Chapter 171: 2) The game of fire and water
( Sorry, last chapter I had used Beta Xuan because Beta Xuan is my friend and I had thought the name 'Beta Fang' from him. )
In an instant, Both of them were pushed to the ground.
"Y-You..." Wux glanced at Beta Fang and exclaimed.
-exclusive-content
Meanwhile, Luo Fang also gave a somewhat unfavorable look at Beta Fang.
"Ahem* Ahem*... Let me make it simple, This one is praised by your skills as such, This one offer you juniors to be disciple of Heaven Fall sect," Beta Fang said clearing his throat.
"Heaven Fall sect!?"
"Heaven Fall sect?"
Luo Fang and Wux were confused however both of them have heard about the Heaven fall sect.
It is one of the powerful sect 2 mountain-region afar.
"I can be member of Heaven Fall sect!?" Wux was instantly happy and felt honored.
However same couldn't be said with Luo Fang.
The Heaven Fall Sect... the name alone could be enough to inspire awe in the hearts of the weak and weary.
However, for Luo Fang, the name only brought about mixed feelings.
He had a separate nut-tingling feeling.
He had heard about it, of course, it was a sect renowned for its power and influence within the nearby mountain region. But the thought of becoming a disciple there... it filled him with a certain sense of trepidation.
"We would be honored to join the Heaven Fall sect!" Wux exclaimed, his eyes shining with excitement.
He was ready to prove his worth.
The thought of joining a prestigious and powerful sect was something he had only dreamed of before... He dreamt of becoming a immortal.
After all who wouldn't? A fool always dreams of moon.
But then again, Luo Fang couldn't help but feel skeptical.
He knew that such opportunities often came at a high cost.
"What's the catch?" Luo Fang asked, narrowing his eyes at Beta Fang. He had a gut feeling that the offer had strings attached.
Like a apple handed by devil himself.
Beta Fang chuckled, as if expected the question. "No catches, just some obligations you must abide by..." he replied casually.
Wux looked a little confused but remained hopeful. "Obligations? What kind of obligations?"
Beta Fang raised a finger.
"One, you will have to follow the rules and regulations of the Heaven Fall sect strictly,"he said.
"Two, you will dedicate yourself to your cultivation and studies within the sect." He added and then raised a third finger.
"And three, you will have to complete any tasks or missions the sect assigns to you... Of course you can chose to reject but you won't get any sect points to buy pills and other stuffs,"
Hmm! Hmm!
Wux nodded eagerly after all it wasn't anything bad at all matter of fact it was actually a good deal.
Only a fool would think he would get everything for free.
Nonetheless, his excitement was growing with each requirement. "I can do that! Being part of the Heaven Fall sect is a dream come true... I will follow the rules, cultivate with my heart and do the sect tasks to push myself,"
Wux was completly different compared to previous where he was jealous angry brat.
Luo Fang, on the other hand, was not as eager.
He was about to speak when Beta Fang raised a hand, cutting him off.
"There's one more thing." Beta Fang said, his voice taking a serious tone. "The Heaven Fall sect is known for its strict selection process. We don't just accept anyone. You must prove your worth and potential to join the sect. There will be a test...."
Wux's eyes lit up at the mention of a test. "A test? That's easy. I'll show them how talented I am!"
But Luo Fang was wary, sensing that the test wouldn't be as simple as Wux imagined. "What kind of test are we talking about?" he asked cautiously.
Beta Fang looked at Luo Fang directly. "A cultivation aptitude test. We'll assess your ability to wield spiritual energy to determine whether you're worthy of joining the sect." he said, then turned to Wux. "Both of you will undergo the same test simultaneously."
It's a common thing to take a aptitude test, one can hardly even imagine a sect that doesn't do aptitude test.
Wux was unfazed by this afterall he too understand that no sect wants some talentless mouth to feed thus he was eager to show his skills. "Bring it on! I'm ready."
However as one could easily guess even with eyes closed, Luo Fang was not as confident.
He had just awakened his spirit root and had no idea what to expect from a cultivation aptitude test.
Gulp!
He swallowed hard, feeling a mixture of excitement and dread.
Beta Fang smiled a little smugly. "Good. The test will commence immediately," He gestured to some nearby disciples standing nearby.
"Please follow them to the training grounds..."
The disciples, all dressed in purple robes, approached, ready to lead Wux and Luo Fang to the testing ground.
It was a small space inside a gourd-shape artifact.
"Oh! Ok!"
Wux followed the disciples obediently, his steps quick and eager.
He was confident he would pass the test with flying colors.
Luo Fang, on the other hand, followed slowly, his heart filled with doubt. He had no idea what to expect, and the thought of failing made him nervous.
After all he had failed before too and was even kicked by elder in his balls, not just that but the elder even spat on his face.
He has PTSD.
---
Inside the secret space.
The atmosphere inside the gourd-shaped training ground was palpable with anticipation.
Wux who brimming with confidence stood tall and proud like honored one, his gaze fixed ahead.
In contrast, Luo Fang couldn't help but feel a lingering unease, the bitter memory of his past failures still haunting him again and again, his legs shaking violently.
Ihe didn't had confidence in his vision.
The purple-robed disciples moved with practiced precision, setting up the testing arena. Stepping forward, Beta Fang's voice carried an authoritative edge.
"The test is simple. I want you both to stand Infront of this crystal and focus your spiritual energy and manifest it in the most optimal form,"
Wux's eyes gleamed with knowing feeling. "I'm ready! Just watch and be amazed." He assumed a meditative stance, his brow furrowing in concentration.
Luo Fang, on the other hand, felt a familiar tightness in his chest.
His spirit root, only recently awakened, still felt unfamiliar and unpredictable.
Swallowing his nerves, he mirrored Wux's posture, closing his eyes and attempting to gather his spiritual energy.
The air crackled with anticipation as the two young cultivators poured their focus into the task at hand.
Wux's aura began to radiate outwards, a strong, vibrant energy that seemed to fill the entire space. In contrast, Luo Fang's spiritual power flickered and wavered, as if it struggled to find its footing.
Beta Fang observed the scene with a discerning eye, his expression unreadable.
'Well, well, it seems we have a clear frontrunner. But let's see how the test unfolds... It seems this fire guy awakened the Vision. By brining him to sect, I will be more favoured by sect master... I might even be promoted to Saint,'
He thought to himself however he also looked little confused as he could sense the powerful aura from this boy called Beta Fang.
'strange... If this boy has vision how can that fire guy fight him head to head?' Beta Fang thought.
It was virgin Beta Fang who was blessed by God for power, however, Wux might not be Chad for the hatred and jealousy but one can't deny that he got power from his hate instead of relying on some god or others for power.
He is man who stands on his own foot.
Luo Fang gritted his teeth, his brow furrowed in intense concentration.
Though his spirit root had only recently awakened, he was determined to prove his worth.
He wanted to join sect and learn manything.
Sweat beaded on his forehead as he focused every fiber of his being into manifesting his spiritual energy.
Suddenly, a flicker of light began to emanate from Luo Fang's body.
Slowly but surely, it grew brighter, coalescing into a shimmering orb of energy that hovered just above his palm.
The disciples observed in fascination, muttering amongst themselves.
Beta Fang raised a brow, his gaze fixed intently on Luo Fang. "Well, well, it seems we have a dark horse in our midst. Don't count him out just yet..."
He was shocked but he was more shocked towards Wux who could fight a vision holder with nothing but hate.
Well, if love and desire to friends can grant power then so can hate and will to destroy enemy.
Wux's own aura began to fluctuate, as if sensing a worthy challenger.
The two young men were locked in a silent battle of wills and both were determined to outshine the other.
The air grew heavy with the clash of spiritual energies, creating an electric atmosphere that sent tingles down the spines of all present.