Carriage 4, Huanxi Town Annual Convoy
Though Zhang Xin and Chen Li are not too familiar with Li Wei and Yu Ming, it does not stop them from making the two guys spill their entire stories.
"I assume you three are going for the Aptitude Test too ?"
Zhang Xin questions them in a lowered voice.
At once, the three direct their attention toward her.
"Considering Big Sister Zhang's heritage, you must know much more about the test," Yu Ming says, attempting to flatter Zhang Xin to reveal more about the tests because Wang Wei never explained it to him.
Given the amused glance directed at him by the 12-year-old, it is clear that she understands his intentions making his face flush in embarrassment.
A bit more hesitant to talk about her heritage, Zhang Xin finally speaks after letting the three hang in silence for a few
minutes, "I am sure you have heard of the Clan Rule that all branches must follow... When branch members turn ten years are provided with information to help us perform better when we eventually take the test."
Stopping for a brief moment to let that sink in, she continues,
"While the branch members get more detailed lessons once we enter Kaiqi City, it is taught that the first test requires fate with cultivation while the remaining may be passed with appropriate preparation."
"Do you know what the tests are, Lady Zhang ?"
Asks one of the two older boys who had been brooding in silence till now.
Zhang Xin replies while shooting a questioning glance at the boy, "Yes, I do know of them, Sir ... "
Understanding that he has not yet given them his name, the boy gives a short nod as he introduces himself.
"I am no sir, Lady Zhang. Just humble Qian Hai, of 14 years of age."
"Can you tell us what the tests contain, Big Sister Zhang ?"
"Patience, Little Brother Yu, " laughs Zhang Xin as she goes on, " The 1st Test is the Qi Root Test, the wise master at the city will determine if you have a Qi Root before allowing you for the 2nd Test. "
"What if we don't pass the Qi Root Test but perform well in the next two ?" Yu Ming asks hesitantly.
"This... If you do not have a Qi Root, the masters will probably not allow you to enter the next two tests."
Li Wei speaks for the first time while frowning, " Doesn't that mean if we fail to have this Qi Root there is no chance of cultivation at all ?"
"That is indeed true. None of the Sects, Clans would ever consider a person without Qi Roots." A cold voice cuts through their conversation as the sixth person in the carriage finally speaks.
"And how would you know-" "I am Han Xing, second son of Han Jian. I am sure I would know the best among everyone here," replies Han Xing as he cuts off Li Wei.
As everyone falls into silence, Yu Ming finally remembers that Han Xing is the second son of Han Jian, who had been hiding in the Han Household after failing the Aptitude Test 3 years ago.
As everyone stares at Han Xing with intense looks, Zhang Xin finally asks, "Since Sir Han is attempting again, do you have a ...?"
Looking fairly annoyed and already regretting opening his mouth earlier, Han Xing replies quickly to end this conversation.
"Do you mean a Qi Root? Yes, I do have one."
"And indeed I failed the previous test due to arrogance and Yes, this would be my final try as I turn 15 this year."
"What does turning 15 have to do with anything ?" asks Qian Hai in concern.
Looking at him in disdain, Han Xing goes on with a note of resentment creeping in, " Because the Sects only care about children who are between 10 to 15 years of age."
"What Sir Han means to say is Qi Cultivation is much more difficult to start practicing after 15." Zhang Xin hurriedly adds.
"And the remaining two tests are the Constitution Test and Heart Test." Zhang Xin continues once she sees Han Xing minding his business again.
"I don't know the details however I was told that they have to do with appropriate willpower and correct mindset...." Zhang Xin trails off as she sees Han Xing's expression turn gloomy at the mention of the word mindset.
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
As the atmosphere turns stale, Yu Ming and others start to doze off as they know the carriage will reach Huanxi Town tomorrow to join a larger convoy to Kaiqi City where they would need to move to new carriages again.
----------------------------------------
Yu Ming startles awake as Li Wei shakes him, "Ming! Wake up, the convoy has arrived. "
Yu Ming hurriedly takes his bag, following others as they walk out of the carriage into an enormous ground with hundreds of carriages parked around.
Looking around in awe as nearly a thousand children move about to find their carriages, Yu Ming quickly notices a trend despite his sleepiness.
"... Why are so many of them forming big groups ?"
"I am not too sure, Little Brother Yu. "
"They follow around the wealthy brats as their dogs. "
Han Xing interrupts, " Don't mess with them, they will beat you up and nobody will care."
As Han Xing walks directly toward the largest group,
Li Wei asks," Where are you going, Brother Han ?"
"The Huanxi Town is ruled by the Zhao family, as the second son of Han Jian, I must pay my respects to his third son Zhao Wei who is also taking the test this year. "
Yu Ming and the remaining four follow Zhang Xin around as she brings them to the counter for their seats.
" Five tickets for the same carriage."
The five depart for the carriage after the person at the counter had informed them that the carriage will be protected by Wu Jun, an Immortal Master, and guards from Kaiqi City Lord's Residence.
----------------------------------------
73rd Carriage, Kaiqi City Convoy
Once they entered the carriage, Yu Ming immediately noticed that a charming young man had already occupied a seat.
As they settled in and waited for the convoy to start, the five introduced themselves to the boy.
"I am Wang Jiandong, I am 13 years of age. " He continued,"
Forgive me if I am wrong, but is Lady Zhang Xin from the same Zhang Clan that resides in Kaiqi City? "
"Yes, I am. " Zhang Xin has hints of red on her cheeks from a mix of pride and bashfulness.
As the introductions finish, the convoy finally starts to move again.
Yu Ming looks on as Chen Li and Zhang Xin become a lot of talkative about their backgrounds as they enthusiastically converse with Wang Jiandong while Qian Hai occasionally snorts or sneers.
Now that others are busy in their talks, Yu Ming finally has the time to go through the bag Big Sister Wei had given him before leaving.
Opening the knot, Yu Ming looks into the bag to find three items;
a slim book with a few pages, a talisman, and some neatly folded robes.
Yu Ming excitedly opens the book, only to find the " Basic Qi Training Manual " written on the first page.
The book describes the first major realm of cultivation, "Qi Gathering"!
Qi Gathering is divided into 12 stages, each stage known as a Layer. The entire realm was about gathering Qi into one's Lower Dantain and increasing it Layer by Layer.
Yu Ming reads the information regarding the First Layer of [Qi Gathering] repeatedly and finally keeps the book back once he decides he has read it enough times.
As hours pass by and night arrives, Yu Ming finds that he knows a lot more about Wang Jiandong than he would like to, like the fact that he was from a Minor Clan that had a presence in Hunaxi Town. Or the fact that he had been guided to train for Sect Selection from the age of 8.
Yu Ming could also sense that Wang Jiandong was only interested in Zhang Xin, or rather the Zhang Clan, and merely replied politely if it was someone else.
Perhaps that is also the reason Qian Hai and Li Wei were starting to send unkind glances toward him often. Or it could also be because both Chen Li and Zhang Xin seem to have been smitten by him.
No matter the case, Yu Ming is happy that the time for dinner has come and they are led to the bonfire so Guard Head Li can address them.
----------------------------------------
Bonfire, Convoy Camp
"We will be sleeping in camps tonight. But before we move on to that, I must give some instructions that you must follow once we reach Kaiqi City."
"Once you reach Kaiqi City, you must not disrespect any cultivator! If you do, you may die in moments and no guard will be able to save you."
Looking at the indifferent faces of some children, Guard Head Li stressed, " I mean what I say. No matter your background, you will still die if you act insolently."
He especially looked at some children like Zhao Wei, Han Xing, Wang Jiandong, and some more children.
Slightly scared, Yu Ming resolves to keep to himself and not cause trouble as walks to his assigned camp and dozes off.