Chapter 4

Hall Master Yue said loudly in front of everyone: "Listen well, everyone. Follow the small path in the bamboo forest to reach the Profound Heaven Sect's Bone-Refining Cliff. The first section is the bamboo forest, followed by the rock wall area, and finally a cliff. Only those who can reach the top of the cliff can enter the Profound Heaven Sect. If you cannot arrive before noon, although you cannot become an official disciple, if your performance has noteworthy aspects, you can be accepted as a named disciple."

Han Li naturally did not understand the meaning of "named disciple," only knowing that he had to keep walking forward and climb the mountain. He looked forward and saw a slope that was not too steep, with many long bamboo stalks of varying thickness growing on it. It didn't seem that difficult to climb!

Han Li looked at the others; he did not want to lose to his peers. The atmosphere among the other children also suddenly became tense.

Hall Master Yue looked at the rising sun and said: "The time is almost here. Prepare to set off! Do not be afraid; the senior brothers will protect you from behind and will not let you fall into danger."

Han Li looked back at the young men behind him. So these people were called senior brothers; they were probably disciples who had been accepted earlier. If he also joined, would he be able to wear the same majestic clothes!

Just as he was idly pondering, Han Li discovered that the rest of the children had already rushed into the bamboo forest. Seeing this, he hurriedly followed closely behind.

The bamboo forest was quite vast. The thirty-odd children scattered immediately upon rushing into the bamboo forest. A thin, long senior brother followed closely behind Han Li. This person had a cold face and followed him silently without saying a word. Han Li was a little afraid and did not dare to speak to him, only lifting his feet, lowering his body, and slowly moving forward along the slope.

This bamboo forest didn't look like much, but after walking for a long time, it felt exhausting. His legs became heavier and heavier as he walked, and gradually, Han Li had to use one hand to pull slightly on the bamboo stalks to move forward to save some effort.

After persisting like this for a long time, Han Li was truly exhausted, so he had to find a random mound of dirt, sit down, and pant incessantly.

Han Li took a moment to look back at the thin, long senior brother. Although the ground was extremely steep, this senior brother was actually still standing there without moving, not a speck of dust on his body, as upright as the bamboo, quietly watching him from not far below.

Han Li saw the senior brother's cold gaze and felt a little afraid in his heart, so he hurriedly turned his head back. Hearing the sound of panting coming from ahead, he knew that those who had climbed faster than him were also resting. Han Li stayed in place for a little while longer before hurriedly rushing upward.

The slope became even steeper, and Han Li's strength was waning. To avoid being unable to stand while walking, Han Li could only hunch his waist and use both hands and feet. Fortunately, the clothes on his body were sturdy enough; otherwise, the joints of his limbs and knees would have been worn through.

Finally, he was about to walk out of this dense bamboo forest, but Han Li only felt that this last bit of the road was becoming increasingly difficult to walk. The rocks on the ground were gradually increasing, while the bamboo was becoming scarcer.

Han Li could finally no longer pull on the bamboo stalks to move forward; this last stretch of the journey could be considered as having been crawled over inch by inch.

As soon as he walked out of the bamboo forest, he saw a vast expanse before his eyes. Directly in front was a huge mountain rock, on which several thin, small figures were already slowly climbing upward. Behind them, each was followed by a senior brother dressed in the same attire. Han Li no longer hesitated and hurriedly ran toward the giant rock wall in front.

The rock wall of this giant rock was composed of layers upon layers of sedimentary rock, which was severely weathered. In some places, it would crumble upon touch. Of course, there were also many sturdy rock fragments that were extremely sharp. In just the time it takes to eat a meal, Han Li's hands were already covered in cuts and bruises, and the clothes on his elbows and knees were also torn. The skin and flesh underneath were cut in many places; even though the wounds were small, the fine rock debris seeping into them added a few more layers of pain.

The few at the very front had already climbed further and further away. Thinking of the words of his family and his third uncle, Han Li could only grit his teeth again and climb upward arduously.

Before setting off, Han Li's father and third uncle had already warned him that the entrance test would be very difficult. If he didn't persist to the end, it would be impossible to join the Profound Heaven Sect. At this moment, Han Li no longer cared whether he could join the Profound Heaven Sect or not; it was just that a streak of ruthlessness in his heart had flared up. This breath was stuck in his chest, and he had to catch up with the others no matter what.

Han Li raised his head and looked arduously. The person climbing at the very front now was Wu Yan. After all, Wu Yan was more than a year older than Han Li and had practiced some martial arts, so his body was much stronger than the other children. It was not surprising that he was climbing at the front.

Han Li looked back at the rear a few times; there were still many figures moving behind. Han Li took a breath and accelerated his progress.

He used every ounce of his strength, but still could not close the distance with the few at the front. His body became heavier and heavier, and as he watched the sun gradually climb to the middle of the sky, Wu Yan had already climbed to the end of the giant rock wall.

There was a vertical, steep cliff, over thirty zhang high. A dozen hemp ropes were suspended from the top of the cliff, and each rope had fist-sized knots tied on it. Wu Yan was now climbing one of them, slowly moving toward the top of the cliff bit by bit.

Han Li looked at Wu Yan in front and felt a little discouraged. He knew it was impossible for him to catch up with the few at the front, and there wasn't enough time left either.

As soon as this thought arose, a burning pain suddenly came from his injured elbows and knees. His limbs lost strength, and one hand gripping the rock trembled. His whole body fell downward. Han Li's heart thumped with fear, and he hurriedly pressed his whole body tightly against the rock wall, not daring to move again.

After a while, his heart calmed down. He used his hand to grab a protruding rock corner and tugged a few times; it was quite secure, so he felt relieved.

Han Li subconsciously looked back and saw the senior brother behind him half-squatting with his arms spread, posing in a posture to protect Han Li. Seeing that he was safe again, the senior brother slowly stood up straight.

Han Li felt a wave of gratitude. If he had really fallen, his previous hard work would have been in vain! So, after resting for a moment, he slowly moved forward, climbing toward the thick hemp ropes hanging on the cliff.

Finally, he reached one of the unoccupied hemp ropes. The sun had almost reached the middle of the sky, and there was less than half an hour left until noon. At this time, Wu Yan had already climbed to the top of the cliff and was looking back down. When Han Li climbed to the bottom of the hemp rope, he happened to see Wu Yan. He saw him raise his arm, extend his little finger, and gesture lightly at the person below the cliff twice, then burst into wild laughter before leaving.

Han Li felt a wave of annoyance and hurriedly grabbed the hemp rope to climb up.

However, Han Li no longer had a shred of strength left in his whole body, and now he could barely even grip the rope knots.

When he climbed onto the last rope knot with great effort and sat on it, he felt his whole body go limp, unable to move even a single finger. He turned his head with great effort and looked; there were still some children sitting on the rock wall behind, panting heavily. It seemed they had used up their last bit of strength just like him.

Han Li could only smile bitterly in his heart. He had underestimated this test too much. Fortunately, he hadn't fallen to the very last place. Turning his head, he saw that cold senior brother again. After hesitating for a moment, Han Li decided to make one last effort to climb up a bit more. Although he definitely couldn't climb to the top before noon, wouldn't it be too unsightly to just stay here without moving!

Han Li stretched his somewhat stiff hands and used the little bit of strength he had just recovered to slowly move upward along the rope knots. But at this moment, Han Li's hands were completely unresponsive and couldn't grip the rope at all. He struggled for a moment, but still failed to achieve any results.

【No text】