Chapter 4: Testing Testing
Two seasons had passed, spring gradually shifted to summer and summer faded away to winter. The sky today was cloudy gray, the air not quite cold enough to see your breath in it.
Today, however, Golden Spring city was unusually lively despite the gloomy weather.
People crowded in the middle of the city, some queueing up in a long line waiting while others stood nearby as if watching a show.
Restaurant owners saw an opportunity to make money and set up tea tables outside which were soon filled with people sipping tea and gossiping.
"What's all this fuss about?"
Jia Li and Ling Guan were making their daily stop at a particular bun stall. Ever since Jia Li had acquired money she would drag Ling Guan to the same stall to buy meat buns every day. The stall owner used to spit out threats every time he sees Jia Li but every since Jia Li started to pay for her food he gradually changed his attitude. Jia Li even offered free labor as a way to pay for the buns she had stolen.
The stall owner had grumbled about how he was being cheated but accepted the offer in the end. As it turns out, Jia Li was by no means gifted in cooking. In the end, she was banished to serving customers while Ling Guan despite having both of his eyes covered, quickly learned to make buns not inferior looking to the ones that the stall owners make.
As frequent customers and occasional part-timers, they have grown quite close to the stall owner to the point where they all know each other's name. But Jia Li and Ling Guan simply call him Uncle while the stall owner called them Brat one and Brat two with Jia Li being the former and Ling Guan being the latter.
"The cultivators are in the city again. Picking new disciples." The stall owner swiftly made two more buns before putting the full bamboo basket into the steamer.
Ling Guan's whole body seems to subconsciously tense up when he heard this but it only lasted for a second. The stall owner didn't seem to notice his odd reaction but Jia Li saw it very clearly.
Jia Li's eyes narrowed as she looks in Ling Guan's direction lost in thought. She and Ling Guan have similar personalities, it was partly why they had gotten along so well from the beginning. They both had calculating natures that come easily to them and could tactfully understand each other, making the time they spend together quite comfortable.
Ling Guan would always answer questions like his age, his favorite color or his plans for the future during their many mindless conversations. But for any questions that touch upon his past, he would never give a straight answer and dodge the question. All she knows is that both of his parents have died and he had traveled here after their death.
Jia Li was curious as to why he was so determined to avoid talking about his past but she knew when to drop a subject. Like how she has things she's hiding from him, maybe one day she'll be ready to talk about it or maybe she never will.
Jia Li shifted her gaze away and askes, "New disciples?"
By now it was a habit for Ling Guan to fill in the gaps in Jia Li's knowledge. Almost reflexively he answered, "Scholars go to school to learn and hone their skills in poetry or literature, sects are the equivalent for cultivators, a place where they can start or progress their cultivation. Uncle, which sect is it this year?"
"It's one of the big shots, the Immortal Range Sect are looking for suitable disciples this year."
The Immortal Range Sect were famous for their Seven Immortal mountain peaks. Among all the powerful sect they are the only one sect not in an alliance. While they take official missions from the Empire, their disciples, as well as their Elders, often disappear to who knows where before reappearing again.
The stall owner dusted the flour off his hand and wiped it with the rag hanging around his neck. "They are testing for spirit vein today."
Jia Li perked up. Spirit vein testing? Didn't Ling Guan say that she needed to know what kind of spirit veins she has before seeing if she's suitable for cultivating?
Seeing Jia Li's interested expression, the stall owner waved his hand. "If you're interested why not go and give it a try. The testing is right in the middle of the city and it's opened up to everyone."
"Uncle, why not come along and also try it out?"
The stall owner had a shooing motion. "This Uncle is too old to start cultivating now anyway. I'm satisfied with making buns for the rest of my life. Go now Brat One. If by chance you do get in don't forget to come to visit home." The stall owner gave a sly grin and rubbed his fingers. "Preferably with visiting gifts of course."
Urk, she better leave now. "Ling Guan, are you coming?"
Should he? Ideally, he wants nothing to do with any sect but..... he views Jia Li like a good friend and if anything she felt like family. He didn't really like the idea of being alone again..... fine if he has to choose a sect, Immortal Range is probably as good as it gets anyway.
"I'll come."
Jia Li secretly breathed a sigh of relief. She had grown quite fond of this friend she had made. She probably won't ever find another one that gets along so well with her given her personality. Knowing that Ling Guan had just made a huge compromise for her, Jia Li promises to treat him even better in the future as repayment.
It wasn't hard to find where the testing area was. In fact, they didn't even have to walk far, the line was ridiculously long to the point that from where they were on the line, they couldn't even a shadow of a cultivator.
Evidently, the possibility of being accepted into the sect was an irresistible lure. No matter how long they have to wait no one was willing to give up their on in the line.
The front part of the line was much more lively than the back. As they got closer they heard the eager chatters, people chewing on melon seeds as they watched and commented loudly every time someone's spirit vein was tested.
Suddenly, the crowd grew particularly rowdy.
"I can't believe it! Someone actually tested as a Heavenly spirit vein!"
"It's a fire Heavenly spirit vein too! Holy sh*t, that lad is going to be a powerhouse when he grows up."
Monotoned Ling Guan said, "The fewer spirit vein you have the smoother your cultivation will be, which also means you'll be ahead of peers of the same starting point. Heavenly means you have only one spirit vein in your body."
"Next!"
After waiting for a long time it was finally Jia Li's turn. She followed a strict looking man's instruction to put her hand onto a crystal ball that fits snugly in her hand. Colors swirled around before it settled down.
This is.....
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone