A crowd of youths stood in rigid formation on the Lan family's training grounds.
From the youngest children to grown men and even the elderly, all wore radiant smiles and eager expressions. Today was no ordinary day—it was the Lan clan's grand occasion, when the young talents of the branch families gathered with the direct descendants for the evaluation of martial talent.
Even the humblest could rise to greatness here. With just a spark of ability, anyone might ascend like a phoenix and carve a place in the family's future.
At the head of it all stood Patriarch Lan Zhen—the only cultivator in Clear River City to have reached the Fifth Realm of Celestial Connection. His figure was tall and stern upon the grand podium. Behind him loomed a monolith of violet crystal, a dozen feet high, beginning to glow as though fire stirred in its depths.
"Today you have reached the age to begin walking the path of cultivation," his voice rang out, solemn. "Step forward and show the world the talent of the Lan family
The first youth to muster courage was from a branch family. No one objected. As long as he displayed promise, it wouldn't matter if one day he was integrated
He placed his hand upon the monolith. For a moment nothing happened, then it pulsed—once, twice—before the engravings flared to life.
"Three-star talent. Not bad, not bad," Lan Zhen said with a satisfied nod.
As long as a candidate lit at least two of the nine stars, they were considered worthy to cultivate.
"Though your gift is not outstanding, neither is it shameful. With diligence, you may reach the Core Formation Realm one day and stand as a respected elder of our clan."
With a wave, he handed the boy a slim book—the clan's inherited cultivation method—and a pouch of origin crystals.
One by one, the youths advanced. Some came down the podium pale and bitter, while others barely contained their joy, practically bouncing on one foot.
"Look who's stepping up!" someone whispered.
"Isn't that Lan Feng, the son of the great elder?"
Silence fell.
The great elder of the Lan clan had once been a supergenius, a man who reached half a step into the Celestial Connection Realm in his youth. If not for the ambush that had left him gravely wounded, the title of strongest in the city—and the patriarch's seat—would likely have been his.
If Lan Feng inherited even a fragment of that brilliance... the outcome would be unthinkable.
As Lan Feng mounted the steps, the patriarch's expression turned cold.
"Hurry up. Others are still waiting," Lan Zhen said, his tone sharp as a blade.
It was obvious the two shared no fondness. Lan Feng might be of the main line, but he was still the great elder's son—the man who had nearly stolen the patriarch's throne.
Lan Feng, however, barely heard him.
This is it. This is when my golden finger shows itself!
Without hesitation, he pressed his palm against the monolith. He felt a thread of origin energy course through his body, circling once before returning. The crystal flickered to life... and then dimmed. It stopped after barely igniting the second star.
A heavy silence fell.
The patriarch smiled thinly.
"Well, another fit for cultivation. Take your reward."
He passed Lan Feng the same book and a pouch of stones.
"What a letdown. I thought we might witness the rise of another supergenius, but it's just two stars."
"Even with the great elder funneling all his resources into that boy, this is all he managed?"
"I'm from a poor branch and still lit four stars. If I'd grown up feasting on beast meat every day, I'd have reached five easily."
"Seems the rumors were true—he's coasted on his father's name since childhood."
"I even heard he stole Lan Tianyu's betrothed, just because he fancied her."
"This world truly rewards the useless..."
Lan Feng descended slowly, staring at his hands. The jeers slid off him; after all, those weren't even his sins. What unsettled him was the emptiness in his chest. He had expected something grand, something overwhelming—and instead... nothing.
Because Lan Feng was no ordinary youth. He was a transmigrant, an ordinary man from Earth who, months ago, had crossed between worlds. Like every traveler, he had imagined dazzling talent, a shocking gift that would leave his clan speechless.
But fate had denied him. Fifteen years of indulgence and idleness in this body had already wasted whatever potential might have existed.
For a heartbeat, despair crushed him. And then—just as the monolith finished its evaluation—a translucent screen flickered before his eyes, visible only to him.
[The system is initializing. Please wait patiently.]
Relief surged through him. Perhaps he hadn't stunned the clan with heaven-defying talent, but at last, his golden finger had appeared.
What will it be? An immortal divine body? An invincible leveling system? Or maybe...
His thoughts cut short. A dazzling radiance burst from the podium.
Gasps swept the training ground.
Everyone knew the greatest geniuses in clan history; the patriarch and the great elder, each of whom had once lit seven stars.
But now—nine stars blazed, so bright it seemed the monolith itself might collapse.
Lan Tianyu stood at its base. Though no older than the rest, beneath that brilliance he looked every inch a hero born for glory.
He turned, fixing Lan Feng with a fiery, hate-filled glare.
Cold sweat trickled down Lan Feng's spine.
"BrotherTianyu, I swear—since transmigrating, I haven't even seen your fiancée, let alone touched her! So quit glaring at me before your eyes pop out"
At last, the patriarch moved. He swept Lan Tianyu away toward the grand hall.
"Return to your quarters. The patriarch has called an urgent meeting. Those yet to test will be summoned later."
The elders, still reeling, rushed to obey, ushering disciples away as they hurried to follow the patriarch. For within the hall now waited the greatest genius the Lan clan had ever seen.