Ch. 30 - The Newcomer Trial

When Xu Zimo and Lin Ruhu arrived at the sect's entrance, the trial for new disciples had already commenced. The 188 steps leading up to the sect were crowded with aspiring disciples. At the top of the staircase, two outer court elders and one inner court elder were overseeing the assessment. The inner court elder, aligned with the Grand Elder's faction, merely grunted upon seeing Xu Zimo, offering no further acknowledgment. In contrast, one of the outer court elders, affiliated with Xu Qingshan's lineage, greeted him warmly. "Nephew Zimo, you've arrived," the elder said with a smile. "Greetings, Elder Jin," Xu Zimo replied. "How's the trial this year? Any promising candidates?" Ignoring the indifferent inner court elder, Xu Zimo engaged in conversation with Elder Jin. "There are a few notable ones," Elder Jin responded. "See those disciples on the first eight steps? They show considerable potential." The 188 steps of the True Martial Sacred Ground were divided into sections: Xu Zimo noticed Baili Xiao among them and inquired, "Isn't that the girl brought back by the Sixth Grand Elder? Why is she participating in the trial?" "She insisted on it herself. We couldn't refuse," Elder Jin explained with a smile. Xu Zimo smiled, noting her maturity. From a humble village girl, she had suddenly become the niece of the Sixth Grand Elder of the True Martial Sacred Ground. Yet, she hadn't lost herself in the transition and remained grounded. Xu Zimo murmured with a smile, "As expected of the Grand Empress' chosen successor." "If you're looking to build your faction, Nephew Zimo, consider these individuals," Elder Jin suggested. He then introduced the talented disciples undergoing the trial. At the forefront was a young man in white robes, carrying a longsword. Despite the intense gravity making each step challenging, he remained composed and unwavering. "He's Xue Buhui from the Huang Clan of Northwest City," Elder Jin said. "Arguably the most gifted among this batch." "Why would a member of the Huang Clan join our sect?" Lin Ruhu asked curiously. Though not on par with the True Martial Sacred Ground, the Huang Clan was a prominent clan in Northwest City. Founded by a Sword God who once contended for Heaven’s Will against a Grand Emperor, their legacy was significant. "He's a concubine's son, born to a lowly maid. An accident, really," Elder Jin explained. "He doesn't receive proper resources in the Huang Clan and faces constant opposition. He goes by Yan Buhui, taking his mother's surname." "He's impressive," Xu Zimo recalled from past memories. "One day, perhaps he'll uphold his ancestor's glory and inherit the Sword God's legacy." "You hold him in high regard?" the inner court elder remarked disdainfully. Xu Zimo glanced at him and replied calmly, "Mind your own business." The inner court elder's face darkened, and he turned away with a cold snort. "As for Baili Xiao, there's little to add. The Sixth Grand Elder dotes on her, so her talent must be considerable," Elder Jin continued. "Further down, those twin girls are Xue Qianxue and Xue Mengmeng. They're locals from a town under our sect's jurisdiction. Their family's previous head was an inner court elder. Before their arrival, their family head requested I look after them. They practice a combined technique that doubles their power when used together. Ordinarily, their strength wouldn't suffice for the first eight steps, but their combined technique gives them an edge." Xu Zimo smiled, recalling that these twins later became Baili Xiao's attendants, enjoying considerable prestige. "Further down, that burly fellow is Gao Xiong," Elder Jin continued. "He's from a remote village in the Myriad Mountains. Among these candidates, his cultivation is the lowest, only at the Ninth Stage of the Mortal Realm, not yet in the Spirit Meridian Realm. But his physical strength is the most promising I've seen in years. He reached the first eight steps purely through brute force." After hearing Elder Jin's introductions, Xu Zimo turned to Lin Ruhu and said, "Let's participate in the trial ourselves to avoid any gossip." "Sure," Lin Ruhuo agreed nonchalantly. They approached the base of the mountain and began ascending step by step. The trial had strict rules: no defensive artifacts allowed, and each step had to be taken individually, regardless of one's capability. As Xu Zimo stepped onto the staircase, he felt gravity pressing from all directions. His previously unstable ninth-stage Spirit Meridian Realm cultivation began to stabilize, and his internal spiritual energy became more refined. "Ruhu, don't resist the gravity. Try to merge with it," Xu Zimo advised. "It'll not only lighten the burden but also temper your body more effectively." Lin Ruhu nodded. His talent wasn't inferior to Xu Zimo's, and after practicing the 'Strength Scripture,' his muscles had become more pronounced, hinting at a future as a muscular powerhouse. Xu Zimo ascended the steps leisurely, simultaneously refining himself and harmonizing with the gravity. After about ten minutes, he calmly traversed the 100 steps with double gravity. Then, he tackled the 80 steps with five times gravity, pausing briefly to adjust before proceeding effortlessly. Lin Ruhu, though slightly strained, kept pace with Xu Zimo. Eventually, they reached the final eight steps. According to the sect's rules, merely reaching the tenfold gravity steps was considered passing the trial.