Chapter 3: Entrance Examination

<p>It is said that the Rising Mountain—one of the seven Holy Mountains—once bathed in potent glory under the guidance of an unknown entity–some would believe it to be a lucky star or a guardian sent from above. Yet no one could prove any of it real because there had been no record of the said wonders when the founding leader of Rising Mountain developed reign over the said Holy Mountain. It was basically a legend made to justify the Mountain's splendor. <br/><br/>The Mountain—along with its vast and gigantic landscape— also have five hefty peaks towering about half the size of the strange mountain. These Peaks were then overlooked by five great Peak masters and attained names based on their strongest suit.<br/><br/>Spring Water Peak as one of the five peaks of Rising Mountain, used to have it's own prestige a very, very long time ago. It was said that a heaven-sent genius had appeared at their Sect, Spring Water Peak being it's foundation and granted the Sect with prosperous fame.<br/><br/><br/><br/>However, that so-called heaven-sent genius committed an unforgivable crime and was bestowed with an inherited curse. This curse imposes death and endless suffering to the family, relatives and even the close friends of the Peak Master while the Peak Master himself suffered an incurable unknown disease. <br/><br/>Due to this, the once famous Spring Water Peak immediately went downhill and was ridiculed by the people. <br/><br/>Yet it just so happened that until now, Spring Water Peak is still the strongest Peak among the Five great Peaks namely: Misty Peak, Purple Snow Peak, Evergreen Peak and Lotus Peak which was the reason why Spring Water Peak could remain as the strongest foundation among them. This was also the reason why, despite the repeated ridicule and insults of the people, Rising Mountain Sect's Sect Master had endured and accepted the existence of the Spring Water Peak. <br/><br/>However, humans, being human, not all of the Sect Masters can tolerate this and so, after some thought, decided to hide the existence of Spring Water Peak—forbidding the world to know about its existence.<br/><br/>Due to this, not only was Spring Water Peak secluded from the other Peaks–they were even prohibited to supervise any events such as entrance examination.<br/><br/>Yet now Spring Water Peak is actually active. Who wouldn't be shocked?<br/><br/><br/>It wasn't long before the fog disappeared leaving everyone a slight feeling of being at an illusion. <br/><br/>Xiao Ying did not give them the time to breath as he took the initiative to open the enormous dark gate with an incredible force. The gate opened soundly to reveal the stone path which was covered in mist amidst the cold wind. Everyone, upon seeing this mysterious mist, felt their blood run cold.<br/><br/>At the foot of the mountain, a hundred or so kids and teenagers accompanied by some outer sect disciples, stood obediently and waited for the inner sect disciples to descend the mountain.<br/><br/>Among them, some were from a wealthy clans while others came from simple households. Each wore different garbs with differing styles and patterns.<br/><br/>Finally, Xiao Ying, together with some inner disciples from Misty Peak, Lotus Peak and Evergreen Peak descended the mountain. Each wearing their respective Peak robes. <br/><br/>Upon descending , the thick mist seemed to have sensed their presence and slowly dissipated to reveal a stone path in which Xiao Ying and the others were going down. Seeing them, the crowd were all excited.<br/><br/>"Welcome to Rising Mountain Sect, exam takers. You all have come today which means you are ready for the first examination"<br/>As Xiao Ying continued to talk, two youths stood not far away, listening to him. The other felt shiver run down his spine and he hastily tugged at his friend's sleeve.<br/><br/>"Little Shen hehehe it hasn't even started but I'm already scared" he turned to look at his friend however, upon seeing his friend's indifferent expression, as if nothing in the world could scare him, he sighed.<br/><br/>"You are different alright. It's just unfortunate that I lack the experience to be brave like you" he smiled. The youth was a young master from a prestigious clan of Ming. Ming Yi. <br/><br/>Due to his status, he never really participated in huntings which led to his lack of combat experience.<br/><br/>Ming Yi patted his friend, Ye Shenyin's, head and sighed bitterly.<br/><br/>It was at this time that Xiao Ying finished his announcement and turned his back to everyone. He then clasped his hands together and the fog that had just disappeared, emerged once again.<br/><br/>The crowd started to grow anxious.<br/><br/>"What a weird fog!" someone from another group of teenager exclaimed.<br/>"Yi Yun, shut it. Youre making us seemed scared" Yi Jian of Yi clan scolded Yi Yun. <br/>"Why, are you not?"Yi Yun taunted which made Yi Jian red with anger.<br/>" You.."<br/><br/>"All of you, shut up"<br/> Just as the duo was about to argue, a cold voice abruptly stopped them. A slim yet tall figure stood infront of them.<br/><br/>"Young master " The duo greeted respectfully.<br/><br/>On the other side, <br/><br/>"We can do this!" Ming Yi exclaimed without caring that the people nearby can hear him. Hearing his words, the crowd that were originally anxious started to gain their rationality and thought "<em>isn't this what they came for in the first place?</em>" they were here in the first place to obtain experience, save people, acquire achievements and gain merits! They are here to be accepted as a worthy disciple of Rising Mountain Sect!<br/><br/>With this in mind, the people seemed to be bustling with joy and eagerness.<br/><br/>At this time, Xiao Ying and the other inner sect disciples started climbing up to the mountain, disappearing into the mist.<br/>If one would look closely at their cold faces, they would have noticed that these seemingly cold inner sect students were actually just as anxious!<br/><br/><br/>"Let's go!" someone shouted.<br/><br/>The youth followed suit and went to the direction the inner sect disciples disappeared to.<br/><br/>In the stadium, a two-storey building that emitted an ancient ambiance stood before the wide platform. On the balcony of the tower, a lonely figure in white sat on a chair that was delicately carved with beast from the ancient times.<br/><br/>The person was Lu Qingxian. Behind him was Xiao Ying who was standing with his hands clasped behind his back. He was looking attentively at the mirror on Lu Qingxian's hand which illuminated the situation below. <br/><br/>The translucent mirror, the size of a palm , showed the slow striding youths and the Hiansik Peak—also known as misty peak— Lotus Peak, and Evergreen Peak Inner sect disciples who were slowly disappearing into the Sect.<br/><br/>As the crowd walked deeper into the fog, some noticed the mist gradually getting thicker until they can no longer see the people ahead of them. This caused them to become anxious and felt as if they were no longer walking on a stone path but on a soft ground as their legs slightly trembled.<br/><br/>"AHH"<br/>Suddenly, a high-pitched scream that belonged to a girl rang out from a distance, terrifying everyone. <br/><br/>"What happened?"<br/><br/>"Who was that?"<br/><br/>"It's a trap!" <br/>The youths all shouted as they hastily tried to reach the place where the shout came from.<br/>It was at this moment that Ming Yi exclaimed<br/>"No! This isn't right. We are lost!" <br/><br/>His words just fell when all of a sudden, the soil beneath his feet collapsed.<br/><br/>Before anyone could even react, the mist that had enveloped everyone slowly dissipated.</p>