Reaching the top

Wen Ran's heart remained calm as he carefully assessed the situation. I need to be careful of these people, he thought, Not only did this trial come without warning, but I can also feel that the aura of the people ahead of me is somewhat suspicious.

He kept climbing, step after step, as the endless stairs stretched before him. So far, he could swear he had climbed several mountains worth of steps. It's fine, I have energy for a few more, he reassured himself. After that, if I still can't keep up, I'll push myself to the point where they'll beg for me to join the sect.

His eyes gleamed with a competitive fire—the kind he hadn't felt in a long time. After all, he was in the body of a teenager now, and despite the years of tempering his heart and pushing aside the feeling of competition as he grew older, he now had the chance to relive those memories of youthful ambition.