CHAPTER 443: 443

It was apparent that Wang Qi was very happy about Song Jia suddenly awakening her Star Martial talent. She kept holding Song Jia’s hand, excitedly urging her to demonstrate her newfound powers.

It took a while for Wang Qi’s emotions to stabilize, but her face was still flushed with excitement, making her look especially charming and alluring.

"Lan, you’re now among the top warriors in Jade Country, so you must take good care of Jiajia from now on," she said.

"Auntie, what are you saying... Isn’t that a given?"

"I’m just an ordinary person, and I don’t understand anything about Star Martial Warriors. How good is Jiajia’s Innate Ability? How far could she develop in the future? Would she be able to protect herself in chaotic times?"

"Auntie, there’s no such thing as a useless ability, only useless Star Martial Warriors. Any ability, if cultivated properly, can turn one into a powerful Star Martial Warrior. Moreover, Jiajia’s invisibility skill is not common. Her specific talent can only be determined after testing. You know, my initial talent was Self Healing, which in anyone else’s eyes would be nothing more than a punching bag ability, ranking only at C-level during the potential assessment. But what did I develop it into later on? A Medical Star Martial Technique, allowing for rapid recovery from my injuries and treating my companions. And now, my ability has evolved into the Undying Body. As long as the development direction is right, any Innate Ability could be immeasurable in the future," Wang Lan shamelessly spun a tale that not even he believed.

If it weren’t for the system’s upgrades... develop? Develop my foot! The system’s upgrades pushed my Star Martial Skills in the most optimal direction, ensuring that my Star Martial Skills always followed the best upgrade path. What would happen if someone else tried? Heh... Others might not even have the chance to upgrade their Star Martial Skills in their lifetime. Just think about the directions in which my Star Martial Skills could be upgraded: the Flame Sword could evolve into the Extreme Heat Light Beam, the Crescent Arrow could evolve into the Star Sky God Arrow, and Phantom Tracer could evolve into the Dance of the Dark Butterfly.

Of course, I wasn’t purely trying to comfort Auntie with that. If Song Jia’s ability is only invisibility, her potential might peak at the Star Sea Stage at most.

If anyone knew what Wang Lan was thinking, they would be spitting blood. What does "at most peak at the Star Sea Stage" mean? Isn’t the peak of the Star Sea Stage enough? How inflated must one’s ego be to articulate such a reluctant statement?

In Jade Country, hundreds of thousands of new Star Martial Warriors emerge each year, but there may not even be a hundred who can become Titled Strongmen. And that isn’t satisfying enough?

"What about Jiajia’s future style? My sister used to say that Star Martial Warriors should establish their own style as early as possible. The sooner the better. A stable fighting style is the key to the quickest progress."

"It’s too soon to tell what Jiajia’s style might be, seeing as she has just awakened. But my guess is that Jiajia’s style will be akin to that of an assassin, following a one-hit-kill route. Hence, in the early stages, Jiajia should focus on the single-target lethality of her Star Martial Skills. Her ability to become invisible will help her easily approach her target."

Just then, Wang Qi’s phone suddenly rang. His aunt looked at the caller ID, stood up quickly, and hurried to her room. "Mr. Yu? Hmm? I’m sorry, I’ve been very busy recently and I don’t have time... How do you know? Excuse me..."

As the room door closed, his aunt’s voice could no longer be heard. A contemplative expression appeared on Wang Lan’s face, and suddenly, his eyes lit up with the fire of gossip.

"Wang Lan, did you guess something?" Song Jia, the little smart aleck, slyly remarked, noticing Wang Lan’s cunning look.

"Is Auntie... in a relationship?"

Ever since Song Zifeng passed away unexpectedly, Wang Qi gave birth to Song Jia and then spent a long time numbing her pain with scientific research. Only many years later did Wang Qi emerge from her grief. Since then, she has devoted all her energy to her career and Song Jia, remaining single all these years.

"There’s a Mr. Yu, the chairman of Thunder Electronics. About half a year ago, he would come to our house every other day to bring flowers to my mom, but ever since one talk she had with him, he never came again."

"What’s your take on this?" Wang Lan inquired of Song Jia.

"I don’t mind at all. My dad died before I was born, and I’ve never called anyone dad. I also know it hasn’t been easy for my mom all these years, so if there’s a man who sincerely takes care of her, I’m willing to accept it. Do you think I’m such an unreasonable kid? But... that’s only if my mom likes him."

Song Jia, holding a pillow and leaning against the sofa, sighed. "But judging from what I see on TV dramas, it doesn’t always end well. Moreover, according to my observation, my mom doesn’t seem to be very into that uncle."

"What are you two whispering about?" his aunt snapped, her face stern, though her cheeks suddenly turned red.

"Nothing!" Song Jia hastily shook her head.

"Right, I need to take Jiajia to the Tianjian Bureau for a check-up. Auntie, we’re heading out now," Wang Lan quickly made up an excuse, ready to slip away.

"Go ahead, come back early!"

Driving to the Tianjian Bureau, Wang Lan realized it had been over two years since his last visit, and the place had changed dramatically. It had expanded threefold from its original size. Because the Suzhou Tianjian Bureau had been successfully converted into a designated autonomous Tianjian Bureau, its rank had also been elevated by half a level.

When Wang Lan returned, many new people didn’t recognize him, but the old-timers greeted him with much warmth. From the moment he stepped in, many familiar faces from the Action Department and Intelligence Department came up to embrace Wang Lan warmly, regardless of gender.

"Bro, I didn’t expect you to have such clout with the related departments! I even saw that lady earlier; she had a lieutenant colonel’s rank!" Song Jia remarked.

"What lady? If she heard you say that, believe me, she’d rip your mouth off! She used to be in HR. She was the one who handled my paperwork when I first joined the Tianjian Bureau. I didn’t expect she’s now made it into the Secretariat."

"Wang Lan!" An excited voice called out. Wang Lan looked to find that it was Xu Shiyun and Lige.

Xu Shiyun came up and gave Wang Lan a bear hug. "You little rascal, you finally remember to come back for a look? Gone to Modu City and now you’re too good for Suzhou Tianjian Bureau’s humble abode, huh? Hahaha..."

"Still a major?" Wang Lan’s first words instantly made Xu Shiyun push him away, their friendship ending on the spot.

"What do you mean ’still a major’? I was only a captain when you left for Modu City, alright?"

"But Lige is already a lieutenant colonel."

"Wang Lan, welcome back," Lige said with a smile, also giving Wang Lan a ceremonial hug. This action from Lige took Wang Lan by surprise, considering he was aware of Lige’s true identity.

As Wang Lan and Lige separated, Xu Shiyun’s disgruntled voice was heard, "If I could f*cking break through to the Galaxy Stage, I’d be a lieutenant colonel too!"

At thirty, Xu Shiyun’s Star Martial level was still at the peak of the Star Cloud Stage. Unless something unexpected happened, he would likely stay there. Of course, now that the Immortal Cloud Mysterious Green Record had been distributed, Xu Shiyun might still stand a chance with its profound teachings.

"Whose fault is that?" a voice suddenly broke in, accompanied by the sound of footsteps. Zhang Yeqiu and her sister, Zhang Xiaoxue, approached slowly.

"All of your former companions have broken through, one after another, and only you are still treading water. Look at Wang Lan, only twenty this year, already a colonel," Zhang Yeqiu said, appearing to still enjoy bickering with Xu Shiyun as she hurriedly rubbed salt into his wounds.

"Sis Qiu, you’re mistaken there. I was eighteen when I became a colonel; I’m a Senior Colonel now," Wang Lan corrected.

"Damn it, stop it, you beast!" Xu Shiyun couldn’t stand it anymore and punched Wang Lan in the chest. "You’re inhuman! You’re the youngest Senior Colonel now. If this continues, you’ll be the youngest general in less than three years."

"By the way, Wang Lan, what brings you to the Bureau today?"

"Would you believe me if I said I came to check on you all?"

"Psh! I’d believe a ghost before I believed that. Is this... Jiajia?" Zhang Yeqiu, glancing at Song Jia whose height had reached her shoulders, let out a sigh of amazement. "Time flies so fast. The little girl who used to be this tall is now so much taller. Jiajia, do you still remember your sisters?"

"Sister Qiu, Sister Xiaoxue, of course, I remember," Song Jia said sweetly.

Back then, when Wang Qi was framed, and Song Jia was home alone, it was Zhang Yeqiu and her sister who secretly protected her.

"Jiajia just awakened her Star Martial Warrior Innate Ability today, and she has dual Innate Abilities, so we brought her here to get checked out."

"Dual Innate Abilities? Is there a connection?" Xu Shiyun asked, surprised.

"There should be a connection, but based on the manifestation, there isn’t. One is an invisibility ability, and the other is Massive Strength."

"Massive Strength generally reflects a Yang Attribute, as almost all power-type Star Martial Warriors have more active Yang Attributes. Invisibility, on the other hand, is a manifestation of the Yin Attribute. Yin Attributes generally encompass intangible powers like spiritual power and telekinesis. But can Yin and Yang attribute talents truly appear simultaneously?" Lige analyzed somberly.

"Ah? A Yin-Yang person?" Song Jia asked nervously.

Zhang Yeqiu couldn’t hold back a laugh. "What ’Yin-Yang person’? We’re talking about the Yin and Yang relationship in Innate Abilities. It’s like Star Martial Attributes. If we go by your logic, would I be called an Earth-Fire person?"

"Stop guessing, let’s just get her checked to find out," Wang Lan interjected.

Since Song Jia had just awakened her Innate Ability, she wasn’t tested for combat abilities yet. They only analyzed her Star Martial Attributes, and when the Star Martial Attribute table was printed out, Wang Lan and everyone else were stunned.

"Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth..."

"The Five Elements?"

"If you add Yin and Yang to this, isn’t it the Five Elements plus Yin and Yang? What kind of divine Innate Ability is this?"

"No, it should be the Yin and Yang Attributes. The Five Elements are merely a derivative of the Yin and Yang Attributes. Look here: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth each take up ten percent, while the Yin and Yang Attributes each make up twenty-five percent," Lige explained, taking the analysis sheet.

"However you put it, little Jiajia is definitely a real genius. The convergence of Yin and Yang and the Five Elements—that’s a one-in-a-million innate talent."

"Yin and Yang and the Five Elements were known as the origin of all creation in ancient times," Wang Qianfeng’s voice rang out, as serious as ever. Even after three years, his commanding presence was as imposing as before.

"In Taoist scriptures, the limitless gives rise to the limited, and from the limited comes Taiji, the ’Supreme Ultimate,’ represented by the flow of Yin and Yang. The Two Aspects give birth to the Five Elements, from which all things emerge. Yin and Yang and the Five Elements are regarded as the most primal and purest forces. Over the years, I’ve seen many talents with multiple attributes, and I’ve come across individuals with more than five. But someone like Song Jia, possessing a Yin-Yang Five Elements constitution, is truly unique. This Innate Talent suggests far more than just the attributes of Yin, Yang, and the Five Elements. She likely possesses the potential for various Innate Ability evolutions. For instance, her invisibility and Massive Strength might just be one of the derived powers of her talent. Wang Lan, such a constitution requires a good teacher to develop, or it could easily be wasted."

"Understood, Uncle Wang. But who should we choose for the job? Eld Di? He’s no longer taking disciples."

"You’ve misunderstood me. Since she has the Yin and Yang Five Element talent, she should have a teacher who has an in-depth understanding of it. I suggest Wudang Mountain."

"..."

"No way! I don’t want to be a Taoist Nun!" Song Jia exploded in protest.