C3 A Test

"Don't underestimate practitioners of wrathful incantation, especially those at the seventh level. Moreover, the position of master at the Building Foundation Hall isn't just for any ordinary practitioner," said a youth with a resolute expression and a square jaw, casting a stern glance in their direction.

Upon hearing this, the youth conversing with Yu Yin scoffed and returned the gaze with a cold sneer.

"What a joke. How impressive can a bunch of trash practitioners of wrathful incantation really be?"

"A seventh-level practitioner of wrathful incantation can unleash a force of at least five thousand kilograms!" the youth retorted icily before turning away, dismissing the conversation.

At those words, Yu Yin found himself at a loss for words. His understanding of wrathful incantation practitioners was limited, which led him to prematurely judge them as a profession made up of untalented individuals with only a modicum of cultivation.

Yu Yin's pupils narrowed, and he couldn't help but feel stunned by the revelation. The thought of such immense power left him in awe, and he couldn't resist stealing a glance at the elder who was absorbed in his painting.

Time slipped by, and the stone door eventually opened, roughly the time it takes for an incense stick to burn down.

Entering with high hopes and dreams, one often leaves with disappointment and disbelief.

As the scenes unfolded before him, Yu Yin's anxiety mounted. He dreaded the possibility of failure.

People continuously exited the grand hall, while others entered intermittently. It was now the turn of the square-faced youth.

Xiu gazed intently at the stone door. As it swung open, he inhaled deeply and stepped forward at the signal of the man in red.

The legacy of the Sealing Family couldn't end with his generation. He was their last hope, the bearer of his ancestors' distinguished bloodline, and he could not lack the talent for sealing. Xiu's heart screamed in silent desperation.

Watching the man in red push open the stone door to admit Xiu, Yu Yin's palms grew damp with nervous sweat. He knew that after this youth, it would soon be his turn.

Time marched on.

Click-clack...

The stone door opened gradually, revealing Xiang Xiu clutching a gold medal. Despite his youth, and the tension etched on his face, his eyes betrayed an unmistakable glint of joy.

The red-clothed man, catching sight of the gold medal in Xiang Xiu's grasp, paused in surprise. Comprehension dawned, and he promptly retrieved a pale golden sheet of paper from a nearby desk.

"What is your name?"

"Xiang Xiu!"

"Your age and place of birth?"

"16, from the Huaxi District of Xuanlong City."

"Hand over the medal."

All eyes were glued to the unfolding scene, envy evident on their faces, for they knew that only those with the innate potential to become cultivators would possess such a medal.

The red-clothed man affixed the gold medal, thin as parchment, onto the golden paper and presented it back to Xiang Xiu with a smile. "A heart strength of 25 to 30 earns a bronze medal, 30 to 60 a silver, and above 60 a gold. Congratulations, you possess exceptional talent."

Taking the golden paper, now the size of four hands, Xiang Xiu studied it intensely, his body trembling slightly. He had harbored a deep fear of being devoid of talent, of being the one to end his family's thousand-year legacy and his parents' hopes. But, it seemed, fortune had not forsaken him.

Upon examining the golden paper again, he noted 'Heart Strength' inscribed on the left, with the following details on the right:

Name: Xiang Xiu.

Birthplace: Huaxi District, Xuanlong City, Heavenly Country.

Age: 16.

Talent: Superior Heart Strength, Ordinary Pulse Strength.

Certification Time and Place: Year 18 of the Universal Era, Heavenly Country, Universal Foundation Building Hall.

Above the certification details was the prominent red stamp of the Universal Foundation Building Hall.

"Having talent doesn't make you a cultivator just yet. Without overcoming the Mortal Life and Death Gate, you remain an ordinary person. Be mindful of your path ahead," the red-clothed man advised.

Xiang Xiu nodded, unfazed. For his family, with a millennium of sealed heritage, surpassing the Mortal Life and Death Gate was not a formidable challenge. His only desire now was to return home and share the joyous news with his parents, especially since he had left without their knowledge.

Xiang Xiu's departure hardly made waves. These days, talent was not uncommon, but few dared to challenge the Mortal Life and Death Gate with such disregard for their own mortality. While many envied such courage, no one behaved inappropriately in response.

As the young man stepped through the stone door, Yu Yin's breath seemed to catch in his throat. His nerves were on edge, his fists clenched tightly.

Creak...

The stone door swung open once more, and all eyes were drawn to the young man, specifically to what he held in his hands.

Nothing. There was nothing there. Heads shook in understanding; here was yet another failure.

The young man's complexion was ashen. He had dreamt countless times of being the object of cheers and envy, but now, with his dream shattered, he felt utterly insignificant.

Such scenes unfolded daily. The man in red, his face a mask of indifference, seemed well accustomed to this routine. He caught Yu Yin's eye, giving a subtle cue, his expression unchanged despite Yu Yin's attire.

Yu Yin's legs felt as if they belonged to someone else as he stepped through the narrow opening the red-clothed man had created.

Thud!

The door shut behind him, revealing a cramped stone chamber. At its center stood a straight jade pillar supporting a luminous orb the size of a human head, shimmering like a droplet of water. Next to the orb, a slanted blue jade plate sparkled with red and purple stars, their brilliance rivaling that of the Astral Nebula.

Yu Yin surveyed the jade plate, unsure of his next move.

"Place your hands on the orb of light. The red and purple stars on the jade plate represent your heart power and pulse power, respectively. If the starlight expands, it signifies ten points; if it remains small, one point. After twenty breaths, count the points to determine your talent."

"It's a Sound Retaining Stone." Yu Yin's eyes widened in recognition as they fell upon the jade pillar cradling the orb.

The Sound Retaining Stone was a costly artifact, capable of preserving a person's voice for three days. Moreover, it would replay the recorded message every fifty breaths. Yu Yin had only learned of its existence when he had once seen a wealthy young master casually displaying it in town.

Upon seeing it again, his curiosity was piqued, and he leaned in for a closer examination.

"What a treasure," he silently admired. Yet, with pressing matters at hand, he reluctantly shifted his focus away.

The orb felt warm and soft, like touching cotton, but Yu Yin watched the jade plate with intense focus. The Sound Retaining Stone had made it clear: this was where his attention should be.

Suddenly, the jade plate spun, setting the red and purple stars into a mesmerizing dance. It shook Yu Yin to his core and tugged at his heartstrings.

One breath, two breaths... twenty breaths passed, and the starlight on the jade plate finally steadied. The dazzling Astral Nebula had vanished, replaced by neatly arranged red and yellow stars of various sizes.

One, two, three...

Clang!

While Yu Yin was counting the starlight on the jade plate, a sudden clang echoed as a dragon head gold medal sprung from the left side of the plate and fell at his feet.

His breath grew heavy. Fearing the starlight would fade, he resisted the urge to pick up the medal, instead focusing on counting the stars that could determine his destiny.

Gulp!

Swallowing hard, he finished counting, his mouth dry and his tongue parched from the shock of his own numerical gift.

Red 100, purple 99.

As the jade plate blurred and everything reverted to normal, he picked up the gold medal and left the stone chamber, his expression one of bewilderment.

The man in red robes received the gold medal with a look of utter surprise. The medal itself was of little concern to him, as they were not uncommon. However, witnessing the appearance of two gold medals in one day was unprecedented in his seven or eight years as an official of the hall.

Hush!

A wave of astonishment swept through the great hall. The sudden appearance of two gold medals had everyone abuzz with excitement, even drawing the gaze of an elder who was painting.

"Name?"

"Yu Yin."

"Age?"

"16."

"Place of birth?"

"Lan Tree Town."

With each question and answer, the man in red took the gold medal and examined it closely.

Upon seeing the words "heart force" and "pulse force" engraved on the gold medal, his eyes went wide.

"Both heart and pulse forces are top-notch!"

Feeling the eyes of those around him, he managed to stifle the shock welling up inside and swiftly filled out the golden parchment.

"Little brother, my name is Xia Cheng. My residence, the Xia Mansion, is just a hundred meters to the southwest. Should you ever find yourself in need, feel free to seek me out there," the man in red, Xia Cheng, whispered as he handed over the parchment.

The dual talent in heart and pulse forces was exceedingly rare. While not one to curry favor, Xia Cheng couldn't resist reaching out to make an acquaintance.

The stranger's status appeared significant, and his eagerness to forge a connection was clear. Yu Yin gave a slight nod, open to someone who understood his motives.

Examining the golden parchment, he read:

Name: Yu Yin.

Birthplace: Lan Shu Town under the jurisdiction of the Heavenly Strange Country.

Age: 16.

Talent: Superior Heart and Pulse Forces.

Certification Time: Year 318 of the Astral Nebula Era, Foundation Establishment Hall, Heavenly Strange Country.

Below was a bold red stamp.

Listening to Xia Cheng repeat the instructions, Yu Yin paused before asking, "How does one break through the Mortal Gate?"

"Each profession has its own Mortal Gate; it depends on what you're planning to study," Xia Cheng replied with a knowing smile, unsurprised by the question given Yu Yin's attire.

"Sealing!" Yu Yin responded without hesitation.

"The Life and Death Mortal Gate for a conjurer is located in the Corner of Mystery. In that case, I recommend you visit the Seal Academy; they will provide guidance."

"I have no money," Yu Yin admitted, his face falling as he thought of the few silver coins he possessed, well aware that nothing in this world comes for free.

"Typically, if you possess the talent to become a conjurer, the Seal Academy should offer guidance at no cost."

"Remember, though, in the end, it's all up to you. If you fail to break through, no matter how talented, all your efforts could be for naught, and you might even risk your life," Xia Cheng cautioned earnestly, his own experiences underscoring the gravity of the challenge ahead.

Filled with gratitude, Yu Yin bowed respectfully and exited the grand hall. Having committed to this journey, he harbored no regrets.

"A hundred meters south along the official road on the outskirts of the western city, you'll find the bamboo grove that marks the location of the Northern Pine Academy, one of our nation's Nine Great Sealed Academies. Just head straight in," called Xia Cheng from behind.

Yu Yin hesitated briefly, inhaled deeply, and continued on his way without glancing back.

Back in the hall, a man clad in red ribbed Xia Cheng, "It's rare to see you take such an interest. Is the lad a relative of yours, perhaps?"

"I wish I had a relative with such extraordinary talent," Xia Cheng replied, shaking his head. He remained silent, though inwardly he mused over the thought.

Strolling down the bustling street, Yu Yin nibbled on the steamed buns he had purchased, which served as his midday meal.