Fire talisman

"Having spiritual power is important, but compatibility is even more so. It is crucial to find a suitable cultivation path so you won't squander your talents." From his sleeve Elder Hao Zhen took out a talisman. Throwing it into the air it explodes into a fireball, ember falling onto the ground around them. "That was a fire talisman. By writing it with my spiritual power I can activate it by just willing it."

Murmurs sound from the remaining participants a look of awe on their faces. Liu Shi Meng's eyes shine with excitement. He has seen Feng Mo and Kong Ling use talismans before. Growing up he has long to learn how to make them but as he wasn't a disciple of the sect he couldn't.

"I have here two stacks of talisman for each of you. Each stack contains fifty talismans each. I have already finished writing the talismans save for the last stroke. Your final task is to successfully intertwine your spiritual energy to the last stroke to make one complete fire talisman. A complete fire talisman will be at the bottom one of the stack. Use it as an example to guide you."

Elder Hao Zhen hands out the talismans and stood by to watch. Liu Shi Meng picks up a brush from the table next to Elder Hao Zhen and began to work. The last stroke was needed for the bottom of the character fire. Trying first, he fills in the stroke but nothing happened when he wills it to burn. 'This is a lot harder than it looks...Elder Hao Zhen hasn't exactly taught us the right way to do this, the only way is to experiment until I get it right.'

Although Feng Mo and Kong Ling couldn't teach Liu Shi Meng about the Seven Color Treasure Sect's techniques, they did teach him how to grasp and control his spiritual energy in hopes of better preparing him. Things like shooting spiritual balls from his hand and body enhancement, he had already mastered to a basic degree. Imagining his spiritual power moving from his hand to the brush to the ink and paper, Liu Shi Meng attempts a second time. Writing the last stroke, the fire talisman burst into pieces from the overflow of spiritual energy. Liu Shi Meng frowns slightly before moving on to the next one, trying to control his spiritual energy flow better.

Liu Shi Meng wasn't the only one in the room that was having a hard time. Many groans of frustration could be heard. Some infuse too much spiritual energy, ripping the talismans as Liu Shi Meng did, while others put too little resulting in nothing happening at all.

Elder Hao Zhen observes from the side. The cultivation path of the Seven Color Treasure Sect demands precise control of one's spiritual energy. If one lacks the delicate control or is too impatient, then the Seven Color Treasure Sect isn't for them. They are better off with another sect that can nurture their talent to the best.

"Elder, I am done." Everyone turns to look at the person speaking. It was a youth around the age of fifteen. His long tied up hair covers a part of his face as he bows, presenting a talisman to Elder Hao Zhen.

"Oh? Not even a minute had passed since the test started. Very well use your talisman."

The youth threw the talisman in the air and it erupts into a huge ball of flame before dissipating.

"Indeed that's a fire talisman and a well made one too. Do you have prior experiences in making talisman?" Although talisman is a specialty of the Seven Color Treasure Sect, there are independent cultivators and smaller sects that cultivate with talismans.

"Answering Elder Hao Zhen, this one simply got lucky."

Although Elder Hao Zhen still has some suspicion, he lets it slide. Anyway if this is truly the first time this youth had made a talisman, the Seven Color Treasure Sect may have gained a good talent. "You pass, wait until this exam is over and you'll be an initiated as an official disciple."

"Elder Hao Zhen, I'm also done." This time it was a girl around the age of 16. She has collected sharp eyes and a straight proud posture that radiates an aura of confidence. Throwing the talisman in the air, it burns, creating a fireball equally as splendorous as the one before her. Right after she finished her demonstration, the boy next to her shouts out "I'm done too!" throwing his talisman that also burned brightly.

'It seems that we will have amazing talents this year.' Elder Hao Zhen was delighted when he thinks of the height they can reach under his teachings. "Good, very good, both of you pass."

Slowly an hour past and then another. Many ran out of talismans without succeeding once and was disqualified. Until nearly four hours did the exam finally end with only five people remaining.

"Disciple Tian Han Ran greets Elder."

"Disciple Chun Yang Huang greets Elder."

"Disciple Chun Hong Yue greets Elder!"

"Disciple Liu Shi Meng greets Elder."

"Disciple Dong He Shui greets Elder."

Acknowledging the newest disciples of the Seven Color Treasure Sect, Elder Hao Zhen smiles at them. "From today forward all of you are proud disciples of the Seven Color Treasure Sect."