Chapter 685 - The Second Test Part 2

As the disciples stared at the cliff wall that was slowly healing, a voice echoed through the small valley. "I should have mentioned. All potential disciples must climb up on their own without taking advantage of others. This means finding your own way up. Any footholds and grips will be healed immediately once someone else touches them."

The disciples all stared at the girl climbing the wall easily in despair. Fan Sengya watched as Kana's petite and lovely body swayed as it climbed with blushed cheeks. After she climbed for a few minutes, he decided to show how manly he was. He pulled out a dagger and walked over to the wall. After taking a breath, he stabbed the dagger into the cliff face. He then braced his foot against the wall and pulled himself up. Just before his foot was about to slip, he took out another dagger and stabbed it up higher, and began pulling himself up again.

In order to do this, one would need powerful arm strength, which Fan Sengya showed he had. The monk also walked over to the wall, and much like Kana, he punched the wall creating a foothold before climbing up in the same manner. The girl with a bow shot a few arrows at the wall, embedding them into it. She then used those as footholds. With each step, she would reach down and take the arrow out of the wall before continuing up. Her skill in archy was very good as she could shoot an arrow in the opposite direction and have it curve back and embed into the wall.

At this time, four people were on the smooth cliff face, slowly making their way up. Those who were watching from below took the ideas they used and began trying to mimic them. Some were able to get a few meters up before falling down, while others failed to even start. A group of them seemed to have given up altogether. This showed just how much determination they truly had. But as the hours passed, more and more began climbing the wall. Although shaky, they were slowly making progress.

The one in the lead was Kana. She was slowly making her way up as she pondered when and where she would take a rest. Elder Ning said that they would have five days to climb up the wall to reach the top, but Kana felt that reaching the top was not actually the main goal of this test. It was definitely a test of one's determination. 

If one was determined enough, they could go far. But if they gave up, they would only have a short path in life that they could walk. On this thought process, Kana figured that even if one did not reach the top, they would still pass the test even if they only reached a few meters high.  As long as they did not give up and continued forward, Elder Ning would allow them to pass. 

Kana looked down at the twenty or thirty potential disciples that were sitting down and seemed to have completely given up and sighed. "Young and naive, they do not seem to understand the actual meaning behind this test."

While Kana could be kind and yell down at them, she still would not do so. The fact that this was a test was her main reason, and because of that, if they could not figure out something that was basically slapping them in the face, then they did not deserve to move on to the next test. Kana shook her head and continued her climb.

Outside the array, Elder Ning pursed his lips. "That girl seems to have figured out the meaning behind this test."

"The fact that you lied and said only those who reach the top can pass?" Elder Shaun asked.

"Yes, the look of pity she gave those sitting below who have already given up is enough to tell me she knows. But instead of telling them, she left them to figure it out on their own. She understands that it is needed for them to understand their own weaknesses. When they see that no one who was still climbing failed, they will take a look at themselves and hopefully better themselves and try again next year, but even if they return next year, they will forget everything about these tests. Only those who pass will remember, and it is forbidden for anyone to talk about it." Elder Ning felt Kana was definitely a good seedling.

"Elder Ning, your mean! I was one of those who took the test three times!" Elder Shaun kicked her foot out, kicking Elder Ning in the leg, but instead of hurting him, she hurt herself, which brought tears to her eyes. "What is your leg made out of!?"

"Hmm? I cultivate a body strengthening technique." Elder Ning replied with a smirk. Only in front of this junior sister of his would he show a true smile. In other words, he liked her.

"Humph! Just wait for me to break through a few more times, and I will be able to hurt you!" Elder Shaun  said while holding her poor foot. Elder Ning only smiled in return.

Kana kept climbing until it started to get dark. Only then did she decide to make a place for her to rest for the night. She pulled her fist back and punched the same place multiple times, creating a large hole in the cliff wall. The rock and debris flew out and fell down towards the disciples below. Angered screams were heard from below. "You bitch, you trying to kill us!?"

Kana ignored them and climbed into the hole she created for herself and transformed into her dragon form. She curled up into a tight ball and rested her head on her paws before closing her eyes and falling asleep. 

Fan Shenya stopped climbing just below Kana and unsheathed his sword, and using his feet, stabbed it into the cliff wall to use as a footrest. He then sat down on the thin blade and leaned his back against the cliff face, and closed his eyes.  The monk fell asleep dangling from the cliff with one hand, and the archer girl lined up enough arrows for her to lay down on. 

As for the others, each one had a different way to sleep, and some decided to just keep climbing.