Chapter 385
“Next!”

….
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. An elder with a long beard dressed in practice garments sat on a cushion, looking quite elegant.

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 and direct lineage’s elders.

Before the Sect Leader took on disciples, the pressure on Elder Grant was immense, a pity though, for there were no exceptional candidates so far.

Ever since the Sect Leader took a disciple and announced to the public that the eldest senior sister of the sect could now defeat him, Elder Grant’s workload 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 behind to become average disciples.

He leisurely sipped a cup of tea and then looked toward the doorway. Upon seeing Keira, he was momentarily taken aback before speaking, “Didn’t they tell you parents couldn’t enter?”

He looked around her. “Where is your child?”

Keira didn’t know what to say.

Rubbing her nose, she felt a bit embarrassed. “Uh, I’m here for the Bone Assessment.”

“Nonsense!”

Elder Grant was almost amused by the absurdity. “Your growth plates have long since fused. What’s there to assess? In all my years of assessing bones, I’ve never seen an adult have it done!”

Keira said earnestly, “I think I have potential and wish to find a master.”

Elder Grant scrutinized her from head to toe, then realization dawned upon him. “Aren’t you Keera?”

Keira was surprised.

She blinked in surprise, asking, “You know me?”

“Of course, I know you!” Elder Grant exclaimed, half amused, half exasperated. “You are an Outer Sect Disciple of Freeman Sect. How could I not know you? Moreover, I was the one who accepted you into the Outer Sect!”

Keira immediately frowned. “I see.”

So, her sister had wanted to join the Freeman Sect from an early age. It seemed the South family had given her sister such orders before.

Elder Grant couldn’t help but say, “You were sent here by your parents when you were four or five, but after assessing your bones, I found your talent average and turned you down. To my surprise, you came back year after year!”

Elder Grant said in resignation. “Your parents begged me earnestly, saying they just wanted you to learn martial arts. There are so many martial arts classes out there, and I couldn’t understand why they were so insistent on sending you to the Freeman Sect.”

The Freeman Sect wasn’t a common martial arts school; it was one of the few serious martial arts institutions in Crera.

The ancient martial arts of Crera had fallen behind with the advancements in technology.

In the age of modern firearms, cold weapons and their practitioners were hardly a match…

As a result, many martial arts sects had declined and even disbanded. The Freeman Sect had persisted to this day because, firstly, it had a substantial family fortune to support it and, secondly, the martial arts of the Freeman Sect were still among the top-ranked in the world.

Therefore, those who joined the Freeman Sect weren’t just looking for a bit of exercise; most of them intended to spend their entire lives practicing martial arts within the sect.

It baffled him why Keira’s parents sent a clearly untalented child to the Freeman Sect.

Yet, Keira’s 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 Keira’s assessment.

Elder Grant had never seen such stubborn people; with no choice, he reluctantly granted her the status of an Outer Sect Disciple. After all, many Outer Sect Disciples were businessmen who supported the operation of the Freeman Sect.

Inner Sect Disciples, however, couldn’t be allowed to mix in under false pretenses, no matter what. Only then did Keira’s parents give up.

Since then, Keira had become an Outer Sect Disciple of the Freeman Sect.

Elder Grant looked at her. “After you became an Outer Sect Disciple, your parents finally quieted down, but I heard you weren’t doing well there either, unable to endure hardship. Someone even said you were about to leave the sect entirely. Why are you back again?”

Keira paused upon hearing this.

Keira 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 couldn’t help furrowing her brows, sensing deception. But now wasn’t the time to dwell on these thoughts. Keira just looked at Elder Grant. “I wish to become an Inner Sect Disciple.”

Upon hearing this, Elder Grant let out a sigh. “I know you’ve always wanted to become an Inner Sect Disciple, but your bone structure is clear; you lack the talent! Keira, you should leave. If you want to improve your health, just practice more with the Outer Sect Disciples. Don’t waste my time here!”

Keira stepped forward. “Elder Grant, after years of diligent study and practice, I feel that my physique has improved greatly, and my skills aren’t bad either. Could you assess me one more time?”

Elder Grant frowned. “Talent is something you’re born with, it cannot be cultivated. You came here as a child; do you think I don’t know what you’re like? Even if you’ve gotten a bit stronger now, your bone structure and talent are clear. Keira, you should leave. There are several other children waiting.”

But Keira stood her ground with a forceful attitude. “Elder Grant, there are so many children behind me, and it’s normal for me to wait in line. There are no age restrictions for the Bone Assessment, and everything complies with the rules of the Freeman Sect. So, why don’t you finish assessing me?”

Elder Grant wanted to say something else, but Keira interjected, “It’s you who are delaying the process now, not me.”

Elder Grant was shocked.

He was so frustrated by her insistence that he laughed. “Keira, you asking for a Bone Assessment is a waste of time in itself! Stop arguing with me and leave immediately, or I’ll have someone throw you out, and you might even lose your status as an Outer Sect Disciple!”

Keira was speechless.

Just then, James noticed the altercation inside the room and hurried in. “Elder Grant, don’t be angry. Miss Keira is a friend of mine…”

When Elder Grant saw him, his expression eased slightly, but he still huffed. “Then take your friend and leave. Don’t waste my time here!”

James looked at Keira, saw her cold expression with no intention of leaving, and smiled at Elder Grant. “Elder Grant, since we’re here, would you mind assessing her? Just as a favor to me.”

James was considered the second elder brother and was in a relationship with a daughter of the Freeman family. If the eldest sister didn’t wish to marry into the Freeman family, he would be the future Sect Leader…

It was a favor he had to grant.

Elder Grant grunted, “Fine, I’ll assess you! Make it quick!”

Keira immediately stepped forward.

Elder Grant’s hand landed on her wrist, and his expression instantly became one of shock.