Shen Gui Da came back soaked with blood, wounds all over his body after disappearing for days.
However, what was strange was that instead of being weak and sickly, he was energetic and full of vigor. His mouth curved into a big, self confidence grin.
One would not need to look far for the reason. It was a bear skin with its head on his shoulder, relatively intact, acting as a giant cape.
This matter caused quite the sensation, even the clan leader came to take a look.
The reasons were obvious. Shen Gui Da's body was full of claw marks, but the bear's skin was worse.
It was full of bite marks and stretch marks, as if it had been torn by a gorilla.
Shen Gui Da was in critical condition and fainted on the spot upon arriving at the village entrance.
Upon further investigations, they found out that Shen Gui Da killed the bear with his bare hands, alone in the forest. Interrogation of witnesses and Shen Gui Da himself revealed the full truth.
It was rather hilarious.
All this happened because of Shen Gui Da's stubborn nature and the desire to prove himself.
After being isolated and ridiculed by his peers, being disciplined by his family uncles and aunts, Shen Gui Da felt suffocated. He felt like living in a cage that's too small for his massive body. Though his parents cared for him, they never understood him.
It's not his fault that the girl who always played with him got her arms broken after just a little touch. It's not his fault that those boys who tried to fight him got their hands broken after punching him. It's not like he intentionally killed Shen Huai Jin's dog when he tried to hug it.
It was because they were weak, all too weak.
So he ran away.
He decided to live in the forest where the strong rules and survival relied on strength.
But realities are often different from ideals.
He found out that in the vast jungle forest, there were things more formidable than he could imagine.
Wild, savage beasts with inexplicable abilities, shape shifting tigers, invisible stealth leopard, bees that stings with electrical currents.
Just these alone had brought him to the brink of death many times. Thus, Shen Gui Da realized his place before long. He could only live in the periphery of these beasts' territory while finding a way out back to the clan.
But he was already quite deep in the forest. Even for an experienced hunter, it would still take them many days to get out, let alone the twelve years old Shen Gui Da.
After many days of stumbling and tumbling around on the outskirts eating scraps and small animals, Shen Gui Da finally found a spacious cave which was hard to attack and easy to defend.
Perfect for taking shelter.
But it turned out that the cave was occupied by a grown bear.
Shen Gui Da fought tooth and nail with his life on the line for this safe haven.
The results were displayed for all to see, Shen Gui Da returned triumph and victorious. Embedding his name in people's minds.
'Heh, the clan special grade talent almost died just like that.' Tian Yi thought inwardly to himself.
'But it was not in vain. This event taught Shen Gui Da the importance of human relationships. It gave him insight into the structure of society and its inner workings, making him loyal to the clan in his own way.'
Thinking up to this point, Tian Yi already walked up to the group of youths who had all completed their awakening ceremony.
He walked slowly as if on a stroll, hands clasped behind his back, his face cold and indifferent.
The group of youths in the outer circle looked down at the ground and made way for him while the youths in the inner circle gave an awkward nod, none dared meet his gaze.
None, except Shen Ai and Shen Zhong.
Tian Yi gave a slight nod to them and walked towards Shen Ai and Shen Zhong.
With their first grade aptitude, they are indeed qualified to stand side by side with him.
At this moment, the academy finally regained his composure and announced:
"I hereby concluded the awakening ceremony! As per traditions, you shall bow to the heavens, bow to the earth and bow to the ancestors!"
His voice echoed while the youths followed suit, impeccably bowing three times in different directions. Just as they had done before at the beginning of the awakening ceremony.
At this time, the clan leader stepped forward, he said:
"Now, you all are officially rank one early stage Meng cultivators. Follow me back to the ancestral hall and we shall register your names in the academy. You have one week to light incense, pay respects to the ancestors, stabilize your cultivation, familiarize yourself with your newfound strength and perceptions."
"Yes sir!" The youths replied in unison.
The group returned to the surface, using the same passage they took when they came in.
Before long, they are already back in the ancestral hall.
The youths lined up one by one to get their name registered. When they finally finished, it was already noon.
The youths were chatting while the elders began to disperse and bid each other farewell when suddenly, a group of subordinates rushed in with panicked expression, their whole body soaked.
"L-lord clan leader, elder Shen Jin, elder Shen Jin and elder Shen An are in critical condition!"
The words sent shock down the spine of everyone present, even the clan leader.
Everyone except an indifferent youth, Shen Tian Yi.
'Here it comes.'