The afternoon sun hung low over Wen Clan Mountain, casting long shadows across the courtyard. The air was heavy with dust and the faint metallic tang of qi. Most disciples had left after the morning assessments, leaving only the faint echoes of footsteps and the distant rustling of bamboo.
Wen Chen crouched behind a stone pillar, eyes narrowed, golden light reflecting faintly in them. He could feel it. A purple orb, massive and pulsating violently, floated high above the center of the courtyard—but only he could see it.
To everyone else, the courtyard seemed normal. Senior disciples continued their practice, unaware of the glowing fragment hovering inches above their heads. Even Luo Feng, refining his qi at Qi Refining – Stage 2, noticed nothing unusual.
But Wen Chen could see it clearly. Its energy radiated violently, waves of power pulsating toward him, resonating with his body.
This… is it…
He felt the pulse of Luck Points inside him surge in anticipation.
---
[Floating Golden System Panel]
Name: Wen Chen
Cultivation Level: Body Tempering – Stage 1
Talent Grade: Low Human Talent
Talent Progress: 10%
Luck Points: 41
Function:
Luck Points can only upgrade Talent.
Orbs must be touched to absorb.
Talent upgrades increase comprehension speed and practice efficiency.
Extreme orbs require caution: high energy may cause fatal injury.
---
Golden warmth spread through Wen Chen's chest. He could feel the orb's immense value. Just one touch could catapult his Talent far beyond his current limits.
But there was danger. The purple orb's energy was wild and unstable.
I must be precise. One step at a time.
---
The Approach
He moved carefully, each step calculated. His small frame weaved between stone pillars and bamboo stalks, avoiding the notice of anyone in the courtyard. No one could see the orb—but Wen Chen could.
He observed the movements of Luo Feng, not because the orb revealed him, but because his path to the orb required perfect timing. Luo Feng's body radiated strength and power; one wrong step, and the orb's energy could obliterate him completely.
Sweat ran down Wen Chen's temple. His chest tightened, heart racing with anticipation. Fingers twitched involuntarily, golden warmth coursing through his veins.
This is my moment…
---
The Leap
Wen Chen coiled his legs and leapt. Wind tore past him as his fingers stretched toward the purple orb. The moment was almost surreal. Golden Luck Points surged in his mind, whispering:
> You are ready. You can do this. One touch… everything will change.
The orb flared violently at his approach, reacting not to anyone else—but to him alone. To the world, it was invisible, harmless.
Just a little closer…
---
Panel Alert
The Talent Panel flared with urgency:
---
[Floating Golden System Panel — Alert]
Name: Wen Chen
Cultivation Level: Body Tempering – Stage 1
Talent Grade: Low Human Talent
Talent Progress: 10% → ?
Luck Points: 41
Warning: Extreme energy detected. Touch may cause severe injury or unconsciousness. Proceed with caution.
---
Wen Chen's body trembled. Golden energy coiled around him, mingling with the violet chaos of the orb. His breath was shallow, sweat dripping into his eyes. Fear and exhilaration mingled in his chest.
I can't fail… I won't fail…
---
The Touch
His fingers brushed the surface of the orb.
Instantly, a surge of warmth and energy exploded through his body. Pain lanced through his muscles, every nerve firing at once. His vision blurred, golden light dancing across his sight. His heart raced, and for a moment, he felt like he might be torn apart.
The world seemed to freeze.
No one else noticed the flash of light. Luo Feng, still mid-practice, tightened his fists, feeling only the natural strain of his training—not the orb that hovered invisibly above him.
---
Talent Panel Update
The panel appeared in a dazzling flare:
---
[Floating Golden System Panel — Critical Update]
Name: Wen Chen
Cultivation Level: Body Tempering – Stage 1 → Stage 2 (Partial)
Talent Grade: Low Human Talent → Intermediate Human Talent
Talent Progress: 10% → 25%
Luck Points: 41 → 71
Special Note: Extreme orb absorbed. Side effects may include severe physical strain, temporary fatigue, and perception overload.
---
Wen Chen's chest heaved. Pain shot through him, but the golden warmth of new Talent coursed through every fiber of his body. Reflexes sharpened, comprehension accelerated, and every movement felt lighter, more precise.
The purple orb's power was immense, dangerous, and utterly silent to everyone else. It existed only for him.
---
Suspense and Cliffhanger
He hovered mid-air, golden energy wrapping around him, the violet glow of the orb pulsating wildly. His small hands trembled, sweat running down his forehead. Every instinct screamed—don't let go, or you'll be destroyed.
The courtyard remained quiet. Luo Feng continued his practice, oblivious. Disciples passing by murmured about mundane things: a missed strike, a stumble, or a misstep. The orb, the explosion of energy—it was invisible to all but Wen Chen.
Golden points surged in his mind. Luck, Talent, potential—it all lay within reach.
But would his body withstand the orb's extreme energy?
Would he survive?
Wen Chen's golden eyes burned with determination, teeth gritted, fingers outstretched. The violet aura of the orb clashed with his own golden energy.
One touch… one step… one chance…
And then—
CRASH!!!
A blinding explosion of golden and violet energy engulfed him. Dust, debris, and the faint scent of ozone filled the air. The courtyard shook, stones cracking, bamboo leaves fluttering violently.
When the light faded, Wen Chen's form was suspended mid-air, trembling, chest heaving, golden aura flickering. His fate, his Talent, and the Wen Clan itself hung by a single thread.
No one had noticed the orb. No one had seen the energy. Only Wen Chen knew what had just happened.
The beginning of a power unlike any other… and the first true test of his Luck System…