Academy
Colour Mu Yu surprised. Elders, hunters draping beast fur over their shoulders, villagers in flax clothing, gorgeous young girls, middle-aged scholars and you name it, shoving each other and carrying on in loud voices. The only common factor between them was the fact they accompanied children in Mu Yu’s age bracket. Suffice to say, they were there to drop their children off at the academy. Some distant relatives also joined their children, reminding them of this and that, expressing how proud they were of their children and so forth.
“Look, flying immortal masters!”
The people present gazed up to see three immortal masters, two males and a female, flying over on their swords. The leader of the trio was a refined youth donning a white robe and golden silk around his waist that flickered against the breeze. His gleaming sword was a testament to his regal aura. His smile suggested he was approachable. The girl next to him exuded an ethereal vibe thanks to her fluttering robe and radiant skin. The other male dressed in a grey robe and, similarly, gave off an ethereal vibe as he fanned himself with his black bamboo folding fan.
The attendees couldn’t contain their excitement. The trio gently touched down at the entrance and stored their flying swords away. The two youths by the door stopped meditating and rose to greet the trio with a palm-fist salute. The trio reciprocated the greeting.
“Senior Brother Bai, almost all of the other sects have arrived. You will be in charge of this selection, so you should hurry in,” politely reported the youth in green.
“Sorry for making you wait.” The youth in white nodded affably before entering the academy with his two friends.
The youth in white was considered Green Pine Sect’s prodigy senior disciple. The girl in purple was the daughter of Green Pine Sect’s patriarch, who was universally acknowledged as the supreme immortal master among immortal masters.
“Mu Yu, I hope you can join Green Pine Sect. Worst comes to worst, you have to join one almost as good as them, so do your best.” Village Chief Bu adjusted Mu Yu’s clothes.
The power to decide wasn’t in Mu Yu’s field. Hopeless, he nodded.
“Ladies and gentlemen, please quiet down. Qualified children, step forward and place your hand on this rock. Guardians, please stay behind the line,” instructed the youth, voice calm, yet authoritative, before he generated a red line across the ground with a sweep of his hand.
Mu Yu was rather surprised the examination process was so straight forward and a repeat of the test he completed back at the village several days ago. In addition, he recognised the white rock on the table as the very same type he was tested with. The reason they conducted prior tests was to wither down the number of enthusiastic children rocking up at the second round of tests. It would’ve been quite the ordeal to handle if there was an enormous crowd to keep in line.
The eager folks hurriedly lined up, albeit trying to squeeze in front, afraid their child would miss out, but still maintaining an acceptable degree of order.
Upon placing their hands on the rock, it would glow, and then the youth would tell them to head in.
“You fail. Step back,” the youth told a nervous child.
The nervous child stuttered incomprehensibly. Despite failing to make the rock glow, he attempted to sneak inside. Families of children who failed hoped that the failure was a mere fluke and wanted them to try again. Unfortunately, they had to accept the reality.
The youth repeated, “Let me repeat myself: do not pray for flukes. Your child either has what it takes or they do not. Do not waste our time, or we will not hesitate to stop you.”
After the stern warning, those who tried to push their luck took a step back. The youth gave the nervous child a warning stare. Frightened, the child wailed with his face red and ran back to his parents. His parents kept their heads down as they hastily left the venue.
Most of the children qualified and headed in. Parents tried to look over the shoulders of others.
“Go on! Be a good boy and remember…” Village Chief Bu affectionately caressed Mu Yu’s head, then bent down to whisper in his ear, “Don’t let anyone find out about your ability.”
Mu Yu was most reluctant to part with Village Chief Bu. He hugged Village Chief Bu chief before squeezing through the crowd. As he headed over to the table, he deliberated what sort of life awaited him after becoming an immortal master. He recalled the parents of previous boy from his village not recognising their son when he returned. He suspected the village chief wouldn’t recognise him when he returned, either. He looked over his shoulder one last time and heaved a big breath. The rock flashed when he placed his hand on it. He then headed through the large red door.
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