133 Spirit Cauldron (1/2)
Seeing the hesitation from the three disciples, the Supreme Elder realized that it was probably their first time seeing something like this, so she explained.
”This is what we call a Spirit Cauldron. Inside you'll have to do 3 different tests. How you do on those tests will determine what class you will be put in. So if you pass the 1st test you will be put into the Insect class, if you pass 2 you will be put into the Snake-class, and, of course, if you can pass all three tests you will be put into the prestigious Tiger-class.”
There were over 25,000 inner court disciples in the sect, but they were divided into 5 different classes: From worse to best they were:
No-class: \u003e13,000
Insect class: ~8,000 disciples
Snake class: ~3,000 disciples
Tiger class: ~1,000 disciples
Phoenix class: ~100 disciples
Dragon class: Top 20 disciples
The supreme elder briefly explained about the benefit of being in each class, then explained a bit about what to expect inside the cauldron.
Li Xiang was the first person to enter the cauldron. Upon entering, the door immediately sealed her inside, but she didn't panic. She followed the elder's explanation and transferred her spirit body into the cauldron core.
After a few seconds the cauldron was activated. Watching from the outside, Xiao Fang and Xiao Hei could only guess what was happening inside.
Suddenly a narrow band of light began to circle the base of the cauldron.
”What does that light mean?” Xiao Hei asked the supreme elder.
”It means she successfully passed the first stage.”
Xiao Hei gasped.
An hour later, a 2nd band of light suddenly lit up.
”Now there are 2. Does that mean she beat the 2nd level?” Xiao Hei asked excitedly.
The elder simply nodded her head with a smile. She was very old now, so it made her happy to see someone with so much energy like Xiao Hei getting excited about something like this.
Xiao Hei could hardly sit still. Truth was, it wasn't the first time she was hearing about these kinds of cauldrons, but she just never got to try it before. She was too excited and she couldn't wait for it to be her turn.
After another hour, the 3rd band of light began to encircle the cauldron.
”She did it!” Xiao Hei said in surprise.
Suddenly the door to the cauldron opened and Li Xiang stepped out.
Her clothes were fine and there wasn't a single scratch or bruise on her body, but she looked extremely fatigued. Her complexion was ashy pale and she was panting heavily. She seemed to be on the verge of collapsing. Luckily, the supreme elder was there to catch her before she fell.
”Mn, you did. Rest now, child,” the supreme elder replied before laying her down on the ground.
There weren't many people willing to push themselves this far. To see someone with so much talent push themselves this far said a lot about her character.
The elder helped her lie down so that she could recover her strength.
Next up was Xiao Hei.
Before stepping in, Xiao Hei looked back at Xiao Fang. She had a look in her eye which made her seem like she wanted to ask his permission to go all out.
Xiao Fang gave her a simple nod then she quickly jumped in.
'It seems she still wants to ask for my permission for everything. Perhaps the more she hangs around Li Xiang the more independent thinking she'll become,' Xiao Fang thought.