Re-birth: The Beginning after the End

Li Hua nodded slowly. She had no doubt her skills would be needed on the special requests, but would she be working alongside these elite disciples? Her eyes drifted back to the three powerful cultivators, wondering what kind of missions they typically undertook.

Senior Ming's words pulled her from her thoughts. "The Character and Morality Tests are different," he continued in a low voice. "Instead of testing resistance to illusions or probing for inner demons, these formations create scenarios that test decision-making and ethical choices."

"Watch carefully," Senior Chen added, his serpent's eyes fixed intently on the proceedings. "The candidates will experience vivid situations where they must make difficult choices. Some scenarios test their loyalty, others their compassion or sense of justice. But the trick is—they won't know they're being tested."

The first group of candidates was arranged in a circle. As they settled into meditation poses, the silver patterns beneath them began to glow, and their expressions went blank as they were drawn into the test's illusions.

"What makes this fascinating," Senior Ming continued, "is that each candidate experiences a different scenario based on their previous test results. The formations adapt to probe their specific character weaknesses."

Below, they watched as one candidate's face contorted with indecision—clearly facing some moral dilemma in his vision. Another's hands clenched and unclenched, while a third began to weep silently, though she maintained her meditation pose.

"Look at the formation patterns," Senior Chen whispered. "See how they change color? Gold means they've chosen a righteous path, while darker shades..." He trailed off as one candidate's formation turned an ominous grey.

"Some common scenarios," Senior Ming explained, "involve choosing between personal gain and sect loyalty, or deciding whether to save a spirit beast or a fellow disciple when they can only choose one. The most telling reactions come from situations where there is no clearly correct answer."

Li Wei leaned forward, his scholarly interest piqued. "How do they judge the responses?"

"It's not just about making the 'right' choice," Senior Chen replied, his serpent familiar coiling with interest. "The formations measure the thought process behind each decision. A candidate who struggles with a choice but ultimately chooses ethically might rank higher than one who makes the right choice without consideration."

They watched as one candidate suddenly stood up, breaking formation—an automatic failure. The young man's face was pale, but resolute. "Sometimes," Senior Ming said softly, "the most honest response is refusing to make an impossible choice."

Another group of candidates took their places, the formations shimmering to life beneath them. The siblings watched as different ethical scenarios played out through the candidates' reactions.

"The test might show them visions of fellow disciples breaking sect rules," Senior Chen explained. "Will they report it? Try to help correct the behavior? Or stay silent? Each choice reveals something about their character."

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They observed as one candidate's formation glowed steadily gold—the young woman's face showed conflict but remained firm. Another's patterns fluctuated between light and shadow as he wrestled with his decision.

"Pay attention to how they recover from their choices," Senior Ming pointed out. "Some candidates break down after making difficult decisions, while others find strength in their convictions. The sect values those who can maintain their principles under pressure."

Li Wei and Li Hua watched intently, understanding that these tests revealed far more than just moral character—they showed how future disciples might handle the real challenges of sect life, where decisions often carried heavy consequences.

As the sun began to set, the last group of candidates completed their trials. The silver formations dimmed gradually, their complex patterns fading back into the ground. Elder Sun and the other elders could be seen comparing notes, their expressions giving nothing away about who might have passed.

"Tomorrow is the Final Selection and Ceremony," Senior Ming said as disciples began filing out of the observation area. "That's when they'll announce who made it into the outer and inner disciple ranks."

"And when a lot of bets will be settled," Senior Chen added with a slight smile, his serpent familiar flicking its tongue in amusement.

Li Wei and Li Hua rose from their seats, both reflecting on the day's observations. Understanding how the sect evaluated character would help them navigate their own path here, even if they'd bypassed these trials themselves. From the corner of her eye, Li Hua watched as Sun Wei, Liu Fei, and Zhao Jun turned and walked away, their departing figures radiating quiet power. They hadn't spoken a single word during their observation, yet their mere presence had changed the atmosphere of the viewing gallery.

"Dinner?" Li Wei asked simply.

Li Hua looked up at her brother and nodded.

Senior Ming and Senior Chen decided to skip dinner, feeling motivated to cultivate instead, so they departed with quick goodbyes. The evening air had grown cooler, carrying the scent of spirit herbs from the nearby medicine halls as the siblings made their way to dinner.

As they walked along the stone path to the dining hall, Li Wei turned to Li Hua. "How long should we wait before taking on the special requests?" He asked, his tone casual but knowing.

Li Hua looked at him in surprise.

He laughed and patted her head, an affectionate gesture. "I saw the interest in your eyes during our tour when Senior Ming mentioned them."

Li Hua nodded, not bothering to deny it. "I am interested in them."

"So?"

"Two weeks from now," Li Hua said, holding up two fingers, the sect's lanterns casting a gentle glow around them.

Li Wei's brows furrowed in concern. "Two weeks? Isn't that too soon?" He studied his sister's face, searching for signs of her usual caution. "We've barely settled into the sect's routine." He hesitated, then added quietly, "And... I might not be able to accompany you on the first request. I wanted to attend the combat training sessions that week."

"Eldest brother, it's ok." Li Hua said with a gentle smile. "You should focus on your path. These training sessions are important for you." Her voice becoming more confident. "I'll return, safe and sound. You know I'm strong."

He recognized the determined glint in her eyes—the same one she'd worn during their most challenging training sessions. But this time, there was something else there too: a quiet confidence, a certainty in her own abilities that made his protective instincts ease slightly.

"Yes, you've always been the strongest."

They shared a look of understanding before entering the warmly lit dining hall, their footsteps echoing with purpose against the stone path. Each step carrying them toward their separate but parallel futures.