"The most troublesome part about the cost is that it usually does not accept 'credit'; when you use your talent on the spot, it will demand payment in return immediately."

"As stated earlier, this cost is generally related to what a person despises most in their heart—those who hate the smell of smoke will have to smoke hundreds of cigarettes, a compassionate person might have to crush their own pet with their hands, and someone afraid of the cold would need to swallow ice cubes..."

"Therefore, it sometimes severely affects an Apprentice Death God's combat strength and willpower, causing one to try to steal a chicken only to end up losing the rice, using their talent only to find themselves at a disadvantage."

"Because of this, Apprentice Death Gods generally use their talent abilities as a last resort. In battle, if they don't have absolute assurance and confidence in a one-hit victory, it's best not to use their talent abilities recklessly; otherwise... that damned cost might take your life."

He Xi patiently explained.

"I see..."

Yun You slightly nodded, finally grasping the meaning of the cost.

Previously, Old Jin had said this to her.

"Power and sacrifice are relative; the stronger the ability, the more expensive the price we need to pay."

At the time, Yun You was still a bit foggy on the details.

But now, she understood the meaning of these words.

No power in this world is free; even Apprentice Death Gods need to pay a price for their power.

...

During their conversation, the awakening ceremony on the high platform was proceeding rapidly.

When Yun You came back to her senses, the person in front of her, Nocturne, was already standing before the Awakening Stone, placing their hand on the surface of the boulder.

Whoosh—

In an instant, the Awakening Stone burst forth with dazzling white light.

"Another white talent?"

He Xi scratched his head, slightly puzzled.

In his view, Nocturne, with 'almost-limit level' capabilities, should at least have a blue talent, not just the most ordinary white talent.

And indeed, his assumption proved correct.

The white light lasted only a few seconds before it suddenly "whooshed" and turned blue.

Rare talents, possessed by only one in a thousand Apprentice Death Gods.

This lived up to Nocturne's abilities and matched the examiner's prediction.

But what He Xi didn't expect was, blue was still not the limit for Nocturne.

The blue light trembled violently a few times and then suddenly reflected a hint of purple light...

These rays first appeared on the ancient engravings on the surface of the Awakening Stone, then quickly spread to the stone itself...

It was so dazzling that it completely enveloped Nocturne, still showing signs of "breaking through to a higher level."

Onlookers' hearts were all lifted at this moment.

"Could it be... a golden talent?!!"

They widened their eyes, as if witnessing a miracle...

Even Nocturne's mentor Li Cang couldn't resist standing up, looking expectantly at the Awakening Stone, and hoping it would change color again.

But in the end, the Awakening Stone settled down, resting on the purple glow.

"Candidate No. 303, awakening completed."

Nocturne finally attained the 'elite' status with a purple talent, legitimately one in ten thousand.

Seeing this, the spectators instinctively sighed, feeling a bit regretful that Nocturne's talent was not golden...

But soon, they realized and shook their heads with self-mockery.

Purple was already an unparalleled talent that ordinary people couldn't reach; those of them with white talents had no right to feel pity for this genius called Nocturne.

The dazzling purple glow alone ensured that Nocturne's achievements in this lifetime would far surpass theirs.

At just 19 years old, this Apprentice Death God had from this moment become a figure people must look up to.

Even a Death God Examiner of a higher rank must respectfully address him as—Sir.

"So envious..."

He Xi sighed, smiling bitterly, "A genius is a genius; the efforts we spend a lifetime on might not even scratch his surface..."

"That's the gap between a genius and us ordinary folks."

Her words echoed the sentiments of the onlookers...

The only one expressing a different opinion might be the mentor below Nocturne's platform.

"Ah, just an elite talent... still a bit of a pity."

Li Cang feigned regret with a sigh, his tone full of meaning: like iron that couldn't be made into steel.

But anyone with eyes could see he was just flaunting in a different way.

Purple talents are rare anywhere, and even Li Cang himself was only a blue talent, so how could he disdain a disciple with such a talent?

He said these words merely to provoke Old Jin.

However, as always, the latter remained silent and calm, not bothering to respond.

Seeing Old Jin's face devoid of any waves, Li Cang couldn't sit still.

After a long silence, he finally spoke up, "Hey, Senior A-Jin..."

"What do you think of my student? Could he be considered 'elite' in your era?"

"Uh..."

Old Jin looked up, remained silent for a moment, seemingly deep in thought.

After a pause, he candidly said, "He's okay, um... alright, roughly qualifies as elite."

"Okay?"

Hearing such a non-committal word, Li Cang's eyes widened.

"My student, in your eyes, is just okay?"

"What do you mean by 'roughly'?"

"It just means about that, yes."

Old Jin shrugged, his tone quite honest.

"Roughly meets the elite standard, talent is okay, hmm, at least shouldn't be described as poor, barely considered a good seedling, and has a chance to become a strong person like you. That's my evaluation."

Truthfully, Old Jin thought his evaluation was quite good.

In the past, who among those he praised was not a luminary? Who wasn't a genius?

To give a child with a purple talent an 'okay' evaluation was entirely sufficient.

But this ambiguous assessment became insult and ridicule in Li Cang's ears.

In this Apprentice Death God's view, Old Jin's words could only be an insult that was right under his nose, saying "You know squat about education!"

Li Cang grew angrier the more he thought about it, gritting his teeth with frustration.

"I didn't expect... after all these years, Senior A-Jin's standards are still so high, unrealistically high."

Clenching his fists, he enunciated, "If so, then I must see... what kind of talented student someone with such high standards can produce!"

With that, he fixed his eyes on the stage at Yun You, his cold gaze making the young girl feel uncomfortable all over.

"Watch all you want."

Old Jin maintained a nonchalant demeanor but said to himself quietly, so Li Cang couldn't hear, with a playful smile...

"This girl's talent is beyond your imagination."

"Comparing that disciple of yours to her is like comparing a mayfly to a tree, a firefly to a full moon."

"Absolutely meaningless..."

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