Spring Winds

"Admission 203, you may begin your oral exam."

"Yes, sir. Yun Sect's Book of Virtues. From the teachings of ancestors, there are eight chief virtues, Hyo, Ti, Zhong, Xin, Li, Yi, Lian, and Chi. The value that should be learned is Jen, as it is the supreme virtues of humanness in the Anatomy of Sacred. Jen incorporates all eight virtues as to understand the meaning of Jen; they must understand the eight virtues. The Yun Sect's Book of Virtue teaches sect members the virtues of Yun as well as all eight virtues.

Rule 1: Do not disrespect one's elders and seniors..."

----

"Excellent work, you have passed."

"Many thanks, Master Bi Jun." Cupping my hands, I made a small bow.

"En, I hope to see around the sect after admissions."

Nodding my head, I excused myself and entered the pavilion for the spiritual examinations. Keeping my face as neutral as possible, I found a place to sit and wait. But in reality, my heart was giddy with joy and my palms sweaty from my examination. Almost, I'm nearly halfway there to making my goals! Of course, I couldn't shout to the world of my joy, for I didn't want to have my hope crushed. Besides, it's unbecoming of a lady to make a scene of herself.

By the time, my group was ready to begin the spiritual examination; it was already past midday.

Walking into the pavilion with my peers, I see a crystal in the center of the area. A spirit crystal, a particular type of crystal that measures one's spiritual roots and cultivation level.

The crystal was only the size of a small child, but to be able to have such a large gem as that is pretty rare and expensive. At most, any other small sect or school would be able to acquire a spirit crystal the size of a man's fist.

Noticing us walk in, Bai Chen and Master Yu turned to us on the erected platform that they were standing on along with the spirit crystal. Facing us, Bai Chen smiled and walked closer to us from the stage.

"Welcome everyone to the spiritual examination of your admissions exam. Herewith I am accompanied by Master Yu, as previously introduced." Master Yu made a small nod of acknowledgment to the crowd. "Here, with me is the Yun Sect's spirit crystal. Each one of you will come up as have your spiritual roots and cultivation level graded and placed into groups accordingly."

The men around me seemed to get quite excited at the prospect of such a simple examination. After all, at least they didn't need to make an impossible pill like the participants did the previous day. And for this, they gave their thanks to their ancestors for their luck.

However, in my opinion, this exam seemed to be way too easy. Sure, the Yun Sect is known for taking in people of all walks of life, but they can't just take in everyone. There must be a crazy high requirement for someone to get in. Probably like being Peak Superior Mortal Core; the same level it took to make the Immortal Heart Healing Pill.

Besides, everyone knows that no one can start cultivating until they are at least six years of age; therefore, the cultivation levels that one is at usually matches up with their age group. Unless they worked extremely hard, had excellent spirit roots, or was just an overall genius, then advancement came at a languid pace. I am looking around mem most of these men wherein their twenties to early thirties. Meaning, they were probably around Peak Inferior Mortal Core Foundation to about Mid Superior Mortal Core. Someone would have to have that extra push to reach that level of Peak Superior Mortal Core.

"We'll begin the testing order by your testing number," Master Yu announced and proceed to call up numbers 112 to 130. Roughly six groups of eighteen each. Sigh, this is going to be a long day. I suppose I could cultivate for a bit while we are waiting. Others seem to be having that same idea as we retreated into the midday shade while we wait for our turn. And luckily, this time, everyone seemed to be too tired or too nervose to even think about disturbing me.

Folding my legs into a lotus position, I place my hands on my lap and close my eyes; allowing myself to relax and calm down my beating heart to a meditative state.

The sun soon enough ended up moving across the sky towards the west, nearly sundown. During the time I was meditating the people around me gradually disappeared, and there were only us eighteen left. The last group. However, during that entire time, I can't help but have a nagging feeling that someone was watching me, unmovingly. Darting my eyes around the pavilion, I see no one looking at me. Everyone was distracted by something else.

"Admission 202."

A young man, around his early twenties lazily got up from his place and made his way over to the stage. He didn't seem that unusual, but something in my gut told me that he wasn't simple. I wonder who he is for me to be on edge. He didn't look to be nobility either. His robes were a dull grey-blue color of average quality. His appearance was perhaps above average with his peach blossom eyes and thin lips, giving him an overall feminine look; but he seemed harmless.

"Place your hand on the crystal and admit as much qi as possible," Master Yu instructed.

Yawning, he casually placed his hand on the testing device. Soon after he did so, the crystal gave off a pure golden light, that was nearly white; lighting up the entire pavilion.

"Golden Lighting Roots!" Master Yu exclaimed. Everyone had eyes in the man with his hand on the crystal. Golden Lighting Roots weren't extremely rare, but for one to have one of this quality to be nearly white, is quite impressive. Definitely a once in a thousand talent.

After the initial shock wore off as the light from the crystal faded, there was a mixed feeling going around the air. For Bai Chen and Master Yu, it was awe and glee. However, for the rest of the group, it was fear and envy. If someone as amazing as that man shown up, the admins won't even bat an eye in our direction.

Myself, however, was not worried. It's pointless after all to envy others when you could be looking to better yourself instead — better use of energy and time, in my opinion.

The man had walked off stage to the exit after his test. The eye of the pavilion followed him. But dare I say, he had a small, smug grin on his face as he exited out the doors. Ah, whatever, it doesn't bother me.

"Admission 203."

Ah, that's me. Standing up, I make my way to the stage. At this point, only then did people begin to notice me. There were probably wondering how I recover after being after that person.

"Place your hand on the spiritual stone and admit as much qi as possible."

Taking a deep breath, I place my hand on the cold gem. Focusing on moving my energy into the stone, soon it lit up. Unlike the prior participant, the light that was released is a white icy blue light that gently filled the pavilion, rather than lighting up and harshly flashing light everywhere. That light that came out was gentle but extremely cold.

"Frost Roots!" A spirit root that made it almost impossible for me to have internal demons. But that didn't stop the guilt from occupying my mind anyways. But that is a story for another day.

"Well done," Bai Chen smiled at me.

"Thank you," I bowed my head in response and walked off the stage. I felt eyes looking at me and mouthes whispering about me.

It's no matter. I've dealt with this feeling for my entire life; this just happening now is not any different. At the door, another admin handed me an invitation, the acceptance banquet. There, participants would get to know whether or not they would be accepted and would soon follow under peak master or become the disciple of a direct disciple of a peak master.

"The banquet with being held in the main hall tonight at 10 pm."

"Eh, thank you."

Nodding, he let me walk outside.

At this point, the feeling of being watched from a mysterious presence ceased.