In the prominent City of Acirema where the sun was currently radiating the intense heat only found in the East of the Teolim continent, a man could be found frustrated at his son's everyday antics.

"Brother Meng warned me to get my son away from his own. He called him ugly? Why is my Jian Yu pushing away his friends.. Doesn't he know that he's shaming them? Aii no matter, I'll just discipline him with another one of my famous life lessons."

Of course, this man was not an educator in any way. This man was just a fisherman who liked to rip people off with overpriced goods. By this point of time, rumors have spread of a fisherman who will approach you with a big fish in his arms offering you a price you 'can't refuse'. Naturally, this fisherman was the man himself, he just didn't know it yet.

Looking out to the empty courtyard outside of his window, he recalled that the time has come for his own son to be known to other families as a once in a million genius. He himself couldn't be one all those years ago so he thought that his son would accomplish his childhood dream. How lovely would that be.

"Jian Yu!! Come down here!!" He shouted as he waited a few moments for his son to laze down the stairs half asleep.

"Dress yourself up, we're going out to the Martial Stadium. Some people there are going to check out the element affinity of yours so you best be ready to shock them! If your grade is anywhere below 12, don't even think of coming home!"

If anybody else heard what this man had said, they would probably cough blood. There has only been a few people in last 100 years who have reached that grade. To place those expectations onto your son even when you yourself can't meet up to it is much like a crab telling his son to walk straight.

Jian Yu looked at his father, confused. He had never heard these terms before and even if he did, he probably was not paying attention. He would probably be out chatting away with his friends. Since he did not understand a thing his father said, he would not bother with the topic any longer. Turning his back on his father, he headed back upstairs to go back to sleep.

Thinking what to say to convince his son to come, the man thought up tricks that he used against his own customers.

"Jian Yu, there are a lot of people wanting to meet you. Many of them are popular in the city. Yes, why don't you come with me, you'll surely take some of their popularity from them."

"Who said I wasn't, I was just about to get dressed! Watch out father, I'll be the star of the stage while they will be the mere trees in the background."

Hearing his son's reply made him shake his head. His son was very shameless indeed. Who could have possibly caused him to be so shameless.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of the city, Jian Yu walked behind his father, chin pointing up and hands clasped behind his back. Such was the way to walk arrogantly and show off that you are not to be trifled with. How else to get everybody's attention on you. By practicing this walk routinely around the city, he managed to get a reputation for himself with which he got very excited over. The only trouble was that it was very, very hot so Jian Yu began to sweat as he faced the sun in the sky.

"Hmph, I'm not afraid of you sun. You're not going to stop me."

Finally, he reached the Martial Stadium where he saw 10 lines of children, all of whom were of the same age as himself. Following his father's gaze, he ended up in the closest line. However, he spotted his closest friend in another line. Immediately, Jian Yu rushed to his friend's side to start chatting away with his friend. Many children stared with wide eyes as he cut in front of them in the line as did their parents who waited by the sidelines.

"Hey, Brother Jian, your son just.."

There somewhere along the sidelines of the Martial Stadium, a soft sigh could be heard.

Although it was still very early in the morning, everybody just waited for the event to begin. After all, they can't complain with the people hosting the event.

"Oi, you're shaming me. You're a man, get out of there and feel the heat.."

"Not yet, don't you know your big body is best used like this? You learn new things everyday with me."

Naturally, the boy in the shade of the other was Jian Yu. The other boy was known by him as Fatty. Jian Yu had given him that nickname as he kept forgetting his name. Many parents had accompanied their children to the Martial Stadium. They would bear witness as the elders of the local sects hosting the event would stare in shock at the heaven defying talent of their children. Of course, these were just the wild imaginations of the parents of the children.

"As I thought, I really am popular!"

JianYu confidently stated in his mind as he felt weird stares resting on him. He was sure he didn't do anything to result in a bad reputation, leaving the only possibility of a good one.

"Attention!! Everybody, we are all sure that you all know what is the required rules and regulations to follow. We request that the first children in their respective queues to approach the elders in front of them!"

An elder raised his voice to speak to the children who numbered in the thousands.

Immediately, 10 children walked forward. Each of them children of renowned individuals in the city. Anxiety filled their face as they edged closer and closer to the aloof elders. They placed their hands onto the mystical orb in front of them as per instructed. Eyes all around fixed themselves onto the orbs. Suddenly, a small blueish stream formed in one of the orbs.

"Mm, water essence, grade 3," muttered an elder. "Next!" The elder showed displeasure in finding out the girl in front of him had only mediocre talent.

The girl stood there shocked as the steam in the orb in front of her dissipated. Whispers by the adults surrounding the vast field muttered their disdain and their sympathy. With a red face and watery eyes, the girl stepped away from the elder after giving him her thanks.

One by one, the children were tested for their talent. The hours quickly passed by while Jian Yu kept himself under the shade of fatty while he kept pestering Fatty to rid his confusion on why everybody seemed to take this event seriously. Annoyed by the constant questions, Jian Yu and Fatty came to an ultimatum. Jian Yu stepped out of Fatty's shadow, eager to listen.

"Ahem, I'm surprised you didn't know in the first place. The elders there test out your affinity in cultivating the different elements. The common elements found are fire, earth, water and wind. Of course there are others but I don't know those. You can't blame me, I'm just a decade old. Anyway, the grade of affinity towards an element starts from 1 and the higher the grade, the better the affinity towards the element. Generally, the longer it takes for the orb to show any reaction, the better the affinity. The highest grade I know of is 12. Of course we can't cultivate the elemental essence yet as we need resources to reach the peak of qi condensation first. They're just here to find good seedlings to nurture."

Taking the rare opportunity to shut Jian Yu up, Fatty regurgitated everything he knew of the topic which left with the desired effect. Jian Yu, who didn't know anything regarding the topic of cultivation, was left pondering on the subject in the blazing heat. Jian Yu was slightly interested in cultivation now as he gazed at Fatty ramble about it with a spark in his eyes.

"Whatever, as long as I'm left satisfied with my life," Jian Yu thought to himself. "First, I have to.."

"Next!!"

Jian Yu's thoughts were interrupted by the oddly loud shout of an elder. It was Fatty's turn to approach the mystical orb. After which would finally be Jian Yu's. Recalling his father's expectations, he couldn't agree less with the words spoken that very morning.

"If I don't end up getting into the top sect, I will not return home. I will definitely make it there."

"Amazing, Earth essence, grade 11!" The elder in front of Fatty exclaimed in surprise. Nobody so far had even reached grade 10. However, this child in front of him had reached beyond that. Handing Fatty a medallion bearing the mark of a lion, the elder told to Fatty out loud, "You can join the Ferocity sect immediately, go tell your father the good news."

This caused Fatty to leap with joy at the feeling of a carp leaping over the dragon's gate and transforming into a dragon itself.

Some had heard what the elder had said and began to whisper to each other, spreading the news of the shocking talent of Fatty's.

"Next!"

The elder saw Jian Yu being all chummy with Fatty. Naturally, he would express himself to Jian Yu with a smile. Jian Yu didn't know that the reason for the elder's good manner was Fatty.

"Even an elder has to avoid disrespecting me. Being popular is tough.."

Jian Yu muttered under his breath which caused the expression of the elder to flicker with annoyance.

"Place your hand on the orb."

To thank his father, Jian Yu decided to slowly move his hand towards the orb. After all, he must let the anxiousness build up to allow the best amount of shock to be expressed on his father's face. Again, this displeased the elder. Just when he wanted to express his displeasure to Jian Yu and tell him to hurry up, Jian Yu placed his hand firmly on the orb.

1 second.

2 seconds.

...

The longer Jian Yu waited, the more excited he was. As his hand was placed onto the orb, he felt a mysterious force enter his body and circulate itself throughout his body over and over again. According to Fatty, the longer it takes for the orb to show any reaction, the better his talent. However, it was talking too long which caused a cold smile to emerge from the elder's face.

"Remove your hand, you have no elemental affinity!" the elder laughed and forcibly removed Jian Yu's hand from the orb. However, he failed to notice the purple gleam within the orb just as he removed Jian Yu's hand. The gleam of which emanated an aura of dominance.

On a mountain peak outside of the city of Acirema, an eccentric old man stared towards the stadium. Although most would wonder if he was actually just staring at the walls of city, he was indeed staring at the orb which gleamed purple under Jian Yu's palm.

"Interesting.."

Meanwhile, cold sweat dripped down from Jian Yu's chin as everything failed his expectations.

"No elemental affinity? How can I face father like this? Ehhh, who cares. It was just a slight interest. It won't bother me anyway. Father will forgive me in the end. I'm his son after all."

Facing the elder, he thought up how to express his well wishes. Recalling all his father's famous lessons which had buried themselves deep within his heart throughout his childhood, he decided on what he had to say..

Jian Yu settled on a straightforward method while exaggerating his honesty and well wishes...

"Many fucking thanks!"

Instantly, the entire stadium seemed quieter after that shout. The elder's face warped in front of Jian Yu. This kid whose breath still reeked of his mother's milk had dared talk to him this way? Embarrassment and anger rushed to his mind at that very moment.

"What did you say?!"