Sky Pride

A pinwheel with a crystal in the middle of it extended down from the top of the machine. Tian did his best not to cry as he breathed in. It felt like his lungs were full of sharp metal splinters. He breathed in as much as he could, puckered his lips, and blew. The pinwheel spun, quickly picking up speed until it was an almost invisible whirr of blades. The crystal in the middle started gently glowing, with a faint picture of a lotus emerging on it.

“Inhale like a snake, exhale like an arrow, Lotus Breath throughout. Oh good job, little Brother! And not a hint of murderous aura. Which I would hope there wouldn’t be, but there has been before. One last test. This won’t hurt but it will feel… odd. Don’t wiggle.” The test operator smiled.

There was the strangest sensation, as though a cold wind was blowing through his veins while tiny ants were crawling around inside of him. He barely controlled the flinch.

The arms pulled up and away. “And we are done!” The brother operating the device leaned over and conferred with Brother Fu. They then turned to Tian and smiled.

“Excellent news, Tian. Your body is very suitable for cultivation, particularly the wood and water elements. You seem to have some relation to lotuses, which is a fine thing, and your meridians are exceptionally pure and smooth. Provided you make good use of your opportunities, it is entirely possible for you to reach the Inner Court and be promoted to True Disciple by the time you are thirty!”

The two saw how lost he looked, and laughed. They lead him outside. Strong looking Brothers wearing uniform blue robes and white trousers were drifting about, moving across the gravel and up over the walls like clouds.

Many of the Lay Brothers were sparring, hands and feet moving like lightning, their clashes booming like thunder. Others were standing rigid, two fingers raised in front of their noses, commanding small swords to fly about. As they passed, everyone stopped and nodded politely. Some made meaningful eye contact with Brother Fu and the Brother who operated the testing device.

“Does thirty years old seem very far away? Are you perhaps wondering why we are all so friendly, despite how vicious you know people are?” Brother Fu asked.

Tian nodded.

“Because everyone in this Temple, regardless of how old they look, is actually at least one hundred years old. Many of us are nearing our second century. I’m the oldest, and I’m a little more than two hundred. The last child who rang the Dragon Calling Bell was an utter genius and is already practicing in the Inner Court.”

Brother Fu’s smile was mild and benevolent. The brother who ran the testing machine was showing a much less enlightened leer of satisfaction.

“He is earning us great merits as he wins tournaments, completes sect missions, and generally acts like a credit to Ancient Crane Mountain and our West Town Outer Court. Merits which directly improve the benefits we receive from the Monastery. And he was just the latest in a long, long line of disciples we managed to get promoted.” Brother Fu chuckled, stroking his long mustache.

Tian nodded again, clearly bewildered. The brother who ran the machine butted in.

“We’re farmers, little brother. And our best cash crop is promising juniors. Get ready, kiddo. You are going to be one hell of a cultivator!”