Aleen had been searching for Nora back at home. Today was her birthday and also his wife's four-year death anniversary. As usual, he wanted to take her to the grave in other to pay respects. However, he discovered she was nowhere to be found.
Remembering that she had a very strong attachment to her brother, he immediately guessed that she must have followed him to the Dantain awakening Ceremony.
Aleen was not too worried. He was aware of how the Ceremony worked. The Ancestor's sword only touched those of seven years and above. or so he thought.
This was why what he was seeing, struck him with surprise. Even the elders were very surprised. The moment Nora touched the Crystal ball, it glowed a slight yellow. Normally, this would mean that she was a Grade C cultivator. But to the surprise of all that watched, the Yellow glow of the crystal ball suddenly changed color.
It became green, and then it changed again to blue. Every time it changed, was a change in their facial expression, and just when they thought the surprise had ended, the crystal ball suddenly changed color again, becoming a shining golden yellow. The light of which was so bright that those close enough had to hide their eyes.
Nora removed her hand from the ball. From her perspective, she had done something wrong. After all, all the elders of the clan had their eyes on her. Everybody stood frozen in shock.
"Unbelievable!" Joules muttered lowly. Joules could not hold back her surprise any longer and she immediately grabbed Nora from Chiron's hand. She pulled the girl closer and placed a hand on her wrist, sending a wisp of her spirit energy through the girl's body.
Nora was frightened but she did not resist the hold.
Joules's eyes widened, "It's true. She has the Legendary Grade S Dantain."
All the elders gasped in surprise. And then one by one, they all sent their spirit energy through her wrist to confirm.
Although the children did not know what was happening, Chiron certainly knew.
Apart from the Grades: A, B, C. There was another Grade that was lost to time. These Grades were called S grades. Each S grade came with a gift. A cultivating Spirit or Body gift.
Nora possessed such a body.
What Nora had was called the Hundred Spirit Cauldron. In Chiron's heart was a big smile. Nora's Hundred Spirit Cauldron was literally a pot of stew waiting for him to absorb.
Aleen immediately rushed to where the Elders were. He pulled Nora by the hand and also checked. His lips bloomed into a proud smile.
Nora thought that She was going to be in trouble for ditching her father for her brother, but here he was laughing and playing with her in joy.
"Congratulations Elder Aleen."
"Congratulations Elder Aleen."
The different elders congratulated Aleen. The achievement of a child was also the achievement of the Parent.
In the thousand-year history of the Chikitsa Clan. The only other person to have had an S Grade Dantain was the Ancestor of the Clan. This was indeed joyous news. All of a sudden, it made sense to the Elders why the Broad sword touched the little girl.
As the elders celebrated this achievement with Aleen, none of them noticed the dark frown on Elder Joules's face.
*Cough* Elder Joules brought the attention of the elders back to earth with her cough. The ceremony had not yet ended.
She turned to the children and addressed them, "The cultivation academy will commence in three months. During this time, you will have to consolidate your Dantain. The lecture session will begin. Both sword techniques and the merging of spirit energy will be taught at the academy. Go home, mourn your lost friends and siblings that have been lost to the cultivation world. We will meet back here in six months."
The Children were dismissed, many of them carrying their dead friends and family members as they left. Those that came without any would be the responsibility of the Elders.
Aleen was joyous. At first, he thought that his world had ended when his son came out with the disappointment of being a Tamashi, but now his daughter was now the practical treasure of the Clan.
As the crowd dismissed, Chiron remained where he stood. Everyone had forgotten about his existence, even his father. Aleen carried Nora a distance before the little girl called out to her elder brother.
It was at this time that the leaving Elders all paused in their exit. They had all forgotten about the Tamashi. Such was the fate of those without value in this world. They were regarded as trash.
The elders suddenly remembered that this year's Dantain ceremony had a different segment.
*Cough* Elder Joules approached, "The Tamashi is to be taken inside to be given the technique."
The elders nodded as Chiron was led inside the Clan chief's residence.
"Father! Where are they taking big brother to?" Nora asked innocently.
"Don't worry, he will be back. We will wait for him here." Aleen answered.
Chiron looked behind at Nora and gave her a confident smile before going with the elders.
For personal reasons, Aleen was not allowed into the residence of the Clan chief unless requested. The only thing he could do was wait outside until Chiron returned.
Chiron went through the outer doors into a very wide courtyard. As he was led through, he could see men and women in the courtyard practicing their sword techniques. Some meditated and some others fought.
Their moves were incredible. Things Chiron had only seen in Movies of his former world. He also saw slaves and servants as he walked through. This was not surprising to him.
This world was one that respected the strong and disdained the weak. The weak served the strong. An indisputable fact in this world.
The slaves were dressed in ragged clothes and performed menial duties around the place. As he was led through, his eyes searched around for a particular person, but unfortunately, he did not find his target.
Through the courtyard and down many passages, he was led into a room. The moment he entered, he noticed that the walls of the room had paper seals on them.
Chiron sighed lowly, "This next part is going to really hurt." he whispered to himself.
Elder Joules frowned as she looked at him, "Strip naked." She ordered.