207 Ethereal Blade Method

"Good job."

Once Serina reached in front of him, Shui patted her head with a gentle smile. While looking at her happy face, he couldn't help but remember the junior sister he once had.

'I wonder, will we really meet again?'

He knew that the next time they met their relationship would be different, but he still wanted to see her.

The next basic test was an elemental affinity test. Even though they were still in the outer section of Storm Sky Manor, there was still quite a bit of distance between the entrance and where the next test was. So far, the scenery was clean and plain but every outer sect disciple in their grey silk coats exuded pride in their affiliation.

Since many failed to get through the first test, there was only a small line for the next test. This time, Shui stayed behind Serina. In order to check elemental affinity, there was an orb similar to the talent-checking gem, but it only gave results in the form of small lights.

"Please place your hand on the orb."

Unlike at the entrance, the inner sect disciple carrying out this test was a woman with long brown hair. She wasn't a head-turning beauty, but she was still pretty enough to get curious looks from men.

After Serina placed her hand on the orb, there was a grey and a sky blue light. This signified that she had metal and wind affinities, and based on the size of the lights, her affinity for both of them was above-average. Subsequent to getting her result, Serina gave the disciple her square and it was stamped and then given back to her.

"You may go to the final basic test."

Once Serina went ahead, the inner sect disciple was face to face with Shui. He was very much her type, so she showed bright smile.

"Your name?" she asked.

"Shui..."

This was the first time he heard her ask for someone's name, but he answered without thinking too much. Still, he narrowed his eyes when she reached for his hand.

"My name's Lisa. Is this your first time applying?"

At this point, Shui realized that she was trying to flirt with him. Normally, he wouldn't mind too much, but he didn't want to keep Serina waiting so he took the lead. With a polite smile on his face, he held her hand.

"Yes, I felt that it was time to widen my horizons, and seeing a beauty like you proves that I was right."

Lisa smiled bashfully from Shui's sweet words. Now that he had control over the conversation, Shui continued so that it went according to his plan. He lifted her hand while still gazing into her eyes.

"I would love to stay here and talk with you more but, how about we do this another time?"

Shui then let go of her hand, watched as she put her hair behind her ear and gently nodded. Naturally, the male spectators were raging with envy at this scene, but they stuck to gritting their teeth while begging for Shui to be embarrassed. Ignoring them, Shui then placed his hand on the orb and watched as one brilliant light after another appeared.

"It's a rainbow affinity!" a spectator exclaimed.

A rainbow affinity was simply one where you had a connection with every element that could be detected by the orb. In this case, Shui was shown to have an affinity with everything except for the rare attributes that weren't included like space, time and fate. The green colour which represented wood was especially bright, but Shui knew that was due to his soul. Most liked to look down on rainbow affinity since it was a sign that the cultivator would just become a jack of all trades. However, anyone looking at Shui's result would think differently.

'This is the first time I've seen such a strong rainbow affinity.'

The strength of the light surpassed anything they had ever witnessed so that meant he could cultivate any method or art and achieve astonishing results. As she looked at the orb and then at him, Lisa was internally jumping in joy.

'Yes! I definitely can't let a guy like this slip through my fingers!'

Shui was also surprised by this result, but his reaction was more subdued than anyone else. After all, to him, regardless of how strong his elemental affinity was, if he deemed that learning a certain art or method was necessary then he would find some way of doing it. This only made things easier for him.

After overcoming the shock from his test result, Lisa asked for the pass that he received. When Shui handed her the black square, her eyes nearly popped out. This was only known to those of the sect, but the colour of the pass determined the potential of the new disciple. Grey was for outer sect disciples, blue for inner sect disciples, purple for core disciples and black for those who could eventually become direct disciples and possibly a candidate for manor lord. Shui wasn't trying to hide his cultivation so she could tell that he was only in early Soul Realm, which would mean he would have to be very talented to get this black pass.

'I thought I was unlucky to get this job, but I was completely wrong. If I can become the lover of a direct disciple...'

The moment the black pass reached into Lisa's hands, she went into daze and a silly expression came on her face.

"Um, Lisa...?"

"Huh? Oh, sorry, here you go."

After hearing Shui call out her name, Lisa quickly stamped the black pass and handed it back to him. However, before she let go of it, she gave him a peck on his left cheek.

"I'll wait for you after the trial."

The flirtatious smile that she showed along with the soft chest that she pushed up against his shoulder while leaning in for the kiss, made it impossible for Shui to not feel a little happy. Naturally, everyone watching was jealous of the scene, but they had to admit that Shui was charming enough to deserve it.

After getting a kiss and his pass from Lisa, Shui went on to meet up with Serina who greeted him with a pout.

"You sure were happy to get that kiss."

"Eh,, any guy likes getting attention from a beauty."

As Shui chuckled and patted her head, the pout went away and was replaced by a small smile.

After testing their elemental affinities, the two went to a large area in front of building with four cave-like entrances. There was already quite a group here and it seemed they were part of the last incoming candidates for the day because soon after they arrived, a stern middle-aged man appeared. Based on the grey edges of his blue silk coat, this man was an elder of the inner sect.

"All of you have made it this far so you have the right to be proud. But, remember that unless you pass the next test you're still failures like everyone who didn't make it. The next test will determine if your strength, speed and intelligence is up to our standards. You can give up at anytime by crushing the pass you've been given, but be prepared to lose your life if you don't do it in time."