#2787 - What a rotten donkey

The noble scions of prestigious families were quite confident.

Regardless of whether they could complete all thirty-three steps, they were certain to perform much better than the two unaffiliated cultivators, Yuan Chu and Su Qingqian.

This, they firmly believed.

Immediately, the noble scions began ascending the stone steps.

Elsewhere, those who had already started climbing had reached the tenth step.

At this point, they were struggling immensely, each step proving incredibly difficult.

They had to exert all their strength to lift one foot, and when it came down, it felt as if they were stepping into empty space, their foot plummeting and colliding heavily with the stone step, causing their bodies to shake violently.

One foot up, then the other.

The second foot was even more challenging.

When the first person managed to place both feet on the eleventh step, the immense pressure caused their internal organs and bones to suffer tremendous strain.

Those individuals shuddered violently, spitting out a mouthful of blood, their legs trembling, their bodies hunched over, unable to advance any further.

Gradually, they couldn't even stand straight, their legs beginning to buckle.

Using both hands and feet, they propped themselves up on the steps in front, desperately trying to climb higher.

However, they ultimately failed; before they could climb up, their knees slammed heavily onto the ground under the terrifying weight.

Their knees struck the stone steps, and the light of the Dao patterns mingled with splattered blood.

"Eliminated. Step down."

An elder approached the edge of the high platform, flicked his sleeve, and used his magic power to scoop up those kneeling on the steps, sending them back down.

"No! We can still do it, Elder, please give us another chance!"

Those individuals gasped for breath, unwilling to accept defeat.

This was a golden opportunity to leap through the dragon gate and rise to prominence.

Just by ascending the high platform, they would be one step closer to becoming a personal disciple of the Supreme Elders.

"Overestimating yourselves! If you can't do it, you can't do it. Elimination is elimination.

If this elder didn't send you away in time, your internal organs would be crushed, and your meridians and bones would be shattered.

This elder knows you are unwilling.

But no matter how unwilling you are, you must learn to face reality."

The elder's words were very blunt, not at all polite.

These disciples had reached their limit at the eleventh stone step, collapsing under the weight, yet they still dared to dream of continuing upwards, purely courting death.

"But we…"

The group opened their mouths, but ultimately didn't say the words, their faces filled with disappointment, their hearts ashen at that moment.

Clearly, they had come to terms with reality.

There were thirty-three stone steps in total, and their limit was only eleven.

No matter how hard they tried, even if they risked their lives, there was no way they could reach the high platform; the gap was too wide.

The gravity field of the later steps was more terrifying with each step.

"Wow, look, it's Senior Brother Qian, and Senior Brother Yu, Senior Sister Zhao…"

"They're so relaxed!"

"They're so fast, they've already reached the fifteenth step!"

Exclamations of awe erupted from the edges of the martial arts arena, gazes burning with admiration and excitement.

At that moment, several individuals were ascending the steps at a steady pace, each step appearing effortless.

They continued upwards in this manner until they reached the twentieth step, at which point they began to slow down, showing signs of strain.

This group comprised disciples from the Core Hall, with exceptional talent.

What were Core Disciples? They were the key individuals the sect focused on nurturing, the reserve talent for True Inheritance.

"No! I am not reconciled! I want to complete the steps, ascend the high platform, pass the selection, and become a personal disciple of the Supreme Elders!"

On the stone steps, someone roared to the heavens, their immortal magic power surging, veins bulging on their neck and forehead, unwilling to accept defeat.

However, as they attempted to ascend another step, they could no longer withstand the gravity field and knelt on the steps on the spot, vomiting blood, before being sent away by the elder, thus eliminated and losing their qualification.

…

At that moment, the noble scions had reached the fourth step.

By this point, they were already feeling somewhat strained.

Could it be that they really wouldn't be able to ascend the high platform today?

They, who had originally been full of confidence, had lost their assurance.

Just how strong was the increase in gravity with each subsequent step?

If they couldn't complete this selection process, wouldn't they completely lose the opportunity to become personal disciples of the Supreme Elders?

No!

How could they be willing!

Their hearts roared, unwilling to accept the fact that they would fail.

The thought that they might be eliminated in this round filled them with shame and anger.

Turning back, they saw that Yuan Chu and Su Qingqian were still standing in front of the steps, unmoving.

Those who were angry in their hearts seemed to have found a punching bag.

"Yuan Chu, Su Qingqian! Are you two unaffiliated cultivators scared?

Don't dare to climb the steps?

Hahaha, unaffiliated cultivators are just unaffiliated cultivators, only good at being glib, but when it comes to competing in strength, you are nothing, not even having the courage to try!"

"Being cowardly like you, you still dared to spout nonsense earlier, making wild claims in front of us noble scions. Who gave you the courage?"

"Hahaha, you don't even dare to take one step, yet you came to participate in the selection? Did you come to amuse everyone present?"

"Yuan Chu, Su Qingqian, why don't you come up here.

Weren't you very arrogant just now? Everyone heard your big talk clearly.

Come on, let us see you prove yourselves with your abilities."

"Well, it's not that we look down on unaffiliated cultivators like you, but can you even reach where we are now?

You're probably never going to be able to climb the fourth step!"

The noble scions, seeing that Jun Wuxie and Mo Qingli hadn't moved, couldn't help but start mocking them loudly.

They knew that Yuan Chu and Su Qingqian's cultivation realms were not low.

According to the information passed down from their families, these two had likely already reached the peak of the Legendary Realm, several minor realms higher than their own.

However, these stone steps couldn't be climbed just by relying on the advantage of one's cultivation realm.

The gravity field formed by the Dao patterns on the steps was determined by the cultivation realm of the person climbing the steps.

The higher the realm, the stronger the gravity one would have to endure.

Therefore, wanting to rely on one's realm to climb the steps was simply impossible.

Otherwise, the senior brothers and sisters of the Core Hall wouldn't need to undergo selection at all.

Each of them was in the Imperishable Realm, so they could just pass directly.

The truth was, even the senior brothers and sisters of the Core Hall began to show signs of strain in the latter half of the steps.

They easily completed the first twenty steps in a very short time.

But after the twentieth step, they gradually began to struggle.

At this moment, the senior brothers and sisters at the front had already reached the twenty-fifth step, their steps already appearing very heavy.

"Yuan Chu, if you don't dare, just withdraw voluntarily. Unaffiliated cultivators like you originally didn't have the qualifications to participate in the selection.

Still want to become personal disciples of the Supreme Elders?

You really dare to daydream, hahaha!"

The noble scions, either standing on the fourth step or the fifth step, mocked Jun Wuxie and Mo Qingli while resting and adjusting their conditions.

"Are unaffiliated cultivators not stronger than you trash who are nothing without the protection of your families?"

Mo Qingli, who was usually cold and indifferent, couldn't help but speak out.

"Outrageous!"

The noble scions were furious, their faces turning ashen as they pointed at them, "You two unaffiliated cultivators who don't even dare to climb the first step, the lowest of the low in the cultivation world, actually dare to say that we, who are already standing on the fourth and fifth steps, are trash!

If we are trash, then what are you?"

Jun Wuxie smiled faintly upon hearing this.

He didn't want to argue with these fools, and immediately took a step forward alongside Mo Qingli.

"Hmm? You really dare to try?"

"Hahaha, everyone, look quickly, these two unaffiliated cultivators are going to climb the steps.

Let's see which step they can reach. I bet three steps will be their limit."

"Unaffiliated cultivators, ah, commendable courage, but this round will probably become a joke.

Just now, many of the inner sect senior brothers could only climb the tenth or eleventh step. Someone like them will probably only reach three steps at most."

"Alas, I don't even know how these two unaffiliated cultivators entered our sect.

However, that junior sister is quite beautiful, and her looks are not bad."

At the edge of the martial arts arena, many disciples watching the excitement began to discuss.

In their eyes, unaffiliated cultivators were really too weak.

Just think, if one had outstanding talent, how could they possibly be an unaffiliated cultivator?

They just didn't know how they entered the sect. Did they go through some back door?

"Hmm? That's not right!"

Just as they were waiting to see a good show, they discovered that the two unaffiliated cultivators actually stepped onto the first step very easily, and then climbed onto the second step.

Seeing such a scene, people began to feel curious.

These two unaffiliated cultivators were indeed somewhat unexpected.

The first two steps were actually so easy.

It seemed that their limit was definitely more than three steps.

"It's just two steps, there's nothing to be proud of. Even trash can climb the second step!

I don't believe you can reach our position!"

The noble scions' expressions were a little unsightly, but they immediately began to laugh again.

At this moment, Jun Wuxie and Mo Qingli stepped forward, as if strolling in a leisurely courtyard, and climbed to the third step.

They did not stop, and with the same pace, stepped onto the fourth step.

Such a scene made the noble scions' hearts jump violently, and they became angry and ashamed again.

Those noble scions who were on the fourth step were so angry that their faces turned red, and they hurriedly began to move upwards.

How could they be overtaken by two unaffiliated cultivators?

This was absolutely not allowed!

They had already lost to the unaffiliated cultivators in the preliminary selection test of immortal talent.

Today's selection, this stage cannot be lost, otherwise what face and dignity will remain?

“You all seem to be struggling a bit.”

Under these circumstances, you should be calm and collected, and your hearts should not be impetuous.

Come, follow my lead, maintain your breathing rhythm.”

Jun Wuxie, with a didactic tone, effortlessly ascended the fifth step.

This made the eyes of the aristocratic disciples twitch.

“Don't stop, continue.”

As Jun Wuxie spoke, he stepped up, ascending the sixth and seventh steps, already surpassing the fastest aristocratic disciple in the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall.

At this moment, those disciples who were watching the spectacle, not optimistic about these two rogue cultivators, were all stunned.

These are two rogue cultivators?

How could rogue cultivators possess such abilities?

They ascended the seventh step in one breath, faces not flushed, breathing not labored, as if strolling in a leisurely courtyard, so relaxed.

This shows that their limit is far more than this!

“Junior brothers and sisters from the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall, who are rogue cultivators, keep going, win glory for us rogue cultivators!”

Several inner sect disciples watching the spectacle cheered for them on the edge of the martial arts arena.

It was because they were also from rogue cultivator backgrounds, and were fortunate enough to join the Jinyun Immortal Sect in those years.

However, in recent years, they have been ridiculed and looked down upon by some fellow disciples.

Even those who have not ridiculed them exclude them from their circles on weekdays.

Sometimes, they feel humiliated in their hearts.

But their own strength is not good enough.

Their Immortal Talent grade is only at the fourth grade now.

They also participated in this preliminary selection, but failed to pass the preliminary selection test.

“How unreasonable!

Yuan Chu, Su Qingqian, we don't believe that we, the aristocratic disciples from cultivation families, will be surpassed by you two rogue cultivators!”

Those aristocratic disciples were stimulated, and bloodshot eyes began to appear.

How could they lose to Yuan Chu and Su Qingqian today?

You must know that just now, they and others publicly ridiculed them as the bottom of the cultivation world, mocking that they would never be able to reach the height they were at.

At this time, these two rogue cultivators, who they regarded as the bottom, had actually walked in front of them, surpassing them!

“You aristocratic disciples don't need to be anxious, you must guard against arrogance and impetuosity, take your time, if you really can't walk, we will wait for you in front.”

As Jun Wuxie spoke, she and Mo Qingli continued to move upwards.

Step by step, each step seemed very easy, without any sense of stagnation.

They came to the thirteenth step in one breath from the seventh step with such a relaxed rhythm.

Those aristocratic disciples, however, lingered on the eighth and ninth steps.

Having reached here, it was basically their limit.

At this time, they were sweating profusely, their internal mana was severely depleted, and they were breathing heavily.

“You guys seem very tired, why don't you rest again?”

Jun Wuxie stood on the thirteenth step, condescendingly overlooking the aristocratic disciples.

“You!”

“Impossible!”

“We don't believe it, you are just rogue cultivators, how can you have such abilities!”

They gritted their teeth, their eyes were red, almost roaring, looking a little hysterical.

“Perhaps, it must be that there is a problem with the Dao patterns on the steps, or we cheated, otherwise how could we climb the thirteenth step.

And you, the amazingly talented aristocratic disciples, have already reached your limit at a mere eight or nine steps, how could that be, you are so strong.”

Mo Qingli's cold voice carried a hint of sarcasm.

She rarely spoke to outsiders, and had never done such a thing as sarcasm a few times in her life.

But today, she really couldn't help it.

It didn't matter if these people ridiculed her, but it was not okay to ridicule Jun Shen!

If they ridiculed her, she would not have any waves in her heart, and would only clean them up directly when she had the opportunity.

But ridiculing Jun Shen ignited the anger in her heart, and she couldn't restrain it.

“You!”

The aristocratic disciples' faces turned red.

They never dreamed that the two rogue cultivators they ridiculed would be so strong!

“Hahaha! Is this the aristocratic disciple?”

Someone watching the spectacle laughed out loud. Just now, they were still ridiculing the rogue cultivators for not being able to reach their heights in their entire lives.

As a result, people easily climbed the thirteenth step in the blink of an eye. On the other hand, you, the aristocratic disciples who are bursting with a sense of superiority, are still struggling on the eighth and ninth steps.

“That senior sister is right, you aristocratic disciples are simply useless after leaving your family background.

A bunch of trash, dare to clamor in front of Tianjiao, and still ridicule, you really have the face, is your face swollen now?”

“Hahaha, it's more than just being swollen, I guess they are about to vomit blood, look at their faces, as red as if they are having an orgasm, tsk tsk.”

“Self-inflicted humiliation, is this the aristocratic disciple?

What a mess, the picture that couldn't be finished just now, and now, each one has an expression like eating shit, it's so funny.”

… …

Others didn't speak, but some people seized the opportunity to ridicule those aristocratic disciples, outputting wildly.

Those aristocratic disciples trembled with anger, a deep sense of humiliation, and the mocking voices came from all directions, like sharp knives piercing their bodies, making them feel like they were suffering from heart-wrenching pain.

Several people were so angry on the spot that they spurted blood and fell directly on the steps, thus being eliminated.

At this time, Jun Wuxie and Mo Qingli attracted the attention of countless people present.

Whether it was a direct disciple, a high-level elder, or even the Jinyun Sect Leader, their eyes revealed a different color.

They didn't expect that the two rogue cultivators brought by Protector Zhou from Baisha Ancient Town would have such talent and potential, and could easily reach the thirteenth step.

Where is their limit?

Can they successfully complete the thirty-three steps today, ascend this high platform, and have the ability to compete with other outstanding disciples who stand out for the position of personal disciple of the Supreme Elder?

The Jinyun Sect Leader's face remained unchanged, but he was looking forward to it in his heart.