professional’s innate talent and potential depend on either bloodline or spiritual aptitude.”

“Hunters rely on bloodline, Sorcerers rely on spiritual aptitude.”

“However, unlike a Hunter’s bloodline, a Sorcerer’s spiritual aptitude can grow over time. Thus, alchemical devices for testing spiritual aptitude have historically been unstable, and few people use them.”

Xu Xiayan tapped the Spiritual Energy Tester before her, covering her mouth with a light laugh.

“But a few years ago, the Sorcerer Guild headquarters in Tianfeng City developed a stable version of the Spiritual Energy Tester. This is the finished product.”

At this moment, Xu Xiayan had produced such a completed device.

Her intention was obvious.

“You want to test Su Ming’s spiritual aptitude?”

Xu Qianqian’s furrowed brows deepened further.

And just as expected, Xu Xiayan nodded.”Since you’ve been praising your little sweetheart to the skies, let me see just how high his spiritual potential really is.” Xu Xiayan said with a playful smirk. “If he can light up four stars on the spiritual energy tester, not only will I take him to Tianfeng City, but I’ll also give him some local specialties from Tianfeng as a prize.”

“How about it? Want to give it a try?”

Xu Xiayan’s voice carried a mischievous tone, giving the impression she was deliberately setting someone up for embarrassment.

If others were present, they’d probably think Xu Xiayan was intentionally making things difficult.

Xu Qianqian knew exactly what it would mean if someone could light up four stars on the bloodline tester.

It would mean that person’s bloodline possessed the potential to advance to Four-Star rank, capable of supporting their growth into an Upper-Rank Professional.

The number of stars that lit up on that globe-like testing device represented the tester’s bloodline potential to grow to that star rank.

From One-Star to Seven-Star, it was clear and straightforward, allowing people to understand others’ potential in the most direct way.

For example, Xu Qianqian herself had lit up six stars on the bloodline tester when she was young.

In other words, Xu Qianqian possessed the potential to advance to Six-Star rank.

This was why this Young Miss was so highly valued by the Xu Family.

Six-Star was already the pinnacle for a top-tier aristocratic family.

As long as Xu Qianqian could grow up successfully, the Xu Family wouldn’t experience a gap in Six-Star Professionals, allowing the prestigious name of a top-tier family to continue its legacy without fear of decline.

Of course, this was contingent on her being able to grow up successfully.

Potential was ultimately just potential – whether it could be transformed into actual strength depended on personal effort and life’s opportunities.

Throughout history, there had been no shortage of people who lit up six stars on the bloodline tester, and even the highest seven stars had been lit by many.

Yet ultimately, more than half of these people met premature ends, while nearly seventy to eighty percent of the remaining half got stuck at certain Realms, never making further progress in their lifetimes.

Take Xu Xiayan, for instance – like Xu Qianqian, she had lit up six stars on the bloodline tester when young, but remained stuck at the Three-Star limit for several years until she was recommended to Tianfeng City, where she finally found the opportunity for her Breakthrough.

If one had bad luck or got stuck at a certain Realm due to personal reasons, no matter how high their potential, it would be useless.

But without potential, one wouldn’t even have the qualification to grow stronger.

Xu Xiayan’s meaning was clear – she was telling Xu Qianqian that Su Ming needed to at least possess the potential to advance to an Upper-Rank Professional.

Otherwise, he’d be better off giving up on going to Tianfeng City.

And based on Xu Xiayan’s understanding, given the abilities Su Ming had displayed at the Demon Hunter Academy, he absolutely lacked the potential to advance to an Upper-Rank Professional.

Before the Huaming Campaign, Su Ming’s ranking in the Sorcerer Department was extremely average, with no outstanding qualities whatsoever.

It wasn’t until after the Huaming Campaign that Su Ming became an elite student based on his merits and combat achievements, yet he remained at the bottom even among elite students.

With such capabilities, the idea that he could advance to an Upper-Rank Professional was simply absurd.Upper-Rank Professionals, the true powerhouses among Professionals, are not common even in Tianfeng City. They are considered core combat strength in the eyes of major factions, and no organization would ever consider having too many Upper-Rank Professionals.

Thus, only by becoming an Upper-Rank Professional could one establish a decent reputation in Tianfeng City.

Longyao City previously had only a few hundred such individuals—how could someone ranked at the bottom among elite students possibly achieve this?

To put it bluntly, if even one graduate from an entire cohort at the Demon Hunter Academy could become an Upper-Rank Professional in the future, that would already be considered an outstanding achievement.

This was also the primary reason why Xu Xiayan didn’t think highly of Su Ming.

However, as Xu Xiayan had mentioned, unlike the fixed Bloodline of Hunters, a Sorcerer’s Spirit Constitution could grow.

Perhaps due to a sudden Epiphany or some unknown encounter, a Sorcerer might experience a sudden surge in spiritual nature one day, transforming into a rising star—such occurrences were indeed possible.

Therefore, Xu Xiayan decided to give Su Ming a chance.

If Su Ming could truly prove himself, she wouldn’t mind lending him a hand, allowing her dear niece’s sweetheart to stand out.

“So? Would you like to give it a try?”

Xu Xiayan repeated her question, her gaze shifting away from Xu Qianqian to rest on Su Ming.

What she didn’t notice was that Xu Qianqian had maintained a completely unperturbed expression throughout, without the slightest trace of worry.

Would she worry about Su Ming being unable to light up four stars?

Don’t be ridiculous.

After all, ever since their first meeting, Su Ming had already been a Sorcerer no weaker than a Three-Star practitioner.

As for now, Xu Qianqian couldn’t even begin to fathom Su Ming’s true depths.

How could such a Su Ming lack the potential to become an Upper-Rank Professional?

He had long since become an Upper-Rank Professional.

“Spirit Energy Tester…”

Meanwhile, Su Ming looked at the alchemical device before Xu Xiayan with pure curiosity, showing no concern whatsoever.

To be honest, he genuinely didn’t know how many stars his current spiritual nature could light up on the tester.

If it were a Bloodline Tester, Su Ming could confidently tell everyone that lighting up seven stars would absolutely not be a problem.

The Nightmare Species Bloodline—a guaranteed pass for Seven Stars—was definitely not an empty claim.

With his Nightmare Species Bloodline, facing a Bloodline Tester would undoubtedly result in seven lit stars.

But when it came to the Spirit Energy Tester, Su Ming wasn’t so sure.

“My spiritual nature was completely unremarkable at the beginning.”

This was the truth.

When he first Awakened his Spirit Constitution, Su Ming’s potential was actually quite ordinary—very mediocre. His spiritual nature might not have been the worst among apprentice Sorcerers of his age, but it was certainly not outstanding either.

At that time, compared to others who had just Awakened, Su Ming’s initial spiritual nature probably ranked in the lower-middle tier.

With such spiritual potential, there was absolutely no possibility of growing into an Upper-Rank Professional.However, after continuously opening packages for over a year, Su Ming had consumed countless extraordinary items to enhance his Spirit Power and had even used treasures that could stimulate spiritual growth. As a result, before the Huaming Campaign, his Spirit Constitution underwent a transformation.

It was also at that time that Su Ming’s Vision Mark showed signs of Awakening.

This proved that, at that time, Su Ming’s spiritual level was at least capable of lighting up four stars.

And it might have been even higher.

Now, having become a Five-Star Sorcerer, the night he was completely open with An Zijin also brought about a transformation in him, causing his spirituality to surge once again.

This made Su Ming himself uncertain about how many stars his current spirituality could light up on the Spirit Power testing device.

Thanks to this, Su Ming was genuinely a bit curious.

However, he also had some reservations about Xu Xiayan’s presence.

In short, he didn’t want to reveal the extent of his spirituality in front of Xu Xiayan.

Unaware of this, Xu Xiayan saw Su Ming’s hesitant expression and didn’t feel disappointed, just somewhat regretful.

“Does he not even have the courage to test?” she thought.

Just as Xu Xiayan was thinking this, Su Ming suddenly spoke.

“Um, Auntie Xu…”

Su Ming’s words were a direct blow.

Slap!

The next second, a crisp sound was heard.

Xu Xiayan forcefully slapped Su Ming’s shoulder, gripping it tightly as she spoke with an extremely stiff smile.

“Call! Me! Sister!”

She said this with utmost seriousness.

“Xu… Sister Xu…”

Su Ming’s lips twitched, trembling as he complied with Xu Xiayan’s wish.

“Ah, good little brother.” Only then did Xu Xiayan pat Su Ming’s shoulder contentedly and say, “Go on, I’m listening.”

“Heh heh…” Su Ming’s smile became extremely forced.

In the end, Su Ming still made his request.

“I can take the test, but can you promise not to tell anyone about today’s results?”

This surprised Xu Xiayan somewhat.

What did he mean?

Was he afraid the test results would be too poor and he’d be embarrassed if others knew?

Though this thought crossed her mind, Xu Xiayan didn’t hesitate much.

“No problem, I promise not to tell anyone.”

Xu Xiayan agreed without a second thought.

She had no interest in exposing others’ weaknesses. Since the kid was afraid of embarrassment, she’d help keep his secret.

“That’s good.”

With Xu Xiayan’s assurance, Su Ming felt relieved.

Although Xu Xiayan seemed a bit unconventional, Su Ming could tell she was someone who loved and hated fiercely, and she likely wouldn’t go back on her word once she promised something.

Thus, freed from his concerns, Su Ming was driven by pure curiosity.

“How do I use this thing?”

Looking at the Spirit Power testing device before him, Su Ming asked Xu Qianqian beside him.

“Just place your hand on it.”

Xu Qianqian answered succinctly.

“Then this thing isn’t much different from a crystal ball. It won’t explode from overload, will it?”

Su Ming made references no one else understood, but his hand was already placed on the device.

Zheng…

The Spirit Power testing device immediately reacted, emitting a faint glow.In the radiance, Su Ming clearly felt that the Spirit Power within his body seemed to be drawn by the light emitted from the Spirit Power Tester, gradually converging into his palm.

A faint trace of Spirit Power was absorbed by the Spirit Power Tester, causing the light it emitted to suddenly intensify.

Immediately after, starlight began to appear on the Spirit Power Tester.

“It’s starting, it’s starting.”

Xu Xiayan immediately leaned in closer.

Xu Qianqian focused intently on the Spirit Power Tester, seemingly very concerned about the level of Su Ming’s spiritual aptitude.

As for Su Ming, there was no need to mention—his eyes were filled with curiosity.

Under these circumstances, the starlight gathered on the globe-like Alchemy Device.

Soon, one star appeared on the spherical device, as if a star had lit up on a planet, exceptionally conspicuous.

Not long after, a second star lit up.

A third star followed closely behind.

The fourth star appeared immediately without any pause.

Then came the fifth star…

The sixth star…

By the time the final star lit up, Xu Xiayan’s pupils had contracted to the size of needle points.

Staring fixedly at the orderly, brilliantly bright seven stars arranged on the Spirit Power Tester, only one thought remained in Xu Xiayan’s heart.

How… is this possible?

(End of Chapter)