Selection, Part Two

Faced with the terror of venomous snakes, the more than forty children all shrank back. A long while passed, and nearly a quarter of the incense stick had burned away, yet not a single child had stepped forward to try.

Although Qin Fengming was also extremely afraid of the many venomous snakes in the woods, he was not so terrified that he dared not go forward. Still, seeing that no one else had moved, he paused as well.

As long as they picked a Vermilion Fruit before the incense burned out, they would pass. There was no need to hurry just yet.

Some more time passed. Suddenly, a small figure stepped out from among the crowd. His footsteps were firm as he followed the faint path through the shrubs and strode quickly toward the nearby woods.

Though the youth's face was still childish, his expression was exceptionally resolute.

Qin Fengming looked closely and saw that it was none other than Duan Meng, who had arrived in the same carriage.

Duan Meng moved swiftly, almost as though he were running. In only a few breaths, he disappeared into the depths of the dense undergrowth.

As the children stared tensely at the woods ahead, a frightened cry of "Ah!" suddenly rang out from within. The terror in that voice sent chills crawling down their spines.

While everyone stood stunned, the bushes parted, and Duan Meng came running back. His face was pale, but he clutched a bright red Vermilion Fruit in his hand.

When he reached Elder Wang, he did not even have time to speak before collapsing onto the ground.

As he sat down, a flush suddenly appeared on his pale face. His left hand had already turned black.

Before Elder Wang could give an order, a young man darted over from the side with a jade bottle in hand. He poured out a red pill, shoved it directly into Duan Meng's mouth, and sent it down into his stomach with a push of internal energy.

In the blink of an eye, Duan Meng, who had been on the verge of collapse, sat upright again. The blackness on his arm also began to slowly fade.

Seeing that Duan Meng had successfully picked the Vermilion Fruit, though he appeared to have been bitten by a venomous snake, some of the bolder children began to stir.

Shortly afterward, another person headed toward the woods. It was the youth who had been the first to climb Green Bamboo Peak. He used the same method as Duan Meng, rushing swiftly into the bushes.

Before long, several cries came from within. Just as everyone began to worry, the trees shook, and that youth limped out, clutching a bright red fruit in his hand.

He had clearly been bitten by several venomous snakes. Yet the moment he emerged, the young man from before had already gone to meet him. As he came into contact with the youth, a pill was placed into the youth's mouth.

Seeing that two people had entered the woods, been bitten by venomous snakes, and still received aid, the children were especially envious that both had managed to pick a fruit.

The bolder children rose one after another. The thoughts in their hearts overcame their fear of venomous snakes, and they began running together toward the woods ahead...

As time slowly passed, with less than a quarter of the incense stick remaining, thirty children had successfully picked Vermilion Fruits. The remaining dozen or so were deathly pale and trembling all over. Some even had urine stains on their trousers.

It seemed they would be unable to take this trial no matter what.

Seeing that little time remained, Qin Fengming knew that if he did not step forward now, time would run out. He slowly stood and walked ahead at an unhurried pace.

Arriving before the woods filled with venomous snakes, Qin Fengming looked up at the snakes on the trees and ground. Unlike the other children, he did not rush through. Instead, he stepped lightly onto an open patch of ground.

Then something strange happened before him. The snakes that had been lying still moments ago swiftly slithered away in all directions the instant his foot touched the ground, as if they were avoiding him.

Qin Fengming stood where he was, surprise and confusion written across his face. He could not understand why the snakes behaved this way, but this was not the time to investigate the reason. He moved toward a nearby Vermilion Fruit tree.

With every step he took, the snakes of all colors nearby slithered away in every direction. Not a single one attacked him.

Though the other children could not see Qin Fengming's performance, the tall Elder Wang saw everything clearly. He was likewise deeply puzzled by the strange sight before him.

Elder Wang watched Qin Fengming for a long time. After pondering it secretly, he could think of only one possibility: the youth before him must have carried an exceptionally potent snake-repelling medicine.

By the time Qin Fengming returned safely, the incense stick had burned to its end.

"The time is up. A total of thirty-one of you have passed the three trials. From this day onward, you thirty-one shall become official disciples of Luoxia Valley. The rest may become external affairs disciples."

As Elder Wang spoke, Hall Master Zhang silently appeared before the group. Facing the thirty-one youths who had passed, even his rarely smiling face was filled with a warm smile.

"Not bad. This time, nearly one-tenth have passed the trials. Tomorrow, you will go to Danyun Peak and begin learning the foundational martial arts." After speaking, he gave Elder Wang a slight nod and drifted away.

Danyun Peak was tall and densely forested. At its summit stood a cleared plaza, at the center of which was a three-story main hall, flanked by side halls on either side. Several courtyards could be vaguely seen amid the forests behind it, scattered deep within the mountains behind the main hall.

At this moment, seven people stood atop the hall steps. The man in the middle was Hall Master Zhang, while three imposing burly men in brown long robes stood on either side of him.

After a night of rest, Qin Fengming and the others had recovered. Once they had eaten breakfast, the thirty-one children were brought to this plaza.

Hall Master Zhang's name was Zhang Li. In the martial world, he was known as the Thunderclap Hand, and his Thunderclap Palm had reached a miraculous level of mastery.

Fifteen years earlier, he had entered the Wuliu Mountain stronghold alone and slain the vicious bandits who had plagued Yuci City for twenty years: the Five Tigers of the Feng Clan. Through that battle, his name resounded throughout Yingzhou Prefecture.

Later, he gained the appreciation of Sima Qingshan, the Valley Master of Luoxia Valley, who personally invited him to join Luoxia Valley as the Hall Master of Hundred Refinements Hall.

"Now that you thirty-one have become official disciples of Luoxia Valley, from this day onward you must diligently train in martial arts and strive to become elite disciples of Luoxia Valley as soon as possible. Slay demons and defend the righteous path, bringing glory to Luoxia Valley. If you achieve nothing within ten years, you will have no choice but to become external affairs disciples and leave Luoxia Valley."

Standing on the steps, Hall Master Zhang looked over the crowd and spoke in a loud, commanding voice.

By now, Qin Fengming understood that Luoxia Valley had both ordinary disciples and elite disciples.

Elite disciples were the backbone of Luoxia Valley. External affairs disciples, meanwhile, were those responsible for managing Luoxia Valley's businesses scattered throughout various places, such as taverns, pawnshops, medicinal herb shops, and mines.

"From now on, you will train in martial arts under these six masters. However, what kind of martial arts you choose will be up to you. No matter what martial art you select, the only path to success lies in the two words 'diligent effort.' I hope you will remember that."

"Now, Duan Meng, Yuan Kejian, and Qin Fengming, the three of you come with me." After speaking, Hall Master Zhang said nothing more. He gave a few instructions to the six burly men in brown long robes, then headed toward the main hall.