Early the next morning.
Before dawn had broken, thick fog rose over the back mountain.
The Giant Panda Abbot led the five of them through the entire Zen Field to a stone wall at its deepest point.
The wall was covered in moss and looked no different from an ordinary mountainside.
"This is it."
The abbot stopped and pressed a hand against the stone wall.
Gentle Xiewei spread from his palm. The moss gradually faded away, revealing an ancient stone door in the wall.
Beyond the door was a surging white Cloud Sea.
"This is the entrance to the Bubble Cloud Path."
The abbot turned around to face the four of them, his tone far more solemn than usual.
"There is no road inside, only floating Light Bubbles and the Cloud Sea."
"You must use Xiewei to steady your minds and walk to the end, one step at a time."
"The Cloud-Bubble Spirit Fruit at the end is the Zen Monastery's sacred treasure."
"Remember—"
He paused, his gaze sweeping over them.
"Once your mind loses control, it will not merely mean failing the trial."
"You will vanish directly into the Cloud Path, leaving not even bones behind."
"This path offers no second chance."
All four held their breath.
The previous trials had meant, at worst, going hungry or getting a little tired.
This time, they were truly gambling with their lives.
Gon clenched his fists, but his gaze remained unwavering.
The lightning at Killua's fingertips flickered faintly before he forcibly suppressed it.
Leorio swallowed and took a deep breath.
The red light in Genos's eyes flashed as he entered maximum alert status.
"What about me?"
Saitama leaned over, pointing at the Cloud Sea beyond the stone door with a curious expression.
"Can I go in too?"
"You cannot."
The abbot