The Last Immortal's Blade

chapter 10 the ascent begins 

The resonant clang of the gong echoed through the mist-shrouded valley, its vibrations rippling across the jagged cliffs like a call to destiny. The trial had begun, and the participants surged forward like a tide, each vying for a foothold on the treacherous cliff face. Su Xuan moved with the grace of a crane skimming the water’s surface, his steps deliberate and his mind sharp. The Blade of Eternal Requiem hummed softly at his side, its ethereal glow casting a faint light on the rocky path ahead. The blade seemed to pulse in rhythm with his heartbeat, as though it were an extension of his very soul.

As he ascended, the cries of cultivators and the snarls of spirit beasts filled the air. The cliff was alive with danger, every step a test of skill and resolve. It was then that Su Xuan noticed Zhou Yin, her slender figure struggling against a ferocious spirit beast—a wolf-like creature with glowing red eyes and fangs bared. She was holding her own, but the beast’s relentless attacks were wearing her down.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Su Xuan leapt into the fray. The Blade of Eternal Requiem sang as it sliced through the air, its edge cutting through the spirit beast’s neck with a single, fluid motion. The creature let out a final, guttural howl before dissipating into a cloud of dark mist.

Zhou Yin turned to him, her chest rising and falling as she caught her breath. Her brown eyes, wide with relief, met his. "Thank you," she said, her voice soft yet melodic, like the chime of a distant temple bell. "I owe you a debt of gratitude."

Su Xuan shook his head, his expression calm but resolute. "No need to be polite. There’s no need for thanks. We’re all in this together. Stay close if you need help."

Zhou Yin smiled, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "You’re kind, Su Xuan. Not many would stop to help a stranger in the midst of such chaos. ‘Distance tests a horse’s strength, time reveals a person’s heart.’ Your actions speak volumes."

Su Xuan gave a small nod, his gaze shifting back to the path ahead. "Let’s keep moving. The trial won’t wait for us."

As they climbed higher, the cliffside grew steeper, the air thinner. The mist thickened, obscuring their vision, but Su Xuan’s instincts guided him forward. It wasn’t long before they encountered Chen Wei, his tall frame silhouetted against the pale light of the moon. He stood over a fallen cultivator, his boot pressing down on the man’s chest. The cultivator groaned in pain, but Chen Wei’s smirk only widened.

"Well, well," Chen Wei sneered, his voice dripping with malice. "If it isn’t the crippled dog from the Su family. Still clinging to your pathetic dreams of greatness?"

Su Xuan’s grip tightened on the Blade of Eternal Requiem, but his expression remained calm, like the surface of a still lake. "I’m not here to fight, Chen Wei. Save your energy for the trial. ‘When the snipe and clam fight, the fisherman profits.’ If we waste our strength on each other, we’ll only make it easier for others to surpass us."

Chen Wei laughed, a harsh, grating sound that echoed through the cliffs. "You think you can lecture me, you worthless cripple? I’ll crush you like the insect you are."

Before Chen Wei could make a move, Liu Chen appeared, his sword drawn and his stance firm. His presence was like a calming breeze, diffusing the tension in the air. "Back off, Chen Wei. We’re not here to fight each other. ‘Harmony brings wealth.’ Save your anger for the trial."

Chen Wei’s eyes narrowed, his lips curling into a sneer. He glanced between Su Xuan and Liu Chen, weighing his options. Finally, he took a step back, though his smirk never faded. "This isn’t over, Su Xuan. Watch your back. ‘Once you ride a tiger, it’s hard to get off.’ You’ve made an enemy today."

Su Xuan met his gaze without flinching. "I’ve faced worse than you, Chen Wei. Do your worst."

As they continued their ascent, the group encountered Wu Ling. She stood at the edge of a narrow ledge, her emerald-green eyes glowing with an otherworldly light. Before her, a pack of spirit beasts prowled, their eyes locked on a lone cultivator who had stumbled into their path. The man screamed as the beasts descended upon him, tearing him apart without mercy.

Su Xuan’s eyes narrowed, his jaw tightening. "Wu Ling, why are you doing this? ‘One should not harbor intentions to harm others, but one must always guard against the harm others may do.’ This is unnecessary cruelty."

Wu Ling turned to face him, her expression as cold as the mountain wind. "The strong survive, Su Xuan. The weak are merely stepping stones. ‘The weak are meat, the strong eat.’ If you can’t accept that, you’ll never reach the top."

Zhou Yin stepped forward, her voice trembling with emotion. "But we’re all here to prove ourselves. There’s no need for such cruelty. ‘When you can spare someone, spare them.’ Compassion is not a weakness."

Wu Ling’s lips curved into a cruel smile. "Innocence is a weakness, Zhou Yin. One day, it will be your downfall. ‘A kind person is bullied, a tame horse is ridden.’ Remember that."

Further up the cliff, they encountered Wang Yong, his muscular frame locked in combat with a massive spirit beast—a serpent-like creature with scales that shimmered like molten gold. Wang Yong’s movements were powerful and precise, each strike landing with devastating force. Yet, the beast was relentless, its coils tightening around him.

Su Xuan and Liu Chen exchanged a glance before leaping into the fray. Their swords flashed in unison, striking at the beast’s weak points. With a final, coordinated effort, they brought the creature down, its body collapsing into a heap of shimmering dust.

Wang Yong turned to them, his piercing gaze filled with a mix of gratitude and pride. "I don’t need your help," he said, his voice gruff but not unkind.

Liu Chen nodded, his tone respectful. "We’re not here to make enemies, Wang Yong. We’re all trying to reach the top. ‘In the same boat, we help each other.’"

Wang Yong grunted, his expression unreadable. "Do as you will. Just stay out of my way. ‘Each person sweeps the snow from their own doorstep.’ I’ll handle my own path."

Su Xuan watched as Wang Yong turned and continued his ascent, his figure disappearing into the mist. He couldn’t help but feel a sense of respect for the man’s determination, even if it was shrouded in pride.

As the group pressed on, the cliff seemed to stretch endlessly into the heavens. The trial was far from over, and the challenges ahead would only grow more daunting. But Su Xuan knew one thing for certain: he would face them with the same unwavering resolve that had brought him this far.