4 Talented

His father carefully placed the core back on the table before continuing, "You should know, many of these creatures have innate advantages over humans in the path of cultivation. They're often physically stronger from the outset, and as you can see, many have an innate elemental affinity from the moment they reach the first stage of cultivation."

His mother nodded in agreement, "That's right. Humans usually have to work much harder to unlock elemental abilities. Only the most gifted among us can tap into elemental power at the late stages of Q Purification i —so we're talking about heaven-defying talents there. Most ordinary folks will only begin to scratch the surface of elemental abilities around stage four or five as Qi Transformation or Qi Fusion."

Elrian felt a blend of awe and a dash of envy. The world seemed so packed with wonder and peril, where even the beasts of the wild held incredible talents. Yet, rather than discouraging him, the revelation only fueled his budding determination. If creatures with innate gifts roamed the lands, he thought, then understanding those gifts could become another form of strength, another way to protect his village and understand the boundless intricacies of the world.

Elrian's eyes flicked back to the glowing core, his childlike curiosity overtaking him for a moment. "Can I keep it for a while? Just to... play with it?"

His parents exchanged a glance before his father nodded, "Alright, you can keep it for a bit. But listen closely, Elrian: never, ever put this core into your mouth or ingest it in any way. The concentrated Qi and elemental energies are extremely volatile. You could die."

The weight of his father's words hung heavy in the air, impressing upon Elrian the seriousness of the caution. Grasping the core gingerly between his fingers, he marveled at its intricate swirls and the way it seemed to hum softly, as if resonating with the hidden forces of Eryndor itself. Despite the thrill of holding such a potent object, his father's warning echoed in his mind, cementing a boundary he dared not cross.

As Elrian sat down with his family to finally enjoy the dinner, he took a bite of the Sky Lion meat, savoring its unique, rich flavor. Almost immediately, he felt a subtle change—a gentle but palpable flow of energy released from the meat, circulating within him before seemingly merging into an indistinct part of his body. He wasn't sure where it had gone, but it didn't feel harmful. Rather, it was as if a tiny rivulet of vitality had trickled into him, even if at a very slow rate.

For a moment, he looked up to see if his parents had noticed any change in him, but they were deeply engrossed in their meal, evidently enjoying the fruits of their labor. Elrian continued eating, now with a growing sense of wonder. Each bite felt like another small step on a path he was just beginning to understand, a journey into a world teeming with hidden energies, latent powers, and untapped potentials.

Feeling a sense of excitement he couldn't contain, Elrian looked at his parents and said, "I felt something different when I ate the meat. Like a sort of energy came out of it and went into me. Is that normal?"

Both his mother and father paused, their expressions turning serious as they met each other's gaze. It was as though Elrian's simple observation had elevated dinner to a discussion of far greater significance.

His parents exchanged a meaningful glance before turning back to Elrian. "Could you describe in detail what you felt? Take your time; we need to understand clearly," his father prompted solemnly.

Gathering his thoughts, Elrian carefully recounted the sensation. "It was like a tiny stream of energy coming from the meat. It flowed into me and went somewhere inside, but I don't know exactly where. It wasn't bad or painful; it just felt like something new."

Upon hearing this, both his parents looked at each other, their faces a mix of surprise, excitement, and unmistakable happiness. "Elrian, what you experienced was Qi from the Sky Lion's meat integrating into your body," his mother finally said, her voice tinged with awe.

His father chimed in, "This is extraordinary. Normally, only individuals who have actively started practicing Qi cultivation can sense or channel Qi. And children typically begin this practice around the age of 10, when their bodies are mature enough to sense Qi."

For a moment, the room was filled with a palpable sense of wonder, as if the very air had thickened with the magnitude of Elrian's unexpected discovery.

Elrian's parents exchanged a glance, a shared moment of joy and astonishment, careful not to let their emotions show too much on their faces. They knew better than to inflate their son's ego at such a young age; the path of cultivation was fraught with dangers and setbacks. One misstep, one tinge of arrogance, and a cultivator could falter, missing vital opportunities for growth.

"Elrian," his mother began, her voice a calm ripple in the thick atmosphere of the room, "what you felt is indeed Qi, a vital force that flows through all living things in our world of Eryndor. It's a good sign that you could sense it, but remember, it's just the beginning."

His father nodded, adding, "In our village, and throughout the continent of Aetheris, people often start sensing Qi around the age of ten. You have sensed it much earlier, but don't take this lightly. Cultivation is a lifelong pursuit, requiring discipline, courage, and an insatiable desire to grow stronger."

Elrian nodded earnestly, absorbing their words. He felt a newfound sense of purpose, as if an invisible tether had fastened him to a future that was still a hazy silhouette on the horizon. As the family finished dinner, his thoughts swirled around the concept of Qi, of growing stronger and protecting his village. It was as if a seed had been planted in the fertile soil of his young mind—a seed that, in time, could sprout into something unimaginable.