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The glow was almost blinding, and the elders exchanged astonished glances, their normally composed faces betraying a hint of excitement.

"Golden!" Elder Ming declared, unable to hide his admiration. "A genius talent!"

The crowd erupted in whispers, and Aric could hear snippets of their conversations.

"A genius talent… from him? How is that possible?"

"Such brightness! I\'ve never seen the stone glow like that before!"

"This new recruit might truly be extraordinary…"

Aric\'s smirk grew as he soaked in the admiration and awe around him. He could practically feel the envy and resentment of those around him, which only fueled his confidence further.

Off to the side, Xu Mevan watched the spectacle with a scowl. His fists clenched tightly as he glared at Aric, his face a mix of anger and frustration. "This bastard Adolf… he dares to steal the spotlight!" he muttered through gritted teeth.

The sheer brilliance of Aric\'s display had shaken him, casting a shadow of insecurity in his mind. He had always believed himself destined for greatness, the one everyone would look up to. But now, with Aric\'s unprecedented display, doubts crept into his heart.

Xu Amber, meanwhile, observed the scene in silence. She maintained her usual cold, unreadable expression, but her gaze lingered on Aric, her eyes sharper than before. Though she showed no emotion, her calculating stare betrayed a curiosity about this enigmatic newcomer.

Unlike her brother, she knew better than to allow herself to be rattled by another\'s success, but inwardly, she pondered Aric\'s potential—and what it meant for her and Xu Mevan.

Aric chuckled inwardly as he returned to the crowd, still basking in the golden afterglow of the stone. "What a predictable response," he thought with amusement. "The protagonist can\'t stand someone else stealing his thunder."

Finally, Xu Amber was called forward. She stepped up with quiet confidence, and a hush fell over the crowd as she placed her hand on the stone.

The Spectral Dimming Charm Aric had planted took effect immediately. The Talent Stone glowed, but the light was subdued, revealing only a green hue.

Elder Leishou raised an eyebrow, sounding mildly surprised as he announced, "High talent."

Xu Amber\'s lips pressed into a thin line, her usually stoic demeanor flickering for just a moment. Accustomed to being lauded for her exceptional potential, she felt a twinge of disappointment.

Still, she didn\'t let it show, bowing gracefully to the elders as she accepted her place as an outer disciple. Beneath her composed exterior, however, she silently resolved to prove herself in the coming trials.

Finally, Xu Mevan was called. He strode forward with an air of arrogance, casting a sideways glance at Aric, as though trying to reassure himself that he would still shine. In his mind, he could already envision the stone glowing with a brilliance that would outdo Aric\'s display.

But as he touched the stone, the Dimming Charm dulled his potential. The stone glowed with a muted purple hue.

"Exceptional talent," Elder Ming announced, his voice tinged with disappointment.

Xu Mevan\'s face went pale as the color registered with the crowd. He had expected the stone to glow golden, to affirm his superiority.

A low murmur of surprise and disappointment rippled through the crowd, stinging him further.

"This… can\'t be right," Xu Mevan muttered, his voice shaking as he struggled to maintain his composure. His gaze flickered to Aric, who stood nearby with a slight smirk on his face.

Unable to contain his frustration, Mevan clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms. "This has to be a mistake," he hissed under his breath, his mind racing for an explanation. How could he, a prodigy with the Phoenix Bloodline, be overshadowed like this?

Beside him, Amber\'s gaze shifted subtly between her brother and Aric. Her mind churned, calculating. She knew Mevan well enough to see the frustration simmering beneath his composed facade, and though she herself had felt the sting of disappointment, she kept her calm. Her icy stare settled on Aric, an acknowledgment of both curiosity and a hint of respect.

Unlike her brother, she would bide her time, observe, and learn from this newcomer.

Meanwhile, Aric listened to the system\'s notification with a sense of satisfaction.

[Ding! Congratulations, Host! You gained +2000 Villain Halo and 20,000 Villain Points for angering the protagonist Xu Mevan.]

read-first-on-MVLeMpYr

Meanwhile, murmurs spread quickly through the sect grounds. Word of a new "genius talent" traveled like wildfire, reaching the ears of various elders. Soon, several elders, each with impressive cultivation and a powerful aura, began to gather around the testing grounds.

First to approach was Elder Ming, a tall, stern man with silver-streaked hair and piercing eyes. His aura radiated power and authority. "Adolf, was it?" Elder Ming addressed him with a nod of approval. "I am Elder Ming of the Divine Sword Hall. I see great potential in you, young man. How would you like to learn the arts of the sword under my guidance?"

Before Aric could respond, another elder stepped forward. Elder Kaien, a shorter, stout man with a kind but intense gaze, stroked his long beard. "Elder Ming, hold on there. I am Elder Kaien of the Mystic Array Pavilion," he said with a hint of pride. "Adolf, your talent is truly extraordinary. Array cultivation might be the perfect path for you.

I can provide you with the finest training and resources, should you decide to join my pavilion."

Aric inclined his head respectfully, his eyes dancing with amusement as he listened to their offers. He enjoyed the attention and silently savored the power he wielded in that moment.

Elder Feng, a woman with an intense gaze and a stoic expression, cut through the crowd next. Her robes were immaculate, and her presence commanded respect. "Young man, I am Elder Feng of the Thunderous Peak Sect," she said coolly. "With my guidance, you would master thunder-based techniques and rise above all others in power and prestige. Think of the possibilities."

More elders gathered, each trying to outdo the last. They were all eager to secure this prodigy for themselves, seeing a potential powerhouse in him.

"Adolf," Elder Kaien continued, his voice lowering as if sharing a great secret. "Join me, and I will bestow upon you the Mystic Array Formation Jade—a priceless artifact that could accelerate your cultivation."

"Or," Elder Ming cut in sharply, "follow me, and I will grant you access to the Divine Sword Codex, a technique lost to the ages, one that can decimate entire armies."

"Ah, everyone seems to think they can tempt you with objects and artifacts," Elder Feng scoffed, rolling her eyes. "I offer power and mastery that transcends objects. A true warrior finds strength within."

Aric chuckled inwardly, watching them compete over him like merchants haggling in a marketplace. But as entertaining as this was, he had a calculated reason for being here, and his choice of a mentor wasn\'t about prestige or artifacts. He noticed one elder who hadn\'t made an offer yet but observed him intently: Elder Sharon, a tall, graceful woman with an aura of quiet strength.

Her reputation as one of the sect\'s most respected elders preceded her. She was known for her talent in both the cultivation arts and mentoring protégés.

Elder Sharon watched the exchange without intervening. She noticed his gaze and smiled faintly, her eyes revealing a glimmer of amusement at the antics of her fellow elders.

Aric spoke up, his voice calm yet respectful. "Esteemed Elders, I am grateful for all of your offers," he began, his tone carefully measured. "But if it pleases you all, I would like to train under Elder Sharon. Her reputation precedes her, and I believe her guidance will best support my path."

The other elders fell silent, exchanging glances of mild disappointment but acknowledging the wisdom in his choice. Elder Sharon\'s approval of his decision carried a certain weight, even among the ranks of the sect\'s upper echelons.

Elder Sharon finally stepped forward, her graceful movements a stark contrast to the more eager elders around her. She looked at Aric with a serene expression. "I am honored by your choice, Adolf," she said warmly. "I will do my utmost to guide you on your journey."

Aric gave a respectful bow, inwardly pleased with his choice. By aligning himself with Elder Sharon, he knew he would be close to Xu Mevan and Xu Amber, who, as he had already learned, were highly likely to join her as disciples. This proximity would allow him to keep a close eye on the siblings, manage their growth, and exploit their talents to his advantage.

Xu Mevan watched the scene with a mixture of disbelief and frustration, his fists clenched tightly by his sides. "Elder Sharon is accepting him?" he muttered to himself, struggling to hide the bitterness in his tone. "This… this upstart…"