"Dad, mother, I'll make sure our Cheng family isn't left behind!" Cheng Yi cupped his hands and bowed.
"Good!" Cheng Wei, his grandfather, nodded, his eyes twinkling with a pleased light.
Cheng Yi left the platform with a proud smile, crossed his arms, and watched others awaken. All of them kept awakening mortal-grade talents, causing his ego to rise.
Like this, all the Cheng younger generation did theirs without another sky grade talent. Talents higher than the lowest one, which was the mortal-grade talent, were hard to awaken so while the older generation was disappointed, they expected it.
Following them were the Shuis. The awakening was unremarkable until the young, blooming flower standing beside Shui Ling floated to the platform.
Everyone's eyes lit up, Xu Kai included. 'It's Shui Mei Er!' he gasped inwardly. Her refined aura, glowing white skin, flowing black hair, and graceful figure struck a chord in his young heart.
She was the Emerald Isle's famous flower. In his past life, he fell in love with her just after hearing rumors of her beauty on the streets.
However, as fate would have it, although a late bloomer, she eventually awakened a high grade talent and became a genius like her elder brother, who awakened without an external push.
They were worlds apart.
As his thoughts flowed, the sphere glowed brightly and shattered. Water droplets defied gravity as they flew out of the water, moving around Shui Mei Er!
Seeing the cerulean liquid in her palm, the elders except Feng Shaofang stood up.
"A water type, desolate grade talent!" A man announced vigorously.
Cheng Yi's eyes widened.
"A desolate-grade talent! Wow! The Shui family is extremely favored. Shui Long Yan naturally awakened a desolate-grade talent, and now Shui Mei Er has also awakened!" The man cupped his hands toward Elder Shui.
He couldn't be bothered by Cheng Wei since, with two desolate-grade talents, they were sure to gain two entry spots to the mainland, meaning the Shui family would be the superior family until the Cheng family could produce a greater or equal talent.
Even the esteemed guest was bound to be shocked by the existence of two desolate-grade talents!
Emerald Island had only recorded three Desolate Grade Talents, but after centuries, two came at once!
Shui Ling cuddled her precious daughter. "Grandmother, am I still..." Knowing where Shui Mei was heading, Elder Shui turned to Elder Cheng.
"The betrothal has been canceled. We shall do it officially after the ceremony." How could she waste a genius that could elevate the family by giving her for marriage to the Cheng family, who are experiencing a decline in producing geniuses?
Despite her old age, Shui Ling longed to see the mainland. If her grandkids are able to take the household over there, she might find a way to extend her life.
"You crooked woman. You dare disgrace the Cheng family!" Cheng Wei bellowed, his voice threatening to pull the building away from its foundation!
Shui Ling snorted.
Cheng Yi felt his world collapse. Shui Mei Er was his! He knew she wasn't against the marriage from the beginning because she had no say. But it's different now.
'Desolate grade talent... the same as before. What does possessing such talent feel like?' A brilliant glow passed through Xu Kai's eyes.
However, following Shui Mei Er's awakening, no other Shui displayed a talent significant enough to cause a stir. It was the same mortal-grade talent.
Finally, it was time for the last individual: Xu Kai.
He exhaled heavily and remained calm as an unseen force led him to the platform. The moment he entered the sphere, it felt as if he stood under a drizzle.
Although no water droplet touched his skin, the strange phenomenon affected his psyche.
In the next moment, he entered a trance-like state. His consciousness moved through different fast-paced scenes until he found himself in darkness.
No sky, no earth; it was just nothingness.
Creases formed on Xu Kai's temples. 'This wasn't what I saw? Where's the sea of fire?'
During his time in the past, Xu Kai eventually discovered that every martial arts practitioner saw a domain of the element they would awaken before they awakened.
Some were flashes of mysterious beasts, while most were clear. In the past, Shui Mei Er said that she found herself cultivating inside a water sphere with a beautiful ocean below her.
The ocean bends to her will, allowing her to control and see everything!
What Xu Kai faced wasn't the element of darkness, but nothingness. He was in the void!
"He didn't awaken." Shui Mei Er spoke softly, but her soft voice permeated Xu Kai's heart.
His eyes trembled.
"Look at his eyes. Don't cry; it was your fate all along. Learn to accept your position!" Cheng Yi unleashed his pent-up anger on a supposed 14 year-old boy from the slums.
Hearing mockery from his left, right, front, and back, Xu Kai staggered backwards, his scrawny frame trembling.
He suddenly felt like he stood in a dark corner, watching the bright world from afar. 'H… How is this possible?!'
His eyes became watery. All his dreams fell like shattered glass right before his eyes.
"Have you seen it?" Cheng Wei scowled and waved a hand.
A gust of wind slammed Xu Kai out of the sphere. The door opened, and Elder Cheng pointed toward the exit.
"Get lost!"
Xu Kai pushed himself to his feet. A teardrop fell from his right eye. At that moment, he harbored a deep hatred for this wretched second chance. It was tenfold worse than his first life!
"With his stench, we've already soiled the floorboards and our air!" Cheng Yi sneered, watching Xu Kai's despair with contempt.
When Xu Kai reached the door, he halted. For the first time, he felt he had disappointed someone other than himself—the old man.
Last time, he might have stunned everyone with his mortal-grade talent and made the old man proud, but now other Elders would mock him.
Slowly, he turned his head, and his eyes reflected the image of the old man calmly seated.