In the True Martial Sacred Ground, even among outer disciples, there's a distinction between ordinary and elite members.
Climbing eight steps under tenfold gravity qualifies one as an ordinary outer disciple.
However, completing all eight steps earns the title of elite disciple.
Elite disciples receive significantly more resources. In cultivation, wealth, companions, techniques, and environment are all essential.
Therefore, many new students attempt this challenge annually, aiming to become elite disciples and create a memorable story.
Xu Zimo stepped onto the gravity steps, feeling the increasing pressure. He stretched and exhaled deeply.
On the first step stood the twin sisters.
Xu Zimo glanced at them, his gaze lingering briefly on their chests.
"What are you looking at? Never seen beautiful women before?" the younger sister, Xue Mengmeng, said, flashing her small tiger teeth and glaring at Xu Zimo.
"I live on South Goose Mountain," Xu Zimo said, patting their shoulders three times before laughing and moving to the second step.
"What does he mean?" Xue Mengmeng asked her sister.
Xue Qianxue bit her lip and said angrily, "He's telling us where he lives and patting our shoulders three times. It means he wants us to visit South Goose Mountain at midnight."
"Shameless," Xue Mengmeng said, clenching her fists and blushing as she watched Xu Zimo's back.
Xu Zimo stepped onto the third step, facing a burly young man named Gao Xiong.
"My name is Gao Xiong. Nice to meet you," the young man said, scratching his head and smiling. "My mother said I could wrestle with brown bears in the forest as a child, so she named me Gao Xiong."
"You're quite the brawler," Xu Zimo said, smiling. "I like you. Want to join me?"
"What's in it for me?" Gao Xiong asked curiously.
"When I bear the Heaven’s Will and become the Grand Emperor, I'll make you my second general. How about it?" Xu Zimo said.
The first general position was already reserved for Lin Ruhu.
"But I want to be the Grand Emperor too," Gao Xiong said, showing his big white teeth.
"If you compete with me for the Heaven’s Will, I'll have to kill you," Xu Zimo said.
"Maybe I'll kill you instead," Gao Xiong replied, unfazed.
"Haha, interesting, really interesting," Xu Zimo laughed heartily, then looked at Gao Xiong and said, "With the bloodline of the Ancient Tyrant Bear, you indeed have the qualifications to compete for the Heaven’s Will. Too bad we're in the same era."
Gao Xiong's expression changed, his eyes sharp as he looked at Xu Zimo.
His Ancient Tyrant Bear bloodline was a secret. How did Xu Zimo know?
Leaving the pondering Gao Xiong behind, Xu Zimo moved on to the fifth step.
He looked at the girl in front of him, Baili Xiao, who was also looking at him. Their eyes met.
"I truly regret my foolish actions back then," Xu Zimo said calmly.
The girl looked at him, her eyes full of confusion.
A breeze rippled the lake's surface, willow branches swayed, and birds flew by, chirping.
"The story has begun, but this time, I'm in control," Xu Zimo said with a smile, then stepped forward, exuding confidence and grace.
Yan Buhui stood with his sword, his posture upright, like an unsheathed blade.
His sword aura was fierce, his white clothes fluttered in the wind, and his long hair was tied back, with bangs covering half his brow.
"Want revenge?" Xu Zimo asked, stepping onto the step and looking ahead with the young man.
"If you help me destroy the Huang Clan, my life is yours," Yan Buhui said, turning to Xu Zimo, his eyes sharp.
"Shouldn't you personally destroy your enemies for true satisfaction?" Xu Zimo said, smiling, then stepped onto the final step, ignoring Yan Buhui's surprised gaze.
His aura was overwhelming, spirit energy surged around him, and his purple robe flowed behind him. He turned to look at the countless youths still climbing under gravity.
Xu Zimo thought of the Grand Emperor Zhen Wu, who once bore the Heaven’s Will and stood at the pinnacle, declaring to the world, "The Heaven’s Will is mine alone."
What a bold statement.
"Xu Zimo, you truly are exceptionally talented," an inner court elder said sarcastically. "No wonder the Vice-Lord has always nurtured you."
The elder implied that Xu Zimo's success was due to his father's position as Vice-Lord and the resources provided.
"Be careful not to leave yourself without a chance to beg for mercy in the future," Xu Zimo said calmly, glancing at the elder.
The elder's expression changed, and he looked at Xu Zimo deeply, saying no more.
After Xu Zimo climbed all 188 steps, Lin Ruhu also struggled up after a while.
Yan Buhui, with sword aura surrounding him, finally ascended, his sword humming.
Baili Xiao, though not particularly dazzling, persevered step by step, enduring the crushing gravity, and eventually reached the top.
No other disciples managed to climb all 188 steps, though many attempted the eight steps.
The True Martial Sacred Ground's trial consists of three stages. After completing all three, each person's scores are totaled.
The top 100 disciples are admitted into the sect as outer disciples.
The second stage tests aptitude, which is crucial for martial artists.
Even the Grand Empress Hongtian, who had ordinary aptitude, improved herself step by step on the path to becoming an emperor.
The sect divides aptitude into nine levels, with level one being the highest and level nine the lowest.
Aptitude at level four or above is generally acceptable.
Xu Zimo did not participate in this stage. Having merged with the Hell-Suppressing Deity Physique, he was confident in his aptitude.
Gao Xiong and Yan Buhui both had level one aptitude, Baili Xiao had level two, and the twin sisters had level three.
Aptitude is tested using the Enlightenment Stone, a rare stone modified specifically for this purpose.