The empty aperture was extraordinarily mysterious. Although it resided within Fang Yuan's body, it did not share the same space as his internal organs. You could say it was infinitely large, yet also infinitely small.
Some called it the Violet Palace, others the Flower Pool. However, most referred to it as the Primal Sea Empty Aperture.
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The entire empty aperture was spherical, with a surface that shimmered with white light, forming a layer of light membrane. This was the result of the Hope Gu exploding and condensing into a layer of light.
It was precisely because of this light membrane that the empty aperture was supported and did not collapse.
Inside the empty aperture was naturally the Primal Sea.
The sea was smooth as a mirror, a deep azure color, yet incredibly viscous, with a metallic sheen.
This was the condensed Bronze True Essence that only a Rank One Gu Master possessed, commonly known as the Bronze Sea.
The sea level was less than half the height of the empty aperture, only reaching forty-four percent. This was the limitation of Grade C aptitude.
Every drop of seawater was True Essence, representing the condensation of Fang Yuan's essence, energy, and spirit, symbolizing the life potential he had accumulated over fifteen years.
Gu Masters used this True Essence to activate Gu Insects, which meant that from this moment on, Fang Yuan had officially stepped into the ranks of Rank One Gu Masters.
The empty aperture had opened, and there was no longer any Hope Gu merging into Fang Yuan's body.
Fang Yuan collected his thoughts, feeling a pressure ahead as solid as a wall, unable to advance further.
"Just like in my previous life." He smiled faintly at the result.
"Can't go any further?" The Academy Elder called out from across the river, holding onto a sliver of hope.
Fang Yuan turned around and walked back, answering with his actions.
At this, even the youths reacted.
Suddenly, there was a buzzing sound as the crowd erupted.
"What? Fang Yuan walked twenty-seven steps?"
"So he only has Grade C aptitude?!"
"Incredible, such a genius, and he's only Grade C?"
The crowd was in an uproar.
"Brother..." In the crowd, Gu Yue Fang Zheng looked up, shocked at Fang Yuan returning from the river. He couldn't believe his eyes; his brother was only a Grade C?
He had always thought his brother would have Grade A aptitude.
No, it wasn't just him; Uncle-in-law, Aunt-in-law, and many in the clan thought so too.
But now, the result was like this!
"Damn, just a Grade C!" Clan Leader Gu Yue clenched his fists, sighing deeply, disappointment written all over his face.
The elders observing in secret frowned, some discussing quietly, others sighing to the heavens.
"Could there be a mistake in the test?"
"How could there be? This method is incredibly accurate, and we've been watching closely, making cheating nearly impossible."
"But then, how do you explain his previous performance and talent?"
"Youths with higher Primal Sea aptitude do exhibit extraordinary traits, like intelligence, comprehension, memory, strength, agility, etc. But conversely, these traits don't necessarily mean high aptitude; everything depends on the test results."
"Sigh, the greater the hope, the greater the disappointment. The Gu Yue Tribe is declining with each generation."
***
The icy river water soaked through his socks, chilling to the bone.
Fang Yuan continued walking expressionlessly, getting closer and closer. He could clearly see the heavy expression on the Academy Elder's face and sharply sense the gazes of over a hundred youths.
These gazes held shock, astonishment, ridicule, schadenfreude, realization, and indifference.
The identical scenario reminded Fang Yuan of his previous life.
Back then, he felt as if the sky had collapsed, slipping and falling into the river, soaking wet and dejected. Yet no one helped him up.
Those disappointed, indifferent expressions and gazes were like sharp knives slicing his heart. His thoughts were chaotic, and his chest ached faintly.
It was like falling from the clouds to the ground; the higher you stand, the harder the fall.
However, in this life.
Facing the same scene again, Fang Yuan's heart was incredibly calm.
He thought of the legend that when in a predicament, one should entrust their heart to hope.
Now, this hope was within him. Although it wasn't much, it was better than having no aptitude for cultivation at all.
If others were disappointed, so be it. What could they do?
What did others' disappointment have to do with me? The important thing was to keep hope alive in my heart!
Five hundred years of life had taught him one thing: the brilliance of one's life lies in the pursuit of dreams. There's no need to demand others not be disappointed or to like you.
Walk your own path, let others be disappointed and dislike you!
"Sigh..." The Academy Elder sighed deeply and called out, "Next, Gu Yue Fang Zheng."
But there was no response.
"Gu Yue Fang Zheng!" The elder shouted, his voice echoing in the cave.
"Huh? I'm here, I'm here!" Fang Zheng snapped out of his shock, hurriedly running out, but unfortunately stumbled and fell headlong into the river with a splash.
Instantly, the crowd burst into laughter.
"The Fang brothers, nothing special." Clan Leader Gu Yue snorted, feeling a sense of annoyance towards Gu Yue Fang Zheng as well.
"What a disgrace!" Fang Zheng struggled in the river, but the slippery riverbed made it impossible to stand. His efforts only made him appear more clumsy. Hearing the laughter around him, his heart grew increasingly flustered.
But just then, he suddenly felt a strong force pulling him up, his head finally breaking the surface, regaining his balance.
Wiping his face awkwardly, he saw his brother Fang Yuan lifting him by the collar.
"Brother..." He opened his mouth to speak, only to choke on water, triggering a fit of coughing.
"Haha, the unfortunate Fang brothers!" Someone on the shore mocked.
The laughter grew louder, and the Academy Elder did not step in to stop it, his brow deeply furrowed, filled with disappointment.
Fang Zheng was at a loss, but he heard his brother's voice in his ear: "Go on, the future will be exciting."
Fang Zheng opened his mouth in surprise. At this moment, Fang Yuan had his back to the crowd, so those on the shore couldn't see clearly. But Fang Zheng could clearly sense Fang Yuan's calmness, even a slight playful smile at the corner of his mouth as he spoke.
"Why is my brother so calm, even with just a Grade C aptitude?" Fang Zheng couldn't help but wonder.
Fang Yuan said no more, patted Fang Zheng's back, and turned to leave.
Fang Zheng, with a blank expression, walked towards the flower sea.
"I never expected my brother to be so calm. If it were me, I might..." He lowered his head, walking forward unconsciously, unaware that he was performing a miraculous feat.
When he came to his senses, he was already standing deep in the flower sea, a distance no one had reached before.
Forty-three steps!
"My god, Grade A aptitude!!!" The Academy Elder shouted, losing his composure.
"Grade A, it's actually Grade A?!"
"After three years, the Gu Yue Tribe finally has another Grade A aptitude genius!"
The elders observing in secret also shouted, losing their decorum.
"Well, the Fang lineage originally branched from our Chi lineage, so this Gu Yue Fang Zheng will be adopted by my Chi lineage," Gu Yue Chi Lian immediately declared.
"How could that be? You, Chi Lian, have no merit, only the ability to mislead. This child would be better off under my care, Gu Yue Mo Chen," Gu Yue Mo Chen roared as if electrified.
"None of you should fight. No one is better suited to nurture this child than me, the Clan Leader. Anyone who disagrees is opposing me, Gu Yue Bo!" The Clan Leader's eyes were bloodshot, sweeping away his earlier disappointment and despair, filled with madness.
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