Chapter-two: Talent
The next morning, the air was filled with the smell of damp earth.
Ning chen walked slowly towards the clan's forbidden area. Soon, a group of boys and girls of similar age to Ning chen gathered along the road.
Ning chen carefully observed the group traveling with him and recognized a few familiar faces:
-**Gu Yue Chi shan**, majestic, generous, upright, yet somewhat dull.
- **Gu Yue Mo yan**, with a slim figure but a horse-like face.
- **Gu Yue Qing shu**, with sword-like eyebrows, starry eyes, and a smile that felt like a spring breeze brushing across one's face.
Each of them would one day become the backbone of Gu Yue Village in its resistance against the wolf tide. However, none of them possessed first-class qualifications.
Before long, everyone was pushing and shoving their way toward the clan's forbidden area, the deepest part of Gu Yue Village. A middle-aged man stood waiting for them, his piercing eyes radiated authority, and his tall, upright figure resembled a drawn arrow.
As everyone arrived, he calmly announced: "I am the elder of the school and your future teacher. From today, we are officially acquainted. Come, follow me, and I will lead you to Awakening Grounds."
Without waiting for anyone to respond, he turned and began walking, covering ten steps in an instant.
The group hurried to follow. Gradually, they entered a spacious, rocky passageway that led underground.
Before their eyes could adjust to the sudden darkness, their surroundings were illuminated by an azure fluorescence. It became clear that a vast space lay beneath the layers of rock.
On both sides of the path, the source of the blue glow revealed itself—moon orchids. Their petals emitted a gentle blue light at night, causing the dark underworld beneath the rock walls to shimmer with ethereal beauty.
These flowers were cultivated solely in Gu Yue Village's forbidden area. They were considered a secret treasure of the Gu Yue clan and complemented the clan's village-protecting Gu insect, the **Moonlight Gu**.
As the saying goes, *"Humans are the spirit of all things, but Gu is the essence of heaven and earth."* Gu insects were classified into nine levels, and those who could harness true energy to activate these insects were known as Gu Masters, themselves categorized into nine levels.
The purpose of the Acupoint Opening Ceremony was to create an empty orifice within the body—a vessel capable of housing Gu insects and true energy.
Naturally, these orifices were divided into grades:
- **Grade A**: Capable of carrying 70% to 90% of true energy.
- **Grade B**: Capable of carrying 50% to 70%.
- **Grade C**: Capable of carrying 30% to 50%.
- **Grade D** (and lower): Capable of carrying only 10% to 30%.
Different grades also determined recovery speed, with Grade A being the fastest and Grade D the slowest.
Ning Chen stood quietly in the middle of the group. Far ahead, he could see that the rocky passageway opened up into a platform carved for spectators. Atop the platform sat a congregation of elderly men with silver hair and gray beards.
These were the most powerful figures of the Gu Yue clan.
The clan leader, Gu Yue Bo, stood at the forefront, surrounded by other elders who lived in seclusion. They had all gathered to witness this crucial enlightenment ceremony.
From the platform, Gu Yue Bo stroked his beard as he observed the boys and girls marveling at the breathtaking scenery. A sharp glint flickered in his dark, clouded eyes.
*I wonder if someone with first-class qualifications will emerge this time. A monster was born in the Bai family this year—Bai Ning Bing. I hope our generation can produce exceptional descendants to rival him.*
The group continued to follow the elder from the school. Eventually, they reached the end of the path, which opened into an area with a knee-deep pond. The elder halted and glanced at Gu Yue Bo, who gave a slight nod. Taking this as his cue, the elder turned to address the crowd:
"Listen carefully. I will call out names. Each person named will step into the pond and walk forward as far as possible. When you can go no further, do not overexert yourself. Simply turn around and return the way you came. Gu Yue Yang wei, you're first."
From the crowd, a plain-looking young man stepped forward and entered the water. However, after just four steps, he could no longer continue. Without any visible reaction, the elder shook his head and coldly announced:
"Gu Yue Yang wei lacks qualifications. Next, Gu Yue Jiu shan."
One by one, the boys and girls stepped into the pond. As they entered, a milky-white halo enveloped their lower abdomens—a necessary step for awakening the **Hope Gu**.
When they returned to the group, melancholy tinged their expressions.
Even those with slightly better qualifications, like:
- **Gu Yue Qing shu** (second-class, 70% aptitude),
- **Gu Yue Mo yan** (second-class, 60-70% aptitude),
- **Gu Yue Chi shan** (second-class, 65% aptitude),
remained subdued. Though destined to become the village's future defenders, at this moment, they were just immature boys and girls.
Everyone harbored dreams of heroism—of becoming unparalleled legends. But before being crushed by reality, they had yet to realize that they were far from the geniuses they'd imagined.
Ning chen chuckled quietly, observing the despondent young faces. **To him, qualifications were merely a starting point.**
He knew that while exceptional aptitude was advantageous, it did not determine one's ultimate potential. For someone like him—a thousand-year-old demon—such trivial matters were insignificant.
*Do not rejoice over things, and do not despair over oneself.*
"Next, Gu Yue Ning chen!"
The stern voice of the school elder broke Ning chen's train of thought.
Striding forward, Ning chen entered the pond. A cool sensation rushed up his trouser legs, sending a chill straight to his heart.
Gentle light clusters gathered from all directions, surrounding his lower abdomen. Yet beneath the water's cold surface lay a hidden pressure, designed to block those unqualified for Gu mastery. The Hope Gu reduced this resistance for those it deemed worthy.
Ning chen felt the resistance give way and took steady steps forward.
At twenty steps, the resistance returned, pressing heavily against his feet.
Finally, at thirty steps, Ning chen stopped. Without much thought, he turned back and exited the pond, maintaining a calm, indifferent expression.
"Gu Yue Ning chen: C-level, 50% aptitude. Next," the elder declared flatly.
After Ning chen, no notable aptitudes emerged. On the platform, Gu Yue Bo sighed imperceptibly.
*No Grade A again. Truly, A-level aptitude is rare. Only two B-levels this time, both from the Mo and Chi faction side branches. It seems we must focus on cultivating Gu Yue Qing shu.*
The air of authority around him caused the other families to tremble in awe. In the Gu world, strength reigned supreme, and the clan leader was the strongest among them.
Meanwhile, Ning Chen stood quietly amidst the crowd, unfazed by his result. Like a still, deep pool, his demeanor remained calm and steady.
Throughout the awakening ceremony, he was unremarkable—neither happy nor sad, his expression unreadable.
Unnoticed by the clan leader, the elders, and even his peers, he was the type to be forgotten within days.
But this was exactly what Ning chen intended.
*A gentleman conceals his abilities, waits for the right opportunity, feigns dullness before others, yet sharpens himself in private.*
Ning chen wasn't a gentleman, but the principle applied.
Revealing his abilities too soon would only invite unnecessary attention and chaos. Instead, he chose to bide his time, focusing on cultivating his strength in peace. When the moment was right, he would ascend like a soaring dragon.