The elder's voice echoed like a sword striking a bell, spreading clearly across the vast gathering grounds.
"There are three tests to enter Taixu Sword Sect."
The sea of people immediately quieted.
"First—Endure pressure."
"Second—Bone age."
"Third—Heavenly Ladder."
The elder paused, his sharp gaze sweeping over nearly a million hopefuls.
"Those who fail any stage—leave immediately. There will be no second chances."
Murmurs erupted instantly.
Some clenched their fists in excitement.
Some swallowed nervously.
Others already showed fear in their eyes.
"First one thousand enter the inner gate," the elder continued calmly.
"Next ten thousand enter the outer gate."
"Next one hundred thousand will become menial disciples."
"If you cannot accept this—leave now."
No one moved.
The elder nodded once.
"The test will begin in one hour."
With that, his figure blurred and vanished, leaving behind a heavy silence.
An Unexpected Encounter
Not long after, Yuan Chen felt a presence approaching.
He turned slightly.
A fat man, round-faced with small eyes that sparkled like treasure lanterns, stood before him, grinning ear to ear.
"Brother!" the fat man said enthusiastically. "That mask—where did you buy it? No matter how I look, I still feel ugly. But you—cool!"
Yuan Chen paused.
"…I found it on the roadside."
The fat man froze for a second.
Then nodded seriously.
"Ohh… roadside treasures. I knew it."
Even Yuan Chen was mildly surprised.
He actually believes that?
The fat man slapped his chest proudly.
"My name's Hu Fei. Casual cultivator. No background, no clan, no destiny—just vibes."
Yuan Chen replied flatly,
BLACK SWORDSMAN
Hu Fei leaned closer.
"Brother BLACK which peak are you aiming for?"
Yuan Chen tilted his head.
"Peaks?"
Hu Fei blinked.
"You don't know?"
Yuan Chen shook his head honestly.
Hu Fei laughed.
"It's fine, it's fine. Taixu Sword Sect has nine peaks."
He began counting on his fingers.
"Sect Leader Peak—most popular."
"Azure Sword Peak."
"Crimson Flame Peak."
"Thunder Sound Peak."
"Hidden Edge Peak."
"Misty Cloud Peak."
"Cold Moon Peak."
"And lastly…"
He lowered his voice.
"Cherry Blossom Peak 🌸."
Yuan Chen's interest rose slightly.
"That one is the weakest," Hu Fei whispered. "Weak compared to other peaks, of course. But it's strange. They only have five disciples, and no one knows what they cultivate."
"They haven't accepted anyone for hundreds of years."
Yuan Chen nodded quietly.
Interesting.
First Test: Pressure
An hour passed quickly.
An elder descended from the sky and stood midair.
"Now," he said coldly, "I will release my pressure."
"If you can stand for ten minutes, you pass."
The next instant—
Boom.
A terrifying aura crashed down like a collapsing mountain.
People screamed.
Some fell to their knees instantly.
Others vomited blood.
Many collapsed unconscious.
Hu Fei trembled violently, teeth chattering.
"This—this is insane!"
Yuan Chen felt the pressure clearly.
To him—
It felt like a gentle breeze.
Still, he frowned, hunched slightly, and let a trace of pain show on his face.
Standing out now is annoying.
Ten minutes felt like an eternity for most.
When the pressure finally withdrew—
Only 500,000 people remained standing.
The rest were already carried away.
Second Test: Bone Age
The elder waved his hand.
A formation lit up.
"Step forward one by one."
Bone age was simple.
Cultivation could extend life—but potential mattered early.
Yuan Chen stepped into the formation.
A faint glow passed over him.
"Bone age—acceptable."
He walked out calmly.
After this stage—
Only 336,000 remained.
Hu Fei wiped sweat from his forehead.
"Brother Yuan… we're still alive."
Yuan Chen nodded.
"For now."
Third Test: Heavenly Ladder
The ground trembled.
A massive stone ladder emerged, rising straight into the clouds.
"Heavenly Ladder," the elder announced.
"9,999 steps."
"Pressure increases based on talent and potential."
"No one has ever reached the top."
"The current record—8,500 steps."
The crowd erupted.
Some faces burned with ambition.
Others turned pale.
Yuan Chen suddenly heard a system notification.
Ding.
"Reach 10,000 steps."
Yuan Chen's forehead twitched.
System… are you blind?
It clearly says 9,999.
"Reward: Opportunity map for Little Red."
Yuan Chen went silent.
"…Fine."
He stepped forward toward the ladder.
Hu Fei shouted nervously,
"Brother Yuan! If you reach the top—remember me!"
Yuan Chen didn't turn back.
He placed his foot on the first step.
And began to climb.
The moment the Black Swordsman placed his foot on the first step of the Heavenly Ladder, a faint pressure descended upon him.
It was light.
Almost playful.
To Yuan Chen, it felt no different from a child tugging at his sleeve.
So this is the Heavenly Ladder?
That's it?
Outwardly, however, he slowed his breathing and deliberately moderated his pace. He climbed neither fast nor slow—just enough to look talented, not monstrous.
Ten steps.
Fifty steps.
One hundred steps.
Around him, contestants began to falter.
Some collapsed to their knees, gasping for air.
Some vomited blood as their bones screamed in protest.
Some simply froze, unable to take another step.
The Black Swordsman continued upward, calm and steady.
At three hundred steps, whispers began.
"At this age… how is he still walking?"
"Who is he?"
"That mask—have you seen him before?"
At five hundred steps, many eyes locked onto him.
At seven hundred steps, something strange happened.
He stopped seeing people beside him.
The ladder ahead was empty.
The ladder behind—crowded.
Yuan Chen paused and glanced back.
Below him, thousands of faces stared upward, eyes wide with disbelief. Even cultivators far older than him struggled several hundred steps lower.
Among the crowd, Hu Fei shouted hoarsely,
"Brother Black Swordsman—are you even human?!"
Yuan Chen ignored him.
Above, the air grew heavier, the pressure sharper—yet still meaningless to him.
He continued climbing.
Breaking the Ancient Record
Eight thousand steps.
The atmosphere turned solemn.
Elders standing at the foot of the ladder straightened unconsciously.
Eight thousand four hundred.
A ripple spread across the heavens.
Eight thousand five hundred.
The previous record.
The Black Swordsman took one more step.
8,501.
For a split second, silence reigned.
Then—
"He broke it!"
"The record was broken!"
"An ancient record—shattered!"
Cheers erupted like a tidal wave.
At the same time, terrifying auras descended from the sky.
One by one, figures appeared in midair—solemn, powerful, unfathomable.
Peak Masters.
Hall Elders.
Even the Sect Leader himself.
Only one seat remained empty.
The Cherry Blossom Peak.
Yuan Chen paid them no mind.
They're noisy.
He climbed.
The Elders' Turmoil
At the foot of the ladder, arguments had already begun.
"Which peak does he belong to?"
"With such talent, he must enter the Sect Leader Peak!"
"Nonsense! Azure Sword Peak is the most suitable!"
"Our Thunder Sound Peak specializes in geniuses like him!"
An elder hurriedly reported,
"Reporting to Peak Masters—his name is Black Swordsman."
A brief silence followed.
"A pseudonym?"
"A masked cultivator?"
"Hmph… interesting."
No one objected.
In this world, strength was identity.
The Final Steps
Nine thousand steps.
Even the air trembled.
The Heavenly Ladder groaned as if burdened by something it could not fully endure.
Yuan Chen felt it then—not pressure, but resistance.
So this is where it ends.
9,998.
He stopped.
Cheers thundered from below, assuming this was the limit.
Yet—
He didn't come down.
The crowd grew confused.
"What's he doing?"
"Is he stuck?"
"Has he reached his limit?"
Yuan Chen stared forward.
There was no step ahead.
Only empty space.
No step…
Then I'll make one.
His eyes sharpened.
The Chaos Body, Supreme Bone, and Heavy Eyes resonated as one.
Chaos surged.
Reality bent.
Yuan Chen lifted his foot—and stepped forward.
A step formed beneath him.
Not stone.
Not light.
But law itself, compressed into form.
The heavens fell silent.
Cultivators forgot to breathe.
Even the Peak Masters stiffened, pupils contracting.
"He—he created a step?"
"That's impossible!"
"This defies Heaven!"
At that moment—
A pillar of light descended from above the ladder.
The sky split.
A figure appeared behind Yuan Chen.
Tall.
Silent.
Wearing an ancient mask.
His presence alone made the heavens bow.
It felt as if an Immortal Emperor was gazing down from beyond the Nine Heavens, peering into the mortal realm.
No one dared speak.
Only Yuan Chen heard the sound.
Ding.
"Congratulations, Host."
"Mission completed."
"Reward has been stored in system space."
The masked figure slowly faded.
The ladder trembled once more—then stabilized.
Yuan Chen turned.
And leapt down.
A Choice Before Him
He landed lightly at the foot of the ladder.
The crowd exploded.
Elders who had been arguing fell silent, all eyes locking onto the Black Swordsman.
Peak Masters exchanged glances—no longer debating, but calculating.
Yuan Chen stood still, expression hidden beneath his mask.
So… which peak do I choose?