"Li Bin, test your attribute," the elder called out again.
A plump boy emerged from the crowd, bouncing onto the stage with a nervous grin. He placed his hand on the attribute crystal, and moments later, a deep red glow spread across its surface.
"Li Bin, third-grade fire attribute. Not bad," Li Yongfang announced with a rare note of approval.
One by one, more children stepped forward for their turn. The process was orderly and precise.
Gradually, the number of children gathered around Li Yun thinned out. Most of those called first were confirmed to be practitioners, possessing natural attributes. The ones without any cultivation potential remained below, quietly watching.
Li Nian had already taken the test. His results were impressive: a third-grade metal attribute, and based on the crystal's radiance, likely among the top of his tier.
Although he didn't quite reach the level of a fourth-grade physique, the difference was slim. His future, like Li Yao's, looked bright, he had a real chance of entering the Xiantian Realm but that would be the limit of his cultivation.
In Azure Wind City, reaching the Xiantian Realm was already the limit of geniuses. The third grade or fourth grade physique could only push their cultivation to Xiantian Realm.
Soon the test continued as many young members of the Li Family tested their physique.
Some children even possessed dual attributes, but their quality wasn't high. None stood out as particularly extraordinary.
Eventually, all the known practitioners completed their assessments. Now it was time for those believed to have no attribute, those like Li Yun, to formally finish their rite of passage.
Li Yun stood at the very end of the group. His expression remained calm and unreadable.
He knew exactly what everyone around him thought. They had believed he had no attributes, just an ordinary constitution in the past and now that had changed. And so he was kept in the group of those with no attribute physique. But he wasn't bothered. He felt no need to rush forward and prove them wrong. Let them wait. The truth would reveal itself in time.
"Li Ming, step forward," Li Yongfang's voice rang out again.
Li Ming turned to Li Yun with a bitter smile. "Brother Li Yun, guess it's my turn now."
Li Yun gave a small nod. "Go on."
There was no stopping it. Everyone had to face the stage eventually.
Up on the platform, Li Ming stepped forward and gave a respectful bow to the patriarch and the elders.
"Li Ming," Elder Li Yongfang said slowly, gazing down at him, "as of today, you are officially an adult. You know the family rules, without cultivation talent, you can no longer remain in the main compound. The family will provide you with a modest sum. Perhaps, with effort, you may still find your place elsewhere."
Li Ming felt his cheeks flush with heat. Under the watchful gaze of countless Li family members, he was being exiled from the core of the family.
Though the murmurs from the crowd weren't loud enough to catch word for word, he could easily imagine the conversations, whispers of pity, disappointment, or worse.
He kept his head bowed, avoiding every eye.
"This is a hundred gold coins," said Li Yongfang, handing him a small pouch. "Use it wisely."
"…Thank you, Ninth Elder," Li Ming said quietly as he accepted the coins.
A hundred gold coins, barely enough to scrape by. It was more of a farewell gift than a real investment in his future.
"Tomorrow, you'll report to Claywood Town," Li Yongfang added, waving a hand. "The steward there will assign you your duties."
Li Ming stepped aside without another word.
"Li Hong, step forward," Li Yongfang called again, continuing down the list.
One by one, the remaining children with no cultivation potential were summoned. Most would be sent to manage or labor in various Li family enterprises scattered across the region.
Then,
"Li Yun, come up."
A hush fell over the crowd.
All eyes turned to him.
Li Yun stepped forward calmly and stood before the attribute crystal.
A month ago, rumors had begun circulating that Li Yun, previously thought to be unable to cultivate, had broken through to the Marrow Cleansing Realm. Most dismissed it as idle talk, until now.
Today, as he stood confidently on the stage, the truth was undeniable. His aura was stable and unmistakable. He had indeed reached the early stage of the Marrow Cleansing Realm.
Unlike the Bone Refining Realm, where cultivation levels were hard to sense, the Marrow Cleansing Realm left visible traces. Anyone with experience could see it.
Li Yun placed his hand on the attribute crystal.
A moment later, the crystal glowed with a warm red hue.
"Li Yun," Elder Li Yongfang announced. "Third-grade fire attribute physique."
Gasps rippled through the audience.
How was this possible? Wasn't he supposed to have no attributes? And now he had a solid third-grade constitution?
Li Yun, meanwhile, remained unfazed. He sneered silently in his heart.
'Third grade, huh? If only they knew.'
Only he understood the truth, his body was the legendary Primal Chaos Body, capable of wielding all attributes. The Li family's crystal couldn't begin to measure his true potential.
"Li Yun," the elder continued, "what is your current cultivation?"
"Early stage of the Marrow Cleansing Realm," Li Yun replied without hesitation.
"Good," said Li Yongfang with a satisfied nod, handing over the customary rewards.
Li Yun received the package and bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Ninth Elder."
And with that, he stepped off the stage, leaving the crowd in stunned silence.
With the last of the young cultivators completing their tests, the coming-of-age ceremony officially drew to a close.
But the real excitement was only just beginning.
As tradition dictated, once the ceremony ended, the younger generation of the Li family would begin issuing open challenges to one another. Some did it to impress the elders, others to test their strength, or settle old grudges.
"Li Yun! Do you dare fight me?!"
A sharp voice cut through the air.
It was Li Nian.
He stood there, eyes burning with jealousy and contempt as he stared at Li Yun.
Jealousy, because Li Yun was now a certified junior pharmacist and, with his cultivation finally awakened, had the potential to become a senior pharmacist one day.
And contempt, because not long ago, he'd beaten Li Yun within an inch of his life. To see someone he thought he'd buried rise again so suddenly was something he couldn't stomach.
Li Yun met his gaze, calm and unshaken.
"Why wouldn't I?"
His voice rang out clearly, drawing murmurs from the surrounding crowd.
"Li Yun, there's no need for this," came a measured voice from the side.
It was the Third Elder, Li Zhen, Li Yun's grandfather. His brows were slightly furrowed as he stepped forward, concern evident in his tone. "You've already proven yourself to the entire family. You're now a cultivator and a junior pharmacist. No one can question your worth."
There was no obligation for Li Yun to accept the challenge, and Li Zhen wouldn't blame him if he chose to walk away. Still… part of him wouldn't mind seeing Li Nian humbled publicly.
But the difference in strength was real.
Li Yun had just stepped into the early stage of the Marrow Cleansing Realm.
Li Nian, on the other hand, was already at the late stage of the same realm, two full minor realms ahead.
Li Zhen's concern was warranted. If something were to happen to Li Yun in this duel, punishing Li Nian afterward wouldn't change the loss.
"Third Elder, I may only be at the early stage of Marrow Cleansing Realm, but trust me, Li Nian won't be able to hurt me. He simply doesn't have the ability," Li Yun said with a calm smile.
"Master," he turned to Li Jinyun next, "please allow me to accept this challenge. Years ago, Li Nian's father faced off against mine. If I refuse to fight today, wouldn't that be a disgrace to my father's legacy?"
His lips curled slightly, confidence radiating from his voice.
Li Yun's words made it difficult for the family head to intervene. Forcing the challenge to end here would make it seem as if the direct bloodline was shrinking back. Li Jinyun glanced at Li Zhen, hoping the elder would object, but Li Zhen said nothing.
Meanwhile, in the crowd, Li Potian's heart was burning with rage. He was Li Nian's grandfather, the grand elder or the first elder of the Li Family.
'Damn it!'
If Li Yun hadn't brought up the past, about how his son was once defeated by Li Tian, perhaps he could have held his temper. But now? Now he wanted revenge.
His eyes locked onto Li Nian, and with a subtle nod, he gave him permission.
This wasn't just a friendly spar anymore.
"In that case," Li Jinyun finally spoke, "let the two of you fight. But remember, this is still a family spar. Do not go overboard. No serious injuries."
His tone was firm, clearly meant to protect Li Yun. The gap in cultivation realm made him wary.
Both youths stepped onto the platform and faced each other, adjusting their stances.
The crowd instinctively stepped back, giving them space. The elders, however, remained close. With their strength, even if something went wrong, they could intervene instantly.
Li Nian sneered, his voice low and mocking. "Li Yun, you'd better surrender early. If you get hurt, don't say I didn't warn you. It won't be my fault if things get out of hand."
It was a veiled excuse, if Li Yun ended up injured, he could claim it wasn't intentional.
But Li Yun only smiled, unbothered.
"Li Nian… you're going to regret this."