The settlement appeared beneath the root constellation.

The orchard no longer shone with overwhelming brilliance. It looked dimmer than before. But the light was deeper, steadier, and no longer sickly sweet.

The Tower panel appeared.

[Floor 106: The Orchard of Overripe Stars]

[Main Mission: Save Star Orchard before harvest rot spreads to root constellation — Completed.]

[Sub-Mission: Identify overripe star fruits — Completed.]

[Sub-Mission: Preserve at least 50% of healthy fruit — Completed.]

[Healthy Fruit Preserved: 68%]

[Sub-Mission: Prevent team growth temptation above 30% — Completed.]

[Final Growth Temptation: 14%]

[Sub-Mission: Find cause of premature ripening — Completed.]

[Floor Boss: Rot-Ripening Star Moth defeated.]

[Root constellation preserved.]

[Calculating final evaluation...]

The result appeared.

[Final Evaluation: SSS]

The rewards appeared.

[SSS Evaluation Rewards]

EXP +56,000

Tower Coins x840,000

SS Grade Star Orchard Chest x1

SS Grade Healthy Ripening Rhythm Crystal x1

SS Grade Overripe Core Detection Fruit x1

SS Grade Star Rot Purification Dew x1

SS Grade Root Constellation Preservation Seed x1

S Grade Stable Star Fruit Bundle x1

Special Mark: True Ripening Guardian]

Additional hidden reward:

[Prevented Premature Maturity]

SS Grade Talent Timing Appraisal Crystal x1

Qin Yuheng’s eyes sharpened.

Talent Timing Appraisal Crystal.

Exactly as expected.

When they returned, Qin Mo immediately requested permission to inspect it.

At the Qin Estate, the crystal was evolved.

[SS Grade Talent Timing Appraisal Crystal]

↓

[SSS Grade Sovereign Talent Maturation Timing Crystal]

[Effect:

Evaluates whether a body, soul, talent foundation, and path rhythm are ready to accept an additional talent source. Detects premature talent stacking, overripe growth pressure, hollow foundation risk, and incompatible acceleration.]

The room became silent.

Qin Yuze looked at the crystal as if it were both treasure and judge.

Qin Wanshan nodded.

"This decides when you eat the Thunder Spear War Body Talent Fruit."

Qin Yuze swallowed.

"Can we test?"

"Yes," Qin Zhengyuan said. "Testing is not consuming."

The crystal was activated under protection.

It scanned Qin Yuze.

Results appeared.

[Subject: Qin Yuze]

Current Talent:

Crimson Spear Battle Heart — Stabilizing.

Body Readiness:

62%

Soul Readiness:

71%

Combat Foundation:

68%

Talent Rhythm Stability:

54%

Second Talent Integration Risk:

Moderate-High if used immediately.

Recommended:

Continue training 4–6 months.

Increase defensive restraint, meridian endurance, and spirit calm.

Reassess after stable battle rhythm milestone.]

Qin Yuze looked disappointed.

But not surprised.

Qin Yuheng watched him carefully.

Qin Yuze took a breath.

"Four to six months."

Qin Zhengyuan nodded.

"That is not long."

Qin Yuze looked at the prepared SSS fruit’s sealed box, then away.

"I can wait."

That was growth.

Qin Yuheng smiled faintly.

"Good."

Qin Xue’er immediately asked, "Can it test me?"

Mu Qinglan said, "Not yet."

"Why?"

"Because you are thirteen."

Qin Xue’er pouted.

Qin Mo whispered, "The crystal would say: wait several years and stop sneaking training."

She glared at him.

The Healthy Ripening Rhythm Crystal was installed in the younger generation training hall. It helped prevent unstable overtraining.

The Root Constellation Preservation Seed was stored for future family talent garden planning.

The Star Rot Purification Dew was tested against minor premature growth corruption samples and worked beautifully.

The Qin family’s talent foundation system became much safer.

Mo Cangyan’s reports soon confirmed that Qin Yuze had not consumed a second Talent Fruit despite likely access.

He frowned.

"They are delaying."

Xue Rong asked, "Can we force acceleration?"

"Not directly. They now have too many timing counters."

"What then?"

Mo Cangyan looked toward another file.

"Then we create an opportunity where delay appears to cost status."

Public competition.

A youth combat gathering for newly awakened talents.

Qin Yuze would be invited.

If he performed modestly, pressure would rise to strengthen him.

If he performed too well, observers would gather.

Either outcome useful.

A new event began forming:

Heavenly Gate Young Spear and Sword Gathering.

It looked harmless.

Training.

Competition.

Recognition.

But as always, timing mattered.