The Second Trial

Chapter 31: The Second Trial

However, within the True Martial Sacred Sect, outer disciples were also divided into ordinary and elite.

Ascending the eight steps with ten times gravity counted as an ordinary outer disciple.

But if one could complete all eight steps, they would then become an elite disciple.

Elite disciples certainly received far more resources. The path of cultivation requires wealth, companions, methods, and a suitable environment – all indispensable.

Therefore, every year, many new disciples wished to challenge this, directly becoming elite disciples and leaving behind a legendary tale.

Xu Zimo stepped onto the ten-times gravity stairs. The gravitational pull grew stronger. He moved his body a bit and let out a long breath.

He stepped onto the first level, where the twin sisters were standing.

Xu Zimo looked down at them, his gaze lingering for a moment on their chests.

"What are you looking at? Haven't you seen beautiful women before?" the younger sister, Xue Mengmeng, bared her small fangs and glared at Xu Zimo.

"I live on Yan Nan Peak." Xu Zimo patted both of their shoulders three times, then laughed heartily and walked towards the second level.

"What does he mean?" Xue Mengmeng looked at her sister, confused.

Her older sister, Xue Qianxue, gritted her teeth and said indignantly, "He told us where he lives and patted our shoulders three times.

He means for us to find him on Yan Nan Peak at the third watch."

"Shameless," Xue Mengmeng watched Xu Zimo's retreating back, her small fists clenched, her face flushed red.

Xu Zimo stepped onto the third level. He smiled at the burly young man named Gao Xiong standing before him.

"My name is Gao Xiong, nice to meet you," the young man called Gao Xiong said, scratching the back of his head and smiling honestly. "My mother said that when I was a child, I could wrestle with brown bears in the forest without losing any strength, so she named me Gao Xiong."

"Little Prince of Close Combat," Xu Zimo chuckled. "Young man, I think highly of you. Want to follow me?"

"Are there any benefits?" Gao Xiong asked curiously.

"When I bear Destiny and ascend to become a Great Emperor, I'll make you my second-in-command. How about it?" Xu Zimo smiled.

As for the position of first-in-command, it had already been reserved by Lin Ruhu.

"But I also want to be a Great Emperor," Gao Xiong smiled, revealing a mouthful of white teeth, and replied naively.

"If you compete with me for Destiny, then I'll have no choice but to kill you," Xu Zimo said.

"Maybe I can kill you instead," Gao Xiong smiled and replied nonchalantly.

"Haha, interesting, truly interesting," Xu Zimo laughed heartily. Then he looked at Gao Xiong inexplicably and said, "With the bloodline of an Ancient Power Bear, you indeed have the qualifications to contend for Destiny.

It's a pity you were born in the same era as me."

Gao Xiong's expression changed. He looked intently at Xu Zimo.

His Ancient Power Bear bloodline was his secret. How could this person know about it?

Leaving Gao Xiong lost in thought, Xu Zimo continued upward, arriving before the fifth level.

He looked at the young girl in front of him. Baili Xiao was also looking at him. Their eyes met.

"I truly regret my foolish actions back then," Xu Zimo said calmly.

The girl looked at him, her eyes full of confusion.

A gentle breeze stirred ripples on the lake. The branches of the willow trees on both sides swayed with the wind. A few birds flew in from afar, their wings beating with soft chirps.

"The game has begun, but this time, I am the one in control," Xu Zimo suddenly smiled. He ignored the girl, took a step into the air, radiant and exceptionally carefree.

Yan Buhui stood with his sword held, his body upright, like a drawn sword.

Sword Qi emanated from him, his white robes fluttering in the wind. His long hair was tied up in a bun, with a slanted fringe covering half of his eyebrow, dancing slightly in the wind.

"Do you want revenge?" Xu Zimo stepped onto the stairs, looking forward with the young man, and said with a smile.

"If you help me destroy the Huang Family, this life of mine is yours," Yan Buhui turned his head, his eyes flashing like sharp swords, looking intently at Xu Zimo.

"Shouldn't you destroy your enemies with your own hands for true satisfaction?" Xu Zimo smiled. He didn't pay attention to the young man's astonished gaze and stepped onto the last level.

His aura surged like a rainbow, spiritual energy surging around him like a long river. His purple robe billowed behind him. He turned and looked down at the countless youths still struggling under the gravity.

Xu Zimo couldn't help but think of the True Martial Great Emperor. When that man bore Destiny, stood at the peak of the heavens, and shouted "Destiny is mine alone" in front of everyone, what kind of spirit must he have possessed.

"Nephew Zimo is truly exceptionally talented," the Inner Sect Elder said sarcastically from the side. "Truly worthy of the Vice Sect Master's constant nurturing."

The Inner Sect Elder's implication was that Xu Zimo could outperform other new disciples only because his father was the Vice Sect Master and he had been piled with the best resources.

"Leave some room for yourself when you act, don't leave yourself no chance to beg for mercy later," Xu Zimo said, giving the Inner Sect Elder a faint glance.

The Inner Sect Elder's expression changed. He gave Xu Zimo a deep look and said nothing more.

After Xu Zimo ascended the 188 steps, Lin Ruhu also struggled for a long time before managing to climb up.

Yan Buhui was enveloped in sword Qi, as if reaching for the heavens. Sword cries sounded, and he finally climbed up.

However, although Baili Xiao's performance wasn't breathtaking, she still climbed up step by step, step by step.

When everyone thought it was impossible, she gritted her teeth and finally ascended, enduring the crushing gravity that threatened to shatter every bone in her body.

After that, no other disciple managed to climb all one hundred and eighty-eight steps, though many later managed to ascend those eight steps.

The True Martial Sacred Sect's trials are divided into three stages. Once all three stages are completed, each person's scores from every stage will be added together.

The top one hundred disciples will be able to join the True Martial Sacred Sect as outer disciples.

As for the second stage, it tests one's aptitude, which is absolutely crucial for a martial artist.

Even Empress Hongtian back then, that girl with ordinary aptitude, eventually found ways to improve her aptitude step by step on her path to becoming an emperor.

The True Martial Sacred Sect divides aptitude into nine grades, with Grade One being the strongest and Grade Nine being the weakest.

An aptitude of Grade Four or above is generally considered acceptable.

Xu Zimo did not participate in this stage. After fusing with the foremost ancient physique, the Prison Suppressing Divine Body, Xu Zimo was quite confident in his own aptitude.

In this stage, Gao Xiong and Yan Buhui both possessed Grade One aptitude, while Baili Xiao had Grade Two aptitude. Those two twins had Grade Three aptitude.

The aptitude test uses a special Enlightenment Stone. The Enlightenment Stone is a rare treasure of heaven and earth, and after modification, it is specifically used to test aptitude.