As the heat receded, another force came to replace it—an overwhelming pressure equal to that of someone at the core refining stage.
A large gathering of martial artists stood still, frozen in place, on a flat plateau beneath a second set of stairs. None of them could continue climbing; the power was simply too strong.
Li Jun recognized the feeling immediately. He turned to see Shen Yun's eyes wide. She tried to take another step, but her foot didn't fall.
"I'm sorry. You can get mad at me later," he said as he quickly swept her into his arms. He hoped he had reacted quickly enough to prevent the formation from ending her examination early.
He took a step as Shen Yun's body froze stiffly and then another. There was no resistance. It seemed he had made it in time. He let out a sigh as he pushed his way past the silent crowd and continued climbing. Shen Yun's face twisted in pain as the pressure continued to increase.
