Everyone gathered in front of the pillars that led to the stairway.

All the entrants seemed to be nervous, even the ones that knew they would make it. Just the fact of this being a life changing moment for all of them put them on edge.

A man at the front, the overseer of this entrance ceremony, briefly explained what to do. His directions were short and simple.

“Walk up those stairs. Those who get to the top of the first zone automatically become members of Light’s glory.”

There was no need for any more words. After all, how much was there to explain about walking up a bunch of steps?

Of course, the steps weren’t normal, but most people knew that.

“All entrants, get ready to climb.”

With those words, all the ambitious kids rushed to the first step. Crowds bumped into each other, causing many to shout and chatter.

Kit was one of them. After his aunt pushed him along, he made his way to the back of the giant cluster.

Everyone had their eyes on the overseer.

“Set!”

They could see him smile as he took longer than normal to send them off.

Then, he waved his hand.

“Go!”

“Out of my way!”

“I’m gonna win!”

Many shouted and yelled as a few thousand kids scrambled up the steps. Most were trying to be first, and they all ascended a dozen steps at a time with powerful bounds.

Kit let them fight it out for a bit before heading up himself. As everyone spread out, he was able to find gaps where he smoothly strided up.

“Agh! Teacher! I don’t know about this! There’s gotta be traps on those steps, right?!”

“Ugh! Arte, you clumsy chicken! Let’s go!”

“L-Let me mentally prepare myself!”

“No!”

As Kit ascended the steps, he looked back to see those talented little monsters bickering among themselves.

That one flustered girl with shaggy hair seemed to be named Arte. She had released a beacon of light, so Kit wasn’t sure why she would be so scared of climbing the steps, especially when it was required to get into the palace.

As for the person dragging her, it was one of the boys who achieved 9 stars.

Only after throwing her up the stairs did she finally start walking. Her every step was timid, her eyes darting around to find any traps that weren’t there.

Kit just kept bounding up. As for the others who released beacons of light, they were already far ahead of everyone.

Despite thousands of kids charging up the steps, it quickly became clear who the real talents were. Many began to struggle and slow down significantly, their bodies releasing sweat and their breathing labored.

Kit directly passed these people, continuing normally.

He didn’t feel much, just a small pressure placed on the body like extra weight. But it wasn’t enough to even get him tired. He was surprised that others were struggling so much.

And with his vision, he was able to figure out what was going on.

The atmosphere full of Qi was bearing down on everyone, the Qi passing through their bodies like gravity. This was what placed the pressure on them.

But the Qi just passed right through Kit, not bothering him at all. If anything, the pressure made his dantian feel good, like a magical massage.

For others, it was a war they fought to get to the top, battling against the Qi. But for Kit and the others who achieved 9 stars, it was a nice stroll.

Before long, Kit, along with all those who achieved 8 stars and above, finished.

Everyone else came later as they waited at the top of the zone. Some were crawling across the final few steps, while others could still walk.

Interestingly, it seemed the vast majority made it. Only a few were unable to climb the steps, and they had to be taken out after they could no longer climb.

Even Arte, the overly nervous girl, made it up just fine.

“Eh? There were no traps?!”

“Alright, everyone listen up!”

As Arte’s friends snickered at her, the overseer caught everyone’s attention.

“Congratulations, you all have officially qualified as members of Light’s Glory! However, for those who wish, the test is not over. Whoever wishes to test their talent and strength and continue up the stairs, your battle will begin in a few moments. For those who wish to abstain and directly enter the palace, step to the side and you will be guided to the end.”

He gave the options, but it quickly became clear that nobody wanted to back down. Even the clumsy girl didn’t leave, though that might’ve been because of peer pressure.

“Alright, I’ll assign your battles!”

With that, the overseer went around and partnered everyone up. Kit quickly got his partner.

It was someone who got 7 stars, a large boy who seemed to eat too much as he hat a large pot belly. That large boy carried a thick pole with him as a weapon.

He glared at Kit as the two waited.

“Alright! Battles ready!”

With those words, everyone prepared to fight. Kit didn’t draw his sword, but merely prepared his body. The boy drew his pole.

“Begin!”

And the fight started.

Kit watched as his opponent charged at him and swung the pole. As Kit was shorter than his opponent, the pole came swinging towards his head.

Kit quickly ducked, the pole sailing right over. Then, Kit dove forth and grabbed his opponent’s weapon before throwing out his palm.

*Crack!*

The pole directly snapped, making the large boy recoil in shock.

Kit then threw out his fist.

His opponent couldn’t dodge, and Kit’s knuckles dug into his large stomach. Kit was more and more surprised as his fist sank deeper and deeper into the folds of his belly.

But he eventually hit something solid. When he did, the boy buckled over, tumbling to the floor with a loud groan.

“Ahh!! Oh my tummy! Bleghh…”

Kit cringed and turned away as the large boy barfed up his last meal.

It seemed all the other fights were settled quickly as well.

As the strong ones were pitted against the weak ones who ascended last, nothing beyond expectation happened. A few attendants carried the losers off the stairs while the overseer gathered all the winners.

There were now half the remaining people. He nodded toward everyone with a smile.

“Very well! Battles over. Now, you all can begin ascending the second zone.”

It was as simple as that. The ones remaining were those who were at least 7 stars.

Shockingly, even the clumsy girl was continuing on. Kit wondered how she actually fought before shrugging and making his way up the stairs.

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“Hey, you. Kid with the giant sword.”

Before he took the first step though, Kit was called. He turned to see the overseer.

The man pointed toward his sword.

“Are you sure you want to carry that thing? It’ll make it a lot more difficult.”

“...”

Kit looked at him silently, all other eyes falling on him.

He just nodded though before continuing on the steps.

*Tap*

His first foot hit, and suddenly, he felt a pressure far greater than the previous steps.

But it wasnt enough to slow him down. He took the steps one at a time, outright ignoring the pressure as he walked.

The others who had 9 stars were just in front of him. They all confidently ascended, and those who had 7 or 8 stars were quickly left behind.

Getting to the halfway point, nobody without 9 stars was seen.

As Kit walked even higher, he noticed that it was the other three who released beacons on the monoliths that were keeping up. Even the clumsy girl was fighting her way up.

And Kit had to admit that starting from the halfway point, taking even another step got difficult.

It was only worse when they were about three quarters through. By then, even those with 9 stars were struggling. A few of the boys were cursing while fighting through shaking legs and burning muscles.

Kit was surprised seeing their difficulty.

It seemed that the difference between someone with 9 stars and someone who had connected their nine stars was significant.

And that difference was seen when only the top four were able to continue on.

“Huh… Huhh…”

Kit let out rough breaths as he forced his legs to climb. His thighs were burning and the pressure atop his body was unbelievable.

But his dantian was the best there was, and those beside him had the same dantian. In that case, it all came down to their mental fortitude.

And Kit didn’t see any of them quit, not that he would if they did.

So he continued. He knew he could make it.

Even as sweat poured from his body and his muscles ached in pain, he lifted one leg after another.

And, just as the pressure got unbearably heavy, he took the last step, and threw himself forward.

“Ugh!”

“Agh! Dammit!”

“I… I made it…”

Kit could hear the others finish just as he did. They all fell to the floor, collapsed with their bodies covered in sweat.

“Congratulations!”

A voice came, but it wasn’t the overseer’s. Kit looked up to see Elder Han and his aunt walking toward them.

Xia Zhilan helped Kit up, handing him some water to cool off.

“Good job, Kit! And you even had that sword! I was worried it was going to pull you down, but you’re a tough kid.”

She hugged him despite the sweat. Elder Han also praised his students.

“Well done, you three. The last time somebody was able to ascend the entire second zone was approximately 63 years ago, and the time before that was another 81 years! But now, four people have cleared the second zone while being mere Immersion Stage Martial Artists! You have all made history!”

“It’s… all because of you… teacher…”

The girl with a cold aura huffed as she thanked her teacher. He smiled.

“Oh please, I didn’t do much. I merely showed you the way. Only you guys were able to see it to the end. However! This isn’t the end, for some of you.”

As the teens picked themselves up off the ground, Elder Han waved toward the third zone.

He smiled.

“The third zone isn’t one that tests the purity and strength of your dantian, but tests whether or not you can feel the Elements of Qi. It is another layer of talent, and those at the Accumulation Stage and even Construction Stage use this zone as a training ground.”

Elder Han explained, and while three of the four teens listened, there was one who didn’t.

Elder Han glared while she tried to sneak away.

“Arte!”

“Y-Yes!”

“You will be attempting the third zone!”

“B-But..!”

“No buts! Besides, Bai Hao will be going with you.”

Elder Han pat the boy of the trio on the shoulder. The refined young man nodded with determination.

As for the cold girl who was left out, she raised her hand.

Elder Han looked at her.

“Khay, are you sure you wish to attempt the walk? We both know your elemental sense is weaker compared to the others.”

“I wish to try.”

“Mm, very well. Maybe getting slapped in the face by a few elemental winds will help your senses. Then, I guess all of you will be attempting the walk.”

With his words, everyone turned their gazes to Kit who still sat on the floor.

He looked back, eyeing the three others who seemed to be becoming his competition.

It was the boy named Bai Hao who approached Kit. He stopped in front of him for a few seconds before extending his hand.

“Kit, right?”

“...”

Kit was silent. He hadn’t spoken a single word since stepping onto the stairs.

And he was silent until his aunt kicked his back, causing him to grunt.

“Um, yes, I’m Kit.”

“Well, good job. You even carry that sword.”

Bai Hao extended his hand out again, and this time, Kit responded before his aunt could kick him.

He grabbed the hand, and Bai Hao pulled him up. He had to brace himself though when he realized Kit’s weight.

“My god… That’s a heavy sword.”

He was shocked, after all, there was no way Kit himself weighed a few hundred pounds.

Kit just shrugged, then, he turned when he felt a tap on the shoulder.

“Hey, hand me your sword for this part.”

It was Xia Zhilan, and Kit did as she asked and took the sword harness off.

*CLANG*

It dropped from his back, creating a loud sound as it tapped the ground. Xia Zhilan grabbed it easily though before walking to Elder Han’s side.

“Alright you four, it’s time. Head over and begin the ascent as you wish. Arte! You have 30 seconds yourself!”

“But teacher..!”

As Arte complained, Kit walked over with Bai Hao and Khay.

He scanned the third zone.

Unlike the other two zones, this zone wasn’t comprised of a bunch of regular stairs. Instead, this zone had multiple platforms with stair cases leading up to each large platform.

It was clear that something would happen on each platform. And it would be something much unlike previously where it was just a downward pressure.

Regardless, Kit stepped forward, the other two following him.

They walked onto the first platform, and that’s when Kit saw a faint color through his blindfold.

He distinctly recognized it.

‘The elements!’

He was surprised as a ball of light appeared. It looked just like the sprytes he caught in the forest by his home.

Except, these little sprytes came hurdling toward him like an arrow. Kit quickly dashed to the side, dodging the spryte and causing it to crash into the floor. When it did so, it released a small burst of flames.

The other two were similar, both of them throwing their bodies in opposite directions. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, a small elemental explosion of water, air, or rock happened.

“Get to the next staircase!”

Elder Han announced loudly, and suddenly, it became clear what they had to do.

Dodge their way to the end!

With that, Kit threw his body forward, breaking out into a sprint. The other two did as well, and at some point, Arte was tossed into platform, entering the fray.

Like that, four people ran and scrambled to dodge a constant barrage of elemental balls.

However, the platform was long. It took 5 whole minutes of constant running and dodging to get near the end. And Arte, who didn’t seem as physically competent as Bai Hao or Khay, fell behind.

But it seemed that the first platform was easy as they crossed ground without issue.

Kit could hear Elder Han shouting at Arte while he made it to the staircase. Bai Hao and Khay quickly caught up with him.

The three ascended to the second platform.

There were four platforms in total.

Kit kept his head on a swivel while entering the second platform, wondering how exactly the difficulty would rise.

If there were simply more elemental balls, then it this would just become a test of agility. But this test wasn’t so shallow, so it was something different.

And Kit quickly noticed it.

Instead of elemental balls, he could see the ground and air churn with the elements. Dirt began to manifest across the platform, puddles and streams form themselves across the new landscape, fire bloomed from odd flowers, and the air swirled with violent winds.

It was like entering a whole new world. However, Kit quickly saw through it.

“It’s an illusion.”

Bai Hao seemed to see it just as fast. However, Khay frowned.

The three walked onto the platform. The elements were seemingly forming all of these natural formations like dirt and plants, but if you got tricked by that, then you wouldn’t see what these visions were hiding.

Elemental snakes.

They were much sneakier than the elemental balls, slithering under the veil. Even Kit could only slightly make them out. But they weren’t fast. So long as you saw them, you could definitely evade them.

So that’s what Kit did. He and Bai Hao both kicked off and headed into the fake landscape, Khay following right behind.

They weaved through, making sure to keep their eyes on all the snakes that slithered from all kinds of directions. Nothing was off limits.

Water snakes on the ground, earth snakes in the trees, fire and air snakes in the air.

As they got further in, snakes from everywhere seemed to converge on them. They hurried while making sure not to get bitten.

But there was one person who couldn’t quite keep up. Khay didn’t end up seeing one of the snakes and got bitten, slowing her down and causing her to make more mistakes.

She was lost in the forest as Bai Hao and Kit kept going.

Even Bai Hao got bit, though he could still keep up. For him it was just getting lost in the sea of elements. Only Kit was still able to keep his vision sharp and avoid everything.

Finally, after several minutes, they made it to the staircase.

They stopped for a minute to catch their breaths. During that minute though, Khay never caught up with them.

“...Looks like she couldn’t make it. Well, looks like its just us.”

Bai Hao pat Kit’s shoulder. A friendly gesture, but it caught Kit off guard, causing him to flinch.

Seeing that, Bai Hao smiled and removed his hand.

“Ahh!!!”

At that moment, both of them heard a desperate yell.

Arte came sprinting through, practically throwing herself toward the staircase.

Unfortunately, Kit was also right there. His eyes widened as her body enlarged in his view.

And he stepped out of the way.