Junming raised his hand slowly. His gaze remained calm, steady.
"I choose Alchemy Hall."
The courtyard rippled with murmurs.
"Alchemy? He's not choosing Sword or Spear Hall?"
"What a waste of talent."
"You all really know nothing."
"In Alchemy, the higher the spiritual root, the better the chance to create a higher-grade pill from fewer ingredients."
"Ah, is that so? Then he's actually a genius?"
Up on the raised platform, the elders sat in a semi-circle.
Sword Hall Master, Yan Weihu, a tall man with a sharp jaw and eyes like cold steel, snorted. His black robes were lined with silver. "What a waste to go into a non-martial hall with a Heaven-Grade Spiritual Root."
Beside him, Spear Hall Master, Lu Wanqing nodded in agreement. Her robe was tight-fitted, her figure lean and fierce, her long black ponytail flowing in the wind. "He'd have made a fine spear cultivator. Shame."
Formation Hall Master, Zhuge Ming, an elderly man with a long white beard and hunched back, tapped his cane lightly and spoke in a calm voice. "I disagree. Alchemy nurtures the mind and spirit. If he does well, he can support an entire sect's rise with his pill-making alone."
The Alchemy Hall Master, Qiao Lian, remained quiet. She had long white hair, faint wrinkles, and sharp, discerning eyes. Her expression was unreadable.
Fist Hall Master, Tie Shan, a broad-chested man with hands like iron slabs, crossed his arms. "Does it matter which Hall he takes? As long as he fights in the Celestial Gate Meet, that's all that counts."
Beast Hall Master, Jin Rou, a large, scarred woman with a beastly aura and a lazy grin, scoffed. A faint scar crossed her eye, and a more visible one slashed across her exposed belly. "The only thing you think about is fighting."
Tie Shan grinned. "That's because I know what matters."
Below, the selection continued.
Shen Xueya stepped forward, her robe fluttering lightly.
"I choose Spear Hall."
Lu Wanqing nodded with a satisfied look. "At the 4th Stage of Qi Refinement, not bad."
Next came Liang Chen. His steps were smooth, proud despite his loss. He raised his head and announced, "Sword Hall."
Yan Weihu looked him over. "5th Stage of Qi Refinement. Hmph. You may have lost today, but there's still potential... if you learn discipline."
The girl in the blue robe walked forward. Her steps were silent, her face calm. She raised her hand toward the Formation Hall banner.
"I choose Formation Hall."
"Name?" Zhuge Ming asked.
"Zhuge Qingmei, of the Zhuge Clan."
Zhuge Ming's cloudy eyes brightened slightly. "6th Stage of Qi Refinement. Excellent. A child of the Zhuge Clan will never disappoint."
The boy with fiery-orange hair came next. His steps were heavy, deliberate. His chest bare, showing tribal tattoos down his arms. His eyes were like blazing coals.
He raised his arm. "Fist Hall."
"Name?" Tie Shan asked.
"Hong Ya, heir of the Flamewind Tribe."
Tie Shan's grin widened. "7th Stage of Qi Refinement. Good. A tribal never disappoints."
Then came the girl with flowing white hair. Her face was pale, her steps light. She seemed almost like a spirit.
She stood quietly and pointed to the banner.
"Beast Hall," she said softly.
"Name?" Jin Rou asked.
"Bai Yuyan."
Jin Rou grinned. She narrowed her eyes, a faint ripple of qi flashing through her pupils as she inspected the girl.
"She's an interesting girl. Her origins are unknown. But she's at the 9th Stage of Qi Refinement."
Gasps swept through the crowd.
"9th Stage? She's already so close to the Core Condensation Realm!"
"How can someone our age be that strong?"
"She might be the strongest of our generation…"
"Who is she really?"
Then, from the back, a black-robed outer disciple stepped forward and spoke.
"All who have chosen, please return to the inns where you are staying. Once the sun rises tomorrow, a senior outer disciple will be waiting to guide you to your Hall. Do not be late."
Junming nodded slightly and turned.
He began walking back toward the inn. His steps were light, quiet. As he approached the stairs leading out of the sect—
"Junming."
He stopped.
Turning back, he saw her.
Shen Xueya stood behind him, her eyes burning with restrained anger and hatred.
"What?" he asked.
She stared at him, her tone cold. "I don't know what forbidden technique you used, but be prepared. I'll visit you tonight."
He raised an eyebrow, lips curving faintly. His voice dropped to a whisper.
"Is this why they say love is blind?"
"What?" she asked.
Junming opened his mouth again.
"Why should I listen—"
"Xueya'er!"
A voice echoed from across the courtyard. Liang Chen, standing a few steps away, called out. His brows were furrowed, his voice laced with irritation.
Shen Xueya looked over and responded lightly, "Just a moment, Senior Brother."
Suddenly, a plan formed in Junming's mind.
He stepped closer. His movements were natural, unhurried. But the distance between him and Xueya vanished in an instant. His face was now close to hers.
Xueya turned sharply to face him, startled.
Junming looked straight into her eyes.
And said calmly, "Alright. I'll wait for you."
Xueya frowned. "Why are you so close?"
Junming reached toward her hair, then plucked something out.
She tensed. "What are you doing?"
"Ah... nothing. I just saw a tiny louse caught in your hair," he said lightly.
Xueya stiffened, a hint of embarrassment flashing across her face. She lowered her gaze, clearly uneasy.
"I'll... I'll visit you," she muttered quickly, then turned and walked away.
Junming smiled faintly.
Liang Chen approached, his expression dark. "What were you doing?"
"Nothing," Xueya replied, laughing it off.
Junming murmured to himself, "Just wait... a seed of doubt, planted deep, will grow into a... great tree."
He turned, descending the stone path out of the sect.
As he walked, a small wooden sign hanging above a quiet storefront caught his eye.
"Old Lu's Pills."
Junming stopped, then went inside.
Liang Chen, several steps behind, narrowed his eyes.
And chose to follow him.