After Fang Lin's display, the spirits of the youths noticeably lifted.
They began to think—perhaps it wasn't so bad? Maybe they too could achieve a high grade? After all, the first participant had managed to secure a B grade. Fang Lin wasn't even considered particularly remarkable in the village, especially compared to his eldest brother. Their hopes were not entirely unreasonable.
However, the mood shifted abruptly when the next participant was called forward. After just three steps, they came to an abrupt halt. It was as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over the hopeful crowd.
"No talent to become a Gu Master! Next!" the elder declared.
"No talent... Next!"
"No talent... Next!"
One after another, children were dismissed, their faces turning pale with disappointment.
The academy elder merely shook his head, unsurprised. Not everyone possessed the innate talent to become a Gu Master. Statistically, it was expected that only five out of ten would have the necessary aptitude. However, within the Gu Yue Clan, this ratio was slightly higher—closer to six in ten—thanks to the lineage they shared with their powerful ancestor.
Before long, another name was called.
"Gu Yue Mo Bei!"
"Here!" A sturdy youth clad in simple linen robes stepped forward. He exuded a quiet confidence, his tall frame setting him apart from his peers. With steady steps, he crossed the river.
Ten steps. Twenty. Thirty. One by one, small lights flowed into his body. He pushed forward until, finally, at thirty-six steps, he could go no further.
"Good! Gu Yue Mo Bei, B-grade talent!" the elder announced, satisfied.
Expressions of approval spread among the observing elders. One in particular let out a hearty laugh—Gu Yue Mo Bei's grandfather, Gu Yue Mo Chen. He cast a smug glance at his old rival.
"What do you think? My grandson isn't bad, huh, Gu Yue Chi Lian?" he taunted.
Gu Yue Chi Lian merely snorted in response, but his darkened expression spoke volumes.
An hour passed. By then, half of the youths had completed their test. Many had received C or D grades, while nearly half had been found to have no talent at all. Fortunately for Gu Yue Chi Lian, his grandson had also managed to reach thirty-six steps, securing a B-grade talent just like Gu Yue Mo Bei.
But then, the atmosphere shifted.
Another name was called.
"Gu Yue Fang Yuan!"
A hush fell over the cave. All eyes turned toward the boy stepping forward.
Everyone knew—if anyone had the potential to achieve an A-grade talent, it was him.
Even the clan head and the elders were watching closely.
Fang Yuan walked with an air of indifference, unfazed by the attention.
One step.
Ten steps.
Twenty.
Twenty-seven.
And then—
He stopped.
The academy elder hesitated, waiting for him to continue. But Fang Yuan remained still.
"You can't go any further?" the elder called across the river, a note of disbelief in his voice.
Without a word, Fang Yuan turned around and walked back. His actions spoke for themselves.
The crowd erupted in whispers.
"What? Fang Yuan only walked twenty-seven steps?"
"So he's just a C-grade talent?!"
"Even his brother got a B-grade. Wasn't he supposed to be an A-grade genius?"
"Unbelievable. A mere C-grade for someone like him?"
Fang Lin observed expressionlessly. 'So my so-called genius eldest brother is only a C-grade talent. Fate truly is unpredictable.'
He heard the murmurs, the skepticism, the scorn towards his brother – but he felt nothing. He had no interest in concepts like kinship. Blood ties meant little to him. Whether it was Fang Yuan or Fang Zheng, they were simply people he would leave behind on his path.
A small place like the Gu Yue Clan could never hold him. Growing up to be a mere clan elder? That was far beneath his aspirations.
Fang Lin's gaze shifted to Fang Zheng. His younger brother looked stunned, disbelief evident in his expression. The seemingly insurmountable figure of their eldest brother had just been brought down to earth.
Meanwhile, in the shadows, the elders exchanged glances. Some frowned, some whispered amongst themselves, while others sighed.
"Could the results be wrong?"
"Impossible. This method is infallible. Besides, we watched the entire process—cheating isn't an option."
"But what about his intelligence and previous achievements? How do you explain those?"
"It's true that those with high-quality primeval seas often display exceptional intelligence, perception, memory, strength, and agility. But these traits alone don't determine primeval talent. The results are absolute."
"Sigh... The higher the expectations, the greater the disappointment."
Yet Fang Yuan himself remained unchanged, walking with the same emotionless composure. As he neared the crowd, Fang Lin silently observed.
'Still able to keep his composure...'
'I suppose he really is the same Fang Yuan I know. Once hailed as a phoenix destined for greatness, only to be revealed as a mere ant. An event like this would be able to destroy the spirits of most, scarring them for life...'
Fang Lin found himself impressed.
Then—
Another name was called.
"Gu Yue Fang Zheng!"
Fang Zheng remained frozen in place, still lost in thought.
Fang Lin's eyes flickered with curiosity. 'Perhaps my second brother will give me a surprise. Nothing in this world is set in stone.'
After witnessing Fang Yuan's result, he realized that assumptions could just as easily be shattered. Anything was possible.
"Gu Yue Fang Zheng!" the elder called again, his voice echoing through the cave.
"Ah? I'm here, I'm here!" Fang Zheng snapped out of his daze and rushed forward, scrambling to take his turn.
As he walked out to the river, he passed Fang Yuan. He couldn't help but glance at him, seeing his expression of indifference.
"How can big brother be so calm? To only be C grade and be ridiculed by everyone... if it were me..."
He mumbled inwardly, lowering his head. He knew if it were him he would feel as if his world had collapse. To fail the expectations of others was a painful feeling for him. He found himself clouded in thoughts like these, envisioning scenarios where he wouldn't be able to keep the same composure.
He walked forward absent-mindedly. Yet he did not know that he was playing out a miraculous scene. When he finally snapped out of his reverie, he was already deep in the crystal blue river, standing in a distance that no one else had reached.
43 steps!
"This– A grade talent!" The elder was in shock.
"It's really A grade?!"
Voices of shock and amazement resounded.
Meanwhile, Fang Lin had a faint smile, a mysterious glint in his eyes as he watched the entire scene play out behind a crowd.
It was as he had thought.
Today was simply filled with surprises...