Who let him join the Sword Sect?!

In a tavern, Zhang Ze learned the name of the young man.

Wei Zhuang.

Such an elegant name.

Familiar in a past life, but it left no impression in the Four Continents.

Chatting while eating, Zhang Ze also heard the details about the mountain climbing test.

Within five days, take the mountain road after Anlan City, reach the Celestial Cloud Platform, and only the top one hundred can enter the next stage of testing.

Indeed, not much creativity.

Zhang Ze figured that leaving this Spirit Realm probably had to start with this mountain climb, regardless of success or failure, he would be spit out by that Taisui.

As for those from the Hundred Demons Sect, Zhang Ze roughly knew why they couldn't climb the mountain.

Either they rushed up the mountain too hastily and missed Wei Zhuang.

Or they exposed their Demon Path nature while climbing and were caught on the spot.

Or simply they were too weak and couldn't make it up.

Exchanging a few more words with Wei Zhuang, hearing him talk, at this time the Sword Sect hadn't split into the Sword Division Pavilion yet, and regarding the Dongqi court matters, Wei Zhuang didn't care, nor did he know.

"Brother Wei, let's go, since we're here we ought to check out the mountain." Zhang Ze stood up and said.

However, Wei Zhuang gave a mysterious smile, "Brother Zhang, no rush, I have a favor to ask."

"What is it?" Zhang Ze asked.

"Do you have any money? Help a brother out, cover this meal today, and I'll treat you another day." Wei Zhuang said as he stuffed food into his mouth.

"No problem."

Zhang Ze replied with a smile, and then stood up, reached into his pocket, and under Wei Zhuang's watchful eye, ran out of the tavern without looking back.

Wei Zhuang was stunned for a moment, didn't expect someone as shameless as him.

After dining and dashing, Zhang Ze didn't head towards the mountain base but instead ran towards Anlan City gate.

However, after running for a while, his eyes brightened, and when he looked carefully, he found himself standing in the center of the plaza again.

But this time, the eunuch sitting on the large palanquin was nowhere to be seen.

"Trash game, either it's an invisible wall or the map's boundary."

Zhang Ze sighed, hands behind his back, and walked across the plaza toward the mountain base.

...

At the mountain base, the entrance to the climb.

Here was a small gate, with only one senior brother from the Sword Sect stationed there, Zhang Ze didn't go up the mountain but stared at the senior brother.

Sure enough, he was looked at awkwardly by the senior brother.

"Why are you staring at me? Hurry and climb the mountain, don't waste time."

Although the tone was somewhat impatient, he didn't make a move.

Zhang Ze looked for a while, confirmed he hadn't seen this person in any portraits, so he stopped bothering him and turned away, waiting for people to arrive.

After waiting for a moment, Wei Zhuang indeed appeared again.

Starting a protective mission, you definitely have to wait for the NPC.

"Brother Wei, you've got great skills, to even run like that." Zhang Ze cupped his hands.

"Not at all, not as clever as Brother Zhang."

Wei Zhuang still smiled cheerfully, not angry, nor did he mention the fact that he scammed food and drink off someone he barely met.

"Let's climb the mountain then."

"After you."

The two took out their jade tokens, the tokens rose into the air without wind, floating in front of them.

Beside the Sword Sect disciple on duty, the air shimmered with water-like ripples, golden waves spread out, and a light gate appeared.

Numbers also appeared on their jade tokens.

Nine hundred ninety-eight.

Nine hundred ninety-nine.

Clearly the last and second last.

"The restriction is lifted, please proceed, if there's any danger, call for help through the jade token, and someone will come to save you."

Though not having high hopes for these two kids, the Sword Sect senior brother still nodded towards Zhang Ze and Wei Zhuang.

"Thank you, senior brother." With that said, Zhang Ze and Wei Zhuang stepped through the light gate.

Two hours later.

The two, unaffected by tests of Tao Heart, weren't getting more exhausted, nor were there any Illusion Realm trials, or old men blocking the way asking which sword was theirs to make things difficult.

Nor did they encounter any checkpoint challenges, and the Sword Pavilion was still a distant sight.

It really was just a pure mountain climb.

And their rankings remained last and second last...

As for Wei Zhuang, strolling idly, occasionally chatting with Zhang Ze, it seemed he really was here for fun.

Just like an NPC in a protective mission.

Zhang Ze sighed.

"Come on Brother Zhuang, I'll take you on a shortcut."