LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 4: Ascension Gathering
The bright rays of the morning sun climbed steadily into the sky, casting golden hues across the land. At the heart of Yuan dai Mountain, a grand pavilion stood tall—a majestic six-story structure that radiated both authority and beauty. Its intricate designs featured carved wooden panels, depicting dragons coiled amidst clouds, and its curved roofs rose with elegant, upturned eaves that seemed to reach for the heavens.
Gathered beneath its imposing shadow were a hundred youths, all fifteen years of age, their faces a mix of nervous anticipation and quiet determination. Today marked the Awakening Ceremony, a sacred tradition that would unveil their potential and set the course of their fates
"Very good, you all came," the elder of the schoolhouse announced, his voice echoing through the chamber. "Today is the most important day of your life. Without any further explanation, follow me."
The elder turned and began to lead the group of descendants, his robe flowing behind him with an air of authority. The descendants followed in silence, their hearts pounding with anticipation. They ventured deeper into the schoolhouse, eventually descending into an underground cave.
As they entered the cave, they marveled at the sight of stalactites hanging from the ceiling like ancient fangs, their crystalline surfaces shimmering in the dim light. The air was cool and damp, carrying with it the scent of earth and mystery.
The group paused at the entrance, their eyes widening in confusion and awe. Before them lay a cavern filled with orbs of lightning, each one glowing with a different color. The orbs crackled with energy, casting an eerie yet mesmerizing glow on the cave walls.
As they waded through the river's calm waters, the darkness of the cave began to recede, replaced by an ethereal luminescence. The riverbanks, lined with ancient, gnarled trees, seemed to whisper secrets to the water. Delicate, iridescent flowers bloomed on the river's edge, casting a kaleidoscope of colors across the waves.
The air was filled with the sweet, heady scent of blooming flowers and the gentle lapping of the water against the shore. Schools of rainbow-tailed fish darted through the crystal clear waters, their scales shimmering like diamonds in the soft, blue-green light.
On the river's opposite bank, a mesmerizing spectacle unfolded: a sea of Wind Dancer flowers, their delicate, silken petals shimmering like wisps of cloud. The flowers' slender stems swayed gently in the breeze, as if performing a choreographed dance. At the center of each blossom, a cluster of golden, wind-chime-like stamens vibrated softly, emitting a soothing, melodic hum.
In the darkness, the Wind Dancer flowers' collective movement created a hypnotic display, evoking the image of a vast, whispering orchestra, with the flowers' gentle swaying and soft humming blending in perfect harmony.
The Wind Dancer flowers were a vital source of sustenance for numerous larvae, and Xu Wuyan knew that this vast expanse of flowers was, in fact, his clan's most extensive cultivation medium.
"So beautiful."
"It's really pretty."
The various youths had shining eyes as they gazed on in a mixture of excitement and anxiety.
The elder's voice rang out, "Next, listen carefully as I call out your names. Those who are called will cross the river to the opposite bank. Venture as far in as you can, but do not exceed your limits. Naturally, the farther you go, the better."
"Understood," the youths replied in unison.
In reality, they had all been briefed by their families or seniors about this trial. They knew that the distance one could walk into the Wind Dancer flowers was a reflection of their innate talent. The farther they could go, the greater their future accomplishments would be
"Forest Wind Kai Rong," the elder announced, reading the next name from the list. Kai Rong waded through the river, the water reaching only up to his knees. His face set in determination, he stepped ashore into the sea of flowers.
As soon as he entered the river, he felt an invisible pressure. A golden chain, invisible to the naked eye, restrained him, its gentle tug a constant reminder of the limitations of his power. Struggling to move forward, the flowers beneath his feet suddenly emitted a cluster of thin, white lights. The lights enveloped Kai Rong, then merged into his body. The pressure eased somewhat, and the invisible wall ahead seemed to soften.
Gritting his teeth, Kai Rong pressed on, his movements stiff and forceful. He managed three more steps before the pressure intensified, becoming an impenetrable wall that barred his progress. The golden chain seemed to tighten, holding him firmly in place. The elder sighed, recording the result on the spot.
"Forest Wind Kai Rong, 3 steps. Not qualified to become a Larvae Master. Next up is Forest Wind Ling Xiao."
Kai Rong's face had lost all its color as he trudged back across the river, his jaw clenched in disappointment. The crushing verdict echoed in his mind: without innate talent, he was doomed to live a mundane life, relegated to the lowest rungs of his family.
The weight of his shattered dreams threatened to overwhelm him. Onlookers cast him disdainful glances, their attention already shifting to the next aspirant. Unfortunately, this young hopeful fared no better, struggling to take more than four steps.
Cultivation was not a guarantee, and the harsh reality was that many were not born with the necessary aptitude. On average, only half of the population possessed the latent potential required. The Forest Wind Clan, however, boasted a slightly higher ratio, with six out of ten members showing promise.
Elder Tian's voice echoed through the air, "Next, Forest Wind Fang Wei, present yourself!"
A towering figure emerged from the crowd. Fang Wei's darkish blue hair stood out among the other disciples, and his broad shoulders and imposing physique commanded attention. He walked forward with purpose, his long strides eating up the distance.
The onlookers held their collective breath as Fang Wei reached the 10-step mark, then the 20-step mark, and continued onward. The air was electric with anticipation.
30 steps... 40 steps... 45 steps... 48 steps!
The crowd erupted into a mixture of gasps and murmurs. Fang Wei had stopped at 48 steps, a clear indication of his latent talent.
Elder Tian's eyes narrowed as he assessed Fang Wei's performance. "A B-grade latent talent," he announced finally. "Not exceptional, but certainly noteworthy. Fang Wei, you have potential. Do not waste it."
A person who walked 20-25 steps was a D-grade. A person who walked 25-36 steps was a C-grade. A person who walked 36-50 steps was a B-grade. A person who walked 50-66 steps was an A-grade. Fang Wei walked 48 steps, which meant he was a B-grade.
Elder Tian's voice echoed through the air, calling out name after name. Xu Wuyan was lost in thought, waiting calmly for his turn. Finally, he heard the words he had been waiting for: "Forest Wind Xu Wuyan."
[Linfeng means forest wind]