Hidden Talent
Skipping to the ceremony, each child had to punch a special bell to passed it.
This bell measured the strength of their punch by the echo it generated.
To pass, they only needed to make it ring once.
It might sound easy, but this was something that ordinary people struggled to achieve.
Fang Xuan force himself to watched as the other young individuals took their turns.
The first to step forward was a tall young boy, clad in a flowing black robe that billowed slightly in the breeze.
Despite the loose garment, his broad shoulders and muscular physique were clearly evident, speaking volumes about his strength and training.
He looked closely at the bell.
It was as tall as an adult and made of shiny bronze.
Then, he positioned his feet sideways, with his left foot in front and his right foot behind, getting ready to swing his fist .
With a deep breath, he swung his right fist back, feeling the tension build in his muscles.
The air grew tense around him, as if it too anticipated the coming impact.
He brought his fist forward with a grunt, and the bell met the force of his blow with a resounding sound
CLANG!
The first ring echoed, signaling that he had passed the test.
CLANG!
Another sound followed, and this time cheers erupted from the crowd. It meant he had some talent and potential.
As everyone waited for the third round, no more sounds rang out.
The young soon to be martial artist cupped his hands and bowed respectfully.
He glanced over at the seated martial artists, knowing that with his performance, he was likely to secure a teacher for himself.
And he was not wrong; four martial artists were eyeing him intently.
More people stepped up to try, but most struggled to make the bell ring.
Only five managed to ring it once, each receiving nods of acknowledgment from the elders.
Then, it was Dong Huiqing's turn—the same person who had bullied Fang Xuan earlier.
He approached the bell with a confident smile, his expression smug and arrogant.
The crowd fell silent, watching intently as he positioned himself and prepared to strike.
He took a deep breath, and veins started to bulge in his muscles.
This time, something was different from the other examines; his fist began to emit a soft white Qi, not as powerful of those in the Initial Stage, but a clear sign that he was nearing a breakthrough.
"Take this!" he roared and struck the bell with all his might.
CLAAAAAANG!
The first ring echoed, signaling that he had passed the test.
CLAAANG!
The second one echoed .
CLAANG!
The third strike made everyone gasp in amazement; they hadn't expected him to possess such talent.
CLANG!
When the fourth ring echoed through the air, even the seated martial artists stood up in amazement.
They awaited the fifth ring, which would signify his breakthrough into the Initial Stage.
Unfortunately, the fifth ring did not come.
But, it didn't reduce the result of his performance. His future was assured.
Achieving four rings at the age of sixteen was a rare feat in their region, marking Dong Huiqing as a 1 in 10,000 talent eligible for enrollment in a sect.
His talent in martial arts had not only impressed but also set him apart as a standout among his peers.
"Dong Huiqing's!"
"Dong Huiqing's!"
"Dong Huiqing's!"
Everyone cheered his name, eager to align themselves with someone destined for greatness.
SWOOSH!
Dong Huiqing raised his hand in victory, a gesture that spoke thousands of words.
He didn't need to bow to anyone; his talent alone was enough to bring him glory.
As he glanced down at the people vying for his favor, his eyes landed on a frail boy whose wounded face had gone pale with shock at his performance.
"That's called talent, trash," Dong Huiqing sneered.
"I…" Fang Xuan grasped his chest, unable to suppress his envy.
This was the person who had bullied him, a cruel and unkind individual.
But, why had fate bestowed such immense talent on him?
Fang Xuan clenched his fists, unable to shake the question that plagued his mind 'Why? Why was the world so unfair to him?'