ransparent energy sphere at its center, he instructed, “Place your hand on the testing ball and infuse it with your true energy.”

Complying, I closed my eyes and channeled my energy. The ball overflowed with multicolored lights and began to crack. Turning, I was surprised to see the burly man frozen, jaw slack, drooling slightly.

Worried he might be dead, I rushed to steady him. Recovering, he stammered, “Wait here while I report to the master. Don’t wander off.”

Scratching my head, I thought, “He’s not dead? How did his attitude change so quickly?”

Chapter 12: Fostering Key Talent

I surveyed my surroundings, my eyes finally landing on the cracked crystal ball. "What is this thing? Could it be a treasure?" I wondered. Grasping the crystal ball, I tried to pull it out but it wouldn’t budge. "Strange, it's already broken but won’t come loose," I thought, deciding to ask the big man about it later.

Meanwhile, the big man was anxiously using a communication talisman, speaking to someone, “Big Brother, something major has happened, no wait, something wonderful has happened! Where are you? I need to find you.”

A powerful voice responded, “Chen Fei, what are you blabbering about? If it wasn’t for your late mother’s request, I’d—wait, I mean, it was your mother who trusted me with you. I ought to teach you some steadiness and composure.”

“Big Brother, a genius has appeared in our Dark Division. The... the test ball was shattered during his test! I’ve never seen such incredible strength. I must report it to the Sect Master.”

“Chen Fei, are you sure you saw that right? Who could have such power to shatter the test ball?”

“Big Brother, I swear it's true. I saw it with my own eyes. He’s in the stone chamber now. You have to come quickly. We need to keep this under wraps and foster his talent. With him, our Dark Division could thrive without needing to curry favor with anyone. Big Brother, I must get to the main hall now.”

“Hold on, Chen Fei... you can't notify the Sect Master yet. Go back and find that person. I’ll join you shortly. Keep calm and don’t let anyone notice your anxiousness. Act normal.” The talisman’s glow faded.

Chen Fei, puzzled by his brother’s directive, thought, “Why wouldn’t he let me report this to the Sect Master?” Shaking his head, he reasoned, “Ah well, who can fathom my brother’s mind?”

While waiting, I thought, "What’s taking that guy so long? I don’t know this place at all. He told me to stay put, but I should take a look around."

As I neared the entrance of the Dark Division, a young man who appeared only a year or two older stopped me. “Are you new here?”

“Yes, I’m new. Why do you ask?” I replied, frowning.

"Just curious. It's been a while since anyone new joined our division. Who recommended you?"

Uncertain if he wa

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