The Elder surveyed the sea of young applicants clustered below him, his gaze sharp and discerning. With a bellow that reverberated through the air, he commanded immediate attention: "Next!"
In response, a blonde-haired youth in the crowd nodded slightly, his movements deliberate and controlled. He began to make his way to the front with an air of unmistakable confidence, his posture straight, eyes fixed ahead. Each step he took was smooth and calculated, maneuvering through the throng of applicants with ease. His hands moved with precision, gently nudging aside those who stood in his path, his touch firm yet unobtrusive, allowing him to advance without much resistance.
Small murmurs followed him, a wave of sound that rippled the crowd as heads turned, eyes reflecting envy and fear for the boy pushing ahead of them. Viktor, paying the glances and whispers no mind, kept his focus on the stage, his expression calm and unwavering, as serene as the morning sea.
As he emerged from the crowd, a deep breath escaped his lips, his resolve solidifying with each step closer to the stage. The stairs leading up to the platform loomed ahead, and with each ascension, his movements grew slower, more deliberate. On the last step, a bead of sweat slipped down his forehead, a testament to the weight of the moment. But when his eyes met the Elder's, their ocean-blue depths glinted with a steely determination that refused to waver.
The Elder nodded ever so slightly, acknowledging the youth before him. "State your name and purpose for pursuing the path of cultivation."
Viktor straightened, his chest expanding slightly with pride. His voice, clear and resolute, cut through the silence. "My name is Viktor, and my purpose is rather simple." He paused, letting the weight of his words settle before continuing. "I seek power beyond compare, and what else but cultivation will allow me to achieve such a thing?"
The Elder's expression remained unreadable, though a faint glimmer of approval flickered in his eyes. He gestured towards the white monolith beside him, its polished surface glistening under the intense heat of Aberon's twin suns. "Well said, Viktor. Now, step forward, and let us ascertain your potential on the path you have chosen."
Without hesitation, Viktor advanced toward the monolith, his movements purposeful. As he neared, a palpable energy began to envelop him, the atmosphere thickening with anticipation. Threads of energy, as fine as silk, danced around him, swaying in the invisible currents of power that flowed from the monolith.
Raising his right arm, Viktor's hand met the cool, smooth surface of the monolith. A low hum vibrated through the air, and the monolith responded, its lines of light pulsing upward from the base, crawling toward the pinnacle. The first word began to form, carved into the stone with an ethereal glow that was unreadable to all but the Elders.
As each word took shape, the lines ascended further, steadily climbing the monolith. The second word followed the first, then the third, fourth, fifth, sixth, until the finally, the seventh word emerged. The light halted, and the courtyard fell silent as the Elder raised his hand to read the final inscription.
Nodding in approval, the Elder's voice rang out, carrying a note of satisfaction. "Remarkable. Your potential on the path of cultivation is commendable, Viktor. The Kunlun Sect shall be fortunate to have you among its ranks." He gestured behind him, indicating the next phase of the examination. "Proceed now to Elder Kecht for the assessment of your spiritual root."
A proud smile played across Viktor's lips as he turned to face the sea of applicants below the stage. The crowd stared back at him with a mixture of admiration and envy, their eyes betraying the emotions his display had stirred. Viktor took a brief moment to relish the attention, his confidence bolstered by the recognition, before he turned back to the Elder, bowing deeply in gratitude.
"Thank you, Elder," he said, his voice steady and sincere. As he straightened, he made his way toward the dark-robed figure standing beside a magnificent, azure artifact. The closer he got, the more he could sense the ominous energy radiating from it, a presence that seemed to seep into the very air around it. Viktor squared his shoulders, shrugging off the nagging thoughts of doubt and anxiety.
Elder Kecht, with his silver hair, trimmed beard, and piercing emerald eyes, watched Viktor's approach with a keen interest. "You've certainly left an impression on Elder Valcun," Kecht remarked, his gaze flicking momentarily toward the Elder who had overseen the initial test. "Now, place your hand above the essence artifact so we may determine your spiritual root."
Stepping aside, Elder Kecht waved his hand over the artifact, causing it to pulse faintly with a deep, internal glow. A strange, eerie sound pierced the silence, sending a shiver through the gathered crowd. The applicants winced, their hands instinctively flying to their ears as the unfamiliar noise cut through them.
Once the sound faded, Elder Kecht's voice filled the void. "It is ready. Let us not waste any more time."
Viktor nodded, lowering his hands as he stepped closer to the azure sphere. He extended his palm, hovering it just above the artifact, mere centimeters from its gleaming surface. In response, the sphere erupted with vibrant shades of red and black light, the colors swirling together in a chaotic dance of energy.
A voice, deep and resonant, echoed from within the sphere, declaring, "Soul Devouring Spiritual Root!"
A collective gasp rippled through the crowd, tinged with fear and awe. The color drained from the faces of the applicants, leaving them pale and wide-eyed. Viktor, however, raised an eyebrow in confusion, the significance of the Soul Devouring Spiritual Root lost on him.
His thoughts were interrupted by Elder Kecht, who observed Viktor with a mix of admiration and concern. "You are both blessed and cursed, young Viktor, the Elder stated, his tone heavy with meaning.
Without further explanation, Elder Kecht stroked his beard, his mind seemingly elsewhere, before shooing Viktor off the stage to continue the examinations. Viktor, still grappling with the implications of his spiritual root, began descending the steps on the other side of the stage. As he did, his eyes met those of a brown-haired youth waiting at the base of the steps.
"Do not let it get to you Viktor. I am up next, and I want you to watch as I outshine your results," the youth teased, his tone light-hearted but laced with determination.
Viktor, stepping onto the ground, let out a haughty laugh. "You outshine me? As if that would ever happen, Hendrix," he retorted, clapping the youth on the shoulder.
Hendrix grinned, returning the gesture with a nod of confidence before turning to ascend the stage. The crowd's whispers surged once more as Hendrix approached, his presence commanding attention just as Viktor's had. But unlike Viktor's bold stride, Hendrix moved with a quiet, controlled power, his brunette hair catching the light as he ascended the steps.
As Hendrix drew closer nearer to Elder Valcun, Viktor could not help but notice his friend's unusual composure. The Elder's eyes narrowed slightly as he scrutinized Hendrix, but then his lips parted to speak. "State your name and purpose for pursuing the path of cultivation."
"Hendrix," came the steady reply. "I seek to stand at the pinnacle of cultivation to protect those around me, and I will not let anyone stop me in this pursuit."
Elder Valcun gave a slight nod of acknowledgement, gesturing toward the monolith. "Then step forward, Hendrix, and let us discover your potential."
Hendrix approached the monolith, his movements precise and deliberate. Just as his hand hovered mere centimeters from the monolith's surface a hush fell over the crowd, all eyes fixated on the moment of truth.