Within the cavernous chamber, the air grew heavy with anticipation as the stage two grade A cultivator stood at the center, a beacon of authority amidst the swirling energies of Chi. His golden robes shimmered in the dim light, casting an otherworldly glow that seemed to dance across the stone walls.
Inside, a collection of more than a dozen or so students, 'This many had passed already' Haruto thought to himself.
"Welcome, young disciples," his voice boomed, echoing off the cavern's walls. "Today, you shall face a trial of fortitude and potential. Before you lie fifteen barriers, each imbued with the essence of Chi. Your task is to breach these barriers and touch me, Sounds easy right."
With a solemn nod, the grade A cultivator summoned forth the barriers, each one materializing as a shimmering wall of energy, crackling with power. They stood like sentinels, guarding the path to the grade-A cultivator with an imposing presence.
"Step forth, one by one," he commanded, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade. "But know that the barriers will separate the wheat from the chaff, revealing the true potential within."
'I see, in other words, the valuable from the worthless, they aim to use power as a deciding factor to thin the heard.' He mussed, his fingers holding his chin. 'Then why the initial test in the forest, what was the point of it' He looked around, the answer evident in the dress and conditions of the youth. 'They wanted us beat and tired,'
The first student approached the nearest barrier, eyes fixed on the pulsating energy before him. With a deep breath, he reached out tentatively, fingers trembling as they made contact with the surface.
Instantly, a surge of Chi energy coursed through his body, sending him staggering back in surprise. The barrier seemed to push against him, its formidable strength testing his resolve with each passing moment.
Struggling to maintain his composure, the student pressed onward, channeling his own Chi in a desperate bid to overcome the barrier's resistance. But try as he might, the energy proved too much to bear, and with a defeated sigh, he withdrew, unable to breach the barrier's formidable defenses.
"Grade E cultivator, first stage!" The man in golden robes said, "Please step to the reft and have the instructors take your name and escort you to the next chamber"
Murmur befell the room, this part of the test determined their potential, and cultivation progress, there were four cultivation types, Foundation, intermediate, advanced, and immortal cultivation.
These four had sub-classes, with three stages, Class E has the first, second, and third stages. One can have the potential to develop and unlock the next subclass, after they get past that, they advance in cultivation and go for the next level, from foundation to intermediate.
The power difference from even a single stage on the same subclass is like day and night, and without the potential to advance most were stuck in the lower classes.
One by one, the other students followed suit, each met with their trials as they faced the daunting barriers before them. Some faltered at the first hurdle, their strength and potential proving insufficient to overcome the challenge. Others managed to breach a few barriers, only to falter in the face of greater obstacles.
'This year's youth aren't anything special, most can't get past barrier number four' The grade A cultivator said.
The next student in line was a blue-haired young lady, her hands trembled as she forced air into her lungs, and he legs moved on taking her along for the ride, she was lost in thought.
'What if I fail, I know Haruto said, not to think like this but still, what am I to do if I prove to fail, my mother and father worked so hard just to get me into the training facility, am I meant to disappoint them,' A heavy feeling settled on her chest as a lump formed in her throat.
'Mother, Father, please forgive me' She hit a wall, and closed her eyes tightly, she reached out her hand to push on the barrier only to touch a silky smooth cloth, she opened her eyes and could see, a pair of luxurious indoor shoes. Looking up, she was met with a shocked expression on the grade-A cultivator, almost as if he had seen an elephant flying.
"What's your name young lady," He asked.
"Ru..Rui Akabane sir"
"Ruin Akabane, Grade A second stage cultivator!!" The instructor shouted. sending the whole room into a silence that rivaled a graveyard, they had just watched the walls crumble as she walked, she didn't have to reach out for them, and right now she was touching the instructor, a feat many students viewed impossible.
"Wait just a moment" A voice intervened, from above, a place that looked man-made, the black tinted glass shattered and a lady, jumped out of it, landing elegantly on the hard sandy ground, she wore a black kimono with intricate gold rose patterns, her hair tied back and held in place, her light feet didn't seem to touch the ground as he walked, on her hands, a closed fan, that opened in one swift movement of her wrist.
"Young lady, do you feel any pain or discomfort right now" Lady Ayame asked.
From the way she was dressed even those who didn't know she was an elder of the clan knew she was someone in a position of power that included Rui, "N...No, I don't feel pain at all" She answered.
"Interesting, try and reach me this time," She said, for the first time her foot slightly touching the ground, and walls erupted from the ground, like steam from an underground volcano 30 in total.
Just like before, Rui made her way toward Lady Ayami, her heart caught in her throat, and she closed her eyes and chose not to look. Before she knew it, she had closed 20 of her barriers and now could not proceed any further, not from the pain but from her inability to get past barrier 21.
Twenty of Lady Ayame's barriers were like 700 of the Golden Robes instructor's barriers, even a small difference in the title could mean an immense difference in power.
"Rui Akabane, S grade cultivator first stage," She said, looking at the young girl with grit in her eyes, as she skillfully took her away and left the room in awe.
"Lady Ayame isn't playing fair again," One of the Elders said.
With that, the testing continued, although this time, the students were less afraid to tackle the walls. "Wow I never thought she would be that powerful of a cultivator," Kaito said, "Yes but that isn't her current level, this test floods your body with Chi, it measures two things, current level and potential, the potential is determined by the number of barriers you break and how much pain you're in" Said Fu.
"Rui has the potential to be grade S first stage cultivator, meaning currently she's no different than us in power and maybe even weaker, but with good training, she can surpass that and even reach immortal SS grade cultivation"
As the trials continued, the students faced the daunting barriers with a mixture of determination and trepidation. One by one, they stepped forward, their fate hanging in the balance as they sought to prove their worth.
Kaito, with his characteristic calmness and focus, surprised everyone as he effortlessly breached barrier after barrier, his Chi energy pulsating with strength and determination. With each barrier conquered, his potential shone brighter, until finally, only two barriers remained, marking him as a Grade A first-stage cultivator in the making.
The room buzzed with astonishment at Kaito's display of prowess, his friends looking on with a mixture of pride and awe. Fu, who had shown remarkable resilience herself, managed to overcome ten barriers, solidifying her status as a Grade B third-stage cultivator. She exchanged a knowing glance with Kaito, silently acknowledging the bond they shared as fellow cultivators.
However, amidst the triumphs, there were also moments of disappointment. Chen, usually so full of enthusiasm and determination, faltered at the first barrier, her Chi energy unable to penetrate its formidable defenses. Tears welled up in her eyes as she grappled with the sting of failure, her friend was unable to comfort her, and the job was left to Haruto.
"Chen, it's okay," Haruto said, his voice gentle yet firm. "We're all in this together, no matter what happens.
'I Say that, and yet I'm nervous myself.' He thought taking a deep breath as he began his attempt to conquer the barriers.
4....6...9...
Haruto's body felt heavy as if an extra ton was placed on his shoulders. 'What am I to do if I fail, what if my level and potential are too low, Chi is still a new thing to me, in my previous life I knew of ways to increase my mana reserves and energy levels, will they work in this world with Chi, either way, there a many things to do, no need to stress about something I can't control best to accept it. There are countless ways to make me better' He mussed internally a smile escaping his stoic facade.
10...11...12..13
"Haruto Arata, thirteen barriers Grade A first stage cultivator!" The instructor announced.