Master Fang Zheng's courtyard was the picture of elegance serene, quiet, and definitely not a place where chaos should reign. That would change soon.
Fang Zheng looked at me with an unreadable expression. He had an aura that said, I've seen it all, and you're not going to surprise me.
"So, you're Amon," he said flatly.
"That's me!" I puffed out my chest. "Future legend of the sect."
Fang Zheng raised an eyebrow. "A bold claim for someone who still struggles to differentiate between cultivation techniques and grocery lists."
I laughed awkwardly. "Hey, uh, everyone has to start somewhere, right?"
He shook his head and motioned for me to follow him. "Let's see what you're made of."
He led me to a strange contraption in the courtyard: a spinning wheel surrounded by glowing runes.
"Your first task," Fang Zheng said, "is to stop this wheel using only your spiritual energy."
I stared at it, then at him. "Spiritual energy? Uh, right, of course!"
I placed my hands on the wheel and concentrated. Nothing happened. I grunted, trying to channel my nonexistent energy. Still nothing.
"Master, I think it's broken," I said, sweating.
Fang Zheng smirked. "No, it's not. You just have no idea what you're doing."
After several minutes of flailing and shouting, the wheel suddenly stopped. I was about to celebrate when Fang Zheng chuckled.
"It stops automatically after five minutes."
My face burned as he walked off, leaving me to reflect on my failure. But hey, at least I didn't break anything. Yet.