NOVEL NEXT Chapter 7 - Reaching the Summit
Chapter 7: Reaching the Summit
The sun hung high in the cloudless sky, stretching endlessly.
Though the root bone assessment had concluded, the scene remained lively. Many who hadn’t passed the sect entry test lingered to watch the excitement unfold.
Before the accepted disciples lay two paths leading to the summit of Mount Qingyuan.
One was the regular route used by sect members.
The other, overgrown with wild grass, exuded an ancient and solemn atmosphere.
This was the famed Stairway to Heaven.
Legend has it that the Qingyuan Sect’s founder had accidentally acquired this extraordinary treasure. Though incomplete, it was believed to be a relic from an ancient sect, used to test disciples.
“Those who climb ten steps may enter the outer sect.”
“Those who reach fifty steps gain inner sect status.”
“Those who ascend seventy steps will be considered for true discipleship.”
The short, stout elder stood before the stone steps, announcing loudly.
“What if someone reaches the peak?” a confident voice asked.
It could only be Wang Hu.
The elder’s lips curled slightly, as if he had answered this question countless times:
“The founder decreed that whoever reaches the top would become the true successor (Legacy disciple) to the Qingyuan Sect’s leader.”
“But throughout our sect’s history, despite countless talents, only two have ever achieved this.”
“Those were all top-tier talents. Don’t aim too high; instead, try to climb as far as you can.”
He paused briefly.
These words were meant for the majority present.
But this year, wasn’t there an exceptionally gifted young girl?
“Elder, wouldn’t those with strong physiques or prior martial arts training have an advantage?” someone inquired.
The stout elder, already tired of such questions, replied:
“No need to worry, the Stairway to Heaven will suppress one’s qi and blood.”
After explaining, he waved his hand.
“You have one hour. Begin.”
As he finished, a disciple inserted a finger-thick incense stick into a bronze censer, starting the countdown. Everyone looked at each other, hesitant to be the first.
“A bunch of cowards. I’ll go first!”
Wang Hu strode forward confidently and began climbing the Stairway to Heaven.
Instantly, he felt his internal blood qi cease surging, no longer providing superhuman strength.
Nevertheless, he pressed on proudly.
Ten steps… twenty steps…
At thirty steps, his body began to sway.
Simultaneously, a faint tiger’s roar echoed within, resisting the immense pressure and supporting him as he crossed the fiftieth step.
The crowd gasped in surprise.
Inner sect status achieved.
With someone testing the waters, others quickly followed. After all, the incense was still burning, and wasted time could mean one less step climbed.
Climbing speeds varied, but no one looked at ease.
The pressure from all directions intensified with height, making it almost impossible to breathe.
“That’s Lin Jiang, isn’t it? He’s going so fast.”
“Murong Xiao is even faster!”
“How can they be so relaxed?”
…
Those discussing were in the minority; most focused intently on climbing.
Until Ying Bing stepped onto the stairs.
Everyone’s attention naturally shifted to her.
After all, everyone was curious.
How far could this cold beauty, evaluated as having top-tier root bone, go?
“A complete set of stone steps of the stairway to heaven can also test one’s mental state.”
Feeling a slight pressure, Ying Bing shook her head.
This Stairway to Heaven was too ancient.
It might lose its effectiveness after some more time.
Her figure, like an ice lotus, 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 at all, quickly leaving others behind.
Everyone was on edge.
This wasn’t just about reaching the top.
It was clearly about setting a new record for the fastest ascent!
Her talent was probably unparalleled even among the top-tier talents in Qingyuan Sect’s history!
Ying Bing ascended step by step.
Soon, she reached the fifty-fourth step.
“Hm?”
Wang Hu noticed the sudden silence behind him. He turned back to look and felt a chill run through his body.
The girl’s gaze was like frost-covered snow.
It was as if he was being watched by a cold moon suspended in the clouds, looking down upon the mortal world.
In that instant, he didn’t dare meet her eyes and moved his feet away.
“All eyes are on her,” Li Mo remarked thoughtfully.
Some people are cold on the outside but warm on the inside, while others are warm on the outside but cold inside.
It was the first time he had seen someone like the Ice Doll, who appeared as cold as frost on the outside but was domineering on the inside.
Thinking this, he also started moving.
Hide his abilities?
That didn’t exist.
The higher one climbed, the higher their status within the sect would be, and the easier it would be to come into contact with those blessed by fate.
He hadn’t finished reaping benefits from the Ice Doll yet.
Moreover…
He also wanted to see how far he could go.
The root bone assessment had given him a C-grade talent.
He still didn’t know his true level of aptitude.
What level was an immortal body in the martial world?
Waiting for an answer online, quite urgently.
He took a step up.
Hm?
“Aren’t these just ordinary stone steps?”
Li Mo tilted his head and strode up three levels at once.
…
On the high platform.
“That little girl Ying Bing’s personality is to my liking!”
Watching the girl advance like a storm of wind and snow, the woman in palace attire’s eyes lit up.
Her large movements made her already alluring figure even more pronounced.
“Could these two youngsters be brought together?” Xue Jing stroked his long beard, lost in thought.
In the letter he had received, his former disciple, who was also Li Mo’s father, had mentioned wanting Ying Bing as a future daughter-in-law.
Looking at the situation now…
This potential daughter-in-law didn’t seem too secure, did she?
With C-grade aptitude, how could he become a true disciple… Hm?
Xue Jing suddenly noticed the figure of the young man striding up the mountain path.
“Senior Sect Leader, why don’t you let me take that little girl under my wing? I’ll definitely teach her well!” the woman in palace attire drunkenly patted her chest in guarantee.
The other high-level members could hardly bear to look and spoke up one after another:
“Give it up. Out of twelve hours a day, you sleep for six and drink for six!”
“Sister Shang Wu, leave the poor girl alone. Don’t ruin a good talent with your teachings.”
“No way, absolutely not! Even if you beat this old man to death, I won’t agree!”
The elders had all thought about taking her as a disciple.
But on this matter, they were unanimous – anyone could teach her, as long as it wasn’t the Ninth Peak Elder Shang Wu.
Just then…
Suddenly, a clear, melodious phoenix cry resounded through the sky.
They saw…
Ying Bing standing at the top of the Stairway to Heaven.
Crows, magpies, wild geese, hawks… countless birds from all directions swarmed in, circling obediently around her.
Countless people stood dumbfounded, not knowing what had happened.
But on the viewing platform, the high-level members of the Qingyuan Sect seemed to sense something.
Behind Ying Bing, they seemed to see a moon-white bird, its feathers resplendent, its presence majestic, noble and mysterious.
The Qingyuan Sect Master, who had been silent all along, suddenly stood up.
“This girl can condense the form of the divine bird! Gather the phoenix spirit! Manifest the scene of the great yin(Moon)!”
Shangguan Wencang’s eyes blazed with intensity.
…
The others on the Stairway to Heaven couldn’t see the unusual phenomenon.
But they heard the earth-shattering cry and saw the divine birds circling.
Wang Hu was especially incredulous.
That fairy-like figure was only forty steps away from him.
Just as his eyes were filled with naked desire, preparing to rush up a few more steps…
Step—
Footsteps came from behind.
Li Mo?
How did he get up here?
“You must have used some trick to fool the Stairway to Heaven!”
“You still want to stand beside her? Get down!”
Wang Hu’s eyes were bloodshot, his face gloomy.
Enduring the pressure, he reached out to grab Li Mo’s collar and throw him down.
Li Mo: “?”
The other’s movements looked as slow as a turtle in his eyes.
Still not calming down even now?
He, Li Mo, really had no interest in face-slapping.
“Hehe, the rules didn’t say we can’t use force on the stone steps..”
“Oh? What did you say?”
“I said…”
Bang—
Young Li delivered a groin kick.
It was the kind of pain that hurt just to watch.
The young men who saw this all instinctively crossed their legs.
“Ugh…”
Wang Hu’s face instantly turned the color of pig liver.
The intense pain made it impossible for him to stand steady, let alone while on the stone steps bearing such great pressure.
“Ahhhh…”
Screams and rolling sounds gradually faded away.
“Get out of the way!”
Someone shouted a warning, and fortunately, everyone dodged in time, avoiding being hit by the rolling Wang Hu.
“That’s better.”
Li Mo shrugged and continued upward.
An elder had seen him earlier but said nothing.
It seemed Wang Hu was right.
There really were no rules against attacking others on the Stairway to Heaven.
It’s just that everyone wasn’t in direct competition, so wasting energy to mess with others would only harm oneself more, which is why no one had ever done it before.
“No, that’s not the point.”
“Isn’t he supposed to have C-grade root bone?”
Suddenly someone spoke up, and everyone reacted.
Yes, that’s right!
How did he climb to over fifty levels… no, it’s already seventy levels now!
And he looked so relaxed and at ease.
If Ying Bing’s performance was shocking and enviable, then Li Mo’s was completely baffling.
You call this C-grade?!
“Deacon Han, are you sure you didn’t misjudge this boy’s root bone?” the short, plump middle-aged elder asked, shocked and uncertain.
The old woman who had assessed Li Mo earlier frowned and whispered, “Perhaps… my age is catching up with me, and my eyes aren’t as sharp as they used to be.”
At these words, the high-level members all fell into contemplation.
That Deacon was known for her sharp eye and rich experience.
How could she make a mistake with a root bone assessment?
In the time it took to say a few words—
The lone figure at the peak had become two.
Ying Bing’s eyes flashed with surprise.
He made it to the top?
To her, ascending the stone steps was no challenge.
Even with a complete set of Stairway to Heaven Stone Steps, she had encountered countless people who could reach the top.
But among them, there was no one like him!
A gentle breeze blew, making Li Mo’s robes flutter as he smiled and said:
“What a coincidence, you’re here too.”
Looking down at the mountains below, a sense of freedom welled up in his chest.
It was a beautiful scene, if not for a crow that didn’t understand the mood.
It landed right on the young man’s head!