Silence lingered across the training grounds.
Thousands of young cultivators stood shoulder to shoulder, yet not a single unnecessary word could be heard.
The weight of expectation alone was enough to quiet even the most arrogant among them.
A cool breeze swept through the arena, causing robes and long hair to sway gently.
High above, the floating platforms cast long shadows over the gathering.
Elder Aureon stood motionless upon the central platform.
His calm gaze slowly swept over everyone present.
Not judging.
Observing.
Measuring.
For a brief moment...
It felt as though nothing could escape those eyes.
Then—
He spoke again.
"Before any of you begin your true training..."
"There is something you must understand."
His voice remained calm.
Yet every word carried absolute authority.
"You call yourselves geniuses."
"You have been praised since birth."
"You have defeated your peers."
"You have surpassed expectations."
A small pause.
"That ends today."
The words fell like cold water.
Many expressions stiffened.
Some frowned.
Others unconsciously clenched their fists.
No one interrupted.
"You stand here because you possess talent."
"But talent..."
He raised a single finger.
"...is merely the qualification to enter."
"It is not proof of greatness."
His gaze shifted slowly across the crowd.
"I have witnessed countless prodigies."
"Some shone brighter than the stars."
"Some possessed bloodlines envied by entire worlds."
"Some mastered techniques that others could never comprehend."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"And almost all of them..."
"...were forgotten."
The arena became even quieter.
"Do you know why?"
No one answered.
"Because talent without discipline..."
"...creates mediocrity."
"Power without wisdom..."
"...creates arrogance."
"And arrogance..."
"...creates corpses."
Those words carried no emotion.
Only truth.
Even the wind seemed to stop.
I listened silently.
There wasn't a single unnecessary sentence.
Everything he said...
Was experience.
Not theory.
"The path ahead of you is long."
"Longer than any of you can currently imagine."
"You will experience victory."
"You will experience defeat."
"You will lose companions."
"You will surpass teachers."
"You will question yourselves."
"And some..."
"...will abandon the path entirely."
His expression remained unchanged.
"Cultivation is not a race."
"It is not a competition."
"It is the lifelong pursuit of perfection."
Someone within the crowd suddenly raised a hand.
The movement immediately drew countless eyes.
A young boy stepped forward confidently.
His silver hair reached his shoulders, while a pair of golden eyes shone with unmistakable pride.
"Elder."
Aureon nodded.
"Speak."
"If talent alone means nothing..."
"...why separate us according to talent?"
A faint ripple spread through the gathering.
It was a reasonable question.
The elder smiled faintly.
"A good question."
He clasped his hands behind his back.
"Tell me."
"If one child learns by observation..."
"And another learns only through battle..."
"Should they receive the same teacher?"
The boy hesitated.
"...No."
"If one possesses overwhelming physical strength..."
"And another possesses extraordinary spiritual perception..."
"Should they follow identical training?"
"...No."
Aureon nodded.
"Exactly."
"We do not separate you to decide your worth."
"We separate you..."
"...to help each of you reach your own."
The boy lowered his head respectfully.
"I understand."
Aureon's gaze returned to everyone.
"Never confuse potential..."
"...with destiny."
"Potential merely tells us where you may arrive."
"Only your choices decide whether you ever reach it."
I quietly nodded.
Those words...
Made sense.
Suddenly—
Prime Instinct stirred.
Not from danger.
Awareness.
I instinctively turned my head.
Several figures stood apart from the rest of the crowd.
Not because they isolated themselves.
Because everyone else unconsciously gave them space.
Interesting...
One was a tall youth with snow-white hair and calm emerald eyes.
Another possessed dark blue hair tied neatly behind his head, his expression cold and unreadable.
A young girl stood nearby, her crimson hair flowing softly in the breeze.
Her spiritual energy was remarkably restrained.
Not a single fluctuation escaped her body.
Complete control.
Each of them...
Was quietly observing everyone else.
Just as I was.
"...Strong."
I whispered unconsciously.
Beside me, my brother glanced toward the same direction.
"You noticed them too?"
I nodded once.
"They're different."
"They are."
"They don't feel..."
I searched for the right word.
"...ordinary."
He folded his arms.
"They're probably wondering the same thing about everyone else."
I smiled slightly.
Maybe.
Without warning—
The white-haired youth slowly turned his head.
Our eyes met.
Only for an instant.
No hostility.
No challenge.
Simply acknowledgement.
Then he calmly looked away.
Interesting...
Aureon's voice interrupted my thoughts.
"There is one final thing."
Everyone focused on him again.
"From this day onward..."
"You represent more than yourselves."
"You represent your families."
"You represent your bloodlines."
"You represent the future of our people."
His expression became noticeably more serious.
"And one day..."
"You will represent this realm itself."
The atmosphere changed.
The weight behind those words...
Was immense.
"You are no longer children."
His gaze swept across the gathering one final time.
"You are cultivators."
"And cultivators..."
"...carry responsibility."
Silence.
Then—
Aureon slowly raised his right hand.
Behind him, dozens of elders stepped forward from the surrounding platforms.
One after another.
Their appearances varied greatly.
Some looked elderly.
Others appeared younger than many parents present.
Men.
Women.
Tall.
Short.
Each possessed a unique presence.
The pressure radiating from them naturally caused the younger generation to straighten instinctively.
There were no weak elders here.
Not one.
"The instructors have arrived."
Aureon's voice echoed throughout the arena.
"The Gathering of Prodigies..."
He smiled faintly.
"...shall now truly begin."
To be continued...