Inside the room, disciples wandered around and stared at the axe racks. A rather buff man, who was most likely the elder sat on a chair near one of the walls.

Mei found the large scar running across one of his cheeks rather cool. She wondered how he got it.

As she turned her attention back to the axes, she was slightly dismayed to find most of them were almost identical to the axe stuck above the door, save for handle length or the size of the blade. Should have been expected considering the axe hanging above the door was rather plain anyway.

Mei grabbed a rather long one and swung it around for a bit. The disciples around her gave her a wide berth.

That didn't feel quite right. Mei put it back and headed to rack filled with shorter axes. She fumbled around for a bit before grabbing one of the heavier ones.

She swung it, grinning slightly as she heard the blade cutting through air. The disciples around her gave her a wider berth.

Yup, that was more like it. That was the power she remembered from cutting firewood!

Meanwhile, Xiuying was nervously heading to the elder.

"Uh... Greetings, master!"

"Yes?" he asked with a surprisingly gentle voice, the look on his face softening.

Xiuying felt her anxiety lessen. Maybe he wasn't as scary as she thought.

"I'm not very experienced with axes... or any weapon in general... so I thought someone as experienced as you might be able to recommend a type of axe," she mumbled.

"I see. That's smart of you." he smiled.

"Eh?"

"A lot of times, disciples just pick a weapon on a whim, not considering if it suits them at all! Not many disciples think of asking an elder for help."

Mei snuck a quick glance over. No way he was talking about her, right?

It wasn't just her eavesdropping either, the conversation somehow managed to get the attention of most of the disciples.

"Being so implusive, they might waste weeks, months or even years pursuing a weapon that doesn't fit them. And in the worst case, they might even go about their whole life with a weapon that doesn't reflect their potential."

Mei started to sweat a bit.

The elder then started giving a long speech about what type of fighting styles each weapon fit.

What Mei mostly gathered was: Axes, hammers and maces excel in dealing brutal damage, though axes aren't as good against armoured foes. Sword related weapons were most suited for speedy attacks and don't get caught as easily in terrain. Spears are good for keeping enemies at a distance, but a halberd might be better if the user is willing to sacrifice some speed for damage.

"Keep in mind this is very simplified though. I grouped together some weapons that have very different fighting styles. But in general, I think spears are the best for most cultivators."

"Oh. Thank you!" said Xiuying.

Seeing Xiuying talk, Wang Wei decided to approach him too.

"Why are the axes so varied? Won't fighting with long and short axes have a lot of difference?" he asked.

The elder coughed.

"The sect master said not to waste too many people teaching basics, so he got each elder to teach various forms of each weapon." he shook his head. "A bit irresponsible."

"Well... maybe it can help inexperienced disciples choose?" Xiuying suggested.

"Maybe."

Mei considered asking if the axe she picked suited her, but then decided against it. She felt like it suited her and that was good enough... probably.

"By the way, to any disciples here, feel free to leave and pick a different weapon. The sect master will pay me the same amount regardless so I don't mind teaching fewer disciples."

Mei: ...

For a few moments, no one left, until one brave soul decided to be the first. Almost immediately, a quarter of the disciples headed out orderly, some bowing in respect to the elder on the way. Despite what he said, Mei felt like the elder seemed a bit sad.

Xiuying let out a nervous laugh.

"Is it a bit rude if I leave to try a different weapon?" she asked her group.

"Nah." Yingyi shrugged. "I'm actually thinking of switching to the halberd."

"I'm switching to the hammer." Liu Qiang said.

"Mei, what about you?" Xiuying asked.

"I'm sticking to the axe," she said adamantly.

"Ah... sorry then."

"You don't need to apologise," said Mei.

In the end, Mei was the only one in her group left. She felt a bit lonely for some reason.

"After you've decided on the weapon you really want to use, head to the dummy room with the labelled "一". You disciples will be testing out your weapons in the same room regardless of what weapon you picked." the elder said, as if he picked up on it.

Mei held her axe tightly and headed out. She looked around for a bit and found the room quickly, heading right in. As she walked in, she was slightly taken aback. The room was so big! Hundreds of humanoid straw dummies stood orderly. The roof seemed to be around 20 metres high, which seemed a bit unnessary. Right now, there weren't many disciples yet. Her group hadn't arrived either.

She considered waiting for them but then thought of something. She could use this as a chance to hone her axe skills a bit! Maybe her friends would be impressed.

She swung at full force at a dummy's neck. The straw was easily pierced, but there was a bit more resistance inside. After a few more hacks, the head fell clean off. Apparently, wood made up some sort of 'skeleton' inside them.

Mei was grinning until she realised she might not be supposed to do that.

As she tried to walk off quietly, the dummy bent down and picked up its head, easily putting it back on after a few twists, as if screwing it back on.

Mei was stunned.

She quickly ran back and pushed apart the straw to check on the wood. Where there should have been axe marks was pristine wood without a single scratch.

Inside the spear room, a slender and youthful man with long hair sat. He was the elder in charge of teaching the art of spears and halberds.

He gritted his teeth at the sight before him.

The room was almost completely packed with disciples! They were chattering as well, ruining the quiet atmosphere earlier.

"Those bastards!" he thought to himself. "They must have pushed most of the disciples to me!"