I need something fixed that speaks about everyone, not just a single person.

  [...I'm not a file, Noah.]

  So is it not possible?

  [For those registered as wives, yes.]

  And what about the talent numbering?

  [Yes, I can do that.]

  [2.5 points were used to create the function.]

  [The talents counted take into account the whole world, not just this city. So, from 0 to 5: people with average talents in this universe. From 6 to 10: those with superior talents. Those who have marks from 11 to 15 possess talents comparable to the best beings in the upper realms. And from 16 to 20 are monsters.]

  Monsters..?

  [Unique beings, some chosen, who possess unparalleled talent.]

  Alright. Noah analyzed the interface, observing the numbers shown around him on the map. So what exactly would an "error" be?

  [Isn't the name self-explanatory?]

  [A being that should not have been born in this world or any other. Though... Well, forget it...]

  After zooming the map to the maximum, the location and appearance of the "error" was shown to him. It was a young maid with long, dark brown hair who worked in the courtyard where he stayed when he first arrived at the Radiance residence.

  Someone who shouldn't have been born... Is that also why she is about to die?

  Noah analyzed the energy contaminating her, but noticed something different from the others. It wasn’t dark, just chaotic, as if it had some level of consciousness.

  [0.1 points were used to purchase information.]

  [Information on the state of the "Error" is available for reading.]

  Noah’s brows furrowed as he read the few lines there — Poisoning — his throat tightened, making it hard to speak — by external impurities..?

  Something was strange in his reaction; a disconcerting feeling wouldn't leave him now that he knew the reason.

  Maybe it was because of what Ting asked me to do..?

  He shook his head.

  There was no way this discomfort only came from that.

  Changing the interface, he tried to ignore it, hoping he could forget. However, his body seemed unwilling to do so.

  Use the remaining points to unlock the shop.

  [0.3 points were used to unlock the function: Shop.]

  Just like Noah, Ting also received the same notification. However, unlike her, who immediately threw herself into the seemingly endless list of options, he closed the interface completely. He would check it later. He sighed and kept walking, his heartbeat causing a persistent and strange discomfort.

  Followed by the voices of the servants and the smell of tea coming from some windows, he left through the gate. He had a moment of silence as he walked over the stone tiles, heading for the training grounds on the west side of the residence.

  The closer Noah got, the clearer the side conversations became.

  — So he’s handsome, not an old man?

  — Yeah, but he’s got a really strange look.

  — Strange?

  — Like the eyes of a beast, right?

  — Yes, you thought that too when you saw him?

  — I think everyone did. Especially those four...

  When the sound of footsteps echoed from the gates, everyone followed him with their eyes. Silence crept between all the rows.

  However, for Noah, it didn’t matter. Whatever they said, all he wanted was to finish this quickly and go back to Ting. He thought that by doing so, the discomfort he was feeling would disappear. He just didn’t expect it to happen before he even had the chance to see her again.

  His eyes wandered around, analyzing the numbers floating above everyone’s heads in the crowd, and then stopped. His heartbeat slowed, letting the discomfort slide away. Isadora and Mirabel were a bit ahead, next to Undric and Guang Ai who kept hiding behind one of the elders, Guang So.

  Noah greeted them with a brief, silent nod and walked on, stopping in front of everyone.

  — I believe you all know why you're here, so I’ll get straight to the point. — he said, and the sound of dry throats swallowing something resounded everywhere — All those I point to must stay, the rest may leave.

  He started, and only his pointing fingers seemed to have a tremendous weight—though not as much as those sinister eyes that seemed to see them in ways even they couldn’t understand.

  Once the choices were finished, the rest left gradually. Many would’ve liked to stay and watch what happened next, including the elders, Undric, Mirabel, and Isadora, but in the end, everyone left—though some took slower steps.

  When no one else remained, Noah continued.

  — You’ll be divided into groups of eight with a leader each. — he looked at Xiao Yun; error — You’re first, boy. Stand at the front.

  Xiao Yun did so, followed by (20) Guang Ai, who couldn’t look Noah in the eye.

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  — And you are? — he stared at the 20 floating above the girl.

  — Gao Yao. — replied the young woman who was called next, with a firm tone, or so she tried.

  The next didn’t move at first. He hoped he was wrong and, when Noah pointed at him, that he was choosing someone behind him. But those eyes didn’t seem very patient. The ??26?? stepped forward.

  — I’m Gao Yu, sir..! — he said.

  — Okay, but you’re supposed to stand next to her, not behind.

  Gao Yao frowned at him and, swallowing hard, Gao Yu looked away. He shuffled to her side.

  — You. — 19.

  The boy who was already trying his hardest to hide among the others shrank —...Guang Jun... — he whispered, fiddling with the rough fabric of his clothes and letting his eyes wander, trying to avoid the stares that had been thrown his way since the moment he was chosen.

  Wu Xue (18) walked over with some hesitation. She wasn’t very enthusiastic, especially about a leadership position. She preferred not to have to deal with such responsibility. Unlike Ma Lei, who seemed to have been waiting for this all along, despite being the shortest among them, 17. He smiled when chosen and wasn’t modest about stating his own name, even though he was trembling just as much as everyone else.

  Great, a conceited one... Noah sighed.

  He paused for a moment, looking at the interface to the side with growing unease.

  — Tsk! — he rolled his eyes — Wait here for a moment.

  The force of his departure made those nearest have their feet dragged along the ground. They stared open-mouthed, searching for him in the sky.

  — Wow, he really can fly!

  — But why don’t you seem impressed?

  —...I am... — Xiao Yun confirmed.

  They spun, looking for something in the vast blue. But they were so immersed in this, they didn’t notice that Noah had already returned — This is He Rui, she’ll be the last of the leaders. — he said, and the girl next to him shrank at the stares, eyes squeezed shut as tight as possible.

  She trembled, clinging to Noah’s clothes. Then, when she opened her eyes, she stopped. She looked around with watery eyes, and every moment her brows climbed higher on her forehead.

  — What are you waiting for? Come on, stand with the others.

  He Rui looked at Noah, then turned to the crowd watching her in confusion. She didn't blame them; on the contrary, she felt the same. Everything had been too sudden. One moment she was cleaning the balcony, the next she was being carried through the skies by someone who could fly freely above the clouds. It was amazing, yes, but terrifying. Very much so.

  Lowering her head, she shuffled to Ma Lei's side, who immediately rolled his eyes.

  — Alright, as for the rest of you, I’m now going to split up the groups. — Noah’s finger ran confidently across the crowd — Next. — and so a new line began.

  He Rui shrank with every new member added to the growing line behind her. She no longer dared to look back. Let alone impose herself on what was happening, even though she didn’t understand it.

  — First I’ll do a test, so what you’ll train now will be something simple. — A snap of his fingers echoed — Watch.

  It started with one and then spread everywhere. There were so many shining blades that it seemed the sky was blocked above their heads.

  Xiao Yun trembled at the sight of them. They reminded him of the ones the old man used to wound Ting when she tried to protect him at the cave entrance.

  — Create at least one sword, and regardless of how sturdy it is, you’ll have passed. But, of course, — she pointed down, making the blades move away and spin. They stopped and, vanishing from view, stuck themselves into the ground — if you can go beyond that, so much the better.

  The blades disappeared, leaving holes behind — Any questions?

  Xiao Yun clenched his fists and blurted out — Is she alright? — he asked, unable to look him in the face.

  Many exchanged looks, confused and curious.

  — I mean questions about the technique, boy. — Noah reconsidered — But yes, she’s fine.

  — So..., is there any book we can use? — asked Gao Yao — You don’t expect us to do this with only a single demonstration, right?

  One of Noah’s brows arched, showing she was right. However, he sighed — I need something to write with.

  Someone ran to get it, and when they returned, brought ink, 9 scrolls, and a brush.

  Noah sat on the ground and began to write. His words were simple and direct, clear, describing the path to be followed to reach mastery.

  Getting up, he tossed 8 of the scrolls to the group leaders, with 2 ending up in Xiao Yun’s hands.

  — Boy, teach her the basics first. As for the rest of you, what are you waiting for? You can start.

  The scrolls slid across the floor, opening.

  The technique had no title.

  They looked at each other for a moment. Then quickly returned to their reading, from beginning to end, repeatedly.

  Xiao Yun moved away from the others with He Rui. They sat at the edge of one of the arenas surrounding them, and he began to explain the basics of cultivation to her. Just the beginning, where she had to sit and try to feel the Qi in the environment.

  Despite the confusion, He Rui crossed her legs and followed his instructions. She hoped that maybe she would feel something, pain or nausea, but nothing of the sort happened. Only the clear points began to fill the darkness.

  What a monster... Xiao Yun couldn’t help but think this, as the time it took her to feel the Qi wasn’t even enough for him to stand up fully. Then he understood why Noah chose her despite her total inexperience, and looked to the sky, where Noah watched in silence. Xiao Yun just couldn’t understand how he could have seen such talent. He concluded it must have been because of some special, maybe unique, ability. Then he turned back to He Rui, knowing he shouldn’t dwell on it too much if that was indeed the case.

  Noah left after confirming He Rui’s abilities and moved towards where the Radiance were. He had a scroll in hand but didn’t quite understand the reason for it.

  Why create a different technique for them...? Whatever the reason, it wasn’t clear to him.

  He felt that it was the right and necessary thing to do, even though his golden core seemed to judge otherwise.

  He clenched his fists when he reached the room but couldn’t crumple the paper in his fingers. He had the strength, but was still missing something. He wished he understood what. He wanted that strange feeling to go away, and then it did.

  He went down to meet Isadora and together they entered Undric and Mirabel’s room.

  The smell there was pleasant, and despite the sweetness, Noah didn’t feel any repulsion or displeasure.

  — Noah? Was there a problem?

  He shook his head no. He moved a little closer and extended the scroll to Mirabel — I created this technique for you both to use. It should be able to help you reach Foundation Establishment.

  — You created it..? — she took the scroll hesitantly.

  Palpitations jumped in her chest at the mere touch. Because of the potential for advancement that Noah said existed by using it, that paper seemed strangely soft and fragile, so much so that Mirabel was afraid of damaging it by holding it too tightly.

  Noah watched the two of them as they studied the text and confirmed the efficacy of the pills with greater clarity. Maybe he’d been wrong when he saw them earlier; he just wanted to be sure.

  — Infinite Flow..?

  — I’ll leave you two alone so you can read it now.

  — Thank you, Noah.. — Mirabel said, holding back tears. Her dream wasn’t over; she could still reach it and, from the skies, see the world below.

  Noah nodded before leaving through the door. He felt his throat a little tight and his chest beat with abnormal frequency. Seeing himself outside, he immediately turned back to the room. He needed to see Ting and, in her arms, be certain he would feel normal.

  The door to the room rattled with the wind of his arrival. It opened at his passing and closed after a slight push.

  — Hey, I’m not done— — he went to her and hugged her from behind, wrapping her neck with his arms after kneeling behind the bathtub. Ting would’ve complained about him coming in like that. She was already ready, but she didn’t. Instead, she stroked the head resting on her shoulders — Did something happen? — she asked after noticing the shivers he transmitted through his skin.

  —...I don’t know...

  For him, there was no reason for the feelings and strange sensations to exist. Everything seemed fine, so why couldn’t he feel that way? Noah wanted to understand the source of that bad taste that crept into his mouth so much, that it seemed to be poisoning the rest of his body entirely.