The Test

It was a week after the battle which happened in the village.

Everything went back to how it was before, but the villagers will never forget about the harrowing experience they had a week ago.

The villagers hiding behind the doors and walls of their houses shivered throughout the duration of the fight.

Children became more perceptive because none of the noisy and troublemaker brats made a sound during the battle.

The village chief told the villagers that it was bandits that attacked and he repelled them with his soldiers.

which increased the admiration the villagers had for him to above maximum. Like a hundred and ten loyalty percent.

...

In an open field outside of the village entrance were four youths and the village chief 'Sakuku Satin'.

"Hey Zeron, now we are going to the cultivation sect to practice cultivation".

"I will protect you when we begin cultivating, from those foul seniors if they want to bully you".

"I am sure my cultivating speed will be the best ever".

Who else but Sake can say that shameless words?

"Hmph".

"Sake you should worry for yourself if you can even pass the Sword River Association entrance test".

Who else but Chulan can bring Sake down and trample on his bragging heights?

"Chulan, don't say that. I believe that Sake can protect us when we are weak and starting new because he will cultivate very fast and speedily".

"We are waiting on you to protect us Sake". Rale interjected

Rale smiled as he looked at the now grinning Sake whose body language was expressing 'no problem, no problem' and the sulking Chulan.

Zeron was a couple of feet away from them. He was standing together with the village Chief.

The village chief looked at the curly-haired young boy and said to him.

"Zeron, Sake can be immature, I hope you can take care of him when you two enter the sect".

"Also the other two kids if they are lucky to enter".

"They are the only ones in the village who have spirit root but Sake spirit root quality is above theirs".

"That's why I am sure he will enter".

Sakuku sighed then continued. "Just take care of them for me".

Zeron looked at the merchant-looking man's face noticed the care and concern that was hidden in his eyes and said "Okay!"

Sakuku then signalled his servant who brought four horses.

The young servant directed the horses with another servant towards the front clearing of the field.

Sakuku called the trio over and advised them what to do if they should enter the sect.

He told them to always trust Zeron's judgment. Sake was a little sad to leave but when he remembered his dream, he hardened his heart and removed his sadness from his mind.

The others have already said goodbye to their parents before coming.

....

In front of a mountain that stretched forth for hundreds of kilometers in the shape of a sleeping wyrm. 'The Wyrm mountain range'.

A famous landscape to the mortals because that is where a cultivation sect is located 'the Sword River Association'.

And a famous landscape to Cultivators because that is where different ranks of beasts stay.

Starting from the body tempering rank to the Qi immolation rank beast who stays in the deepest part of the forest.

Now is not about Cultivators hunting beasts but about mortals who want to change their destiny.

....

In front of a large clearing.

There was a table and on it lay an orb which was white as snow and surpass the most beautiful pearl earth have ever known.

It just lay there in its calm and reserved manner as it enchants every eye that sets its sight on it.

But this beautiful item is what brought despair to some people and decided their faith.

"No spirit root. Failed!"

"No spirit root. Failed!"

"No spirit root. Failed!"

"Spirit root. Passed!"

"No spirit root. Failed!"

This is what has been going on since the early morning of the day. Some passed as they rejoiced and sighed in relief while some failed and despaired.

It took Zeron and the trio three days to get here.

When they got here, the place was full of people.

The large field could not contain some people. But now that the test has started. People are decreasing at a fast rate.

The rule is that you should place your hands on the orb on the table and if it glows. Means you have a spirit root. If it does not. Means you don't have.

Which makes the person to be disqualified and sent out of the test site.

"No spirit root. Failed!"

Another person was sent out by the Cultivators who were dressed as Sword River Association disciples.

Then it was Zeron and the group's turn

"Next!".

Sake first walked forward and touched the orb and it glows followed by the rest of the group in which the orb glowed.

The elder handling the text was not impressed because he could see with his cultivation that Zeron and the group have spirit roots.

Why do the Sword River Association and other sects still test spirit roots with orbs some special spirit roots and people born with unique physiques can not be seen with cultivation.

Only orbs of truth can determine if that kind of person has spirit roots.

The orb of truth in use now is a low-quality one that can only test if a person has spirit root or not.

It can not test the type and quality of the spirit root.

After a few hours when the testing was over, the white grey-haired elder that was in charge of the testing brought out a new orb of truth and put back the old one inside the box where he brought the new one out from.

"The qualification test is now over."

"Now is the time for the preliminary to begin." Said the white-robed grey-haired elder.

All qualified participants put on a serious expression because the real test that will determine their future has just started.

The first test out of three tests. The spirit root testing!