Potential (2)

As a wooden cart neared the center of Zhu City, a small face was peeking out the window. Jing Ling was in awe at what she saw before her. It was in the middle of the afternoon but all along the streets were dozens of stalls selling all sorts of trinkets and exotic goods. Left and right were merchants shouting slogans trying to sell their goods.

"Kind Sir, are you feeling bad? Don't feel sad! Just eat my fruits and you'll be good."

"Hey, Miss! In a rush? Come to buy our shoes, I guarantee they'll make you move."

In another shop, a man was even bickering with a portly gentleman over their trade.

"What do you mean this ginseng is only worth 10 gold pieces? Why don't you just change your profession to being a swindler instead!"

"Hmph, this dried up twig isn't even enough for me to use as a toothpick. You should be grateful to me for offering you 10 gold pieces."

As Jing Ling was enjoying herself, the cart suddenly came to a halt in front of an extravagant gate and everyone from the Jing family descended from the cart.

Master Jing Jun turned towards one of the intimidating looking guards and announced, "This humble one is from the Jing family, we wish to seek an audience with Grandmaster Tian. My daughter has reached the age of 10 this past spring and we would like to assess her potential."

The guard swiftly entered the residence and returned after a few minutes. "My master has agreed to your request. Please enter and wait in the main hall."

"Thank you for your assistance."

Passing through the gate, Jing Ling felt as if the space around her shifted and was warping. However, the fuzzy feeling only lasted briefly and she was able to quickly shake off the weird sensation.

Jing Ling was dumbfounded by what was in front of her. She had expected to see a normal courtyard but instead, she found herself standing in front of an enormous crystal that was levitating slightly off the ground. It towered 100 meters above her head like a mountain but it was a beautiful sight. The crystal was translucent with speckles of glitter that sparkled across its surface.

"Woah… Elder brothers, how is it floating like that?!" Jing Ling asked.

"This white jade crystal is made up of nephrite jade and has been here since the founding of our Song Empire. Legends say that ten thousand years ago when our founder, Song Xuegang, was breaking through into god realm he had secluded himself into the heart of a mountain. When he successfully broke through, the force he emitted was so strong the mountain he resided in, and the ground beneath him split..." replied Jing Zheng

"Inside the crack, Song Xuegang discovered the very jade crystal that you see before you and he decided to set up his own country on this very spot. The End." Jing Cheng interrupted.

"Youuuu…. How dare you steal the best part of the story from me!"

"Ehhh… you were taking too long younger brother. You're so long-winded." Jing Cheng said as he was picking his nose. Jing Ling didn't even bother looking at them anymore. Instead, she busied herself by circling around the crystal. "Hmm, that's weird, what is this?"

"Hohohoho, what energetic children you have Master Jing Jun." Grandmaster Tian teased.

Grandmaster Tian is a bald elderly man with looks that would rival any devout monk. Despite his harmless appearance, Grandmaster Tian had recently broken into initial-yellow king realm, making him the second most powerful cultivator of the empire besides the Emperor who is currently at the peak of green king realm. Normally he works side-by-side with the Emperor as his advisor.

"They remind me of myself when I was their age..." He suddenly notices that Jing Ling was reaching her hand out to grab the air near the ground beneath the jade crystal.

"Hey old man, what's this white stuff flowing out of the ground and going into the crystal?"

"Don't be disrespectful to Grandmaster Tian. You must call him by his title." Master Jing Jun reprimanded. "I apologize for my daughter's rudeness Grandmaster Tian. She's still young so please, forgive her."

However, Grandmaster Tian didn't even pay attention to what he was saying. Instead, he slowly took shaky steps towards Jing Ling with his eyes opened so wide, they were about to pop out of his head. "Child... Wha... What did you just say?"

Confused, Jing Ling didn't know why Grandmaster Tian was making such a big deal about her question. "Maybe he's just too old and couldn't hear me," thought Jing Ling.

"I asked, what's this white stuff," Jing Ling repeated as she pointed towards the ground again.

"What do you mean Xiao Ling? There's nothing there. Do you see anything Zheng?"

"No, nothing's there."

"Xiao Bao!" Grandmaster Tian abruptly shouted.

An elegant figure entered the room. "Yes, Master?".

"Quickly, go make preparations for testing potentials!"

"Apologies Master but there are no elders available at the moment. I will need to go look for..."

"Nonsense, what elder, I will personally conduct the ceremony."

"As you wish." and her presence disappears.

Meanwhile, Grandmaster Tian turned to face Jing Ling as if he was a child looking at his most prized possession. "Child, ah no. Miss. Jing! Can you truly see the flow of Qi?!"

"Qi?"

"Yes, the white stuff! Can you see it?!"

Jing Ling nodded.

"How distinct is it? Is it translucent? Can you touch it? Oh, how mindless of me. Of course, you can touch it, that's what you were doing before. Tell me, what does it feel like?"

Before Jing Ling could answer, Xiao Bao came back and announced: "Master, everything is ready."

"Oh, as expected of my pupil, I knew I could rely on you." Without even waiting for Jing Ling's response, Grandmaster Tian grabbed her by the shoulders and pushed her towards the crystal. "When you are inside, just relax and don't over think. If you feel something trying to enter inside you don't reject it. Just let it do as it wishes."

"Wait what's happening? What's going to enter me? What is this "it"? HEY. OLD MAN STOP PUSHING ME. I'm about to slam face first into the crystal! You @$#@#@#..."

However, instead of slamming into the crystal, Jing Ling didn't feel any resistance at all and passed straight through its surface.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Grandmaster Tian continued to stare at the crystal without blinking and holding his breath.

"Uhm. Excuse me for my lack of knowledge but what is going on Grandmaster Tian? Why are you so excited about my daughter's potential ceremony?"

"This is..." Grandmaster hesitates and waves him away with his hand. "There's nothing to be worried about, let us wait for your daughter to come out first."