Chapter 7

"Congratulations, the two of you..."

"Shit!? What kind of monster!?"

The sudden voice from behind startled Wang Lu, making him shudder. He jumped up and turned around, only to find that two young men in blue and white robes had appeared behind him. They were about twenty-five or twenty-six years old. Although the colors of their robes were different, the style was similar to that of the black and white-robed brothers on the Golden Bridge, indicating they were disciples of the Spirit Sword Sect.

The two disciples had indifferent expressions. The older one bowed to Wang Lu and the book boy: "I am Zhang Ying, a disciple of the Free and Easy Peak of the Spirit Sword Sect. This is Lu Ming."

Wang Lu responded with an "Oh."

"Congratulations on reaching this point on the Golden Bridge. According to the rules of our sect, you can return to the mountain gate with us and cultivate on the Free and Easy Peak."

"..." Wang Lu frowned, remaining silent.

Zhang Ying did not urge him, waiting silently for Wang Lu's response.

After a moment, Wang Lu remained silent, but the little book boy spoke up: "Sir, Sir, do you mean... we, have, been accepted by your sect?"

Zhang Ying nodded: "Yes, that's right."

Lu Ming added: "The Golden Bridge of Ascension was personally crafted by the sect leader to assess the qualifications of cultivators. The better the qualifications, the farther one can walk on the bridge. Reaching this point means you have met the entry standards."

The book boy was stunned for a moment, then overjoyed: "Is, is this true?"

"Absolutely true."

"Master! Did you hear that? We succeeded! We have been accepted into the Spirit Sword Sect!"

Wang Lu shook his head: "Please, what about the two who fell from the Golden Bridge earlier?"

Zhang Ying's expression became slightly unnatural: "They? They are the senior brothers of the Ethereal Peak."

"Ethereal Peak? Free and Easy Peak? What's the difference?"

Zhang Ying's face darkened: "Why so many questions?"

Lu Ming, however, smiled bitterly: "Senior brother, there's no need to be embarrassed... From the outside, Spirit Sword Mountain appears as a single peak, but in reality, it consists of multiple peaks. The Free and Easy Peak is actually the outer gate of Spirit Sword Mountain, while the Ethereal Peak is the inner gate. The two senior brothers are on a different level from us."

Wang Lu smiled: "I thought so. Those in black and white clearly have a higher status than you two in blue and white." He then asked suspiciously, "But, does the Spirit Sword Sect admit new disciples based solely on the Golden Bridge? Reaching this point means entering the outer gate, and then what? If one can walk all the way to the end, can they enter the inner gate?"

Lu Ming replied: "Of course not. The selection process for the inner gate of the Spirit Sword Sect is extremely strict, requiring not only qualifications but also temperament and destiny. Even with excellent qualifications, it's unlikely that someone with a heavenly root would be favored by the master of the Ethereal Peak."

Wang Lu: "Damn."

"Ah?"

Wang Lu laughed: "Nothing. What are the requirements for new disciples to enter the inner gate?"

Zhang Ying snorted: "Want to enter the Ethereal Peak? It's simple. Just go straight ahead to the Ethereal Peak. If you can make it, the master will naturally accept you."

Wang Lu looked in the direction Zhang Ying pointed, seeing a cloud of mist blocking the way ahead in the long valley.

"How far is it?"

Lu Ming smiled: "That depends on fate. It might be very far, or it might be right in front of you. The path of ascension has no fixed form."

Zhang Ying asked: "What do you plan to do? Follow us back to the Free and Easy Peak, or continue on this path of ascension? Let me remind you, once you pass this point, there's no turning back."

Wang Lu said: "In other words, if we choose to continue, we must walk all the way to the Ethereal Peak?"

Zhang Ying sneered: "Exactly. Either walk all the way to the Ethereal Peak and enter the inner gate of the Spirit Sword Sect, or the path of ascension ends here, and you return to the mortal world. If you look down on the Free and Easy Peak, don't expect us to be a backup. The Free and Easy Peak, though an outer gate, does not accept leftovers."

"Is it really that serious? I don't think you are third-class citizens of the Spirit Sword Sect, just mediocre failures."

"What did you say!?"

Wang Lu shrugged: "Anyway, since we're here and know the path of ascension isn't over, we should go all the way."

"Hmph, don't regret it... Don't think the Free and Easy Peak is inferior just because it's an outer gate. Our senior brother of the Free and Easy Peak is not much worse than the true disciples. Out of a thousand people, only a few can reach this point. Treasure your opportunity."

At this moment, the book boy nodded: "Master, shall we... go to the Free and Easy Peak?"

"You can go if you want. Why do you need my permission?"

"Ah..." The book boy's face fell, "Master, I was specifically sent by Lord to take care of you. How can I leave you alone..."

Wang Lu smiled, looking at the book boy's worried face, and finally shook his head: "Anyway, I'm going to move forward. If you want to follow, come along."

Zhang Ying glanced at the two.

"You two, don't regret it. I'm warning you, the second half of the path of ascension is far more difficult than you can imagine. In the past three hundred years, no one has successfully passed. In the past ascension gatherings, the disciples admitted only reached the Free and Easy Peak. The Spirit Sword Sect recruits inner gate disciples by sending elders on journeys to find those with destiny. It might take ten years or a hundred years to find a good candidate. The path of ascension is almost impossible to complete."

"No problem. I've been adventuring for decades, and my nickname is 'Ascension Laxative.' A little difficulty is nothing to worry about."

Zhang Ying turned his head: "... Hmph, I've said my piece. You do as you please!"

Wang Lu laughed and waved to Lu Ming: "Then, Senior Brother Lu Ming, I look forward to seeing you again at the mountain gate."

Lu Ming also smiled: "I've met a few new disciples before, but none as familiar as you. Well, let me add one more thing: the path of ascension has no fixed form, every blade of grass and every tree is a matter of destiny."

"..." Is this a subtle jab at someone who leaves a trail of affection everywhere?"

"Ha ha, figure it out for yourself. If I say more, I'll be punished by my master. Good luck!"

Zhang Ying pulled his junior brother: "Alright, I can't explain anymore... The next group seems to be coming. Get ready to welcome them."

As they spoke, they stretched out their hands, tearing the mountain mist to wrap around their ankles, and then slowly flew away, disappearing into the valley.

In the valley, Wang Lu and Wang Zhong, master and servant, looked at each other.

"Master, is it really a good idea to give up?"

"Of course not. Who said I'm giving up!? The challenges after the Free and Easy Peak have stumped the world's talents for over three hundred years. Without witnessing it firsthand, how can you be satisfied?"

The book boy nodded very unconvincingly: "Satisfied, very satisfied! Master, reaching this point was beyond my wildest dreams. When you said you wanted to participate in the Spirit Sword Sect's ascension gathering, everyone in the village thought you were crazy. Before I left, Lord even told me that if you were eliminated, we could go to a nearby big city to relax. Who would have thought you actually... really made it this far?"

"..." Which step? The real path of ascension is just beginning, okay?"

Seeing the book boy's puzzled look, Wang Lu broke his usual habit and explained his strategy.

"The key points are three. First, as the two in blue and white said, the path of ascension tests multiple aspects: qualifications, temperament, and destiny. We've only passed the qualification test, no, not even a real qualification test, just a necessary threshold. Do you really think the path of ascension ends here?"

"But..."

"But the Free and Easy Peak is already open? Don't be silly. The second key point is that the senior brother of the Free and Easy Peak, as the blue and white one said, is not much worse than the true disciples. Even if there's some exaggeration, he should still be an excellent talent. But why is such an excellent senior brother still on the Free and Easy Peak? Why not on the Ethereal Peak?"

"Why...?"

"Just like those who think they are great for reaching this point and believe joining the Free and Easy Peak is a great honor... because their limit is here. If you choose the easy path, don't complain about not seeing the hidden plot."

"Huh?"

"Forget it, you won't understand. The third key point is..."

Wang Lu lifted his head, his gaze becoming profound in the mist, as if flames were burning in his pupils.

"As a strategist, one should have the momentum to pierce through the clouds and sky, to overcome all obstacles!"

"Ah!?"

"Anyway, I'm definitely going to continue. Whether you follow or not, those two in blue and white have already left. If you want to turn back, it's not possible. Ha ha!"

Wang Lu said, picking up his luggage and walking forward.

"Also, Wang Zhong, the journey ahead will be extremely long. Be prepared."

The already tired Wang Zhong asked: "How long?"

"If we use a storybook as a metaphor, it's about 70,000 to 80,000 words."

"..." That's really, very long.

---

"The path to the Ethereal Peak is not as easy as the Golden Bridge of the Spirit Sword Sect."

Above the vast sea of clouds, an old man with white hair and beard stroked his beard and said thoughtfully.

"The gathering set by the sect leader twelve years ago has indeed gathered the world's talents, with nearly a hundred people reaching four-fifths of the Golden Bridge. They are all geniuses who could enter the Free and Easy Peak based on their spiritual roots alone."

A young black and white-robed cultivator beside him laughed: "Master, do you already have someone in mind?"

The old man dismissed it: "Hmph, crossing the Golden Bridge only indicates that their spiritual roots are decent. To enter the Ethereal Peak, it's not that easy. Out of these hundred people, if ten make it, it would be good."

As he spoke, a voice suddenly appeared behind them.

"Ah, there's no need to be so strict."

The two cultivators on the cloud were startled, and their fear increased when they turned around.

"Senior, Sect Leader!?"

The one who suddenly appeared behind them was none other than the head of the Spirit Sword Sect, the Immortal Feng Yin.

"Hey, don't be so tense." Feng Yin smiled and waved his hand, "I just came to take a look. The Ethereal Peak, where the Golden Bridge leads, is the backbone of our sect."

Liu Xian's expression was serious as he bowed: "Senior, when you entrusted me with this responsibility, I promised to fulfill it without any slack."

"You've worked hard these years. Seeing the current prosperity of the Ethereal Peak, it's hard to imagine what it was like back then... However, since we've organized this gathering, there's no need to be too strict with the new disciples. If there are any suitable candidates, accept them."

Liu Xian was hesitant: "Senior, that doesn't follow the rules."

"Ha, rules are flexible. The Spirit Sword Sect has been in decline for too long. Don't you think it's time for a change?"

"To be honest, I don't think so. Having Fifth Senior Sister is enough to liven things up."

"..." Let's not talk about her. Asking her to help design the ascension gathering resulted in a mess. My head has been spinning for days... Hmm? I remember this child. His qualifications are quite good and worth special attention."

As he spoke, the real person pointed at the cloud, and two small figures appeared, vividly representing the master and servant from Wang's village.

Liu Xian was amazed: "Senior, you have high hopes for them? Well, their performance on the Golden Bridge was indeed impressive..."

"Ha, the Golden Bridge is just a small toy, don't take it too seriously."

"Senior is being modest. The Golden Bridge can precisely control the intake and output of innate spiritual energy. The higher the quality of the spiritual root, the easier it is to naturally receive spiritual energy, making it easier to walk on the bridge. However, the farther one walks, the stronger the resistance becomes. When the resistance equals the assistance, it indicates the best position for the individual... Although one can overexert and continue, if too much energy is spent on the Golden Bridge, the journey ahead will be impossible. The principle is simple, but the design is very clever, perfect for an initial assessment of qualifications. With their performance, they deserve special attention."

"Uh, it's not really me, but Little Ling'er has high hopes for one of them... He apparently solved a particularly difficult task chain. His qualifications are between third and fourth grade, which is quite good."

"Then..."

"It's fine. Just follow the rules of the Ethereal Peak. See how far he can go..."

As he spoke, a burning sword talisman suddenly appeared, nearly setting the sect leader's beard on fire.

"Hey! Who? Bored, using the Spirit Sword Talisman to find me... Indeed, it's you! What? The End of the Law? The Demon Race invasion? What? Overtime pay? You want overtime pay for organizing an ascension gathering? Do you have any shame!? Forget it, let's talk in person! Oh, I'm so angry, my spirit is about to collapse..."

Feng Yin spent a few moments calming down, but when he turned around, the sky was clear, and the mist surrounding the mountains had been completely dispelled!

The young Spirit Sword cultivator was horrified, while Liu Xian was impressed: "The sect leader's cultivation is unparalleled. A mere trace of his power has broken the mist array of the Ethereal Peak... I am convinced."

"Only the first layer. Besides, a mere Transformation Realm cultivator is nothing special in the Nine States Continent. Ha ha, at the last meeting of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, several standing committee members were already at the Fusion Realm."

"Hmph, showing off?"

"Showing off? I slept through the entire meeting... Forget it, let's not talk about it. I'll go first, or my junior sister will burn more talismans, and I'll go bankrupt... Junior brother, the ascension gathering is entrusted to you. Don't worry about what I said, just follow the rules."

The sect leader said, then vanished in a flash. Liu Xian sighed, his gaze passing through the mist array of the Ethereal Peak, seeing the master and servant walking in the valley.

Being chosen by both the sect leader and Little Ling'er... Even though the sect leader said to follow the rules, this kind of treatment itself breaks the rules.

"Pay special attention to those two. I hope they don't disappoint me... Then, let's prepare the logistics!"

The black and white-robed cultivator nodded, about to leave...

"Oh, by the way, tell your junior brothers to bring spirit stones and sword manuals... Ah, and bring the mahjong set. This ascension gathering will take a long time, don't make it too boring..."

"Uh... Master?"

"Ha ha, remember to invite Uncle Zhou Ming. Last time, their Enlightenment Peak won over ten magical treasures from us. This time, I'll help you win them back."

"..." Master?

---

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