"Time's up!"
"Those with an Enlightenment Bell, step forward and enter the hall."
"Everyone else may leave."
Master Ding Tai's voice boomed like a great bell, echoing across the plaza before the hall.
As his voice faded, a wave of suppressed sighs and resentful muttering rose from the crowd. The faces of the vast majority were etched with regret and disappointment.
"Argh, I was so close, you know? If my foot hadn't suddenly cramped up, that Enlightenment Bell would have been mine."
"Tell me about it. I was less than ten feet from an Enlightenment Bell. What a shame, what a shame."
"Dammit, why even bother with these Enlightenment Bells? They should just let everyone in."
"Exactly!"
Meanwhile, the lucky few who had managed to snatch an Enlightenment Bell couldn't hide their excitement. Their gazes burned as they stared at the mysterious Giant Bronze Gate, their minds already filled with boundless dreams of the opportunities awaiting them inside.
