Chapter 32: The Second Test
Sanjeev's mind was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. Elder Rui... Chief Elder Rui. The woman who had tried to kill him, the woman he had every reason to hate, was not some minor obstacle. She was a pillar of the Lotus Blade Sect, a force to be reckoned with. He clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms. Revenge... The thought burned in his mind, a cold fire that threatened to consume him. But he knew, with a chilling certainty, that he was not strong enough. Not yet.
He was a mere disciple, a fledgling cultivator in a sect filled with powerful individuals. Elder Rui, as the Chief Elder, was leagues beyond his current capabilities. To act rashly would be suicide. He had to be patient, had to grow stronger. He would bide his time, hone his skills, and when the moment was right... he would take his revenge. The thought was a grim promise, a vow etched in the deepest recesses of his heart.
He took a deep breath, forcing himself to appear calm and collected. He couldn't afford to let his emotions betray him. Not here, not now. He focused his attention on the stage, where the First Elder was addressing the assembled disciples.
The First Elder, a man with a stern countenance and a voice that resonated with authority, stepped forward. A hush fell over the crowd as he began to speak. "Disciples," he boomed, his voice echoing across the vast training ground, "you have all proven your worth by passing the first test. But your journey does not end here. The path of cultivation is long and arduous, filled with trials and tribulations. Only those with true talent and unwavering determination can hope to reach the pinnacle."
He paused, his gaze sweeping across the sea of faces before him. "Now," he continued, "we move on to the second test. In this test, you will demonstrate your skills and talents beyond martial arts. The Lotus Blade Sect values not only combat prowess but also proficiency in other disciplines. You will have the opportunity to showcase your abilities in various fields, including alchemy, spiritual food preparation, beast taming, weapon refinement, and formation making."
A wave of excitement rippled through the crowd. The disciples buzzed with anticipation, eager to display their unique talents. Sanjeev, however, remained thoughtful. He possessed a degree of mastery in almost every skill mentioned, a legacy of his past life and his unique ability to learn and adapt. But weapon refinement... that was the one area where his knowledge was limited.
Xiner's voice broke through his thoughts. "I choose beast taming," she declared, her eyes shining with confidence. "It is my specialty." A murmur of approval rose from the surrounding disciples. Xiner was known for her exceptional talent in beast taming, a skill she had honed since childhood.
Aarav, Sanjeev's friend from the Alchemist Association Hall, stepped forward. "I will demonstrate my alchemy skills," he announced, his voice filled with pride. Aarav was a gifted alchemist, even at his young age, and Sanjeev knew his friend would excel in this test.
Xuner, a girl from a family renowned for their weapon refinement skills, spoke next. "I choose weapon refinement," she stated, her voice firm and resolute. "It is my family's legacy, and I intend to honor it."
Sanjeev found himself in a dilemma. He was proficient in alchemy, thanks to Aarav's guidance and his own insatiable thirst for knowledge. He had a natural affinity for formations, a skill he had picked up from ancient texts. He could even prepare spiritual food, drawing upon his knowledge of Indian cuisine and his ability to infuse it with spiritual energy. But weapon refinement... that was a field he had only a theoretical understanding of.
He turned to Aarav for advice. "What should I choose, Aarav?" he asked, his voice low. "I have some skill in many areas, but I don't excel in any one except alchemy, and you are doing that."
Aarav considered for a moment, then a thoughtful expression crossed his face. "You should choose alchemy, Sanjeev," he said. "I know you possess a deep understanding of the art, far beyond what you have shown others. It would be a waste for you to choose something else."
Sanjeev nodded slowly. Aarav's words resonated with him. He did have a unique talent for alchemy, a talent that stemmed from his ability to perceive the very essence of matter and energy. It was a skill he had honed in secret, experimenting with different combinations of herbs and minerals, pushing the boundaries of what was thought possible.
"Alright," Sanjeev said, a spark of determination igniting within him. "I will choose alchemy."
As the disciples made their choices, Sanjeev observed the crowd. As Xiner had predicted, most of the students opted for beast taming. It was a practical skill, valued for its ability to provide companionship, protection, and even combat support. Weapon refinement was also a popular choice, particularly among those from families with a history in the craft.
Alchemy and formation making, however, attracted fewer participants. These skills were considered rare and difficult to master, requiring a deep understanding of complex principles and years of dedicated practice. Among those two, formation making had even fewer students.
The First Elder surveyed the disciples, a satisfied expression on his face. "Very well," he announced. "Let the second test begin!"
The beast taming competition was the first to commence. Each participant was tasked with taming a wild beast of at least the third rank within one hour. The third rank beasts were known for their ferocity and untamed nature, making the challenge a daunting one.
Sanjeev watched as Xiner stepped forward, her eyes fixed on a magnificent bird beast of the fourth rank. The bird, with its sharp talons, piercing gaze, and powerful wings, exuded an aura of wildness and untamed power. It was a formidable creature, one that would test Xiner's skills to their limits.
Xiner approached the bird with a calm and confident demeanor. She released a gentle wave of her aura, a soothing energy that enveloped the beast. The bird, initially wary and agitated, began to relax, its sharp eyes softening. Slowly, Xiner extended her hand, her movements deliberate and unhurried. The bird watched her, its head tilted in curiosity.
Then, a moment of connection. The bird nuzzled Xiner's hand, its body trembling slightly. A soft chirp escaped its beak, a sound of acceptance and trust. Xiner smiled, her face radiant with joy. She had tamed the beast in a mere five minutes, a feat that drew gasps of astonishment from the onlookers.
An elder from the Beast Taming Branch of the Lotus Blade Sect, his eyes wide with admiration, approached Xiner. The elder was a renowned beast tamer, a man who had dedicated his entire life to the study and mastery of the art. He rarely praised anyone, but Xiner's talent was undeniable.
"Young girl," the elder said, his voice unusually gentle, "I am impressed by your talent. Have you ever considered becoming my personal disciple?"
Xiner's eyes widened in surprise. To be accepted as a personal disciple by such a renowned elder was a great honor, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. But she hesitated. "But Elder," she said, her voice filled with uncertainty, "I have not yet passed the inner sect competition."
The elder waved his hand dismissively. "There is no need for that," he said. "I have a good eye for talent. I can see your potential. Besides..." He glanced in Sanjeev's direction, a knowing smile playing on his lips.
Sanjeev, sensing the elder's gaze, nodded encouragingly. He knew how much this opportunity meant to Xiner, and he wanted her to seize it. He had full confidence in her abilities, and he knew she would thrive under the elder's tutelage.
Xiner looked at Sanjeev, her eyes filled with gratitude. Then, she turned back to the elder, her face resolute. "Okay, Master," she said, bowing deeply. "I accept you as my master."
The elder's face lit up with a rare smile. "And I accept you as my personal disciple," he replied, his voice filled with warmth. The surrounding disciples gasped in astonishment. The elder had not accepted a personal disciple in over a century, a testament to the rarity of Xiner's talent.
The elder, beaming with pride, reached into his robes and pulled out a small, intricately carved box. He opened it to reveal a lustrous dragon egg, its surface shimmering with an otherworldly glow. "This," he said, presenting the egg to Xiner, "is a gift from your master. It shall be your second beast."
Xiner's eyes widened in awe as she accepted the egg. A dragon egg! It was a treasure beyond compare, a symbol of immense power and potential. She cradled it gently in her hands, her heart filled with gratitude and excitement.
"Come," the elder said, turning to leave. "Let us go to my peak."
Xiner hesitated, a conflicted expression on her face. "Master," she said, "I am afraid I cannot accompany you to your peak today."
The elder stopped, his brow furrowed in confusion. "Why?" he asked.
Xiner blushed slightly. "I... I wish to stay and watch my husband's match," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
The elder's eyes widened in surprise. "Husband?" he exclaimed, his voice filled with incredulity. "Are you married?"
Xiner nodded, her cheeks flushed. "Yes, Master," she said.
The elder, his curiosity piqued, leaned closer. "And who," he asked in a teasing tone, "is this fortunate man?"
Xiner pointed towards Sanjeev, a proud smile gracing her lips. "My husband is Sanjeev Luo," she declared.
The elder's jaw dropped. He stared at Sanjeev, his eyes filled with a mixture of shock and amusement. He knew Sanjeev's true identity, his extraordinary talent, and his connection to Xue Rong. He was also aware that Sanjeev's grandfather, Xue Rong, was his childhood friend. The elder's mind raced, a mischievous plan forming in his thoughts.
A hearty laugh erupted from the elder's lips. "Okay, okay," he chuckled, wiping a tear from his eye. "You may stay and watch your husband's match. You can come to my peak tomorrow."
The elder turned and walked away, his shoulders shaking with laughter. As he walked, he thought to himself, a sly grin spreading across his face. Xue Rong's granddaughter-in-law is my disciple... This is too good! I can't wait to tease that old fool! He chuckled again, imagining the look on Xue Rong's face when he found out.
Sanjeev watched the elder leave, a bemused expression on his face. He knew that the elder and his grandfather were old friends, and he could only guess at the nature of their relationship. He suspected that their interactions were often filled with playful banter and friendly rivalry.
His thoughts were interrupted by the announcement of the next competition. "The weapon refinement competition will now begin!" the First Elder declared, his voice booming across the training ground.
The disciples who had chosen weapon refinement stepped forward, their faces filled with determination. They carried with them an assortment of tools and materials, ready to showcase their skills. Sanjeev watched them with interest, his mind already racing with ideas. He knew that with his Divine Eye and his understanding of formations, he could potentially create weapons of unimaginable power. He made a mental note to explore this possibility further, perhaps after the competition.