novelraw Chapter 601: Ch-601: Climbing the steps
Chapter 601: Ch-601: Climbing the steps
Tian Chenyu and Mu Bingxue walked through the inner court area next, and this time people were much calmer. Some of them even recognized that they were Eternals.
"Hey, look, that looks like the new Core Disciple we heard about."
"Hmm, I heard he is a member of the Tian Family."
"Oh, another Eternal."
"Sigh, I wish I was born an Eternal. They get directly promoted to Core Disciples, while we have to go through tests and complete numerous missions."
Tian Chenyu and Mu Bingxue ignored the chatter, and as soon as they arrived at the sword-shaped gate, they felt a prickling sensation on their skin.
"What is this prickling sensation?" Mu Bingxue frowned as she felt her skin about to be pricked by thousands of needles.
"It’s Sword Intent," Wang Ming said, as he was very familiar with this prickling sensation. Even though the intent seemed to be directed at them, unlike Mu Bingxue, he did not feel much. It was as if thousands of needles were trying to poke a stone surface.
Step. Step.
Tian Chenyu and Mu Bingxue’s eyes turned toward an elder who was walking toward them with a smile.
He looked at Wang Ming and asked, "Are you Tian Chenyu and Mu Bingxue?"
"Yes," both of them replied as they nodded their heads and looked at him with raised eyebrows, wondering why he had come to them.
"I see, you must be the one recruited by the sect master," the elder nodded several times in approval and then said, "I am here to explain the test that you will need to pass to become an official Core Disciple."
"I thought he was already a Core Disciple," Mu Bingxue asked with narrowed eyes.
"Hmm, that’s true, you are. But the sect master told you to take the test still, as he knew you would pass it, and because you are bringing a servant," the elder said, then continued, seeing their confusion. "You see, if you want to bring a servant who is an Eternal, you need to carry them, as the sect will also provide resources for them. All Core Disciples who have servants had to go through this. You just need to do this once," the elder explained.
"I see," Tian Chenyu nodded, then looked at him and asked, "What’s the test?"
"Do you see the stairs? You need to climb them along with her while being assaulted by sword intent. As long as you can climb up, you will pass," he explained, and Wang Ming nodded.
Soon, the elder moved aside, gesturing for Wang Ming to start climbing. As soon as Wang Ming put his foot on the first step, he felt a prickling sensation on his body, like millions of metal needles stabbing into a concrete surface.
Tian Chenyu proceeded to make his way to the second step, and this time the pressure doubled.
He continued to climb the stairs, and when he reached the 5th step, some of the Inner Court Disciples started to notice.
"L-Look at that! There’s more than one person climbing the stairway right now!"
"Huh, this must be the new Lord Eternal we heard about."
"The pressure must be double that of the normal test because he is carrying a person."
"Heavens... climbing alone is already hard enough, yet that person is willing to take another person with him."
"I don’t blame him. Look at the lady he’s helping. She is a breathtaking beauty who can topple kingdoms with a mere smile! I wouldn’t leave her behind either. And that body—damn, it would even make sages forget their vows to spend a passionate night with her."
"What do you expect? This woman is even more beautiful than the ones we saw the Eternals bring along with them."
The Core Disciples also noticed him and looked at him curiously.
"Oh, this guy is from the Tian Family, huh?"
"Damn, his servant is more beautiful than mine. I wonder if he would be willing to trade her for a thousand virgin and experienced beauties."
"Dream on. Can’t you sense that woman is also an Eternal?"
"Holy—you’re right. An Eternal becoming the servant of another Eternal is extremely rare. I wonder what he offered."
"But that guy from the Tian Clan is also handsome. Maybe I can ask my family to propose a marriage between him and me."
While the spectators focused on Mu Bingxue, Tian Chenyu reached the fourth step with barely any effort.
However, the moment he stepped onto the second step, he felt the pressure bearing down on his body suddenly double in strength. He got the feeling that the stabbing sensation increased in intensity.
"Are you okay, Chenyu?" Mu Bingxue asked, seeing the change in his facial expression.
"Yes, I am fine. I was just a little surprised by how much the pressure increased," he nodded.
A few moments later, Tian Chenyu arrived at the fifth step.
As he kept walking, he felt the pressure continuing to multiply. The speed and strength of the stabbing sensation also increased. He looked back at Mu Bingxue, who seemed completely fine, though she was looking at him with a hint of worry.
When he stepped onto the 35th step, he felt the pressure increase again, making him frown. This time, it felt like millions of diamonds, instead of metallic needles, were stabbing into a concrete surface.
The elder, who had gone somewhere and returned, looked at Wang Ming with wide eyes. ’He already passed when he reached the 30th step. I should stop him.’
Just as he was about to stop him, a voice sounded in his head, and he stiffened. ’Stop, don’t interfere. I want to see the limits of my personal disciple.’
’Personal disciple?’ the elder cried out inwardly. His body turned stiff as he looked at Tian Chenyu in disbelief. He couldn’t believe that the sect leader was taking a personal disciple. If the others knew, they would die of envy and look at Tian Chenyu with hatred, especially those who had failed to gain the sect master’s approval.