Chapter One: Climbing the Azure Cloud Steps

　　There are thirteen peaks on Pillow Mountain, standing tall beneath the void. Halfway up, white clouds swirl, entwined with dense forests, like blue flowers set in jade—so beautiful as to defy description.

　　Yet, no one was in the mood to appreciate such scenery, all sitting unceremoniously on the stone steps, panting for breath.

　　“We’ve been climbing for four or five hours already, why aren’t we at the summit yet!” someone finally couldn’t help but complain.

　　Other sects would send disciples to the foot of the mountain to test everyone’s spiritual roots, but this Sword Sect insisted on being unique—only after climbing Pillow Mountain could one qualify for the test.

　　Who knows if they even have spiritual roots?

　　If their roots turn out unqualified, wouldn’t all this climbing be for nothing?

　　Of course, he wasn’t worried about his own spiritual roots. Before coming to Pillow Mountain, his family had already invited a master to test him—he had a single gold spiritual root, a genius in any sect.

　　He just thought the Sword Sect’s rules were truly odd and inhumane.

　　“With all this energy spent complaining, you might as well save your strength and climb a few more steps.”

　　The girl who spoke wore a red robe, her face cold and aloof, clearly looking down on this pampered young master before her.

　　A person who only waits to be served food and clothes—what right does he have to cultivate immortality?

　　Henry Carter, who was scolded for no reason, got up from the ground, glaring angrily at the girl in red. “Grace Brooks, don’t think that just because our families are on good terms, I won’t scold you!”

　　“All right, all right, stop arguing. There are only two hours left before the spiritual root test ends. Let’s hurry up and climb!”

　　No one knew who in the crowd said this, but everyone dared not rest any longer. Leaning on sticks picked up from the ground, they pressed on, afraid to miss the test and have to wait another ten years.

　　Grace Brooks snorted coldly, pushed past Henry Carter, and took the lead climbing the mountain, quickly leaving the others behind.

　　“Is she even human?” Henry Carter asked those beside him, eyes full of disbelief.

　　“Time is running out, Brother Carter, you’d better hurry. I’ll wait for you up ahead.” The person patted his shoulder, not answering his question.

　　He was here to join the Sword Sect; missing the test because of Henry Carter was not worth it.

　　Watching everyone scramble to climb, Henry Carter soon found himself left with only a frail little girl.

　　The kind that looked malnourished, as if a gust of wind could blow her over.

　　……

　　On her way to Pillow Mountain, Grace Brooks had run into a bit of trouble, so she started climbing the Azure Cloud Steps half an hour later than the others.

　　She rarely rested along the way, overtaking many people, but the endless stone steps still left her somewhat discouraged.

　　“Excuse me, how far is it to the summit from here?”

　　The disciple stationed at the cloud platform was friendly and patiently answered her, “Miss, just pass four more cloud platforms and you’ll be there.”

　　There was a cloud platform every hundred steps on the Azure Cloud Steps—four more meant four hundred steps.

　　A hint of a smile finally appeared on Grace Brooks’s face. “Thank you very much!”

　　After expressing her thanks, Grace Brooks prepared to continue.

　　Suddenly, the world changed. She paused, looking up at the sky—layer upon layer of white clouds, and something cold seemed to fall on her face.

　　Was it raining?

　　Grace Brooks raised her hand to touch her face, feeling a chill—an exquisite snowflake had landed in her palm.

　　“How strange, it’s clearly summer, so why is it snowing?” The young man who caught up wiped his face and muttered to himself.

　　But the disciple at the cloud platform knew: this meant Little Junior Sister had successfully formed her core.

　　Little Junior Sister was the sect’s only ice spiritual root, a rare genius in a hundred years. When she formed her core, the world changed, snow filled the sky—this was nothing unusual.

　　Seeing Grace Brooks and the young man still standing there, he reminded them, “You two shouldn’t linger here.”

　　Although only those who reached the top of the Azure Cloud Steps could test their spiritual roots, the sect’s assessment began the moment one set foot on the steps.

　　Grace Brooks snapped back to herself, suppressing her curiosity and focusing on climbing.

　　Whether it was snow in summer or the world changing color, the most urgent task was to reach the top.

　　The further she went, the harder it became. Grace Brooks felt as if her feet were weighed down by a thousand-pound boulder, every step pulled by an invisible force.

　　It was as if a great furnace was burning inside her, sweat sliding down her fair face, dripping from her chin to the ground.

　　The swirling snow finally gave her a chance to catch her breath, but it was a drop in the ocean.

　　As long as she reached the summit, it would be fine.

　　Gritting her teeth, Grace Brooks pressed on, not even thinking of resting.

　　Her body was too exhausted—if she stopped, she might never get up again.

　　One hundred, ninety-nine, ninety-eight…