Disciple Selection

The selection followed a two round process. In the first round, each set would be permitted to choose five and only two of the same level. Howbeit, they were permitted to choose as many of the red-rank candidates as they desired owing to the red-rank candidates being the largest group.

Green Pine Sect chose Xiaohu, unsurprisingly, two green and two yellow children. Every sect was hung up over Xiaohu, but they agreed on the system, so… The four big sects chose their disciples. Overall, the selection process was rather quick as most elders had in mind who they wanted during the test and already worked out the chances of getting their pick. That said, some went and checked the candidates physically before making up their mind. Despite being treated as commodities, the children were elated.

After the first round ended, Mu Yu noticed nobody chose a single candidate from the grey-rank group! At that rate, they wouldn't be chosen even in the second round. Mu Yu couldn't imagine the look on the Village Chief Bu's face if he was sent home. It was a conundrum. On one hand, Mu Yu wasn't interested in cultivating or being an immortal master. At the same time, he didn't want to embarrass Waterstream Village.

Indeed, only the candidates in the grey-rank group were remaining after the second round. Some of the children furtively wiped their tears. It was harsh for adults to accept, let alone children. The praise they were showered with prior and the pressure on them didn't help. Mu Yu had no clue who the immortal master representing dead last Dustfallen Sect was, but he assumed the sect only took in candidates from the red-rank group. If there was a lesson to be learnt from the trial, it was that apititude was imperative in the world of cultivation.

The sects took turns leaving with their ne disciples, leaving the stranded children in the grey-rank group wondering where they were supposed to go. Seeing the sects leave, some of the children eventually broke down. Mu Yu felt an urge to comfort one of the girls wailing but realised he was in no position to comfort her.

Elder Xun approached the group of children in the grey token group after all of the immortal masters left. "Don't cry. Don't worry about it. It's a tough pill to swallow, but aptitude trumps all in the world of cultivation. You now have two options: one, you can head straight home and lead an ordinary life or try to pursue the life of a scholar. The latter isn't a bad option, and you'll find success in another field. The other option is to stay here as replacement disciples."

"What is a replacement disciple?"

Elder Xun thought they knew. He gave them a smile. "They are candidates who stay at the academy. Although they lack in the talent department, they can still cultivate. They progress slowly, but one of the sects may take notice of your skills if you work hard and recruit you."

The crying children ceased crying upon hearing they could stay and still had a chance. They would rather grasp at an opportunity no matter how small it was than hang up their gloves. Mu Yu, on the other hand, didn't naively presume it was so simple; there had to be a price to pay.

Elder Xun continued, "If you stay here, you must work for the academy. If other sects visit, you must treat them as esteemed guests. Once you grow up, you will have to visit villages, cities and towns to search for other twelve year old children and inform them to come here. If you fulfil your duties, you will be rewarded with spiritual stones. The stones are the currency used in the world of cultivation and an item for cultivation. You will learn more about them in the future if you choose. Now, it is time for you to choose whether your stay or depart."

The children began to raise hands one after another to indicate they were staying; nobody wanted to have regrets. They were an optimistic bunch. Mu Yu understood the explanation. In essence, they were the academies servants. Though he wasn't too enthusiastic about it, he didn't want to disappoint the village chief, leading to him wrestling with himself.

As Elder Xun never doubted they would all stay, he didn't elaborate. "In that case, come with me. I will help you settle down, and I will arrange work for you tomorrow."

The kids followed after Elder Xun, wearing either gleeful or determined expressions. Mu Yu sighed and sluggishly followed right at the end deliberately. He looked back at the grey stone and bemoaned a mere tool determined so many futures, yet sat there unperturbed as if it had nothing to do with it. The thought of "what if" plagued Mu Yu. He wanted to try sneaking back at night to try again, figuring nobody would notice even if he allowed the vegetation to grow at night.

Mu Yu started to turn back around, but he saw someone next to the stone mid turn. The elder was dressed in simple clothing. He had white hair and a white beard. He had the aura of a retired village elder but also an ethereal aura.

The elder performed visual recon of the surroundings and eventually gazed in Mu Yu's direction. The elder narrowed his eyes. When they locked eyes, Mu Yu felt as though the elder was peeking into his body. Startled, Mu Yu averted his gaze and picked up his pace to catch up with the others, praying his secret was a secret only Village Chief Bu and he knew about.