The spring rain fell steadily against the stone of Qing Mao Mountain, a rhythmic tapping that seemed to echo the stillness of the night.
It was late—too late for most to be awake, yet not fully dark.
The mountain breathed with life—the wind's soft murmur and the scent of wet pine blending into the air.
From the mountain's edge, faint lights dotted the village below, like stars scattered across a vast, black sky, distant yet persistent.
At the heart of it all, Gu Yue Village nestled between towering peaks.
The Gu Yue Clan Pavilion, a strong silhouette against the night, was alive with a subtle, electric energy.
Inside, a ceremony unfolded, a tradition older than most in the village, marking the passage of time with incense and ritual.
The clan leader, his hair graying and his face lined with age, knelt before the black altar, surrounded by the quiet weight of ancestral tablets. The low hum of murmured prayers filled the air as his voice rose softly, echoing within the stone walls.
"Ancestors, grant us your blessing," he intoned, his voice barely more than a whisper.
"Let us have the strength to shape the future, to carry the Gu Yue name forward."
Behind him, the elders knelt in silence, heads bowed in reverence. The scent of incense spiraled into the air, merging with the cool mountain breeze.
When the ceremony ended, a stillness fell over the hall. The clan leader slowly rose, pressing his palms to the ground in a final kowtow. One by one, the elders followed, their heads gently knocking against the floor in rhythm, marking the end of a sacred tradition.
In the hallway, the tension eased.
A few relieved sighs broke the silence, followed by murmurs of conversation.
"Time flies, doesn't it? A whole year already passed."
"It feels like the last ceremony was just yesterday. I can still remember it clearly."
"Tomorrow's the grand ceremony. I wonder which new blood will emerge this time?"
"Let's hope some real talent shows up. It's been too long since the clan saw anything impressive."
"True. Bai Village, Xiong Village—those places have had geniuses rising. Especially Bai Ning Bing from the Bai clan. That kid's talent is… undeniable."
The mention of Bai Ning Bing brought an uncomfortable stillness to the room.
His qualifications were indisputable—just two years of training, and he was already a level three Gu Master.
Among the younger generation, he was unmatched. Even the elders could feel the weight of his potential.
It was clear that, in time, Bai Ning Bing would become the cornerstone of his clan. At the very least, he would be a force to reckon with. No one doubted that future.
"This year's ceremony brings a different kind of challenge," muttered one elder, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
"Ah, yes. Gu Yue Fang Yuan, the eldest son of Gu Yue Fang Mo. The child's intelligence is frightening, they say. By five, he could read; by ten, he ran the family tavern with unnerving efficiency."
"But his ruthlessness… I heard he killed a mortal over a trivial slight. Just the thought of it sends a chill down my spine."
"Shame his father passed too early. The boy is raised only by his mother now."
"Even so, his reputation precedes him. A ruthless child with an unnatural talent for business."
The clan leader, the last to leave the ancestral temple, overheard their conversation, his expression unreadable.
As the final words of the elders lingered in the hall, he paused at the doorway, looking out into the flickering torchlight.
'Gu Yue Fang Yuan.'
As clan head, it was his duty to keep an eye on standout youths, and Fang Yuan was clearly the one drawing attention.
The boy's abilities were undeniable.
By five, he had mastered reading; by ten, he had managed the family tavern with an uncanny efficiency. But it was his coldness, his ruthlessness that stood out. He was as much a threat as he was a potential asset.
'Considering his parents' C Grade aptitude, his talent will likely be similar.'
'On the other hand, the grandsons of two elders are participating this year. They might show real promise.' The Gu Yue clan head smiled faintly at this thought.
Clearing his throat, he turned to the elders. "It's getting late. Rest up tonight, so you're in top form for tomorrow's opening ceremony."
The elders exchanged wary glances. They understood the underlying message. The clan head's words were kind, but everyone knew what they meant.
Every year, the competition for these young talents turned into a fierce struggle. They needed their energy for the intense battles ahead.
"But," the clan head added, his tone sharp, "when you compete, do it fairly."
"No tricks, no scheming, and certainly no actions that harm the clan's unity. Keep that in mind." His voice was firm, leaving no room for doubt.
"We wouldn't dare, we wouldn't dare."
"We'll keep that in mind."
"Good, then. Rest well, everyone."
The elders dispersed, lost in their own thoughts.
Soon, the long corridor fell silent.
The soft breeze from the spring rain wafted in through the window as the clan head walked over and inhaled the fresh, cool mountain air.
It was refreshing.
Standing on the third floor of the garret, he gazed out at Gu Yue Village.
Even this late, most of the homes had lights still burning—unusual for this hour.
Tomorrow's opening ceremony was on everyone's mind, and the anticipation made it hard for anyone to sleep.
"This is the future of the clan," he thought, watching the flickering lights below.
...
Under the shroud of a starless night, a pair of keen, unblinking eyes stared unwaveringly at the distant lights flickering like a thousand whispers in the darkness.
Fang Yuan stood, motionless by the window, as the rain, cold and relentless, lashed against his form. The world outside blurred beneath a curtain of mist and droplets, but he remained unmoved, absorbed in the quiet chaos of the storm.
The rhythmic tapping of rain against the glass whispered in his ears, soft and insistent.
His gaze remained fixed, distant, lost in thought. After a long pause, he let out a quiet, almost imperceptible breath.
"Tomorrow..." he whispered, the weight of the words hanging in the air like an omen.
"Everything changes."