Chapter 720 - 642: Stepping onto the Peak 51 (4,000 Words)_2
When Tan Shuangshuang completed several cycles and awoke from her cultivation, many people who had passed through the array had already gathered in small groups to chat. Because Tan Shuangshuang was cultivating, these people considerately kept a bit of distance from her, fearing they might disturb her. Naturally, there were also a few others sitting cross-legged on the ground like her, cultivating.
After Tan Shuangshuang awoke, she waited for a while longer. Gradually, a few more individuals emerged from the labyrinth, but no one else came out afterwards, indicating that those remaining were likely trapped in the Illusion Realm.
Tan Shuangshuang couldn’t help but glance around at the people gathered here, estimating the number of people who had passed the trial. She discovered that out of those who entered the labyrinth, only eight to nine hundred succeeded, wiping out more than two-thirds of the participants. The selection process was indeed strict.
Once it was certain that no one else could emerge from the labyrinth, Qin Shaofeng, hovering in the air, gracefully rode over on his Cloud Magic Artifact.
Jumping down from the white cloud, Qin Shaofeng collected the Cloud Magic Artifact, and before speaking, smiled at the crowd, "First of all, congratulations on passing through the labyrinth. You are only one step away from joining our Wuji Sect."
Everyone, upon hearing Qin Shaofeng’s words, felt invigorated. They had endured hardships in the Illusion Realm, and now, hearing that there was just one step left, their spirits were instantly perked up. Naturally, everyone speculated on what the final test might be.
Every sect has a path — sometimes a long trail on flat ground, or it could be a steep mountain road leading to the peak. All disciples must traverse this path, but it is not easy because it has a gravity suppression array.
Anyone who sets foot on this path feels as if they are carrying heavy weights, making each step incredibly challenging. The purpose of this trail is to train the physical endurance of the disciples, and it serves as the critical test for new initiates. This trail not only enhances physical strength but also tests persistence and endurance.
Sure enough, Qin Shaofeng declared, "Your final test is quite simple. Walk up the stone stairway on the main peak of our Wuji Sect. Anyone who reaches the summit of our main peak will be admitted to our Wuji Sect as a disciple."
After Qin Shaofeng announced the test, he once again leaped onto the Cloud Magic Artifact, proclaiming the start of the test. Once everyone responded affirmatively, they immediately crowded forward to climb the stone steps. Tan Shuangshuang also rushed up, and as soon as she stepped onto the stone stairs, a massive pressure instantaneously pressed her down almost to a crouch.
Tan Shuangshuang, whose body was exceptionally strong, found it challenging enough; those who rushed forward fared even worse. Everyone who came running were instantly flattened by the sudden increase in gravity, causing sounds of people unexpectedly falling all around Tan Shuangshuang, followed by cries of pain.
Tan Shuangshuang paid no heed to those who fell; her eyes brightened upon looking at this mountain path. Feeling the pressure that even she found arduous, she suddenly felt as if she had stumbled upon a treasure. This was truly a great place to train physical endurance!
Taking a deep breath, Tan Shuangshuang began to move her feet with difficulty, climbing up the mountain. Meanwhile, she planned that after the disciple selection, she would bring Fei Hu here to climb several rounds with her. Fei Hu is a Magic Beast, possessing extremely strong physical power; a place where it can enhance this power is hard to find, and this mountain path suits it perfectly.
While Tan Shuangshuang employed Spiritual Power to resist the pressure, she arduously climbed the mountain. Despite her difficulty in taking each step, she continued to advance steadily, neither too fast nor too slow, much better than those almost crawling on the stone steps at the foot of the mountain.
The road was long, so long that the end was not visible. Climbing up, the mountain’s base was no longer in view, yet the top remained hidden, the stairs ahead obscured by clouds and mist, creating an illusion that the path was endless.
By this point, everyone had climbed from dawn till dusk, exhausting themselves to the point of resting in place until they could resume climbing. Others lamented when they would reach the peak, but only Tan Shuangshuang was secretly satisfied with the length of this mountain path, certain that climbing it once would yield excellent cultivation results.
The mountain path had places on both sides for disciples to address physiological needs. Hungry or thirsty, they would eat the food they carried with them. Everyone had storage bags, so their food reserves were naturally ample. When tired, they would sit on the steps to meditate.