The process to become a disciple was a lot more simpler than Yan Ming thought. All he had to do was touch a glass orb called the–Aptitude Checker and be on his way. There was no testing his will, strength, or even morals. As long as the aptitude checker lit up with a certain color, they would be able to join almost right away. Of course there is a background check, but other than their names and birthplace, it was really as simple as that.
The aptitude checker showed who was talented and who wasn't. The brighter it shone, the better. Yan Ming's couldn't even make it shine to the point that it casted a shadow. It was like a single firefly in the dark. He didn't expect to be talented, but to have almost no talent caused him to be a bit disappointed. At the very least, he was able to cultivate unlike Zhao Lin who failed the test.
They could only go back in disappointment.
The sect that he had join in Mocheng Continent was the 3rd ranked sect out of 4, the Violet Petal Sect. Though he was just a outer disciple, he was happy enough that he wanted to jump up in the air like a frenzied squirrel.
It was like a dream come true.
The first day arrived and Yan Ming sat amongst his fellow disciples. The teacher in front looked around and stood up. He had a air of arrogance with a violet uniform robe that had a red belt around his waist. With hands behind his back he spoke aloud.
"Just call me teacher–Wen. For this lesson, we will start by talking about the levels of cultivation."
He began walking around while looking down on the students to see if they were paying attention.
"The first level–Qi Condensation, the second level-Foundation, the third–Golden Core, the fourth–Nascent realm."
This whole time Yan Ming was taking notes about every detail without missing a beat.
"After that, the fifth–Dao Formation, sixth–Severing Ties, seventh–Emptiness Form, and the last realm–One becomes all. You all will learn in depth about each realm, but having to much to think about will only hold you back. I myself have taken 30 years just to reach the peak of foundation."
Yan Ming mouth gaped open at the sudden knowledge that teacher-Wen had been cultivating the foundation stage for so long. How long would it take him then?
"The road is long and hard. It is like finding the source of the ocean. No matter how deep you go, you find yourself lost."
After that, teacher Wen taught as normal. He explained that this world was filled with qi and that by gathering that Qi–in other words Spiritual Energy–and making it their's, they would be able to expand and fill their dantian.
A girl student raised their hands.
"Yuan Jinghua, what is it?"
With one look, you could tell that she was different from the rest of the students. It wasn't just that she moved with elegance, but it was also that she exuded a aura with utmost confidence.
"So in a way, all cultivation comes down to is gathering Qi?"
"In a sense, yes. This is why the 4 sects of Mocheng Continent seek out talented individuals without any prejudice. For you newcomers, you might think this is unfair, unjust, and despicable right?"
He looked around the room, but no one was willing to look him in the eye.
"The better a person's aptitude, the better they can gather Qi. Then it becomes easier as they would be able to go beyond the 5th realm with less resource and time."
This time Yan Ming mustered up his courage and raised his hand.
"Yan Ming."
"Then...for those that don't have such a talent..."
"For those that don't have talent, you will have to work 10–no, 100 times harder. What takes you 10 years, for geniuses would take less than a month. This is the truth. Only by fighting and looking for opportunities outside, will you be able to make up the difference."
Yuan Jinghua grasped her hand.
"I refuse to believe in such a thing."
"The world doesn't revolve around you, you have barely started on your journey and you're already so arrogant."
"Isn't the dao to refuse the heaven and go against it? Why must I have to follow those ahead of me then?"
Yan Ming looked at Yuan Jinghua with astonishment. Her courage to go against the heavens inspired him.
Teacher-Wen smiled, "Their are many people that said those exact same words, but less than a handful actually make it."
"Then I'll make it! No matter what, I'll make it!"
"....Okay. I'll be watching then. This class ends here, go self study and practice."
Just like that he left. Yan Ming was left wondering whether it was really worth it to cultivate. He looked at Yuan Jinghua. How could she have such determination? It was enviable, but at the same time admirable.
Yuan Jinghua turned to meet his eyes.
"Do you have business with me?"
"Ah, N-no."
She didn't say anything more and walked out. Thinking for a moment, Yan Ming chased after her.
"Uh...." The words was stuck in his mouth. She simply stared back as Yan Ming made a fool out of himself.
"I just wanted to say that....I believe that you can also do it!"
"..." She kept quiet for a second and finally she smiled, "Thank you."
At this very moment, it was like Yan Ming's world opened up. Bright fluorescent light shone from behind Yuan Jinghua, the smell of sunflowers as it brushed along the wind. The dripping water of a droplet hitting a pond as it created a form of music with his surroundings.
He was completely captivated by the scene.
"My name is Yuan Jinghua, what about you?"
"Y-yan Ming!"
"Alright. Let's talk again then, Yan Ming."
She turned and walked away, her figure slowly disappearing from his view.
All he was left with was a thumping heart, pounding so loudly in his chest it felt as though someone were using it as a drum, each beat reverberating in his bones. The rhythmic sound echoed in his ears, relentless and deafening, drowning out everything else.
He clenched his fists, trying to steady himself, but the sensation only grew stronger. He had heard Zhao Lin speak of such a phenomenon before—an electrifying occurrence when a person was struck by an bolt of lightning. But experiencing it firsthand was something entirely different. His breath quickened, and his mind raced, trying to make sense of what he was feeling.
"I-is this...Love?"