In Baiwa City, the night was gradually retreating, replaced by the fiery glow of dawn painting the horizon red.
There wasn't much time left before the sun would rise.
As the first rays of sunlight fell upon the person holding the Dharma Pearl, they would earn the chance to ascend the staircase.
If they succeeded in passing the trial, they would become the master of the Baiwa Scroll.
If they failed, their body and soul would perish, becoming nourishment for Baiwa City.
And if no one ascended the Heavenly Staircase with the pearl, everyone would die.
As time ticked away, most people glanced at Xu Ming without much intention of vying for the pearl.
Not to mention whether they could snatch it from him, even if they did, what then? They would still have to climb the staircase and pass the trial to claim the Baiwa Scroll. Otherwise, they too would perish.
"What exactly do you mean by this?" Zhuang Yan stepped forward, questioning sternly.
"If I remember correctly, you said last night that whoever holds the pearl at sunrise could become the master of Baiwa City. Why does the one who obtains the pearl still need to pass a trial? A monk does not lie, and as a disciple of Buddhism, have you broken this precept?"
Zhuang Yan voiced a question that was on everyone's mind, including Xu Ming's.
The golden toad chuckled.
"Firstly, this humble monk follows Buddhism but is not bound by precepts. My master instructed me to do what I must, and I obey.
Secondly, I have not deceived anyone.
As I said last night, the one who holds the Dharma Pearl at sunrise can become the master of Baiwa City. But I said 'can.'
If we compare the Baiwa Scroll to a treasure, then the Heavenly Staircase is like the box that contains it. The Dharma Pearl I spat out is akin to the key.
What you must do is walk to the box and use the key to unlock it.
However, the path to the box will be arduous.
Whether you can open it is up to you."
She Yu stepped forward and asked, "If the person holding the Dharma Pearl ascends the staircase but fails, apart from their death, what else will happen?"
Whether the pearl bearer perished was of little concern to She Yu. What he cared about was whether the trial's failure would affect the secret realm—and whether there would still be an opportunity for him. If the first person failed and a second could take their place, then he could wait for others to die first before considering his own chances.
The golden toad glanced at She Yu, understanding his implication, and explained:
"Only the one holding the Dharma Pearl can ascend the staircase. Even if they fail, the Dharma Pearl will vanish along with them, and the Baiwa Scroll will be entirely severed from the greater world.
As for the rest of you, all outsiders will be trapped here indefinitely. Unless, one day, a powerful figure finds the Baiwa Scroll and destroys it, or the scroll's lifespan ends, causing it to merge back with the world.
Oh, I almost forgot to mention: at sunrise, the person holding the Dharma Pearl must ascend the Heavenly Staircase within half an hour. If they don't, they will perish along with the pearl."
Hearing the golden toad's words, everyone exchanged uneasy glances, their expressions now tinged with panic.
Only the first person could ascend the staircase, and no one knew what trials awaited above.
If Xu Ming ascended the staircase and failed, he would die, the Dharma Pearl would disappear, and everyone else would be trapped here forever.
For a moment, most of the crowd's gaze turned to Xu Ming. Their eyes seemed to convey an unspoken message: You'd better succeed; otherwise, you'll have let us down.
Seeing their expressions, Xu Ming smirked. He took out the Dharma Pearl, weighed it in his hand for a moment, and then tossed it gently into the air.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the Dharma Pearl floated quietly in mid-air.
Someone instinctively took a step forward, wanting to snatch it, but as soon as they moved, their legs froze, their expressions growing complex.
Not long ago, they had fought tooth and nail over this pearl, each one desperate to claim it and hide it away.
But now, not a single person dared to move forward.
They weren't even concerned about the other cultivators seizing the pearl anymore.
What was once a coveted treasure had now turned into a searing hot potato in their eyes.
Even if they managed to grab the pearl, so what?
Could they climb that staircase?
And if they failed, their end would be utter annihilation.
If Xu Ming failed, at least they would still be alive, stuck here perhaps, but alive. As long as they lived, there was hope.
Many of them were core disciples of their sects. They believed that if they remained missing for too long, the elders, deacons, or even sect leaders would launch a search for them.
The likelihood of being rescued was high—surely it was just a matter of time.
But if they were dead, everything would be over.
"Weren't you all so desperate for this pearl before?" Xu Ming's voice cut through the tense silence. "Well, here it is. If you want it, come take it. You can ascend the Heavenly Staircase."
His words stabbed at their hearts like daggers, dripping with mockery.
Their faces turned sour, but none dared to speak, let alone approach the pearl.
Cultivators, at their core, were deeply afraid of death.
As time trickled away, the eastern horizon of Baiwa City began to glow with the first light of dawn.
Yet no one moved closer to the pearl.
"Heh, you so-called righteous cultivators are nothing but cowards," Xu Ming sneered, his laughter laced with disdain.
He strode forward, and in full view of everyone, reached for the Dharma Pearl.
"Xu Ming, give me the pearl," a soft voice rang out.
Qin Qingwan walked up beside Xu Ming, clutching his sleeve tightly, her eyes brimming with worry.
"I want the Baiwa Scroll. Let me go," she pleaded.
Xu Ming turned to her, a faint smile on his face. "Do you really want the Baiwa Scroll?"
Qin Qingwan nodded eagerly. "Yes, I really do!"
She reached out for the pearl, but Xu Ming was faster, gripping it in his palm.
He gently patted Qin Qingwan's small hand. "Alright, if you really want it, then stay here like a good girl and wait for me to come back."
"Huh?" Qin Qingwan froze.
What is this big dummy saying? I'm trying to take your place and climb the staircase! If I succeed, I'll give you the scroll!
Not the other way around!
"Xu—!"
Before she could finish, Xu Ming released her hand, which was still clutching his sleeve, and strode forward.
As Xu Ming, holding the pearl, approached the base of the Heavenly Staircase, the first rays of sunlight bathed him in golden light.
Without hesitation, he raised his foot and stepped onto the staircase.