Second Grade

Inside, the hall is dimly lit by flickering torches set in iron sconces along the walls. The light casts eerie shadows, making the carved figures on the pillars seem to move. The floor is a mosaic of dark stones, laid out in a pattern that resembles a giant skeletal hand reaching out to grasp those who enter.

Li Wei sees a group of disciples in inner disciple clothing, some looking nervous, others cold and detached. He joins them, dressed in his new inner disciple robes. The atmosphere is tense, with the air thick with anticipation and unease. Disciples murmur quietly among themselves, their eyes darting around the grand hall. Li Wei stands among them, keeping his expression neutral, blending in with the group while observing the dynamics around him.

Li Wei stands amongst the disciples, each wearing the dark robes of the Bone Ash Sect with red hems. Li Wei observes them, noting the diversity in their appearances and demeanours. Some are confident, while others seem anxious.

A tall, muscular youth with sharp features stands nearby, catching Li Wei's eye.

"Do you know what's happening?" Li Wei asks, looking around at the other disciples and the ominous crystal ball.

The youth sighs. "Aptitude and affinity test. Measures our potential for forming a Golden Core."

Li Wei raises an eyebrow. "How does it work?"

"It measures your aptitude and affinity. First grade has a 5% chance of forming a Golden Core. Second grade is 20%, and third grade is 55%. The colour that appears also determines your elemental affinity: red for fire, blue for water, green for wood, brown for earth, and white for metal."

Li Wei looks at the ball with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension, wondering what it will reveal about his own potential.

"Those with third grades can choose their mentors if they meet the requirements. If not, they'll…..," 

Their conversation is cut short as a door opens, revealing a room lit by torches. The flickering light casts long shadows. They file into the room, where a direct disciple in red robes stands beside a clear crystal ball set on an ornate pedestal. The disciple's presence commands respect, his eyes sharp and observant.

"One by one, place your hand on the ball," the direct disciple instructs, his voice calm but authoritative. "The ball will measure your aptitude and determine your potential."

The first disciple, a nervous-looking young woman, steps forward. She places her hand on the ball, which remains clear for a moment before glowing faintly with a soft green light. "Third grade aptitude, Wood affinity," the direct disciple announces, making a note in a ledger. The girl steps back, her expression filled with pride.

Next, a stocky youth with a determined look approaches. He places his hand on the ball, which glows a brighter red than before. "Third grade aptitude, Fire affinity," the direct disciple repeats, jotting down the result. The boy looks satisfied and steps aside, clearly pleased.

Another disciple steps forward, a slender young man with an air of confidence. As he places his hand on the ball, it shines with an intense metallic light, almost silver. "First grade aptitude, Metal affinity," the direct disciple announces, his tone slightly more neutral. The boy steps back, trying to maintain his composure, though there is a flicker of disappointment in his eyes.

A fourth disciple, with a calm demeanour, steps forward. He places his hand on the ball, which glows a steady, moderate blue. "Second grade aptitude, Water affinity," the direct disciple notes. The youth looks slightly anxious but nods and steps back, accepting his fate.

Li Wei's turn comes. He steps forward, feeling the eyes of the other disciples on him. He places his hand on the ball, focusing his mind. Almost immediately, he feels a minute pain, a sharp prickling sensation that intensifies quickly. The pain spreads through his hand and up his arm, becoming more and more unbearable with each passing second. He grits his teeth, determined to endure, but the pain continues to escalate, burning and stabbing until he can't hold on any longer. Just as he thinks he might scream, he pulls his hand away, gasping for breath. The ball glows with a steady yellow light, indicating second grade aptitude with a faint red hue at the edges.

"Second grade aptitude, Earth affinity," the direct disciple announces, writing down the result. Li Wei steps back, his expression neutral.

The process continues, each disciple placing their hand on the ball. The room fills with the soft glow of the crystal, reflecting the varying levels of potential among them.

Most of the disciples with third-grade aptitude displayed relief and pride, knowing they had the best potential. Their faces showed satisfaction, knowing their future in cultivation was promising. Those with second-grade aptitude, like Li Wei, exhibited a mixture of unease and acceptance, aware that their path would be challenging but not impossible. The first-grade disciples, however, were marked by fear and disappointment, understanding the uphill battle they would face to achieve any significant success in their cultivation journey.

The second-grade disciples, however, looked noticeably anxious, their expressions betraying a mix of uncertainty and fear. They knew they had decent potential, but the pressure of not being the best weighed heavily on them. They exchanged uneasy glances, aware that they would have to work even harder to keep up.

Those who received first-grade aptitude were marked by a stark fear. The ball's dim glow was a sobering reminder of their limited potential. Their faces paled, and they stood in quiet dread, knowing that their journey ahead would be an uphill battle, with success far from guaranteed.

Finally, the last disciple steps forward, and the ball glows with the faintest yellow light, indicating a borderline third grade aptitude, Earth affinity.

The direct disciple finishes his notes and looks up. "Your aptitudes and affinities have been measured," he announces, closing the ledger.

He then gestures for them to follow him into another room. The atmosphere is heavy with the weight of their futures, each disciple pondering the path ahead.

Li Wei and the other disciples are led into a dimly lit room. The direct disciple bows deeply to the figure in front of them, prompting all the other disciples to do the same. Li Wei, following their lead, bows as well.

The figure steps forward, his presence commanding. Li Wei recognizes him from the sect assessment; Elder Guan was one of the two elders present.

Elder Guan's gaze sweeps across the room. "Those who have third-grade aptitude, forward and speak the name of the elder you will serve."

One by one, the disciples with third-grade aptitude step forward, their voices steady as they declare their chosen elders.

"Elder Zhang," the first one says, his voice filled with determination.

"Elder Shen," the next disciple announces, his tone confident.

"Elder Li," the third disciple declares, standing tall.

"Elder Guan," the fourth disciple says, echoing the name. For a brief moment, a flicker of satisfaction crosses Elder Guan's face, a subtle shift in his expression that only those paying close attention might notice. The hint of pleasure is gone as quickly as it appeared, replaced by his usual demeanor.

"Elder Zhang," the final third-grade disciple states, his voice unwavering.

Elder Guan nods, acknowledging each choice. The room is silent, the weight of the moment pressing down on everyone present. The chosen disciples step back, their faces a mix of relief and anticipation.

Elder Guan then turns his attention to the remaining disciples. "Those with second-grade aptitude, step forward."

Li Wei feels a rush of nervousness as he steps forward with the others. He feels the weight of the elder's gaze upon him. As he prepares to speak, Elder Guan raises a hand, halting them.

Elder Guan's presence is suffocating, an aura of death clinging to him like a shroud. The temperature in the room drops noticeably as he raises a hand, gesturing toward a small, dark pouch at his side. Without warning, a sickly-looking bird flutters out, its wings battered, and its feathers sparse. The creature hovers erratically, its beady eyes scanning the room as if searching for something. A foul stench accompanies its every movement, an odor so strong that some of the disciples involuntarily take a step back.

The bird flaps toward the first disciple, quacking in a voice that seems to echo from some dark, forgotten place. "Eldeeeer Wang," it croaks, its tone low and drawn out. The disciple bows deeply, his face pale, before retreating to his spot.

The creature continues its grim task, floating above the next disciple. "Eldeeeer Zhao," it announces, the name drawn out in a long, sickening quack. The disciple shudders as he bows, stepping back quickly.

When the bird approaches Li Wei, the smell intensifies, and he fights the urge to gag. The creature hovers above him, its dull eyes locking onto his. "Eldeeeeer Guo," it quacks, the sound resonating through the room like a death knell. Li Wei bows, stepping back, the sense of dread in his stomach growing heavier.

Elder Guan watches the proceedings with an expression devoid of emotion, his presence a constant reminder of the power he holds. The air around him seems to pulse with a dark energy, making the disciples feel like they're standing on the edge of an abyss. His aura of death wraps around them, leaving a cold sweat on their brows.

Finally, after the last disciple is assigned, Elder Guan steps forward. The room seems to darken with his movement, the shadows lengthening as if drawn to him. Without a word, he turns and leaves, the silence following him out, his aura lingering like a death sentence.

The direct disciple, visibly less intimidating but still commanding, steps forward. "Follow the bone slaves," he instructs, his voice sharp and clipped. 

Skeletons shuffle into the room. Each one stands before a disciple, ready to guide them. Li Wei watches as one of the skeletons approaches him. This skeleton is taller than the others, with armour clinging to its bones and hollow eyes glowing faintly.

The skeleton turns and begins to lead Li Wei out of the hall. They pass through winding corridors, the sound of their footsteps echoing against the stone walls. The path is long and labyrinthine, taking them away from the main areas of the sect.

Li Wei follows closely, observing the skeleton's movements. The corridors become less familiar, the walls rougher and the lighting dimmer. The air grows colder as they continue, the distant sounds of the sect fading away.