"Supreme Novice?" Not only were the other participants confused as to what this meant, even the other 9 chosen clan members didn't know what it meant. All they knew was that there were only five levels of skill mastery and that was that.
"Supreme Novice?" Even Shi Li was perplexed as to what the Supreme Novice level was. In an instant, he recalled the memories of Tian Zhenfei executing the [Flame Slash] technique wherein the center of the orange sword light had condensed golden wisps of sword light. Within that memory was the name of the skill mastery Tian Zhenfei attained with each slash being formed that way.
"True Novice?" Shi Li compared the two names together and noticed that they had a similarity. Both of which somewhat showed that the skill mastery was beyond the Novice level, yet was still stuck in the Novice level.
"Let me explain," Shi Xingtai took the initiative to explain the Supreme Novice level to everyone as he looked at Shi Li with gleaming eyes. "As we all know, skill masteries can be split into five levels: Novice, Adept, Elite, Master, and Perfect, yes?"
Everyone, including Shi Lu and the other 9 chosen clan members, nodded their heads at this. Ever since they picked up their first martial technique, they would grasp this idea of skill mastery easily.
"Now think about this. You know you have the capability to achieve a higher skill mastery, but you want to solidify your foundation before heading towards a higher skill mastery. Now what do you call those skill masteries?" Shi Xingtai continued.
Of course, no one could answer it in a heartbeat. This topic was unknown for them, this was the first time they would come contact with it. Seeing the confused and perplexed looks on all of the participants' faces, Shi Xingtai gave a mysterious and light smile before replying, "These level of skill masteries are called...Supreme skill masteries!"
"Supreme?" All of the other participants' eyes lit up at this word. The word supreme sounded extremely majestic and overbearing to everyone, which made everyone continue to listen to Shi Xingtai's explanation.
"Supreme skill masteries are basically skill masteries but more solidified and more effective when compared to someone who is at the same skill mastery. There is no change to the levels at all, you just have to add the word 'supreme' before the levels to get the supreme variant of skill masteries."
"If it's too confusing for you, you could also call Supreme skill masteries as skill masteries that exceed the level of a skill mastery, naming them as Pseudo-Adept for Supreme Novice level, Pseudo-Elite for Supreme Adept level, and so on."
"Nonetheless, Pseudo-Adept is different from being halfway to Adept level. One has reached the level of mastery of the Adept level while being on the Novice level, and the other one is just literally halfway to Adept level."
Noticing that he has rambled on long enough about Supreme skill masteries to the participants, Shi Xingtai lightly coughed as he thanked Shi Li for opening the other participants' minds to a wider world of skill masteries.
Shi Li nodded his head and bowed respectfully after Shi Xingtai finished talking and started to walk down the raised platform to where he was. Once he went back to where he was, all of a sudden, a voice resounded within his head, slightly shocking him, yet was able to conceal this shock in an instant.
"Shi Li, this is Shi Xingtai. After the third test, stay here in the clan arena. We have something to talk about."
At that instant, Shi Li was slightly scared of what was going to happen to him. He didn't do anything wrong these past few months so was he going to punished for something he didn't do?
Nonetheless, he could only wait and see if that was truly the case.
...
At one of the highest seats of the clan arena, Shi Xingwan looked at the result of his son's skill mastery at the center stage and couldn't help but jump up in surprise after seeing it.
"Oh my god!" Shi Xingwan exclaimed. "My son has a skill mastery at the Supreme Novice level!"
What did this entail? Well for him, this mean that his son would have no difficulties mastering the technique he was currently cultivating to the Perfect level. Not only that, he might also have a chance of achieving the Supreme Perfect level, which allowed him to fight opponents that have techniques of a higher grade while only cultivating a lower grade technique!
"This..." Shi Xingwan was visibly shocked but was excited at what Shi Li's future was going to be. "This is definitely unprecedented. Although he's only at the Martial Novice stage, he can exert a force at the level of a Martial Adept while having a skill mastery of the Supreme Novice level! This is all due to his aptitude!"
Of course, Shi Li's aptitude that was at the Quasi-World level was only a small portion of this reason, as it was still being improved by the red pearl around his neck. The reason why he could achieve this strength was due to the auxiliary cultivation technique Tian Zhenfei gave, the memories Tian Zhenfei imparted into him, and of course, his utmost effort to becoming stronger.
"I should reward him after this tournament," Shi Xingwan looked at the sky that was now extremely dark while the stars that littered all over the sky slightly shone down on the land. "You know what? I was planning to finish this tournament in one day, but it seems that won't happen."
He then released a wisp of qi from the tip of his finger and sent it towards Shi Xingtai, his brother, with this message.
"Brother, I want you to postpone the final test tomorrow. Not only that, I want you to tell Shi Li to stay after the tournament."
After receiving this wisp of qi, from afar, Shi Xingwan could see that his brother's eyes slightly widened, but this action was hastily concealed as he looked up and faced Shi Xingwan before giving a light smile and a nod.
Letting out a soft sigh of relief, Shi Xingwan lightly smiled and said to himself, " I wonder how he will react to this?"
...
After each and every participant finished showing their skill masteries in front of the other participants, Shi Xingtai looked at everyone with a smile and said, "Great job! The third test is now over. For the preferential treatment of this third test, it will be said tomorrow as it is currently late in the night already. Your parents might be worrying about your safety, although we all live within the perimeters of the clan walls."
Some of the participants slightly chuckled as they knew that Shi Xingtai was trying to relax their senses. Shi Xingtai then gestured the participants to leave as he said, "As I said, it is currently late in the night. The fourth and final test shall be held tomorrow at the same starting time, so you guys better use this chance to cultivate and grow a few ren stronger!"
Of course, with this being said by the presider himself, all of the participants couldn't help but jump in joy as they dashed out of the clan arena and back into their homes. As for Shi Li, he stood where in the clan arena and said a few words of goodbye to those he knew, before looking at Shi Xingtai who was looking at him.
Letting out a smile, Shi Xingtai then urged Shi Li to come closer. "Come here and sit beside me."
Shi Li then let out a light yet somewhat nervous smile as he walked closer towards Shi Xingtai and sat down beside him. He then looked at him and asked, "Elder, why did you call me to stay here?"
Shi Xingtai couldn't help but chuckle at Shi Li's current meek attitude and replied, "Whenever we're the only ones here, call me Uncle. I'm your father's brother anyway, so treat me like that."
He then pointed behind Shi Li and said, "Look behind you."
"Behind me?" Shi Li, of course, looked behind him, and was instantly shocked after seeing an ever familiar silhouette come into view.
"F-Father?!"