15 Test of Will (II)

"Immortal Zixin please wait." Wei's voice reverberated throughout the throne room. It was even louder than Chen Ping's previous yell. I was scared he wouldn't hear me because of my weak lungs but looks like he heard me loud and clear. In fact, everyone probably did. I hope this works.

Zixin turned around and faced Wei. Instantly Wei felt his mental qi begin to roil and see the warning him not to provoke the person in front of him. As if I need a warning. Anyone with any sort of decent instincts can tell. This monk is definitely more dangerous than that swordsman.

Seeing Wei's silence the monk did nothing except look at him a smile on his face. A few seconds passed by and the king started to get anxious worried that if Wei annoyed the immortals he could be punished along with him. He quickly whispered an order to an enforcer who boldly broke the silence "what are you doing young man? After calling the immortal back, instead of being thankful and quickly starting your business you're wasting his time instead! How bold. Fellow enforcers capt—" "Silence. If senior Zixin thought he was wasting his time would he wait?" Xing glared at the enforcer his eyes like sharp steel, and the enforcers properly cowed, shrank back and rejoined his fellow enforcers.

However, after a few more seconds, even Xing started to show signs of impatience, in fact, everyone in the throne room excluding Wei and Zixin was expressing their impatience in numerous ways. It's only a few seconds. I thought cultivators lived much longer than mortals, why so stingy when it comes to a few seconds?

Although Wei was angry about Xing's inclusion in the group of impatient people he didn't show any of it on his face. After a short sweep of the throne room and seeing how many of the faces were changing from annoyed to hostile, he decided to go for it. "Immortal Zixin I feel that I have a talent for cultivation do you think I can also accompany you?" Wei's simple question caused a few people in the throne room to gasp. Everyone knew that only the successfully undergoing an awakening ceremony or the powerful sight of an immortal could tell what mortals were chosen and even then they could still be wrong.

How could Wei, a young mortal know that he was Chosen? The enforcer who had spoken up previously had a slight smile on his face after seeing that Wei really was wasting Zixin's time, but seeing the tension present in the throne room he kept his mouth shut and resisted his urge to gloat.

"This is why I can never stop visiting the mortal world. There is always something interesting to see. With no assurances, no guarantee you stake everything for the small chance that you are Chosen. You must know that for your slight against Chen An if you aren't Chosen then your life is forfeit right" he asked voice brimming with curiosity. "Then why do you still risk it?"

Wei responded with a forced laugh, "I have a terminal illness. No doctor I've talked to can cure it." Wei almost didn't recognize the empty voice as his own. "In a story I read, a cultivator said 'The Heavens always leave a way, a chance.' So I'm gambling that I won't die to my illness or Chen An but instead live as a Chosen, as a cultivator." What followed was an audible silence and Wei could almost feel the tangible ridicule that people had for his words.

Scoff, jeer even laugh I don't care what you think. Only what he does. At this moment only his thoughts matters, his decision. Everything else in this moment is meaningless, empty. What will you do monk Zixin?

Wei intently observed the monk-like he was a puzzle to be solved but the monk gave away nothing keeping his infectious smile on his face while gently counting his prayer beads in a way that Wei could clearly tell he did quite often. Finally, after what felt like an eternity of waiting "Very well, does anyone else think they are Chosen? Who else thinks they have been acknowledged by Heaven." Suddenly the still silence shattered and many of the youth present in the throne room stepped forward eager, the crowd cleared around them as they all moved to stand near Wei and then looked towards Zixin for further instruction.

Zixin eyes looked at each of the mortals, in turn, lingering briefly and then moving on. Although he was still smiling his gentle smile, something in his gaze seemed to make the excited group of youth very uneasy. A few moments later and only a small handful of them were left, the rest having returned into the crowd in shame.

"Being thoughtful is very important. If you always act impulsively you won't achieve much," Zixin said seemingly to the air. Everyone got his message. "Step forward," he gestured to the remaining seven people including Wei.

Wei stepped forward filtering out everything except for the monk. He didn't react when dozens of hopeful youths reentered the crowd with downcast gazes nor did he blink an eye when out of his group of seven two were also told to step back as they weren't Chosen. Only when Zixin told them that the five of them were Chosen did Wei finally react.

Finally, even though I just found out that I would be a cultivator for sure a couple of days ago it feels like I've been waiting forever.

"Although the five of you are Chosen it doesn't mean that you will come with me. This time the awakening ceremony is special, every day you go early is a day you have an advantage over all the other new Chosen. However, instead of talent for cultivation, the thing I value most is willpower. If you want me to do you this favor then you will show me you are worthy. Is that understood?"

Quickly everyone agreed. Zixin after a moment's pause called for Chen Ping who eagerly went forward and stood in front of him. "Chen Ping since Xing decided you fit the requirements for an inner disciple of the Supreme Sword Sect I will use you as a measuring stick. Walk towards that flag over there and bring it to me," he said gesturing to a flag on the other side of the throne room.

When did he…

Everyone except Xing seemed to share Wei's sentiment wondering when the bright red flag had appeared in the throne room. Without asking any questions Chen Ping started walking towards the flag. A few seconds after he started he paused and then started walking again. This scene repeated itself with the distance covered become increasingly shorter and the pauses in between becoming increasingly larger. Five minutes later after making it about sixty percent of the way there Chen Ping returned dejected.

"Senior Zixin I can't get it. Every time I start heading towards it I feel many distracting thoughts and can't focus. The closer I got the more it affected my thought until finally, I couldn't move forward." The entire time he was narrating his experience many people were giving the inconspicuous red flag intrigued looks wondering if it were perhaps one of the legendary spirit weapons that possessed magical powers.

"No worries. That flag is a formation flag that has a bewildering formation in it, a fairly weak one at that. Its meant to be used to keep mortals away from specific places. Although this one was a weak one you did rather well by getting almost three-quarters of the way to it." His voice had a faint hint of praise to it and Chen Ping instantly brightened up.

"If any of you can pass the halfway mark then that will mean we have karma between us and you can come with me," he said.

Alright, this is good. Although I'm sure I have good talent I don't know for sure, but will, I think I can do that. Will, ambition. mental qi I have them all, now to see how much.

Including Wei, there were two young men and two young women. The two young men and the shorter of the young women seemed to have come to an agreement moving towards the flag together while keeping an eye on Zixin for his reaction.

Zixin made no move to stop them but his gentle smile turned into a slightly mocking one. The group of three paused slightly but seeing that he hadn't said it was forbidden they continued on. Their clever plan was doomed to failure. Not even a few steps in they completely grew still, almost in tandem and then one by one they fainted. Muffled thuds sounded out alongside a sharp crack as one of the young men hit his head on the hard floor. They were quickly carried out of the throne room.

It was obvious that working together increased the intensity of the flags effect. Seeing three people try together and fail made Chen Ping stand taller his stiff posture relaxing.

The final young woman moved forward but her efforts were fruitless. Almost immediately she returned anger and sadness on her face.

Going halfway should be easy. I need to make sure not to draw any mental qi out of my body. My mental qi reacted for a reason. I have to be cautious.

Wei walked forward heading straight towards the flag. He was much slower than everyone before him due to the pain brought by his illness. He also didn't have his walking stick. After a few steps he felt his thoughts begin to wander but because of the high caution he was proceeding with the first few distractions were easily dismissed and he continued forward. With each step, he took the distractions become more and more subtle linking seemingly insignificant things into more prevalent thoughts.

I wonder were Lady Seer went. I should have gone with her. Today might have been the day I found out more about her. What was I even doing here? I still haven't even shown my painting to Madam Song she will be so mad. I could …

Wait a minute…

With a start, Wei cleared his thoughts and saw that he had been standing still. He seemed to be only a few steps away from the halfway point and the entire throne room was so quiet the only thing he could hear was his own haggard breaths.

Wei knew that he wasn't very disciplined and that very few things interested him. That was why he preferred to stay alone, read books and gamble. Only very interesting stories and people could stir his thoughts. That was precisely the reason the people at the orphanage hated him. When a boring, vain person talked to him he simply couldn't muster the energy to engage them in conversation and simply nodded while absorbed in his own thoughts.

Was he empty as one of the old caretakers said or merely apathetic he didn't know. The only thing he knew was if the flag used triggered his most deep thoughts he could become lost for hours and then he would lose his chance.

I have to risk it.

With a thought, his small store of refined mental qi swirled around his body. He made sure that not even a trickle escaped outside of his body. As he intensely focused on his refined mental qi he noticed that his thoughts were as clear as a mountain stream. With ease, he crossed the halfway point and the entire throne room erupted into a conversation. Just as quickly silence reemerged. Wei was curious what had been done to silence them so quickly but he didn't look around lest he distract himself.

Having past the halfway he wanted to stop and return securely in his position as someone with 'good karma' with Zixin, however, the same feeling as when he had merged with the silver coin. A desire, no an ambition to excel. To strive and succeed. It fueled him and he revolved his mental qi faster until he struggled to keep it from seeping out. He quickly passed Chen Ping's record and continued on. His mental qi had stopped moving faster but instead stabilized at an extremely fast speed.

It filled him with a warm feeling like a mothers embrace. He remembered the feeling from when he was a child and Madam Song would soothe him to sleep. At night his sickness would flare up and only her embrace and soft singing had let him fall asleep.

He felt so comfortable that his sharp pain dulled to a slight ache. Within a few seconds, he was almost near the flag. The distractions were easily ignored his mental qi crushing them as easily as breathing. A moment later he reached out and grabbed the flag. It was cool to the touch and very light. Wei resisted the urge to wave it around a few times.

He walked back enjoying the awe on many of the people's faces. He absentmindedly took note of Chen Ping's sour face and stood before Zixin. He still had the same gentle smile on his face. "Congratulation young man you were indeed right. So much talent and willpower I am truly impressed," he said voice full of praise.

"Your words humble me Senior Zixin," Wei said altering his method of addressing Zixin whose smile grew wider. "For taking your time to listen to my request I am very grateful."

"Think nothing of it. Everything is due to Karma. Now let us depart we are behind schedule," he said motioning for Wei to walk beside him. Xing and Chen Ping trailed behind them as they walked towards the throne room exit.

Wei's sickness started to flare upbringing with it the usual pain but not even that could curb his excitement. Not once did any of the mortals make a sound. Even the king kept his silence. However, none of that mattered to Wei. He had done it.

Finally, I take my first major step towards cultivation. I will find a cure. Maybe I'll even become immortal.