The entire crowd stared at the the young man in shabby clothing-Lucian-speechlessly.
While they were expecting another shock like the one Zeras gave them. This was just too mind blowing.
The clan elder's expression grew from shock then disgust and finally anger.
Who were they?
They were the mighty Burningblue clan. A clan greatly feared, not only due to it's powerful might but the talents they possess. Wherever they go, they were always treated respectfully but what was this.
What will happen If words were to go out that they produce an anomaly who didn't have a martial spirit. They'll immediately become the butt of the joke in the entire Azure Dragon province.
Staring at the "cursed" boy in front of him who kept ogling the Martial spirit crystal, he immediately yanked it from his hand as uncontrollable pressure blasted out from him and landed on Lucian.
Lucian's face changed as he felt himself forced to his knees against his will. It felt like gravity has been increased by more than ten times as a crack immediately fromed under him.
The man snorted as he raised up his hands and three fireballs mysteriously formed in them before shooting into the sky and exploding like a firework.
This was the highest order notification he could send that'll ensure all the clan elders would immediately heed his call as even he was lost on how to handle this case.
It wasn't long when four beams of light appeared over the horizon. The beams of light moved with unbelievable speed, as they crossed hundreds of miles in seconds arriving above the grounds revealing them to be the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grand elders.
A position only second to the position of the patriarch.
All clan members immediately bowed and were told to rise in the next second, except for Lucian off course who was still being pressed down with the pressure.
A small meeting immediately ensued among them although even as how close he is to them, he didn't know what they were talking about.
A broken smile appeared on Lucian's face as he watched his own fate getting decided without his own opinion. It was like he didn't even matter, but to be honest, did he?.
The conversation among the elders ended as they turned towards the clan members once again.
A bald old man with a white beard reaching his navel slowly moved out from among the elders as he moved up to the front of the dais.
"I want to congratulate you all for successfully awakening your martial spirit and taking the first step towards greatness.
From today on, you'll embark on a journey to holding your own faith in your hands. With your own hardwork and the resources that will be bestowed upon you by us. You'll be able to achieve the goals you have set out for your life.
It seems we even have an extremely rare; 6th grade martial spirit among us. This shows the heaven's grace upon us as we haven't had one in a 100 years now.
But while we have been blessed by the heavens, it seems the devil wants to twart away the grace that has been bestowed upon us.
We have an anomaly with no martial spirit among us. Something that has never before happened since the history of our noble clan." The man said making the crowds gaze immediately turned cold with disgust towards Lucian.
If gaze could kill, he'll probably be dead thousands of times already.
The old man seeing the clan members action had a sinister smile but kept a straight and sad face as he continued:
"This boy here was an orphan who got the mercy of a reputable figure in the clan and therefore adopted him and his sister.
From then, the clan had showered them with resources and made them one of ours.
But not long ago, the one who adopted them died mysteriously. But that didn't make us disown him, we were still benevolent and made them stay in the clan.
But even after all this, what did he do to repay us. He tarnished our image by becoming unable to awaken a martial spirit making all the resources we spent on him in vain.
This can only be attributed to one thing, this child and his sister have both been cursed by the devil. Normally, we will usually immediately kill an evil one like this in order to twart the work of the devil but the clan would once again be benevolent. This is the clan's judgement:
From today on, Lucian Atherston and his sister will be banished from the clan. They will only have three more days to leave the clan after which they must never again be found in it and a thousand meters around it.
Any sign of them around the clan will result in one thing, and that is immediate death."
Murmurs erupted from the clan members as some thought such a person was supposed to be executed immediately while some praise the clan for it's benevolent.
But a few among them were aware of this fake ploy. But what could they say.
The one who is right in this world is one who is strong.
"Lastly, this information is to stay in the clan and never exist past this grounds. Any information outlet to others will result in an extremely severe punishment.
Also there will be a banquet for the chosen one sent by the heavens themselves tonight.
Let's disperse now and I hope we meet at the banquet."
The crowd slowly moved away from the place as it became silent as a grave, except for a boy who stood there still kneeling.
Lucian's teeth repeatedly clattered as his fingers dug deep into his palms drawing blood. Tears stream down his face which was contorted in rage and...pain.
Was he sad because he was banished or was it due to the people he called clan members not caring about his life or death.
No!.
He cried because he wouldn't be able to accomplish his dream.
He had always wanted to possess a powerful martial spirit so he could grow stronger and healed his sister's blindness.
But now?
The young man slowly stood up as he dragged his tired body and broken mind away.
An aura of loneliness but infused with the slightest maturity could be seen on him but none could see as none cared for that.
Today Lucian learned a great lesson.
Why didn't the clan care about whether he lived or died.
Why did the entire world seem to turn his back against him.
Why didn't his opinion matter to anyone.
It was simple
Strength.
He lacked strength. This made him realize the one thing that matters in this world. And that is strength. It is the pen with which fate can be re-written. Without it then one is forever doomed.
Unknown to Lucian, a chain clattered deep within his soul as an unfathomable entity was slowly awakening.