Chapter 180: Chapter 132: Spirit Academy Assessment: Path to Immortality (Part 3)
Who would have thought Daoist Zhang was telling them that the entrance exam doesn’t require competition, but just ascending the steps?
"The Hundred-Step Staircase is based on level and quality, but ultimately, the number of steps—regardless of level or quality—everything is possible."
"Everyone take note: The first ninety steps of the Hundred-Step Immortal Ladder are to slay demons, the last ten steps to slay oneself."
"Now... those whose names are called, step forward, prepare yourselves, and you may ascend."
Daoist Zhang was about to call names when a student cupped his hands and asked, "Dare I ask, mentor, is it people ascending or beasts ascending?"
"People and beasts ascend together."
Daoist Zhang replied, then called the first name: "Cao Zhi."
A burly man stepped forward and summoned his Spirit Beast:
Fire Qilin Beast.
This beast’s quality is quite good, someone once fostered a Qilin with it.
Cao Zhi was confident, he patted his Fire-Scaly Beast, then strode forward.
However, just after taking the first step, he suddenly squatted down, panting heavily.
The crowd was curious, after just one step, how could he be out of breath?
Unexpectedly, Cao Zhi said, "Mentor, may I rest?"
"You may."
The mentor nodded and called the next name.
The second person had a similar situation, but he was better than Cao Zhi, managing two steps, even reaching the third step before saying he needed to rest.
The crowd was intrigued because they were all young, full of blood energy, eager to show off.
Everyone thought they could go further.
This time there were as many as two hundred testers, all special recruit students connected by this opportunity.
"Before I came, I asked a familiar senior brother, he said seven days ago the officially admitted students had completed the test, the highest reaching thirty-three steps."
"Thirty-three?"
The crowd was shocked, looking at Cao Zhi, still preparing to ascend the second step, they fell into contemplation.
"Next, Zhao Li."
Zhao Li was already prepared, and began to stride forward.
He did quite well, coordinating with his Spirit Beast, reaching the ninth step before resting.
Now, the highest anyone had reached was sixteen steps.
Daoist Zhang kept watching, shaking his head inside.
The Path to Immortality greatly values potential; the greater the potential, the more steps one can ascend.
The reason for people and beasts ascending together is because a Beastmaster’s talent is also calculated into the process.
Over the years, Spirit Academy hasn’t wanted to expand enrollment, only because Spirit Beast growth heavily relies on potential. If expanded without considering consequences, it would eventually harm the academy’s reputation.
In previous years, new students’ first ascent averaged 23 steps in one day, with the highest reaching thirty-nine.
As it goes on, ascending the ladder gets tougher.
"Next, Lin Chen."
Accompanying Daoist Zhang’s call of Lin Chen’s name, Lin Chen stepped forward, drawing considerable attention.
It wasn’t that they intentionally focused on him, it was because Lin Chen’s Spirit Beast was particularly eye-catching.
Lin Chen instructed the Iron Palm Bear and Little Fox to wait on site, then led Xiaobai to start stepping.
As soon as they stepped up, Lin Chen and Xiaobai felt they entered another space.
This was a huge arena, on the arena stood two Plowhorn Beasts, glaring angrily at Lin Chen and the Spirit Beast.
"Oh?"
Lin Chen was surprised, at that moment he understood what Daoist Zhang meant by the first ninety steps slaying demons, the last ten slaying oneself.
He initially thought it was some kind of enlightenment test, turns out it’s a challenge game.
Lin Chen patted Xiaobai’s rump and said, "Go."
"Moo~~"
Xiaobai shook its body, directly transforming into a Kui Spirit Beast, charging forward with the force of eight oxen.
Lin Chen felt embarrassed seeing this...
Starting off so fierce, really bullying the ox.
Soon after, the two Plowhorn Beasts lay on the ground, severed in two.
Lin Chen revealed his greedy nature, he actually considered stepping forward to see if any of the Plowhorn Beasts’ bloodlines could be collected.
Who would have thought just two seconds after the fight ended, he returned to reality.
Many people were staring at Lin Chen, especially Cao Zhi, now only stepping onto the third step.
He no longer hoped he could ascend many steps, only wished someone would take the bottom position...
Otherwise, being last was really too embarrassing.
Cao Zhi realized he couldn’t ascend many steps, at best no more than nine.
Unexpectedly, he heard Lin Chen instruct Xiaobai:
"Xiaobai, conserve your strength."
Cao Zhi clenched his fists inside, thinking that no matter how a Plowhorn Beast evolves, it should be no match for his Fire Qilin Beast.
Unexpectedly, Lin Chen’s performance shattered his expectations completely.
At the first step, Lin Chen stayed for ten seconds.
At the second step, Lin Chen stayed for thirty seconds.
Cao Zhi rejoiced inside, thinking Lin Chen was certainly out of contention.
Who would have thought that after Lin Chen and Xiaobai opened their eyes, they remained calm, stepping leisurely onto the third step.
At that moment...
Cao Zhi panicked.