Chapter 15: The Selection Test

"Sou Kun's smithy?" Repeated Yao Tian.


After spending almost an hour wandering around the various popular stores, he did not notice such a strange smithy name anywhere.


For the guy to have made such bold claims about the many fine quality swords...


'Who is he anyways?'


"Why yes, dear friend. My establishment is known throughout Redwood and even all over the Buxiu Realm! We forge the finest of blades and the sturdiest of armours.


People of all walks of life from the upcoming heroes to legendary kings, many have humbled our store with their presence just to get a glimpse of our wares in hopes to acquire them.


I can see it in your eyes, you have the aura of an expert destined to travel the world and rule over all mortals! So why not have a strong jumpstart by getting some of our wares!?"The more he babbled on the more attention he drew from the passerby.


Some seemed to recognise him and immediately left without looking back.


"Hey, it's that Sou fella again with his boasts."


"He truly never seems to grow embarrassed over some of the things he says."


"Another of nonsensical speech."


"What is going on here!?" The shopkeeper came out to see what was all the recus happening in front of his store.


"Sou Kun, you again! How many do I have to tell ya to stop hurting my business with your lies!?"


"I ain't lying Xu De! For years my family was the best weapons maker in this town. Our craft was sought after both kings and great cultivators alike." Boasted Sou Kun pridefully.


"Trash quality what I call those craft! Now, where are they? Where are the so-called 'best sword smith'? Gone! Dead! So shut up and go on with your poor excuse of a life." With his part said the owner stormed back into his store leaving behind a stunned Yao Tian and a quiet Sou Kun.


"..." Yao Tian truly was speechless by some of the things said.


This is getting awkward...I need to leave.' Thought Yao Tian.


"Um...thank you but I and my brother need to participate in the upcoming Selection Test in a few hours. I'll pass by your store when I have the time?" He didn't know what else he could say to the scrawny man, because he wasn't so sure if they even sold good things after seeing what happened today.


Sad by Yao Tians answer, Sou Kun hunched down a bit but recovered quickly.


"No worries my good friend! After you are chosen by one of the great sects be sure to visit my store. Remember it's called 'Sou's smithy'. We truly offer the best quality pieces of equipment at the lowest price. I'll even throw you a huge discount, okay?" Sou Kun didn't give Yao Tian the chance to reply before sprinting away.


'This day just keeps on getting weirder and weirder.'


Checking the Sun's position Yao Tian guess that it was nearly mid-day and the Selection test might start at any moment.


So he decided he would continue his tour of the town at a later date. For now, he and his brother hurriedly made their way towards the town centre where the giant pagoda was located.


When they finally reached the centre, the event was about to begin.


The place was filled to the brim with both spectators and participants alike.


He had again flashbacks of the Festival, but now this event lacked the fun ambience and was more grim and serious.


The number of people present here was way more than anything he had been before.


Many came to try their luck at becoming a potential disciple while others hoped to catch the attention or have a glimpse of the sect's elders.


With the Pagoda in the background, a large platform was elevated in the centre with a shrowded sitting area where the sects officials or elders would spectate and scout future disciples.


Yao Tian could see hundreds of young kids of the same age as his brother gathered around in the middle hoping to be chosen by one of the sect elders.


"Hey, guys! Over here, I saved you a spot!" The familiar voice of Song Shou was heard, he was near the platform. After making their way through the crowd the siblings finally were able to rejoin their friend.


"You sure did take your time exploring the town. By the way, I've already listed you and your brother among those who will participate." Informed Song Shou.


He then asked about their day and how things went during their tour of the town.


Remembering the accident with Mo Chen, the weird interaction with Sou Kun and the mysterious meat they just ate. "It was... a weird day for sure." Not wanting to elaborate further, Yao Tian decided to change subjects.


Raising an eyebrow at his friend's answer Song Shou couldn't help but grow curious. "You've been gone for barely a few incenses worths of time."


As they continued talking for the next few minutes, an elderly man wearing a white robe slowly ascended to the platform.


His presence was followed by silence in the crowd. Everyone was looking at this person with wonder, curiosity and fear.


A booming voice came out of the elder's mouth encompassing all of the surrounding areas.


"The annual Selection Test will soon begin! This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, those who were born with talent and power, those destined for greatness and those favoured by the gods, will leap from their small world of mortals and become dragons roaming the immortal world.


Whereas those unfortunate enough to lack talent, power and favour will be destined to fall today and forever remain as a fish in their small well. Just like in the fabled legend of 'Jiang Chen's journey to immortality' your path will be filled with challenges and danger. You will be continuously tested by both the heavens and the earth.


One moment of weakness will only lead to death, so be prepared, be resolute, be wise and most importantly never stop pursuing immortality."


Already the opening speech put heavy pressure on every participant today. As they knew this would be the most critical moment in their lifetime.


"You shall be tested in the following way. All participants will join me on the stage one by one and be tested by the realms they have reached, their bone age and any other special attributes one might possess.


Remember, cheating is prohibited. Any special artefacts we find on your body that affects the results will be confiscated or destroyed. While you will be captured and detained, with further punishments awaiting you. Is. It. clear?"


Scared out of their wits by his terrifying expression and the pressure he was emitting, the participants bowed down and yelled "Yes!" in synch.


"Good! Then let's start, I will summon each name one by one. When on stage you shall address me as Teacher Wan."


"Shen Yan!" Teacher Wan called the first name on the list.


A young unassuming boy made his way to the stage. He arrived in front of Teacher Wan who then proceeded to hand Shen Yan a fist-size transparent orb.


The orb began to light up as soon as it touched the boy's palm. from transparent, it became white with a tinge of yellow.


" 'Body Reinforcement Realm' early stage of Muscle refining. Spirit Qi compatibility...low" Teacher Wan then placed his hand on Shen Yan's shoulders.


Closing his eyes, he sent a small Spirit Qi pulse into the boy.


"Skeleton age 13 years old!"


* Sssss! *


"Murmur started to spread in the crowd but it was not out of amazement but rather out of confusion and pity.


"13 years? That's so old! He barely started cultivating."


"I don't think he'll be chosen by any of the great sects. Even his natural talent is low"


"I know that kid, he was acting all arrogant just because he was the first one in his village that ever managed to cultivate. Humph! Now he should see how big the skies are and how much of a 'frog in a well' he was."


The boy's face grew red with each passing comment. He was treated as a dragon in his village but here he was only one out of a thousand.


Teacher Wan then turned and faced the sitting area of the sect elders and bowed while asking. "Are there any fellow Daoists interested in taking in this child?"


"..."


No response came from the elders. Shen Yan face grew darker until a voice from one of the elders startled him.


"Young man, are you interested in joining our 'Illusion Sect'?" Said a middle-aged man wearing a simple green robe with no other accessories unlike the other elders beside him.


"The 'Illusion Sect'?" He had heard of this sect. It was a minor one and just like its name their members were proficient in the way of creating illusions and misleading or confusing their opponents.


Aside from that, they had no other powerful techniques and their Patriarch was only a peak 9th stage 'Outter Real Aura' practitioner.


"Why yes, our sect always welcomes new members no matter their talent, age or strength as our greatest ally lies in quantity instead of quality. Illusions grow stronger when many are involved and it only requires a sound and creative mind to master them. So what do you say? "


Shen Yan was hesitant at first, ever since he arrived in Redwood he was sure that he would be chosen by one of the big sects but after seeing how many people today had talents far surpassing his own and with kids half his age.


He didn't have much of a choice here.


"This disciple greets elder." Said Shen Yan respectfully while bowing three times.


The elder nodded his head and had Shen Yan join his side. While his nearby elders all had their own things to say at him.


While in the elder's area a woman seated close to Elder Zan couldn't help but say, "That was an interesting choice there Elder Zan. The boy barely has any talent, I doubt he would ever reach the second realm in his lifetime. Your sect must truly be in dire need of new disciples for you to sink so low." Said the woman.


Her features were obscured so none could see what she looked like. But her voice had a sort of mystical allure that would attract any person under her spell if they were not careful.


"Humph! I don't remember asking your 'Misty Valley Sect', especially you Yan Su." Retorted Elder Zan in dissatisfaction. Their two sects never really had a good relationship between them, as both were focused on the art of illusion in some way so both were longtime rivals.


"As distasteful as always Elder Zan, hope that new disciple survives for long in your sect." With that said Yan Su turned her attention back to the assessment.


Meanwhile, Yao Tian was sweating heavily, Shen Yan was only 2 years younger than him and even had a better cultivation but still, he almost did not get picked.


What about him then? He didn't even have a cultivation base in the first place!


'What the heck body of mine! You were filled with nearly unlimited stamina back in the village shouldn't that translate to some kind of talent in cultivation?'


Before he could fall further into his dilemma, Teacher Wan called out another name.


"Yao Bao!"