The man who stepped forward had flowing black shoulder-length hair and eyes that looked like a deep abyss. The second he made his presence known, the attention of everyone in the room shifted to him.
It wasn't just his looks, but his natural aura was noble and heroic, commanding respect from those who gazed upon him. Looking at this man, Damien only felt one thing.
'Strong.'
It wasn't the same indomitable strength he had felt from those far above him, but a strength that matched his own even though they were at the same level.
This was a genuine achievement, as there weren't many who could keep up with him. Those he usually fought on equal standing were far above him in terms of level.
When Long Chen was called forward, he didn't hesitate like the rest. Instead, he calmly and indifferently entered the lake and took his first steps.
10 steps…30 steps…50 steps
Even at the distance that limited everyone that came before him, Long Chen showed no signs of struggle. He kept walking with purpose.
60 steps…70 steps…75 steps
It was only when he reached three-quarters of the way to the small island at the end of the lake that Long Chen slowed down. Although his facial expression didn't change much, the beads of sweat that began trickling down his body showed his struggle.
78 steps…80 steps
Seeing him continue, various chatter broke out in the crowd.
"As expected of the scion of the Long Clan. None can compare with his talents."
"Indeed, it's our bad luck to be put in the same testing room as him."
Damien's gaze was intense, to say the least. As Long Chen continued, he slowly released his aura to empower himself. The threat Damien felt was similar to what he felt from Ethan back during the Nexus Event.
'This guy…I want to fight him.'
85 steps…89 steps
Upon reaching the 90th step, Long Chen finally met his limit. It was clear that no matter how hard he tried, he wouldn't be able to continue. But Long Chen wasn't the type of person to simply give up.
"Haaah!"
With a loud cry, he released all his strength. The pressure that bore down on him had increased to the point where his skin began to crack, leaking blood into the pristine silver pool.
"Break for me!"
With a loud bang, Long Chen stomped his foot back into the pool, successfully breaching the 90th step.
"Haa…haa…"
The entire room was silent, the only sound being Long Chen's rough breathing. And then, he turned around and walked back to the shore with a valiant look on his face.
His firm expression even while covered in his own blood had its own appeal, making many of the women in the room swoon at the sight. However, Long Chen took no notice of this. Instead, his eyes were focused on a single spot.
He sensed it. The concealed aura of a predator that had been locked onto him since he began his climb. At that time, he was too busy with the pressure to check who it was, but now he saw it clearly.
At the back of the crowd, standing inconspicuously, he saw a man he had never seen before. The man's features looked foreign, unlike those he usually interacted with, but Long Chen didn't care.
What he focused on was the feeling he was getting from that man. 'He's strong.'
He left the Long Clan in search of experience. He was someone who valued cultivation above all else. And seeing someone blatantly provoking him, even if it was only evident to the two of them, made his blood boil.
'I want to fight him.'
"Long Chen, you may now proceed to the next section of the test." The examiner said.
However, Long Chen shook his head. "I will stay. There's something I need to see."
His gaze stayed on the man in the back. Damien had been returning that gaze this entire time, and seeing that Long Chen wanted to compete, he would gladly oblige.
Grinning provocatively, Damien walked to the front of the crowd. "I'll be going next."
His move was immediately met with criticism, the crowd being naturally unhappy that some no-name cut the line, but their dissent was never even considered by the involved parties.
"Right, he's going next." Long Chen said to the examiner, who nodded her head. It didn't matter to her which order they went in, as long as they all did as they were supposed to.
"What's your badge number?" She asked. This was the only information she needed.
"3416."
Receiving a nod from the examiner, Damien didn't waste any more time. He directly entered the lake and began walking.
Just like Long Chen, Damien continued unimpeded through the entire walk. The 50th step that barred the path of many was nothing but a joke to him.
The pressure that bore down on his body was great, but after all the pain he had gone through, it didn't even make him bat an eye.
70th step…80th step…90th step
Without suspense, Damien reached the same position where Long Chen had previously stopped. At this point, he finally felt the pressure was becoming great.
It felt like he was carrying a small mountain on his back, but he felt he could do more. No. He had to do more.
When he took the 91st step, everything changed. The mountainous pressure on his back increased exponentially, forcing his knees to bend slightly, but he didn't stop.
"Who is this guy?"
"I don't know, he's not from any major family right?"
"Young master Long seemed to acknowledge him, maybe they know each other?"
The crowd had long dropped their dissatisfaction and was now fervently discussing the scene in front of them. Meanwhile, Long Chen's gaze was heavy.
'Not only has he surpassed me, but he's done it with ease.'
But he wasn't envious. It wasn't in his character to feel such vile emotions. Instead. His fighting spirit was burning.
For too long was he fostered like some sort of holy son, for too long he could never find someone he could match. He didn't feel envy, no, it was the complete opposite.
Even the examiner was watching with rapt attention. For someone like Long Chen, she had no expectations, as his talent was widely known.
If he did anything lower than the results he got, she would have been disappointed. Rather, seeing someone unknown overshadow the scion of a large clan? That was something she had to see.
Taking out a communication jade slip, the examiner slowly spoke.
"Sect Master, you have to see what's happening here."
As all this was going on, Damien continued his walk. Each step multiplied the pressure on his back exponentially, so these last 10 steps were harder than the previous 90 combined.
Still, he persevered. When he reached the 95th step, his skin robes were slowly torn to shreds due to the pressure. With his muscular body revealed, his skin also began to crack.
96th…97th…98th
The blood that leaked from his body began to dye the lake red, but he continued. His body regenerated as fast as it broke down, so he felt no threat to his life.
'Almost there.'
From the 90th step, Damien had been using his mana to support him, but now it was gushing out like a waterfall. The amethyst aura around him slowly began to turn red as he continued without pause.
99th step…
His aura flared and he let out a massive roar, shaking the pristine surface of the lake. With a final push, he stumbled forward onto the island in front of him.
The 100th step.
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