As Lucifer beheld the creaking gate of the sect, a sinister delight stirred within him, surpassing even the euphoria of his memory's resurgence. With calculated urgency, he advanced toward the threshold, where an unsettling congregation of 50 children swarmed, their presence a whirlwind of youthful chaos. It became evident to Lucifer that he needed to immerse himself among their ranks in order to escape the incessant chatter of Max.
But fate, that fickle mistress, had other designs. No sooner had Lucifer crossed the threshold into the sunny depths of the sect than he detected Max's looming presence, hauntingly close behind him. Against all odds, the chatterbox had defied every expectation, emerging like an unforeseen specter from the depths of Lucifer's darkest nightmares. Dread mounted within him, yet amidst the encroaching anxiety, a small solace clung to Lucifer's heart—the disconcerting silence that shrouded Max.
Lucifer had never been one to be fazed by talkative individuals, but this boy was a total menace. As he pondered ways to evade Max's prying questions and incessant jabber, his attention was drawn to two middle-aged men who stepped to the front of the gathering of 50 children. Their tall figures towered over the youngsters, positioned on a natural elevated platform that commanded attention.
Narrowing his eyes, Lucifer discerned another figure, a solitary boy, stationed at their side. Clutching a tattered notebook with a palpable intensity, the lad remained partially concealed behind a peculiar apparatus—an enigmatic contraption reminiscent of a punch-measuring contrivance.
"Right, listen up, you sorry bunch of misfits! You all know why the hell you're here, don't ya? So spare me the reminder, unless some brainless git amongst you needs it spelled out." A snicker escaped from the crowd, but was quickly silenced. "Shut your traps, you think I'm pullin' your bloody leg? This ain't no joke, you dimwits! Let's cut to the chase, the real deal. Today, we're gonna subject you to a grueling physical exam. And believe me, it ain't gonna be a walk in the park. We've got three tests lined up, starting with a good ol' punchin' session. Step up, one by one, and I'll lay down the damn rules," boomed the voice of a weathered man, resonating through the earth like a thunderous roar, mirroring the chaos and fatigue that plagued his weary soul. His hair, tangled and matted, bore witness to his disregard for grooming, each strand telling a tale of neglect as if it hadn't felt the tender caress of a cleansing bath in ages. His clothes, caked with grime and dirt, seemed to absorb the very essence of filth, making a mockery of cleanliness. The stench that wafted from his person mingled with the air, a pungent reminder of the depths of decay that clung to him. And amidst this disarray, a curious sight caught the eye—the glint of metal, marred by the presence of a beer bottle, oddly strapped to his sword hilt, as if seeking solace in the embrace of intoxication.
"Oh, and before it slips what's left of my mind, my name's Li Tian. This sorry excuse for a man next to me is Zhang Wei. We ain't here merely to pass judgment on yer sorry arses. If, by some godforsaken chance, you manage to scrape through and find yerselves part of this sect, we'll be the ones moldin' ya. So don't go thanking me for sharing my bloody name, 'cause truth is, maybe two or three of you lot will make it. What a bleedin' waste," grumbled Li Tian, while Zhang Wei just shook his head.
Zhang Wei stood in stark contrast to Li Tian, his appearance a testament to meticulousness and order. Not a single hair dared to stray from its neatly arranged position, each strand meticulously tamed. His attire, devoid of any wrinkles or misfolds, spoke of careful attention to detail, as if his garments had been pressed with unwavering precision. A sense of immaculate composure radiated from his very being, a stark juxtaposition to the disheveled state of his companion.
"What's your name?" Li Tian inquired.
"Matthew," replied one of the boys who had stepped forward.
"Hmm, let loose a savage punch upon that target, lad! Give it all you've got, with every ounce of violence and grit in your bones. But mind ya, you've got a miserable three chances, so make 'em count! Only the highest blow will be worth a damn," Li Tian grumbled, his voice dripping with a potent blend of boredom and contempt
"Um, excuse me, sir... but, um, you mentioned that you were gonna, like, tell us the rules?" Matthew questioned, his voice trembling with nervousness.
"Rules? Didn't I just bloody tell ya, ya dim-witted fool? Hit that sorry excuse for a target with every ounce of your might! That's the only blasted rule that matters!" Li Tian bellowed, his voice laced with a potent mixture of rage and frustration
Zhang Wei promptly intervened, skillfully asserting his authority to interrupt Li Tian. "Please accept my sincerest apologies for my companion's behavior," Zhang Wei initiated, maintaining a composed and professional demeanor. "Allow me to explain the details of the Examination concisely. The Disciple Selection Examination consists of three distinct exams, taking place over three consecutive days. Today, the first day, focuses on evaluating your physical fitness."
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"Understanding the scoring system is crucial. Each exam will be graded on a scale of 10, resulting in a cumulative total of 30 points over the three-day period."
"Now, let me provide you with the information about today's examination. It comprises three tests, starting with an assessment of your attack power. We will use a specialized device called the force analyzer to precisely measure the force exerted in kilograms during your punch. Scoring above 50 kilograms will earn you 1 point, and for every subsequent 10-kilogram increment, an additional point will be awarded."
"Pay close attention to the following details as they are of utmost importance. Achieving a minimum of three points in each individual exam is essential for securing entry into the sect. Additionally, the participant with the highest cumulative score at the end of the three days will be granted six months' unrestricted access to all array formations within the sect."
"If you have any inquiries or concerns, I encourage you to direct them to me," Zhang Wei concluded, projecting an air of composure and preparedness to address any remaining uncertainties.
"Hmph," Li Tian huffed, but he didn't utter a word.
With no queries coming from the participants, Zhang Wei signaled for Matthew to proceed with his test. Matthew nodded in comprehension and positioned himself squarely in front of the force analyzer, displaying his unwavering determination. Summoning all his strength, he launched a powerful punch at the device, creating a resounding bang. The score on the analyzer swiftly began to climb: 10, 15, 20, until it finally halted at 30kg.
Although a hint of surprise flickered across Matthew's face, he didn't let it deter him. Swiftly readjusting his posture, he launched another attack. This time, the score on the analyzer rose to 35kg, and though he seemed somewhat reluctant, he didn't let discouragement cloud his resolve. Once more, he attempted to surpass his previous performance, but this time the score plateaued at 40kg, leaving him unable to register a single point in this particular test. Disheartened, he retreated to his original position.
"I knew you wouldn't bag a single point. It's always the ones with endless questions who lack confidence in their own abilities," sneered Li Tian, with a contemptuous huff.
As Lucifer observed the progress of the first test, he quickly formulated a plan to pass it successfully. Gradually, an increasing number of children began testing themselves, with some succeeding while many failed. There was even a boy who displayed an impressive strength of 90kg, earning himself 5 points in the very first test.
With half of the participants completed and the other half remaining, Lucifer made the choice to proceed. He moved slowly, positioning himself in front of the device.
"What?" Li Tian asked, his face showing a puzzled expression.
"What?" Lucifer responded.
"I'm askin' ya, what's it you want, or are ya the mindless gobshite I mentioned earlier, clueless 'bout what's happenin' 'round here?" Li Tian asked, his voice tinged with a hint of amusement.
"I am here for the Disciple Selection Examination," Lucifer stated curtly.
"Hahahaha, a good one, that's for sure. Now that I've had my laugh, you can bugger off. I ain't got the whole damn day to waste on the likes of you," Li Tian retorted with a scoff.
"I'm genuinely here for the examination," Lucifer calmly replied, fully aware that a situation like this was bound to arise.
"Now I've had it up to here with ya. I've already told ya twice to bugger off. Don't push my patience any further, 'cause the next time, I won't just threaten ya—I'll toss ya out meself," Li Tian snapped, his anger starting to bubble up.
"I apologize for any misunderstanding, sir. I assure you, I am genuinely here for the Disciple Selection Examination. If there is any reason preventing me from participating, may I kindly inquire about it?" Lucifer asked, making every effort to maintain a polite tone.
"What is your age?" Zhang Wei inquired before Li Tian could interject.
"It is 20 years, sir," Lucifer replied.
"Can't ya open yer bloody eyes and take a look around? Do these kids here look anywhere near yer age?" Li Tian snapped.
"No, sir. However, I was under the impression that there isn't an age limit for participating in this examination. As far as I know, anyone aspiring to become a martial artist is eligible to take part," Lucifer politely inquired, seeking clarification.
"You... you piece of shit! Don't ya know that the younger ya are, the more potential ya bloody have? And are ya really tellin' me yer actual age? If I had to guess, ya look like someone at least 25 years old!" Li Tian bellowed, his rage reaching a boiling point. He advanced menacingly towards Lucifer, his body language indicating that he was prepared to throw a punch if Lucifer so much as dared to utter a single word.
"...."
After contemplating for a moment, Zhang Wei responded, "You are allowed to take this exam."
"You!!!" Li Tian shouted, pointing directly at Zhang Wei.
Zhang Wei calmly stated, "There is no sect rule that imposes an age limit for participating in this exam."
"But that's 'cause no one with half a brain would be a bleedin' idiot to jump into this dammed exam at his age. By now, they'd either know they ain't got what it takes to be a martial artist, or they'd be gettin' damn close to becomin' cultivators. Hell, some might even 'ave achieved that already," Li Tian stated with conviction, his words tinged with a touch of cynicism.
"Regardless of the reason, considering there is no existing rule against it, we shall permit his participation. Should you wish to lodge a complaint regarding this matter, you may escalate it to higher authorities or propose the establishment of a new rule to address such cases," Zhang Wei concluded firmly, asserting his authoritative stance.