Without realizing it, the class is almost over. Some students sit pale and shaken, their faces etched with despair after absorbing the cruel reality of their world. The academy elder's voice booms through the room like a thunderclap, cutting through the suffocating silence.
"Forget about discouragement! If you work hard, heaven will bestow its blessings upon you—so work harder than ever before!" he shouts, his tone desperate yet commanding. Pausing for effect, he continues, "This week, I have taught you all how to contemplate and check your own aperture's primeval sea, and how to meditate and shift around the primeval essence inside your body. Now is the time for you all to refine your vital Gu. After this class ends, you will go to the academy's Gu room and pick a Gu worm. Once you've chosen your Gu, return home and focus on refining it. When you have successfully refined your Gu, come back to the academy to continue attending classes. At the same time, this is your first assessment. Whoever completes this task first will be rewarded with a generous sum of twenty primeval stones."
Beside the academy lies the Gu room—a modest chamber brimming with potential. As soon as the class concludes, the teenagers rush toward the Gu room with unbridled excitement, their footsteps echoing down the halls like a stampede. Everyone is eager—everyone except Fang Yuan. His face remains ashen, his eyes hollow, but he forces himself to appear cheerful for Gu Xianer's sake. She walks beside him, her small hand gripping his tightly, her expression clouded with worry for him.
By the time most of the students have left the classroom, only Fang Yuan, Fang Zheng, and Gu Xianer remain. Fang Yuan starts walking with Gu Xianer at his side, her grip unwavering. As they approach the Gu room, Fang Zheng steps forward, his lips curling into a gentle, practiced smile.
"Brother," he says softly, his voice dripping with feigned concern, "don't be sad or discouraged."
Gu Xianer squeezes Fang Yuan's hand even tighter, her voice rising with fierce determination. "Yes, Brother! Forget what the academy elder said. We'll work hard together—you'll see!"
Fang Yuan offers a smile, but it's ghostly—a fragile facade masking the storm raging inside him. "How can I be discouraged when I have you?" he murmurs, his voice barely audible. "Having someone like you by my side makes me special enough to persevere."
Fang Zheng's grin widens, his thoughts ablaze with malicious glee." There are many ways to exact revenge, and one of the most satisfying is giving false hope only to crush it later. Ha ha ha."
He speaks aloud, his tone smooth and reassuring. "Look at you, Brother. You've awakened your aperture despite having no talent. That alone proves you're different."
Gu Xianer nods vigorously, her eyes shining with conviction. "Yes, Brother! We'll show everyone that you're the best!"
Fang Yuan gives another forced smile, his heart heavy with the weight of their misplaced faith. "I have a little sister like you. How could I not be special?"
Their conversation comes to an abrupt halt as they reach the entrance to the Gu room. Teenagers chatter animatedly outside, their voices buzzing with anticipation. Suddenly, a guard barks out, "Form a line! Enter one by one!" The youths fall silent, forming an orderly queue as they wait to step inside.
In the line, Fang Zheng stands ahead of Gu Xianer, while Fang Yuan trails behind her. The air grows tense as each student enters the Gu room, emerging moments later clutching their chosen Gu worms. While waiting, Fang Yuan turns to Fang Zheng, his voice low and measured.
"Have you decided what kind of Gu worm you're going to choose?" he asks.
Fang Zheng smirks confidently. "An offensive-type Gu worm, of course. What about you?"
Fang Yuan hesitates for a moment before responding, his voice calm but laced with resignation. "I'm thinking of choosing a movement-type Gu worm. My plan is to avoid battles whenever possible. If danger arises, I'll grab Gu Xianer and flee. What do you think of your brother's strategy, Xianer?"
Gu Xianer chimes in eagerly, her voice brimming with approval. "That's a great plan, Brother! And remember, I'll take a healing-type Gu worm so I can heal you if you get injured. It's perfect!"
Finally, it's Fang Zheng's turn. He steps into the Gu room, his heart pounding with anticipation. He knows exactly what he's looking for—a Gu worm that will amplify his strength. Moments later, he emerges, a satisfied smirk playing on his lips.
Next is Gu Xianer's turn. She hesitates, then insists, "Brother, come with me. You'll help me choose a good healing Gu worm."
The guards frown, their patience wearing thin, but before they can intervene, the academy elder steps in. "Let her go with her brother," he says firmly, his mind racing with thoughts. "Gu Xianer is truly talented, but the problem is that she's heavily dependent on Fang Yuan. I need to somehow make her gravitate toward Fang Zheng instead—he's just as talented as she is. In this way, they'll be able to compete with each other. And it's truly tragic that Fang Yuan has no talent. Sooner or later, they're destined to separate—their difference in status will become as vast as heaven and earth."