The Envoy from the Iron Frost Sect was a man in his thirties with a mountain-like figure, a short black beard which complemented his unkempt black hair. He wore simple robes that seemed too tight for his physique and carried the sigil of his sect.
A red hammer covered in frost, facing downwards.
He climbed onto the centre arena and looked at all the participants. More than a thousand youngsters under the age of twenty had gathered around the arena, looking up and waiting for his instructions.
He cleared his throat and spoke in a heavy voice laced with power.
"I am Gang Feng, Outer Elder of the Iron Frost Sect. I will oversee the Martial Exchange this year. Before that, however, we need to weed out liars."
With that, he flicked his hand as a thick metal pillar twice his size appeared out of nowhere and slammed tightly into the ground beneath, shaking the entire arena.
"The first test is the Bone Age test. The Martial Exchange is for the Younger Generation, not old pests, so only youths of twenty and below can participate."
He pointed at a bald man and said, "Come forward and touch the pillar."
The bald man hesitantly came forward and put his palm on the metal pillar. In the next second, he was pushed back as he cried out and clutched his hand tightly.
"Looks like the juniors here don’t have any respect for rules and regulations," Gang Feng snorted in disdain. "The pillar will check your age, and if you’ve lied, then it’ll damage your bones, so think before taking this test."
The bald man cursed under his breath, still holding onto his hand, and backed away. Even in pain, the man was wise enough to know he shouldn’t take out his anger on the Envoys.
Many participants also backed away, afraid to take the test now. It was clear that many had come to try their luck, as the opportunity to enter a sect was too valuable to pass up. Even if they didn’t enter, they might catch the eyes of the Three Clans and be taken in by them.
Gang Feng snorted again and slammed his fist against the pillar, sending a powerful shockwave that pushed many away from the arena.
"Come here one by one."
Everyone looked at each other, a little hesitant. But the three clans were different, so the youths from their clans began to step up and take the test.
All of them passed easily, as the clans didn’t lack talented youngsters and they had to save face before the sects.
Out in a corner, Ye Jun watched everything with interest, though most of his attention lay on the metal pillar. He couldn’t understand how it determined age.
"It’s related to bones, but still how? Does this use those elusive Arrays?"
"A person’s bones can grow stronger, but they still age at a constant rate," Meihui said, as if seeing through his thoughts. "The Array within it just needs to make sure the age doesn’t exceed the requirements."
"Interesting! This world holds many mysteries," Ye Jun muttered.
"It is fascinating for sure. That’s why so many people abandon everything to search for the Dao," Meihui nodded. "But the more you understand, the more you question."
"I guess I can make this a side goal. I already studied the basic workings of my previous world, at least what scientists discovered. In this world, I can learn even more."
Ye Jun smiled and turned toward her. "So, Young Master Rong, how do you plan to pass the test?"
He was sure from her appearance that she was at least in her mid twenties. Not to mention, in this cultivation world, appearance rarely matched one’s true age.
"Easily!" Meihui smiled as well. "Don’t think this children’s toy can fail me. Go on, I’ll go after you."
"Sure."
Ye Jun waited a few minutes for his turn, then went forward toward the pillar. Everyone still looked at him, but even they knew he would pass, so they weren’t interested.
They were just wondering if Song Liangxue was such a superficial person that she would marry Ye Jun just for his looks. It seemed absurd to them.
If Ye Jun had heard their thoughts, he would have laughed out loud. After all, it really was his looks that made Song Liangxue reconsider her decision, so in a way she was superficial.
His test was done quickly, so he left the arena while Meihui came after him. It was only then that people noticed her...him...properly. Because her face was partially covered, they hadn’t thought much before.
But now that they paid attention, they realised he was pretty...cute. Remembering that Meihui had been following Ye Jun and that Song Liangxue had spoken to him happily, they began to wonder if there was something special going on behind the scenes.
Ye Jun felt the gazes and was left speechless. He could only roll his eyes and think, ’Just how creative are your minds? Can’t they see I’m straight as Henry the Cavillrin?’
He ignored them and focused on Meihui. He was quite curious how she would get away with the inspection, so when she put her palm on the pillar, he paid close attention.
...and then nothing happened.
Gang Feng nodded toward Meihui as she closed her fan before her face and walked back to Ye Jun. She winked at him when she stood beside him and said, "It’s easy to fool a children’s toy."
Ye Jun tried asking more about it, but she refused to talk, clearly enjoying herself as she wanted to get back at him for all his teasing.
How could Ye Jun not see her intentions?
Still, he went along with it, as he liked seeing her childish, smug smile, as if she had accomplished something huge.
’Damn, she’s cute.’
The first test continued for over an hour, during which more than half the participants were eliminated, which greatly surprised Meihui, as she hadn’t expected so many to lie.
"Desperation and greed for a better life push people to do things they wouldn’t normally do," Ye Jun said.
Once the test concluded, Gang Feng kicked out all the failed participants and then gathered the remaining ones to announce the second trial.
The main trial of the Martial Exchange, which would decide everything.