Half an hour ago.
"Shen Zhong, first grade aptitude, eighty two percent Core Essence."The academy elder announced with a hint of excitement, and also relief.
Excitement because this was the first person to possess first grade talent in twelve years, relief because Shen Zhong's background was not ordinary.
'It's good that Shen Zhong has first class talent, the clan leader finally has a worthy heir. After all, Shen Zhong was the clan leader's youngest son, also the only remaining one...' The academy elder thought with some worries.
After all, he himself belongs to the clan leader's faction.
A commotion erupted amongst the youths and elders alike, though the elders side was more subdued and calm.
"Congratulations, clan leader."
"Congratulations, congratulations."
"Congratulations."
Many elders cupped their hands and expressed their congratulations. Towards this, the clan leader merely nodded with an expressionless face, his emotions unreadable.
Inwardly, he was full of helplessness.
'Sighs, it was only eighty one percent, barely crossing the threshold for first grade talent, even after all the resources I spent a fortune on.' The clan leader thought with complex emotions.
In truth, because his sons had all died, he doted on his youngest son a lot and didn't spare a single penny to support him. It was not the child's fault that he didn't have high talent, but he couldn't help but feel a little disappointment.
Shen Minjie discreetly glanced at another elder who stood some distance away from him.
It was an old man with seven parts gray hair and three parts black hair on his head and beard. He wore a big outer robe with wide sleeves, neatly ironed clothes beat it, his hair and beard impeccably groomed. He was the leader of the Huai family of the clan, Shen Huai Xu.
The old man did not notice his gaze as he was looking intently at a young girl who's undergoing the awakening ceremony.
That girl was Shen Ai.
The clan leader didn't pay much attention to her, merely glanced over and moved on. He was sure that Shen Ai would get first class talent.
Why? Because there are many precedents of talented people who exude certain characteristics of first class talent. The clan's research and evidence supported this.
'It's a shame we don't have personnels talented in this area of research, we don't have the extra time nor resources either. Due to the beast tide year after year, most of our resources are concentrated on combat forces, repairs and regular livelihood for the clansmen. If only we had one tenth of those great clan's research results.'
It was common knowledge that first grade aptitudes often exhibit some traits and unique talents such as high intelligence, great strength that rival a bull or tiger, or even the ability to fly and manipulate wind currents without the use of Meng.
Of course those traits and talents are not exclusive to first grade aptitude, even the lowest fifth grade can have them.
But often than not, those who possessed such traits are first class aptitude or second.
Thus, in the clan leader's mind, Shen Ai who has both high intelligence in both learning from books and combat, coupled with her seemingly endless stamina, is almost certainly a first grade talent.
'After all, I also possessed such traits.'
The clan leader then turned to look at another old man who didn't seem much older than himself.
This man possessed quite the fiery aura and fierce countenance. He was dressed in the same wide-sleeved robe like the other elders, except his robe was entirely black. He was the leader of the Gui family, Shen Gui Heng.
Upon seeing this, the clan leader's mood improved somewhat.
'These old fools must be feeling a lot of pressure. After all, their heirs are only second grade talents.'
He was feeling good knowing that others had it worse than him.
"Shen Ai, first grade aptitude, ninety percent Core Essence!"
The youths went into an uproar again as they welcomed Shen Ai into their group of people who had awakened.
Shen Ai did not discriminate as she smiled and talked to everyone who congratulated her, remembering every single one of their names. She talked with them briefly before making her way to Shen Zhong who stood beside the five second grade talents.
Shen Zhong congratulated her with a look of 'as expected of you' with a smile on his face. The other five also followed him in with their congratulations for her.
Shen Ai thanked them one by one, effortlessly blending in their circle.
Before, those who came from lower or decent backgrounds but had got average aptitude used to feel resentment for those second grade talents and Shen Zhong for the slight discrimination and their actions of blatantly creating a circle.
Now they felt it was natural. Even grateful for their actions, it was inevitable Shen Ai would join them. That was where talented people gathered, it's also her rightful place.
The reason for their gratitude was because they were glad they are in the same generation as these people, it was practically the third Golden generation!
What is the Golden generation? A Golden generation is when a brilliant first grade talent was born called a first class talent, or more than one first grade aptitudes existed in the same generation.
In the entire one thousand years history of the Shen clan there were over two hundred Meng cultivators with first grade aptitude, but there were no more than nine golden generations.
And theirs would be the tenth! What an honor, what a prestige!
If they began to build relationships now, even becoming their lackeys, when one day Shen Zhong and Shen Ai reach rank six, wouldn't they be hitting it rich?
After all, they are all classmates and will have many opportunities to interact in the future.
When thinking to this point, all the youths seemed to be reminded of something as they turned their heads excitedly at a lone figure standing not far away from them.
By now, everyone has already undergone their awakening ceremony. Only Tian Yi was left.
He stood there calmly with hands clasped behind his back, unmoving. His expression was cold and aloof like usual, indifferent towards the commotions.
"Shen Tian Yi, step forward." The academy elder called out with suppressed excitement.
At this moment, all eyes turned towards Tian Yi.