CHAPTER 3 — THE FINAL ENTRANCE EVALUATION
The training arena of the Star Sword Sect buzzed with thousands of voices. Flags fluttered in the morning breeze, instructors shouted instructions, and nervous disciples fidgeted in long lines. Today was the last day of the admission trials—the day where dreams broke or soared. For Jason, it had always been the day his dreams were crushed.
But not this time.
Jason stepped into the arena with Longwu secured at his waist. Normally, a rusty sword would draw laughter, but strangely, no one looked at him. Instead, a faint aura pulsed around him—gentle yet sharp. Subtle, but enough to make people instinctively avoid mocking him like usual.
A voice whispered in his mind, "You're walking too stiff. Relax. You're not a broom."
Jason muttered under his breath, "You're not helping."
"Oh, I absolutely am."
He joined the candidates. Many gave him side-glances. Jason felt tension rising until—
"Jason Wu?"
A familiar voice called.
Lin Xueyin approached gracefully, robes fluttering lightly. Several candidates straightened, whispering nervously. The daughter of the Xueyin Merchant Pavilion's master wasn't just talented—she was famous. Brilliant, gentle, breathtaking. And terrifying when she wished.
She stopped in front of him. "Are you ready?"
Jason swallowed. "I—I think so."
Her eyes caught the sword on his waist. "You changed swords?"
Jason stiffened. "Ah—yeah. Found it lying aroun—"
"Lying around in a restricted area," Longwu interrupted in his mind. "Tell the girl you committed light theft."
Jason forced a smile. "It… resonated with me."
Xueyin studied him a moment too long, almost as if reading secrets on his face. "Jason… you seem different today."
He panicked. "Different? No, absolutely not! Same useless me! Normal! Totally normal!"
She stared.
Longwu cackled. "Smooth."
Before Xueyin could question further, Elder Ming strode onto the main platform. "Candidates! The final evaluation begins now!"
Everyone lined up.
Today's test had three parts:
1. **A spiritual pressure test**
2. **A combat assessment**
3. **A talent resonance evaluation**
Last year, Jason failed all three.
The first test began. Candidates stepped onto a stone platform that emitted spiritual weight. Many held out well. Some failed instantly. Then—
"Jason Wu!"
Jason walked forward. Whispering erupted.
"Isn't he the no-talent guy?"
"This is going to be hilarious."
"He'll faint before the stone even warms up."
Xueyin's brows creased slightly as she watched.
Jason stepped onto the stone.
Nothing happened.
The stone glowed faintly.
Then brighter.
And brighter.
The crowd gasped.
The spiritual pressure thickened, pushing down like invisible gravity—but Jason barely felt it. Instead, he felt the warm pulse of Longwu's energy stabilizing his meridians from within.
In his mind, the sword yawned. "This level of pressure is baby food."
The stone flared—
**Pass: Intermediate Stage Adaptability.**
Elders whispered among themselves. Jason stepped down, stunned.
Second test: combat.
Jason faced a spear-wielding candidate known for bullying him in the past. The boy smirked. "Ready to lose, trash?"
Jason swallowed. His hands trembled.
Longwu whispered, "Relax. I'll guide your muscle memory. Try not to embarrass me."
The duel began.
The spear lunged—fast.
Jason's arm moved on instinct, parrying with surprising precision. His blade—still rusty—clashed with the spear, creating sparks. The opponent backed up, shocked.
Jason pressed forward. His movements weren't perfect, but they were sharper than ever. Controlled. Flowing.
Xueyin watched with widening eyes.
"This isn't the old Jason Wu…" she whispered.
Within moments, Jason knocked the opponent's weapon aside and tapped his chest lightly with the sword.
**Victory.**
Cheers rippled. Elders nodded. Some disciples stared in disbelief.
Final test: talent resonance.
Candidates stood before a crystal orb that measured hidden potential. When Jason approached, the crowd held its breath.
He placed his hand on the orb.
Nothing happened.
Then—
A deep hum vibrated through the arena.
Light swirled inside the orb, forming a vortex. The color turned gold—
not the color of genius, not even prodigy.
But fate-altering potential.
The orb shook violently before dimming back to normal.
Silence.
Then Elder Ming stood abruptly. "Jason Wu… you possess latent spiritual channels previously undetectable."
People gasped.
Someone whispered, "Did he awaken a hidden constitution?"
Someone else murmured, "He's… not trash?"
Jason nearly fainted. Longwu hummed smugly, "You're welcome."
Elder Ming raised a hand. "Jason Wu—passed."
Passed.
Jason's body trembled.
Xueyin approached him slowly, eyes filled with something that looked suspiciously like pride. "Congratulations, Jason."
Jason laughed awkwardly. "Ah—thank you. I'm still… confused."
Xueyin's smile deepened. "Then let's see how far your confusion takes you."
The sword muttered, "Oh great. She's flirting. Don't blow it."
Jason wanted to scream.
But instead, he exhaled and stared up at the sky.
Today, the impossible had happened.
Today, Jason Wu finally took his first real step forward.
And there was no turning back.