Translator: _Tat_ Editor: Rundi
“In the blink of an eye, 20 years have pa.s.sed.”
Staring at the tall grand mountain, Ling Xian exclaimed.
Since he was threatened by the three foreign kinds, more than 20 years have pa.s.sed. To cultivators, this was nothing. Especially those cultivators who were high in realm – this timeframe cannot even leave a wrinkle.
For Ling Xian, after these many years, he remained looking like a 17-to-18-year-old. He was a bit overly young.
However, his bright eyes were full of life experiences. Especially after he experienced death, he has come to understand many things and his eyes shone with much intelligence.
“Let's go. I hope the Supreme Headmaster will not be too shocked to see me.”
Ling Xian warmly smiled but did not enter through the front door. Instead, he used the stone stairs by the side of the mountain to climb up.
This stone path was named the Stairway to Heaven and was composed of 9999 steps.
Three hundred years ago, it was used to test the pupils. Only those who could get through them qualified to be a pupil of the Wan Jian House.
This stone stairway was very difficult to climb and tested a person's resolve and will. Those without much endurance cannot cross it and plus as times went on and as times changed, the standard of choosing pupils replaced natural talent with enlightenment. Therefore, this stairway lost its purpose.
Therefore, as time pa.s.sed on, the Wan Jian House no longer used it to choose its students. Those who want to enter the House also had no more need to use these stone steps. However, these steps were paved by the ancestors of the House and were basically a spiritual pillar.
Sadly, 300 years have pa.s.sed and less and less people dared to attempt it. The number of people who could finish climbing it was very few.
For one, climbing this stairway was tough on the body. For two, as times changed, people placed too much emphasis on talent and enlightenment.
Once one realizes that they cannot reach the standard, they lose their resolve on achieving their original goal. Therefore, who can pa.s.s the test of climbing these stairs?
One has to admit that this was the tragedy of this era and the tragedy of the entire Taoism community.
Everyone emphasized natural talent and enlightenment far too much – just like how mortals view power and money. Because of this, they overlooked the most beautiful and most important factor.
“This era's tragedy is something people cannot change.”
Ling Xian softly sighed and as he walked up the stairs, he became more certain that he wanted to experience this stairway that tests the fundamental quality of a cultivator.
To him, there was no challenge with this staircase. For one, he was capable in the physical body and never feels tired. For two, he had good endurance.
Therefore, as he walked on, he enjoyed the view around him.
After he pa.s.sed around 2,000 steps, he saw a skinny and weak silhouette of a woman.
The reason why he knew she was a woman was that she was wearing a yellow gown. The dress was very patched up and it was an old style.
It appeared that this woman didn't come from a wealthy family.
“Interesting. Someone is challenging the Stairway to Heaven. Is she trying to be admitted into the Wan Jian House?” Ling Xian softly smiled and quickly walked until he was in front of the woman and checked her out.
Her visage was delicate and her brows were not fully grown out. She looked around 13 to 14. But perhaps she was malnourished, her face was little jaundiced.
Right now, her teeth were gritted and she was sweating from the forehead as she marched with much difficulty.
Ling Xian's appearance made her a little surprised. But very quickly, she stopped looking. Amongst those dark eyes, there were only the stairs and there was only determination.
At this, Ling Xian raised an eyebrow, a little shocked.
He could tell that this woman was a mortal without any Qi and was malnourished with a weak physique. Yet she had walked more than 2,000 steps. To a 13-to-14-year-old mortal, this wasn't easy.
This interested Ling Xian. He smiled. “Young girl, you are climbing the stairs to try and be admitted into the Wan Jian House?”
Hearing this, the young girl glared at him like he was a moron.
This stunned Ling Xian a little. He shook his head and smiled. He understood.
If it weren't to get into the Wan Jian House, why would anyone try to climb these stairs? For a powerhouse like him, it was whatever. But for a mortal, who would do this just for fun?
“Sorry, I was wrong.”
Ling Xian grinned and continued asking, “Did you not pa.s.s the Wan Jian House's test?”
After he spoke those words, he wanted to slap himself in the face. What a waste of words! If she pa.s.sed the tests, why would she climb the stairs? Who would be so bored that they would torture themselves?
Like he expected after he said that, he received the same treatment from the young girl. She looked at him like she was looking at a moron.
Ling Xian wasn't sure if he should laugh or cry. He wasn't to blame. After meeting a stranger here, anyone would be asking these strange questions.
“I am sorry for choosing all the wrong words.”
Ling Xian shook his head and smiled, “What is your name?”
Hearing this, the young girl didn't even look at him. She continued to grit her teeth and challenged the stairs.
Sadly, she was already very weak at this point. Therefore, every step she took was very difficult. If this continues, she won't even make it halfway, let alone making it to the top.
However, this young girl was determined. She continued to clench her teeth and walked on.
Her stubborn looks moved even Ling Xian.
“What a stubborn young girl.”
Ling Xian praised and felt playful. He smiled, “Based on your current condition, there is no way you can get to the top. How about I help you?”
This time, the young girl gave him a glance. But the way she looked at him remained the same – like looking at a moron.
“The same gaze… what did I say that makes me look like a moron?”
Ling Xian was speechless. Ever since he began cultivation, this was the first time someone's looked at him like this and ignored his existence.
Hearing this, the young girl pouted and finally opened her mouth. Her voice was like pearls. .h.i.tting a plate, crisp to the ear and very nice to hear.
“You don't look old in age and yet you are climbing the stairs. You are probably also one of those people who didn't pa.s.s the test. You cannot even promise yourself a spot, how can you help me?”
Ling Xian was a little startled. He shook his head and smiled. This young girl thought he was here for the test.
Therefore, he didn't tell her his real ident.i.ty and asked with a smile, “I just want to you ask you, if I can help you reach to the top, are you willing to trust me?”
Hearing this, the young girl frowned. Looking at the topless stairs before her, she was debating.
But in the end, she shook her head steadily, “I don't need it. if I cheat my way into the Wan Jian House, I won't be able to achieve much in the future.”
“Not bad. A stubborn, strong, and upright young girl.” Ling Xian praised, his eyes shone with admiration.
He just wanted to test her mentality. But if she had said yes, then he would've carried her to the top.
But then, he would be a little disappointed. However, the young girl declined him with such great words. Naturally, he liked her for it.
What she said next though, put clouds above his head.
“After all, you don't look like someone strong. And you definitely don't look like a good guy.”
