Chapter 4: Bone Forging Cliff

Elder Yue addressed the children sternly: "Listen carefully. Follow the path through the bamboo grove to reach the **Bone Forging Cliff** of the Seven Mysteries Sect. The first stretch is bamboo forest, then rocky slopes, and finally a sheer cliff. Only those who reach the summit by noon may join the sect. Those who fail but show promise may become probationary disciples."

Han Li didn't fully grasp "probationary disciple," but he knew one thing: climb. The slope ahead seemed gentle, dotted with bamboo. *How hard could it be?* He glanced at the other children, their faces tense.

As the sun rose, Elder Yue barked: "Begin! Senior disciples will guard you. No dawdling!"

Han Li turned to see the stern-faced seniors behind them. *If I pass, will I wear those robes too?* Before he could ponder, the others surged into the bamboo grove.

Han Li scrambled after them. The bamboo forest stretched endlessly, scattering the thirty-odd children. A lanky senior shadowed Han Li, silent and cold. Fearful, Han Li focused on trudging uphill.

The bamboo thickened, the slope steepened. Soon, Han Li gripped stalks to pull himself forward. Exhausted, he collapsed onto a dirt mound, panting. Behind him, the senior stood motionless, pristine as the bamboo.

Gulping air, Han Li heard ragged breaths ahead. *Others are resting too.* He forced himself onward.

The terrain turned treacherous—rocky, jagged, and bare of bamboo. Han Li crawled on hands and knees, his clothes fraying, skin scraped raw by sharp stones. Blood seeped from his palms. Ahead, a few figures clambered up a colossal boulder.

Wu Yan, the privileged boy, led effortlessly. *Of course. He's trained for this.* Han Li gritted his teeth, ignoring the sting of grit in his wounds.

The boulder's layered rock crumbled under his grip. Each step sent shards biting into his flesh. By the time he reached the cliff base, his limbs trembled.

The final challenge: a 30-meter vertical cliff with knotted ropes dangling from the top. Wu Yan scaled one rope with ease, mocking those below by wiggling his pinky.

Han Li's hands shook. *No time. No strength.* Yet his father's words echoed: *"Persist, or you'll never join."* He grabbed a rope, but his grip faltered—

A slip! He slammed against the cliff, heart pounding. The senior behind him crouched, ready to catch his fall.

Grateful, Han Li inched upward.

The sun blazed at its zenith. Wu Yan had already reached the summit, laughing down at the strugglers. Han Li clung to a rope, every muscle screaming.

He slumped onto a knot, spent. Behind him, others gasped, equally drained. *At least I'm not last.* The senior's cold gaze bore into him.

Summoning his last shred of will, Han Li clawed upward. But his hands betrayed him—slipping, trembling, refusing to obey.

Time trickled away. Han Li's body felt leaden. *Noon is near. I've failed.* Yet pride refused surrender. He forced his stiff fingers to move, but the rope mocked his weakness.

Below, the senior watched impassively. *Is this where it ends?*