For several breaths, no one moved as thousands of participants stood before the first step of the Evernight Ascension Stairway, yet the atmosphere was strangely quiet.
No one dared to be first; the stairway was simply too mysterious, even without terrifying flames, thunder, visible killing intent, or ancient beasts guarding the path.
The first step merely sat there in the darkness. It was ten miles wide, ancient, weathered, and silent. Yet somehow, every participant looking at it felt an inexplicable heaviness in their heart.
It was the kind of instinct that countless years of cultivation had carved into their souls: Danger!
Although no one knew why, they simply knew that stepping onto that first stair would not be as simple as walking onto ordinary stone.
At the very front of the crowd, however, a slender veiled figure slowly stepped forward. Her black-and-violet robes moved gently despite the complete absence of wind.
It was none other than Eva!
