The three trials of selection

As Chu Bai's figure disappeared around the street corner, the heavy vermilion gates opened a crack once more.

This time, however, the person who emerged was not his sharp-tongued Second Aunt, but a middle-aged man wearing a silk robe and sporting a mustache: Chu Bai's Second Uncle, Chu Xianghai.

He first poked his head out and looked around. Only after confirming that his nephew had gone far away did he finally breathe a sigh of relief.

As it turned out, he had never gone out to purchase stock at all. That had merely been an excuse to avoid a visiting relative.

"He's gone?" Chu Xianghai asked needlessly.

Liu Shi was sitting beside the table, pouring the silver out of the blue cloth bundle and handling it as though it were some rare treasure.

At her husband's voice, she said without even looking up, "Gone. He even put on an act about staying at an inn. If you ask me, he's slapping his face swollen to look well-fed."

Chu Xianghai walked over to the table. At the sight of the gleaming silver, more than four taels in all, and the two boxes of fine pastries beside it, surprise and a trace of some indescribable, complicated emotion crossed his face.

"That boy... really came to repay the debt? And brought five hundred copper coins in interest, too?"

He picked up a piece of silver and weighed it in his hand. It had a satisfying heft.

"Exactly." Liu Shi pursed her lips, her tone sour. "Who knows what kind of dog-shit luck Chu Xianglin's family stumbled into? They actually scraped the money together. I reckon they emptied out everything they had, all for that boy's misty, out-of-reach dream of becoming an immortal."

Chu Xianghai set down the silver and frowned slightly. "What did you say at the gates just now? Did he mention staying with us?"

Registration had ended today, so naturally that possibility had occurred to him.

"No, he didn't." Liu Shi cracked melon seeds with casual indifference. "He's taking the Dao Academy exam tomorrow. It wouldn't have been impossible to let him stay a few days. Keeping a side room for him wouldn't cost anything."

"He didn't?"

Chu Xianghai's expression changed. "Then... could it be that you spoke too harshly? The inns are at their busiest right now. Their prices must have gone up quite a bit."

Liu Shi took immediate offense and spat a seed shell onto the floor. "Chu Xianghai, don't stand there pretending to be a good man. Who was hiding behind the screen just now, too afraid to come out? Now that he's gone, you want to play the generous host?"

"What if we let him stay, and he fails to get into the Dao Academy and refuses to leave? Besides, people like them are dog-skin plasters. Once they stick to you, you can't shake them off. Now that the accounts are settled, it's best to cut off all contact!"

"I spoke too harshly? If you really wanted to treat him kindly, why didn't you show your face?"

After his wife's barrage of retorts, Chu Xianghai looked rather sheepish. He walked to the gates, gazed down the empty street, and hesitated for a moment.

Should I go after him?

Call him back and let him stay a few days? At least that would keep up appearances.

But the moment he recalled how Chu Bai's family had once struggled to find their next meal after eating the last, the little hesitation in Chu Xianghai's heart vanished.

"Forget it."

He let out a long sigh, closed the gates himself, and slid the bolt into place.

"Agreeing to lend them those four taels last time was already the utmost I could do. Besides, we've already divided the household. If ties are severed, so be it."

Meanwhile, Chu Bai did not go to an inn. Instead, he headed straight to the Zhang Residence in the eastern part of town.

Though he had just repaid his debt, he knew that at this critical moment, rather than stay at an inn crowded with people and prying eyes, he was better off paying his respects to his master—and clutching at the Buddha's feet one last time before the test.

"This disciple pays his respects to Master."

Inside the Quiet Chamber, Chu Bai bowed respectfully.

Daoist Zhang set down his teacup. Looking at his disciple, whose spirit was vigorous and whose aura was restrained, he nodded in satisfaction. "Did registration go smoothly?"

"Thanks to your blessings, Master, everything went smoothly. I enter tomorrow during the hour of the Dragon," Chu Bai replied.

"Good." Daoist Zhang stroked his beard and smiled. "Since those minor matters are settled, let me see just how far your Spirit Water Needle has come over the past month."

"Yes."

Without wasting words, Chu Bai turned toward the hard Ironwood target in the corner of the study, which was used specifically for testing Spell Arts.

He made no deliberate effort to gather power, merely pointing a finger.

Whoosh!

Not even the slightest ripple stirred the air. A nearly transparent needle of water formed instantly at his fingertip, and in the next moment, it was already at the target.

There was no thunderous crash, only a faint sound like silk tearing.

The Ironwood target, sturdy enough to withstand slashes from ordinary blades, was pierced clean through, leaving a tiny hole.

The water needle still had momentum to spare. It drove deep into the gray brick wall behind the target, penetrating three inches before slowly dissipating.

A sharp gleam burst from Daoist Zhang's eyes. Stroking his beard, he laughed heartily. "Good! Good! Good!" "You've truly reached proficiency! To bring this intricate technique to such a level in little more than a month—I knew I hadn't misjudged you!"

He knew full well how difficult this Spell Arts was. Casting it instantly demanded an extremely high degree of control over spiritual power.

For Chu Bai to have reached this point, he must have worked relentlessly over the past month.

After his laughter subsided, Daoist Zhang's expression grew serious, and he gestured for Chu Bai to sit.

"Your cultivation is sufficient, and you've achieved success with your Spell Arts. You have the raw ability you need. But the Dao Academy Selection is no trifling matter. There are a few crucial points I still need to impress upon you."

Chu Bai immediately sat upright and listened attentively.

"The Dao Academy Selection consists of three trials."

Daoist Zhang held up three fingers. "The first is Qi Gathering. The examiners will set up a Spirit-Gathering Array and have all the candidates cultivate within it. This trial tests your Root Bone and your compatibility with your cultivation art. You have a natural advantage here. So long as you proceed steadily and securely, your rate of spiritual qi absorption is sure to place you among the best."

Chu Bai nodded.

With the blessing of his Fate Destiny, he had already reached proficiency in the Lesser Qi-Gathering Art. This trial would be free points for him.

"The second is Spirit Control. In other words, Combat Training," Daoist Zhang continued. "The examiners will deploy puppets or set up obstacles and require the candidates to break through them using Spell Arts. This trial tests comprehension and combat potential. Your Spirit Water Needle has powerful penetration. It's precisely the sharp weapon you need for this trial."

At this point, Daoist Zhang paused, his expression becoming especially solemn.

"As for the third trial... it is called 'Heart Inquiry.'"

"Heart Inquiry?" Chu Bai's heart tightened.

"Indeed. It is the most mysterious trial, and also the most difficult," Daoist Zhang said gravely. "It tests neither cultivation nor Spell Arts, only your Dao Heart and your will. An illusion array will descend, stirring the fears, desires, or obsessions buried deepest within your heart."

"I cannot offer you much guidance for this trial, because everyone's inner demons are different."

Daoist Zhang looked deeply at Chu Bai. "Remember this: during the Heart Inquiry Trial, no matter what you see or hear, even if your dearest loved ones die horribly, or you become an immortal and attain the Dao, you must hold fast to your true heart and remain unmoved by external things. Only with a heart like solid rock can you shatter the illusions and emerge."

"This disciple will keep your teachings firmly in mind!" Chu Bai answered solemnly.

Having finished the important matters, Daoist Zhang lifted his teacup and asked as though in passing, "By the way, where will you be staying during these days of selection? At your Second Uncle's house here in town?"

Chu Bai gave a bitter smile and shook his head. "My Second Uncle's house... isn't convenient. I planned to find an inn for the time being."

How shrewd was Daoist Zhang? Those words alone told him most of what had happened. He snorted coldly, plainly disdainful of Chu Bai's snobbish relative.

"Inns are a jumble of fish and dragons, noisy places full of all sorts. How could they be suitable for quiet cultivation and exam preparation?"

Daoist Zhang waved a hand and said in a tone that brooked no argument, "Stay here at the residence for the next few days. The Quiet Chamber in the rear courtyard usually stands empty. You can move in there. We have a Spirit-Gathering Array here, and the spiritual qi is abundant. Not only will it help keep you in peak condition, but if any details of cultivation trouble you, I can offer guidance at any time."

"Well..." Chu Bai's heart stirred, and a warm current welled up within him.

"When an elder bestows a gift, one dares not refuse."

Chu Bai stood and bowed deeply to Daoist Zhang. "This disciple obeys. I will engrave your great kindness upon my very heart, Master, and never betray your generous care!"

"Enough. Go rest. Build up your strength. Tomorrow morning, I'll take you to the examination grounds."

Watching Chu Bai's retreating figure, Daoist Zhang smiled faintly.

"This boy is steadfast of heart, and he knows to repay kindness. At this Dao Academy Selection, he may well give Anping County quite a surprise."