Chapter 33: The First Step

Sword Dynasty

Volume 1: Great Rebel

Chapter 33: The First Step

Many White Goat Cave disciples rushed towards the gorge.

Seeing the disciples running happily, Nangong Caishu became even more furious.

She finally could not stop herself from walking next to Ding Ning who had a calm expression. She asked in a low voice, “Do you know what the entrance tests for the White Goat Cave are?”

Ding Ning shook his head and said softly, “I don’t know.”

Nangong Caishu fell silent, her limbs turning cold from her anger.

“I know you're very angry right now. You helped me by talking so much, but it all came crashing down because of my words. But don't worry, I'll definitely pass.” Ding Ning smiled and said gently to her.

“I really don't understand what you're thinking. Tests like this have nothing to do with confidence, and you should know that it is better to have less matters than more.” Nangong Caishu took a deep breath and said, controlling her emotions.

“I also want to have less matters…” Ding Ning glanced at Su Qin, who was standing by the tablet, and said softly, “The issue of whether I'm allowed to enter the sect can attract people to my side.”

Nangong Caishu immediately fell silent.

Following Ding Ning’s gaze, she saw the different expressions of Su Qin and Zhang Yi.

One was absolute cold and just.

The other was great worry.

Almost all the White Goat Cave disciples gathered on the mountain path stood before them, clearly leaning toward Su Qin.

“So, even if you speak up for me, I'll still have a hard time joining the sect.” Ding Ning turned to look at her and said in a low voice. “I don't think Su Qin will rise higher than Zhang Yi in the future because he is wrong from the start. People of high status and power will always side with those with greater power and status. Although Prince Li Ling has created such a reputation and attracted people, the decision regarding his return to his country still rests with the powerful people of the Chu Dynasty.”

Nangong Caishu frowned and could not help but look at Ding Ning. “I admit that your words sound logical, and I also admit that you possess remarkable foresight. However, the entrance tests for all sects will test whether you have the possibility of becoming a cultivator. Insight and wisdom will only be emphasized after you pass the tests.”

“Thank you for your concern. However, I fear the more concern you have for me now, the more trouble I will face after joining the sect,” Ding Ning said softly with sincerity. “While the White Goat Cave has merged with Green Vine Sword School, most of the disciples will cultivate here. The closer they feel I am to you, the more they will dislike me.”

Nangong Caishu’s brow furrowed even more. She could hear Ding Ning's gratitude and understood that he was telling the truth. However, Ding Ning was still discussing matters about after joining the sect. Did he really possess the ability to pass the tests where there were no shortcuts?

At this moment, the sound of hurried footsteps could be heard from the mist behind the gates of the White Goat Cave.

Two disciples were running in front, each holding a sandalwood box. Behind them were at least forty disciples of the White Goat Cave.

These disciples had heard that an ordinary young man had been allowed to join without being tested today. Naturally, they were dissatisfied. Since they weren't as radical as Shen Bai and the others, they had been waiting in the valley for the results rather than angrily blocking the way like Shen Bai's and the others. However, when they heard the argument on the path had involved their Eldest and Second Elder Sect Brother, and that this ordinary young man had proposed that he take the tests to enter White Goat Cave, these disciples could not help but come out and watch.

For the disciples already in the sect, the annual entrance tests was a highly anticipated and must-see event.

They came to watch not because they might see a beautiful younger sect sister, nor because they wanted to see the great talent who would join the sect, but rather because of their sense of superiority.

The kind of pleasure they felt was indescribable when they thought about how they had successfully passed the test under immense mental pressure in the past and watched a large group of people fail.

But now, seeing Ding Ning standing outside the gate, these White Goat Cave disciples felt something completely different.

Ding Ning was calm, an absolute kind of calm, not a fake calm. There was not a hint of nervousness in his eyes.

Seeing this calm, Su Qin's sharp gaze became even more piercing.

“Don't treat this entrance tests as just a joke.” Waving his hand for his two younger sect brothers holding two wooden boxes to stand beside him. He looked deeply at Ding Ning and said slowly, “Every year, over a thousand people from Changling and the major cities come here to participate in the entrance tests. These people are considered outstanding in their regions; otherwise, they wouldn't come here to embarrass themselves. Yet, of all these people, only a few dozen pass the tests. So, I hope you can be serious and careful.”

Nangong Caishu took a deep breath, and her expression turned slightly sour.

Su Qin’s words seemed like a reminder, but in this situation, they were more like a threat that could easily make the test participants even more nervous.

Based on her personality, she would not be able to tolerate this and was about to speak up, but when she remembered Ding Ning's words just now, she managed to control herself.

Zhang Yi grew increasingly worried. He could not help but glance at the White Goat Cave building behind him. Inside, he thought, the problem was getting bigger. Why had not his Sect Master and Sect Uncles shown up to stop this?

At this moment, Ding Ning looked at Su Qin and smiled slightly. “May I begin?”

Su Qin's expression remained unchanged. However, his dislike for Ding Ning grew stronger.

His eyebrows raised slightly and he said neutrally, “Since you're in such a hurry, we'll begin immediately.”

With creaking sounds, the old wooden boxes opened.

Everyone became nervous as the performance began.

One of the wooden boxes contained a flat, square stone disc.

Inside the square stone disc was a labyrinth of swirling grooves containing hundreds of tiny gray pebbles. At the slightest vibration, these unusually smooth grey pebbles flowed within the stone disc like water, forming a small, constant stream.

Another wooden box contained a flesh-colored jade stone carved into the figure of a small soldier. The soldier held a sword horizontally at his side. Although the soldier’s features were not clearly defined, his upright posture, wielding the sword, had the aura of a Qin Dynasty swordsman—straight, sharp, and always advancing.

“This is the Flowing Stone Disc. Because the patterns on the stone disk resembles annual rings, and the flow of the stone pebbles is like water, it is called the Flowing Annual Ring Disc. The stone disk and the pebbles are made of special materials, so even a slight vibration can cause the pebbles to flow. However, the speed of their movement is not constant.

When these two wooden boxes were opened, just like the examiners in the past, Su Qin pointed to the stone disc and said clearly and systematically, “The first obstacle to becoming a cultivator is to calm and clear their mind. Then they will be able to meditate and look within themselves and sense the five energies within their body. This stone disc will test your meditation ability. There are five pebbles among them that are slightly smaller than the others, but the difference is… extremely small. Therefore, only those with a clear mind can pick them. According to the customs of the White Goat Cave, you can choose five pebbles. If at least three are correct, you pass.”

Hearing Su Qin's slow explanation, many of the disciples present could not help but think of how their breathing quickened when facing this stone disc.

The differences between these five pebbles and the others were so small that even if they were placed on a piece of white paper, it would be difficult to tell them apart. Even they themselves were not sure that they would be able to pass again.

In previous tests, most of the participants were eliminated by this stone disc.

 

When the box was opened, it formed a natural stand.

The stone disc was placed on the stand in front of Ding Ning.

Ding Ning ignored the gazes of those around him. He stared at the stone disc hesitantly.

He was actually a realm two cultivator. As a realm two cultivator capable of killing cultivators like Song Shenshu, he was no ordinary cultivator. At this moment, he was not worried about the stone pebble, but about the methods and results he would use to pass the White Goat Cave entrance tests.

However, today was his first official step to appear in front of so many people in Changling.

This first step would determine his future state and how he would cultivate in the White Goat Cave.

He had been hiding in the alleys of Changling for many years. His actual cultivation was still low. Zhangsun Qianxue had even expressed dissatisfaction because of this, because in the plan he and Zhangsun Qianxue had originally planned, he had a long time before taking this step.

However, more and more flowers were blooming on his walls. More and more people like Song Shenshu still lived in luxury and peace, while some lived like ghosts, soaking in the dark, cold water every day.

“I have to be more careful… be careful not to let anyone find the Nine Death Silkworm… discover Zhangsun Qianxue… be careful not to die…”

He took a deep breath, repeating those words in his mind, and then all the hesitation disappeared from his expression.

Amid exclamations of disbelief and shouts, he stretched out his hand.

From the moment the stone disc was placed in front of him to the moment he reached out, less than ten seconds passed.

His hand penetrated a small stream and pulled out five round pebbles.

Notes:

This novel is not my work... I just translated it from a Chinese web novel written by Wu Zui

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