Xu Kai closed his eyes tightly, cursing his fate. He dared disobey the words of an Elder! Xu Kai slowly turned until he faced the old man, and when the old man's staff gently touched his chest, he was about to apologize.
"Don't kowtow to me. Strong mental strength is a prerequisite for those who aspire to be great martial arts practitioners. Do you have one?"
Xu Kai lifted his head and saw the old man's visage once again. He was taller than everyone in the crowd; perhaps this old man might be the tallest individual on the island!
He wore a straw hat, so only his nose, lips, and chin were in Xu Kai's line of sight. Silver hair cascaded down his back.
The staff consisted of a crooked tree branch with a gourd tied to the top.
Apart from his distinct bearing, this old man's dressing made him seem like one of those low-class individuals.
'It was the same question he asked me last time. Phew ~ I'm glad nothing changed. However, I still don't understand why he specifically chose me. Could he sense my awakening potential?'
"I believe so," replied Xu Kai. The old man scrutinized his determined gaze and gave a nod internally.
"Good." His voice was deep, yet he stretched the word outrageously.
"Here," Fatty Tian said, coming with a bowl of rice noodles and two chopsticks atop the wooden bowl.
Xu Kai eyed the meal, gulping, but he couldn't ignore the Elder before him.
"Eat."
The moment he heard that, the bowl vanished from Fatty Tian's fat hands, and he began eating. Seeing him eat so hungrily, those passing by felt hungry.
In a short time, he was already drinking the soup and had proceeded to clean the bowl. It was only after belching that his eyes widened.
Fortunately, his belch did not upset the Elder. Rather, the old man was smiling.
"Come, let's go to the Great Hall. Perhaps you might have a chance to fulfill your dreams."
While following the old man, a string of thoughts entered his mind. Having been completely ignorant the last time, he had assumed this was a lucky encounter that would change his fate, but now it seemed inevitable.
How did he know?
Well, the way the Elder acted. It demonstrated that the Elder didn't choose Xu Kai out of sympathy.
'What was his name?'
Xu Kai scratched his hair for a while before his eyes lit up. 'He's Elder Feng. He is the last remaining Feng in the Feng family.'
Despite the near erasure of his childhood memories, he had heard tales of the demon attack that occurred nine years ago. Then he was five years old.
The story claims that because they were the first to ambush, the Feng family, renowned for their Wind Talent Lineage, suffered a massacre.
Only Elder Feng, the clad head, survived. As for the details, Xu Kai had none. His knowledge was based on stories.
'That should be the reason he's always secluding himself from secular affairs.' As he pondered, his legs continued to move, trailing the Elder who, for unknown reasons, left no trace on the sand.
****
A short while later, a pair of tall, imposing wooden doors made from fifty-year-old cypress trees swung inward, revealing an octagonal hall filled with individuals garbed in beautiful robes.
Xu Kai stood out prominently among the well-dressed, fair-skinned young masters and misses.
The moment they saw them, the silent hall was instantly filled with hushed whispers and ugly expressions.
Three huge chairs dominated the other end, and a gray-haired man sat on the last chair to Xu Kai's left.
He sat on his chair, his imposing aura looming over Xu Kai. This man who wore red and black robes was the Head of the Cheng Family— Cheng Wei and he was 72 years old!
Though he was 72, he had bulging muscles, large hands, and a ruddy face. He certainly did not look like a man in his early seventies.
The Chengs were known for their Fire Talent Lineage. This meant that no one in the entire Cheng household had awakened an element that wasn't fire.
Similar to their element, the family kept to the tradition of wearing red and sometimes black.
Dominating the next seat, which was the middle seat, was Shui Long, a 64-year-old woman and the head of the Shui family.
She tied her gray hair into a fluffy bun. Xu Kai could already attest to the value of the ornaments used to beautify her hair.
Her cheeks had grown saggy but her sapphire eyes remained clear and sharp. Garbed in an ocean blue robe and holding a staff, she emanated a comfortable aura.
As the head of the Shui Family, a family known for their Water Talent Lineage, an occasional feud with Cheng Wei was common.
There was a pool in the center of the hall, and just above it was a round opening in the roof.
In the center of the pool was a small, round platform.
"He will participate in the awakening ceremony." Elder Feng's slow yet deep voice drifted out of his lips.
Cheng Wei and Shui Long frowned. Deep creases appeared on their temples as they examined the dirty, malnourished child standing before Elder Feng.
"He looks like a beggar!" Cheng Yi, a sixteen-year-old boy, bellowed. The others had disgusted expressions.
None of them had ever related to those from lower classes, and they didn't plan to start now.
"Keep silent," Elder Cheng scolded his grandson. "Since it's your wish, I see no problem with allowing one… em.. boy to join."
Elder Shui sighed softly, silently agreeing with Elder Cheng.
'Those looks. They think I won't awaken a Talent. Too bad I already know what will happen.'
Xu Kai stood in a corner, eyes burning brightly, ignoring the gazes he received from his peers. The age to awaken a talent started at age 14 and ended at age 17 so he was in the group of the youngest. But it was required for them to be at least 15, the official age to be called a youth.
Shua—!
An unseen force lifted Cheng Yi and gently took him to the platform situated at the center of the shimmering pool. A cerulean beam formed a sphere around Cheng Yi and bright orange, fiery Qi gathered wrapped around him.
The temperature in the hall rose.
"A sky-grade fire-type Talent!" Elder Feng's lips curled upward.
Gasps filled the hall.
"Brother Yi is the best!"
"That is just one grade below the Shui Family's genius, Shui Long Yun!"
Those from the Cheng family were excited while the Shuis snorted.
They completely ignored Xu Kai.