Talisman choosing fate

Today is a big day for all youths aspiring to be cultivators. Every once a year the seven major sects would open their doors to welcome new disciples.

Late morning inside the courtyard of the Seven Color Treasure Sect, a young youth wearing white cotton robes sat on top of a ginkgo tree as he watches the junior disciples train. Some practice their sword while some wrote the character of fire to burn down practice dummies.

"Senior Feng Mo, Senior Kong Ling." The junior disciples stop their training to greet them as they pass through the courtyard. Nodding in reply, the two made their way towards the ginkgo tree.

"Shi Meng! Come down, I brought you some sweets while I was in the city." Kong Ling calls out to the youth while waving a three stack parcel tied together by strings.

Jumping down from the tree, Liu Shi Meng pats the front of his robe before greeting them. "Brother Kong Ling, Brother Feng Mo you're back from your mission."

In fifteen years, Liu Shi Meng has grown up to be quite tall. He is almost at eye level with Kong Ling and a few centimeters pass Feng Mo's shoulder. With a slender and fit body, loose black hair up to his back, Liu Shi Meng appears extremely pleasing to the eye.

Thanking Kong Ling, Liu Shi Meng unwraps one of the parcels. Inside were two mung bean cakes. Taking a huge bite out of one Liu Shi Meng chews quietly immersed in eating.

Feng Mo brush some crumbs from a strand of Liu Shi Meng's hair. Raising the youth has not been an easy task. But as he watches Liu Shi Meng grow from under his care, he had inevitably grown attached to him. "The entrance exam starts this afternoon, don't be late."

The entrance exam for the Seven Color Treasure Sect requires one to be a minimum of 15 years and a maximum of 60. Each person can take the entrance exam to a sect only once in their entire lifetime. Feng Mo and Kong Ling are nervous for Liu Shi Meng for this reason. If Liu Shi Meng fail, he would have to leave the sect.

Liu Shi Meng also understood this. "Don't worry, I'll be there. I'll definitely pass and make brothers proud."

Finishing off both mung bean cakes, Liu Shi Meng rushes off. "Brother Feng Mo, Kong Ling, I'm going to the reception hall to join the other examinee."

Feng Mo and Kong Ling watch as Liu Shi Meng runs through the courtyard, wishing him luck.

Arriving at the reception hall, Liu Shi Meng saw that it was already filled with people. A lively atmosphere buzz through the air as people exchanged names and converse among themselves.

"Everyone please settle down, Elder Hao Zhen will soon be here to test your aptitudes." A young maiden wearing the white uniform of Seven Color Treasure Sect signals for the crowd to quiet down. Not long after she said that Elder Hao Zhen enters the room. Immediately the talking stopped everyone bows respectfully towards Elder Hao Zhen.

Elder Hao Zhen is well known in the cultivation world. His skills in talisman are renowned and second to none. Even amongst the other elders in the Seven Color Treasure Sect, he holds a high standing. Furthermore, his relationship with the sect leader is extremely good. Naturally, all the participants would want to get on his good side.

"The first part of the examination will begin now. Those who pass will stay, and those who fail will be asked to leave. The results are final no reexamination are allowed." No sooner did he finish speaking, Elder Hao Zhen whips out a stack of talisman. Holding them on his palm, the talisman began to shoot out, one after another. The stack of talisman slowly dwindles in size. After about three minutes it ceases to move anymore. Elder Hao Zhen put the rest of the talisman away into his sleeves. "Those with one or more talisman may stay. You have enough spiritual energy to cultivate. Those without a talisman, please leave."

Every sect has its own standard for disciples. For example, the Hundred Morrow Sect focus more on ones skill with martial arts, therefore their requirement for spiritual energy is lower than The Seven Color Treasure Sect.

Liu Shi Meng smiles as he held three talismans in his hand. Other than him there were only 26 remaining from the thousands in the beginning.

"All of you remaining have an adequate amount of spiritual energy to cultivate in our Seven Color Treasure Sect. These talismans are attracted to powerful spiritual energies. The more you have, the more talisman would fly to you." Elder Hao Zhen looks at the participants. 'Four with three talismans, 5 with two and 17 with one. This year's batch is not bad'