Death Warrant (I): Talent

[In this world that we live in, Talent decides a lot of things. It's impossible to survive if you're just ordinary and not good at anything. And even then the most important form of talent a person can have, if the talent of cultivation. It doesn't matter how small, as long as you have the damn thing, you can live longer, easier, more wealthier, but considerably in more danger than if you're ordinary. But even then, whether you're ordinary of talented your life will always be in danger, such is the way of the world.

Talent more often than not decides how well a person can be treated, how much resources said person can get, and also how much enemies are lining up to kill him or her. Someone once said talent is a double edged sword, one edge will get you what you want and slice through your enemies, while the other would cut and fuck you up in more ways than one. The summary of this matter is, the more talented you are, then the more enemies and problems you will have, and the gods forbid you gain a talent that the entire world can envy and appreciate...then my friend, you're truly well and massively FUCKED!]

FROM THE VERY SECRET, HIDDEN, AND LOST PRIVATE JOURNALS OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT.

Alex could not understand it, why would his father do such a thing. He wasn't really angry, just hurt but at the same time he understood why. The men of the Álé family were not fond of goodbyes, so they never said unless it was in situations less intense than Alex being separated from his father for the next few years. Maybe even longer, and the only thing that might be able to change the duration of that separation was if he or his father became strong enough to face the world's challenges and find each other.

"You don't have to be so glum grandson. In the path of cultivation, and life in general; people come and go out of lives like wind on a summer morning. Some of them we might never see again, but others we feel strongly in our hearts and souls that we're destined to meet somewhere and some time later. I'm pretty sure you know that your father would not let anything stand in his way of getting to you and protecting you, have a little faith that he will come find you soon enough, you have to be strong Feng'er."

Alex sat on a high table besides his grandfather, their close proximity and the fact that none of the reporters in front of them were making any noise had helped him calm down a bit. Alex could not help but feel a connection and a kinship to his grandfather that was almost similar to what he felt and has with his father, Alex guessed that this is what it meant to be connected to someone through familial bonds and bloodline. It was amazing.

"If you're ready the talent test will begin now." His grandfather said to him with a warm smile on his face. Alex nodded his head but quickly asked a question.

"What is the talent test like?"

"Well the talent test is carried out by an immortal grade artifact. This artifact is capable of accurately to a 99.99999% tell the constitution or physique of a person, their spirit root, their perception or comprehension, and if they have any extra bloodlines or skills.

Constitution, spirit root and perception are graded the same way cultivation and martial arts are graded. In ascending order we have the bronze, iron, silver, gold and platinum grades. Five in all, and the higher the grade, the more talented you are. So are you ready?"

Alex could only nod his head as he got up from his chair. As soon as he did so, every cameraman and reporter got to their feet as they stared closely and intently at Alex as he moved to the left side of the stage and into what looked like a pod made of garish looking black metal. There were multiple arrays circling the pod, and even though his grandfather had called it an Immortal grade Artifact, Alex felt like it was a death trap.

Alex walked forwards with purpose and fire in his eyes, he knew he was talented, everyone here knew he was talented. But they wanted to know how much, or to be more precise Wudang wanted to know how much of an asset he would be to them, depending on his talent, while the rest of the world, especially the enemies of the sect, wanted to know how much of a threat he would be.

At times like this some would think it wise to hide away one's talent, to go inconspicuous so that your life would be long and uneventful. Alex has no intentions of doing such a thing, being low key would make his rise to power incredibly slow, and he would spend a lot more time under the thumbs of other people and incapable of taking charge of his life, not to mention it would take longer to be reunited with his father.

Alex felt that maybe he was being a little childish with how much he was yearning for his father. But Benjamin has been the only parental figure he has had for all fourteen years of his life, and he's a great father. Call Alex a daddy's boy at the point, he didn't really care, and maybe when he grows older and spends a little time away from his father things would change, but for now, a fourteen year old boy wanted to shine as bright as he could for the sake of his father.

Alex walked into the metal pod, and it closed behind him with a bang, startling the people outside who were still watching it. The machine lit up, and a voice that was deep and rumbling like thunder after a rainstorm spoke out.

[Alexander Zhang Xiao Feng Álé, commencing physique/Constitution talent test]

[......]

[Dual constitution/Physique detected. (Grade: Platinum, Constitution Type: Spirit Emperor Body) (Grade: Platinum, Physique Type: Wind Emperor spirit body.) Commencing perception test.]

[...…]

[Perception test completed. Grade: Platinum. Perception Type: Spirit & Soul sense. Commencing Spirit root test.]

[...…]

[Spirit root Test completed. Trial spirit root detected.( Spirit Energy spirit root: Gold/Pseudo Platinum Grade) (Wood Spirit root: Silver grade) (Wind & Cloud spirit root: Platinum Grade) compiling data sheet]

[...]

• Alexander Zhang Xiao Feng Álé

• CULTIVATION: 9th Level: (Body Refining Realm)

• PHYSIQUE/CONSTITUTION: Spirit Emperor Body/Wind Emperor Body

• SPIRIT ROOT: Spirit/Wood/Wind & Cloud

• PERCEPTION: Spirit & Soul Sense

[Final deduction: god grade talent. However because of the number of spirit roots in his body, along with the dual physiques. Cultivation will be three times slower and harder for him from the moment he enters the Open Dantian Realm. But due to his immense talent, he will be capable of fighting; with enough training, opponents one or two realms above him. He is also suited to the art of alchemy and Inscriptions. A talent seen once every ten million years, a one in a billion talent.]

Alex came out of the talent testing artifact feeling really good about himself. There was no way he would not appreciate the fact that he was so freaking talented, of course based on what was deduced by the machine. Eventually it will become harder for him to advance in cultivation, however he would still be immensely strong for whatever stage he finds himself, as long as he's trained properly.

Alex turned to face the crowd of reporters only to see most of them with their mouths hanging open and shock etched allover it. Alex was a little stumped because he didn't think his results were that eye catching, but apparently it was. All of a sudden his grandfather stood up, with a hurried and panicked look on his face as he looked at the reporters and spoke loud enough, using just Qi to amplify his voice, and doing it in such a way everyone here felt the pressure of his power, the microphone on the table, completely forgotten.

"We of the Wudang sect greatly regret what happened during the second stage of the sect competition in Lokoja city. Our condolences goes out to the families who lost their children at the expense of my grandson. Plead know that neither he, nor I, nor the sect will ever forget what sacrifice has been paid. And as such 10 disciple slots will be given to the Kogi state area, choose amongst yourself who you want to enter the Wudang sect, regardless of age or talent we will accept. We promise to get justice for the children lost, but for now this is good bye."

Then he nodded his head and was by Alex's side in an instant. A touch on his shoulder, and they suddenly found themselves in a waiting room where Anya and Alex's uncle was waiting.

"Father this is rather unprecedented, we rigged that machine to give him the lowest possible grades it could possibly give him, and yet it was powerful enough to shock the planet. We can't waste any more time, I've sent for reinforcements from the sect and the clan, his mother is personally leading them here. But we can't wait, we will have to meet them on the way, and we can't travel using the spatial gates, they'll expect that and be waiting for us there. Get them ready, I'll prepare the disciples."

Alex and Anya were stumped and confused by the sudden turn of events, and even more so for Alex who discovered that the machine was meant to give him the lowest possible score. If his lowest score was that insane, then what was his real talent like. His grandfather cut his self reflection short as he said to him and Anya.

"There's no time to dawdle, the two of grab your weapons, leave your bags, I'll have someone send it over. Now move, we have to leave now!"

"but why? Where are we going in such a hurry?" Anya asked him shocked.

"We're going back home, back to the Wudang Sect."