Elder Ming's voice carried through the hall with the weight of ritual as he outlined the rules for the Spirit Awakening Ceremony. The room, previously alive with murmurs, fell into an expectant hush.
"As there are many participants today, you've been divided into groups of ten, starting with the youngest. When your name is called, take your place on the stage and sit. A servant will bring you a vial containing a single drop of Spirit Awakening Liquid. Drink it, close your eyes, and focus on awakening your spirit. Even if you fail to sense it, the liquid will facilitate the process. Once you feel your spirit, stand and place your hand on the Talent Measuring Crystal. It will reveal your talent for all to see."
His sharp eyes scanned the room, pausing briefly on each participant. "Are the instructions clear?"
A wave of nods rippled through the hall. The air felt heavier now, charged with anticipation. For most of the children, the ceremony was a rite of passage, but for others—like Xuefeng—it carried the weight of far greater expectations.
Xuefeng listened carefully, though the instructions were straightforward enough. He was last in line, an arrangement that suited him fine. Watching the others would give him time to study the process, and perhaps, steel his nerves.
The first group of ten children climbed onto the stage, each settling into their assigned spot with varying degrees of confidence. Servants approached silently, bearing small vials of Spirit Awakening Liquid, their movements precise and ceremonial.
The children drank the liquid, and the room seemed to hold its breath. Faces flushed as the elixir took effect, sweat forming on small brows. For a long, tense moment, no one moved. Then, slowly, the first child rose, swaying slightly before steadying himself.
"Look, the crystal!" Liu Mei whispered, clutching Xuefeng's arm. Her voice carried a mix of awe and curiosity. "It measures talent by transforming Spirit Essence into Qi. Even beginners can be tested without their own Qi reserves. The crystal changes color based on talent level."
Xuefeng's gaze followed hers to the transparent crystal. The boy onstage approached it with trembling hands. As he pressed his palm against its surface, the crystal pulsed faintly, a dull red glow spreading like ripples in water. The red deepened into orange, then climbed to dark green before holding steady.
The hall erupted in applause, the sound tinged with relief and approval.
"Dark Green talent," Liu Xiaobei remarked, nodding in satisfaction. "A strong start."
Nearby, Zhen Ping smirked, but his confidence faltered when his sister's veiled gaze turned to him. Her reputation as the family's most talented cultivator seemed to hold his ego firmly in check.
On stage, Elder Ming patted the boy's head with rare warmth. "Well done. You can step to the side and wait for the rest. After the ceremony, you'll all proceed to the Spirit Treasury."
The boy bowed deeply, his face alight with pride. A Dark Green talent promised him a bright future within the clan, a potential path to becoming an Elder.
The process repeated as the next children took their turns, and remarkably, another Dark Green talent emerged, prompting cheers from the families. "Not bad at all," Liu Xiaobei said, his laughter booming. "A promising start for the Liu Clan."
"Indeed," Emperor Zhen replied, though his tone carried a subtle edge. "But the real test lies with your son. For him to match the others, a Purple or Black talent would be necessary. Do you share my confidence?"
Liu Xiaobei smiled, unbothered. "We'll leave that to fate."
As the ceremony progressed, the results became less impressive. By the end of the fourth batch, only one child had achieved a Light Blue talent, leaving the room buzzing with mixed emotions.
Finally, it was time for the fifth group. Liu Mei's name was called, and she tightened her grip on Xuefeng's hand. Her nerves were palpable, her small frame trembling slightly.
"You can do this," Xuefeng said, pulling her into a quick hug. "Go up there and come back with nothing less than a Purple talent. Show them what you're made of."
Her fear melted into determination. "Okay!" she chirped, bounding onto the stage.
Xuefeng watched as the attention of the hall shifted to him, curious eyes appraising him like a commodity. He sighed inwardly. They're all waiting to judge me. Just like Wuying said—trouble. But if I have to, I'll show them exactly what I'm capable of.
As Liu Mei sat with the other children, the room fell silent once more. The first few participants showed average results—Green talents that barely stirred the crowd. But then, Liu Mei remained motionless, even as the others finished their turns. Her stillness stretched into minutes, the tension in the hall thickening with each passing second.
"What's happening?" someone murmured.
Then it began.
"Purple clouds!" a voice cried, breaking the silence.
Heads snapped upward. Above the Liu Clan's territory, the sky churned with swirling clouds of a vivid purple hue, descending like a divine omen. Gasps rippled through the crowd as the phenomenon unfolded.
The hall erupted in movement. Guests rose from their seats to witness the spectacle, and even Liu Xiaobei rushed toward the stage. Purple clouds funneled through the open ceiling, spiraling downward in a vortex that centered on Liu Mei. Her eyes snapped open, now glowing with an otherworldly violet light.
The clouds obeyed her call, funneling into her body as if answering some unspoken command. She absorbed them without hesitation, her small frame radiating a power that belied her age.
Outside the Liu Clan's grounds, the phenomenon was equally shocking. The gathered crowd stared in awe as Spirit Essence blanketed the air, a rare gift for anyone lucky enough to be present.
"Is this the doing of the Liu Clan's Young Master?" someone speculated.
"Who cares?" another snapped. "Take advantage of it while it lasts! With this much Spirit Essence, even a mediocre cultivator could break through a bottleneck!"
The streets transformed into an impromptu cultivation ground as people sat where they stood, pulling the abundant energy into their dantians.
Inside the hall, Elder Ming's stern voice cut through the chaos. "Silence!" he barked. "Let the ceremony proceed."
But Xuefeng, like many others, couldn't tear his eyes from Liu Mei. Her transformation had set the stage, and he knew with chilling certainty: his turn was next.