The twelve-hour countdown of the prison pass has ended.
In a great rumbling sound, the prison was swallowed by an unknown darkness. This proves, on the other hand, that the prison was originally a real scene within the Peach Branch Small Profound Realm, just slightly modified.
The disciples who failed to pass have been eliminated.
Those who succeeded were enveloped in a gentle light, arriving at a floating platform.
A total of twenty-three disciples successfully advanced.
From two hundred in the beginning to now, the retention rate is barely ten percent.
Luo Qingyao stood on the platform, her figure upright, standing alone on one side, like a lone plum blossom in the snow.
When everyone looked at her, they were curious, why was she alone, where was Fan Wubing?
Beside, the short and thin young man He Chen said to Sun Xiuming,
"Brother Sun, did you see, it's only Luo Qingyao, Fan Wubing is not by her side."
Sun Xiuming frowned slightly,
"Why is that?"
He Chen's eyes rolled, his deeply sunken eyes exuded a weak yet eerie aura,
"Look at the ranking in the Sect Token. In the first pass, Luo Qingyao was first, but after the second pass, she directly dropped to fifth. This indicates she spent a lot of time on the second pass. Could it be that in the second pass, Fan Wubing held her back? They fell out with each other, so Luo Qingyao went through the pass alone? Hence, she was delayed?"
"Fell out?"
Sun Xiuming did not make an immediate judgment. He tidied his clothes and naturally walked to stand next to Luo Qingyao, smiling,
"Qingyao, you've also successfully reached this Heart and Nature Pass."
Luo Qingyao stood motionless, not saying a word, just staring ahead.
Sun Xiuming felt a bit awkward,
"Qingyao, Fan Wubing isn't here?"
Luo Qingyao turned her head to glance at him.
The moment their eyes met, Sun Xiuming almost held his breath. For some reason, those eyes, as beautiful as stars, gave him a sense of falling into a cold abyss. He instinctively shrank his neck back, then felt that his reaction showed some cowardice, so he plucked up his courage and said,
"Haha, with your talent, even without Fan Wubing, you will certainly achieve great results, don't worry about it."
An ink-green flying sword instantly hovered at Sun Xiuming's brow.
The cold glint was piercing.
Sun Xiuming froze where he stood, as if he was under a petrification spell, not daring to move, a drop of cold sweat trickling down his forehead.
Luo Qingyao said coldly,
"If you want to please me, stay away from me. Also, don't mention his name in front of me."
Having said that, she withdrew the flying sword.
With the threat gone, Sun Xiuming immediately stepped back a few steps, gasping for air. He forced a smile and said,
"You're in a bad mood; let's talk another time."
After speaking, he hurriedly left.
Returning to his previous position, Sun Xiuming said in a low voice,
"It seems they really fell out. She gets very angry at the mention of Fan Wubing's name."
He Chen chuckled,
"Isn't this Brother Sun's opportunity?"
Sun Xiuming smiled bitterly and shook his head,
"She's upset now, I'll wait until she's in a better mood."
He Chen squinted his eyes, thinking to himself, does it seem like she doesn't care about you at all? Tsk, such an ignorant and simple fellow. He smiled and said,
"That makes sense, with Brother Sun's demeanor, winning her heart is just a matter of time."
Sun Xiuming glanced at Luo Qingyao, still feeling uneasy.
Not long after, the Elder responsible for this trial appeared. He looked at everyone,
"Twenty-three, not bad, better than expected. Next is the final pass of this new disciples' grand trial, the Heart and Nature Pass. This pass was carefully designed by Elder Lin Xing from Immortal Performance Peak. It doesn't test your cultivation strength, nor your talent and insight, but your determination to cultivate immortality."
He waved his long sleeve, and instantly, immortal aura flew, dispersing the clouds in front of the platform.
Steps fell from the sky one after another, piecing together to form a great staircase.
"This Long Stairs of the Immortal Path, are composed both of stones that you see, and the little bits and pieces in your heart. Climbing high and far doesn't necessarily mean you have good talent, but it certainly shows you have a good nature.
"The rules are simple and direct. The more steps you take, the higher your score.
"In the end, cultivating immortality relies on oneself. So, in this final round, the older students will not accompany you; only the new ones will experience it for themselves."
The Long Stairs of the Immortal Path is a very common method used to test a cultivator's nature.
It is rumored that the original prototype was created by a Great Confucian Immortal of the current Confucianism, used to test the reading patience of Confucian cultivators. Later, because of its effectiveness, it was widely adopted. Each sect and school has made their improvements, using it to test the nature of their disciples.
"Everyone, please ascend these Long Stairs of the Immortal Path."
The Elder waved his sleeve and left, leaving behind wisps of immortal aura lingering, causing the souls of the disciples to swirl.
The crowd began to prepare. The senior brothers and sisters who had traversed the Long Stairs imparted their experience to the new disciples.
Luo Qingyao, without hesitation, stepped onto the stairs.
Her figure was somewhat slender, but on these Long Stairs of the Immortal Path, she was exceedingly steady, like a mountain that would never collapse.
One step, two steps, three steps…
She seemed to be completely unaffected by obstacles, as if walking on ordinary stairs, quickly moving far ahead.
"So fast!"
"As expected of the top ranker in the entry test, but strangely, Fan Wubing is not seen."
"Yeah, where is Fan Wubing? Could it be that they fell out?"
"That's not impossible. After all, Fan Wubing doesn't have cultivation, he might have been a drag midway."
"But this third pass, for her, whether guided by seniors or not, all the same."
"That's the truth indeed."
In the Immortal Performance Hall,
Elder Zhang Jingwei of Fulu Peak stroked his beard and smiled,
"As expected of a guest from Changsheng Continent, having witnessed grand scenes. Her nature is excellent, with such speed and stability, she might even reach eight hundred steps."
An elder nodded,
"It's even possible to reach the highest point, which no one has ever set foot on, a thousand steps. I thought Fan Wubing's death would affect her, but it seems she's become even more determined."
Wei Changkong gritted his teeth and said,
"We haven't confirmed that Junior Brother Wubing is truly dead yet."
Zhang Jingwei looked at him and said,
"Changkong, don't let this disturb your Dao heart. Whether Fan Wubing is alive or dead is no longer important."
"How could it not be important!" Wei Changkong retorted.
His master, Master of Fate Peak Qi Ming said solemnly,
"Changkong, do not disrespect the elder. You're unsettled today; go back and rest."
Wei Changkong had nothing to say, sighed, and left without looking back.
Beside Mei Jinqiu, Fu Manman, watching the Water-shaped Immortal Mirror, said softly,
"No, Junior Sister Qingyao is not stable."
Everyone quickly looked over.
...
Luo Qingyao was standing on the four hundred and ninety-ninth step.
She stepped forward, intending to stand on the five hundredth step.
At this moment, she suddenly asked herself, Why am I pursuing cultivation?
For... the eternal survival of my family...
After answering, she ascended the five hundredth step. As soon as she stepped on it, her right foot trembled slightly.
Then, she continued upward, but her whole state suddenly plummeted. Her speed decreased, her steps became slightly unstable, and gradually, she started to pant. An intangible pressure, from nowhere, hindered her progress.
Below, other newcomers gradually began to catch up.
Luo Qingyao shook her head...
No, I can't stop, I must...
She mustered all her strength, accelerated her pace, and climbed another ninety steps, reaching the five hundred and ninety-ninth step.
Looking at the six hundredth step ahead, she suddenly asked herself,
"Why can't you stop? What for?"
What for...
Luo Qingyao's heart trembled. She felt within her bosom, the cold and hard hand bones...
"I want to carry him, travel the world."
This was her answer.
"Really? But he no longer exists. Would he know your determination? You're just atoning, atoning for the pleasure-seeking you in that misty illusion."
Luo Qingyao's legs gave way, and she suddenly knelt down.
Beads of sweat formed on her forehead... No, I can't fall here.
She forced herself to straighten her knees and continued upward.
But each step became extraordinarily difficult. It was as if a mountain pressed on her, arrows embedded in her knees, and sharp blades under her feet.
Suddenly,
a clear-faced girl stepped past her, effortlessly continuing upward.
Luo Qingyao had some impression of her; during the entrance test, she was the second place.
I was surpassed... How can I, like this, become someone who protects the family?
She gritted her teeth, continuing upward.
One step, two steps... she desperately told herself to move faster, faster. But no matter what, she couldn't speed up.
Another person surpassed her. It was Sun Xiuming.
He asked worriedly,
"Qingyao, are you okay?" It would've been fine if he had stopped there, but he continued, "Hasn't Fan Wubing affected your mindset?"
Luo Qingyao suddenly lifted her head, her eyes sharp like blades, instantly scaring Sun Xiuming.
Sun Xiuming let out an awkward laugh and continued upward,
"I'll wait for you up there."
Up there...
Luo Qingyao looked up.
More people were surpassing her.
At the same time, on the lowest platform, Luo Qingyao's performance surprised the older students, prompting discussions,
"What's going on with Luo Qingyao? She can't even move at six hundred plus steps."
"I thought she'd make it to a thousand steps."
"Could it be all show and no substance?"
"But she was first in the entrance test, after all."
"The entrance test only shows her talent and understanding... But now it seems, she's lacking in terms of heart and nature."
"Could it be related to Fan Wubing? That he's affected her mindset."
"That's very possible."
Luo Qingyao struggled to lift her leg, and when she reached the six hundred and ninety-ninth step, she was nearly exhausted.
Seeing the seventh hundredth step, she asked herself,
"If I hadn't indulged in pleasure for those three hours in the misty illusion, would Senior Brother have been okay?"
This question was like the last straw which broke the camel's back.
She lifted her foot, and the moment it touched the seven hundredth step, an unprecedented dizziness overwhelmed her.
Ah,
it's over.