The Core of life, the foundation of every Meng cultivator.
The Core emits faint gray iron like light, dark gray liquid slowly dripping down from it, accumulating in the spherical membrane.
The spherical membrane acted as the liquid's container, it seems to be slightly nourished by the black iron liquid, though the observed effects seem negligible.
Shen Mu seems to remember the lessons from back when he was in school and tried to move the black iron liquid with his mind.
To his surprise, he could move it easily and flawlessly like it was his own two hands. Or he could move it by command with his mind with just a thought. When he wanted it to move left, it moved left, when he wanted it to move right, it moved right.
What really surprised him was that these movements are so synchronized with his thoughts to the point it took only an instant to move as he wished, exactly at the same moment when he had the thought with not a hint of delay.
Additionally, he also found that his perception has expanded and covered every corner and inches of space inside the spherical membrane. He could 'see', 'taste', 'hear', 'smell' and 'touch' the black iron liquid despite not having the required organs. Shen Mu did not know the reasons, but he didn't care. All he cares was what it means to have grade three aptitude
'This kid got pretty good luck, he was just a boy herding cows with his parents on the outskirts of the clan village, barely making a living. The village is surrounded by vast forest on the mountain, many wild beasts lurking in it, venturing out without sufficient strength was a gamble on which day they will die.'
Tian Yi paused slightly, he looked at his own clothes and the youths surrounding him and looked at Shen Mu.
Shen Mu's clothes were considered barely decent, there was no cut nor was there any patchwork on it.
But compared to the many youths present here who wore colorful clothes with silver and gold accessories, made from excellent materials and could provide some protection against low rank Meng, Shen Mu clothes were as plain as cabbage on the market. It could be seen anywhere and was not particularly expensive.
'His parents must have saved their money to buy this set of clothes for him, hoping he would not be embarrassed too much. After all, they are both rank one Meng cultivators. Rank one cultivators are the most numerous, the lowest class in society. Unless they were born in esteemed families or possess useful knowledge and wisdom, they typically can only work day and night, working during the day so they could have something to eat in the evening.'
The academy elder, Shen Tongxi, continued calling out names and tested the youths one by one.
Tian Yi discreetly looked at Shen Mu and couldn't help but marvel at how unpredictable fate is. One moment he was just a cow herding boy, now that he is found to have grade three aptitude, his status soared and his life would only get better.
What does grade three aptitude mean?
To understand third-grade aptitude, one has to first understand the relationship between ranks and aptitude.
'Meng cultivation has eleven ranks, the first six are mortal, while the seventh onwards transcend mortality, becoming an immortal. Aptitude has five grades, ranging from first-grade to fifth-grade. Aptitude directly proportional to what ranks a Meng cultivator's cultivation, a huge factor.'
Tian Yi sneered inwardly, 'Forget about rank seven, most first-grade aptitude could only reach rank six in their lifetime, some could only reach rank five in their life.'
Cultivation, after all, is a matter of personal practice. If one was lazy, procrastinated, who could they blame but themselves when they failed in their breakthrough?
'However, assuming they cultivated diligently using conventional means, the cultivation results are generally predictable.'
By this time the awakening ceremony had already gone more than halfway through, he heard the academy elder call out familiar names and turned his head to take a look.
"Shen Bo, second-grade aptitude, sixty two percent."
"Shen Caiji, second-grade aptitude seventy percent."
"Shen Gui Cheng, second-grade aptitude, sixty eight percent."
"Shen Luo, second-grade talent, seventy five percent."
"Shen Liu, second-grade talent, seventy four percent."
Tian Yi watched the entire process of these youth awakening their Core from beginning til the end. Unsurprisingly, the results are the same as in his previous life.
'Aside from Shen Ai and Shen Zhong, I did not remember any classmates nor did I have any friends from my generation in my previous life, none of them left a strong impression. They are not worth mentioning.'
Tian Yi begins to ponder and sorts through his memories while turning his head slightly to look at the group of youths who have awakened.
'In my previous life, my relationship with Shen Mu was not considered close but we were on friendly terms and often helped each other out with missions.'
His gaze turned sharp when looking at five particular youths composed of four boys and one girl chatting happily amongst themselves.
Unknowingly, the youths have already begun to form their circles at this moment.
These five people whom Tian Yi was looking at are naturally Shen Bo, Shen Caiji, Shen Gui Cheng, Shen Luo and Shen Liu.
They are the most impressive batch of talent in this year's awakening ceremony. They are all related to clan elders one way or another, most being grandson and granddaughter of a clan elder.
'The only exceptions are the twins Shen Luo and Shen Liu, whose father was a highly respected and powerful elder just like my adoptive father, Shen Jin. Both of them belong to the neutral faction, with my adoptive father being its leader.'
The twins seemed to notice his gaze as they turned their heads and upon noticing it was Tian Yi, gave a nod in acknowledgement. Their nods were deeper than usual, like one one would give to their elders.
The three other youths finally noticed him looking as they turned their heads. They gave him a nod awkwardly, proof of their distance relationship with him.
Tian Yi merely nodded in return then turned his head back to look at the academy elders.
This action came out as arrogant and aloof. It caught many youths' eyes as they began whispering to each other. Some felt it was natural, some felt he was putting on airs for no reason, but none of them dared meet his gaze directly.
"Actually, I prefer young master Shen Zhong more. He's amicable and treats everyone equally."
"Well, Shen Tian Yi also treated everyone equally did he not?"
"You called that treated everyone equally? Cold to everyone?"
"Well..."
Even without them mentioning, the other youths listening already had an answer in mind.
'Shen Ai.' The many youths thought in unison.
Ever since they had known Tian Yi, they had never seen him smile at anyone like Shen Ai, even the elders and clan leader didn't receive such treatment.
As the youths continued gossiping, they were startled by the voice of the academy elder who announced:
"Shen Zhong, first grade talent, eighty one percent Core Essence."
"Shen Ai, first grade talent, ninety percent Core Essence."
"Shen Tian Yi, first grade talent, ninety nine percent Core Essence!"
Tian Yi: 'What!?'