In this world, most people began cultivating at the age of sixteen.
Although there were examples of people starting earlier, they were few and far between.
Generally, the easiest and most common method to estimate a person's talent was to see how long it would take them to reach the Spirit Awakening Realm.
But besides this, there was also another rarer but more accurate way.
"You don't have to worry. No matter what your talent is, you will always have my support. I can still help you reach the Spirit Totem Realm even if you only light up a single star," Su Yang heard his father say.
He didn't feel uncomfortable when he sensed the warmth in his father's voice.
Su Yang had not transmigrated.
He had merely reincarnated and awakened the memories of his previous life.
Possessing the memories of this life, he didn't feel any abnormality or unfamiliarity regarding the people around him.
Seeing that his son didn't reply and remained silent, Su Wei mistakenly believed that he was worried about today.
"Although the Azure Dragon Academy is the strongest force, it is far from the only one in the Empire. Even if you fail the test, you can always join another force," he said and patted Su Yang gently on the shoulder.
Although he knew that his father had misunderstood, Su Yang didn't try to correct him.
He nodded his head repeatedly, as if in agreement.
In response, Su Wei breathed a sigh of relief. Though he truly hoped the best for his son and wished that he would reveal a high talent, he knew that this was as likely as Su Yang failing.
Hence, he wanted to prepare him mentally and prevent him from being deeply disappointed.
Having achieved his goal, Su Wei continued.
"You should understand the division of talents created by the Azure Dragon Academy. It starts with 1 Star and..."
Soon, the voice of Su Wei was the only thing echoing in the small space inside the carriage.
Patiently, he explained to Su Yang everything that he needed to know.
Meanwhile, the horses continued running while the wheels of the carriage continued rolling.
...
The Awakening Ceremony was arguably the most important moment in many people's lives.
As a measurement of talent conducted by the number one academy of the Blazing Flames Empire, it would decide the fate of most people.
In his previous life, Su Yang had failed to participate.
The annual test happened to be conducted more than half a year after his 16th birthday and, by then, his terrible talent had already been revealed.
His father didn't believe that there was any reason for him to participate in the Awakening Ceremony, while Su Yang, at the time, was busy searching for his imaginary goldfinger.
Therefore, although Su Yang had decades of experience, he was still quite interested in the Awakening Ceremony.
Under the coachman's control, the carriage gradually came to a stop, and Su Yang saw his father motioning him to get off.
Once he walked out, Su Yang understood that they had reached their destination.
The carriage had stopped outside a large square built of white marble.
The square was full of people, mostly of young age, but many of them were also accompanied by their parents, just like him.
The arrival of the carriage and the appearance of Su Yang and Su Wei attracted quite a bit of attention.
As a Baron and a Spirit Totem Realm cultivator, Su Wei was famous in the city.
Hence, many people recognized him and guessed Su Yang's identity.
The voices in the square stopped abruptly. Su Yang noticed several pairs of eyes landing on him and his father.
Just as he was starting to feel awkward due to the strange atmosphere, however, a bell rang, shifting everyone's focus elsewhere.
When they turned their heads and looked at the source of the sound, they realized that a man had unknowingly appeared on the platform erected in the square's center.
He was quite old, with a long white beard hiding the wrinkles on the bottom part of his face, while he wore a set of green robes.
"Spirit Sea cultivator!" Su Yang exclaimed inwardly.
Because of his past life memories and the introduction of his father, Su Yang understood that only Spirit Sea cultivators were qualified to wear green at the Azure Dragon Academy.
Spirit Sea Realm—this was the realm above the Spirit Totem Realm.
If the old man wished to, he could have obtained the title of Marquis, being two levels higher than his own father.
Su Yang was not the only person who noticed the old man. All the teenagers and their guardians did.
Several of them opened their mouths and looked ready to scream in excitement, only for the elderly man to wave his hand.
Immediately, a wave of Spiritual Energy rushed out of his body.
Though it didn't possess any attacking power, it stunned everyone in the square, rendering them unable to speak.
Seeing this, the old man nodded his head before continuing. His right foot struck the ground, and the whole platform shook.
Then, a stone tablet emerged from the center of the platform, its surface shining with a brilliant light.
"This is the Awakening Stele. I believe that everyone is already familiar with it, but I shall still explain it one last time."
"The Awakening Stele is an artifact specifically forged by the blacksmiths of our Azure Dragon Academy. Its main function is simple: it can measure a person's cultivation talent."
"Whenever a person touches it, a certain number of stars will light up on the stele, depending on their talent. The lowest evaluation is 1 Star, while the highest is 9! To qualify to enter the Azure Dragon Academy, you have to light up at least 4 stars!"
The solemn voice of the old man was the only thing echoing in the square. Everyone else was suppressed by his power, unable to move, much less speak.
Yet, no one showed any signs of dissatisfaction.
They listened attentively to the old man's explanation, knowing that this knowledge would soon prove useful.
When the old man finished his speech, he relaxed his suppression over the audience. Before anyone could react, he pointed at a nearby boy and ordered.
"You. Come up!"
"Me—me?" the boy stuttered.
But when he saw the impatient expression on the old man's face, he hurriedly walked onto the platform through the stairs on the side.
Following the earlier instructions of the old man, he carefully placed his hand on the Awakening Stele and waited.
The boy sensed a stream of energy coursing through his body.
Clearly, the Awakening Stele had reacted, and his Awakening Ceremony had begun.
Instinctively, the boy couldn't help but close his eyes.
It was not because the ceremony required him to, but simply out of nervousness and fear.
He was afraid that he would fail and would lose his only chance of becoming a cultivator.
But soon, a cruel, aged, and indifferent voice jolted him awake.
"2 Stars! Unqualified!"