The "Soul-Charging Stairway" tested the most important aspect of an alchemist: the strength of their soul. It consisted of a hundred-tier soul staircase, with one point awarded for each tier—simple, clear, and direct. Yet the pressure upon it was terrifying. Many young alchemists would reach only thirty or fifty steps before the Soul Power, as mighty as heavenly wrath, left them pale-faced and sent them tumbling down in dejection. Only after one's soul strength advanced into the Spiritual State Soul could one climb to the higher levels with relative ease.
Yet even for an eighth-tier alchemist with a Spiritual State Soul, these heavenly steps remained a hurdle every ten steps, crushing the test-taker until they could barely breathe. It could be said to be the most straightforward yet most difficult of all the trials. After all, there was nothing fancy about this trial, nor any possibility of trickery. It was simply a direct comparison of the participants' fundamental Soul Power.
Alchemists' Soul Power was undeniably strong, but this trial demanded the strongest among the strong, the best among the best.
"Once the Soul-Charging Stairway begins, you may only advance and cannot retreat. You may not rely on any external aid midway through, nor may you consume any medicinal pills." Zou Wu, the master of the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion, was somewhat nervous as he explained the requirements of this trial to Xiao Yan. After all, Xiao Yan's results were tied to his own future.
Xiao Yan's expression remained calm. "Understood."
"Then you may begin whenever you are ready."
Xiao Yan gazed at the heavenly staircase before him, which seemed to be formed of clouds and mist. This venue had been entirely arranged by the Spirit Clan. The steps stretched upward through the void, one after another. Just looking at them gave