Invincible Beyond Heavens: Cultivating With A Broken EXP System

Whoosh.

A faint stream of starlight rose from the surface of the Aptitude Measuring Orb. The light drifted upward and slowly gathered in the air above.

It condensed into a single star phantom.

For a brief moment, the entire hall froze.

“What?”

“One star?”

“Li Yun only has one-star Aptitude? That is impossible!”

An uproar erupted instantly. The Martial Battle Hall, which had been tense with anticipation, exploded with deafening exclamations.

The New Talent King, who had defeated Ye Beichen, a sixth level Xiantian Realm cultivator, while standing at the first level himself, had been measured at only one-star Aptitude.

The shock was overwhelming. Faces were filled with disbelief. Eyes widened in confusion. The impact of that single star was no less than a thunderclap striking directly overhead.

“One-star Aptitude…”

Li Yun stared at the lone star phantom suspended above him and forced a bitter smile.

The outcome he had feared had indeed occurred.

The Aptitude Measuring Orb functioned by sending a cool stream of energy into the body of the tested Martial Artist. That energy circulated through the limbs and bones, sensed the individual’s potential, and then returned to the orb. Based on how much potential it had detected, the orb would determine the final Aptitude rating.

When others were tested, the finger-thick current that entered their bodies returned intact. It retained its full strength, allowing the orb to evaluate their potential accurately.

But in his case, the stream that had entered him as thick as a finger had returned as nothing more than a nearly imperceptible wisp.

With such a negligible remnant, how much potential could it possibly have sensed from him?

Perhaps not even one-thousandth.

If the detected potential was almost nonexistent, then the orb’s evaluation would naturally be at the lowest possible level.

Thus, the single star floating above him.

“I do not believe it. I truly cannot believe it. Li Yun is the New Talent King, yet he only has one-star Aptitude? How could that be possible?” someone cried out in disbelief.

“Could the Aptitude Measuring Orb be malfunctioning? No matter how mediocre Li Yun might be, he cannot possibly have only one-star Aptitude. One star means lacking even the basic qualification to become a Martial Artist. How can someone with such overwhelming strength possess such pitiful Aptitude?” another person questioned with suspicion.

“Impossible. The Aptitude Measuring Orb was left behind by Martial Ascension Immortal Master. For more than a thousand years, it has never once failed. Why would it malfunction now? The only explanation is that Li Yun truly has one-star Aptitude,” someone said firmly.

“Then how do you explain his strength?” another voice shot back.

“I suspect that Li Yun must have encountered some extraordinary opportunity in the Eternal Sky Secret Realm. The Soaring Cloud Sect was an ancient sect with countless mysterious methods. To transform a useless person into a powerful expert might sound impossible to us, but to a sect of that caliber, it may be nothing remarkable.”

“That seems very likely.”

The discussions spread through the Martial Battle Hall like a rising tide. The gazes directed at Li Yun began to change.

The reverence and fervor that had filled the hall moments ago slowly faded. In their place appeared doubt, disdain, and even contempt.

No matter how strong Li Yun currently appeared, most of the disciples present possessed at least three-star Aptitude. In terms of innate potential, they believed they far surpassed him. In their eyes, someone with one-star Aptitude was destined to stagnate. It would only be a matter of time before they overtook him.

A person with such low Aptitude, even if he temporarily bore the title of New Talent King, was not worthy of their admiration.

Li Yun felt the subtle shift in the atmosphere around him, yet his expression remained calm.

He understood.

This was the nature of the world.

When one stands at the peak, others bow and flatter without restraint. But once that person falls from the altar, the same people will step forward to trample him without hesitation, eager to reclaim the pride they once suppressed.

“Li Yun! I once thought you were some extraordinary genius. I did not expect that a single Aptitude Measuring Orb would expose your true nature. So you are nothing more than a one-star Aptitude waste.”

A mocking and disdainful laugh echoed through the hall. The speaker was Ye Beichen.

Being defeated by Li Yun had already left a bitter taste in his heart. Watching the Four Peaks First Seats compete fiercely for Li Yun had only deepened that resentment. At that time, however, he had no ground to stand on. He had lost the match. Any attempt to speak would have only invited further ridicule.

Now, at last, he believed he had found an opening.

Li Yun glanced at him calmly. A faint curve appeared at the corner of his lips.

“You call me a waste? Then what does that make you, who was defeated by a waste?”

Ye Beichen’s face darkened instantly.

“You…”

His lips parted, yet no words followed. The truth stood before everyone. Regardless of Aptitude, he had lost. That fact could not be denied or argued away.

If he tried to humiliate Li Yun now, he would only be reminding the crowd of his own defeat.

Just then, the Earth Pillar Peak First Seat spoke with a composed expression.

“Ye Beichen, there is no need to argue with him,” he said indifferently. “This boy may have surpassed you because he encountered some opportunity in the Eternal Sky Secret Realm. However, a Martial Artist who relies on external fortune cannot stand firm for long. Luck may favor him once, but it will not accompany him for a lifetime.”

He paused before continuing in a steady tone.

“True strength must be forged by one’s own talent and effort. Come back to Earth Pillar Peak with me and cultivate properly for a period of time. Surpassing him will be effortless. When that day comes, speak with your fists. There is no need to waste words now.”

His attitude had shifted noticeably.

Moments ago, he had regarded Li Yun as a priceless treasure worth one hundred times the resources. Now, after learning of the one-star Aptitude result, his interest had cooled significantly.

Not only did the Earth Pillar Peak First Seat fall silent, but the Human Origin Peak First Seat and the Profound Mystery Peak Lord also withdrew their earlier offers. None of them mentioned recruiting Li Yun again.

In their eyes, investing enormous resources to recruit someone with one-star Aptitude was nothing short of absurd.

Although Li Yun had displayed astonishing combat strength and even managed to shake their expectations, that did not change the fundamental calculation in their hearts.

At their level, they did not judge based on present brilliance alone. They evaluated long-term potential.

Li Yun’s current strength might be impressive, but with only one-star Aptitude, his future ceiling appeared extremely limited. Whether he could even reach the fifth level of Xiantian Realm was uncertain. From their perspective, placing heavy resources on him was a gamble with little return.

Only one person remained silent.

The Heaven Mandate Peak Head narrowed his eyes slightly. A subtle and unreadable light flickered within them.

He stepped forward.

“Li Yun,” he said calmly, “are you willing to join Heaven Mandate Peak? If you do, every promise I made earlier will remain unchanged.”

The hall erupted again.

“What? He is still trying to recruit Li Yun?”

“Has the Heaven Mandate Peak Head lost his mind?”

“Heaven Mandate Peak must truly be desperate. Treating a one-star Aptitude waste as a treasure. It is fortunate I did not choose that Peak.”

Whispers of ridicule spread rapidly. Many looked at the Heaven Mandate Peak Head with expressions that bordered on pity or mockery, as though they were witnessing someone making a foolish decision.

Li Yun, however, was stunned.

He had fully expected that all Four Peaks First Seats would abandon him the moment his Aptitude result was revealed. He had prepared himself for indifference and even disdain.

He did not expect that the Heaven Mandate Peak Head would stand firm and honor his original offer without hesitation.

For a brief moment, something stirred in Li Yun’s heart.

He did not deliberate further.

“I am willing,” he said, nodding without the slightest hesitation.