Chapter 13: Blindfolded Bravado
The guards, looking as serious as owls on night patrol, came forward and handed Wu Xie a bow and arrows.
No one was expecting much from Wu Xie. It was like expecting a cat to win a dog show.
He left the bow on the ground and scanned the crowd carefully, his eyes darting around like a meerkat on lookout duty.
Then, to everyone's shock, he blindfolded himself with a piece of cloth. It was as if he was about to perform a magic trick. What they didn't know was that Wu Xie was an international champion.
After this, Wu Xie picked up the bow and turned around. There were three targets in front of him.
Instead of just picking one arrow like a normal person, he decided to go for the 'three-for-one' special.
He deftly plucked three arrows from his quiver, each movement fluid and precise like a national archery champion.
With a swift leap, he spun in mid-air, his body twisting elegantly as he released the arrows in rapid succession.
Everyone was so focused and shocked, their eyes as wide as saucers. It was as if they were watching a squirrel water ski.
After shooting the arrows, Wu Xie removed the cloth from his eyes, smirked like a hero who had just saved the day, and looked in front of him.
To his surprise, none of the arrows were on the target. He had actually missed all of them! It was like throwing a dart at a dartboard and hitting the wall instead.
The crowd erupted into laughter, their laughter echoing around like a chorus of hyenas.
But Wu Xie, ever the optimist, just shrugged and said, "Well, at least I hit something!" And with that, he came back, his head held high, leaving behind a crowd still laughing at his unforgettable performance.
Minjun, unable to resist a jab, asked Wu Xie, "Oh, WuXie, if you're quite finished with your theatrics, the back gate awaits."
Wu Xie, looking as confused as a chameleon in a bag of skittles but shamelessly asked if he could try one more time with open eyes.
The guard, trying to suppress a chuckle, told him that he only got one chance to prove himself.
After all this, Wu Xie, with the shamelessness of a cat who just knocked over a vase and is pretending it didn't happen, concluded that he must be the main protagonist. Why? Because everything that could go wrong, did go wrong - just like in every hero's journey.
He sauntered back to Dan's side and said that he is ready to choose the second method now.
Just as he was about to make his dramatic exit, the principal of Lushan Academy descended and asked Wu Xie to halt. He looked into Wu Xie's eyes, as if he could see something no one else could.
As the principal held his hand, he realized that Wu Xie's 'Talent Core' was broken.
He told Wu Xie that if he could restore his talent core within a day and come back, he would admit him into Lushan Academy.
Everyone was so shocked and thought it was unfair. They asked the principal why the double standards, and the principal, like a wise old owl, didn't reply to anyone. There is always a reason for something, and they would know why he did this.
After this, Minjun, with the air of a seasoned tour guide, invited Wu Xie and Dan to his humble abode. Once there, he summoned his servant with a wave of his hand. The servant returned with a flower, its petals shimmering under the light.
Minjun handed the flower to Wu Xie, who looked at it with the same confusion a cat might have when presented with a cucumber.
He glanced at Minjun and said, "Dude, I'm as straight as a ruler. And I'm not into mermen, either." It was as if he had just been handed a love letter instead of a flower.
Minjun facepalmed, the sound echoing in the room like a gong. He explained that the flower was 'Eternal Saffron'. Wu Xie looked at the flower, then at Minjun, then back at the flower. A grin spread across his face as he said, "I was just pulling your leg. I'm totally into mermen. Haha!"
"But I'm not into mortals," Minjun retorted. He added, "Take it or leave it, there are plenty of people out there ready to pay a pretty penny for this flower."
Without missing a beat, Wu Xie snatched the flower from Minjun and thanked him. It was as if he had just been handed the last piece of pizza at a party.
After receiving the flower, Wu Xie turned to Dan with a hopeful glint in his eyes. He asked Dan if he could assist him in concocting the 'Talent Core Restoration Elixir'.
Dan, assured him that it is an easy task. Now that they had the flower, the elixir would be ready in no time.
Minjun, who had been observing the exchange, stepped forward and took the flower back from Wu Xie.
He handed it to his servant and instructed him to prepare the elixir. He then turned to Wu Xie and chided him gently, "You should have told me you needed the elixir, not the flower."
Wu Xie, standing there, couldn't help but wonder if he was dreaming. Was Minjun really being so generous? Or was this some sort of trick?
Minjun, reading his thoughts, chuckled and said, "Well I'm not usually this generous. It's just that you're Dan's friend, so I'm helping you because of him."
After this, they all went to dinner, the atmosphere buzzing with anticipation and camaraderie. By the time they finished their meal, the elixir was ready.
Wu Xie took the elixir, its golden liquid shimmering under the light. It was like holding a vial of liquid sunshine. With a deep breath, he drank the elixir, hoping for a miracle.
As the elixir coursed through Wu Xie's veins, he felt a surge of energy unlike anything he had ever experienced. It was as if a dormant volcano within him had suddenly erupted, filling him with a fiery vitality.
His eyes sparkled with a newfound determination, a clear indication that the elixir was working its magic. His 'Talent Core' was restored, and he can now awaken his rank talent.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone