The formation activated. Dots of light, like scattered particles, emerged within the candidates' field of vision. Fascination flickered across the children's faces as they watched the scene unfold. One of them, unable to suppress his trembling voice, whispered with a hint of excitement,
"It... it's coming near me. It's approaching on its own and being absorbed into my body."
The surrounding children cast sharp glances at him, their gazes a mix of jealousy, envy, and a faint glimmer of hope each silently wishing to be the next.
On the elevated stage, the upper echelon of the clan observed the scene with stoic expressions. The clan leader, his voice low and composed, spoke to the elders.
"Some of them have already begun absorbing spiritual energy. This outcome surpasses the previous session."
His gaze shifted to the few who had succeeded, scrutinizing their progress. The elders nodded, satisfaction flickering briefly in their eyes before vanishing behind indifferent masks.
Seated cross-legged, Wang Ming remained focused, eyes closed, attempting to draw the surrounding spiritual energy into his body. His mind remained undistracted, analyzing the situation.
**"Within the Wang clan's jurisdiction lie three mortal kingdoms. Each year, tens of thousands of twelve-year-old children are tested in their local areas. Only a select few can perceive spiritual energy, and those who do are summoned for the primary test absorption of spiritual energy.
To become a formation master, one must first assimilate spiritual energy. Yet, not everyone capable of sensing it can absorb it. Hence, the clan gathers all eligible candidates and utilizes the ancestral formation to increase spiritual energy density, allowing those with innate talent to absorb it more freely.
Cultivation techniques for enhancing spiritual absorption exist, but they are strictly guarded by the higher-ups distributing them recklessly merely to test talent risks leakage. Thus, the clan opts for a natural method to evaluate potential."**
As he pondered, a faint, almost imperceptible gathering of spiritual energy formed above Wang Ming's head. Opening his eyes slowly, he noticed the energy orbiting his face, a subtle yet persistent flow.
Two hours passed. The formation ceased. Joy lit the faces of a few candidates, while most bore expressions of disappointment and resignation. Some remained unwilling to accept their failure, standing apart from the others.
The clan leader, descending to the edge of the stage, addressed the group with a voice devoid of warmth.
"Those who successfully absorbed spiritual energy will remain. The rest may leave."
Reluctantly, some children rose, teeth clenched, while others wiped away silent tears. A few, refusing to move, were mercilessly dragged away by the guards. Resistance led to severe beatings, some suffering heavy injuries, yet the clan leaders remained indifferent, unmoved by the struggle. To them, the failures were no longer relevant,destined to live as ordinary mortals.
Once the disturbance subsided, the clan leader turned toward an elder and commanded,
"Take those who absorbed the spiritual energy to assess their ranks."
Without further comment, the elder nodded and gestured for the successful candidates to follow. The failed ones remained sprawled on the ground, broken and forgotten.