15 Disappointment

The bowl of water in front of Mo Cheng was of a simple design. It was smooth, metallic and rather worn down by the sands of time. It had no particularly distinguishing features, except for a drawing visible through the shimmering, mystical water. It was of an elegant sword, the hilt painted in intricate detail. The tip of the blade was replaced with the head of a snake, its tongue flickered menacingly out of the slit of its mouth.

Mo Cheng unhesitatingly shoved his hand into the water bowl. The water rippled from the impact. Shu Qianqian, Mo Jing and Li Meirong waited in anticipation for the results. 

Gradually, the surface changed from an indistinct, transparent hue to a glowing, bright shade of purple. Soon enough, the bowl was filled with only solid purple liquid. It reminded Li Meirong of jelly grape juice. 

Gasps of astonishment filled the nearby crowd, even the stern cultivator lady's shrewd eyes enlarged at the result. Murmurs from the crowd peppered the open air.

"It's a genius! A true genius…"

"This one is a rare prodigy showing once every couple of hundreds of years."

"A solid lightning vein. Very impressive, young one. Walk forth to the resting chambers," said the cultivator lady, who hadn't uttered a full sentence in hours. So impressed was she with Mo Cheng at that moment.

Mo Cheng grinned from ear to ear. The lightning vein was no less than the strongest offensive internal power. It was the rarest ability to cultivate and also the most distinguished of all veins. In fact, this was probably the best test result one could ever wish for.

"Brother Cheng, you're amazing!!" Qianqian was gushing with happiness. In her excitement, she leapt onto Mo Cheng, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck. Mo Cheng blushed with embarrassment and patted her head fondly. He then unclasped her tight hold on him, causing her to pout slightly. 

Shu Qianqian couldn't believe she had fallen for such an outstanding boy. She was definitely fortunate to have had the opportunity to grow up with a boy like Mo Cheng! 

Mo Jing went up to his brother and hugged his shoulders. He congratulated him without speaking, his eyes holding all the pride in the world. In all this excitement, Li Meirong got dragged into their happiness and was cheering and congratulating Mo Cheng as well.

Soon, Mo Cheng headed over to the group of accepted disciples on the other side of the boulder. They all congratulated him excitedly. Even the senior disciples of the sect, whose job was to monitor the acceptance procedure, came over to speak with Mo Cheng. They waited for the remaining contestants' results, eager to rest for the night on the side of the mountain where a collection of wooden cabins were built as accommodations.

Shu Qianqian came next, and her results were also impressive. Her bowl flared red and blue, fire and water. Dual attributes, which was considered quite talented indeed. Moreover, hers were opposing attributes, both supportive and offensive. Although not as rare as a single attribute vein wielder, it was still definitely impressive. Shu Qianqian was elated. She leapt toward Mo Cheng and was also graced with heaps of praises and congratulations.

Mo Jing's test showed a solid green. Another exceptional genius! The Earth attribute was almost strictly supportive, but anyone having a solid vein, a single attribute, was such a rarity that it was considered nothing short of a miracle. These two siblings were truly impressive. Mo Jing joined his brother and friend on the side with the rest of the accepted disciples, who looked over the trio as their loyal successors.

Li Meirong's turn came next. 

She walked up and tentatively gazed at the clear water in the bowl. Part of her wanted to be done with this and be rejected so she could be on her way to a new life. Another part regretted not being reborn into a powerful, influential family with a lot of spiritual talent. Unlike her last life, she wondered how amazing it would have been if she could actually shake the heavens.

Instead, she had been reborn as a simple maid with quite a terrible fate. She only managed to escape a life of enslavement due to crazy, unexplainable luck. But even if one is not meant for greatness, one could still dream. Li Meirong knew she wasn't brave or adventurous. She was quiet, accepting. Most of her time she had spent at her old apartment, enjoying casual evenings with only the companionship of her cats. 

Anxiously, she glanced over to her group of newly acquainted friends. They were all standing near each other, the upcoming champions of their generation, giving her strong looks of encouragement. Li Meirong  knew she was no champion, and not to feel disappointment at failing the test. Whatever came her way, she would deal with it as such.

The cultivator lady stared impatiently down at the young scar-faced woman dawdling in front of the vein testing water bowl. She disliked such hesitant personalities. Why was she so unsure now? Why did she even bother to make it up to this point? The young girl gave the cultivator lady a bad impression. 

"Hurry," she spat at Li Meirong.

Li Meirong sighed, gazing at the mystical waters, and slid her hand gently into the cold liquid. 

A moment passed, which stretched endlessly into a minute… 

The water stayed colorless and clear.

Even though Li Meirong was prepared for this, had convinced herself that this was how she wanted it, she was ultimately unable to stop the deep feeling of disappointment which engulfed her. She had discovered, once and for all, that she really was worth nothing here.