As Goldstone’s words echoed across the plateau, the ambiance stiffened instantly. Around the stone steps, countless golden giant rats glimmered ominously in their eyes, turning their gaze sharply upon the stairway’s entrance. Golden fur bristled like angry hedgehogs as they locked focus. Before their vigilant swarm lay an ominous quiet — no soul dared cross recklessly into that densely-packed tide. No one could even reckon their full number, and the knowledge that these rodents wielded soul-shaking sonic attacks chilled many seasoned combatants to their bones. Those who’d witnessed the harrowing Battle of Bloodpond Mount a few years back still winced — numerous elites found only pain within their shrieking onslaughts.
“To complete the task, you are allowed precisely one hour. Any arriving the summit late shall still be deemed disqualified,” announced Goldstone with dispassionate calm. Despite the quietness settling over the assembled crowd, some exchanged uneasy glances at the ultimatum. Eventually, two figures broke forward — after silent eye-contact, their hands rose into fists in salute.
“Bone-Dissolution Sect, calling ourselves Hu Ya and Hu Cheng!”
Goldstone inclined his head slightly — though not a power rivaling Thunder and Gale Hall, Bone-Dissolver Gate possessed mild influence owing to its proximity to Celestial-Marking Mountain Range. The strength of both lay around Fourth to Fifth Tier Heaven Combaters, fairly commendable yet middling among the current competitors’ calibre.
Their formal bows exchanged — a ghostly, pale blaze of mighty fighting force surged fiercely now into view, wrapping fully around them before they stomped the surface in unison.
FLASH!
Their figures erupted forward amidst arcs of electric energy, dashing madcap into the sea of sound-wielding murines above.
Determinedly, they attempted to breach the sonic swarm all at once with a direct dash. Indeed impressive was the distance their swiftness consumed in mere moments — nearly one hundred meters crossed when simultaneously, the countless golden rat bodies tensed, spikes rising, wide jaws unhinged to expose needle-like rows of teeth.
SCREEC-CHEEEH!
Piercing shrieks akin to daggers in the mind erupted outward, strange reverberations rolling from the beasts like enchantments in waves.
Impact struck both dashers — instantly their motion seized and paled their expressions. But falling backward surrendered nothing — gritted against their internal disruptions, feet stabbed stone again — surging onward anew!
SPLUT!
Forcibly tearing onward another ten meters, fresh rigidity seized their limbs. This time crimson streams erupted outward from lips while bodies jerked violently and hurled downward. Amid stunned onlookers they slammed hard atop the plateau stone once more – coughed blood splashing anew upon impact.
A murmur swept the waiting as Goldstone coolly observed, “Failure.”
Swallowing bitter resignation both Hu siblings groaned upward then painfully regained footing. Perhaps some faint prospect waited — so long less than eight persons survived this gauntlet, their hopes were not entirely finished yet.
“Who attempts next?” came Goldstone’s voice again to the waiting.
Hearing that question silence once more fell amongst watchers. Xiao Yan, Lady Feng, and Tang Ying made no hasty move forward despite time’s ticking press — though sharpening blades requires patience, perhaps further observation offered greater chance past these perilous sound waves.
Eventually, four stepped forward together, attempting sheer numbers to push through.
Goldstone sneeringly noted them from sidelines — strength through quantity? Not a formula for success with this Sound-Waves of Ratic Legions.
Predicting their futile advance — indeed it played true. Their forward rush faltered within half the earlier duo’s progress. Shrunken, wounded, expelled forcefully upon floor, pale from drained spirit they collapsed in shame and agony.
“Failure. Continue,” spoke Goldstone lazily now after a disapproving glance at fallen foursome.
Watching challenge after challenge met with defeat, solemnness lined Xiao Yan’s gaze from his vantage at the plateau’s back. This sonic challenge indeed stood even tougher than pre-trial evaluations suggested – prior challengers contained men versed in sound-wielding techniques! Yet theirs attempts proved wholly incapable of cutting through the rat chorus; instead meeting the sonic storm head-on ended in spitting crimson and thrown bodies backwards despite their efforts — although this challenger stood as amongst the furthest yet.
Yet still with challenge after challenge continued attempts persisted. With stronger participants entering the contest — each longer survival emboldened spirits watching anxiously.
Even while others faltered, hope stirred.
Watching another unsuccessful climber land broken-hearted with failure mid-platform, Xiao Yan reflexively stroked under lip — a seventh-rank Combat Emperor who matched his past strength. Yet ultimately, even at hundred meters to summit, the rat chorus still beat him down.
As another defeated one slumped away murmured sighs spread till suddenly vibrant movement caught eyes.
From depths of audience stepped forward a seven-colored shadow.
Naturally now focused fell every eye – Lady Feng’s movements stirred all present into breath-holding attention. Amongst competitors, this lady stood clearly among power’s apex figures today. If she couldn’t pass this gauntlet of noise and pain — then truly few among gathered could hope of passage. Her step and Goldstone’s intrigued reaction changed previous languidity as she appeared.
Previously apathetic, Goldstone now observed curiously — knowing by name, hearing whispers that Feng Chi-Neh ranked topmost heir-designates under Thunder And Gale House. That title held undeniable weight.
Now standing at stair’s base this multicolored lady faced stone steps.
“Humbly sending greetings by Teacher to venerable Goldstone” she smiled warmly to the waiting one.
To which golden-robed figure softly responded in turn, “Convey regards from Thunder Revered Lord back please — hope visit the great hall soon someday too.”
Silent contemplation passed Xiao Yan hearing exchanges: “Such prestige in Central Region…Thunder-Venerable indeed holds domain securely.”
Following brief formalities, her beauty turned now completely forward toward staircase reaching high. Left and right teemed masses of golden rats watching hungrily. Resolute determination crossed elegant face as radiant silver flame exploded forth, wrapping fully around noble silhouette.
“Let us begin.”
No sooner announced by officious voice – when Lady Feng’s body shook then exploded — streaking like silver lightning, faster than thought. A blur of movement attempting the sheer velocity method over overwhelming sonic barrage. Xiao Yan himself could not resist surprise at this woman’s speed — true rare caliber at work.
SCREEE! The wall crashed toward her as waves upon waves of piercing shrieks lanced forward from gathered rats. At very brush with her moving body came subtle hesitation — only immediately overtaken by surge of movement breaking beyond original limits, throwing multi-layers of lingering afterimages across air that sonic pulses chased and broke apart mid-formation.
Her speed left astonished murmuring among spectators. Seemingly she now actually outraced their shrieking cacophony – chasing behind harmlessly breaking down illusions of self that had already passed.
Tracking her streak, Goldstone allowed a small nod of approval – undoubtedly such movement technique had to be the famous Three-Thousand-Strike Lightning Dash perfected under ThunderAndGale training halls.
SWOOSH-CRAACCHHH!
From heights distant the final wind noise broke as body launched itself up — landing lightly upon pinnacle summit. She looked down from heights, golden breeze blowing long hair in regal majesty as triumphant monarchess reigning over all.
“Success for Feng Qi-Erh,” stated Goldstone now returning focus back down plateau — tone held faintest trace of interest within its neutrality. This young girl even bested elite youths among their race within the same age group – indeed Thunder&Gale held its tomorrow secured!
As Feng Chi-Nerh stood victorious over stair, fresh enthusiasm bubbled within the watching throng — especially Tang Ying, Wang Chen, and Mu Qing Long stirred ready in rivalry. Hailing same Four Pavilions factions – losing face in such moments bore unacceptable disgrace!
Observing increasing eagerness within the assembly — a smile crossed Xiao Yan’s lips as looking upward. Distant gaze met hers exactly midair — that gleam teasing challenge met his eyes fully returned and matched!
“A moment, follow me. Show how we handle a few of those rats myself…” Smiling back briefly he turned from where stood Nalanyan. Leaving no chance for retort — he already headed walking again.
Frozen just a heartbeat, she blinked then snapped decision firm— clenched teeth tight, then hurried chasing forward into steps after that distant figure’s wake — since Xiao Yan opened with promise, she followed even if failure awaited — somehow deep inner belief whispered not total loss lay ahead either…
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