Chapter Seven: The Azure Sun Sect

Qingyang Sect, one of the Three Great Sects of the Zhao Kingdom on the Qingzhou Continent, stood in the southeastern region of the kingdom, its prestige on par with the Ziyang Sect and Xisha Sect. Powerful figures abounded within its ranks, and it was rumored that its Supreme Elder had attained the legendary Imperial Realm, a state of mastery that touched the very mysteries of creation.

At this moment, the mid-mountain plateau of Qingyang Mountain was abuzz with people. On one side of the platform stood a massive stone stele, upon which the words “Qingyang Sect” were inscribed in bold, flowing calligraphy. Beside the stele, a stone stairway stretched skyward, inviting awe and longing from all who gazed upon it.

Before long, a streak of rainbow light flashed across the sky, and three figures appeared on the platform: Lin Cheng and his two companions. The man in red at the front picked a spot and led the other two over, drawing curious glances from the crowd.

“Senior Brother Wang, for you to personally escort these two, they must be remarkable indeed, mustn’t they?” As the red-clad man passed, a handsome young man in purple hurried forward, clasping his hands in greeting. He scrutinized Lin Cheng and his friend, thinking to himself that for Senior Brother Wang, the chief inner disciple of Yuyang Peak, to fetch them personally, these two must surely be extraordinary.

Wang Shan, the red-robed man, returned the gesture indifferently. “It was Uncle Zhou’s order that I receive them…” He trailed off, while more and more people continued to arrive on the platform. Lin Cheng and Lin Hu looked around with open curiosity, guessing that these must be the other disciples chosen by the sect.

Then, their eyes fell upon a familiar face glaring at them with clenched teeth—Zhang Bao. Lin Hu made a mocking face at him and then promptly ignored him, so infuriating Zhang Bao that he nearly exploded with rage.

A beam of azure light streaked in from the horizon and resolved into three figures. At the forefront was Elder Zhou Qing of the Qingyang Sect, the very man who had tested Lin Cheng and Lin Hu’s spiritual roots. Following him was the sweet, quiet girl with twin ponytails, Xu Xiner, and, unexpectedly, the green-robed girl Xiaocui whom the two had once saved.

Lin Hu’s eyes nearly popped from his head when he saw Xiaocui. In his delight, he almost leapt up, for he had believed he would never see again the girl who haunted his thoughts—yet here she was, at Qingyang Sect. Suddenly, he felt an unstoppable surge of motivation.

Xiaocui noticed them as well, and offered a sweet smile. She too was delighted to meet them here.

Lin Cheng smiled and nodded, his gaze flickering to Xu Xiner, who quickly glanced back at him. Both Lin Cheng and Lin Hu were overjoyed, exchanging mischievous grins.

At that moment, Elder Zhou Qing strode to the center of the platform and spoke in a resonant voice, “All those who have passed the spiritual root examination are present. However, to join the Qingyang Sect, you must endure one more trial. Do you see the stone steps behind me...?”

“These steps number three thousand, embodying the myriad paths of the Way. This trial will test your willpower. Cultivation is a path that defies fate; without immense perseverance, all else is but an empty dream. Only by conquering these three thousand steps can you formally join the Qingyang Sect…”

At these words, the crowd looked at one another in surprise, their voices rising in discussion.

“The trial begins now. If you fail to reach the top by sunset, or give up halfway, the sect will see you safely home…” Zhou Qing finished and then turned to Xu Xiner and Xiaocui.

“You two need not participate—come with me.”

With a wave, he led the two girls swiftly toward the mountain summit.

Wang Shan approached Lin Cheng, his expression unreadable. “I’ll be waiting for you at the summit,” he said, and then leapt away.

Lin Cheng and Lin Hu exchanged a glance, then grinned broadly at each other. “Three thousand steps? Let’s do it…”

With that, they set foot upon the stone stairway and began their ascent.

One by one, the young faces climbed the steps toward the mountaintop, eyes alight with longing and hope for the immortal path. Some boys and girls, unable to persist, withdrew along the way. As they left, their eyes still held traces of regret. Others, relying on strong physiques, charged up like wild tigers—Zhang Bao among them, who sneered provocatively at Lin Cheng and Lin Hu as he passed.

For their part, Lin Cheng and Lin Hu were steadily making their way up, with Lin Hu’s panting audible every few steps. Were it not for Lin Hu, Lin Cheng could have reached the summit already, but he feigned fatigue, not wishing to reveal his true strength.

As they ascended, the number of climbers dwindled. A few caught Lin Cheng’s attention—he recalled they’d started far behind, yet now they had surged ahead, already two-thirds up the stairway.

Lin Hu could go no further. He plopped down on the steps, gasping for breath. His spiritual roots were incomplete, and his body weaker than most; to have come this far was a feat of willpower in itself.

Staring up at the endless steps above, Lin Hu said in despair, “Crazy Lin, I know you’ve only stayed back for me, but I truly can’t go on. Perhaps the path of cultivation just isn’t meant for me… Go on ahead, don’t mind me…”

“Don’t talk nonsense. Remember what we said? Good brothers rise and fall together, flying sword in hand, the world beneath our feet…”

“If you ever want to see Xiaocui again, you’d better climb these steps, even if it’s just for her…” Lin Cheng punched him lightly on the chest, half-joking, half-serious.

At the mention of Xiaocui, a spark returned to Lin Hu’s eyes. After resting a moment, he gritted his teeth. “For Xiaocui…”

With that, he scrambled to his feet and pressed on.

Lin Cheng shook his head with a smile and followed after him.

As dusk deepened, the afterglow of the setting sun bathed the long stairway. Here and there, scattered figures pressed onward with heavy steps, each stair soaked in their sweat.

“For Xiaocui…”

“…For Xiaocui…”

“I can’t… Crazy Lin, I truly… can’t go on…”

Lin Hu now leaned sideways against the steps, sweat pouring down his face, his breath ragged and weak.

Lin Cheng was not faring much better. Though his strength had reached the third level of True Qi, his legs too were trembling. He clapped Lin Hu on the shoulder. “Hold on a bit longer. The summit is just ahead…”

Lin Hu looked up and, through the haze, glimpsed the end of the steps, but his limbs no longer responded—he couldn’t muster the strength to lift his foot.

Not far above, Zhang Bao was also catching his breath. Seeing Lin Hu sprawled like a dead dog, he sneered, “Fatty, and you thought you could join Qingyang Sect? Maybe in your next life, keep dreaming!”

Lin Hu glared furiously at Zhang Bao.

Lin Cheng spoke coldly, “Zhang Bao, if you don’t want me to throw you down right now, you’d best shut your mouth!”

He reached out a hand to Lin Hu, who understood, and Lin Cheng gently helped him up. “The summit is just ahead. Beyond it lies a new world. Do you remember the eyes of your parents, of the old village chief? We don’t strive to become immortals—only not to let them down…”