Three Hundred and Thirty-Three Steps

By the eleventh month, only two of the nine wooden plaques at the foot of Sea God Mountain were still being updated.

Zhu Zhuqing was the first to complete the 108 steps, and Dai Mubai reached the top three days later. Oscar sustained his Soul Power with Recovery Sausages and took another half month. Ma Hongjun caught up quickly after reaching level 62. His Phoenix wings spread on the final step, completing his first black-level trial.

The four of them had passed in different ways. Zhu Zhuqing slowed herself down and did not rush a single step of the final twenty. Dai Mubai faced the Divine Light head-on throughout, and his White Tiger Bodyguard Barrier shattered just as he reached the top. Oscar ate more than thirty Recovery Sausages along the way; afterward, even his words smelled of sausage. Ma Hongjun broke Phoenix Cloud-Piercing Strike into short bursts, charging forward only one step at a time.

Bai Chenxiang finished carving the numbers on all four plaques. When she got to Ma Hongjun's, she carved a tiny feather after the 108. Ma Hongjun noticed but said nothing. He merely moved the plaque beside his bed.

Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu were aiming for 136 steps.

With Oscar beside her, Ning Rongrong used the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's amplification in stages. Whenever her Soul Power neared exhaustion, she stopped to eat a Recovery Sausage and waited for her meridians to stabilize before moving on. Xiao Wu took another approach. She pushed Soft Bone Technique to its limit, shifting her balance with the Divine Light. For the last ten steps, she moved upward almost pressed against the stairs.

Two red pillars of light rose on the same day.

Xiao Wu stepped onto the summit half a pace ahead of Ning Rongrong. She