Chapter 4: Damien Gray
Translator: Skyfarrow
Editor: Skyfarrow
Now :Lost_one
The sun climbed higher, its rays slicing through the thinning mountain fog. The early morning light shone bright and sharp.
Over a hundred fifteen-year-old teenagers stood assembled before the village hall. This structure, five stories tall with steep, angular roofs, stood at the center of the village. It was heavily guarded. Inside were the memorial tablets of the Gray clan ancestors. Every generation of clan leaders had lived here, and whenever major ceremonies or important decisions were needed, the village elders gathered within.
"Good. You're all punctual. Today is your Awakening Ceremony—a turning point in your lives. I won't say much. Follow me."
The speaker was the Academy Elder, an old man with white hair and beard, but full of energy. He led the youths inside, but instead of climbing up, they descended—down a large stone staircase beneath the great hall.
The path led them into a glowing underground cavern.
"Wow…"
"Beautiful!"
The teenagers gasped.
The walls sparkled with rainbow-colored stalactites, bathing their faces in soft, magical hues. It was as if they'd entered a dream.
Among them, Damien Gray remained silent, observing carefully.
"Hundreds of years ago, the Gray clan migrated from the central lands and settled here on Greenmist Mountain. They found this underground spirit spring—it produces Primeval Stones, the foundation of this entire village."
They walked hundreds of steps before the air darkened and the sound of flowing water echoed ahead. As they turned a final corner, a wide underground river revealed itself, glowing faintly blue in the darkness like a river of stars.
Beneath the clear water swam fish and plants, and across the river lay a vast field of moon orchids.
The orchid petals shimmered pink and blue like crescent moons, their jade-green stems glowing softly, their centers glistening like pearls. In the dim light, it looked like a giant carpet dotted with glowing stars.
"These orchids are food for many Gu—insects used for cultivation. This is the Gray clan's most valuable cultivation resource," Damien noted internally.
"Alright, when I call your name, step into the river and walk forward. Walk as far as you can—the further you go, the greater your talent. Understood?" the elder said.
"Understood!" the youths responded in unison. They had all heard the stories. How far you could walk measured your innate talent. The further, the brighter your future.
"Blake Carter!" the elder called.
The river barely reached a teen's knees. Blake stepped in with a serious face, but immediately felt an invisible wall pushing against him. A moment later, the orchids near his feet lit up and sent a glow into his body.
The pressure slightly eased, allowing him to push forward a few steps. But after just three steps, the wall hardened again. He could go no further.
The elder shook his head.
"Blake Carter. Three steps. No talent. Next—Zane Lin."
Blake's face went pale as he trudged back. His dreams shattered in an instant. A life as a Gu Master was closed off—he would remain a regular laborer at the lowest caste of the clan.
The second youth fared no better, barely reaching four steps.
In this world, not everyone is born with talent. In general, about half of the children would show potential. In the Gray clan, the number was slightly higher—about six in ten—because their founding ancestor was a legendary cultivator, and the strength of his bloodline lingered.
But two failures in a row made the elders hidden in the shadows grimace. Even the Clan Leader frowned.
"Noah Mace!" the elder called.
"Here." A tall, strong-built boy stepped forward confidently. His sharp features and bold posture made him stand out. As he crossed the river, lights flowed into his body—step after step.
10 steps. 20. 30. Then finally 36 steps before he could go no further.
The crowd of teens gasped.
"Excellent! Noah Mace, B-grade talent!" the elder beamed.
Noah returned to the elder, who placed a hand on his shoulder and closed his eyes briefly.
"Primeval Sea: six-by-six. Good foundation. Can be trained vigorously."
The clan classified talent from A to D grade:
D-grade could be trained to become basic Gu Masters in three years.
C-grade might reach rank two in two years, forming the backbone of the clan.
B-grade youths like Noah were potential future elders.
A-grade was rare and treasured—capable of reaching rank four or higher within ten years and potentially leading the clan.
Noah Mace's future was secure. The elder in the shadows, Elder Mace, his grandfather, smiled smugly and turned to an old rival beside him.
"What do you think, Robert Chen? My grandson's not bad, huh?"
Robert Chen, short and pockmarked with flaming red hair, glared at him and snorted.
Another hour passed. Half the youths had gone through. The results were mixed—some C and D grades, many with no talent.
The Clan Leader muttered,
"The bloodline weakens. It's been years since we had a rank five master. Our strongest, the fourth Clan Leader, died without descendants. Fewer and fewer strong talents remain."
"Ethan Chen!" the elder called.
All eyes turned to Robert Chen. This was his grandson.
The boy crossed the river and walked confidently. Lights entered him again and again—he reached 36 steps, just like Noah.
"Another B-grade!" the elder exclaimed.
The crowd murmured in awe. Robert Chen cheered and shot a smug look at Elder Mace.
"Hah! Let's see you smile now."
Mace's smile disappeared.
In the crowd, Damien Gray quietly observed.
"Ethan Chen… in my past life, he was later punished for cheating. He only had C-grade talent. His grandfather Robert faked his results."
"If I wanted to cheat, I know hundreds of better ways. But I just reincarnated—no time to prepare. And even if I faked talent, I couldn't fake fast cultivation speed. I'd be exposed."
"But Ethan had his powerful grandfather protecting him. They hid the truth—for a time…"
Damien's eyes narrowed, calculating.
"I could expose them now and earn favor—but I'd make a dangerous enemy."
"I could try to blackmail them—but I'm still low-ranked. It would backfire."
As he plotted silently, the elder's voice echoed again:
"Damien Gray!"
Simplified English-style names used:
Fang Yuan → Damien Gray
Fang Zheng → Zack Gray
Gu Yue → Gray
Gu Yue Mo Bei → Noah Mace
Gu Yue Mo Chen → Elder Mace
Gu Yue Chi Lian → Robert Chen
Gu Yue Chi Chen → Ethan Chen
Chen Bo → Blake Carter
Zao Xie → Zane Lin
Greenmist Mountain and moon orchids retained with descriptive flavor