The elders moved quickly, gathering every young member of the Jia family who was between the ages of eight and sixteen. As they brought the children before the ancestral building, the air thickened with anticipation. While some were confused, others fearful and unsure of the reason for this summons, they all understood the significance of this moment.
The sun was high in the sky, casting rays of sunlight across the compound. In the center, the grand ancestral building stood, its towering pillars glowing under the sunlight. The patriarch's figure stood tall in front of the building, a stern and commanding presence, flanked by the elders.
Jia Rui took his place on the left of the patriarch, scanning the gathered crowd, noting the fidgeting of the younger members, their nervous whispers, and the occasional stifled giggle from those who still didn't grasp the seriousness of the situation.
"We will not tolerate delays," the patriarch's voice rang out, calm but commanding. His eyes narrowed as he regarded the children. "You will one by one try to enter the ancestral tomb. Only one of you all will succeed, and the one that does succeed will become the heir to the Jia family," he said as he turned around and entered the hall.
The gathered children were all confused and looked at one another with uncertainty. Some were excited, hoping that they would be the one to enter the ancestral tomb, while others were filled with regret, knowing they were not the one that awakened the bloodline.
Jia Zhenya, hidden amongst the group. felt his heart race as the eyes of every elder locked onto the waning crescent on his forehead; it stood out too much, but he had no idea when it had appeared there; still, he had a slight feeling that it was him that awakened the Jia bloodline.
He had heard stories from his parents that young members of the clan had to undergo a trial between the ages of eight and sixteen, and only someone who could pass this trial could awaken the bloodline and enter the tomb.
Taking a deep breath Jia Zhenya clenched his fingers into fists at his side; he hoped the trial he overcame yesterday was for awakening the bloodline.
One by one, the children stepped forward, each glancing nervously at the towering entrance of the ancestral building. The heavy wooden doors, intricately carved with depictions of the Jia family's history, loomed ahead, a symbol of both pride and burden.
The first child, the oldest among those gathered, stepped forward with confident strides. Yet, as he approached the towering wooden doors of the ancestral hall, the grandeur of the building seemed to dwarf his resolve. Jia Xinyi halted at the entrance, taking a breath while waiting for the patriarch's summons.
"Jia Xinyi, enter."
At the call, Xinyi crossed the threshold, his confidence faltering under the weight of the moment. Despite being the Supreme Elder's grandson, the gravity of standing before the patriarch and the chance to claim the Jia family's greatest inheritance. Made his palms sweaty. No one had succeeded in claiming the true Jia inheritance since the death of Ancestor Jia Qiu.
He approached the patriarch and bowed deeply. "Greetings, Patriarch," he said, nervously.
The patriarch greeted him with a small, approving smile. "No need for such formality, Xinyi. I've seen your diligence and hard work over the years."
The Jia Fu's voice softened as he continued, "When we are alone, you may address me by my name."
Jia Xinyi straightened, surprise flashing in his eyes before he replied, "Thank you, Jia Fu."
The patriarch nodded, his expression composed as he turned on his heel, clasping his hands behind his back. "Come," he said, his tone calm but commanding. "We will determine whether you are the one who awakened the bloodline."
Xinyi followed, his heart pounding with anticipation. Yet behind the patriarch's steps, a different truth lingered. He already knew the outcome. During his earlier remarks, his keen eyes had spotted the mark of the awakened bloodline on a much younger child in the crowd.
But tradition dictated the trial proceed in order of age, and so Jia Fu led the boy deeper into the hall, giving him hope he could not fulfill.
"We have arrived," Jia Fu declared, his voice calm, as he gestured toward a pair of towering, pitch-black double doors that dominated the heart of the ancestral building. Their surface was smooth but imposing, adorned only with faint carvings.
Jia Xinyi's gaze locked onto the doors, his determined expression faltering slightly as he took in the sheer magnitude of the moment. Clenching his fists, he straightened his posture, pushing aside his nerves. "I will not fail," he muttered under his breath, loud enough for Jia Fu to catch.
The patriarch glanced at him, his face inscrutable. "Very well," he said. "Step forward and place your hands on the door. It will open if you have awakened the bloodline."
Jia Xinyi nodded, swallowing his hesitation, and stepped closer. The air grew heavier with each step; placing his hands against the cold surface, he closed his eyes and waited.
For a moment, silence reigned. Then, a faint hum resonated from the doors, like a breath of wind stirring the void. Jia Xinyi's heart leapt, his confidence swelling, only for the sound to fade into nothingness, leaving the room hollow and still.
Jia Fu placed a hand on the boy's shoulder, his touch firm but not unkind. "It's not you," he said softly, his voice carrying a quiet finality. "You have tried, and that is what matters."
Xinyi withdrew his hands, his shoulders slumping under the weight of defeat. Yet, a flicker of doubt lingered in his eyes. He hesitated, then turned back to the patriarch. "Why did the doors react at first? It felt like... something," he asked, his voice tinged with hope and confusion.
Jia Fu exhaled quietly, having anticipated this question. His gaze softened. "That initial reaction happens with all who carry the Jia family bloodline. It is proof of your heritage, but not of the true bloodline. You failed to awaken it," he explained, his tone firm but gentle.
As he absorbed the explanation, his fists clenched momentarily before loosening. Jia Fu continued, a note of encouragement in his voice, "Do not dwell on this. Focus on your strengths, Xinyi. The family values your effort."
The boy nodded, though his gaze was fixed downward, his shoulders still heavy with disappointment. Without another word, he turned and made his way out of the hall, his steps slow and laden with thought.
Emerging from the ancestral building, he approached the next candidate, a girl standing nervously at the front of the line. "Your turn," he said, his voice subdued. "Just keep walking forward. You'll see the patriarch by the doors."