LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 21: Chapter 21: It's Just Talent
After enjoying lunch and strolling through the scenic campus with his new companion, the time soon approached late afternoon, around five or six o'clock.
Out of gentlemanly courtesy, Li Chang'an escorted Dugu Yan back to her dormitory. Being the granddaughter of a titled Douluo, her accommodations naturally consisted of a private courtyard. Most other students resided in dormitory buildings, each with their own room.
To possess a private courtyard in the aristocracy-filled Heaven Dou Academy required a certain level of status—something unattainable for ordinary students.
After telling her the location of his own dormitory, Li Chang'an finally turned to leave. Under Dugu Yan's reluctant gaze, he walked back toward his residence.
During the course of this single day, their relationship had progressed rapidly from strangers to friends. Even their manner of address had evolved: "Junior Dugu" and "Senior Chang'an" had been replaced with "Yan'er" and "Brother Chang'an."
To be honest, when Dugu Yan called him "Brother Chang'an," his feelings were... complicated. Outwardly mature, Li Chang'an was, in truth, only seven years old in this life—a full seven years younger than Dugu Yan, who was fourteen.
He couldn't help but imagine her reaction if she ever discovered the truth about their age difference. Her expression would surely be one for the ages.
However, unless Li Chang'an chose to reveal it himself, Dugu Yan would likely never find out. The academy had been deliberately covering up his age. Apart from a select few among the higher-ups, none of the students or ordinary instructors knew that he was only seven years old.
Similarly, few were aware of his status as the royal family's betrothed. What was more widely known was his status as a marquis—a rank that garnered him considerable attention.
"Being the Emperor's son-in-law has its pros and cons," Li Chang'an mused.
"The benefits include protection and cultivation resources from the imperial family."
"The drawbacks? You're practically tied to them, and your actions are often constrained…"
"Ultimately, it boils down to my lack of strength."
"Had I reached Titled Douluo already, I wouldn't have to worry about such trivial things. Even something as simple as pursuing a girl wouldn't require such careful maneuvering."
His fist tightened as he walked, and his longing for power grew deeper.
Time passed quickly, and Li Chang'an turned eight.
By then, his spirit power had reached Level 30. All he needed now was a third spirit ring to officially become a Spirit Elder.
With his spirit beast clone sharing a significant portion of its spirit power, Li Chang'an could have advanced far beyond Level 30 if he truly wanted to. However, he deliberately held back, both to avoid being too conspicuous and to stabilize the quality of his spirit power.
Despite his measured progress, an eight-year-old Spirit Elder was already an unprecedented anomaly. To some, his speed of cultivation seemed utterly fantastical.
Had his spirit power increased all at once, suspicions would abound. But since his progress had been gradual and consistent—entirely in line with observable trends—those around him had no reason to doubt its legitimacy. Even so, some among the academy's leadership began to harbor doubts, suspecting that he might be hiding some treasure or secret method for rapidly cultivating spirit power.
The three deans called him in for questioning, probing indirectly to uncover any secrets. They even observed his body language for signs of deception.
In response, Li Chang'an feigned ignorance and confusion. With an innocent expression, he explained that his current level of spirit power was entirely the result of hard work. There were no shortcuts; he had achieved it through sheer diligence and persistent meditation.
"I honestly don't know why my spirit power increases so quickly. Maybe… it's just talent?" he said.
"Talent!"
That single word managed to crush the hopes of the academy's leadership.
If Li Chang'an had relied on some treasure, such as a spirit bone or a secret technique, they might have had the opportunity to seize it. But talent? That was entirely innate, impossible to transfer or acquire.
Frustrated, the three deans and other observers resorted to closely monitoring him in secret, hoping to uncover his "true method."
After a period of observation, however, they were forced to conclude that his rapid progress was genuinely due to unparalleled natural talent.
During meditation, he demonstrated no extraordinary techniques—just the same standard methods as everyone else. Yet somehow, his cultivation efficiency was dozens, even hundreds of times higher than his peers.
They had no choice but to accept it: Li Chang'an was simply born extraordinary.
A spirit beast forest.
This was Li Chang'an's third visit. His goal this time was to obtain a spirit ring approximately 1,800 years old.
Given his current physical capabilities—bolstered by his connection to his spirit beast clone—he could easily handle absorbing a ring in the 5,000-6,000 year range.
However, a spirit ring of such age would raise too many questions. After all, even his cultivation speed already defied conventional norms. Adding the ability to absorb spirit rings far beyond his level would attract dangerous scrutiny.
"Leading by half a step makes you a genius; leading by a full step makes you a freak."
Li Chang'an understood this well. While it was acceptable to show off some talent, he needed to remain within a range that others could perceive as manageable.
Li Chang'an's deliberate restraint ensured he could maintain his facade. Even someone like Qian Renxue, who might view his talent as a potential threat, would not see him as an immediate danger—just a genius who could be kept in check.
For now, his outward strengths were carefully measured: exceptional cultivation speed but nothing too exaggerated in terms of martial spirit power or destructive capability.
As for his ultimate goal? That remained hidden behind his unassuming smile. The world would see only what he allowed it to see.