Chapter Six: The Path Ahead Will Be Remarkable

The empty aperture was exceptionally mystical. Although it resided within Fang Yuan's body, it did not share space with his internal organs. One could say it was infinitely vast, yet infinitely small.

Some referred to it as the Purple Mansion, others as the Flower Pool, but most called it the Primeval Sea Aperture.

The entire aperture was spherical, with a white light flowing on its surface—a membrane formed from the Hope Gu's previous explosion.

This light membrane sustained the aperture, preventing it from collapsing.

Within the aperture lay the Primeval Sea.

The sea was smooth as a mirror, a verdant green yet thick and viscous, gleaming with a metallic luster.

This was the condensed bronze primeval essence of a Rank One Gu Master, commonly known as the Bronze Sea.

The sea level reached only forty-four percent of the aperture's height, reflecting the limitations of C-grade talent.

Each drop of this sea was pure primeval essence, representing the condensation of Fang Yuan's vitality, symbolizing the life potential accumulated over his fifteen years.

Gu Masters use this primeval essence to activate Gu insects. From this moment on, Fang Yuan had officially stepped into the ranks of a Rank One Gu Master.

With the aperture opened, no more Hope Gu entered Fang Yuan's body.

Fang Yuan withdrew his consciousness, feeling the pressure ahead as solid as a wall, unable to advance further.

"Just like my previous life," he smiled lightly at the result.

"Can't you go any further?" the academy elder called out from across the river, clinging to a one-in-a-thousand hope.

Fang Yuan turned and walked back, answering with his actions.

The crowd of youths quickly realized what had happened.

A buzz erupted, voices rising in astonishment.

"What? Fang Yuan only took twenty-seven steps?"

"So he's just C-grade talent?!"

"Incredible, such a genius, and only C-grade?"

The crowd was in an uproar.

"Brother..." In the crowd, Gu Yue Fang Zheng looked up, shocked at his returning brother. He couldn't believe his eyes—his brother was only C-grade?

He had always believed his brother would be A-grade.

Not just him, but his uncle, aunt, and many in the clan thought so too.

But now, the result was this!

"Damn, just a C-grade!" The clan leader clenched his fists, letting out a deep sigh, disappointment evident.

The observing elders frowned, murmured, or sighed.

"Could there be an error in the test?"

"Impossible. This method is foolproof, and we've been watching closely. Cheating is nearly impossible."

"But how do we explain his previous behavior and talent?"

"Youths with higher primeval sea talent do show extraordinary traits like intelligence, comprehension, memory, strength, and agility. But conversely, these traits don't guarantee high talent. The test result is the ultimate proof."

"Sigh, the greater the hope, the greater the disappointment. The Gu Yue clan is truly declining with each generation."

…

The cold river water soaked Fang Yuan's shoes and socks, biting into his bones.

Fang Yuan walked expressionlessly, drawing closer, noticing the academy elder's heavy expression and the myriad glances from over a hundred youths.

There were looks of shock, mockery, schadenfreude, realization, and indifference.

The scene was identical to his previous life.

Then, he felt as if the sky had fallen. He had slipped crossing the river, drenched and despondent. Not a single person offered a hand.

Those disappointed and indifferent faces and eyes felt like knives slicing his heart. His thoughts were chaotic, and his chest ached.

It felt like falling from the clouds—the higher you stand, the harder the fall.

However, in this life, facing the same scene, Fang Yuan's heart was calm.

He thought of the legend, when facing hardships, give your heart to Hope.

Now, this Hope resided within him. Though small, it was better than having no cultivation talent at all.

If others are disappointed, let them be. What does it matter?

Others' disappointment is none of my concern. What matters is keeping hope alive in my heart!

Five hundred years of life had taught him this: the brilliance of life lies in the pursuit of dreams. One need not seek others' approval or lack of disappointment.

Walk your own path, let others be disappointed or displeased!

"Sigh..." The academy elder sighed deeply, then called, "Next, Gu Yue Fang Zheng."

There was no response.

"Gu Yue Fang Zheng!" The elder shouted, his voice echoing in the cave.

"Ah? Here, here!" Fang Zheng snapped out of his shock, hurriedly running out, but tripped and fell into the river with a splash.

Laughter erupted.

"The Fang brothers are nothing special," the clan leader snorted, feeling disgusted with Fang Zheng as well.

"This is humiliating!" Fang Zheng struggled in the water, the riverbed too slippery to stand. His efforts only made him look clumsier. Hearing the laughter, he grew increasingly flustered.

Just then, he felt a strong hand lift him, his head breaking the surface, his body regaining balance.

Wiping his face, he saw his brother Fang Yuan lifting him by his collar.

"Brother..." He tried to speak, but choked on water, leading to a bout of coughing.

"Haha, the pitiful Fang brothers!" Someone jeered from the bank.

The laughter grew louder, the academy elder too disheartened to intervene.

Fang Zheng was at a loss when he heard his brother's voice, "Go on, the road ahead will be remarkable."

Startled, Fang Zheng opened his mouth. Fang Yuan had his back to the crowd, so no one saw, but Fang Zheng sensed his brother's calmness, even a slight, playful smile.

"Despite being C-grade, why is my brother so calm?" Fang Zheng wondered.

Fang Yuan said no more, patted Fang Zheng's back, and turned away.

Fang Zheng, bewildered, walked toward the flower sea.

"I never imagined my brother to be so composed. If it were me, I would probably..." He walked forward unconsciously, not realizing he was performing a miracle.

When he came to his senses, he stood deep within the flower sea, further than anyone had reached.

Forty-three steps!

"My God, A-grade talent!" The academy elder exclaimed in disbelief.

"A-grade, truly A-grade?!"

"After three years, the Gu Yue clan finally has an A-grade genius again!"

The observing elders shouted, losing their composure.

"Hmm, the Fang lineage originally split from our Chi lineage. I'll take Gu Yue Fang Zheng under our Chi lineage's care," Gu Yue Chi Lian immediately announced.

"Impossible! You, Chi Lian, have no right. This child should be with me, Gu Yue Mo Chen," Gu Yue Mo Chen roared.

"No one should argue. This child's cultivation will be best under my direct supervision. Any objections are against me, Gu Yue Bo!" The clan leader's eyes gleamed, his previous disappointment replaced with fervor.