âNext!â
With the voice echoing through the room, Keira straightened her back and pushed the door open.
The Freeman Sect resembled an ancient noble manor.
The houses inside all retained rustic and classical
characteristics.
The Bone Assessment Hall was also a small bungalow, similar to the temples she had visited, with anelder dressed in practice garments sitting on a cushion, sporting a long beard, and looking quiteelegant.novelbin
Elder Grant had been responsible for the Bone Assessment for several decades.
He had discovered many a talented child and then made recommendations to the Sect Leader anddirect lineage elders.
Before the Sect Leader took on disciples, the pressure on him was immense, a pity though, for therewere no exceptional prospects.
Ever since the Sect Leader had taken on disciples and
announced to the public that the eldest apprentice could now defeat the Sect Leader himself, hisworkload had immediately lightened.
The younger generations were still far from taking on disciples.
Therefore, when a child was exceptionally gifted, he would only recommend them to the direct lineage;the rest could only stay to become average disciples.
He leisurely sipped a cup of tea and then looked toward the door; upon seeing Keira, he was
momentarily taken aback before speaking, âDidnât they say parents canât enter?â
He looked around her, âWhere is your child?â
Keira didnât know what to say.
Touching her nose, she also felt a bit embarrassed, âUh, Iâm here for the Bone Assessment.â
âNonsense!â
Elder Grant was almost amused by the absurdity. âYour growth plates have long since fused. Whatâsthere to assess? In all my years of assessing bones, Iâve never seen an adult have it done!â
Keira said earnestly, âI think I have potential and wish to take a master.â
Elder Grant scrutinized her from head to toe, then realization dawned upon him. âArenât you Keera?â
Keira was surprised.
She blinked in surprise, asking, âYou know me?â
âOf course, I know you!â Elder Grant exclaimed, half amused, half exasperated. âYou are an Outer SectDisciple of Freeman Sect. How could I not know you? Moreover, I was the one who accepted you intothe Outer Sect!â
Keira immediately furrowed her brow. âI see.â
So, her sister had wanted to join the Freeman Sect from an early age. It seemed the South family hadgiven her sister such orders before.
Elder Grant couldnât help but say, âYou were sent here by your parents when you were four or five, butafter assessing your bones, I found your talent average and declined. To my surprise, you came backyear after
year!â
Elder Grant said in resignation, âYour parents begged
me earnestly, saying they just wanted you to learn martial arts. There are so many martial arts classesoutside, and I couldnât understand why they were so insistent on sending you to the Freeman Sect.â
The Freeman Sect wasnât a common martial arts school; it was one of the few serious martial artsinstitutions in Crera.
The ancient martial arts of Crera had fallen behind with the advancements of technology.
In the age of modern firearms, cold weapons and their practitioners were hardly a matchâ¦
As a result, many martial arts sects had declined and even disbanded. The Freeman Sect hadpersisted to this day because, firstly, it had a substantial family fortune to support it and, secondly, themartial arts of the Freeman Sect were still among the top-ranked in
the world.
Therefore, those who joined the Freeman Sect werenât just looking for a bit of exercise; most of themintended to spend their entire lives practicing martial
arts within the sect.
It baffled him why Keeraâs parents sent a clearly
untalented child to the Freeman Sect.
Yet, Keeraâs parents were persistent, even going so far as to bring gifts to his home, blocking his way,and even once, kneeling outside and refusing to rise until they forced him to pass Keeraâs assessment.
Elder Grant had never seen such stubborn people; with no choice, he reluctantly granted her the statusof an Outer Sect Disciple.
After all, many Outer Sect Disciples were businessmen who supported the operation of the FreemanSect.
Inner Sect Disciples, however, couldnât be allowed to mix in under false pretenses, no matter what.
Only then did Keeraâs parents give up.
Since then, Keera had become an Outer Sect Disciple
of the Freeman Sect.
Elder Grant looked at her/ âAfter you became an Outer Sect Disciple, your parents finally quieted down,but I heard you werenât doing well there either, unable to endure hardship. Someone even said youwere about to leave the sect entirely. Why are you back again?â
Keira paused upon hearing this.
Keera was delicate and frail by nature, but where did
this reputation for being unable to endure hardship come from?
Her sister had always been best at forbearance!
She couldnât help furrowing her brows, sensing deception.
But now wasnât the time to dwell on these thoughts. Keira just looked at Elder Grant. âI wish to becomean Inner Sect Disciple.â
Upon hearing this, Elder Grant let out a sigh. âI know youâve always wanted to become an Inner Sect
Disciple, but your bone structure is clear; you lack the talent! Keera, you should leave. If you want toimprove your health, just practice more with the Outer Sect Disciples. Donât waste my time here!â
Keira stepped forward. âElder Grant, after years of diligent study and practice, I feel that my physiquehas improved greatly, and my skills arenât bad either. Could
you assess me one more time?â
Elder Grant frowned. âTalent is something youâre born
with, it cannot be cultivated Intor Vou cama hora
every
as a child; do you think I donât know what youâre like? Even if youâve gotten a bit stronger now, yourbone structure and talent are clear. Keera, you should leave. There are several other children waiting.â
But Keira stood her ground with a forceful attitude. âElder Grant, there are so many children behind me,and itâs normal for me to wait in line. There are no age restrictions for the Bone Assessment, andeverything complies with the rules of the Freeman Sect. So, why donât you finish assessing me?â
Elder Grant wanted to say something else, but Keira interjected, âItâs you who are delaying the processnow,
not me.â
Elder Grant was shocked.
He was so frustrated by her insistence that he laug âKeera, you asking for a Bone Assessment is awaste time in itself! Stop arguing with me and leave immediately, or Iâll have someone throw you out,and you might even lose your status as an Outer Sect Disciple!â
Keira was speechless.
Just then, James noticed the altercation inside the
room and hurried in. âElder Grant, donât be angry. Mis:
Keera is a friend of mineâ¦
Î
When Elder Grant saw him, his expression eased slightly, but he still huffed. âThen take your friend andleave. Donât waste my time here!â
James looked at Keira, saw her cold expression with no intention of leaving, and smiled at Elder Grant.âElder Grant, since weâre here, would you mind assessing her? Just as a favor to me.â
James was considered the second elder brother and was in a relationship with a daughter of theFreeman family. If the eldest sister didnât wish to marry into the Freeman family, he would be the futureSect Leaderâ¦
It was a favor he had to grant.
Elder Grant grunted, âFine, Iâll assess you! Make it quick!â
Keira immediately stepped forward.
Elder Grantâs hand landed on her wrist, and his
expression instantly became one of shock.