Chapter 33 - Stage One of the Talent Test

Before long once the old man announced the features of the 'Talent Test', the once silent room became lively once again, as the cultivators present discussed their feelings about the talent test.

In fact, everyone was talking to each other apart from Dana, as the talented youths seemed to single her out by believing it isn't worth talking to someone which isn't even going to pass the first round and was probably here for some sightseeing.

Soon enough, the old man spoke again, "You will need to get in line chronological order, we will soon test everyone for the first stage. If your talent for that stage doesn't even meet our sects requirements, then you will be asked to leave." The old man said.

Instantly, the confident youths walked to the front whilst the more timid and anxious disciples made way for them, Dana casually walked for a place in the line.

As she didn't care whether she went first or last unlike those confident youths which loved to showboat, Dana couldn't care less what others think.

Reputation?

What does reputation account for without sufficient strength?

All these youths which strive to be well known within the cultivation world are foolish to Dana as wouldn't that just make others target you?

As soon as you have no protection from the sect, you will be the main person targeted simply because you are a well-known genius disciple, so why wouldn't a rival sect not target you to remove opposition towards their sect.

Dana has her pride, but she wasn't an irrational person which would risk everything just to show the world she was some 'supreme genius'.

Thus, with that in mind, Dana waited in the line patiently.

After a while, the line in front of Dana shortened and shortened until it was finally her turn.

There was already many which were sent away because of insufficient talent in the first stage of the talent test, even some previous confident ones which approached without anxiousness failed but this was a rarity as many of the disciples which stood at the front of the line were individuals confident within their abilities.

Dana soon was led to a room with a woman in front of her, seeing the woman she felt a change of feeling that the woman before her was even more frightening than the old man which was obviously an elder of the sect which introduced the 'Talent Test' previously.

The woman was beautiful but looked like an individual hard to approach and was cold to everyone around them; she looked like someone detached from the world, without emotion for anything within.

Seeing Dana, it seemed the woman placed none importance of her, thinking she would likely fail, as everyone in the younger generation nowadays loved being idolised by the masses, so why would a youth cover their faces unless they were ashamed of their talent?

"Cultivate in front of me, I will assess whether you have sufficient capabilities," The women's emotionless voice sounded.

Dana sat down in a meditative stance, I think 5% of my real capabilities in absorbing Qi should suffice right?

Thinking that should be low enough for her to be assessed as an above average talent, she began absorbing Qi at 5% of her real capacity.

Seeing Dana's absorbing speed a shocked expression emerged within her originally tranquil face.

Impossible.

Seeing her speed it means she is even more talented than Princess Hui Ying!

Seeing Princess Hui Ying cultivation speed already slightly impressed the woman, but seeing Dana which was even superior amazed her.

'I should keep under wraps from the higher-ups' she thought.

Initially, the women thought to report it but seeing Dana hide her face meant she obviously wants to hide her appearance and is not an individual which enjoys being in the limelight, so she suspects Dana wouldn't want this to be known.

A slight smile graced the woman's face, she never thought that there would a female as talented as herself would be found...

But, as quickly as that smile appeared it disappeared, whereas a pained expression replaced the woman's face.

'No, I cannot let her end up like her.' The woman thought.

"You passed." The woman spoke.

Seeing she passed, Dana presumed that the woman must have viewed her as an above average talent as she predicted.

'It seems I'm great at this conspicuous stuff.' Dana thought, thinking she did an excellent job in 'hiding her talent'.

Seeing this the system secretly sneered knowing that the woman clearly knew that Dana was far more talented than she let on, despite her trying to cover it up. But, as the system was too lazy to inform Dana of this, it continued its passive behaviour and would only respond to Dana, if she talks to it directly.

If Dana knew she had such an apathetic system, perhaps she would be so angry she would continuously curse the system for its behaviour.

But, as Dana did not know of this she walked happily to the next stage of the test unaware her talent has already been exposed towards the woman.

Dana was directly shown to the area where the next stage will be conducted, seeing Dana appearance indicating she passed the first stage, drew many surprised looks from the cultivators as they formerly thought she wouldn't even pass the first stage.

This made some cultivators try to approach Dana to converse with her about their experience in the first stage of the test, however seeing Dana's disinterested look they soon gave up thinking 'I'd like to see how you act so arrogant after you fail the second stage.'

The old man once again returned, to introduce the second stage of the test.

Particularly, the second stage was different in comparisons to the first stage, as you will perform the martial skill in front of everyone present instead of being in closed doors like the previous one.

As Dana felt she was becoming an expert at hiding her true capabilities, she will obviously be able to downplay her true altitude in comprehension...