Upon the Heaven-Connecting River stood the Heaven-Connecting Steps; atop the Heaven-Connecting Steps lay the path to the Emperor's Tomb.
The old turtle smiled.
"This staircase is the first trial," he said.
"It will determine the strength of your Dao hearts.
"It is not for you or me to decide, but for these Heaven-Connecting Steps."
"Who will go first?"
True Person Longevity glanced at his disciple, Shouzhong, and instructed, "You will lead the way.
"If there is any danger, do not force yourself.
"Come back down immediately."
Shouzhong nodded.
With a low shout, he leaped directly onto the Heaven-Connecting Steps.
Originally, Shouzhong had intended to leap several steps higher.
Yet the moment he approached the Heaven-Connecting River, the torrential waters struck him back down.
Shouzhong nearly lost his footing and landed directly on the first step.
"Young people must not aim too high," the old turtle said with a smile.
"The road must be walked one step at a time.
"How could the Heaven-Connecting Path have any shortcuts?"
Shouzhong said nothing. The instant he stood upon the Heaven-Connecting Steps, the surrounding scene vanished.
What appeared before him was a host of immortals in the heavens.
"Human, you may not enter this place. Retreat at once, or bear the consequences yourself."
The immortals in the sky gazed down sternly, glaring furiously at Shouzhong below.
At that moment, Shouzhong's soul seemed to shudder violently.
His soul appeared to have broken free from his thoughts. He could no longer tell whether the environment around him was real or false.
He had even forgotten that he was currently undergoing the trial of the Heaven-Connecting Steps.
Shouzhong only felt that before him lay a bottomless abyss, as though endless gods and Buddhas stood in his way.
Before he could even take a single step, his legs