Jiang Ling had long seen Jiang Munan's extraordinary qualities.
That calmness and sense of organization were exactly the pillar talents the sect needed for its growth.
He was just about to nod when a crisp "ding!" sounded in his mind.
The System had appeared.
[Ding! Emergency quest: The Black Wind Comes completed!
Rewards: 10,000 points, 3 random Earth-Rank spells.]
[Hidden quest triggered!
Quest: Recruit a disciple with exceptional management talent.]
[Quest Rewards: 10,000 points, 10 mu of top-grade spirit fields, 1 mid-grade spirit vein, 1 spirit beast garden.]
Jiang Ling's expression froze.
If he remembered right, the System had already told him this boy was worth recruiting. Now it was issuing a quest for him—obviously targeting this very kid.
He studied Jiang Munan carefully a few more times, still unable to see what was so special about him to warrant a dedicated System quest.
But he was going to take him in anyway. This suited him perfectly.
Jiang Ling understood the situation, but his face showed nothing.
He glanced at Jiang Munan, his gaze carrying a hint of examination.
"Boy, you have quite the ambition. To enter my Primordial Beginning Sect and seek authority, you must possess qualifications worthy of that ambition."
His tone was calm, yet carried an invisible pressure. The air suddenly grew heavy.
But Jiang Munan straightened his back, his eyes sharp as a newborn calf, unafraid:
"Sect Master, I swear it! Munan is willing to endure any trial to prove myself. I only ask for a chance to serve the sect!"
His words were firm, resolute as if burning his boats.
A barely noticeable curve tugged at the corner of Jiang Ling's mouth. His gaze turned toward the towering, ancient white jade stairway outside the gate.
"Very well. Seeing your sincerity, I will give you an opportunity."
His voice was not loud, but clearly reached Hua Yuntian's ears nearby as he listened intently.
Several other recovered youths also stole glances over.
"Do you see that Jade Platform Stairway? It is our sect's place for tempering the heart and forging the body.
All who wish to join must climb it.
- Those who pass 60 steps may enter as outer disciples, handling menial duties.
- 70 steps — ordinary disciples, granted true arts.
- 80 steps — inner disciples, inheriting the sect's legacy.
- Above 90 steps…"
His eyes flashed like lightning, locking directly onto Jiang Munan's.
"Only then are you qualified to become my personal disciple.
This stairway can see into the darkest corners of one's heart. Do you dare to climb?"
"90 steps?!"
A barely suppressed snort came from the side.
Hua Yuntian crossed his arms and leaned against a stone pillar, his face full of mockery.
"A mere mortal body, bones unopened, qi weak. Climbing 30 steps would already be your ancestors blessing you!
90 steps? Heh — a fool's dream!
Each step multiplies the pressure. Only those with great will and great fortune can reach it…"
He suddenly stopped mid-sentence, not continuing.
He'd just remembered he had entered the sect without climbing the Jade Platform at all.
Lecturing this boy now felt a bit unjustified.
Ye Qingshuang stood quietly to the side, her cold eyes falling on Jiang Munan, expressionless.
She had walked this path and knew its dangers well.
Now she was curious: how far could the light in this boy's eyes carry him?
Jincancan perched on the hall's eave, its glazed eyes turning curiously.
This boy looked promising, bright and sharp-witted. Even if he failed to reach 90 steps, he should pass 80 and become an inner disciple.
The rescued youths held their breath, gazing reverently at the white jade stairway.
To them, it was a path to heaven; only immortals could walk it.
They worried for Jiang Munan yet secretly hoped for a miracle.
Jiang Munan took a deep breath, ignoring Hua Yuntian's sarcasm. His gaze burned like fire, fixed firmly on the hundred-step stairway, filled with unyielding resolve:
"Disciple — I dare to try!"
Before the Jade Platform, the atmosphere grew heavy.
The Primordial Beginning Sect had killed Black Wind Ridge's envoy.
All major and minor forces within a thousand li were panicking.
Now, not a single spy came to spy, nor a single mortal to beg for entry.
Everyone was waiting and watching.
If the Primordial Beginning Sect survived Black Wind Ridge's next wave of revenge, then they would come.
Most who came to join only heard the sect had low requirements and gave silver — they wanted an easy life, not to die alongside a sect.
Jiang Ling stood with hands behind his back at the gate, gaze falling upon the stairway.
Hua Yuntian watched coldly, eager to see how far this boy could go.
Ye Qingshuang stood beside Jiang Ling, a hint of curiosity in her eyes.
Jincancan strutted forward, acting as a guide.
"Boy, no messy thoughts. Sincerity works wonders."
Jiang Munan bowed in thanks.
Some of the rescued who could walk gathered at a distance, watching and cheering him on.
The moment he stepped onto the white jade steps, Jiang Munan's body sank slightly.
The first 30 steps pressed mainly on the physical body, as if carrying heavy sandbags.
Fine sweat beaded his forehead, his breathing grew heavy, but his steps remained steady, each one firm, his gaze always locked upward.
Once past 30 steps, the pressure surged.
The air turned thick as mercury, invisible giant force squeezing from all sides.
Worse still, mental illusions began to gnaw at his mind.
The stench of the dungeon, the agony of whips, the desperate wails of separated kin…
Jiang Munan trembled violently, struggling as if trapped in mud.
He paused several times, his face pale, lower lip bitten until it bleed.
Yet his eyes burned brighter and brighter, like a raging flame.
With a low growl, he used his will as a blade, sliced through the illusions, and continued climbing.
Jincancan nodded slightly.
Given what he had endured, breaking free so quickly proved his will was extraordinary. That alone made him better than most.
Before long, Jiang Munan reached 60 steps.
At this stage, pressure crashed like a mountain tsunami, illusions grew even more real and terrifying — even replaying the bone-deep cold and weakness of being drained of blood.
Jiang Munan's knees creaked under the strain, his body tottering, as if about to be crushed at any second.
He growled like a wild beast, nails digging deep into his palms.
Driven by nearly paranoid faith, at the edge of collapse, he lifted himself step by step —
and stepped onto the 70th step!
Hua Yuntian's mockery vanished, replaced by solemnity.
He knew Jiang Munan's body better than anyone — his wounds had just healed, far from full strength.
Yet he had reached 70 steps anyway. His heart and will were truly extraordinary.
Past 70 steps, the pressure became apocalyptic, illusions solidified.
Each step felt like having his marrow drained and heart cut out.
With every step Jiang Munan took, his bones screamed.
Illusions turned into gruesome ghosts, trying to drag him into eternal darkness.
His eyes flickered, only to be ignited by fiercer fighting spirit.
He practically crawled, nails digging into the cold steps, dragging himself upward inch by inch!
Everyone was stunned by this mortal's will.
Deep in Jiang Ling's eyes, appreciation and expectation grew stronger:
"This boy's heart… will become the pillar of my sect!"