The martial students from the Fire Shrine Cultivation School slapped their foreheads while some looked around, whistling a tune, seemingly acting like they didn't know their headmaster. Some even covered the insignia of their school.
He did it again, they thought in exasperation. They were greatly embarrassed and just wanted to find a hole and hide there forever.
The women, on the other hand, immediately looked away, their faces red from what they had seen.
"Disgusting," Bel muttered, a frown on her face. "Fortunately, my father doesn't like to fly around even though he can and is the strongest in the city."
Master Popo didn't seem to know that his 'son' was showing. He turned around and pointed to the mountain. "You will have to climb the mountain all the way to the top. You have until the sun disappears on the horizon."
Another wind blew in his direction, his hanfu robe wildly moving about, providing another view for his audience.
The martial students were shocked once more, but it was better than seeing the old man's front.
Apollo's face had already darkened. This guy! You don't even have a btt! How dare you show it to us?!* Shaking his head, the only thing he could do was stare at the mountain.
"So we just have to climb the mountain?" Apollo muttered. It sounded easy, especially to them. However, the beggar believed it was more than that. And as he expected, what happened next proved him right.
The whole area began shaking, and some of the rocks from the barren rocky mountain rolled down. The middle of the mountain started changing like it was alive. Stones were raised, forming stairs that reached the very top.
Seeing this, the cultivators looked at each other in confusion. Stairs? It makes the test easier.
"Hehe, climbing this mountain to the top sounds like a piece of cake, right? But you guys couldn't be more wrong!" Master Popo smirked, turning around to stare at the students.
Okay, here it comes! Incoming missiles! Apollo already closed his eyes, and those who didn't manage to do so in time were hit by another view.
They exclaimed but immediately shut their mouths. They knew better than to offend a cultivator with the ability to fly.
Seeing their faces filled with 'grief,' Master Popo smiled in satisfaction. It seems they have already realized the 'gravity' of the test. Literally.
"I guess it would be better if you found it out yourselves! Let the test begin!"
Hearing this, the martial students looked at each other for a moment before they started walking towards the stairs.
"Why don't we observe first?" Bel asked.
"Why?" Filly tilted her head. "All we have to do is run to the top of the mountain. Maybe they will give more points to the first one who arrives at the top."
"Miss, I don't think it's that simple. Even the disgusting Master Popo said so," Gail commented.
"Gail is right," Bel glanced at Gail with a smile. "We should watch first and see what happens. We still have a few hours before the sun sets."
"Oh, okay," Filly nodded. She was talented in business but lacked in other areas, so she knew when to take a step back. Besides, Bel was considered the most talented cultivator in the entire city, so it would only be wise to follow her.
Bel smiled before glancing at the masked man. He was standing still, watching the other martial students go up the stairs. It seems we have the same thought. Although this man had the same height and figure as her savior, she knew that her savior was just a kid. And from what she understood about him, he couldn't let out his senses and observe other people's cultivation.
Deciding not to concern herself with the masked man, she continued to watch the martial students.
Around this time, Master Popo flew back to the top of the mountain and landed on the last stair. Sitting on it with his legs wide apart, he took out a smoking pipe. Taking a deep breath from it, he blew out a thick smoke.
Master Popo focused his eyes, and the small figures like dots at the very bottom of the steps zoomed in, giving him a clear view of what was happening below. Looking at the martial student who was a few steps ahead of the others, he couldn't help but mutter, "It should be about time."
Just as his words fell, the first martial student frowned but continued up the stairs. However, it didn't take long before he had difficulty raising his foot.
This made the others confused. What's he doing, bringing his foot up and down like a fool? Some shook their heads and decided to finish the test as quickly as possible.
Those who thought this way jumped from their position or ran. But the moment they passed the first person, they slowed down, and those who jumped landed heavily on the stairs. Cracking sounds echoed as some bones were dislocated.
Master Popo smiled in satisfaction, hearing the shouts of pain coming from the martial students below. "Hehe, this is going to be interesting."
"As expected," Apollo muttered, seeing some of the martial students having a hard time going up the stairs. "It seems something is holding them back."
They couldn't even properly use their Movement Techniques, as the moment they walked up the stairs, they started slowing down or coming to a complete stop.
Hmm, around 10 steps before they felt the effect, Apollo thought. Then he realized something. So the higher we go up, the more difficult it will be. He glanced at the person currently in first place, and his eyes immediately turned cold. "Arke."
Arke was walking up the stairs neither fast nor slow. He was consistent with every step, as if the 'thing' that was holding back the other martial students was nonexistent to him.
"But considering the height of this mountain, with his speed, he will probably take an hour or so to reach the top," Apollo put a hand under his chin. "That pervert only said that we have to go to the top of the mountain before night comes. He didn't say anything about ranking, so it's wiser to conserve strength and take the time to go up."
The beggar also noticed people not wearing uniforms but walking to the steps. There were at least five of them, and most of them had nervous expressions. It seemed they were the ones who got invitation cards from the other martial students.
Including him, there were only six of them.
"I should join them," Apollo muttered, walking towards the non-uniform individuals.
"Let's go. Arke is showing off," Bel said, glancing at the masked man.
"Alright," Filly and Gail nodded their heads.