Han Li stood among the others in silence, surrounded by groves of dark bamboo. The clearing ahead was shadowed by tall trees and overhanging mist, but the figures waiting beneath them were clear, four men and two women in flowing green robes, each one exuding an invisible pressure.
These were not ordinary sect disciples. Their presence made the air feel heavier, like the mountain itself was holding its breath.
Elder Yue stepped forward. His gaze swept over the children, sharp and indifferent.
"Your bodies are weak, your minds untrained. But the Dao is not merciful. If you wish to become one of us, you must earn it. There are no exceptions."
He paused, letting the words sink in.
"You will be tested one by one. Only those with spiritual roots are eligible. Those without will leave the mountain before sundown."
One of the disciples stepped forward, holding a jade mirror the size of a small plate. Its surface shimmered faintly, like rippling water under moonlight.
"This is the Spirit Testing Mirror," Elder Yue explained. "It reveals the spiritual potential in your bodies. Step forward when your name is called."
A boy was called first.
He walked up nervously, trembling slightly, and placed his hand on the mirror. For a moment, nothing happened.
Then a faint white glow appeared in the mirror's surface.
Elder Yue nodded.
"Barely passable. One attribute, weak affinity. Next."
The boy was ushered aside, allowed to stay, for now.
Another went. Then another. Each child approached the mirror with a different mix of fear and hope, and each left with a new weight in their heart.
Han Li watched carefully, noting the colors that appeared, red for fire, blue for water, green for wood, white for metal, black for earth. Some mirrors glowed bright. Most dimmed quickly.
Then Wu Nian stepped forward.
He moved with easy confidence, a proud smirk tugging at the edge of his mouth.
The mirror pulsed as soon as his palm touched it. Golden-red light flared outward, swirling like fire chased by wind.
Gasps rippled through the onlookers.
"Two attributes. Fire and wind. High affinity," one of the disciples murmured.
Even Elder Yue arched a brow in approval. "Not bad."
Wu Nian turned back toward the group with his head high and chest puffed, as if he'd already passed the trial.
Then the names continued.
One after another, children approached the mirror and either glowed dimly or not at all.
When a child placed their hand on the mirror and nothing happened, silence would follow. Then Elder Yue would simply wave a hand, and a disciple would escort the child away without a word.
Some wept. Some protested. But the result was the same.
No spiritual root. No future here.
Han Li's turn came last.
He stepped forward slowly, heart pounding. His palms were damp with sweat.
He glanced at the mirror, so small, so still, and reached out.
His fingers touched the jade surface.
A moment passed.
Nothing.
Another second. Still nothing.
The silence was suffocating.
Then, just as Han Li began to withdraw his hand, the mirror shimmered faintly, barely visible, like the last breath of a dying flame.
A pale green light flickered… then dimmed again.
The disciple holding the mirror frowned.
"Wood attribute. Incredibly faint."
Elder Yue gave Han Li a long look, then turned away.
"Barely qualifies. Let him stay. Next."
Han Li stepped back into the group, his face calm, but his mind spinning.
He had a spiritual root. Weak. Faint. But it was there.
He wasn't being sent home.
That was enough.
For now.