Chapter 5: A Stroke of Destiny

the first light of dawn crept over the horizon, painting the sky with hues of gold and pink. a crisp breeze swept through the courtyard of starry academy, rustling the leaves as the disciples assembled in their white robes, their faces solemn with anticipation.

"sister, are you ready or not? if not I'll be late on my first day. also, elder Hua Qing said, she will eliminate them from the competition. be fast sister." Xing Yue's echoed outside of a house.

"what happened now? we have time. I'll take you there in time, okay! let's go..." Lan Mei replied in a small tone.

''Lan Mei coming through the front door of her house, which looks a little shabby from outside. she dressed as a disciple of starry academy to enter into the academy."

Xing Yue whispered, "sister, you really look beautiful in this uniform. but, how can you enter into the academy?"

Lan Mei said, "I've my ways. you don't have to worry. then, shall we go now."

Xing Yue whispered, "hmm!"

then, Lan Mei took out a talisman of transportation.

Xing Yue asked, "what is this?"

Lan Mei said, " this is from the mortal realm, it's really too effective. they call it as something like, yeah! talismans. if we try it you'll know.., let's go"

after, she spell the talisman. and it takes effect. then, they transported directly to the entrance of the starry academy. they silently entered into the academy.

Xing Yue asked in a surprise, "sister, the thing works really good. but, I can't understand one thing, why has the bell not rang when you enter. is it also a kind of magic."

Lan Mei whispered, "Xing Xing, its not a magic. master gave me the token. don't you know that before he is in the starry academy."

Xing Yue whispered, "oh!"

Lan Mei whispered, "let's go.."

Xing Yue answered, "hmm, let's go.."

the disciples stood in neat rows, their posture rigid as they awaited for elder Hua's command. the air was still, a sense of quiet purpose binding them as they awaited for this day.

then, the voices are echoed through the walls of the academy as they great, "morning elder Hua Qing."

elder Hua stood before them, her sharp eyes sweeping over the gathered disciples. her presence commanded respect, her posture is unwavering as a mountain. with her hands clasped behind her back, her voice cut through the silence, ''morning all, today we begin with the rules and regulations of the competition. in this training, only two disciples will be selected by me to participate in the competition. in this training, we have three tests to filter out those two disciples, remaining disciples will be eliminated throughout the training process."

she declared, "the path of cultivation into a noble is not merely about strength, a true celestial must possess wisdom, composure and grace. thus, your first test is about your elegance- the test of elegance."

she continued, "now, I announced that the test of elegance will takes place in a week from now. this test was designed to assess the refinement, composure, and grace of each disciple."

the announcement sparked different reactions among the disciples. some took it as an opportunity to sharpen their discipline, some are confident that they can do it.

elder Hua Qing stood at the center of the training grounds, her sharp gaze sweeping over the gathered students. and conveyed, "then, in this week you all will undergo rigorous training. those who think this test is trivial will find themselves lacking when the time comes."

the disciples straightened their backs, sensing the weight behind her words.

elder Hua conveyed, "each day was dedicated to refining a different aspect of elegance, combining physical grace, mental discipline, and spiritual awareness.

day 1: Calligraphy of the Dao

she continued, " all the disciples can get a set of celestial ink and scrolls for the training period to inscribe verses of wisdom passed down by ancient immortals. the test was not only in penmanship but in clarity of thought-a shaky mind led to shaky strokes"

she continued, "then, lets assemble in the Hall of calligraphy in ten minutes."

as the disciples made their way toward the hall of calligraphy, Lan Mei suddenly paused and whispered slightly, "Xing Yue, then I'll wait for you here. you go and do your training, I can't be in the training. so, I'll wait for you here and then I'll just see around the starry academy. okay!"

Xing Yue nodded her head and said, "hmm! then, just see around I'll meet you here at dusk."

Lan Mei gave a small smile before turning away and nodded her head and soon her figure disappearing among the female disciples.

as soon as she was gone, an almost imperceptible shift occurred in Meng Yi's demeanor.

she walked beside Xing Yue with deliberate grace, her steps measured, her presence looming just enough to unsettle.

Meng Yi whispered in a slow voice, "how can she be here? doesn't see always looking out for you, always by your side. but in the end, isn't it exhausting to have someone watching over you all the time?"

Xing Yue didn't respond, but Meng Yi wasn't finished.

she continued, "you'll have to stand on your own sooner or later. after all..." she let out a soft laugh, her eyes glinting. "...not everyone will be there to catch you when you fall."

Xing Yue's steps faltered for just a fraction of a second.

Meng Yi noticed, and she smiled.

by the time they reached the hall of calligraphy..

"the hall of calligraphy was vast, its walls lined with ancient scrolls containing verses of wisdom from immortal sages. the scent of ink and aged parchment filled the air as the disciples took their seats before low wooden tables, where sets of celestial ink and pristine rice paper had been arranged for each of them."

elder Hua Qing stood at the front, her sharp gaze sweeping over the room. and commanding, "Calligraphy is not merely the art of writing." she continued, her voice calm yet commanding, "it is a reflection of one's heart and mind. a restless heart produces chaotic strokes, while a steady mind brings forth fluid elegance. today, you shall inscribe a verse of the Dao to test your control and clarity."

all the disciples take their seats and started their practice. the disciples dipped their brushes into the celestial ink, their expressions filled with focus. some moved with effortless grace, their hands are steady, their strokes are flowing like water. while a few others hesitated, their ink blotting unevenly onto the paper.

Meng Yi moved with effortless grace, her wrist is steady, her brush gliding across the page like flowing water. each stroke was meticulously crafted, balanced in form and rhythm. she was like an image of refinement, her movements are deliberate, her expression was calm. 

as elder Hua Qing's gaze lingered on her work with a nod of approval, a faint smile bloomed on Meng Yi's lips-soft, yet laced with quiet arrogance. like the first petal of a spring blossom, delicate yet brimming with certainty, it carried the unspoken belief that victory was already hers.

but, Xing Yue did not look at Meng Yi. she focused only on her own paper.

her grip was strong, but her strokes-though bold-lacked the fluidity of true elegance. the brush hesitated for a fraction of a second, and the ink bled ever so slightly. she grit her teeth, adjusting her hold, and steadying her breathing. no distractions. no hesitation. she guided the brush across the paper again, slower this time, pouring her will into each stroke.

Meng Yi, sensing Xing Yue's silent determination, smirked faintly. she leaned slightly, her voice is a mere whisper, "trying so hard, yet still lacking grace. if one's hand is this clumsy, how they ever master elegance?"

Xing Yue refused to look at her. instead, she pressed on, stroke after stroke. sweat gathered at the base of her neck, her breathing is controlled yet deep. the room around her faded until there was only the ink, the brush, and the unyielding desire to carve her strength onto the paper.

time passed, though none dared break her focus.

at last, elder Hua Qing stepped forward, her gaze sweeping over her work.

the ink on Xing Yue's scroll had darkened slightly in places where she had pressed too hard, yet the strokes carried an undeniable force-unrefined, but brimming with conviction.

"lacking grace, yet unwavering in will," the elder Hua remarked, her voice is unreadable. "you have strength, but strength enough alone is not enough to master elegance. I know that you are new to it. but this way is really gonna be hard to you. ready yourself within this week."

Xing Yue nodded her head.

later, the hall remained silent, save for the rhythmic glide of brushes against parchment. the scent of ink hung heavy in the hair, mixing with unspoken tension that lingered between Xing Yue and Meng Yi.

with a delicate sigh, Meng Yi tilted her head ever so slightly, her voice is a quiet murmur yet sharp enough for Xing Yue to hear. "oh, Xing Yue, your strokes are so bold."

she continued, her lips curved in an almost imperceptible smirk, eyes gleaming with amusement. "but... don't you think elegance is about restraint?"

Xing Yue's grip on her brush tightened. she exhaled slowly, willing herself to ignore the provocation.

Meng Yi continued, her brush gliding effortlessly, her tone dripping with false concern and then, she whispered, "ah, but perhaps boldness really suits you better?"

Meng Yi let out a soft laugh, tilting her parchment just enough for the others to see her flawless calligraphy,

"after all refinement isn't something everyone is born with. oh, what about your old master, doesn't he teach you anything other than talking." Meng Yi whispered.

the disciples around them exchanged knowing glances, some whispering under their breath. 

Xing Yue didn't reply. instead, she dipped her brush into the celestial ink, steadying her heart, her mind, and her stroke.

even if her elegance lacked Meng Yi's effortless grace, she would carve her own path-with force, with conviction, with an unyielding will..