Three suns hung high in the sky, with not a cloud in sight.
The bone reading session had ended, yet the scene remained lively, with many who hadn't been admitted staying to watch the spectacle.
In front of the disciples who had already been admitted were two paths leading to the summit of Qingyuan Mountain.
One was the path used by sect members for daily comings and goings.
The other was overgrown with wild grass, ancient and extraordinary.
This was the renowned Heaven-Climbing Stone Steps.
It was said to be an incomplete treasure accidentally obtained by the Founding Patriarch of the Qingyuan Sect, suspected to be a relic from an ancient sect used to test its disciples.
"Those who climb ten steps may enter the Outer Sect.
Those who climb fifty steps may enter the Inner Sect.
Those who climb eighty steps become True Disciples."
The Short Fat Elder stood before the Heaven-Climbing Stone Steps and announced loudly.
"What if someone reaches the top?" someone asked confidently.
Who else could it be but Wang Hu.
The Short Fat Elder's lips curled slightly, as if he had answered this question many times before:
"The Patriarch said that anyone who reaches the top becomes the Sect Master's True Disciple of the Qingyuan Sect. However, throughout the sect's history, countless geniuses have tried, but only two or three have succeeded.
None of them were less than Alpha High in aptitude, so don't aim too high and end up achieving less."
He paused after saying this.
Those words were meant for most people.
This year, wasn't there an exceptionally talented young girl?
"Elder, wouldn't those who are physically strong or have practiced martial arts beforehand have an advantage?" someone else asked.
The Short Fat Elder replied patiently:
"There's no need to worry; the stone steps will suppress one's energy and blood."
After explaining this to everyone, he waved his hand.
"You have one hour. Begin."
As soon as he finished speaking, a disciple inserted a long incense stick, as thick as a finger, into a bronze incense burner.
The timing had begun, but everyone was looking at each other, hesitant to be the first.
"A bunch of cowards, I'll go first!"
Wang Hu, with a defiant stride, stepped onto the stone steps.
Instantly, he felt his energy and blood no longer boiling, unable to provide him with superhuman strength.
Yet he still proudly moved forward.
Ten steps... twenty steps...
At thirty steps, his body began to sway.
At the same time, he faintly heard the roar of a tiger within, resisting the immense pressure.
It supported him as he stepped past the fiftieth step.
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Others gasped in amazement.
He had reached the Inner Sect.
With someone testing the waters, others followed suit, as the incense was still burning, and the time wasted could be enough to climb another step.
The speed of climbing varied, but no one had a relaxed expression.
The pressure from all directions grew stronger the higher they went, making it almost impossible to breathe.
"Isn't that Lin Jiang? He's climbing so fast."
"Murong Xiao is even faster!"
"Why are they so at ease?"
***
The discussions were few, as most people were focused on climbing with all their might.
Until Ying Bing stepped onto the steps.
Everyone's attention unconsciously shifted to her.
After all, everyone was curious.
How far could this cold girl, rated as having Alpha High aptitude, go?
"The complete stone steps can also test one's character."
Feeling the slight pressure, Ying Bing shook her head slightly.
Moreover.
These Heaven-Climbing Stone Steps were too ancient.
They might lose their effectiveness in time.
Her ice-lotus-like figure climbed higher and higher.
Ten steps... twenty steps... thirty steps...
As if walking on flat ground!
The height seemed to have no effect on her as she quickly left others behind.
Everyone was stunned.
This wasn't about whether she could reach the top.
She was clearly here to set a new record for reaching the top!
Her aptitude was probably unmatched among the Alpha Highs in the history of the Qingyuan Sect!
Ying Bing ascended step by step.
Soon, she reached the fifty-fourth step.
"Hmm?"
Wang Hu noticed the sudden silence behind him. When he turned around, he felt a chill down his spine.
The girl's eyes were like snow beneath the frost.
It was as if she was a cold moon overlooking the world from the clouds.
In that instant, he instinctively avoided her gaze and moved aside.
"All eyes are on her."
Li Mo sighed inexplicably.
Some people are cold on the outside but warm on the inside, while others are warm on the outside but cold on the inside.
It was the first time he had seen someone like this ice block, cold on the outside and domineering on the inside.
With that thought, he moved as well.
Holding back?
Not a chance.
The higher he climbed, the higher his status within the sect would be, and the easier it would be to connect with those of great destiny.
He hadn't taken enough advantage of the ice block yet.
Besides.
He also wanted to see how far he could go.
His bone reading had shown Gamma Grade.
He still didn't know how his aptitude compared.
What level is a celestial body in the martial world?
Waiting online, quite urgent.
He took a step up.
Hmm?
"Aren't these just ordinary steps?"
Li Mo tilted his head, taking three steps at a time.
***
On the high platform.
"That little girl Ying Bing's personality suits my taste!"
Watching the girl move like a storm of snow, the woman in palace attire's eyes lit up.
Her movements were so exaggerated that her already voluptuous figure seemed even more so.
"Can these two little ones get together?"
Xue Jing stroked his long beard, lost in thought.
In the letters sent, his former disciple, Li Mo's father, had mentioned wanting Ying Bing as his future daughter-in-law.
But now...
This granddaughter-in-law seemed uncertain.
A Gamma Grade aptitude didn't seem like it could become a True Disciple... Hmm?
Xue Jing suddenly noticed the boy moving swiftly on the path.
"Sect Master, why not leave that little girl to me? I can definitely teach her well!"
The woman in palace attire drunkenly patted her chest in assurance.
The high-ranking members couldn't bear to watch and spoke up:
"Give it a rest."
"Sister Shang Wu, spare her. Don't lead a good genius astray."
"No way, absolutely not! Even if you beat me to death, I won't agree!"
The elders were all eager to take on disciples.
But on this matter, they were unanimous: anyone could teach her, as long as she didn't become a disciple of the Ninth Peak Elder, Shang Wu.
Just then.
Suddenly.
A clear phoenix cry echoed across the sky.
They saw.
Ying Bing was already standing at the end of the Heaven-Climbing Stone Steps.
Crows, magpies, wild geese, eagles... countless birds swept in from all directions, obediently circling around her.
Countless people in the field stood frozen, not knowing what had happened.
But on the viewing platform, the high-ranking members of the Qingyuan Sect sensed something.
Behind Ying Bing, they seemed to see a moon-white bird, its feathers radiant, its presence noble and mysterious.
The Qingyuan Sect Master, who had remained silent, suddenly stood up.
"This girl can manifest the Hundred Beast Forms! Gather the Phoenix Deity! Reveal the Lunar Reflection!"
Shangguan Wencang's eyes were bright.
***
Those on the Heaven-Climbing Stone Steps couldn't see the phenomenon.
But they heard the astonishing cry that echoed through the clouds and saw the birds surrounding her.
Wang Hu was incredulous.
That fairy-like figure was only forty steps away from him.
Just as his eyes were filled with a blatant desire to possess, ready to take a few more steps forward.
Step—
Footsteps came from behind.
Li Mo?
How did he get up here?
"You must have used some trick to fool the Heaven-Climbing Stone Steps!"
"You want to stand next to her? Get the hell down!"
Wang Hu's eyes were bloodshot, his face dark.
Struggling against the pressure, he reached to grab Li Mo's collar to throw him down.
Li Mo: "?"
The other's movements seemed as slow as a turtle to him.
Still not giving up?
Li Mo had no interest in face-slapping.
"Heh, there's no rule against making a move on the stone steps..."
"Oh? What did you say?"
"I said..."
Bang—
Li Mo delivered a swift kick.
There's a kind of pain that hurts just to watch.
The boys who witnessed it all felt a chill down below.
"Ugh..."
Wang Hu's face turned beet red.
The intense pain made it impossible for him to stand, especially on the stone steps, under immense pressure.
"Ahhh..."
His screams and the sound of him tumbling gradually faded.
"Get out of the way!"
Someone shouted a warning, but fortunately, everyone dodged in time, avoiding being hit by the rolling Wang Hu.
"Peace at last."
Li Mo shrugged and continued upward.
A steward had noticed him earlier, but said nothing.
It seemed Wang Hu was right.
There was no rule against making a move on others on the Heaven-Climbing Stone Steps.
But since they weren't in direct competition, wasting energy to spite others was a lose-lose situation, so no one had ever done it before.
"That guy's smile is sunny, but his moves are ruthless."
"No, that's not the point."
"Isn't he supposed to be Gamma Grade?"
Someone suddenly spoke up, and everyone realized.
Yeah, something's not right!
How did he climb over fifty steps... no, now he's at eighty!
His leisurely pace seemed effortless.
If Ying Bing's performance left everyone shocked and envious.
Then Li Mo's left them completely bewildered.
You call this Gamma Grade?!
"Steward Han, are you sure you didn't make a mistake with this boy's bone reading?" the Short Fat Middle-aged Elder asked, puzzled.
The Old Woman who had read Li Mo's bones earlier had a changing expression and could only whisper:"Perhaps I'm getting old, my eyes failing me."
At these words, the high-ranking members all fell into contemplation.
That steward was known for her sharp eyes and experience.
Could she have made a mistake in a bone reading?
In just a few words.
Over there.
The figure at the peak had become two.
Ying Bing's eyes were filled with surprise.
Reaching the top?
To her, it wasn't difficult.
Even with the complete Heaven-Climbing Stone Steps, she had encountered countless people capable of reaching the top.
But among them, none were him!
The breeze blew, Li Mo's robes fluttered, and he smiled: "What a coincidence, you're here too."
Overlooking the mountains, a sense of openness welled up within him.
It was a beautiful moment, yet an ungrateful crow ruined it.
It landed with a flap on the boy's head.
Proofreader & Editor: Peter Pan