By noon, the Fang Clan's martial arts square was packed with people.
The sun was scorching, but the atmosphere in the square was freezing cold.
Hundreds of disciples stood in neat rows, not daring to breathe loudly. At the front of the square, on a raised jade platform, sat the Clan Elders.
In the center sat Clan Leader Fang Zhen. His face was terrifyingly dark, his hands gripping the armrests of his stone chair so hard that cracks were appearing on the rock.
"Damn it," Fang Zhen cursed under his breath, his eyes bloodshot. "The Blood Spirit Grass is gone. That useless guard... dying is too easy for him!"
News had spread early this morning. A patrol guard had apparently tried to steal the precious herb, only to be gored to death by the Iron-Hide Boar. In the chaos, the herb was trampled and eaten by the beast.
Or at least, that was what the crime scene suggested.
Standing in the back row among the branch disciples, Fang Ze lowered his head, hiding a faint, mocking smile.
Angry? Good.
He knew exactly what Fang Zhen was thinking. That herb was meant for Fang Zhen's son, Fang Hao, to guarantee an S-Grade awakening. Now that hope was gone.
"Silence!"
An Elder stepped forward, his voice amplified by Qi, echoing like thunder.
"Today is the annual Awakening Ceremony. It determines your future. Grade-C and above will become Inner Disciples. Grade-B will be groomed as Elites. Below Grade-C... you will remain servants or be sent to manage the worldly businesses."
"Start!"
A massive, transparent crystal pillar was pushed to the center of the stage. This was the Spirit Testing Stone.
"First one, Fang Li!"
A nervous teenager walked up and placed his hand on the stone.
Buzz.
The stone glowed with a faint yellow light. Two stars appeared inside.
"Yellow Light. Two Stars. Grade-D Aptitude. Cultivation: Tier-1 Body Refining." The Elder announced coldly. "Failed. Next."
The teenager collapsed to his knees, weeping, but was quickly dragged away by guards.
Fang Ze watched indifferently. Cruel? No, this is just efficiency. The clan doesn't feed waste.
"Next, Fang Wei!"
The crowd stirred.
Fang Wei, the burly cousin who had bullied Fang Ze yesterday, walked out with his chest puffed out. He shot a glance at the corner where Fang Ze stood and sneered, mouthing the word: Watch.
Fang Wei placed his hand on the stone. He roared, injecting all his Qi.
Hummmm!
The stone vibrated. A bright, dazzling green light erupted, filling the stage. Four stars coalesced rapidly.
"Green Light! Four Stars!"
The Elder's frozen face finally melted into a smile. "Grade-B Aptitude! Cultivation: Tier-3 Body Refining! Excellent!"
"Grade-B!" "He actually reached Grade-B!" "As expected of the Branch Family's top talent!"
The crowd erupted in envy. Even the furious Clan Leader Fang Zhen nodded slightly in approval.
Fang Wei bathed in the applause, his face flushed with arrogance. He walked down the stage, deliberately passing by Fang Ze.
"Did you see that, trash?" Fang Wei whispered, his voice dripping with superiority. "I am now an Elite. One word from me, and I can have you crippled and thrown into the mountains to feed the wolves."
Fang Ze looked up. His eyes were dull, his posture hunched.
"C-Congratulations, Cousin Wei," Fang Ze stuttered, shrinking back in fear.
"Hmph. Pathetic wretch." Fang Wei laughed and walked away to join the other successful disciples.
The testing continued.
Most were Grade-D or C. A few lucky ones got Low Grade-B.
Finally.
"Next... Fang Ze!"
The name was called out.
The square went quiet for a second, then erupted into snickers.
"Fang Ze? That servant?" "Why is he even testing? Isn't he a known Grade-F trash from birth?" "Maybe he wants to humiliate himself one last time before being kicked out."
Ignoring the ridicule piercing his ears from all sides, Fang Ze stepped out of the shadows.
He walked slowly towards the jade platform. His steps were heavy, seemingly from fear.
But inside his sleeves, his fists were relaxed.
He looked at the towering Spirit Testing Stone, then at the high-and-mighty Clan Leader who was looking at him with impatience and disgust.
Laugh, Fang Ze thought calmly. Laugh while you can.
He reached out his hand—the hand that had snapped a throat just last night—and gently pressed it against the cold surface of the crystal.