Author : Vasudeva_AY
The elders and the leader conversed among themselves as they walked.
"This year's talents seem quite promising."
"Indeed, the number of youths has increased significantly to 88 this year."
"Over the past few years, the power of the surrounding clans, especially the Yang and Zhou clans, has notably increased. Both have first-grade talents," remarked Elder Chi, clad in a traditional white and green robe, walking alongside the leader.
The Xiao Mountain derived its name from the founder of the Xiao clan, who was said to have conquered the enormous mountain. Later, other clans were established on the Xiao Mountain, namely, the Yang Clan, the Zhou Clan, and the Huang Clan. Alongside the Xiao Clan, these were the four primary clans on the Xiao Mountain. Being situated around the same mountain, tension and competition for resources and territory were common among them. Thus, the clans with superior talent, and consequently more powerful individuals, often dominated the others. For hundreds of years, the Xiao Clan had done just that, but over the last few decades, the clan's power had notably waned.
"But let us not forget, Elder Chi, this year, one of the participants is the Clan leader's younger son. Over the years, he has shown promise akin to his elder brother," Elder Mei, a man of around sixty, remarked.
"The Li family also presents a significant amount of talent this year," the clan leader added. "Elder Bi's sons and especially Li's son Zhen, have displayed remarkable natural gifts since childhood."
"Thank you for your kind words, Leader," Elder Bi replied, bowing slightly with clasped hands with a smirk on his face.
The procession continued through the third section until all the youths, accompanied by the elders and the clan leader, gathered in front of the village entrance.
"From here, the protection of the village ends. Everyone should stay close to the elders to avoid any mishaps until we reach the crystal cave," the Clan Leader announced.
The village gate creaked open, revealing an eerie open field with a stone-carved path leading outward, disappearing into the dark forest beyond.
The clan leader moved ahead, followed by the elders and the youths. They reached the entrance of the forest, where a stone path, dimly lit by lamps on either side, wound its way through the towering bamboo forest. The bamboo shoots rose sky-high, untouched by human hands. As they ventured deeper into the forest, the howls and roars of unseen beasts became more pronounced.
The forest embraced an eerie silence, akin to a graveyard in the dead of night. The winds rustled through the bamboo as if they were the spirits of the deceased, whispering secrets of the unseen.
The excited kids now felt a tinge of fear as drops of sweat formed on their foreheads. Amidst the journey through the bamboo forest, many of them began teasing each other with exclamations of ghost hauntings.
"Have you heard about the widowed woman's spirit that is said to roam this part?" said a kid, imitating a storyteller.
"No," two to three kids who were listening to him replied in unison.
"It is said that she still tries to find her husband and has an interest in young kids," he continued in a goofy tone.
The kids listening to him held onto each other tightly and let out loud shouts. However, an elder overheard this and swiftly administered tight slaps to their faces, instantly silencing them.
"Idiots, do you not realize these are the territories of wild beasts? Are you so eager to meet your demise?" scolded the elder.
Zhen, after glancing at them, moved ahead and, after walking for some time, reached an ancient cave nestled at the foot of a colossal mountain wall. The cave entrance bore intricate carvings, weathered by time, depicting tribal scenes and ancient symbols. Two weathered wooden pillars, adorned with moss and lichen, stood guard on either side of the entrance, each housing a mystical green orb that emitted a faint, ethereal glow. These pillars served both to repel wild beasts and acted as ancient guardians.
As the clan leader ignited the fire above of the pillars, the cavern's interior, adorned with ancient blue and white crystals, came to life. The soft blue light flickered, casting shadows on the cave walls and revealing the passage of countless ages etched into the surroundings.
The clan leader walked ahead, followed by the youths and elders. The cave had curved walls adorned with crystals, creating an ethereal atmosphere. The blue and white crystals covered every inch, giving the cave a mystical appearance.
As they traversed through a narrow passageway, the walls glistened with the soft glow of the crystals. The passage, eight feet tall and four feet broad, eventually led them to an open area within the cave.
The cavernous expanse unfolded like a majestic amphitheater, vast enough to make even the grandest landscapes pale in comparison. The ethereal glow of the crystals painted the curved walls in hues of blue and white, creating a mesmerizing display that seemed to dance with otherworldly elegance. Every inch of the cave was adorned with crystals, their radiant luminosity transforming the surroundings into an enchanting spectacle.
As the youths ventured further, the passageway widened, revealing a breathtaking open area. Here, the concentration of crystals seemed deliberate, giving off a divine, radiant red glow. A pristine lake lay at the heart of the space, its waters seemingly touched by the moonlight filtering through the lotus-shaped opening above.
In the middle of the lake, a colossal lotus unfolded its petals, exuding an aura of sublime beauty. The lotus seemed to float on the glistening surface of the water, framed by the shimmering crystals that adorned the cavern. The open area above allowed the moon to cast its gentle beams, creating a celestial ambiance that left everyone in awe.
The entire scene was a symphony of natural artistry, a harmonious fusion of light, crystal, and water that transcended the boundaries between the mundane and the mystical.
Soon, everyone moved inside the vast area.
"Elders, please take your family blood with you and stand around the lake. For the kids with no family background, form another ring behind these people," declared the clan leader.
Zhen couldn't help but notice the emphasis on the impact of a strong family background on one's cultivation journey.
Everyone congregated around the lake, arranging themselves in concentric circles: those from families of significance formed the inner layer, while others without such backgrounds occupied the outer ring. Zhen positioned himself alongside Elder Bi, standing behind his twin sons, acknowledging his place within the side family branch.
"Bestow upon them the spirit stones," declared the clan leader. The elders, cradling rugged bags, nodded affirmatively and began distributing the precious stones to each youth. Though the bags were no larger than a fist, they concealed within them a multitude of hundreds of spirit stones.
Spirit stones were fist-sized, round stones that emitted a soft, blue-white glow, resembling crystal eggs. Within these stones, spirit energy was absorbed from the surrounding environment. Any stone that absorbed a sufficient amount of spirit energy transformed into a spirit stone. Spirit energy, akin to the air itself, was invisible but palpable, existing everywhere. This natural energy played a crucial role for Yodhas, aiding them in manifesting and harnessing their powers to their fullest potential.
Amazement filled the hearts of the youths as they beheld the spirit stones in their hands. "Wow, it's warm; it's my first time holding a spirit stone," exclaimed one kid. Another chimed in, "Me too! It looks just like a pristine crystal, but it emanates warmth when touched."
A girl, with an air of modesty, shared, "My parents never allowed me to touch a single spirit stone."
Mockingly, a boy, dressed in a golden red robe, remarked, "Haha, does your family even possess a single spirit stone? For people like you, even a solitary spirit stone would suffice for an entire month."
The countenance of the girl with a humbler appearance fell, and it seemed as if she might burst into tears at any moment.
Zhen observed the interaction silently, his expression unchanged. The disparity between the privileged and the less fortunate was stark, even in the seemingly equalizing moment of the awakening ceremony. He couldn't help but feel a mix of detachment and sympathy for those caught in the web of societal hierarchies.
As the spirit stones circulated among the youths, the aura of the cave seemed to resonate with the energy contained in each crystal. The divine glow of the red crystals intensified, casting a warm radiance across the faces of the young participants. The ethereal beauty of the cave became even more pronounced, as if the stones themselves were enhancing the enchantment of the surroundings.
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