Chapter4: Ancient Moons Fang Yuan!

The bright rays of the sun rose into the sky.

The mists in the mountains were thin and easily pierced through by the sunshine. Around 100 fifteen year old youths were currently gathered before the clan heads pavilion. This pavilion was located directly in the center of the mountain village and five stories tall. It had upturned eaves and curved roofs, as well as many guards. Before the pavilion was a large square, while the inside contained the memorial tablets of past Ancient Moon Clan ancestors. Every generation of clan elders lived in this building. Whenever there was a grand ceremony or sudden event, they would gather everyone here for deliberations as well. This was the center of everything in the village.

Very good, you all came on time. Today is the Broadening Horizons Ceremony, the most important turning point in your lives. I wont waste any more words, so come with me. the man responsible for today was an elder of the schoolhouse. His beard and hair were both white, but he was as hale and hearty as a young man when he led them inside. Instead of going up, he led them through a large entrance to go downstairs. Pre-cut stone steps led them into an underground limestone cave.

The youths all gave out confused exclamations. This limestone cave was like a magnificent mansion, filled with stalacites that glittered in all the colors of the rainbow. Such radiance reflected off the youths faces in gorgeous hues. Fang Yuan mingled in the center of the crowd, quietly observing everything. He mused,a few hundred years ago, the Ancient Moon Clan migrated from the central lands to the southern borders to settle in these mountains, all because of a spirit spring in this cave. This spring generated a large quantity of spirit stones, so it can be said to be the foundation of the Ancient Moon Clan.

A hundred steps into the cave and their surroundings had gotten darker. Moreover, they could hear the sound of running water. After rounding a curve, a ten-meter wide underground river came into view. By now, the glittering light of the stalacites had all but vanished. Still, within the darkness, the river gave off a faint, dull blue glow, as if it was Nights very own Milky Way. The river flowed from the darkness of the cave, its water incomparably limpid and clear. One could even see the fish and plant swimming within, as well as the sand and stones on its bottom.

On the opposite side of the river was a sea of flowers.

These were Ancient Moons specially cultivated Moon Orchids. Their exquisite, blue-pink petals resembled crescent moons, their floral axis like jade. The center of each blossom glittered like glowing, luminescent pearls. Seeing them for the first time in the darkness was like seeing a large blue-green carpet dotted with countless glowing orbs.

Moon Orchids are a source of food for many different Gu bugs. This sea of flowers is our clans largest culture medium,Fang Yuan mused to himself.

So beautiful.

Its really pretty.

The various youths had shining eyes as they gazed on in a mixture of excitement and anxiety.

All right. Next up, listen as I call out names. Those who are called will ford the river to the opposite shore. Go in as far as you can and no more; of course, the farther in the better. Do you all understand? the elder spoke.

Understood, the youths all replied. Actually, theyd all heard from their families or seniors about this task. They knew that the farther in one walked, the better ones latent talent was. Their achievements from then on would be greater as well.

Ancient Moons Chen Bo[1], the elder read the first nam

e from the list.

Though the river was wide, it wasnt very deep and only reached the boys knees. Chen Bos face was all seriousness as he stepped ashore into the sea of flowers. Immediately, he felt a invisible pressure, as if a wall existed right in front of him to block his way. As he made his way forward with difficulty, the flowers at his feet suddenly gave off a clump of light, thin and white in color. The lights converged around Chen Bo before entering his body. Instantly, Chen Bo felt the pressure on him decrease somewhat as the invisible wall before him seemed to turn soft and slacken.

He gritted his teeth and kept walking forward, stiff and forceful. After taking three steps, the pressure before him increased until it felt like a solid wall again, blocking him from advancing any further. Seeing this, the elder sighed and made a record right then and there.

Ancient Moons Chen Bo, three steps. No latent talent to be aGumaster. Next up is Ancient Moons Zao Xie[2].

Chen Bos complexion was ashen white as he clenched his jaw and came back across the river to his old spot. Without latent talent, he could only live as an ordinary person from now on and occupy the lowest position in his family. His body seemed on the verge of collapse from the shock. This had thoroughly smothered all his dreams for the rest of his life.

Many people shot him cold looks, while even more paid attention to the second boy to reach the shores. Sadly, this youth could only take four steps at most. He too had no latent talent. It wasnt guaranteed that everyone would possess the conditions for cultivation. Generally speaking, it was already considered not bad for five out of ten people to carry potential. Within the Ancient Moon Clan, the probabilty was slightly higher at six out of ten.

This was due to the Ancient Moon Clans ancestor. In other words, the first elder. He was a famous and celebrated figure. Cultivation had transformed his blood so it carried the gene for cultivation. Because members of the Ancient Moon Clan had his blood, their latent talents were naturally higher.

After going through two youths in a row with no latent talent, the elder in charge had a very unpleasant xpresion. Even the experienced and prudent Ancient Moon Clan Elder was minutely wrinkling his eyebrows. Right at this moment, the schoolhouse elder called out the third name.

Ancient Moons Mo Bei[3].

Present! a horse-faced boy dressed in sackcloth replied lightly as he stepped out from the crowd. He was tall and big, appearing much sturdier than his peers. There was an intrepid and valiant air about him.

It took him two to three steps to cross the river, then ten, twenty, thirty steps into the flowers as light was absorbed into his body. When he reached 36 steps, he finally came to a stop. All of the youths on shore looked after him dumbstruck. The schoolhouse elder joyfully cried out, Good, Ancient Moons Mo Bei is a Grade B latent talent. Come here and let me see your Primordial Sea.

Ancient Moons Mo Bei returned to the schoolhouse elder, who rested his hand on the younger boys shoulders as he concentrated with eyes closed. Afterwards, he withdrew his hand with a nod before recording the information in his records. Ancient Moons Mo Beis Primordial Sea is six by six. It can be cultivated vigorously.

These different grades of latent talent were divided into the four levels ofJia(A),Yi(B),Bing(C) andDing(D).

A Grade D ranked youth could be taught for three years before being promoted to a First Rank seniorGumaster, becoming the foundation of a household.

A Grade C ranked youth could be taught for two years before most of them became Second Rank seniorGumasters, becoming the backbone of a household.

A Grade B ranked youth was a blessing. They were destined to become fostered talents for their households. Six or seven years of effort would make them Third RankGumasters.

As for Grade A ranked youths, even if there was only one, theyd be the good fortune of the entire clan. Careful and attentive care was given to them, along with all the clan resources. Ten years of cultivation would turn them into Fourth RankGumaster, upon which they could compete for the positions of clan elder!

In other words, as long as this Mo Bei matured, he would become an elder of the Ancient Moon Clan. No wonder the schoolhouse elder was chuckling. Meanwhile, aclan elder in the shadows exhaled in relief before shooting an envious glance towards a certain elder in the crowd. That elder was also horse-faced and Mo Beis grandfather Mo Chen[4]. A smile had long broken out on his face as he returned the glance with a provocative look.

How is it, my grandsons not bad at all, Ancient Moons Chi Lian[5].

Ancient Moons Chi Lian had a head full of red hair. At these words, he gave a cold snort without bothering to reply. His face was caught in an ugly, somber expression.

After an hour had passed, half of the children gathered had taken their turns in the sea of flowers. Many Grade C, Grade B ranked talents had emerged, making up about half of the people whod crossed the river.

Oh, the bloodlines getting thinner and thinner. Moreover, the clan hasnt produced many Fourth Rank figures in recent years to strengthen the blood. The fourth generation clan head was the only Fifth Rank master, but perished together with the Flower Wine Monk without leaving his bloodline behind. Ancient Moon Clans descendants are getting weaker and weaker, the clan headheaved a long sigh.

Right at this moment, the schoolhouse elder called out, Ancient Moons Chi Cheng[6].

Hearing this, the various elders focused their sights on Chi Cheng, Chi Lians grandson. Ancient Moons Chi Cheng had a small build and a face full of pockmarks. He clenched his fists, his face covered in sweat, as if he was very nervous. After he climbed onshore, a crowd of lights gathered confusedly around him before sinking into his body. He walked 36 steps before stopping.

Another Grade B talent! the schoolhouse elder exclaimed.

All of the youths became restless as they shot Ancient Moons Chi Cheng envious looks.

Hahaha, 36 steps, 36 steps! Ancient Moons Chi Cheng gave a shout as he purposefully looked towards Ancient Moongs Mo Chen. Now it was Mo Chens face that had turned green.

Ancient Moons Chi Cheng, is it Within the crowd, Fang Yuan gently stroked his chin in thought. From what he recalled, this boy had committed fraud within the Broadening Horizons Ceremony and been severely punished by the clan as a result. In actuality, his latent talent was only Grade C, but his grandfather Chi Lian falsified his results until it seemed like he was a Grade B talent.

If he wanted to, Fang Yuan had dozens of ways to do the same thing, some in even better ways than Ancient Moons Chi Cheng. If he displayed himself as a Grade B or even Grade A talent, the clan would defintely take greater pains to foster and train him. But first and foremost, Fang Yuan had too little time after being reborn. His current circumstances made it impossible to adequately prepare such cheats. Furthermore, even if he succeded, there would be no way to cover up his cultivation speed in the future. Itd eventually give him away.

Ancient Moons Chi Cheng was different, however. His grandfather was Ancient Moons Chi Lian, one of the two clan elders with substantial power and influence. He could help cover up his grandson.

Ancient Moons Chi Lian has always held a rivalry with Ancient Moons Mo Chen. These two families form the strongest factions within the clan. In order to suppress each other, they needed their grandsons to have extraordinary latent talents. And precisely because Chi Lian was pulling the strings behind the scenes, Ancient Moons Chi Cheng successfully concealed himself for awhile. If not for that unexpected event, nothing wouldve been exposed.

Fang Yuans eyes flashed as he considered how to use this fact to the greatest advantage. If he exposed him outside, hed earn a reward from the clan headwhile offending Ancient Moons Chi Lian and his influential family. That wasnt desirable. Neither was it possible to ask for blackmail within such a short amount of time. Because he lacked actual strength behind him, any attempts at extortion would only be inviting trouble.

Just as he was lost in thought, the schoolhouse elder suddenly called out his name. Ancient Moons Fang Yuan!

-o-

[1]Chen Bo() Chenis a surname that can also mean put on display, old, stale,Bois rich, abundant, erudite.

[2]Zao Xie() Zaocan be algae, aquatic plants, literary embellishment,Xieis a pavilion or house on a terrace.

[3]Mo Bei() Mois desert, indifferent/unconcerned,Beiis north.Mobeiis also the name for Outer Mongolia (north of the Gobi Desert). Mo Chens grandson.

[4]Mo Chen() Mois the same as above,Chenis dust, dirt, the mortal world.

[5]Chi Lian() Chiis red, loyal, single-hearted,Lianis white silk, practice, experienced.

[6]Chi Cheng() Chiis the same as above.Chengis city wall, town.