As the figures landed, the intense smell of rivers and streams began to fade away, and the winds died down as the exertion of energy into the world eased away. Yin, like everyone else in the crowd, was transfixed on those who could do such a feat seemingly effortlessly, only the guards of the nobles were an exception. The quiet stretched on as if the world was taking a breath before continuing.

  Then, one of the figures stepped forward from the other group, the robes he wore a deep green that reminded Yin of the lushest grass. While the man wasn’t tall, he commanded the entire pavilion effortlessly with his presence alone. He looked to be in his forties, but those eyes seemed much older, looking every bit the man of the central plains.

  When it finally felt like the world might break from the silence, he finally opened his mouth to speak. “Applicants.” The word seemed to boom from him, able to reach every single person standing in the pavilion and everyone stood up just that much straighter.

  “By our count fifteen thousand of you have come to see if you deserve to join one of our sects. Six of the fifteen major sects each year come to this city and this year is no different. I am Zǐ Xīn of the Verdant Pavillion and head of the Sect Hall of outer disciples of the sect.”

  Nobody said anything, but gears had begun to turn, fifteen thousand was a lot of people and with how elite the sects were, how many out of that large number would be cut away. Yet no one dared to speak up, only staying quiet and waiting for what would come next.

  “Behind me are envoys from five other major Sects.” Zǐ Xīn stepped to the side and a woman stepped forward this time. Her robes are a rich blue like the deepest sea, her hair was a bright blonde like those from the North and with bright blue eyes. She held a serene look to her like a serene lake without a ripple.

  “I am Eir, Envoy of the Celestial Azure Dominion.”

  As she stepped back another man stepped forward, his robes were a fiery red, and he was a mountain of a man with a bald head and Yin was sure he could feel the man’s fire from where he was standing.

  “I am the Envoy of the Gold Crow Sect, should you impress me then you will have earned my name.”

  That certainly earned some looks and even murmurings from the mostly silent crowd. Yin felt a spark of challenge at those words as he was sure many else had. That was probably the point he considered but he had to admit it was effective.

  Following his words another woman walked up, another woman of the central plains her robes a rich purple color, with eyes that promised many held secrets and boundless knowledge.

  “I am Sī Yǔ envoy of the Ten Thousands Wisdom Hall.”

  That certainly sounded like a sect for those who wished to pursue more academic pursuits, Yin noted. He knew the way up any mountain didn’t have to be martial and he also knew just because someone was a scholar of some sort didn’t make them any less dangerous.

  The fifth one to step forward was the last woman in the group, her robes a near shimmering white and she had the bearing of a noble whose power had only solidified the look. It was impressive how less than she made everyone feel with a small tilt of her chin.

  “I am Míng Xiá envoy of the Divine Azure Sword Sect.” Even Yin who hadn’t dealt with the sects directly on his first ascent, knew of that Sect. Those who he faced in martial combat then always felt like a class of their own.

  Then it was for the last envoy to step forward, a man who Yin was sure wasn’t from the Central plains as well. He didn’t wear robes in the traditional sense, colorful bracelets adorned his wrist, his robe somewhat opened revealing tattooing underneath and feathers of all sorts weaved into his hair and bare feet pressed against the floor. He stood wholly unique but no less captivating than those before him.

  “I am Sentosa, Envoy for the Rainfeather Circle.”

  A few more murmurs went off at that, though Yin wasn’t sure why as he didn’t remember ever dealing with that Sect ever. Still, it seemed to get enough whispers around that Zǐ Xīn stepped up and his voice boomed once again.

  “Quiet!” Silence descended once again as nobody wished to upset the man who represented the dominant Sect in this region. His eyes swept over the crowd, seeing if anyone was foolish enough to disregard his words.

  “Every sect can come for the sect tryouts from any region. As always, the four other sects of the central plains have come as our own envoys are in their areas. This year one of the Envoys from the Rainfeather circle of the southern lands has come. Had any others come from any other regions they would also be welcomed and treated like the honored guests they are.”

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  That seemed to fully pacify any more thoughts that might have been spoken up, not that any of the aspirants could have done anything to the Envoy. Still old grudges ran deep and the wars between the kingdoms of the central plains and southern kingdoms had left old and deep scars.

  “Now that is settled. We will begin the first phase of testing the aptitude testing for Internal energy. More than half of you will more than likely be cut from this testing alone. The minor sects of the city perhaps will take you or the kingdom's army but your path with us will be cut.”

  He looked over at the large crowd, ready for any dissenters to speak up and smartly no one did. Next to him Jifeng seemed to be getting more excited. He wished he was, but his nerves were continuing to grow, and he was just ready to get this over with and be done with it.

  Zǐ Xīn held up his hand and displayed a smooth black marble in his hand. “To step from a common mortal one must step into the first stage. We call this stage the kindling. The first kindled of our world was given a treasure by the gods and with it he sparked his inner power. Thanks to this venerated figure our world has been able to make copies of the divine treasure and can be used to spark inner power if one has the ability. Some are doomed to mortality and some are destined to touch the sky.”

  As he finished a group of guards on all sides came up and set down chests opening them up showing marbles that looked exactly like the one in Zǐ Xīn’s hand. Yin clenched his hand and took a breath. This was much different than the System just granting him internal power.

  He looked to the chests, then to Zǐ Xīn and waited. He was so close to his future, ready to run and grab a stone right now but he dared not do something so stupid. Even though from the looks on everyone else’s face, they were all thinking the same thing.

  “You will all go and grab only one then you will find a spot to sit and focus. I cannot tell you how this works, you either have the aptitude for internal energy, or you don’t. Also, let me be clear, just kindling doesn’t mean you pass this phase. Now go grab a stone and only one, grabbing a second will not help you and I will remove you for not following my instructions.”

  The way he said remove made Yin feel like he was saying kill, not just physically send someone away. He shivered at that, compared to this man he was as helpless as a sheep, and he did not wish to be slaughtered like one so easily.

  “Move.” Came the command from Zǐ Xīn and everyone snapped to and began making their way quickly to the chests. While all the commoners went one way the nobles were directed to chests on their sides. Having none of the pushing and shoving going on with the much larger mass of people.

  “Let’s go, Yin. My destiny awaits.” Jifeng said and quickly walked off leaving him to nearly run after her and catch up. Nobody said anything, everyone was focused on grabbing their own marble. Even Wei who saw them only gave a cold glare but otherwise said nothing. Grabbing his own marble and walking off.

  As Jifeng picked hers up she looked at Yin seriously. “Now, I’ve bet on you, but it means nothing if you fail out now. So, make sure to not betray my trust…And good luck.” She added the last part on with a brief smile then quickly moved off, as if she waited any longer, she might explode. Ji gave Yin an apologetic smile before staying with Jifeng. “

  Jin walked up to the chest and reached down grabbing the black marble that almost took up the entire palm of his hand. It was cool to the touch as he picked up, letting out a small breath as he held it. Looking into its black depths wanting to admire it.”

  “Get out of the way.”

  A voice hissed behind him, and he smiled in embarrassment and turned quickly, moving out of the way and back to the pavilion. There were still plenty of people grabbing marbles and a good number already sitting down, seeming deep in focus. Anxiously he moved quickly and found a good spot to sit down as well cross legged and looked at the Marble.

  He studied it for a long moment, taking in its black depths, the smooth cool touch to his hand. Turning it in his fingers and observing it. He couldn’t see anything in it, or any clue what he was supposed to do with it. He glanced around and noted that more than a few people had closed their eyes, others looking like him.

  He looked back at the marble and calmed his nerves, either it worked or didn’t so he just had to try. Gripping the marble tight he closed his eyes and focused on the cool feeling in his hands. Then trying to focus into that black void of the marble, imagining that black depth in his mind.

  It felt like nothing was happening at first, like he was just closing his eyes and expecting something more to happen. The seconds dragged on in his mind as worry and anxiety threatened to crash through and drown any hope that he would ever move forward once again.

  Yet, they didn’t and without even realizing it all of those thoughts and emotions faded away. His mind drifted deep, deep into a void that drew all inside of it and yet he did not feel afraid. The outside world, his body, his senses all of it drifted away and yet he could perceive the void that he was drifting in.

  Going down deeper and deeper into its depths without fear. Then slowly he could feel like he had come to a stop in those depths even though no physical form existed there. Yet he heard the rustling of leaves, the smell of a forest beginning to fill his senses.

  Then he could see it, like it had been right in front of him all along a large tree towering over him, its bark rugged and he didn’t know why but he knew its roots were deep. He looked up in awe at the massive tree as it sheltered him. It was a marvel and humbling to see something so massive that made him feel so small.

  Then from above, something small came fluttering down from the tops of the tree drifting lazily down towards him. He reached up with his hands and gently caught it. Looking down, it was such a tiny seed no bigger than his fingernails. He cupped it gently and looked up to see that the massive tree was grown.

  Looking down he instinctively knew what he must do and knelt into the ground that was now there. Gently making a hole into the earth, planting the seed and covering it. He could feel it, like he had planted a seed into his soul. It took only a moment, but it slowly grew a sprout from the soil that was his inner power. It grew no more than just the tiniest sprout but with it he knew that this was his spark and he was now kindled.