The gap between Jun Xiao and Jun Wei was vast. While the latter had manifested five stars, Jun Xiao had revealed only one—a result that was mediocre at best. In a clan like the Jun, where only the strong were worthy of respect, a third-level innate talent was already seen as average. A one-star result bordered on disgrace.
Murmurs began to spread throughout the hall.
"Only one star…"
"That's really weak compared to Jun Wei…"
« How can a direct descendant of the patriarch have such limited potential?"
Some of the clan elders shook their heads in silence, while a few younger disciples exchanged mocking glances. No one dared speak too openly, but their expressions said more than enough.
Jun Ji, the patriarch—whose radiant smile had only moments ago lit up the hall—remained silent. His gaze fell upon the lone star flickering faintly behind Jun Xiao, and he let out a barely audible sigh. He said nothing, but much of the warmth he had shown Jun Wei was gone from his expression.
Jun Liang, still standing beside the patriarch, cast a quick glance at his younger brother, Jun Tian. Unlike him, Jun Tian did not conceal his reaction. His fists were clenched, his eyes clouded. Beside him, Su Mei had gone pale, her hand trembling as she held her husband's. Their eldest son… with a one-star innate talent.
Jun Wei, standing nearby, allowed a faint smirk to curl his lips. He said nothing, but the smug glint in his eyes said it all. He looked at Jun Xiao with an expression that hovered between disdain and amusement, as if staring at an insignificant insect.
Jun Xiao stood still in the center of the glowing formation. He had seen the disappointment in his grandfather's eyes, the embarrassment in his father's, the mockery in his cousin's, and the silent scorn of the clan. He could have felt shame, despair, or even a sense of injustice—but he did not.
He would not bend.
Slowly, he clenched his fists. His gaze, far from defeated, shone with unwavering determination. Regardless of his innate talent, regardless of the whispers around him, he made a silent vow to himself: he would climb the peaks of cultivation and surpass even those who looked down on him today.
Innate talent was important—but it did not define a man's greatness. He had read enough stories to know that true strength came from will, effort, and perseverance. And that, no one could take from him.
Chen Ying, the steward chief, was the first to break the heavy silence. He lowered his head slightly and declared in a neutral tone:
"Jun Xiao, one-star innate talent."
His voice echoed through the hall like the final blow of a hammer, officially sealing Jun Xiao's fate in the eyes of all present.
Patriarch Jun Ji slowly nodded and turned toward Jun Tian and Su Mei.
"That is unfortunate." His tone was calm, but the warmth he had shown Jun Liang earlier was absent. "Still, innate talent isn't everything. There is a long road ahead."
They were words of consolation—but they rang hollow. Everyone knew that in this world, those born with poor talent were doomed to live in the shadows of true geniuses.
Jun Tian bowed his head slightly in respect. "Yes, Father."
Jun Liang, who had remained expressionless until now, cast a glance at Jun Xiao before turning his eyes away, as if the boy no longer held any interest for him. He said nothing. For a man like him, who valued strength above all else, a talented eldest son was far more valuable than a worthless nephew.
Jun Wei, meanwhile, stepped closer to Jun Xiao and murmured in a barely audible voice:
"One star… how pathetic."
Jun Xiao turned his head toward his cousin, locking eyes with Jun Wei. He said nothing. Words weren't necessary. Today wasn't the day he would prove his worth—but a time would come when those who had underestimated him would regret their hasty judgment.
Without a word, he stepped out of the glowing beam and returned to stand beside his parents. Su Mei gently placed a hand on his shoulder. Though sadness was etched across her face, she managed to offer a faint, comforting smile.
Jun Tian remained silent. But in his eyes, there was more than just regret. He knew his son. He knew how different Jun Xiao was. He knew his son would not accept this result as the end.
After Jun Xiao's test result was announced, the ceremony continued with the remaining children of the clan, but the excitement had clearly died down. After Jun Wei's innate talent was revealed, all other results seemed dull in comparison.
One by one, the clan's youths stepped into the hexagonal light. Some revealed two or three stars. The highest talent after Jun Wei was shown by Jun Min, a child from a branch family, who manifested four stars. This result drew the attention of the elders, but no one could ignore the overwhelming shadow cast by Jun Wei and his five-star talent.
Jun Xiao watched silently. His gaze lingered on each child who stepped into the light, mentally recording their results. Even though the whispers around him had faded, he could still feel the occasional furtive glance cast his way—glances filled with pity or indifference.
Once the last child had been assessed, Chen Ying lowered his arms and the silvery light faded. The hexagonal beam lost its luster and disappeared completely.
Chen Ying bowed respectfully before addressing the patriarch:
"The awakening ceremony is now complete."
Jun Ji nodded slowly, then swept his gaze across the young members of the clan.
"This year, we have discovered an exceptional talent in the person of Jun Wei." He placed a warm hand on his grandson's shoulder, his benevolent smile a striking contrast to his usual serious demeanor. "With a fifth-level innate talent, he is destined for greatness. From today forward, he will receive additional resources to accelerate his cultivation."
A murmur of approval rippled through the hall. It was only natural that such a genius would receive the clan's best support.
Jun Ji continued:
"However, talent alone is not enough. Cultivation is a path full of hardship, and only perseverance leads to the peak. Each of you must work hard, regardless of your innate talent."
His words were meant to be fair—but they rang hollow to those who knew how the world of cultivation truly worked. In reality, resources and opportunities always went to the most gifted. A cultivator with a one-star talent like Jun Xiao would only receive the most basic support, while Jun Wei would have access to everything.
Finally, the patriarch concluded the ceremony:
"Starting tomorrow, all children of appropriate age will begin formal cultivation training under the guidance of the elders. Bring honor to the Jun clan."
With those words, he turned and, after one last satisfied glance at Jun Wei, exited the hall alongside Chen Ying and the clan's most influential elders.
The hall immediately buzzed with conversation. Some members broke into small groups, sharing impressions of the ceremony, while others stayed to congratulate Jun Liang and his son.
Jun Liang, usually reserved, was now clearly brimming with pride. He accepted the praise with a slight smile—a rare sight for him.
Jun Wei, basking in the glow of his recognition, tried to maintain a dignified expression, but the satisfaction in his eyes betrayed him. Several young disciples gathered around, eager to get close to the newly acknowledged genius.
Meanwhile, Jun Xiao remained off to the side with his parents. Jun Tian placed a firm hand on his son's shoulder—a silent gesture of comfort.
"Don't let this result define you," he said softly.
Jun Xiao looked up at his father and gave a small nod.
"I never planned to."
His words were simple, but his tone held a cold, unwavering determination. He didn't need pity or apologies. He knew what the world expected of him. He knew he would have to grow strong—not because of innate talent, but through his own will.
Su Mei, still visibly worried, gently caressed her son's cheek.
"No matter what happens, we'll always stand by you."
Jun Xiao offered her a faint smile.
As the crowd began to disperse, Jun Wei once again passed near Jun Xiao. He paused for a brief moment and said in a deliberately loud voice:
"Some people have to work harder than others… but sometimes, even that isn't enough."
His tone was polite, but the intent behind his words was clear. A few of the younger disciples stifled laughter at the remark.
Jun Xiao didn't respond immediately. He simply stared at his cousin with a calm, unreadable gaze. Then, after a moment, he said quietly:
"We'll see."
Jun Wei narrowed his eyes slightly, then turned away with a faint chuckle and walked off.
After the ceremony, Jun Xiao and his parents left the great hall under the mixed gazes of the clan members. Some wore masks of polite indifference, others still whispered about his weak talent. But Jun Xiao paid them no mind. He had heard everything he needed to hear.
The walk back to their residence was silent. Jun Tian and Su Mei respected their son's need to process the events in his own way.
Back at their home—a spacious courtyard surrounded by elegant buildings—Jun Xiao went straight to his room without a word. He sat on his bed, back straight, eyes fixed on the rising moon in the night sky.
"One star, huh… hah."
In an ordinary family, such a result might not have been a problem. But in a prestigious clan like the Jun, it meant being condemned to mediocrity. Cultivation was an unforgiving world where talent dictated everything. Resources were limited and reserved for the promising. The weak often ended up as mere administrators or guards, never reaching the heights of true power.
But Jun Xiao refused to accept such a fate.
He thought back to the ceremony—how his grandfather had beamed with pride at Jun Wei, the elders' enthusiasm, and his cousin's condescending gaze.
A quiet flame ignited within him.
"Innate talent is just a starting point. What matters is determination."
He stood up and walked to a small pavilion in the courtyard, where a large flat stone served as a training spot. He sat cross-legged and closed his eyes.
His father had spoken to him about the basics of cultivation: the first step was to refine the body—strengthening muscles, bones, and organs to prepare for manipulating spiritual energy. He hadn't officially begun training yet, but he knew he couldn't afford to wait for someone to guide him step by step.
If he wanted to move forward, he had to take his fate into his own hands.
He took a deep breath and calmed his mind. He focused inward, trying to sense the natural flow of his inner energy.
Time passed slowly. The night breeze brushed against his skin as the moon bathed the courtyard in silver light.
After an hour of meditation, he opened his eyes. He didn't feel anything remarkable, but he knew that every moment spent training brought him one step closer to his goal.
He stood up and began a series of physical exercises: push-ups, squats, punches and kicks—repeated over and over. His body wasn't yet strengthened by cultivation, but he could still build up his physical strength like an ordinary mortal.
Hours passed. His breath became heavy, sweat soaked his clothes, and his muscles burned. But he didn't stop.
I will become strong. No matter how many times I fall. No matter how many obstacles stand in my way.
When he finally collapsed onto the stone, exhausted, the sky had already begun to pale with the coming dawn.
Lying on his back, eyes fixed on the fading stars above, he whispered softly:
"I will never give up."
And so, in the quiet of the night, Jun Xiao's journey on the path of cultivation truly began.