When everyone entered the Martial Arts Dojo, they saw the vast space inside marked with a red route extending across the floor.
The beginning of the red route was labeled "Nine Bends Flowing Water," and further along were marked "First Bend," "Second Bend," all the way to "Ninth Bend."
Before each bend, there were different test hurdles set up.
Behind the starting position, there were basins of water placed on a table.
"First, each of you take two flat bowls of water for a pre-test warm-up," the examiner said.
Everyone knew that this was to ensure fairness by allowing Zhou Leng, the newcomer, to get accustomed.
The instructor continued, "This Nine Bends Flowing Water is the hardest among the seven exams. The process sounds simple: each person carries water in their hands, one bowl in each, and walks through the Nine Bends route. If you retain 90% of the water, you pass. If, for any reason, you spill too much water during the process, you fail..."
