CHAPTER 116: DRAGON ASCENSION STAIRWAY

The figure was a generously handsome man with long black hair flowing like silk behind him. He rode a flying sword, just like the myths Igaris had once heard of.

The man descended gracefully, landing on the ground without a sound. With practiced elegance, he cupped his fists respectfully.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Elder Hao. Is this the special boy you spoke of?"

Elder Hao nodded curtly. "Yes, he is. His name is Yuhan."

The man in the pristine white robe, embroidered with the symbol of a soaring dragon, turned his sharp eyes toward Igaris. His gaze was piercing, scrutinizing him from head to toe as though attempting to see through his very soul.

For a brief moment, there was a flicker of surprise in his eyes.

Then the man introduced himself.

"Greetings, young man. I am Kai Quibing, an elder of the Outer Disciples Division. Today, I will be overseeing your trial. Usually, we do not accept anyone without a Martial Core, but exceptions are made for... unique individuals. Since Elder Hao personally recommended you, we will consider your application seriously."

Igaris returned the gesture, cupping his fists respectfully.

"It’s a pleasure to meet you, Elder Kai. I am ready for whatever test you have prepared," he replied with quiet confidence.

Elder Hao stood beside Igaris, arms crossed with a faint smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. The old man’s cloudy eyes, filled with both pride and hope, settled on Kai Quibing.

"Just wait and see, Kai. This brat might not have a Martial Core, but he won’t disappoint you," he said confidently.

Kai gave a soft chuckle, though skepticism lingered in his gaze. "We’ll see soon enough, elder."

With a graceful wave of his sleeve, Kai turned and pointed toward the long stone staircase that stretched endlessly into the sky, veiled in mist and golden sunlight.

"Your trial will be simple in design, but not in execution. This is the Dragon Ascension Stairway. There are exactly ten thousand steps carved with formations meant to test the body, mind, and soul."

He paused, looking back at Igaris. "Most aspirants only manage a few thousand before collapsing. Only those who reach the required threshold may qualify to be Outer Disciples. Your goal is to climb at least halfway to 5,000 steps. Do that, and I’ll personally write your name in the outer rolls."

Igaris looked up at the winding steps, their beginning already steep, their peak lost in the clouds. He could sense the spiritual pressure leaking faintly from them. An oppressive force that seemed to grow stronger the higher one ascended.

He nodded without hesitation. "Understood."

Kai raised his hand. A rune lit up on a stone pillar beside the staircase. The Dragon Ascension Formation stirred to life.

"You may begin."

Igaris took his first step without hesitation.

The moment his foot touched the staircase, a small force pressed down on his shoulders. Not visible to the eye, but powerful enough to make even an ordinary mortal kneel. Each stair carried more weight, more resistance.

But Igaris didn’t falter.

His breathing remained steady, and his steps precise. He walked calmly, almost leisurely. On the 20th step, a gust of wind whipped around him, laced with invisible Qi blades meant to test endurance.

He walked through them, unfazed.

Elder Kai raised a brow. "He’s not even using Qi to protect himself. His body is strong... abnormally so."

Kai narrowed his eyes. "No Martial Core, and yet his physique and spirit remain unshaken. Interesting..."

By the time Igaris reached the 500th step, the ground around him was shaking from the increasing spiritual weight. Even Martial Cultivators would have begun to sweat by now.

But he showed no signs of slowing down.

"He’s not just strong," Kai muttered under his breath. "He’s also adapting."

Elder Hao chuckled. "I told you. This boy is destined to carve his name into history. You know, he has destroyed a bandit group all by himself," he said, his voice filled with pride.

"Oh, really?"

Elder Hao gave a firm nod.

Seeing this, the doubt in Kai’s eyes replaced by genuine interest. "I see. Then this news must be delivered to the Supreme Elders and Sect Master at once."

He turned toward his flying sword and gestured. "Please, board with me, Elder Hao."

Elder Hao didn’t hesitate. With practiced ease, he stepped onto the sword behind Kai, as though riding the skies had never stopped being a habit.

"Whoosh!"

The sword rose like a swift gust, carving through the clouds with elegance. Wind whipped around them as they soared over the endless staircase below, where Igaris continued to ascend without pause.

Far above, nestled within the peaks of the towering mountain range, lay the grand Soaring Dragon Sect.

An awe-inspiring structure built into the cliffs and carved from pristine jade stone, glowing with formations and divine auras. Towering pagodas reached toward the heavens. Waterfalls cascaded off the cliffs like flowing silk, and the sound of disciples training echoed through the valleys in rhythmic waves.

As they approached, the sight of two elders flying in tandem drew attention. Disciples looked up from their exercises and bowed respectfully.

Kai descended toward the central platform outside the Hall of Transmission. Several elders in various robes had already sensed his approach and gathered outside.

"Elder Kai!" one of them called, "Did the trial go smoothly?"

Kai stepped off the sword, followed by Elder Hao, whose presence drew murmurs.

"Is that... Elder Hao? He came back?"

"Hah, I thought he retired for good!"

Ignoring the whispers, Kai walked forward and addressed the gathered elders. "Everyone, I bring word of a remarkable candidate. The boy recommended by Elder Hao — Yuhan from Soaring Leaf Village — has begun climbing the Dragon Ascension Steps."

"Hmph. Another outer-court hopeful? Kai, we don’t have time for every village boy chasing dreams," scoffed an elder with grey streaks in his hair.

But Kai raised a hand, silencing them.

"This one is different. He has no Martial Core... yet as of this moment, he has already surpassed the 1000th step without using a drop of Qi."

The elders’ expressions changed immediately.

"Huh! No Martial Core?"

"Despite that he crossed 1,000 steps? That’s unheard of!"

"Is he a body practitioner, then?"

Elder Hao finally spoke, voice firm. "Everyone, I have watched over him for years. That boy has endured ridicule, poverty, and hopelessness — but not once did he give up. He possesses strength, will, and now.. potential. I believe he will become a pillar of this sect one day."

Silence followed.

Then one of the seated elders muttered, "Elder Hao, if you’re so serious about it, we should inform the Supreme Elders and the Sect Master."

Kai nodded. "Agreed."

From that moment onward, the name Yuhan began to circulate quietly within the halls of power at Soaring Dragon Sect.

And down below, step by step, Igaris climbed toward his fate, unaware that the eyes of the sect had already begun to turn toward him.

But even if he knew, he wouldn’t have been worried. Because he needed attention and recognition as much he could get to become a important member of Soaring Dragon Sect. To learn those Martial Arts and other resources they have. The idea of starting as menial outer disciple didn’t suit well with him.

He was a Legendary World Diver after all.