32: Failure to improve, special physical condition

"The votes have been counted. This Opportunity goes to --- Li Changxing."

In an instant, all sounds ceased.

All eyes immediately focused on the thin figure who had always lurked at the edge of the crowd.

Li Changxing trembled violently, as if struck by an invisible bolt of lightning.

He raised his head in disbelief, his face pale, his lips trembling, pointing at himself, unable to speak for a moment.

After a long while, he finally spoke in a voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz:

"Me... Is it me? Clan Chief... You... Did you make a mistake? How could it... How could it be me?"

He looked around, at the brothers and sisters who usually seemed so dazzling to him --- the brave Brother Changyun, the wise Brother Changyu, the valiant Sister Thunder Frost... He would have found it perfectly natural for any of them to get this chance.

But himself... someone with ordinary Foundation, common Comprehension Ability, timid and cowardly, who, apart from doing a reasonably meticulous job with the "observation" task assigned by the Clan Chief, was almost a completely unremarkable "underachiever"... How could it possibly be him?!

However, what he saw was not the doubt and dissatisfaction he had expected, but rather warm and affirming gazes.

At this moment, Li Changxing suddenly realized.

It turned out, he wasn't invisible.

It turned out that his persistence and meticulousness, which might have seemed like "futile efforts" in the eyes of others, had long been seen and remembered by everyone, and had earned their recognition and respect.

The high wall he had built with his inferiority complex had isolated him from the outside world, and also from the goodwill and attention that had long existed.

A mix of bitterness and warmth surged up, breaking through his emotional defenses.

Tears instantly blurred his vision.

In his excitement, he was choked with emotion and couldn't speak.

Li Yinglong took all of this in, a hint of satisfaction appearing in his eyes:

"Brothers are friendly and respectful, I am very pleased. Not limited by Bloodline closeness, being able to see the strengths of others, this is the Foundation for the Family's prosperity. I am very satisfied with your choice today."

His gaze turned to Li Changxing:

"Changxing, step forward."

Li Changxing hastily wiped away his tears with his sleeve, took a deep breath, tried to calm his wildly beating heart, stumbled forward, and sat cross-legged in front of Li Yinglong as instructed, closing his eyes, his body trembling slightly, awaiting the arrival of his fated moment.

Li Yinglong held his breath and focused, his consciousness sinking into his Sea of Consciousness.

"System, use [Aptitude Improvement LV1] on Li Changxing!"

"[Command confirmed. Target: Li Changxing. Usage of [Aptitude Improvement LV1] count: 1/1. Generating random Low Grade Spiritual Root or Physique...]

"[Warning! Warning! Detected unknown high-Rank talent or Origin protection in target. Its inherent stability far exceeds the scope of 'Aptitude Improvement LV1's' effect. Forcibly injecting a low-tier Spiritual Root template may trigger unpredictable Law conflicts, leading to damage to the target's Origin and failure of command execution. host is advised to retry after upgrading System Rank or personal Realm.]"

A series of cold and urgent notification sounds exploded in Li Yinglong's mind!

"High-Rank talent?"

"Law conflicts?"

"Origin damage?"

It failed?!

The System's intervention, it actually failed?!

Even though Li Yinglong had lived two lives and his will had long been tempered to be as firm as a rock, a stormy sea was now churning in his heart!

The warning he had seen when checking through the System earlier, "one more look and he would perish and his Dao would vanish," resurfaced.

So... so that wasn't an empty threat!

Within this child's body, there was actually a secret that even the System couldn't forcibly change?

What kind of Origin was this, exactly?!

He suddenly looked at Li Changxing, who was sitting before him, eyes closed, waiting, completely unaware.

A fine layer of cold sweat instantly broke out on his back, but his face remained impassive, forcibly suppressing the churning emotions.

At this moment, he absolutely could not show weakness, nor could he let this child or the others notice anything amiss.

Just as his thoughts raced, Li Changxing, who was waiting, seemed to sense something, and uneasily opened his eyes, just catching the fleeting shock and bewilderment in the Clan Chief's eyes.

"Clan Chief...?"

Li Changxing's voice trembled, a premonition of ill fortune seizing his heart.

The surrounding crowd also noticed the subtle change in atmosphere; the Clan Chief did not perform the technique with his fingers like the previous two times, but remained silent, his expression solemn.

"Clan Chief, is there... is there some unexpected turn of events?"

Li Changyun couldn't help but ask.

Li Changxing's small face instantly drained of color, becoming as pale as paper.

The Clan Chief's momentary expression frightened him more than any rebuke.

Could it be... was he truly so incompetent?

That even the Clan Chief's Heaven-Defying secret method couldn't be bestowed upon him?

A tremendous sense of loss and despair poured over him like ice water, completely extinguishing the spark of hope that had just ignited within him.

His belief collapsed, and with his heart assaulted by anxiety, his throat sweetened, and his Qi and Blood surged in reverse, causing him to fall straight backward!

"Changxing!"

Everyone exclaimed in alarm.

Just as Li Changxing was about to fall, Li Yinglong moved like lightning, placing a hand lightly on his back. A pure and gentle stream of Evergreen True Qi quickly flowed in, protecting his heart meridian and calming his churning Qi and Blood.

Li Changxing coughed, slowly regained consciousness, his eyes filled with a desolate stillness, tears gushing out:

"Clan Chief... I'm sorry... I... I've disappointed you... I'm a waste..."

"What are you panicking for!"

Li Yinglong's low shout was like a rumble of thunder.

"To seek death at the slightest setback, what kind of decorum is that! Have I spoken yet?"

Li Changxing was startled by the reprimand, staring blankly at the Clan Chief.

Li Yinglong's expression was calm as he slowly spoke:

"It is not that the secret method is ineffective, nor is it that Changxing's Aptitude is lacking."

"Rather, my 'Spirit Awakening Secret Method' is not worthy of his talent!"

As these words left his mouth, the entire scene was shocked!

Not worthy?!

What did that mean?

Everyone exchanged glances, their first reaction being that the Clan Chief was perhaps exaggerating a bit to comfort Changxing.

Li Changyu frowned slightly, wanting to speak but holding back.

Li Changxing himself was bewildered, saying blankly:

"Clan Chief, you... you don't have to comfort me like this..."

"Comfort?"

Li Yinglong snorted coldly, his expression suddenly becoming incredibly solemn:

"Do you think I would speak carelessly or jest about matters concerning the Foundation of the Dao?!"

His voice suddenly rose:

"The Heaven and Earth are vast, full of wonders. How can the mysteries of the Universe be fully glimpsed by you at your current level?!"

"Some talents are born in obscurity, hidden in plainness, seemingly ordinary, but in reality, they contain profound inner essence. Their nature is lofty, their Rank extraordinary, far exceeding the scope of ordinary Spiritual Roots and Physiques! Without a suitable Dao and method, they cannot be activated. Forcibly applying mundane methods will not only be useless but will be like refining true gold with common fire, only damaging its quality!"

His gaze returned to the dumbfounded Li Changxing:

"Changxing is precisely like this! His talent is extraordinary, rooted in his Origin, subtly aligned with the Heavenly Dao, a rare genius found in a million! He cannot be confined by my 'Spirit Awakening Secret Method'!"

"This is not his fault; it is truly our limited vision and insufficient Cultivation. We have not yet been able to glimpse his true path and find the Righteous Path that can truly guide his talent to awaken!"

These words were thunderous!

Everyone was stunned by this unheard-of statement.

Looking at the Clan Chief's solemn expression, which was clearly not feigned, the doubts in everyone's hearts gradually faded.

Could it be... Changxing... he... was truly... Li Changxing himself felt as if he were listening to heavenly scriptures, his mind a blank.

Li Yinglong struck while the iron was hot, declaring resolutely:

"Empty words are without proof! I shall let you witness it with your own eyes!"

"Changxing, from today onwards, you shall remain by the side of the Heavenly Lake at the volcanic lake, and Cultivate together with me and the others!"

"I shall directly impart the Evergreen Art to you! You need not start from the 'Qi Nurturing Chapter' anymore!"

Everyone was once again in an uproar!

Li Yinglong's gaze was piercing:

"For ordinary people without Spiritual Roots, Cultivating in this place would indeed, as you imagine, lead to Qi infusion and death by explosion. However, Changxing is different!"

"I assert that not only will he be unharmed, but his progress will likely exceed your imagination! Because his Origin is far superior to this! What he lacks is not Aptitude, but a 'key' that can unlock his own Treasure Trove! And this Evergreen Art might serve as his guide!"

"Whether this is true or not, we shall know with a single try!"

These words completely convinced everyone.

The Clan Chief daring to let Changxing directly remain in the place with the most concentrated Spiritual Qi to Cultivate was, in itself, the strongest proof!

If he wasn't absolutely confident, would he joke with the lives of his Clan members?

Li Changxing stared blankly at the Clan Chief, at his profound yet affirming and expectant eyes. An unprecedented warmth surged from the deepest part of his heart, dispelling all his inferiority and despair.

So... I'm not a waste... So... I actually possess such... astonishing talent?

Although still bewildered, the Clan Chief's incredibly certain attitude, and the changed gazes of the crowd, made him unable to disbelieve!

"Clan Chief... I... Can I really do it?"

His voice still trembled.

"It's not about whether you can, but that you must!"

Li Yinglong said in a deep voice:

"Your Dao is different from others; it is harder, more perilous, and perhaps slower. But once you find the path, your achievements will be limitless! Do not fail to live up to this generous gift bestowed upon you by Heaven, and even more, do not fail to live up to the recognition and expectations of all the Clan members today!"

Li Changxing's chest heaved violently, and he clenched his fists tightly.

He took a deep breath, vigorously wiped away the tears on his face, and his eyes gradually became firm.

"Yes! Clan Chief! Changxing understands! Changxing will do his utmost, never fail to live up to the Clan Chief's teachings, and never fail to live up to the expectations of my brothers and sisters!"

"Good!"

Li Yinglong nodded.

The atmosphere instantly relaxed, and everyone gathered around, offering encouragement in a flurry of voices.

"Brother Changxing, congratulations! So you were the one with hidden depths!"

"I knew Changxing was extraordinary! Please take good care of us in the future!"

"Cultivate well! When you become powerful, don't forget to teach us!"

Li Changxing was surrounded by these enthusiastic blessings, his cheeks flushed, feeling flustered, yet genuinely experiencing the warmth and strength of the Family.

After everyone's emotions calmed and they dispersed to Cultivate, only Li Yinglong, Li Qingzhu, and Li Changxing, who was still somewhat dazed by the immense turn of events, remained.

Li Yinglong calmly said to Li Changxing:

"Go and sit on that bluestone by the lake, calm your mind and focus. I will then transmit the Evergreen Art to you."

"Yes! Clan Chief!"

Li Changxing respectfully responded, and with excitement and apprehension, jogged towards the lake.

Watching his retreating figure, the calm on Li Yinglong's face instantly faded, replaced by extreme solemnity. In an extremely subtle voice, he secretly transmitted to Li Qingzhu beside him:

"Qingzhu, closely monitor Changxing's Cultivation, especially during the first few cycles of the Heavenly Circuit. If there is any abnormality, no matter how subtle, report it to me immediately. This child... is no small matter. What is hidden within him may not be benevolent, and whether it brings fortune or disaster is unpredictable. Before I ascertain his true Origin, we must be extremely cautious."

Upon hearing this, a hint of surprise flashed in Li Qingzhu's eyes, quickly turning into calmness:

"Qingzhu understands."

Her gaze towards the thin figure by the lake also carried a deeper sense of scrutiny.

Li Yinglong stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze cast upon the vast lake, his heart churning with emotions.