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Chapter 404: Trial Not Found
Onward and upward. Hui leaped upward, slowing out of boredom. He paused and yawned, then leaped up again. How long do these stairs keep on for? I feel like Ive already been climbing them for a year and a half.
He looked up, checking the sky. The sun still beamed hot from high in the sky, casting his shadow directly below him Ah, in reality, its only been half a day, and yet
This! This is the mental pressure again, isnt it? Causing me to feel tired Ive slowed down. That pressure wave must be catching up to me!
Hui leaped onward, speeding up once again. He shifted Zhubi to his other arm and wiped his forehead. Phew! I almost fell into the stairs trap. No, no. Hurry up, Hui! Dont fall into the trap!
Far above, on a peak overlooking the lower trial peak, a group of All-Heavens Peak Lords looked down on the trial. A crystal screen displayed the top contestants as they climbed the stairs, all of them tenacious and powerful competitors.
The two elders whod started the trial, Mu Bingshi and Sui Lanli, stood slightly apart from the others. Raising his hand, Mu Bingshi pointed at one of the cultivators on the screen, a young man in gold and white, long dark hair streaming behind him. Hes fallen a bit behind, but keep an eye on that Jing Ruchen. Hes a well-known sword cultivator, and inherited the ancient Seven Autumnal Swords technique.
Jing Ruchen? Ha, Sui Lanli muttered, scowling.
Mu Bingshi chuckled. Dont be bitter just because your favorite dropped out. I thought your Sheng Caiyi had more potential than that.
Looking at the young lady spitting blood on the stairs, Sui Lanlis face twisted again. She was tricked by that filth in blue.
Ha, the young man carrying the child? What a tenacious young man. But he wont last for long, wasting his strength like that. The stairs test ones mental strength, yes, but they dont neglect ones physical strength, either. He wont make another thousand steps at this rate.
Sui Lanli crossed her arms. How about we make a bet?
A bet? Go on, Mu Bingshi said, interested.
She nodded. I bet that man in blue makes it to the top hundred.
Top hundred? I thought you hated him.
I do, Sui Lanli said simply. A thousand spirit stones that he makes it.
Mu Bingshi looked down at the screens again. The cultivator in blue wasnt even highlighted on the crystal, completely neglected in the top listings. He stroked his beard, then nodded. Ill take you up on that.
Sui Lanli smirked. She nodded. That boy has more potential than Sheng Caiyi.
But not more potential than Jing Ruchen, Mu Bingshi said, shaking his finger.
How about this? Two thousand if he beats Jing Ruchen, Sui Lanli replied.
Ha! Your bitterness has led you astray. Sui Lanli, youll come to regret this! Mu Bingshi said.
Well? Taking it or not? Sui Lanli asked, crossing his arms.
Of course Im taking you up on it. Theres no way hes surpassing Jing Ruchen, Mu Bingshi said, shaking his head. A random healer no ones ever heard of, surpassing the inheritor of one of the greatest primordial sword arts? Hes a thousand years too early!
Sui Lanli smirked. Well simply have to see.
--
Hui rubbed the back of his neck. I feel like someone was talking about me just now?
Oy. Where are we? Feels like a trial realm. a familiar voice asked.
Hui glanced down, startled, and almost tripped backwards down the stairs. A crows head poked out of his robes. A moment later, Chen Wuya fluttered his wings and came to rest on Huis shoulder.
Senior? How did you get in here? Hui asked, confused.
Howd I get in a lowly trial realm like this? Ha! You ask as if I havent just spent an eternity cracking one of Fen Longs most powerful barriers, Chen Wuya scoffed.
Hui bowed. My apologies, Senior! Small cultivator should have known!
Chen Wuya cleaned his wings with his beak. That, and this body isnt exactly ordinary. Its easy for me to slip into places Im not supposed to be.
Oh? Hui asked, interested.
Mmm. Its something like a residual illusion and possession spell in any case, what are you doing? Some kind of trial?
Ah, thats right. Senior, currently Im attempting to join All-Heavens Sect, Hui explained.
That bastard Fen Longs sect? Hmph. Bet its still as trashy as ever. Does he still have that mountain-chain mess of a setup? Chen Wuya asked.
Yes. I thought it was interesting, Hui said mildly.
Chen Wuya scrunched up his beak. Ptui. Its hideous. Whats the point of floating peaks? The whole point of mountains is to be massive and immovable! To be a contest to mortals and immortals alike, enormous hunks of rock that wow simply due to their mass and size. Not these floaty cloud-like pointless pebbles.
Er, I still thought it looked pretty imposing Ah, oh well. Senior is entitled to his own opinion. I suppose I understand, from a certain point of view, but
Anyways, Senior, since were partaking of the trial, we shouldnt be too explicit about what were doing, Hui thought to himself, giving Chen Wuya a meaningful glance.
Hmph! Who do you think youre talking to? Im the number-one expert at sneaking into Fen Longs pitiful sect. I used to come over every other week to give him a good thrashing. As long as Im around, they might as well be blind and deaf old goats. They wont see a thing you do.
Inincluding the trial? Hui asked, concerned.
No, just including me, Chen Wuya said.
Hui clapped, hefting Zhubi into the nook of his arm to free his hands. Chen Wuya is indeed a very convenient senior!
Zhubi sniffed curiously at Chen Wuya. Chen Wuya lifted his claw and stomped Zhubi in the face. Zhubi let out a little cry and fell back, covering his face.
Chen Wuya! Hui said, shifting Zhubi to his other arm and giving the crow a glare.
What? Do you want your undercarriage sniffed by random animals? Chen Wuya asked.
No, but stomping on him is excessive, Hui returned.
Chen Wuya fluttered his wings and landed on Huis head. Look at you, defending your pets. Have you finally learned to stand up for yourself?
Eh? Was I being too assertive? My apologies, Senior. But even so, please dont attack Zhubi. Attack me if you must, Hui said, bowing carefully to avoid knocking Chen Wuya off his head.
Chen Wuya snorted. Now that makes more sense.
Zhubi patted Huis shoulder and shook his head.
Youre okay? Got it, Hui said, nodding.
Pulling free of Hui, Zhubi stood on his own. He reached down and crawled up the stairs, climbing up to the next step.
Hui offered him a hand. If you want to walk on your own, we can still walk together, right?
Zhubi beamed at Hui, showing off his array of fangs. He reached up and took Huis hand.
Experimentally, Hui reached out to the other clones, but the node simply pulsed in return, unable to connect. Ah, Im not surprised. It is a trial realm, after all.
I havent seen anyone in a while. I suppose that means the other clones are doing well. That, or theyve all dropped out
Well, either way, I wont give up! Even if I have to spit blood, Ill still climb to the top.
But, uh isnt this trial too simple? Is it a trial to climb stairs until you get bored to test ones resolve? I havent felt any pressure yet. That girl I passed seemed to feel something, but
--
Overhead, the elders chuckled. Mu Bingshi shook his head. See? I knew he wouldnt be able to carry that child forever. Its just a matter of time before he loses.
I wouldnt be so sure. He hasnt shown a single sign of strain yet, Sui Lanli returned.
Mu Bingshi waved his sleeve dismissively. Isnt setting the child down a sign of strain?
Sui Lanli chuckled. Or the boy wished to walk on his own two feet. Children are mercurial.
Mu Bingshi snorted and said nothing, turning away. Too bitter over her favorites loss to face reality! Ahand look, hes coming up on my Jing Ruchen now. Show this man in blue what a true chosen is like, Jing Ruchen! Put that trollop Sheng Caiyi in her place!
