As Bei Ning moved forward in the line of candidates, each one seemed more nervous than the last. The young people watched anxiously, waiting their turn and fearing rejection from the crystal. Many were eliminated quickly, with the crystal ball remaining inert in their hands. With each elimination, some people's hopes faded, while others felt even more determined.
As the red-haired young woman approached, something seemed different. She had a confident posture, and her intense gaze conveyed conviction. As she placed her hand on the crystal ball, silence fell over the room. After a few seconds, the sphere glowed brightly, radiating red and gray lights, symbolizing an affinity with fire and wind.
Bei Ning, surprised by the intense glow, declared with a slight smile, "Amazing! B-level fire affinity. Congratulations, you've qualified!"
The village erupted in murmurs of excitement, and Lin Wei, amidst the hubbub, exclaimed loudly and proudly, "I knew I was destined to become an immortal!" Bei Ning watched Lin Wei with an appraising expression, trying to gauge the confidence and enthusiasm of the young man before him. "So, Lin Wei," Bei Ning said, with a faint smile of interest. "I see that you are quite confident. Tell me, why do you wish to join the Five Element Sect?" Lin Wei, his eyes shining with ambition, promptly replied, "Sir, ever since I was little I have heard stories about cultivators who master the elements. I have always known that my destiny was to follow the path of cultivation and, with my affinity, become a master of fire and wind. I believe that the Five Element Sect is the perfect place for me!" Bei Ning nodded, seeming to ponder Lin Wei's words. "Affinity is only the beginning," he said firmly. "You may have talent, but the journey is arduous. Are you truly prepared for the trials that lie ahead?"
Lin Wei clenched his fists and replied without hesitation, "Yes, sir! I will do whatever it takes to prove my worth!"
Bei Ning stared at him for a moment, gauging his determination. "We'll see if your will is as strong as your talent, Lin Wei. The Five Element Sect demands more than just promises."
Bei Ning wasted no time, looking at the list and saying, "Next! Number 21, Wang Lin."
Wang Lin took a deep breath and walked forward, feeling everyone's gazes fixed on him, especially Lin Wei, who was wearing a sarcastic smile. Wang Lin reached out, firmly touching the crystal ball. Seconds passed, and nothing happened. The ball remained dark.
Bei Ning sighed and shook his head. "Eliminated," he declared in an impartial voice.
A soft laugh escaped Lin Wei's lips as he took a step forward, not missing the chance to humiliate Wang Lin.
"I knew you were nothing special, Wang Lin," Lin Wei said with a sneer. "You're just a talentless orphan trying to achieve something that will never be yours."
Wang Lin remained silent, feeling the humiliation weigh down on him, but he held on tight. Lin Wei continued, his tone becoming more and more venomous.
"Just a dead weight for the village. No parents, no talent, and now, no future," Lin Wei taunted, earning laughter from the surrounding youths.
Wang Lin glanced at him, but didn't respond.
After completing the assessment, Bei Ning looked at the remaining youths, his expression clearly disappointed. He sighed, crossing his arms. "Well, it seems that only Lin Wei was worthy of joining the Five Element Sect," he said, giving the red-haired youth, who was smiling arrogantly, an approving look. "As for the rest… no surprises." Mutterings of disappointment spread among the youths, some lowering their heads in frustration at their own performance. Lin Wei, taking advantage of the moment, gave Wang Lin another smug look, as if to reinforce his victory. "Being an immortal isn't for everyone, after all," Lin Wei said loudly, with barely suppressed laughter. Bei Ning looked around, realizing the effect of Lin Wei's words, but decided not to interfere. To him, only those with true potential could withstand the pressure and challenges that lay ahead. The bald monk, with an unflappable posture and a calm voice, continued, "This is a test of profundity. The equipment will examine not only your soul strength, but also your character." He lifted his helmet so that everyone could see, then looked directly at the youths.
"Character and soul are essential aspects for those who wish to walk the path of the Heavenly Soul Sect. Our sect does not accept those with corrupt hearts or weak souls," he emphasized in a serious tone, his eyes fixed on the faces of the aspirants. "Those who succeed will be worthy of receiving our training. But if they fail… if their soul is not strong enough… they will immediately faint."
A heavy silence fell over the village. The youths looked at each other, some with expressions of apprehension, others of pure determination. The challenge seemed even more daunting after the monk's warning. Wang Lin took a deep breath, feeling a mixture of excitement and nervousness.
"Who will be first?" the monk asked, raising an eyebrow.
The young man who stepped forward nervously placed the helmet on his head. The bald monk made a silent gesture, indicating that the test had begun. The helmet began to glow softly, a golden hue, and an invisible energy seemed to surround the young man. He stood still, eyes closed, while the others watched intently. After a few seconds, the glow dimmed and the monk removed the helmet with a smooth movement. The young man seemed dazed, his legs wobbled before he leaned on one of the other participants. The monk looked at him and shook his head, a soft sigh escaping his lips.
"You failed the test," the monk said calmly. "Your soul force is not enough. Go rest."
The young man was quickly taken aside, and another took his place, looking determined. He placed the helmet on his head, and this time, the glow emanating from it was blue. This caused a wave of murmurs among the other aspirants. Some looked hopeful, others visibly tense. The tension grew as the test progressed, until, after the same seconds of waiting, the monk removed the helmet and looked at the young man with a neutral expression.
"Your soul has potential, but your character has failed. It is not what we seek." The monk pointed to the exit with a discreet gesture, and the young man left, frustrated and dejected.
__________
When it was finally Wang Lin's turn, he felt a heavy pressure on his shoulders. The monk watched him carefully, as if he already knew what to expect.
When Wang Lin put on the helmet, a strange and intense feeling came over him. The world around him fell apart, and for a moment, he was no longer in the village with the other youths. Instead, he found himself in a vast, endless dark field, with the sound of a cold, steady breeze in the distance. He was alone, but he felt no fear. Something in him knew that this was a representation of his soul, a test.
Before him, a huge sphere of light formed, and from within it emerged a figure—an idealized version of himself. He looked older, stronger, and surrounded by an imposing aura of power. Wang Lin felt the power vibrate within him, his soul warming at the sight of his stronger, more imposing self.
The version of Wang Lin smiled proudly. "You want to be the strongest, don't you? The most powerful being of all, the one everyone will fear and serve. Everyone must bow to your will. What will you do when you achieve that power? What will be your place in the world?"
Wang Lin, with an arrogant smile, answered without hesitation. "I will be the ruler of all. All will bow before me. Nothing will oppose my power. With strength, I will be unstoppable."
The ball of light distorted slightly, and the environment around him changed. He was now in a huge room, with a golden throne in the center. The room was filled with people—men and women of different ages and backgrounds. They were all on their knees, their faces lowered, as if they were waiting for something. Wang Lin felt a surge of pleasure as he saw these people there, waiting for his order, his actions.
"Are you ready to rule?" the figure of light asked, an expression of approval in its eyes.
Wang Lin had no doubts. "Yes, everyone must serve me. I will have power, wealth, and influence. They will obey, because my will will be absolute."
At this moment, the test intensified. The people around him began to speak, but their words were desperate whispers, begging for mercy, for freedom. "Sovereign, you already have everything… What more do you want from us? Please release us!"
But Wang Lin ignored the screams. In his heart, he knew that he could not show weakness. He had to be strong, he had to be unbeatable. He didn't care about others, only his own power. He wanted to be the strongest, the most feared, and that meant that everyone would have to serve him, sacrificing their freedoms, their desires, to bow to his will.
The figure of light, now with a gloomy countenance, looked deeply into his eyes. "Is this what you truly desire, Wang Lin? Dominance over others, unrestrained power? Your character… you chose to be strong, but at what cost? Are you willing to sacrifice everything in pursuit of your absolute power?"
Before Wang Lin could respond, the surroundings around him collapsed in a burst of light. The last thing he felt was a deep emptiness, as if he was swallowed up by his own ambition. He fell, with nothing around him, until he finally woke back to reality.
Taking off his helmet, Wang Lin took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the test weigh down on him. He knew that he wasn't the type of person who would sacrifice himself for others, and the truth was that his character was far from pure or selfless. His view of strength was one of total domination, and that wasn't what the Heavenly Soul Sect sought.
The bald monk looked at him with a heavy gaze. "You failed, Wang Lin. Your soul force is average, but your character… isn't what we seek. You're not suited for our sect."
Wang Lin remained silent, showing neither frustration nor regret. He knew that his path was different, and the monk's words only motivated him to follow his own path, where he would be the sovereign, without limitations.