Disciple Selection (Part 2)
As the trial commenced, all participants rushed toward the Golden Staircase at full speed. The thunderous sound of countless footsteps echoed through the air as thousands of people began ascending step by step. Their physical and mental strength were pushed to the limit with every move they made.
Han Ming stood calmly, observing the scene in silence. His intention was to see who among them possessed the potential to become his disciple. However, the sheer number of examinees was overwhelming, so he decided to wait a little longer.
He had once climbed the Golden Staircase himself and knew its true nature well. It was a test that assessed both the body and the mind. With proper preparation, even someone with no cultivation or a disabled body could pass. The staircase might appear simple, but it served as a reasonable filter. While not flawless, it was effective in its own way.
As Han Ming quietly analyzed the examinees, an old man walked up to him and spoke.
"Shall we play a game of chess, Peak Master Han?"
Han Ming turned toward the voice and saw that it was Luo Yunhai, Peak Master of Royal Pill Peak, a cultivator at the peak of the Half-Emperor Realm and a Saint-ranked Alchemist.
Han Ming smiled in response and pulled out a chessboard from his spatial ring. He was on quite good terms with Luo Yunhai, as both shared a passion for alchemy. They often exchanged knowledge and insights on pill refinement.
But just as the two were about to begin their game, another elder's voice rang out.
"I'll place my bet on Peak Master Han. One million top-grade spirit stones. What do you all say? Anyone care to join in?"
Han Ming looked toward the speaker and saw that it was Bai Jingcen, Peak Master of Immortal Sigil Peak, also at the peak of the Half-Emperor Realm and a Saint-ranked Formation Master.
Moments later, another voice chimed in enthusiastically.
"I'm also betting on Peak Master Han!"
This time it was Zhao Honglong, Peak Master of Heavenly Forge Peak, a cultivator at the peak of the Half-Emperor Realm and a Saint-ranked Forgemaster.
Han Ming couldn't help but smile. He shared a close friendship with all three of them. In fact, the rapid growth of his own special profession levels was largely thanks to the help of these three individuals. Each of them was a top-tier expert in their respective Saint-ranked crafts.
Just as the atmosphere began to shift into what felt like a gambling ring, a stern voice cut through the playful air, tinged with annoyance.
"Could you all at least try to maintain the dignity of the Sacred Land? We may not have appeared during the opening ceremony, but still..."
The speaker was Chen Xingtian, Peak Master of Imperial Sword Peak, a cultivator at the peak of the Half-Emperor Realm and a Level 9 Swordmaster.
However, instead of scolding the other four any further, what he said next left everyone in stunned silence.
"But I'll place one hundred million top-grade spirit stones on Peak Master Han."
A moment of silence passed before Zhao Honglong spoke up, clearly irritated.
"Go back and polish your damn sword, will you? We're just playing for fun here, maybe for a few drinks not to gamble away our entire fortunes, you fool!"
Several other Peak Masters and elders shook their heads in exasperation. Ever since the four of them had gotten close to Han Ming, they had completely flipped in character. Once dignified figures, they now acted shamelessly and without reservation. Or perhaps, Han Ming hadn't changed them at all he had simply awakened their true selves.
Because of this, some Peak Masters and elders chose to keep their distance from Han Ming. It wasn't out of hate or disdain, but out of fear. Fear that the dignified image they had built over so many years would be shattered if they got too close. They simply didn't have the thick skin those four did.
...
...
One hour and fifty minutes passed.
As the Golden Staircase trial reached its final stages, only one hundred thousand participants remained from the original hundreds of millions.
During this time, Han Ming continued observing, trying to find disciples who met his criteria. But because there were still far too many, he decided to only focus on those who reached step 900 or higher. Anyone below that wasn't worth his time.
Another group that caught Han Ming's interest were those who, even after an hour and fifty-five minutes, still hadn't given up. Their bodies were bloodied, wounded, or visibly crippled some had disabled legs, others were blind, some had missing limbs. Yet they continued to climb. At that moment, only five people remained on the Golden Staircase, still pressing forward despite everything.
While Han Ming watched them closely, on the side of the Peak Masters' platform, Luo Yunhai, Peak Master of Royal Pill Peak, who had been playing chess with Han Ming, let out a heavy sigh and muttered with a hint of frustration.
"Kid… can't you at least let me win one game?"
Han Ming smiled faintly, then reached out and placed a piece on the board. "Checkmate."
Luo Yunhai's eyes widened. He scowled in disbelief. "Damn it… I lost again! How?!"
Han Ming chuckled lightly. "If we had placed bets this round, you'd owe me another one million top-grade spirit stones. That brings your total to sixty million with the previous losses, doesn't it?"
Bai Jingcen, Peak Master of Immortal Sigil Peak, who had been watching from the side, immediately chimed in.
"Exactly! And I'd be getting twelve million out of it! Can you take this seriously for once, you old fossil?!"
Luo Yunhai's face twisted with annoyance. "Can you even count? And aren't you old yourself?!"
Zhao Honglong, Peak Master of Heavenly Forge Peak, burst into laughter. "As for me, I'd be getting thirty-six million! Hahaha!"
Luo Yunhai's brow furrowed deeply. "You were already cheating, but this guy's even worse! At least try to act like you're not outright robbing me!"
Finally, Chen Xingtian, Peak Master of Imperial Sword Peak, who had been quietly observing the chaos, calmly spoke.
"As for me… I'd get five hundred million."
Luo Yunhai nearly fainted on the spot. "No! Absolutely not! None of you even care what the odds are anymore! You're all just throwing out whatever numbers you want like this is some damn festival!"
Luo Yunhai let out a dramatic sigh and rubbed his temples. "Why… why is this happening to me? I'm a virtuous man with morals, yet all I'm surrounded by are thieves! Heaven has no sense of justice!"
While the Peak Masters continued their game of chess and cheerfully mocked Luo Yunhai, Chen Xingtian, who had been quietly watching the Golden Staircase, suddenly spoke up.
"Oh? Peak Master Han, have you found someone of interest?"
Han Ming offered a faint smile as he gazed at the final five, still climbing the staircase. Even with only ten seconds left on the clock, not one of them had given up. Their bodies were covered in wounds, their strength long past its limits, yet the determination in their eyes still burned brightly.
One by one, the system displayed their information before Han Ming's eyes.
[Name: Lei Chen]
[Age: 17]
[Cultivation Level: None]
[Special Constitution: Divine Bone (Excavated) (Emperor Level), Ancient Divine Eye (Excavated) (Emperor Level)]
[Potential: 10 stars]
[Comprehension: 10 stars]
[Luck: Black]
...
[Name: Liu Xingchen]
[Age: 18]
[Cultivation Level: Qi Control Stage 5]
[Special Constitution: Void Sword Body (Sealed) (Emperor Level)]
[Potential: 10 stars]
[Comprehension: 9 stars]
[Luck: Gold]
...
[Name: Jiang Zhiyao]
[Age: 16]
[Cultivation Level: Qi Control Stage 1]
[Special Constitution: Eternal Heavenly Flame Body (Damaged Origin) (Emperor Level)]
[Potential: 9 stars]
[Comprehension: 10 stars]
[Luck: Red]
...
[Name: Liu Fengyue]
[Age: 17]
[Cultivation Level: Qi Control Stage 2]
[Special Constitution: Arcane Emperor Body (Sealed) (Emperor Level)]
[Potential: 10 stars]
[Comprehension: 9 stars]
[Luck: Gold]
...
[Name: Feng Yan]
[Age: 16]
[Cultivation Level: Qi Control Stage 7]
[Special Constitution: Origin Flame Divine Body (Collapsed) (Emperor Level)]
[Potential: 10 stars]
[Comprehension: 9 stars]
[Luck: Red]