Chapter 428 What?! His rune talent and aptitude are still heaven-defying?!

"Hahaha! What could possibly shock someone like you, Old Fellow Master Fu Shan? I could hear your startled voice from outside the door; that’s hardly your usual style!"

While that aged and hearty laughter was still echoing within the Spirit Sealing Hall, Elder Mo had already strode inside.

Behind him, more than ten Rune Masters and Formation Masters filed in, making the once empty hall suddenly lively.

Liu Qingyun hurried forward to greet him, his posture even more respectful than when he had welcomed Great Master Master Fu Shan earlier.

"Uncle Mo, you've arrived."

He didn't address him as Elder Mo, but as Uncle Mo.

This was the exclusive title used by the direct descendants of the Liu Family for this highly respected Elder; the closeness and respect it carried far exceeded that for Great Master Master Fu Shan, who held the status of a Guest Elder.

Elder Mo nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping across Liu Qingyun's face. Seeing the excitement and anticipation that couldn't be hidden between his brows, he already had some inkling of the situation.

He didn't say much, merely reaching out to pat Liu Qingyun's shoulder before his gaze fell upon the youth standing before the high platform, wearing a silver-white mask.

The Rune Masters and Formation Masters behind him paid their respects to Liu Qingyun and Great Master Master Fu Shan one after another, maintaining proper etiquette.

Once finished, their gazes also converged on Jiang Yun as if by prior agreement.

"Is this that sixteen years old Grand Tutor Level Appraiser, Grand Tutor Dongxuan?"

"Wearing a mask, all mysterious... he doesn't seem like anything special."

"True, judging by his aura, his Beast Tamer cultivation seems to be only at the Amethyst Rank. However, reaching the Amethyst Rank at this age is already quite Heaven-Defying. Not to mention his primary profession is an Appraiser; a sixteen years old Grand Tutor Level Appraiser is something truly unheard of and never seen before."

"Exactly. Among the younger generation of our Liu Family, those who can reach the Amethyst Rank at sixteen years old are few and far between. And as for becoming a Grand Tutor Level Appraiser at sixteen... forget the Liu Family, in the entire Bone Burial Area, only this one has appeared in hundreds of years."

"Not just the Bone Burial Area. In the entire history of the provincial capital's Appraisers Guild, he is likely the youngest Grand Tutor Level ever."

Everyone whispered and discussed amongst themselves.

In those gazes, there was curiosity, scrutiny, wonder, and a hint of skepticism.

After all, a sixteen years old Grand Tutor Level Appraiser—just that title alone was enough to make one half-believe and half-doubt.

Had the Family Head not confirmed it personally and Elder Liu Lan not witnessed it with her own eyes, most of them probably wouldn't have believed it at all.

Elder Mo stepped forward and stopped in front of Jiang Yun.

His old eyes, which had seen much of the world, looked the youth up and down. His gaze was gentle and deep, without scrutiny or suspicion, only the curiosity and appreciation of an Elder looking at a Junior.

"I presume this must be Grand Tutor Dongxuan?"

His voice was aged and gentle, carrying a kindliness that made one instinctively want to be close.

Jiang Yun cupped his hands slightly in a humble gesture.

"Junior Dong Xuan greets Elder Mo.."

His tone was flat, neither servile nor overbearing, yet not lacking in etiquette.

Hearing this, Elder Mo nodded slightly, a flash of satisfaction in his eyes.

"Good. To have such achievements at a young age yet remain calm, modest, and polite. Such Heart-Nature is truly rare."

He stroked his snow-white beard, his tone full of praise.

"Becoming a Grand Tutor Level Appraiser at sixteen years old and being personally granted the position of Grand Elder by President Yun Xi, yet still maintaining this humility. Little friend Dong Xuan, this temperament alone surpasses the vast majority of young people I've seen. To have such achievements and such Heart-Nature at your age—truly, the younger generation is to be feared, the younger generation is to be feared indeed."

Jiang Yun cupped his hands again, his tone still humble.

"Elder Mo overpraises me. Junior was just a bit lucky, I don't deserve such high praise from Elder Mo."

Elder Mo waved his hand, clearly disagreeing with Jiang Yun's self-deprecation.

He turned to look at Great Master Master Fu Shan, a hint of mischief flashing in his eyes.

"By the way, Old Fellow Master Fu Shan, you haven't answered my question yet. Just now outside the door, I clearly heard your startled voice. I've known you for decades and have never seen you, Old Fellow, lose your composure like that. Just what could make you lose your cool so much?"

As soon as those words were spoken.

The gazes of everyone present shifted away from Jiang Yun.

They all landed squarely on Great Master Master Fu Shan.

The Rune Masters and Formation Masters who had entered later were full of curiosity.

When they were waiting outside the ancestral land earlier, they had indeed faintly heard sounds coming from the Spirit Sealing Hall.

Great Master Master Fu Shan's words of 'never expected', 'conceding defeat', were vaguely audible even through the thick stone doors.

It was just that they didn't know exactly what had happened at the time.

Now that Elder Mo had asked, they all pricked up their ears.

Hearing this, Great Master Master Fu Shan was first stunned, then a flash of embarrassment crossed his face.

He raised his hand to stroke his beard, seemingly to hide his awkwardness, and coughed once before speaking.

"I've made a fool of myself before everyone, I've made a fool of myself."

He shook his head, his tone carrying a bit of self-deprecation and emotion.

"It’s simply because Little friend Dong Xuan's performance just now was too stunning. I have lived for nearly two hundred years and consider myself well-traveled, but a Prodigy's talent like Little friend Dong Xuan's is indeed something I've seen for the first time in my life. In a moment of excitement, I lost my sense of propriety and made a fool of myself."

Hearing this, everyone became even more confused.

Grand Tutor Dongxuan's talent?

Hadn't the news of Grand Tutor Dongxuan becoming a Grand Tutor Level Appraiser at sixteen already spread through the Liu Family?

Everyone present had already known this news before entering the ancestral land.

While it was indeed Heaven-Defying, it shouldn't be enough to shock someone like Great Master Master Fu Shan to the point of losing his composure, right?

A young Formation Master couldn't help but speak up.

"Great Master Master Fu Shan, Grand Tutor Dongxuan's appraisal talent is indeed Heaven-Defying; we had already heard about the sixteen years old Grand Tutor Level Appraiser. But this... this shouldn't be enough to shock you to the point of conceding defeat, right?"

Another person echoed.

"Yes, and Junior faintly heard outside the door just now that you seemed to mention something about Formations? Could it be that Grand Tutor Dongxuan's attainments in the Dao of Formations have gained your recognition?"

Great Master Master Fu Shan gave a bitter smile and waved his hand.

"You've guessed right. Not only has he gained my recognition, he is even superior to me..."

He took a deep breath, his gaze sweeping over everyone present.

"Just now, Little friend Dong Xuan not only precisely pointed out all the problems with the Eight Desolations Spirit Sealing Array—including three damaged spirit sealing slots hidden inside the stone walls that even I had never discovered—but he also clearly analyzed the specific location of every broken conductive Soul Rune, the damaged Karma chains, and even the priority of the repairs."

His voice was full of emotion.

"I have presided over the maintenance of this Formation for ten years and could only see a general outline, knowing which pillars were broken and that the Formation's power had dropped by several levels. But Little friend Dong Xuan, seeing this Formation for the first time, in less than the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, saw all the cruxes that I couldn't see through in ten years. His Formation Comprehension Ability, to be honest... I concede defeat."

The words fell.

The entire Spirit Sealing Hall fell into a dead silence.

The Formation Masters' eyes widened one by one, their mouths hanging open wide enough to fit a fist.

"What?! Three damaged spirit sealing slots hidden inside the stone walls? That even Great Master Master Fu Shan hadn't discovered?"

"The Eight Desolations Spirit Sealing Array is a Legendary Ancient Array! Its structure is extremely complex! Grand Tutor Dongxuan could see through it all upon seeing it for the first time? This... this is too ridiculous!"

"And what did Great Master Master Fu Shan say? That Grand Tutor Dongxuan's Formation Comprehension Ability is above his? Great Master Master Fu Shan is a Grand Tutor Level Formation Master!"

Although those Rune Masters primarily studied the Dao of Runes.

They didn't dabble deeply in the Dao of Formations, but they knew that Formations and Runes were complementary.

Runes are the Foundation of Formations, and Formations are the extension of Runes.

They knew very well what it meant to be able to understand the content Great Master Master Fu Shan was describing.

Now, hearing Great Master Master Fu Shan personally admit that Jiang Yun's Formation Comprehension Ability was above his.

Every one of them was also too shocked to speak.

"Even Great Master Master Fu Shan concedes defeat... then doesn't that mean Grand Tutor Dongxuan's Comprehension Ability in the Dao of Formations is also Grand Tutor Level?"

"A sixteen years old Grand Tutor Level Appraiser, plus Grand Tutor Level Formation Comprehension Ability... is he still human?"

"Prodigy! He's a damn Prodigy!"

Someone shouted first, and then all the Formation Masters and Rune Masters in the Spirit Sealing Hall erupted.

Exclamations, praises, and incredible discussions intertwined, forming waves of sound that rose and fell.

And the gazes of those Rune Masters fell squarely on Jiang Yun, their eyes full of shock and awe.

Before this, their impression of this Grand Tutor Dongxuan was merely that of a youth with Heaven-Defying appraisal talent.

Although appraisal talent was rare, the Rune Masters and Formation Masters present had their own professional fields and didn't know much about the Dao of appraisal, so while they admired him, they didn't have a strong sense of resonance.

But now, when they learned that Jiang Yun's Comprehension Ability in the Dao of Formations was equally Heaven-Defying.

Even above Great Master Master Fu Shan's, that kind of shock was completely different.

Because Formations and Runes were their own trade.

They knew better than anyone what it meant to reach a Grand Tutor Level Formation Comprehension Ability.

"sixteen years old... Grand Tutor Level Appraiser... plus Grand Tutor Level Formation Comprehension Ability..."

An old Formation Master with graying hair murmured to himself, his voice trembling.

"I have lived for nearly two hundred years and seen countless geniuses. But someone like Grand Tutor Dongxuan... if I may be blunt... there isn't a single one."

Another middle-aged Rune Master also took a deep breath, his tone full of emotion.

"Yes, just that Grand Tutor Level Appraiser talent alone is enough to be looked up to. Now adding this Formation Comprehension Ability, as long as Grand Tutor Dongxuan is willing, wouldn't becoming a Grand Tutor Level Formation Master just be a matter of time? His Formation Comprehension Ability is already there; all he lacks is the accumulation of practical experience."

"Exactly. Comprehension Ability and Aptitude are the hardest to come by; things like operational methods and carving techniques can be gained with more practice. Grand Tutor Dongxuan's Formation Comprehension Ability is so high that becoming a Grand Tutor Level Formation Master won't have any Bottleneck for him; it's just a matter of time."

Elder Mo stood to the side, and on his usually calm face, an extremely rare look of shock now appeared.

He had lived for nearly three hundred years and seen countless brilliant young geniuses.

The most outstanding descendants of the Liu Family's successive generations.

The core heirs of various major forces in the provincial capital.

He had even had some contact with practitioners from the Central Continent.

But someone like the youth before him, reaching such heights in multiple fields simultaneously, he had never seen a single one.

Grand Tutor Level appraisal talent...

Grand Tutor Level Formation Comprehension Ability...

Either one of these things, if taken out alone, would be enough to make a young person famous far and wide.

Yet the youth before him possessed both.

And looking at that Old Fellow Master Fu Shan's expression, Jiang Yun's Formation Comprehension Ability was likely not just an ordinary Grand Tutor Level.

To make Master Fu Shan personally say the words 'above him'.

This Comprehension Ability was likely at the top level even among the Grand Tutor Level.

A thought suddenly popped into Elder Mo's mind that he himself found somewhat absurd.

Could this youth have come from the Central Continent?

Only that place, where geniuses are said to be as Common as dogs and prodigies roam everywhere, could possibly give birth to a monster of this level.

A secret heir of some secluded ancient family, cultivated by the power of the entire clan for who knows how many generations?

Or a direct Disciple of some hidden Holy Land Sect, sent out to experience the Mortal World?

The more he thought about it, the more likely this guess seemed.

But regardless of where Jiang Yun came from, one thing was certain...

Such a person must only be befriended and never offended.

Elder Mo turned to look at Liu Qingyun beside him, only to see that while Liu Qingyun's face was also full of shock, there was a hint of thoughtfulness within that shock.

Elder Mo understood.

It seemed the Family Head had also realized this long ago and was already calculating in his heart how to establish a deeper relationship with this Grand Tutor Dongxuan.

Just then, Jiang Yun spoke.

His voice was still flat, without any hint of complacency in his tone.

"Everyone overpraises me."

He cupped his hands slightly, his gaze sweeping over everyone present.

"Junior was just lucky. I happened to have seen detailed records of the Eight Desolations Spirit Sealing Array in ancient books, so I was able to recognize the crux of this Formation. It's not any real skill, and I certainly don't deserve such high praise from everyone."

He paused, his tone shifting and becoming solemn.

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"For now, let us attend to the matter at hand. The restoration and activation of this soul crystal involve the recasting of the Eight Desolations Spirit Sealing Array, the repair of the three thousand six hundred Ancient Soul Runes on the surface of the soul crystal, and the subsequent activation ceremony. These three steps are interconnected and indispensable. Now that Great Master Master Fu Shan and Elder Mo have arrived, and all of you Formation Masters and Rune Masters are gathered here, since the manpower is sufficient, we should not delay. Let us begin the restoration."

His voice was not loud, yet it carried an unquestionable sense of certainty and composure.

It was as if he were not speaking of a massive project involving the restoration of a Sun-Level array and the repair of Ancient Soul Runes, but rather a routine task that could be completed step by step.

Upon hearing his words, the shock in the hearts of the crowd subsided slightly, and they nodded in agreement.

"Good! We will follow the arrangements of Grand Tutor Dongxuan!"

"Since Grand Tutor Dongxuan has already figured out all the problems, we will simply do as instructed!"

However, just at this moment, Elder Mo suddenly spoke up.

His voice carried a trace of embarrassment, and his tone was even gentler than before.

"Young friend Dong Xuan, wait a moment."

The crowd was taken aback and looked at Elder Mo in unison.

Elder Mo stroked his beard, a look of embarrassment appearing on his kind face.

"This old man has a matter I would like to ask young friend Dong Xuan about."

Jiang Yun tilted his head slightly.

"Please go ahead, Elder Mo."

Elder Mo coughed dryly, his tone carrying a hint of embarrassment.

"It is like this. Although this old man specializes in the Dao of runes and has handled countless runes over the past two hundred years, the Ancient Soul Runes on the surface of this soul crystal were carved personally by the ancestor of the Liu Family three thousand years ago. Their rune system is extremely ancient and completely different from any rune system currently in circulation. Although I have often come to the ancestral grounds over these years, wanting to find the source of the problems with the runes on the surface of the soul crystal..."

He sighed, his tone filled with a trace of shame.

"But to be honest, I can only see the general picture. I know the soul runes are fractured and know the general areas of the fractures, but I cannot precisely determine the specific location of each fractured soul rune, nor can I determine which fractures are critical and which are not. Therefore, this old man has never been able to find a method for restoration."

He raised his head, his gaze falling upon Jiang Yun, his eyes full of sincerity and anticipation.

"I heard from Elder Liu Lan that young friend Dong Xuan has already fully investigated the problems with the soul crystal's runes and Formation. Old man Master Fu Shan's reaction just now also confirmed that young friend Dong Xuan's judgment regarding the Formation is completely correct. I would like to ask young friend Dong Xuan, where exactly do the problems with the Ancient Soul Runes on the surface of this soul crystal lie? Specifically, which soul runes need to be repaired? What is the priority for the repairs? And what Materials are needed?"

He paused, his tone even more sincere.

"I ask that young friend Dong Xuan please enlighten me. Only by knowing the specific location of the problems can we cooperate with young friend Dong Xuan to carry out the subsequent restoration work."

Once these words were spoken, the entire Spirit Sealing Hall suddenly fell silent.

Everyone was stunned at first, then realized the implication.

Yes!

They did not even know where the problems were?

How could they repair it?

They had just been left dizzy by Great Master Master Fu Shan's words.

They had been too busy being shocked by Jiang Yun's Comprehension Ability in the Dao of Formations.

They had neglected the most basic problem.

They, these Formation Masters and Rune Masters, had an extremely limited understanding of the soul crystal.

Regarding the problems with the Eight Desolations Spirit Sealing Array, Great Master Master Fu Shan had presided over maintenance for ten years and only managed to see a general outline.

As for the Ancient Soul Runes on the surface of the soul crystal, Elder Mo had researched them for hundreds of years and also failed to fully decipher them.

They did not even know where the problems lay...

How could they talk about restoration?

But the moment they realized this problem, another even more shocking thought emerged.

Grand Tutor Dongxuan knew.

This sixteen years old youth had not only seen all the problems with the Eight Desolations Spirit Sealing Array but had also seen all the problems with the Ancient Soul Runes on the surface of the soul crystal—things that even Elder Mo, a Grand Tutor Level Rune Master, had failed to fully decipher, he had actually seen through?

Could it be...

that Grand Tutor Dongxuan's attainments in the Dao of runes were also equally astonishing?

As soon as this thought emerged, everyone's pupils constricted slightly.

"No way..."

A young female Rune Master muttered in a low voice, covering her mouth with her hand.

"Grand Tutor Dongxuan is a Grand Tutor Level Appraiser, and his Comprehension Ability in the Dao of Formations is also at the Grand Tutor Level; this is already an unheard-of Prodigy. Surely he cannot also be..."

She did not finish her sentence, but everyone around her understood what she meant.

Indeed...

for one person to reach Grand Tutor Level talent in two fields simultaneously was already Heaven-Defying enough.

If he were to reach the same height in three fields...

was he even human?

Grand Tutor Level appraisal talent! Grand Tutor Level Comprehension Ability in the Dao of Formations!

Grand Tutor Level rune attainments?

Even if the heavens were biased, they wouldn't be biased to this extent, would they?

But if not...

how could Great Master Master Fu Shan's reaction just now be explained?

Even Great Master Master Fu Shan personally admitted that his Comprehension Ability in the Dao of Formations was inferior to his, so regarding the runes, could Jiang Yun really answer Elder Mo's questions?

The crowd was in a state of agitation, some expectant, some skeptical, and some secretly shaking their heads.

A seasoned middle-aged Formation Master whispered to the person beside him.

"To be honest, I think it is unlikely. Although appraisal and Formations belong to different fields, there are similarities between the two; both require observation skills and the ability to analyze chains of Karma. A person having extraordinary talent in appraisal and being able to apply it by analogy to the field of Formations, while Rare, is not completely impossible. But the Dao of runes is a completely different system from appraisal and Formations. Runes require an understanding of the Laws of heaven and earth, and the talent to solidify the power of the Laws into the form of runes. This kind of thing is completely different from the thought patterns of appraisal and Formations; it is very difficult to draw analogies."

He paused, his voice dropping even lower.

"In my opinion, Grand Tutor Dongxuan may have only roughly seen the direction of the problems with the runes, but the specific details will still have to be led by Elder Mo. After all, he is only sixteen years old; appraisal and Formations have already taken up the vast majority of his energy, so how could he have time to study runes?"

Another person also nodded in agreement.

"That makes sense. His appraisal talent and Comprehension Ability in the Dao of Formations are already Heaven-Defying enough; to add a rune talent on top of that—that would simply not be human."

Although these discussions were kept very low, Elder Mo was an Eclipsing Moon Rank powerhouse; how astonishing was his hearing?

He heard every single word.

In reality, the words of these people were exactly the doubts in his own heart.

He had studied the Ancient Soul Runes on the surface of this soul crystal for decades and could only see five or six tenths of them.

He knew roughly how many fractured soul runes there were and in which areas, but when it came down to the precise location of each soul rune, the degree of fracture for each, the sequence of repair, and the material ratios required for restoration—these details, he had never been able to fully determine.

The reason he could not fully determine it was because the system of Ancient Soul Runes was too unique.

It was completely different from any rune system today and could not be mastered through simple accumulation of knowledge; it required a very deep understanding and comprehension of the Laws of ancient runes.

And this kind of understanding and comprehension was difficult to achieve without decades or centuries of immersion.

Could this youth really see deeper and more thoroughly than he could?

Elder Mo looked at Jiang Yun, his heart filled with both anticipation and suspicion.

"Young friend Dong Xuan?"

He reminded him softly.

Jiang Yun nodded, his expression beneath the mask showing no fluctuation.

"Since Elder Mo has asked, this Junior will speak of the problems with the Ancient Soul Runes on the surface of this soul crystal."

His tone was indifferent, as if he were speaking of a trivial matter.

He turned, raised his hand, and pointed to the soul crystal hovering on the high platform.

The data entries for its runes had long since been detailed and manifested beside it.

Jiang Yun recited accordingly.

"There are a total of three thousand six hundred Ancient Soul Runes on the surface of the soul crystal, which can be divided into three layers according to their function. The outermost layer of Seal runes consists of one thousand two hundred, responsible for maintaining the stability of the soul crystal's form. The middle layer of conduction runes also consists of one thousand two hundred, responsible for guiding the circulation of Soul Power within the soul crystal. The innermost layer of core runes also consists of one thousand two hundred, responsible for sealing and protecting the Origin will of the Nine Nether Underworld Phoenix."

"The layer that suffered the most severe impact during the upheaval three hundred years ago was the outer layer of Seal runes. The damage from the outer layer was then conducted to the middle layer, leading to multiple fractures in the conduction runes. After the middle layer fractured, the circulation of Soul Power was obstructed, and the inner layer of core runes, having not received nourishment from Soul Power for a long time, also gradually began to erode."

As he spoke, he traced in the Void Realm with his finger, outlining the path of each rune.

"Specifically, among the one thousand two hundred Seal runes in the outer layer, nine hundred and seventeen are intact and identifiable, two hundred and twenty-one are fractured, and sixty-two are completely eroded. Among the one thousand two hundred conduction runes in the middle layer, eight hundred and four are intact, three hundred and twelve are fractured, and eighty-four are completely eroded. The one thousand two hundred core runes in the inner layer suffered the least damage, with one thousand and ninety-one intact, eighty-nine fractured, and only twenty completely eroded. Combining the three categories, there are a total of seven hundred and eighty-eight fractured and eroded runes."

"The priority for repair should be from the inside out. First, repair the inner layer of core runes; only when the core runes are complete can the Origin will of the Nine Nether Underworld Phoenix be protected from impact during the subsequent activation. Then, repair the middle layer of conduction runes; the conduction runes are the channels for the circulation of Soul Power and must be done after the inner layer of core runes has been repaired, otherwise, it may cause secondary damage to the core runes during the restoration process. Finally, repair the outer layer of Seal runes—the Seal runes are the last line of defense and must be repaired simultaneously at the moment of activation to stabilize the form of the soul crystal."

"The Materials required for repair are primarily soul ink, which is the specialized material for carving Ancient Soul Runes. However, because the soul runes in the inner, middle, and outer layers have different functions, the requirements for soul ink are also different. The inner layer of core runes requires the highest quality soul ink, the middle layer of conduction runes requires the next highest, and the outer layer of Seal runes requires the least. I will list the specific material ratios and hand the list to Elder Mo later."

He traced the final line in the Void Realm with his finger, then withdrew his hand and stood with his hands behind his back.

"The above is the entirety of the problems and the restoration plan for the Ancient Soul Runes on the surface of this soul crystal."

His tone remained indifferent.

"If there are any oversights, I ask that Elder Mo please correct them."

As his voice fell, the entire Spirit Sealing Hall once again fell into a deathly silence.

It was not an ordinary quiet, but a deathly silence where even the sound of breathing had vanished.

Everyone froze in place, eyes wide, mouths agape, yet not a single word could be spoken.

The expressions on the faces of those Formation Masters and Rune Masters were extremely vivid.

Some widened their eyes, some covered their mouths, some blinked incessantly as if trying to confirm whether they were hallucinating, and others pinched their own thighs hard to confirm whether they were dreaming.

That middle-aged Formation Master who had just been swearing that it was impossible and that he couldn't possibly be that awesome at runes as well was now frozen as if under a immobilization spell.

His mouth was wide enough to fit a fist, his eyes were dull, and his mind was a blank slate.

The young female Rune Master was even more exaggerated; she covered her mouth, and her eyes were actually slightly reddened.

Not from being moved, but simply from being shocked.

An old Rune Master with graying hair had hands that were trembling violently.

He had studied fragments of Ancient Soul Runes for most of his life and considered himself to have achieved some small success in this field.

But the things Jiang Yun had just said—the layered system of inner, middle, and outer layers, the specific number of soul runes in each layer, the precise numbers of fractures and erosion, the priority of repairing layer by layer from the inside out, the quality differences of soul ink for different levels—these things, he had never even heard of, let alone seen for himself.

"This... how is this possible..."

He muttered to himself, his voice full of disbelief.

"So detailed... so systematic... orderly and logical... how to repair each step, what Materials to use, what the sequence is... everything explained clearly... what kind of cognition is this? What kind of experience?"

Another middle-aged Rune Master also took a deep breath, his voice trembling.

"This old man has studied Ancient Soul Runes for nearly a hundred years and considers himself to have some insights. But what Grand Tutor Dongxuan just said—some I can understand, but some I have never even heard of! Especially that theory about the differences in soul ink quality for different levels; today is the first time I have ever heard of it!"

"It is not just you! Elder Mo has studied this soul crystal for decades and could only see five or six tenths! Grand Tutor Dongxuan only took one look... and saw all the details!"

"Precise down to the number of each soul rune! One thousand two hundred in the outer layer! One thousand two hundred in the middle layer! One thousand two hundred in the inner layer! How many fractured! How many eroded! All precise down to the single digit! This... is this even human?"

"A Prodigy... truly a Prodigy..."

Someone spoke in a trembling voice, and then the exclamations within the Spirit Sealing Hall erupted like a volcano.

"Grand Tutor Dongxuan's Rune talent... I'm afraid it's also Grand Tutor Level!"

"sixteen years old! Grand Tutor Level Appraiser! Grand Tutor Level Comprehension Ability in Formation! Grand Tutor Level Rune talent! Three Grand Tutor Level Aptitudes!"

"Unprecedented... and unrepeatable... This is an unprecedented and unrepeatable peerless Prodigy!"

As this voice rang out, the entire hall fell silent once again.

It was not because they were no longer shocked, but because they were shocked to the extreme; everyone did not know what language to use to express their feelings at this moment.

Any vocabulary seemed pale and powerless before a Prodigy of this level.

Elder Mo stood in place, and on that old face that had seen all the ways of the world, the expression at this moment could no longer be described by the word "shock."

His lips parted slightly, and his gentle, deep eyes were wide open like never before, his pupils reflecting the dim soul crystal on the high platform and the youth in the silver-white mask in front of the soul crystal.

Detailed.

Too detailed.

Detailed to the number of every Ancient Soul Rune.

Detailed to the precise numbers of fractures and erasures on every layer.

Detailed to the sequence of repairing layer by layer from the inside out.

Detailed to the details that even he did not know, such as the different qualities of soul ink needed for different levels.

He had served as the Chief Rune Master of the Family for decades, and had studied the Ancient Soul Runes on the surface of this soul crystal for hundreds of years.

He considered himself to have a fairly deep understanding of this rune system.

He had a count in his mind of the approximate number of fractures, the general areas of the problems, and the general direction of repairs.

But what he could say was only an approximation.

And what Jiang Yun said was precise down to the last detail.

1,200 outer sealing runes.

1,200 middle conduction runes.

1,200 inner core runes.

How many were fractured, how many were erased, totaling 788.

These numbers, Elder Mo had studied for decades without being able to be as precise as this.

Because the Ancient Soul Runes on the surface of the soul crystal were truly too fine.

Each one was only one-tenth the thickness of a hair, and they were intertwined, layer upon layer; the inner and middle Ancient Soul Runes were covered by the outer layer, making it impossible to distinguish them with the naked eye alone.

To count them accurately, one had to use Divine Sense to peel them away layer by layer and identify them one by one.

Elder Mo had tried countless times, but every time he fell short due to the interference between the Ancient Soul Runes.

Yet the youth before him, having stood on the high platform for less than half a cup of tea, had stated the precise number of all three layers of Ancient Soul Runes.

What did this mean?

It meant his Divine Sense strength was far above his own!

It meant his cognition and understanding of Ancient Soul Runes were far above his own!

It meant he had not only seen the position and state of every Ancient Soul Rune, but also seen the Karma connection between each Ancient Soul Rune and the sequence of repairs!

This was no longer a question of Grand Tutor Level.

Elder Mo said silently in his heart—this kid's Rune talent was likely higher than his own, an Old Fellow who had immersed himself in the way of runes for over two hundred years.

Perhaps, it might even be higher by more than one grade.

Because he knew that even if he were given another hundred years, he might not be able to do what Jiang Yun had done today.

In less than half a cup of tea, to figure out all the precise problems of the entire set of Ancient Soul Runes.

This was not a gap that could be made up by effort; this was a gap in talent.

And this kind of talent, looking across the entire rune world, was likely a Rare Genius seen once in a thousand years.

"Prodigy... truly a Prodigy..." Elder Mo muttered to himself in his heart.

He had lived for three hundred years and had seen as many Geniuses as there were carp crossing the river.

Among them were many stunningly talented individuals, and there were also those who, at a young age, had Cultivated a certain Domain to a very high Realm.

But like Jiang Yun, who had reached Grand Tutor Level talent in three completely different Domains—Appraiser, Formation, and runes—simultaneously... he had never seen one.

With such talent, it was impossible for him to be of Common Origin.

Elder Mo's gaze became profound.

"This child, I fear he is a monster from the Central Province. Grand Tutor Level Appraiser talent, Grand Tutor Level Comprehension Ability in Formation, and Grand Tutor Level Rune talent—with all three gathered, such a Prodigy, even in the Central Province where Geniuses gather, would likely be a Rare existence. I wonder which ancient, isolated Family raised this secret successor, or which Holy Land's direct Disciple has come out to the Mortal World to train."

He turned his head to look at Liu Qingyun on the side, only to see that the expression on Liu Qingyun's face had long since changed from shock to a kind of deep thought.

Their gazes met in the air, and both saw the same judgment in the other's eyes.

No matter where Jiang Yun came from, or what his true identity was.

Such a person must absolutely be befriended, not offended.

Even more, they must spare no cost to establish a deeper relationship with him.

Even if it was just to forge a bond of goodwill, if the Family faced a calamity in the future, perhaps they could rely on this bond to survive it.

Elder Mo nodded slightly, silently conveying a message to Liu Qingyun.

Patriarch, you know what to do.

Liu Qingyun nodded slightly, the look in his eyes already saying everything.

In fact, the shock in Liu Qingyun's heart at this moment was no less than anyone else present.

His gaze was fixed tightly on Jiang Yun's back, and in those deep eyes, a stormy sea had long since been stirred up.

He already knew his Appraiser talent was Heaven-Defying.

He also knew that Great Master Master Fu Shan had personally admitted that his Formation talent was above his own.

But now, even Elder Mo was shocked by Jiang Yun's cognition regarding runes...

Judging from Elder Mo's expression at this moment, Jiang Yun's attainments in the way of runes were likely not inferior to a true Grand Tutor Level Rune Master.

Three Grand Tutor Levels.

Appraiser, Formation, and runes.

Any person who reached Grand Tutor Level in any one Domain would be enough to become famous and dominate the scene.

Yet this youth had reached the same height in three Domains simultaneously.

And, he was only sixteen years old!!!

In Liu Qingyun's heart, a strong sense of unreality suddenly surged.

Who exactly was this Grand Tutor Dongxuan?

sixteen years old... three Grand Tutor Level talents... such a Prodigy, looking across the entire provincial city, looking across the entire Bone Burial Area, looking across the entire Celestial Empire, one could likely not find a second.

A Genius of this level could simply not be raised by an ordinary force.

Even a Hidden Family like the Family, even if they exhausted the power of the entire clan, could absolutely not raise such a monster.

Could he really be from the Central Province?

A Young Lord sent out to train by some ancient, secluded Family?

Or a secret successor of some Holy Land Sect?

Or perhaps... a piece placed in the outside world on purpose by some great force that transcended the level of Hidden Families?

He thought and thought, and the more he thought, the more he felt that Jiang Yun's background was unfathomable.

But there was one thing Liu Qingyun had already made up his mind about.

No matter what Jiang Yun's true identity was, no matter where he came from, after today, the Family must spare no cost to befriend him.

It was not for the current interests of the Family, but for the future of the Family.

Such a Prodigy would inevitably have limitless achievements in the future.

Sun-Level would likely just be a matter of time for him, and he might even challenge the terrifying Realm of Legendary or even Saint King Rank.

If they could forge a bond of goodwill during his growth stage, for the Family, it would be a precious investment that no treasure could compare to.

Thinking of this, a thought that even he felt was somewhat absurd popped into Liu Qingyun's mind.

Currently, among the direct descendants of the Family, there were many young women who were both beautiful and talented, who could be considered top-tier among their peers in the provincial city.

Among them, Elder Liu Lan's Beast Tamer Aptitude could likely have a place even in the Central Province.

If they could betroth one to Jiang Yun... even if it was just to forge a romantic bond, for the Family, it would be a guaranteed profitable investment.

However, as soon as this thought emerged, it was temporarily suppressed by Liu Qingyun.

Now was not the time to consider these matters.

What was most important right now was to repair and activate the soul crystal.

Once this matter was settled, it would not be too late to deliberate further.

Great Master Master Fu Shan stood to the side, his face still retaining the shock from just moments ago.

When Jiang Yun finished explaining all the problems with the Ancient Soul Runes on the surface of the soul crystal, when those Rune Masters let out wave after wave of exclamations, and when even Elder Mo's calm and composed face revealed an extremely Rare look of shock, Great Master Master Fu Shan's mouth opened involuntarily again.

Although he had already witnessed Jiang Yun's Heaven-Defying Comprehension Ability in Formation, and although he had already mentally prepared himself, when Jiang Yun analyzed all the problems in the rune Domain so thoroughly, he was still deeply shocked.

Formation and runes, although complementary, were essentially two different Domains.

Great Master Master Fu Shan was a Formation Master himself, and although he had some understanding of runes, he considered his talent in the rune Domain to be far inferior to his attainments in Formation.

And Jiang Yun, not only made him concede defeat in Formation, but his cognition regarding runes also shocked Elder Mo, a Grand Tutor Level Rune Master.

What did this mean?

It meant that Jiang Yun had reached the Grand Tutor Level of talent in three completely different Domains.

One person, three Domains, all at Grand Tutor Level.

Great Master Master Fu Shan cursed silently in his heart.

Was this guy even human?

Elder Liu Lan stood by Liu Qingyun's side, having not spoken from beginning to end.

But her water-blue eyes had not moved away from Jiang Yun from the moment he began explaining the rune problems.

Her red lips parted slightly, and her breathing had unknowingly become somewhat rapid.

Her hands were clasped in front of her, her fingers unconsciously twisting together.

When she was in Black Rock City, she thought she already understood this youth well enough.

Grand Tutor Level Appraiser, Diamond Rank Divine Sense, ruthless methods, decisive in killing.

Later, on the square, when Jiang Yun saw through the soul crystal fragments in two or three minutes, she felt his Appraiser talent was even more Heaven-Defying than she had previously imagined.

Later still, when Jiang Yun pointed out all the problems with the Eight Desolations Spirit Sealing Array in the Spirit Sealing Hall, and Great Master Master Fu Shan conceded defeat, she was even more shocked by his Comprehension Ability in Formation.

And now... Jiang Yun had also figured out all the Ancient Soul Runes on the surface of the soul crystal, precise to the number of every Ancient Soul Rune, and even Elder Mo was shocked by his rune attainments.

Heaven-Defying Appraiser talent, Heaven-Defying Comprehension Ability in Formation, and equally Heaven-Defying rune attainments.

Three Domains, all at Grand Tutor Level.

How many hidden cards did this youth really have?

Elder Liu Lan looked at Jiang Yun's face covered by the silver-white mask, and a strong sense of curiosity surged in her heart.

What kind of face was underneath that mask?

Who exactly was this sixteen years old person?

Jiang Yun stood in front of the high platform, taking in everyone's reactions.

He was indeed somewhat surprised.

He had stated this rune information not to show off, but simply to answer Elder Mo's question.

He also had not expected that this information obtained from the Entry Manifestation talent would cause such a huge sensation.

Even Elder Mo, a Grand Tutor Level Rune Master, had revealed such an expression of shock.

It seemed that the information he had stated was likely even more astonishing than he had anticipated.

But this was also good.

Jiang Yun thought secretly in his heart.

The more and stronger abilities he displayed, the heavier his weight in the eyes of the Family would be.

The heavier the weight, the greater his initiative, and the more bargaining chips he would have when proposing conditions later.

Great Master Master Fu Shan conceded defeat to him, Elder Mo looked at him with admiration, and the look in Liu Qingyun's eyes already carried a few points of awe and determination.

Under these circumstances, the possibility of the Family agreeing to the conditions he would propose later was extremely high.

Even, without him needing to speak, the Family might take the initiative to offer more benefits.

He coughed twice, pulling everyone's attention back to himself.

"Everyone, what this Junior just said was merely empty talk on paper. Although this Junior has some weak cognition regarding the way of runes, my practical operating experience is almost non-existent. To truly repair the Ancient Soul Runes on the surface of the soul crystal, it still requires Elder Mo and all the Rune Masters to preside over it personally."

He paused, his tone becoming solemn.

"Time is tight; let us quickly prepare the Materials and proceed with the repair of the soul crystal."