Then a young woman stepped up to a station. She placed her hand on the sphere, and it blazed with brilliant red light.
"Third grade fire element spirit root!" the examiner called out. "Excellent!"
Excited murmurs spread through the crowd. Third grade was rare, indicating genuine talent.
The testing continued. Most applicants fell between ninth and fifth grade. Occasionally someone would achieve fourth or third grade, drawing attention and praise.
Then Xian Tiandi heard a familiar name called.
"Number forty-seven, Xian Tiandi. Step forward."
He walked calmly to his assigned station. The examiner there was a middle-aged woman with kind eyes. She gestured to the Spirit Measuring Stone.
"Place your hand on the sphere," she instructed. "Relax and let your spiritual energy flow naturally."
Xian Tiandi placed his palm flat against the cool crystal surface. He didn't restrict his spiritual energy, allowing it to flow freely into the testing array.
The sphere exploded with light.
