"Hey! You fool! The test is over; why are you still struggling?"
"Brother, take a break! Stop this pointless effort!"
"Do you have a death wish? If you don't stop now, your arms and legs might be crippled—or worse, you could die!"
As Xiao Chen's tenacious climb continued, the other youths began to notice him. Initially, their taunts were laced with cold mockery. But as time passed, and Xiao Chen slowly overtook one after another, even the most cynical among them couldn't help but feel a spark of admiration.
Xiao Chen paid no heed to their comments. His head remained down, his face blank, as he doggedly inched forward.
"Yes! I made it!"
Cheers erupted from the summit. A burly youth, his body covered in wounds and his face bluish-purple from the cold, had reached the top. Though battered, his face beamed with pride.
Meanwhile, Xiao Chen was barely halfway up. The current grew fiercer, the temperature plummeted, and the ice shards inflicted deeper wounds. His pace slowed to a crawl, yet his resolve remained unbroken. Like a tiny boat battered by relentless waves, he persisted, inch by inch.
One by one, other youths reached the summit. These were the strongest, those with martial arts training or exceptional physiques. Despite their injuries, they managed to endure and achieve victory.
In stark contrast, Xiao Chen seemed like a small, mud-slick loach—insignificant and weak. Yet, for reasons no one could explain, all eyes were drawn to him. Whether from the defeated youths at the base or the victors at the summit, glances of respect began to surface.
"Time's up!" the Falling Cloud Valley disciple overseeing the test called out from the base.
"Finally!"
"It's over… What a shame. He worked so hard but still couldn't make it."
"I told him it was pointless. In the end, he's in the same position as us."
"He's the most stubborn person I've ever met. If he can't become a disciple here, I'm sure he'll still make something of himself someday."
The announcement brought relief to the crowd, along with faint regret. They couldn't help but wonder—if Xiao Chen had been given more time, could he have reached the top?
But rules were rules, and the test was over.
"Bring them down," Elder Hu commanded with a frown. "Those who passed should be taken to the outer sect steward for assignments. The rest should be returned to their original locations. When the time comes, send them down the mountain."
"Understood!" A group of Falling Cloud Valley disciples mounted their flying swords and began retrieving the youths. Soon, the entire Path of Perseverance was empty—save for one lone figure still crawling upward.
"Master Uncle, what about him?" a disciple asked hesitantly, pointing to Xiao Chen.
"Hmph! What else? The test is over. I won't waste more time here. Bring him down and tend to his injuries. If he ends up crippled, he'll be more trouble than he's worth." Elder Hu waved his hand irritably.
"Yes, sir." The disciple stepped onto his flying sword, ready to retrieve Xiao Chen.
"Wait!"
A gentle chuckle echoed through the air. Though it sounded distant at first, it reached the ear as if spoken right beside it.
A streak of azure light tore through the sky, descending swiftly to the base of the slope. As the light dissipated, a figure emerged, prompting Elder Hu's eyes to widen. He quickly bowed with respect.
"Fifth Senior Brother, what brings you here?"
The newcomer was none other than Yaodaozi, the fifth disciple of the sect's previous master. With his cultivation at the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage and his status as a Tier-3 alchemist, Yaodaozi was a figure of considerable influence within the sect.
"Master Uncle!" the other disciples echoed, bowing in unison.
Yaodaozi waved dismissively, his gaze fixed on Xiao Chen. "This boy is fascinating—persistent and unyielding. I want to see if he can reach the top."
"Of course, Senior Brother," Elder Hu replied with a forced smile. Yaodaozi's standing within the sect was leagues above his own, and opposing him was out of the question.
And so, under the watchful eyes of two Foundation Establishment cultivators and a host of disciples, the battered Xiao Chen continued his climb.
Xiao Chen's movements slowed to a crawl as he neared the summit. His body was a mass of injuries, his pale, swollen skin evidence of blood loss and prolonged exposure to freezing water.
From below, Yaodaozi watched with a mix of admiration and pity. His spiritual sense scanned Xiao Chen repeatedly, confirming the boy's lack of a spiritual root. Such tenacity and willpower, yet no spiritual root… What a waste.
Three hours later, as twilight descended, Xiao Chen reached the final step. His bloodied hand grasped a protruding rock, and he used it to haul himself upward.
The crowd watched in stunned silence as the boy stood shakily at the summit. His body swayed like a candle in the wind, on the verge of collapse, yet he remained upright.
A faint smile tugged at Xiao Chen's lips before his legs gave out, and he began to fall backward.
Before he hit the ground, a soft force caught him. Yaodaozi appeared behind him, his brows furrowed as he studied the unconscious youth.
"Such remarkable determination… A pity he lacks a spiritual root. But perhaps… destiny has brought him to me."
"Take this boy to my residence," Yaodaozi instructed Elder Hu. "He will be my nominal disciple. Deliver his identification jade slip to me later."
Without waiting for a reply, Yaodaozi's figure blurred into light, carrying Xiao Chen away.
Xiao Chen awoke in a small, clean stone room. The sunlight streaming through the window illuminated a potted plant on the windowsill.
"Where am I? Did I pass the test?" he murmured, scanning his unfamiliar surroundings.
His last memory was of the freezing waters of the Path of Perseverance. Beyond that, everything was a blank.
Before he could dwell further, the door creaked open, and a graceful figure stepped inside.
It was Ji Yuewu.
Her delicate features were framed by long, flowing hair, her unadorned face radiating a natural elegance. Her presence exuded a transcendent, noble aura.
"Master instructed me to give you this medicine and tell you to meet him in the herb valley when you're ready," she said, her tone cool and indifferent. Setting the bowl down, she turned and left without sparing him another glance.
Xiao Chen didn't dwell on Ji Yuewu's aloofness. Instead, he quickly drank the medicine and left the room, his body feeling surprisingly refreshed.
In the herb valley, Xiao Chen knelt before Yaodaozi.
"Get up, boy," Yaodaozi said warmly. "Consider this your formal disciple ceremony. Here is your identification jade slip—you are now my nominal disciple. Your future will depend on your own efforts."
Though Xiao Chen lacked a spiritual root, Yaodaozi saw potential in his unyielding spirit. Taking Xiao Chen under his wing was both an act of kindness and an acknowledgment of the boy's extraordinary resolve.
Xiao Chen bowed deeply, his heart swelling with gratitude. Master, I will not let you down.