Chapter 3 - Changyun Sect Selection Exam
1294 Words
The sun shone brightly overhead after hiding behind the clouds yesterday. Thin mist slowly evaporated along with the remaining puddles of rainwater that gradually disappeared under the warmth of the morning light. The gentle sunlight brushed against Chen Yu’s skin as he stood in the courtyard of his home.
The young man stood straight and silent, staring at the simple sword that had accompanied his training for nearly three months. Deep inside his heart, he hoped that everything he had done during those months had not been in vain.
A few moments later, the wooden door creaked open softly. Lin Wanrou stepped outside carrying a small cloth bundle. The woman approached her eldest son.
“Are you ready?” his mother asked gently.
Chen Yu turned toward her and returned her smile. “Of course I’m ready, Mother!” He did his best to hide the worry inside his heart.
“Do your best, Yu’er,” Lin Wanrou said as she handed him the bundle.
“No matter the result, Mother will always be proud of you,” she added a few seconds later. Her hand rose to gently stroke the neatly tied black hair of her eldest son.
“Thank you, Mother. I’ll do everything I can,” Chen Yu replied firmly. He carefully placed the food bundle into his cloth bag.
From inside the house came the hurried sound of small footsteps. It was Chen Yu’s younger sister, Chen Qing’er.
“Brother Yu!” Qing’er rushed toward her older brother, panting heavily. Her twin braids were slightly messy.
“Walk slowly, Qing’er! You might fall if you keep running like that,” Chen Yu warned.
“Yes, Brother, I know.”
“Are you leaving now?” Qing’er asked seriously while looking at him. Chen Yu nodded in response.
Silence lingered for a few moments before Qing’er spoke again.
Suddenly, Qing’er grabbed her brother’s hand as a sign of support. “You’ve trained continuously for the past three months. I hope you pass the Changyun Sect entrance examination.”
“I’ll do my best not to disappoint both of you,” he said while looking at Qing’er and his mother.
Qing’er stepped forward and hugged Chen Yu tightly. “You have to take good care of yourself. Don’t get hurt!” she whispered.
Chen Yu gently patted his little sister’s head. “I’ll be careful.” He slowly released her embrace.
Qing’er took something out from inside her clothes and handed the small paper package to him. “Brother, these are fruit candies I saved for you. You can eat them during your journey… or whenever you miss Mother and me.”
“Thank you, Qing’er. I’ll keep them carefully.”
From outside the fence, someone called out loudly.
“Brother Yu! Brother Yu! Brother Yu!” shouted Qi Min as she stood there.
Qi Min walked inside, greeted Aunt Lin politely, then looked toward Chen Yu.
“You changed your mind?” Chen Yu asked.
“I’ve decided not to participate in the Changyun Sect selection test,” she answered, “but I still support you, Brother Yu. I also pray that you pass the selection.”
“What a pity. Still, I respect your decision,” Chen Yu replied with slight disappointment.
Afterward, Chen Yu said goodbye to his mother, Qing’er, and Qi Min before beginning his journey toward Changyun Sect.
***
The sun had already reached the center of the sky, signaling that it was noon. At the moment, the horse carriage Chen Yu had rented was passing through a bamboo forest.
The creaking wooden wheels blended with the rustling sound of bamboo leaves swaying in the wind, creating a calm rhythm throughout the journey. The horse pulling the carriage gradually slowed down, its breathing heavy after traveling since morning.
The coachman sitting in front glanced backward while wiping the sweat from his forehead.
“Young master, there’s a small river ahead. How about we stop and rest for a while?” he asked.
Chen Yu, who had been staring at the scenery outside the carriage window, nodded lightly. “Alright. The horse must be tired too.”
Not long afterward, the carriage stopped by a small river with crystal-clear water flowing between rocks. The surrounding atmosphere felt cool thanks to the thick bamboo grove shading the area.
Chen Yu stepped down from the carriage and stretched his stiff body. He then took a cloth bundle from inside his bag. As soon as he opened it, a faint sweet aroma spread into the air.
Inside were several handmade pastries prepared neatly by his mother, along with a small bamboo water bottle.
Chen Yu smiled softly. Before he left that morning, his mother had woken up early just to prepare all of this. She had even reminded him repeatedly to eat on time during his journey to Changyun Sect.
He picked up a piece of mung bean cake and took a slow bite. The taste was the same as always, yet it made him feel as though his mother was still beside him.
After resting for a short while, Chen Yu continued his journey. He wanted to make up for lost time so they could arrive faster.
***
The simple horse carriage rented by Chen Yu finally arrived at the gates of Changyun Sect. He handed the coachman one tael of silver and thanked him before stepping down. His eyes widened in amazement as he stared at the majestic gates and buildings of Changyun Sect, dominated by gold and white colors.
No wonder it’s called the number one sect, Chen Yu thought.
Just looking at the outside is enough to tell how extraordinary this sect is. I can’t even imagine what lies within. I’ll do everything I can to enter Changyun Sect, he vowed inwardly.
“Tch, what a poor country bumpkin!”
Chen Yu turned around and found three young men looking at him with disdain.
“First time seeing Changyun Sect?” mocked a curly-haired man dressed in red and white robes.
Chen Yu did not answer immediately. His gaze merely shifted toward the three men for a moment before returning to the towering gates of Changyun Sect. The jade stone pillars standing on both sides reflected the sunlight, while the silver cloud emblem above emitted a faint pressure that made ordinary people feel suffocated.
The three men chuckled when they saw Chen Yu remain silent.
“I knew it. Just look at his clothes—it’s obvious he came from some poor village,” said the man in red and white while crossing his arms.
Another tall man added, “Someone like him probably thinks entering the sect is as easy as walking into a marketplace.”
Chen Yu clenched his fists beneath his sleeves. Although he wore simple clothing, the mockery did not make him lower his head.
“It is my first time here,” Chen Yu answered calmly. “But weren’t all great disciples once standing before these gates for the very first time as well?”
His words caused the smiles on the three men’s faces to fade slightly.
“Hah! You’ve got quite the mouth,” the curly-haired man said as he stepped forward.
“Then show us your ability during the examination later. Don’t end up crying on your way home.”
Before Chen Yu could reply, the sound of a bell echoed from inside the sect. Everyone standing before the gates immediately fell silent.
The gigantic gates of Changyun Sect slowly opened. At the same moment, an elder dressed in dark blue robes appeared floating before the entrance. Without making a sound, his sharp eyes swept across the gathered participants.
“The entrance examination for Changyun Sect begins now.”
- Writer
