After the remaining disciples received Hu Daoren's permission, a sliver of hope rose in their hearts. One by one, they stepped forward to undergo the test.
Each time, Hu Daoren first looked them over, then took out different objects for them to examine. Some saw nothing at all, while others could make out various writings and different objects.
Yet in the end, none of them were kept by Hu Daoren. They could only withdraw in disappointment and stand to one side.
After them, it was Bai Qingqing's turn. He straightened his robes, walked up to stand before Hu Daoren, and gave a formal salute as he reported his name.
By now, he understood that Hu Daoren had his own method of judgment, and that it did not depend on whether one could see the things displayed.
Hu Daoren looked at him. After pondering for a moment, he took out two glass beads and said, "What do you see?"
Bai Qingqing looked from side to side and said uncertainly, "There seems to be a bamboo branch within the glass bead on the left, while in the one on the right..." He paused. "It seems to contain a lotus flower."
Hu Daoren was rather surprised. He could not help raising his head, his eyes fixed intently upon Bai Qingqing. After a stretch of silence, he slowly said, "Are you willing to enter my school as well?"
Bai Qingqing froze, then joy surged through his heart. He immediately bowed deeply. "Bai Qingqing greets Teacher."
Hu Daoren said, "Good," and accepted the bow. He had truly not expected to find two people suited to his affinity among this batch of disciples.
But his surprise did not end there. When they reached the final person, a young cultivator named Shu Cai likewise possessed this fated