His eyes remained on the map, but his thoughts shifted elsewhere.
Qi Sense Stage…
That wasn't what he had. What he held wasn't part of their system at all. No meridians, no traditional cultivation. He wasn't a Body Tempering practitioner.
And he definitely wasn't a Qi Sense master.
He was something else entirely.
Silence stretched just a little longer than it should have.
Then Aiden finally moved.
He straightened and turned his head slightly, just enough to glance at Caelus.
"…What do you think?" he asked.
The answer caught them off guard.
Caelus didn't respond right away.
"I…" he started, then stopped, choosing his words more carefully. "Your strength is beyond a normal Body Tempering practitioner. That much is certain."
He paused again.
"But… I cannot say for sure."
Aiden gave a faint smile.
"Then leave it at that."
It wasn't a denial.
But it wasn't an answer either.
Just enough to keep them guessing.
