Chapter 384: Chapter 384 - Brutal Defiance
The crowd’s eager expressions seemed to stir something in the Pavilion Master.
"The Law Enforcement Elder and guardian will remain to protect our home," the Pavilion Master announced coolly after a brief pause.
The announcement sent waves of excitement through the gathering.
"Thank you, Lord Pavilion Master!" Thunderous cheers erupted across the courtyard.
Without further delay, the Pavilion Master spun around and strode away from the Divine Alchemist Pavilion.
Dozens of alchemists hurried after him—an unprecedented sight.
Mr. Adams, concealed in the darkness, watched the spectacle with shock.
"Where could they be headed?" Mr. Adams’s brow creased.
"No telling."
After mulling it over, Mr. Adams spoke with a darkening tone, "We should tail them and see what’s happening."
The trio quickly departed the hotel, secretly following the procession.
——
The Pavilion Master had mentioned a cultivation technique located in River Town.
River Town was littered with massive stones and jagged peaks stretched endlessly.
Many areas remained inaccessible to vehicles, and walking through felt like stepping back through time.
Before long, the group reached the base of an enormous mountain.
What took everyone’s breath away was the colossal Stone Staircase rising before the mountain!
The entire Stone Staircase was a work of art, ascending straight toward the sky!
Above the Stone Staircase loomed a massive hand!
The sight left people speechless!
As I approached the Stone Staircase, I felt an overwhelming sense of power that made me want to bow down instinctively.
Those with weaker abilities dropped to their knees instantly; even I felt a wave of discomfort.
It was like my entire body and spiritual awareness were being drawn into the Stone Staircase.
The Pavilion Master gestured toward the giant hand overhead and explained, "The cultivation technique rests up there. Climb to the top, and it’s yours."
"That’s all there is to it?" I asked, somewhat taken aback.
The Pavilion Master shot me a look and replied coolly, "One wrong move could kill you."
I stuck out my tongue and chuckled sheepishly, "Guess I spoke too soon."
——
In the shadows, Mr. Adams and his companions also took in the scene.
"Hahaha! Mason Raymond actually thinks he can climb the stairway to heaven! The kid’s lost his mind!" Mr. Adams exploded with laughter.
His companion sneered, "Throughout history, only a handful have managed to climb the stairway to heaven, but countless have perished trying."
"True enough," Mr. Adams sighed.
"Even Ignacio Richard wouldn’t dare attempt the stairway to heaven back in his day. Paul Randall, who matched Ignacio Richard’s strength, gave it a shot but nearly died."
"He barely survived by sheer luck, and he hasn’t emerged in over ten years. Does Mason Raymond really think he’s superior to Ignacio Richard and Paul Randall?"
Mr. Adams’s companion chuckled, "Strength has nothing to do with it. They say only the Heavenly Selection can ascend the stairway to heaven."
"Exactly," another person agreed.
"The Heavenly Selection can climb with ease, but if the stairway rejects you, the agony will be unbearable."
Mr. Adams nodded slightly, clasping his hands behind his back as he said indifferently, "Looks like we can wrap this up quickly and head back to report."
——
At the foot of the stairway to heaven, I hesitated before stepping onto it.
"Don’t overthink it," the Pavilion Master said beside me.
"If the stairway accepts you, you won’t face any limitations or pressure."
"But if it doesn’t, the second step will hit you with the force of ten thousand pounds."
I nodded slightly and said, "So the second step will show whether I’m worthy to climb higher."
"Precisely," the Pavilion Master confirmed.
"Got it." I drew a deep breath. Without wasting another moment, I steadied my mind and stepped onto the stairway to heaven.
The instant my foot touched the stairway, something slammed into my heart!
It felt like someone had struck my heart with a sledgehammer!
This made me worry secretly.
Could it be... the heavenly staircase had rejected me?
Then I lifted my foot and moved toward the second step!
Everyone watched this moment tensely, even the Pavilion Master’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Because everyone knew this would reveal whether I was the chosen one! Whether the stairway to heaven would accept me!
Finally, my foot touched the second step.
"Ah!!!" The moment I made contact, my entire body felt like it was being ripped apart by a giant hand!
The instant I stepped down, blood began seeping from every pore on my body!
My head felt like it had been struck by lightning, my vision went dark and everything spun around me!
"How is this possible..." Victor Green muttered under his breath.
"Could it be... Mason Raymond isn’t the Chosen One?" The Fifth Elder’s expression turned grim.
The Pavilion Master shook his head slightly and said, "It appears the stairway to heaven has rejected him. He should leave now."
——
In the darkness, Mr. Adams and the others burst into laughter.
"This kid definitely isn’t the Chosen One, hahaha!" Mr. Adams laughed maniacally.
"That second step will probably do serious damage to him."
"We can leave now, no point watching any longer."
——
But just when everyone had given up hope, I struggled to my feet on the stairway!
Blood covered my body, and I shook uncontrollably.
However, I had no plans to quit!
Despite the excruciating pain, I lifted my foot with great effort, stepping toward the third level of the stairway to heaven!
——
"Huh?" Mr. Adams, hidden in the shadows, raised his eyebrows.
"Does this kid plan to force his way up the stairway?"
"Haha, fascinating. As far as I know, Paul Randall tried the same thing back then, but he couldn’t handle it past the thirteenth step."
"I’d guess he can make it to the fifth step at best."
The group chatted excitedly, their eyes filled with amusement.
——
Below the stairway, the Pavilion Master’s brow furrowed slightly, and a hint of worry flickered in her eyes.
"Mason, forcing your way up the stairway won’t work. Even if you manage to climb a few steps by luck, you’ll eventually collapse," the Pavilion Master said coldly.
But I said nothing, my teeth clenched tight, enduring endless torture without any thought of backing down!
"So what if it doesn’t accept me..." I gritted my teeth, lifting my foot again!
"I don’t need the stairway’s approval, just my own!" I roared furiously, my energy suddenly exploding!
I battled the stairway’s power with my own raw strength!
Finally, I stepped onto the fourth level!
The pain of the fourth level was dozens of times worse than the third!
I felt like my spiritual awareness was about to be torn away! My bones made "cracking" sounds, as if they were about to snap!
"Mason! Get down from there!" the Fifth Elder shouted frantically.
But I ignored everything, my hand gripping the fifth step firmly, struggling to pull myself up!
"Crack!"
The instant I stepped onto the fifth level, all ten of my fingers snapped! My vision spun, and I could barely stay upright!
"Ah!!" I roared continuously, using every ounce of strength to lift my foot and step toward the sixth level!
The moment I stepped onto the sixth level, my calf exploded with a "bang"!
"Mason! Come down now!" the people watching below shouted in unison.
Even the Pavilion Master couldn’t bear to witness this heartbreaking scene.
