Six years later…
The Yin–Yang Clan training grounds buzzed with activity.
Hundreds of young children gathered around stone platforms where clan elders conducted the Spirit Root Awakening Ceremony.
This ceremony determined a cultivator's future.
Talented children would receive powerful cultivation techniques and resources.
Untalented ones would live ordinary lives.
Among the crowd stood two identical boys.
One wore dark robes.
The other wore white.
They were Michael and Matthew.
The twins watched calmly as children stepped onto the testing platform.
Crystal pillars glowed with different colors each time a spirit root awakened.
Gasps erupted whenever someone displayed high talent.
Suddenly—
A loud voice echoed.
"Next!"
"Michael. Matthew."
The twins stepped forward together.
Murmurs spread through the crowd.
"Those are the branch twins."
"I heard their talent is strange."
"Probably nothing special."
The elder activated the crystal formation.
Light surrounded the twins.
Moments passed.
Then the crystal pillars glowed softly.
Half black.
Half white.
Perfect balance.
The elder frowned.
"Yin–Yang Spirit Root."
"But only average purity."
"Fifty percent each."
He waved dismissively.
"Average talent."
"Next."
Laughter spread among the children.
"Just average."
"What a waste of a Yin–Yang root."
Michael and Matthew simply glanced at each other and shrugged.
They had already expected this.
But hidden deep within their souls…
The ancient Dragon Spirit quietly observed.
And smiled.