Visiting the Pellet Refining Association.
1219 Words
The Red Eagle Pellet Association Building stood tall and majestic at the center of the town square. It stood twenty floors tall towering over all the other buildings in its vicinity.
Pellet Refining was Red Eagle Towns way of life therefore the influence and power of the Association was without equal only second to the Xiao and the Kun Families, the founding families of Red Eagle Clan.
Thus this majestic building was the hub of the town. It was busy all day, all week, all year as famed elders and scholars with years and years of experience in refining pellets, rare herbs and medicines came together with a common endeavor of enhancing the art of pellet refining.
It was Zhu Yuan's first time to visit this famous building. He was amazed by its magnificence and industry as people filled in and out of its entrance in hordes. Zhu Yuan asked for directions to the examinations wing and was directed to the famed tenth floor.
The examination wing itself had a deep rich history itself as all the famed masters and sages of pellet refinement had passed through these fabled halls. Even the world renowned Senior Mao Kun, Royal Master Pill Refiner for the Imperial Celestial Sky Palace had once graced these halls as a student and later on as an instructor.
Zhu Yuan calmly walked in a large hall where he found a large marble reception desk. There sat an middle aged scribe hunched over an overly large leather covered tome labelled : Advanced Pellet Refinement Techniques. This huge time probably needed two people to carry it back to it library shelf!
The middle aged scribe wore a gray robe that matched his gray unkempt beard that showed signs of a deeply obsessive scholar whose intense pursuit for knowledge far outweighed the need for personal grooming. No, that time was better spent grasping at the sweet nectar of knowledge from the sacred books.
"Ahem.... Greetings senior. I'm here to partake in the pellet refinement exams."
Elder Deng Yi looked up obviously not pleased at being interrupted from his reading. He saw a tall young lad about 15years looking up to him. His annoyed expression deepened at once.
" You.... This is the revered examination hall. It shall be given the due respect it deserves!"
"Huh, what's up with this old codger." Zhu Yuan too put on a frown.
"I'm here to partake in the exam. I was told to come here."
"Whosoever did that played a cruel joke on you. And to me too. Go and orient yourself with the building before causing disturbances everywhere."
"Hmmph ... Wasting my precious time." Elder Deng Yi scowled then went back to his humongous tome , studying it with keen intent.
Zhu Yuan scowled and retreated to ask for directions yet again.
In truth Deng Yi was without fault to think Zhu Yuan as nothing but an irritable lost sheep. See he, Deng Yi was deeply engrossed in studying for his own pellet master final examination that was due that same evening. It was his twelfth try in twenty four years. This time he had to pass no matter what so that he could set a record for being the youngest pellet refinement master in history at 47 years. He could imagine the ripples he would cause with this achievement. The offers and opportunities that would come with this achievement made him feel excited to the brim.
Elder Deng Yi was lost in his own world as Zhu Yuan once more approached him for the second time.
"Ahem... Cough."
"Huh... You again. Have you been sent to torment me!" Senior Deng Yi's voice hit the roof seeing Zhu Yuan's calm young face yet again.
"Hey Old Codger! Isn't your job to accept exam applicants or what!"
"I want to take the pellet refinement master final exam immediately. Attend to me and stop wasting my precious time!"
Zhu Yuan's enraged voice boomed attracting attention from the entire hall of elderly scholars and instructors as the examination hall was one the quietest places in all of the Association building. Yesterdays loss of spirit stones was still fresh and he was irritable to the extreme.
"What..!" Senior Deng Yi eyes bulged out. Never in his life had he admonished by a person this young.
"Hohoho... What seems to be the problem here." a cool wise voice interrupted the two as an old man who wore a flowing purple robe approached. He had a golden emblem on his robe signifying that he was a senior instructor and examiner at the Examination Hall.
Senior Elder Deng Xiao was a distinguished existence in the Red Eagle Pellet Association with decades of experience in the field of pellet refining. He was also of the Xiao Family, one of the respected founding families of Red Eagle Clan.
Senior elder Feng Xiao carefully observed the young youth that stood in front of him in earnest. He had overheard his statement and was extremely curious as never before had there been such a young examinee in the entire history of Red Eagle Town
Zhu Yuan stood unfazed as he looked to Senior elder Feng Xiao and bowed.
"Esteemed elder, forgive my directness. This junior wishes to try his hand at the pellet refinement master examination. This Junior hopes that esteemed senior will accommodate."
"Hohoho... I'm intrigued. Never in our history have we accommodated such a young talent."
Seeing Zhu Yuan's calm confidence, he had a glint of pleasure and curiosity in his eyes.
"What is your name young friend. And are you sure you are up to task. Perhaps the junior entrance exam is nest suited for you."
"Answering esteemed senior. I am named Zhu Yuan and no I wish to take the pellet refinement master exam as instructed by my master and teacher." Zhu Yuan decided to use Old Man Yuan's name to ease his clearly unusual claim.
"Hohoho... Oh I see. If its like this then how could we not accommodate."
"Who is your master, perhaps we are acquainted seeing that he has the aptitude to nurture such a never seen before talent."
"My master deeply values solitude, he is perhaps not known within your circles. He is named Old Man Yuan of Red Eagle Town."
"Hmm.. Old Man Yuan. It is indeed a name I am not acquainted with." Senior Elder Feng Xiao scratched his immaculate beard deep in thought.
"The fee to partake in this exam is 900 spirit stones. I'm sure your master provided this." Senior Feng Xiao's cunning came to light with this inquiry.
"Of course." Zhu Yuan immediately brought forth the spirit stones.
But his eyes twitched with silent fury.
What greedy old codgers. Scholars my foot! These were simply a bunch of old conmen.!
My beloved spirit stones. How did I Zhu Yuan revert to being a pauper in two mere days! Zhu Yuan deeply lamented in his heart.
"Hohoho... Such a young esteemed scholar." Senior Elder Feng Xiao readily accepted the spirit stones.
Elder Deng Yi scoffed at Zhu Yuan. " Haha . Simply a waste of spirit stones. How can a mere toddler begin to fathom the vastness of pellet refinement. "
"How true it is that a fool and his money are soon parted."
Zhu Yuan had to strongly will himself from pouncing and slapping the irritable Deng Yi to death.
"Hohoho... Suddenly I'm excited to see how this goes." Elder Feng Xiao laughed and began walking towards the inner chambers of the examination hall.
"Follow me , young esteemed scholar. I shall personally administer your examination."
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- Writer
