In the center of the vast sacred hall stood an imposing middle-aged man. His square face, thick and heavy eyebrows, and the oppressive aura he radiated were enough to impose a respectful silence throughout the room. He seemed carved from stone, his icy gaze sweeping the crowd without revealing the slightest emotion.
This man was Jun Liang, the elder brother of Jun Tian. Within the Jun clan, Jun Liang held an important position as head of the Hall of Punishment and Discipline. He was known for his righteousness, but also for his relentless severity. Rumor had it that not a single criminal or undisciplined servant had escaped his justice since he took office. Even the clan's children had learned to avoid his gaze, so chilling was his mere presence.
Beside him stood a boy the same age as Jun Xiao, dressed in a blue tunic embroidered with gold. His face was delicate, but his eyes betrayed a silent arrogance. This was Jun Wei, Jun Liang's second son, who was also there for the innate potential awakening ceremony.
As Jun Tian and Su Mei approached, Jun Tian bowed slightly as a sign of respect:
"Big brother."
Jun Xiao followed his father and bowed as well:
"Uncle."
Jun Liang briefly cast his stern gaze upon Jun Xiao. His furrowed brows relaxed only slightly, and he simply nodded, as if the greeting didn't deserve more attention.
"You're here."
That was all he said before turning his gaze away.
Jun Xiao remembered that since his birth in this world, he had never seen his uncle smile. The man always seemed wrapped in a cold and distant aura, as if human emotions had never had a place in his heart. But Jun Xiao knew this wasn't just due to his temperament. Power ruled this world, and only the strong could afford to smile.
Jun Tian, accustomed to his elder brother's taciturn nature, didn't take offense at the cold welcome and stood aside without a word.
A few moments later, a warm laugh echoed from the hall's entrance. All eyes turned toward the outside as a group of people slowly entered.
At the head of the group walked an old man with a straight back, dressed in a long robe embroidered with golden clouds. Despite his white hair and the wrinkles marking his face, he exuded an impressive vitality. His sharp and piercing gaze swept the hall, and each of his steps seemed to fill the air with an invisible pressure.
This man was none other than Jun Ji, the patriarch of the Jun clan. For forty years, he had led the family with an iron hand, and it was thanks to him that the Jun clan had become one of the most respected clans in Fenyan City.
"The Clan Lord!"
Upon his arrival, all the clan members present bowed deeply.
Jun Tian, Su Mei, and Jun Liang immediately stepped forward.
"Father!"
Jun Xiao and Jun Wei also stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
"Grandfather!"
Jun Ji slowly nodded, a benevolent smile resting on his lips.
"No need for formalities. I've only come to observe… This year is special, after all."
Ordinarily, the patriarch never attended the awakening ceremony. However, the presence of Jun Wei and Jun Xiao, two direct descendants of the main bloodline, had been enough to prompt him to interrupt his secluded meditation.
After greeting the crowd, Jun Ji stepped toward the front of the hall, where an old man in a gray robe was already waiting. His face was marked by age, but his eyes shone with quiet wisdom.
This was Chen Ying, the head steward of the Jun clan. He had served the family for decades, once having been a disciple of Jun Ji long before the clan rose to its current prominence. Loyal and discreet, he was one of the silent pillars of the clan, respected by all despite his modest position.
Jun Ji glanced around at the crowd before smiling.
"Since everyone is here, let's begin."
"Yes, Clan Lord."
Chen Ying bowed deeply, then stepped forward to the center of the hall.
All conversations ceased immediately. A solemn silence settled in, broken only by the crackling of the torches fixed to the walls.
Chen Ying slowly raised his hands, and a silver light burst from his palms. An invisible pressure spread throughout the hall, as if the very air had thickened.
Jun Xiao felt his heart quicken. So this is the power of a cultivator in the Qi Condensation Realm. His father had already spoken to him about the different power levels within the family. The strongest among them were in the Qi Condensation Realm, a realm just above Body Refining.
With Chen Ying channeling his qi, a glowing hexagonal pattern suddenly lit up at the center of the hall, forming a beam of light.
So this is how they awaken innate potential…
He had read hundreds of stories about similar ceremonies, but witnessing it with his own eyes was something else entirely.
Chen Ying slowly rotated his palms, and the silver light gradually expanded, enveloping the entire hall in a faint mist.
"Jun Wei, you first," Jun Ji said, looking at him.
"Yes, Grandfather," Jun Wei replied and stepped into the hexagonal beam of light.
As the beam descended onto Jun Wei, everyone in the hall focused on him, now standing within the glowing pattern. Jun Liang's usually expressionless face revealed a faint trace of tension as he watched his son.
The beam of light wrapped around Jun Wei briefly before a brilliant blue light took over, enveloping him. Then, a rain of gray stars appeared behind him, shining brightly in the room. The stars danced around Jun Wei, a dazzling display like a night sky bursting into bloom.
Everyone was stunned.
Jun Ji watched the scene in awe, his eyes gleaming with immense joy as he let out a hearty laugh.
"Those are five stars! A level five innate talent—this is exceptional!" Steward Chief Chen Ying exclaimed, his voice trembling.
The number of stars manifested during the ceremony was a sign of the level of innate talent each individual possessed. Jun Wei had revealed five stars, which, according to the Jun family's records, placed him in the category of a mid-level genius across the entire Tongli County.
A level five innate talent was rare—not just in Fenyan City, but throughout the county.
Jun Liang stared at the five stars materializing behind his son. His fists were clenched, barely able to contain the excitement swelling within him. Despite his efforts to remain composed, his body trembled slightly.
Jun Ji's laughter echoed through the hall for some time. He hadn't expected that his impromptu visit would bring him such a delightful surprise!
"Good, good, good!" Jun Ji repeated the word three times, smiling broadly. Taking a deep breath, he gathered himself, trying to suppress the excitement in his heart.
His eyes were filled with joy as he gazed lovingly at this grandson who possessed a five-star innate talent. He believed that, with the support and cultivation resources of the Jun clan's manor, Jun Wei's achievements would surely surpass his own, perhaps even reaching a realm he had only dreamed of his entire life.
At that moment, Jun Tian stepped forward to congratulate Jun Liang.
"Congratulations, Big Brother."
Jun Liang looked at Jun Tian's sincere expression, then patted his shoulder and said,
"Thank you, Second Brother. Let's wait a little longer—Xiao hasn't revealed his innate talent yet. There's still a chance he might have a tenth-level innate talent."
However, those who heard this understood it was little more than polite consolation. After all, five-star talents were already rare.
In the great hall, the elders of the Jun clan manor and some stewards were busy offering congratulations to Jun Liang.
"Wei'er, come here," Jun Ji said with a laugh from the center of the hall.
"Yes, Grandfather," Jun Wei replied. On his way to Jun Ji's side, he passed by Jun Xiao, and his eyes swept over him casually, carrying a clear sense of smugness and arrogance. This small exchange went unnoticed by the others—but not by Jun Xiao.
A five-star innate talent, Jun Xiao thought calmly.
Although Jun Wei was his cousin, they were not close. Two years ago, Jun Wei and several other children of the elders had bullied his sister Jun Ling, and by chance, Jun Xiao had walked in on the scene. The consequences needed no further explanation—Jun Wei and the others had received a severe beating. Since that day, Jun Wei had held a grudge.
Jun Wei approached and stood in front of his grandfather. Jun Ji reached out to rub his head, smiling warmly and full of affection. Laughing, he turned to Jun Liang and said,
"Jun Liang, you've done well in raising such an excellent grandson!"
Jun Liang felt slightly embarrassed hearing his father's praise.
"Father, don't you think we should continue with the awakening ceremony first?"
Jun Ji nodded in agreement. Now wasn't the time to dwell on this matter. Smiling kindly, he said.
"Alright, let's continue with the awakening ceremony."
After Jun Wei, it was Jun Xiao's turn. As Jun Ji spoke, the elders, stewards, and disciples all turned their eyes to Jun Xiao. Jun Wei, one of Jun Ji's grandsons, had revealed a five-star talent. But what about Jun Xiao?
As the assembled members of the clan looked on, Jun Xiao calmly stepped into the hexagonal beam of light.
Jun Tian and Su Mei couldn't help but grasp each other's hands nervously, their hearts racing as they watched their son enter the glowing array.
Jun Xiao didn't remain long in the light-filled zone. Just like Jun Wei, a glow began to appear around his body.
The light surrounding Jun Xiao flickered for a moment before briefly intensifying. All eyes were on him, everyone holding their breath in anticipation of the result. Finally, a faint white glow stabilized around his body, and behind him, three gray stars appeared, shimmering weakly in the air.
A heavy silence fell upon the great hall.
One star.
A one-star innate talent.