The caravan of vehicles wound its way through the misty mountain pass toward Riverbend Town. I sat beside Mariana in the lead car, watching thendscape transform from lush forests to rugged terrain. Behind us followed a procession of Celestial Apothecary Guild vehicles carrying dozens of alchemists who had insisted on witnessing my attempt.


    "We''re almost there," Mariana said, breaking our lengthy silence. "The Stone Staircase has stood for thousands of years. Legend says it was created by a true immortal before he ascended beyond our realm."


    I nodded, my thoughts churning with determination and apprehension. "And it will test if I''m worthy?"


    "More than test," she replied, her voice grave. "It will judge your very essence. The staircase does not recognize effort or intention—only natural selection."


    Sofia leaned forward from the back seat. "Young Master Liam, please reconsider. This trial has broken warriors far more advanced than yourself."


    I kept my eyes on the road ahead. "I appreciate your concern, Sofia. But my mind is made."


    The Fifth Elder, seated beside Sofia, sighed deeply. "Even the legendary Jackson Harding nearly perished on the fourth step. He was bedridden for weeks after."


    This caught my attention. "Jackson Harding attempted it?"


    Mariana nodded. "In his youth. He was recognized by the staircase as one of the ''Heavenly Selection,'' yet even he suffered grievous injuries."


    My stomach tightened. If a figure as formidable as Jackson Harding had struggled...


    "And if I''m not chosen?" I asked.


    Mariana''s expression darkened. "Then each step will be agony beyond imagination. Your body will break under pressures no human should endure."


    "You''ll know immediately," the Fifth Elder added. "The first step will tell you everything."


    The car fell silent as we rounded the final bend, revealing Riverbend Town nestled against towering mountains. But it wasn''t the town thatmanded attention—it was whaty beyond it.


    Rising from a massive stone tform was a staircase that seemed to pierce the heavens themselves. Even from this distance, it emanated an aura of ancient power that made my skin prickle.


    "We''re being watched," Mariana murmured, her eyes scanning the surrounding hills.


    I followed her gaze and spotted several figures observing our procession from strategic vantage points. "Enemies?"


    "Observers," she corrected. "News of your attempt has spread. Many wish to witness your sess—or failure."


    One figure in particr caught my attention—an older man with a stern expression, watching through binocrs from a nearby ridge. Even at this distance, his disdain was palpable.


    "Mr. Snyder," Sofia whispered, following my gaze. "A representative from the Veridia City Martial Guild."


    My jaw clenched. Of course they would send someone to observe. Nothing challenged their authority more than amoner gaining power outside their control.


    Our vehicles parked at the base of the tform, and the alchemists gathered in a solemn semicircle. As I stepped out, the full magnitude of the Stone Staircase hit me—nine perfectly carved steps of ancient stone, each taller than a man, ascending into swirling mists.


    "Only nine steps?" I asked, surprised by the rtively small number.


    "Nine steps that contain the power of heaven and earth," Mariana replied. "Few have reached the third. Even fewer the fifth. None in living memory have conquered all nine."


    I approached the base of the tform, feeling the weight of dozens of eyes upon me. The stone beneath my feet hummed with ancient energy.


    Mariana addressed the gathered crowd. "The Stone Staircase grants the Meridian Cirction Mind Skill only to those it deems worthy—the Heavenly Selection. Those rejected face consequences beyond imagination."


    She turned to me, her expression grave. "Liam Knight, are you prepared to face judgment?"


    I met her gaze steadily. "I am."


    A murmur ran through the crowd. From the corner of my eye, I noticed Mr. Snyder smirking from his observation point.


    I removed my outer robe, standing in simple ck training clothes. My heart pounded against my ribs, but my resolve remained unshaken. I thought of Isabelle, of Dashiell''s threats, of the time slipping away.


    "Begin when ready," Mariana said, stepping back to join the others.


    I took a deep breath, centered my qi, and ced my foot on the first step.


    The effect was immediate and shattering.


    An invisible force mmed into me like a freight train, driving the air from my lungs. My bones creaked under sudden, immense pressure. But I held firm, gritting my teeth as I hauled myself fully onto the first step.


    "He''s made it to the first," someone whispered.


    But I knew better. There was no triumph here—only the beginning of my trial. The staircase had delivered its verdict: I was not among the Heavenly Selection.


    I looked up at the second step, steeling myself. Then I moved forward.


    The moment my foot touched the second step, white-hot agony exploded through every cell of my body. Blood burst from my nose, ears, and the corners of my eyes. My muscles spasmed violently as I fought to maintain my bnce.


    "Liam!" Mariana called out. "The staircase has rejected you! Descend now before permanent damage urs!"


    I barely heard her through the roaring in my ears. My vision blurred with blood and pain, but I forced myself upward, dragging my entire body onto the second step.


    The pressure increased tenfold. I felt as if I were being crushed beneath an ocean. My joints popped audibly, drawing horrified gasps from the observers.


    "This is madness," the Fifth Elder shouted. "Stop him!"


    Mariana raised her hand, her face tight with concern. "This is his choice."


    Blood streamed from my mouth as I raised my head toward the third step. Every breath felt like inhaling fire. My body screamed at me to retreat, to surrender to the staircase''s judgment.


    But surrender wasn''t an option.


    With a grunt that turned into an agonized howl, I dragged myself forward. The moment my fingers touched the third step, the bones in my hand shattered like ss. The pain was so intense that the world briefly went ck.


    When my vision returned, I saw Sofia weeping openly. The other alchemists watched in horror as I pulled my broken body onto the third step.


    The pressure here was beyond description. My ribs cracked one by one, audible snaps that punctuated mybored breathing. Blood flowed freely from my shattered limbs, pooling beneath me on the ancient stone.


    "Look at his eyes," someone whispered.


    Through the haze of agony, I glimpsed Mr. Snyder''s expression shifting from disdain to disbelief. Good. Let them all see what I was willing to endure.


    The fourth step loomed before me. I remembered what they''d said about Jackson Harding—how even he had nearly perished here. But where others saw limits, I saw only obstacles to ovee.


    I reached forward with fingers bent at unnatural angles, dragging myself upward. The instant I touched the fourth step, my shoulder dislocated with a sickening pop. The pain was indescribable, but I pushed on.


    "He''s dying!" Sofia cried out. "Pavilion Master, please stop this!"


    Mariana''s face had gone pale, but she made no move to intervene. She understood what drove me—the desperate need to gain power while there was still time to save Isabelle.


    Somehow, I managed to haul my broken body onto the fourth step. Blood poured from my mouth as I coughed, spattering the ancient stone. My body was reaching its breaking point, but my will remained unbroken.


    "Impossible," the Fifth Elder muttered. "No one rejected by the staircase has ever reached this far." <q ss="frag-428a90">Note:<i ss="node-sep"></i>Check<i ss="node-sep"></i>*<i ss="node-sep"></i>for<i ss="node-sep"></i>any<i ss="node-sep"></i>corrections.</q>


    I fixed my gaze on the fifth step, summoning whatever strength remained. My limbs trembled violently as I forced them to move, each inch gained through sheer, stubborn defiance.


    As my bloodied hand touched the fifth step, my vision exploded in white light. I felt something rupture deep inside me—a vital meridian torn apart by the staircase''s merciless pressure. Blood gushed from my eyes, recing tears.


    "ENOUGH!" Mariana finally shouted, herposure breaking. "Liam, you''ve proven your point! Descend now before it''s toote!"


    I couldn''t respond. My mouth was filled with blood, my lungs struggling for air. But I would not retreat. With agonizing slowness, I dragged myself onto the fifth step, leaving a smeared trail of blood behind me.


    The observers had fallenpletely silent, watching in horrified fascination as I defied what should have been impossible. Even Mr. Snyder now stood rigid with shock.


    Through blurred vision, I stared at the sixth step. My body was a constetion of agony, a map of broken bones and ruptured vessels. But still, I reached forward.


    "No one has reached the sixth in centuries," someone whispered.


    As my fingers touched the sixth step, I felt my calf muscle burst open like overripe fruit. Fresh blood cascaded down my leg, adding to the crimson pool spreading beneath me.


    A primal scream tore from my throat—a sound of pure defiance that echoed across the mountains.


    "I WILL NOT BE DENIED!" I roared at the staircase, at fate itself. "NOT BY YOU! NOT BY ANYONE!"


    Mariana rushed forward, stopping just short of the tform. "Liam! You must stop! Your body cannot withstand this!"


    I turned my blood-soaked face toward her, toward all of them—the alchemists, the observers, Mr. Snyder. Through gritted teeth stained red, I managed a single, defiant response:


    "Watch me."