Paths to Take

Jilun and Jia stood within Instructor Fengges housing.

While this maybe the first touch to the experience of martial arts, one couldn't underestimate the knowledge that Old Gi possessed with his accumulated years.

Jilun was already well informed of the many paths a martial artist could take, and with this knowledge, he prepared himself for the possible options based on his aptitude.

The Sword, the Spear, the Dagger, so many different paths at his disposable. Though, whether or not any of them were possible, he would find out now.

"I'm sure you have been informed on the process?"

Jilun nodded his head.

"I have been informed prior of what I may expect."

Instructor Fengge reached into his desk in response. Bringing a shiny, reflective disk into view, he inched it closer to the pair.

"Then am I to assume you are aware of what this may be?"

Jilun studied the object for a moment before running its description through his memories.

"I would think that to be the Disk of Nature?"

Instructor Fengge nodded without attempting to hide his surprise.

"It seems you are quite informed, yes, you are correct, this is in fact the Disk of Nature, I'll be using this to test the raw strength of you two individually, from this, only will I be able to accurately point you on the right path."

Instructor Fengge suddenly appeared before the duo. With the Disk of Nature in hand, he held it before the pair. Wandering his eyes over them, he exclaimed.

"Which one of you would like to go first?"

Jia immediately stepped back as she signaled forward.

Jilun only watched her antic as he signed. Although they may be in a completely different world, with different people, surround by different things, one thing Jilun knew would stay consistent no matter the time or place is Jia.

While he was raised in a completely different environment from all of the residents from really any city, he was self-conscious over morals. But it seemed Jia could care less with what Jilun thought, as this far into their life with one another, Jilun already knew that there was no changing her mind.

Seeing no other choice but the one in front of him, Jilun walked forward as he placed his hand upon the disc.

With Jilun's action, the Disc illuminated, turning transparent as strings of invisible energy seeped from out of his finger tips into the center of the star shaped disc. As the energy gather, the hue of the disc changed along with it.

The tone of the room changed, a bright green light replacing its atmosphere. Of the four pairs of eyes within the room, two couldn't conceal the joy they were feeling.

Jilun only watched the color with indifference. He expected nothing, nor thought himself to be anything. He couldn't expect a high result when he hadn't trained nor tempered his strength a day of his life. While he may have gained solid muscle from constant stress brought by working, it couldn't be directly compared to actual martial tempering.

Instructor Fengge seemingly mimicked Jiluns face, though, for different reasons. Of course, Fengge had seen many others test the same color as Jilun had did. And although he could be said to hold a strong relationship with Jilun through his father, it would not warrant special treatment. What Fengge did by allowing his entrance was already a favor unsurmountable by any other within the limits of the City of the New Moon.

But what awaits Jilun from now on will depend on him, as he will only be there to support him, not carry him the way through.

Anyhow, green was the second lowest, only above transparent, which would indicate that the person hadn't even started temperament. So for a human with absolutely no training, Jilun, in Instructor Fengges opinion, was off to a good start.

Seeing as the hue of the disc was stable, Fengge signaled.

Understanding that his trail of strength was now over, Jilun calmly lifted his hand. He couldn't say was disappointed, but coming in with no expectations, he was rather pleased with his result.

Fengge glanced over to Jia, indicating her turn would be next.

Now Jilun, unlike his own testing, was excited for her. He felt that Jia would surely place above him. It was something... he could guess from experience.

Ever since they were little, Jilun knew that Jia had immense strength. It seem that no matter the age or point in time that Jia always held this over him. To Jilun, he wouldn't feel hurt if Jia scored a greater strength in temperament, it was never really a competition for him. He would be all but envious, and instead would be happier in her place. Of course, this wasn't an excuse to slack, as no one would like to be left behind, but as a source of inspiration.

Jilun watched as Jia walked up to disc, placing her hand gently upon the device. Jilun waited anxiously as the disc began to illuminate.

Jia's expression remained indifferent throughout the whole process.

Though, not a moment later, her eyes suddenly fluttered, and in a voice hardly auditable, even to the Instructor who's body could be said to be an enhanced human, Jia spoke.

"Quite petty, aren't we?"

The natural flow of energy suddenly went haywire as the disc began to crack. Fengge widened his eyes as he noticed the abnormality.

"Get back!"

Raising his hands into the air, a sudden force was expelled, propelling Jia and Jilun into the air, opposite to the direction of the disc.

Shining an even brighter ever-white, the cracks became even more prominent upon the device, spreading rapidly until the cracks were all that lined it's edges.

Appearing in front of Jia and Jilun, Fengge raised a transparent shield.

*BOOM*

Not even a moment later, the disc exploded, sending pieces of its debris piercing air, much like bullets, throughout the room. The pieces of the disc ricocheted off the walls and floor, piercing and bouncing off them, causing shredded pieces of furniture and marbles to turn to grime.

After all the particles of dust settled, Fengge lowered his hand. Turning to look at the pair behind him with their backs to the ground, he lent out his hands.

"Are you guys alright?"

Jia and Jilun looked up at the Instructor as they nodded in unison after looking at one another. Fengge expressed his apologies through his facial expression as he spoke.

"I am not sure what happened"

Fengge shook his head as he stared behind him at the debris.

"Such an encounter with the Disc of Nature has never happened before. I'll have to consult with the grounds masters about this interaction. For now, you are to return to your residences before we could continue the test of aptitude."

He then looked back at the two as he helped them back up.

*Click*

Suddenly, the door opened behind them. Within the place of the entryway frame, nothing else but an angel from heaven could describe the mortal that resided there.

Who else could this be but Xuanyin?