Chapter Seven – Azure Cloud's First Trial
Rain continued to fall as dawn broke over the Southern Wilderness.
The ancient stone road glistened beneath the morning light.
Without another moment to waste, Gu Chen and Lin Yuan departed from the inn before the market had even awakened.
Neither of them spoke much.
The previous night's assassination weighed heavily on Lin Yuan's mind.
He had finally understood one thing.
From the moment he inherited the First Chain...
His life no longer belonged to himself alone.
Every step forward would be stained with blood.
Several hours later, the road became increasingly crowded.
Young cultivators from every direction were moving toward the same destination.
Some rodeb on spirit beasts.
Others traveled in luxurious carriages guarded by powerful retainers.
Many wore expensive robes embroidered with the crests of influential clans.
Lin Yuan quietly observed them.
A young man riding a white tiger glanced at Lin Yuan's simple clothes and sneered.
"A country bumpkin."
Another laughed.
"He probably thinks Azure Cloud Sect accepts beggars."
Several others joined in the laughter throwing him mocking glance
.
Lin Yuan ignored them.
Gu Chen smiled faintly.
"The barking of dogs isn't worth answering."
Lin Yuan nodded.
"Those who waste their strength on mockery rarely have enough left for cultivation."
Gu Chen looked at him approvingly.
"Good."
"You learn quickly."
By noon, they reached the foot of Azure Cloud Mountain.
Lin Yuan involuntarily stopped Marveled by the sight before him, he felt like an ant standing before giants.
Towering peaks pierced the clouds.
Countless waterfalls cascaded down emerald cliffs.
Spirit cranes soared gracefully through the sky.
Ancient pavilions clung to the mountainsides as if suspended among the heavens.
The spiritual qi here was several times denser than anywhere Lin Yuan had ever experienced.
It felt as though every breath nourished his body.
Before the mountain stretched an enormous stone plaza.
Thousands of youths had already gathered there.
Some cultivated quietly.
Others nervously discussed the upcoming examination.
The atmosphere was tense.
A deep bell echoed across the mountain.
Dong!
Dong!
Dong!
The conversations instantly died down.
Three elderly cultivators descended from the sky upon flying swords.
Gasps erupted from the crowd.
"They're flying!"
"They must at least be Core Formation expert to be able to fly ..."
"They don't even need spirit beasts..."
The three elders landed before the plaza.
The one standing in the center wore snow-white robes.
His sharp eyes swept across the crowd.
silence fell immediately.
"I am Elder Mo."
"You have come seeking entry into Azure Cloud Sect."
"Today..."
"...your first trial begins."
With a wave of his sleeve, hundreds of jade tokens flew into the air.
Each emitted a gentle blue glow.
"They will guide you."
Suddenly—
The earth trembled.
The massive stone gates leading into the mountain slowly opened.All the disciples immediately took two steps back surprises written all over their faces
Beyond them stretched a winding staircase disappearing into the clouds.
They could not see its end.
Elder Mo's voice echoed across the plaza.
"The first trial..."
"...is the Stairway of Resolve."
"No cultivation techniques may be used."
"No external treasures."
"You will rely only upon your own will."
"Those who cannot reach the summit..."
"...are unqualified."
The crowd stirred uneasily.
No one had expected the first examination to test willpower instead of strength.
"The trial begins!"
The instant the elder spoke, thousands rushed toward the staircase.
Some sprinted confidently.
Others moved cautiously.
Lin Yuan followed at a steady pace leaving Gu Chen, who remained outside the examination grounds.
As he stepped onto the first stair...
A tremendous pressure descended upon him immediately coursing him to almost loss his balance, it took all his will power to steady his self.
It felt as though a mountain rested on his shoulders.
His breathing immediately became heavier.
Around him, many candidates staggered.
Some fell to their knees after only a few dozen steps.
Others gritted their teeth and continued climbing.
Lin Yuan pressed onward.
One step.
Then another.
Then another.
The pressure steadily increased.
Sweat dripped from his forehead.
His legs began to tremble.
Yet his eyes remained calm.
Compared to watching his entire village burn...
Compared to losing everyone he loved...
This pain was nothing.
After climbing nearly three hundred steps, a scream rang out.
"No!"
A young cultivator collapsed, clutching his head.
"I can't..."
"I can't do it!"
He rolled back down the staircase, weeping uncontrollably.
Several more soon followed.
The mountain seemed determined to crush anyone lacking conviction.
Lin Yuan continued upward.
His breathing becoming somehow ragged.
Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
Still...
He refused to stop.
Far below, Gu Chen watched silently.
A faint smile appeared on his weathered face.
"Good."
"The mountain is testing their hearts."
"But your greatest trial..."
"...has always been your past."
High above, hidden among drifting clouds, Elder Mo observed every candidate.
Most of them struggled.
Many had already quit.
Then...
His gaze stopped on Lin Yuan.
The young man's cultivation was ordinary compared to several talented disciples.
His clothes were plain.
His background insignificant.
Yet...
Not once had he looked back.
Elder Mo stroked his beard thoughtfully.
"Interesting..."
Just then, another elder appeared beside him.
"The Blood Moon Sect has begun moving again."
Elder Mo's expression hardened.
"I know."
His eyes remained fixed on Lin Yuan.
"And I have a feeling..."
"...their target is already climbing these stairs."
Far below, Lin Yuan placed one foot onto the next step.
The pressure doubled.
His vision blurred.
The First Chain within his dantian trembled faintly, as if recognizing the trial.
Then—
A blinding golden light erupted from the summit.