Ding! Ding! Ding! ... ...
Once all the disciples gathered at the Martial Arts Square, the bell rang six times. The bell was so huge that when it rang, it rolled through the square echoing on the walls, windows and anything that could conduct sound. It was a sound that no one could ignore!
Hearing the bell, all eyes focused at the center of the Martial Arts Square, where the fighting court was located. Everyone was expectant since this was a sign that the ceremony was about to begin.
An old wrinkled man who looked like he was thousands of years old although no one could guess his exact age, gabbed in an ankle length white flowing gown, walked into the fighting court in a few short strides. Because of his towering height, he always gave the impression that he put no effort in his walking yet he covered huge distances in an abnormally short time.
It was Elder Xing.
He was one of the six Elders from the Sun Sect, Fair Xing.
Each year as was the tradition, the Top Ten Outer Disciples Ranking Challenge was directed by one steward of the Sun Sect. But this year everyone was astonished since instead of a mere steward directing the challenge, they sent an Elder to be in charge of the challenge. Murmurs could be heard around the square with everyone speculating on the change.
"Everyone, quiet, please. Before the challenge begins, I'd like to say something," Elder Xing said loudly.
Elder Xing spoke loudly in an authoritative voice. Despite not using a microphone, his voice vibrated through the spacious Martial Arts Square which was full of noise, since everyone was talking. It could be heard clearly over the noise effortlessly, each word conveyed to every corner of the Martial Arts Square and each person could clearly hear his message.
Immediately he spoke, all the disciples stopped talking and the whole Martial Arts Square went quiet, such that someone could hear a pin drop.
The Elder held the second highest ranking position next to the Sect Leader. To an ordinary disciple, the elders were close to a god and they enjoyed high respect from ordinary beings. So no one wanted to be caught misbehaving or on the wrong side of matters.
"Today's Top Ten Outer Disciples Ranking Challenge will maintain the same rules as previously done. I will therefore not bother to dwell too much into that.
However, this year's challenge will have a slight difference that I would like to clarify. After lengthy discussions, the whole sect has decided that the top three disciples of this challenge will be promoted to principal disciples," clarified Elder Xing.
What the elder said immediately set the quiet square into an uproar. Instantly, all the disciples whispered and murmured among themselves.
It was the norm for principal disciples to be chosen from the inner disciples. It was therefore unimaginable that an outer disciple would get a direct promotion to principle disciple. The younger disciples were excited at such an opportunity while the more experienced disciples were not impressed by this decision since most of them had worked for years to be principle disciples.
"Be quiet, everybody! The reason why we made this decision is to encourage all the disciples and to let you know that no matter which level you are at, and as long as you are strong enough, our sect will never waste your talent.
Okay. I now declare the Top Ten Outer Disciples Ranking Challenge officially open!
To begin with, let's welcome the top ten disciples of the last Challenge!"
After Elder Xing ended his speech, he made some gestures then pressed his hands down as if suppressing a heavy object. Immediately, the whole square became quiet and the only sounds that could be heard were the anxious heavy breathing of all the outer disciples, who were quite excited and still could not believe that this day had finally arrived and to top it off they had a chance, however slim it may be, to be directly promoted to principal disciples without the usual hurdles.
Soughing, rustling, soughing... ... ...
Some sounds could be heard while ten figures catapulted from the crowd as if an unseen force had pushed them out of their seats. They immediately headed towards the left-hand side of the crowd where a tent was erected. Inside the tent, there were ten chairs. The chairs were for the best performers from the previous challenge as they were the reigning top ten outer disciples.
The ten outer disciples found their seats and sat down with arrogant expressions. After all, they were the best among their peers. They all looked down at the recent crop of outer disciples humbly lined up before the fighting court.
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