A hush fell over the hall once more as Master Feng stepped forward again. The room, filled with the combined presence of 1,200 students, seemed to hold its breath in anticipation.
Principal Feng's long sleeves drifted slightly as he raised a hand.
"Before any of you can prove your worth in the Imperial Examination," he began, his gaze piercing through the crowd, "you must first survive."
The words settled heavily, a weighted silence crawling across the students. Minjun tensed beside Wuxie. Dan's beast like eyes narrowed slightly. But Wuxie? He remained calm, unmoved, his gaze focused entirely on Master Feng, the faintest flicker of curiosity playing in his dark eyes.
"Trial One," Feng intoned, "is called Path of the Bladewind."
