Luo Wentian finished speaking and smiled at the rest of the Qi Origin Realm experts standing nearby.
"Everyone, come with me up the mountain."
The Stairway to Heaven was originally meant to test children who had yet to set foot on the Martial Path. Ning Qi used a special type of mineral and supplemented it with a simple Qimen formation, allowing the pressure on it to multiply as one walked upward—the higher you go, the harder it gets.
This trial was meant to test one's willpower.
There were nine hundred and ninety-nine steps in total. Anyone who could reach the top was undoubtedly someone of exceptional perseverance.
This disciple recruitment drive would shape the Zhenwu Sect's foundation for decades to come. Unless something unusual happened, such a large-scale recruitment wouldn't happen again for a long time. Ning Qi took this very seriously.
As his martial cultivation deepened, he gradually realized that innate talent might not be the most important factor for martial advancement.
Having great Bone Foundation could give you a smooth start, allowing rapid early progress. But martial willpower was what let someone overtake others and even break through their own limits.
Thus, he established the Stairway to Heaven as the first test.
Luo Wentian led many Qi Origin Realm experts up the mountain. With their cultivation, they disappeared into the distance in just a few leaps.
The gates of the sect had been thrown wide open this time.
While recruiting children was the primary focus, these Qi Origin Realm experts couldn't be overlooked.
After all, the Zhenwu Sect was in a somewhat awkward position—its top-tier powerhouses like Daoist Longshan and the Heavenly Sword True Person dominated the world, and the lower-level cultivators in the Body Tempering and Inner Origin Realms also held their own in the martial world. The only gap lay in the Qi Origin Realm.
As of today, only the seven former true disciples had reached the White Mist Realm. Though they were talented and stronger than most others in that realm, with Zhenwu's influence growing, that small number was beginning to show its limitations.
So, the idea to recruit more Qi Origin Realm experts came up as a transitional measure.
Once Zhenwu began producing more of these experts, the sect would be able to move past this awkward phase.
Naturally, their assessment differed from that of the children. The primary focus was on combat strength and temperament.
As Luo Wentian and the others departed, Xiong Shi continued with further instructions.
"All participants, pay attention to the following rules for the Stairway to Heaven."
"First, no external assistance is allowed. You must rely solely on your own will to reach the top!"
"Second, do not attack other participants on the stairway. Anyone caught will be immediately disqualified!"
"Third, if you can't go on, call for help immediately. A Zhenwu disciple will escort you down the mountain."
His gaze swept over the crowd, carrying a faint killing aura. What had happened earlier made everyone gradually grow wary of this Discipline Elder, and they all nodded in agreement. 𝙧аƝỒ𝐁Ës
"Then, I hereby declare—the assessment officially begins!"
With that announcement, the prepared children began climbing in an orderly fashion.
No one rushed ahead, as the Zhenwu disciples had already made it clear: the ranking wasn't based on who reached the top first, but how long it took each person to do so.
Otherwise, with nearly ten thousand participants crowding the steps, there was no way they could all start at the same time, even if the stairway was wide enough.
In the crowd,
a skinny little girl turned to a thick-browed boy and cheered him on.
"Go for it, big brother!"
The thick-browed boy also tried to psych himself up. Looking around at the richly dressed boys with sturdy frames, he had nothing—but he did have a do-or-die resolve.
As the children stepped onto the Stairway to Heaven, they immediately felt something strange.
The moment they set foot on it, a subtle pressure began to weigh on them. At first, it was manageable, but with every few dozen steps, that pressure intensified by another level, making their bellies tremble.
For a child under ten, climbing nine hundred and ninety-nine steps was no easy feat—even without the added pressure.
Many children looked ahead at the seemingly endless staircase, and a wave of despair washed over them.
Once their spirit broke, they began dropping out.
Zhenwu disciples moved swiftly across the stairway, escorting one child after another back down.
Seeing this only added to the mental pressure of the remaining participants.
Most of the children who made it this far were already outstanding among ordinary folk, but this test was just too hard.
After only climbing a third of the way, half had already been eliminated.
The once-crowded Stairway to Heaven had emptied noticeably.
And this—
was just the beginning.
More and more dropped out, some voluntarily, others breaking down in tears.
The test, which looked deceptively simple, was actually an enormous challenge.
Xiong Shi, Ye Qinghe, and the others looked on and couldn't help but sigh.
"Xiao Jiu really outdid himself with this stairway. Looking at it now, the Martial Path is just like these steps—you can't see the end. To walk it with unwavering resolve takes more courage than most people can muster. Anyone who passes this test will definitely go far."
"If they can't make it, then even the best Bone Foundation is wasted."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Unknowingly, they had all forgotten—Ning Qi himself was just a bit over ten years old.
Time passed.
The first test was still underway.
Many were nearing the top.
A few outstanding candidates caught their attention.
"That boy in the lead has a steady stride and determined eyes. His frame is strong. He's from the Lu clan of Gaoyang, name's Lu Mang."
"The girl behind him is good too—agile and quick to find leverage. If I'm not mistaken, she's from the Ouyang family in Qingzhou's main city. Her name is Ouyang Yuxuan."
"..."
One by one, they commented with satisfied expressions.
Zhenwu's growing prestige had convinced some prominent families to send their promising descendants here.
At this moment,
the stairway was sparsely populated.
Participants were spread out into several groups.
From the looks of it, less than five percent would make it to the top—fewer than five hundred children.
That alone spoke volumes about the difficulty.
Ning Qi and Daoist Longshan had stopped their game of chess and now stood at the window, gazing at the summit of the Stairway to Heaven.
Luo Wentian and the others were waiting there, welcoming the children who reached the top with joy and pride.
Having gone through the test, these children had their will and mental strength tempered. Their future journey down the Martial Path would be smoother.
Daoist Longshan sighed.
"Xiao Jiu, your idea really is brilliant. Once this group of disciples matures, the Zhenwu Sect will truly be as steady as a mountain."
Ning Qi gave a light chuckle.
Then he let out a surprised hum, his gaze slightly startled.
Daoist Longshan followed his line of sight—and his expression changed as well.
Near the top of the stairway, a thick-browed boy was still struggling upward.
Most who could've reached the top already had.
This boy was climbing with hands and feet, eyes filled with a fierce determination. Behind him was a faint trail of blood.
His hands and feet were raw.
His shoes were completely worn out, yet he kept going.
With their sharp eyes, Ning Qi and Daoist Longshan could tell—this boy had exhausted nearly all his strength and was even running on an empty stomach.
His clothes made it obvious—he came from the lowest of backgrounds.
Daoist Longshan let out a long sigh.
"This child… has incredible resolve."
Ning Qi nodded in approval.
That kind of willpower was rare.
The others on the summit also noticed the boy.
By the time he dragged himself up the final step, having spent the last of his strength, Luo Wentian was already looking at him with admiration.
He personally walked over and handed him food and water.
"Hey, little one. What's your name?"
The boy was extremely nervous.
He hadn't expected someone as important as Luo Wentian to notice him. He hadn't even had time to feel happy about finishing the climb. He stammered reflexively.
"I-I don't have a name. People in the village used to call me Gou Dan."
Some nearby scoffed at the name.
Others, knowing how hard it was for the boy to make it this far, looked at him with respect.
Luo Wentian patted his shoulder and said with an encouraging smile:
"Gou Dan, huh? Get some rest. Work hard in the next stage."
Gou Dan nodded forcefully, overwhelmed with emotion.
At that moment, Luo Wentian's back seemed to shine with brilliance in his eyes.
He devoured the food ravenously, slightly regretful that his sister couldn't share it with him.
In his heart, he made a silent vow—he would pass the test and become a Zhenwu disciple!
Before, he wanted to join just to eat his fill.
But now, he felt something new for the Zhenwu Sect.
Luo Wentian looked around and announced loudly:
"First of all, congratulations on passing the Stairway to Heaven assessment. Whether or not you become a Zhenwu disciple, this experience alone is a precious one—it will help you go much farther!"
"Now take a good rest and prepare for the next trial. It's also a great chance to observe your martial seniors—see for yourselves what true power looks like, and set a goal to reach."
The children's eyes lit up.
They quickly realized—this was likely the assessment for the Qi Origin Realm experts.
For most of them, those experts were like gods—unreachable figures.
Luo Wentian turned to the Qi Origin Realm participants and smiled.
"Well then, who would like to go first?"
The test for the Qi Origin Realm wasn't complicated.
The first stage was combat capability, which Luo Wentian had already explained clearly.
Their opponents—
were the puppets right in front of them. They only needed to hold out for fifteen minutes under siege to pass.
At that moment,
everyone's gaze was fixed on those humanoid puppets, neither metallic nor wooden, each over ten feet tall and exuding oppressive force.
This was another of Ning Qi's recent achievements. Or rather, he had always dabbled in puppet techniques.
Previously, He Yan had found him some miscellaneous knowledge, which gave him new insight.
Though the puppets were clumsy and couldn't chase enemies, after Ning Qi combined them with a Qimen formation, they became practical tools for testing combat power.
They ranged from Body Tempering to Inner Origin to Qi Origin levels.
This batch of puppets, once deployed in formation, could even pose a threat to the White Mist Realm. Only the best could pass.
Ning Qi and Daoist Longshan watched closely. With their keen eyes, they could likely tell a participant's background just by observing their techniques—unless someone had learned completely obscure martial arts, it was nearly impossible to hide.
On the stage—
Over a hundred Qi Origin Realm experts were having a hard time gauging the strength of the puppets in front of them.
But in the end, someone was willing to be the first to test the waters.
A swordsman in green stepped forward, eyes full of confidence.
"I'll go!"
As soon as the words left his mouth, he charged out.
Ka-ka-ka-ka—
A series of low mechanical sounds echoed as the puppets seemed to awaken from slumber, starting to move.
Though their motions were stiff, each swing carried tremendous force. The sound of their attacks made one's scalp tingle. Once they formed a formation, the oppressive aura became airtight. Adding to that, their extraordinary material meant even direct strikes with Qi barely left behind white marks—immense pressure slammed into the swordsman.
Of course, this was a test, so the Qi Origin Realm experts weren't allowed to run. Under normal circumstances, no matter how many of these puppets there were, they wouldn't pose much threat—these cultivators could simply outpace them with ease.
But now, they had to actively place themselves within the encirclement. That changed everything.
The swordsman in green was no weakling, ranking in the upper-middle of the group.
But even so, he was barely managing to stay afloat—his movements strained, his situation perilous.
If not for his exquisite swordsmanship, he'd already be out. Even then, sweat now dripped down his forehead—gone was the confidence he showed earlier.
Everyone's expressions shifted.
Meanwhile, the children who had just completed their test couldn't tell how dangerous the situation was.
They simply stared in awe at the legendary flying Qi, eyes filled with admiration.
As Gou Dan munched on a warm pancake, his eyes glowed with longing. He wished that one day, he could become as strong as that swordsman in green.
A quarter-hour passed in a flash.
The bell rang.
The swordsman in green let out a breath of relief.
He immediately picked up speed and dashed out of the puppet encirclement.
A flicker of reverence had now appeared in his eyes. Rumors in the martial world were one thing—experiencing Zhenwu Sect's depth firsthand was another. His heart blazed hotter, his determination to join Zhenwu solidifying.
The rest were of similar mind.
"Congratulations!" Luo Wentian smiled kindly.
He had been watching the entire time. This swordsman in green was definitely a skilled figure within the White Mist Realm.
The swordsman quickly returned the salute, showing no arrogance.
Now that someone had broken the ice, the others had a benchmark.
Though some still felt uneasy, they had already come this far—there was no turning back.
One Qi Origin Realm expert after another stepped forward.
The puppet formation could accommodate more than ten people at once for simultaneous testing.
In an instant, all kinds of Qi flew through the air.
Blade Qi and Sword Qi filled the space.
The children's eyes sparkled with amazement.
If not for the solemn atmosphere, they would've shouted in excitement already.
The number of Qi Origin experts they saw today far exceeded all those they had seen in past years.
Within the puppet formation,
each expert showed off their unique abilities.
Some displayed profound mastery of martial techniques.
Others possessed overwhelming Qi.
Some had powerful physiques.
Others showed off incredible movement techniques...
In short,
those who had at least one standout area could generally pass.
Those who were average in everything, naturally, could not.
One after another, White Mist Realm experts were eliminated—
over seventy percent of them, in fact.
Only about thirty percent made it through.
As for the few in the Jade Liquid Realm, and the lone Origin Core Realm expert—they passed easily.
After all, this combat round was designed to filter out White Mist Realm participants.
Ning Qi watched, his expression already showing some ripples.
Daoist Longshan turned to him and asked:
"Xiao Jiu, how many did you spot?"
Ning Qi gave a faint smile.
"Eight. These people really think highly of our Zhenwu Sect."
Daoist Longshan was stunned.
He had only spotted four. He hadn't expected Ning Qi to see eight.
But he knew Ning Qi wouldn't speak without reason.
As Ning Qi pointed them out one by one, Daoist Longshan's face darkened—fury flickering in his eyes.
And these were just the ones they themselves had noticed.
Who knew how many more were still hidden?
Could it be—among over a hundred Qi Origin experts, nearly ten percent were spies?
"Very good!" Daoist Longshan said, eyes blazing with anger.
Ning Qi soothed him.
"Don't be angry, Master. It's the perfect chance to catch them all in one sweep."
He didn't even turn around, only giving an order.
"Tiansheng, go take care of it."
By now, the White Ape's strength had grown tremendously. His bloodline had been steadily awakened, and his growth speed was rapid—he could no longer be judged by human standards.
Two years ago, he could already fight against those in the White Mist Realm. Now, he was even stronger.
Having stayed hidden for so long, it was time for him to show himself. Not everyone needed to stay modest and low-key—showing off at the right time could help his future cultivation.
Daoist Longshan's gaze revealed some surprise, but he said nothing. Instead, he looked forward to it.
White Ape's eyes lit up with joy. He understood Ning Qi's intent.
"Yes, Teacher!"
He strode off with large steps, itching to get started.
In the distance,
all the Qi Origin Realm experts had finished their trials.
Out of over a hundred, only a little more than thirty remained.
Among them were a few from the Jade Liquid Realm and one Origin Core Realm expert.
Those eliminated from the White Mist Realm looked somewhat regretful, but glancing at those who passed, they knew they simply weren't strong enough.
Luo Wentian offered some consolation.
"Everyone here is exceptionally talented. It's a pity our Zhenwu Sect doesn't have enough resources to support so many experts in cultivation. Otherwise, we'd truly want to take you all in."
"For those who didn't make it, our Zhenwu Sect will still gift you a martial technique. Think of it as our gratitude for coming all this way. How about staying to witness the rest of the assessments before heading down the mountain?"
His words took everyone by surprise—but their mood quickly brightened.
Regardless of the technique's grade, Zhenwu's gesture was generous and full of respect.
Everyone responded in unison:
"Sect Leader Luo, you're too kind!"
As for those who had passed the test, they were smiling even more.
Think about it—if the sect was so generous to the ones eliminated, how would it treat those who made it in?
Surely, they'd be given even more resources and martial techniques as long as they remained loyal.
This small gesture quietly elevated Zhenwu's standing in everyone's hearts.
Luo Wentian turned to the entire crowd and announced:
"Now that you've all passed the first trial, only one test remains. If you can make it through the Heart-Probing Platform, then you'll officially be members of the Zhenwu Sect!"
These words weren't just for the Qi Origin Realm experts who passed the puppet formation.
They were also for the children who had climbed the Stairway to Heaven.
Though the first trial was different for the two groups,
the second one was the same.
Luo Wentian never intended to drag out the assessment into seven or eight trials—it would be meaningless.
After discussions with Ning Qi,
they decided: for the new children, willpower and temperament mattered most.
For the Qi Origin recruits, combat power and temperament were key.
The Heart-Probing Platform was specifically designed to test one's temperament.
"Heart-Probing Platform?" someone murmured, eyes flickering.
Those with a clear conscience were fine.
Those with skeletons in their closet felt a chill.
Even the name carried an oppressive weight.
After the earlier trials—the Stairway to Heaven and the puppet formation—
no one believed this Heart-Probing Platform was just for show.
Naturally, this was also one of Ning Qi's creations.
Previously, he had developed the Soul-Gazing Eye, a mystical secret technique. After refining it and combining it with certain rare materials and Qimen formations, he built the Heart-Probing Platform.
Anyone who let their guard down while standing on it would be guided into speaking their innermost thoughts.
Zhenwu Sect disciples could not be evildoers or twisted at heart.
And this method—was perfect for rooting out spies.
Luo Wentian wore a beaming smile, though it carried a hint of mischief.
"Everyone, you are the seniors—why not give these little ones a demonstration first?"
Led by Zhenwu disciples, they arrived at a large platform capable of holding several hundred people.
All around it stood green stone pillars of varying heights, carved with mythical beasts.
Just one glance told you the place was extraordinary.
Luo Wentian reminded everyone:
"Relax, everyone. It's just a simple little test. Once you're on the platform, all you need to do is let your guard down.
The Heart-Probing Platform won't pry into your privacy.
But if you refuse to relax your mind—then you fail the test."
This was the platform's only flaw—after all, it was just a derivative of the Soul-Gazing Eye.
If it could force one to speak the truth, that would be a bit too powerful.
Ning Qi thought it might require even more miraculous power to achieve that.
Still, it wasn't a problem.
Those unwilling to relax likely had something to hide.
And for disciples undergoing the trial, they would naturally be willing.
The thirty-some Qi Origin Realm experts looked at one another.
But at this final threshold, none were willing to give up.
Even those with ill intentions could only try their luck now.
The children watched without blinking.
They would face this test next.
As the thirty-some experts sat cross-legged,
Luo Wentian's expression darkened.
He exchanged glances with Xiong Shi and the others, all nodding silently.
Then, streams of Qi shot out—
activating the Qimen formation within the Heart-Probing Platform.
"Everyone, clear your mind!" came the authoritative command.
In that instant, a strange and mystical wave swept across the platform.
"If you could gain a peerless martial art by wiping out an innocent family, would you do it?" the solemn voice echoed again.
"For my own survival, of course I would!"
"Never!"
"That's a beast's act—I refuse!"
…
The answers varied wildly.
Some closed their eyes, but the malice on their faces could not be hidden.
No matter how kind they tried to appear, the platform revealed their true thoughts.
Nearby disciples immediately began recording their answers.
The solemn questioning continued.
Each query cut straight to the heart.
Whether to flee or fight if Zhenwu was in danger,
Whether to intervene in injustice—
So many questions, touching every aspect of moral judgment.
Each one needed to be judged collectively.
After all, humans are complex—one answer alone meant little.
Zhenwu wasn't looking for saints.
As long as the core interests of the sect weren't threatened, other faults could be overlooked.
But those with excessive malice still couldn't be accepted—those who would casually slaughter entire families were not on the same path as the Zhenwu Sect.
The solemn voice continued, posing the final question:
"Which faction do you come from?"
In an instant.
The answers varied widely.
"From the Li Clan of Clear Spring, serving as a guest elder. Came seeking deeper martial inheritance!"
"Independent martial artist!"
Such answers were all perfectly normal.
But a few responses were jarring.
"Sacred Sect!"
"Southern Alliance!"
"Wenjian Pavilion!"
"Wuxiang Sect!"
Luo Wentian's eyes narrowed.
He had long suspected the Demonic Sect and the Southern Alliance.
That Wenjian Pavilion was likely here for the Zhenwu Sword Stele.
As for the Wuxiang Sect—they were the ones pushed out of the Ninth Major Gate ranking by the Zhenwu Sect.
Those two sects probably thought they could slip in some spies while Zhenwu was openly recruiting, making future operations easier.
Everyone around them looked shaken, especially the dozens of Qi Origin Realm experts who had been eliminated earlier.
Some of them had already grown uneasy at the miraculous effects of the Heart-Probing Platform.
Now, hearing those people casually reveal their true identities, their hearts pounded wildly.
One man could no longer sit still. His Qi surged violently as he roared:
"Wake up at once!!"
That furious shout instantly snapped everyone on the Heart-Probing Platform out of their trance.
All the Qi Origin Realm experts atop the platform looked horrified—only now did they realize what they had just revealed.
This Heart-Probing Platform… was terrifying beyond belief!