A few moments before Luo Jin and Lin An began competing with each other...
Using the Heavenly Step technique, Gaia had already reached the summit, far ahead of the other candidates.
The first thing that impressed him upon arrival was the view of a landscape so breathtaking it reminded him of a land of immortals.
After taking a moment to enjoy the scenery, Gaia glanced at the other candidates, noting that none of them had yet reached the 750th step.
Feeling he had time to spare, he leisurely entered the pavilion at the summit.
"Whoa, there's even a tea set prepared here. Lucky," Gaia muttered, pleasantly surprised.
He sat down, used the electric kettle to boil water, and began making tea.
While sipping the tea he'd brewed, Luo Jin and Lin An finally arrived at the peak.
Seeing them, Gaia welcomed them warmly.
"Oh, you guys finally made it," he said with a smile.
*
"As expected of you, Gai," Lin An said, clearly impressed.
"I didn't see exactly what you did, but the fact that you arrived ahead of me is something I can't deny," Luo Jin added with a slightly annoyed expression.
"This wasn't supposed to be a race, right? Our points should be the same anyway," Gaia replied casually, offering them each a cup of tea. "Want to try? I don't know what kind of leaves these are, but it tastes amazing."
Lin An and Luo Jin glanced at each other before accepting the tea.
Not long after, Elysia also reached the summit.
The moment she arrived, she bent over, hands on her knees, catching her breath after pushing her spirit magic to the limit.
"Huff… Huff… I knew… huff… you two… huff… are absolutely ridiculous…" she said between gasps.
"If you think we're ridiculous, then what do you call him?" Luo Jin replied, gesturing to Gaia beside him.
"What… do you… mean?" Elysia asked, confused, trying to stand straight and look ahead.
There stood Gaia, offering her a cup of tea as if to say, "Want a drink?"
The sight startled her so much her already weakened legs nearly gave out, sending her stumbling backward toward the steps.
She lost her balance, teetering on the edge, but before she could fall, Lin An's arm caught her with swift, steady strength.
Time seemed to slow.
Her body hovered in midair, half caught in his arms.
Her silver hair flowed in the breeze, framing her surprised face.
Their eyes met.
Elysia's widened, unprepared. Lin An's gaze, calm and deep like a still lake untouched by storms, held hers.
His arm wrapped around her waist not tightly, but firm enough to make her feel that nothing in the world could touch her without his permission.
In that stillness, something unspoken hung between them until the sudden click of a snapshot broke the silence.
The sound came from Gaia, who had just used his Aetherlink to take a picture of the moment.
"What… Did you just do, Gai?" Lin An asked, startled.
He quickly released Elysia now that she could stand on her own.
"What do you mean 'what'? I took a photo, of course," Gaia answered flatly, holding up his Aetherlink as evidence.
"And what do you plan to do with that photo?" Lin An asked again, this time more serious and a little panicked.
"What do you think? I'm sending it to Yuemei. As a responsible grand elder, I must report if my family member's fiancé is doing suspicious things behind her back… hehehe," Gaia responded with a grin.
Not that I'm jealous, Gaia grumbled inwardly. Obviously not. I just care about proper relationship ethics. Yup.
"Please delete it."
"And what makes you think I would do that?" Gaia teased, waving his smartphone-shaped Aetherlink.
"Gugh…"
Lin An lunged to snatch it, but Gaia dodged with ease.
Lin An activated Thunder God Lightning Mode, his signature move, crackling with electric intensity but every time he reached out, Gaia slipped away like mist, dancing just out of reach using Heavenly Step.
Was he serious? Or just toying with me?
"You're holding back, aren't you?" Gaia teased, grinning. "Or are you just rusty?"
And so, a ridiculous game of tag broke out at the mountain peak.
Elysia and Luo Jin simply watched in silence.
Meanwhile, Khalid… still hadn't reached the summit by the time the test ended.
And just like that, the second phase of the first round concluded.
Three participants had reached the summit, a result that left even the observing generals satisfied.
*
The general promotion test used a point system.
Though the people of Yinzhou Penglai celebrated the festival and were aware that the test was underway, they couldn't see the actual process.
All they could observe was a holographic display in the middle of the city that showed each candidate's score.
[Current Points for Each General Candidate]
Gaia Matera: 200 pts (100 pts Phase 1 + 100 pts Phase 2)Lin An: 200 pts (100 pts Phase 1 + 100 pts Phase 2)Luo Jin: 190 pts (90 pts Phase 1 + 100 pts Phase 2)Elysia: 190 pts (90 pts Phase 1 + 100 pts Phase 2)Khalid: 175 pts (90 pts Phase 1 + 85 pts Phase 2)
*
Somewhere far from the crowds...
"Elder, Khalid's score has fallen far behind the others. He's currently in last place," reported a man in a black cloak that concealed his entire body.
"Just as expected… a worthless pawn," the elder replied coldly.
"Proceed as planned."
The cloaked man simply nodded and vanished into the shadows.
*
"To be honest, the generals and I are very impressed with your performances," said Lin Feng, praising the gathered candidates.
They had moved to a new location not in a separate realm like before, but in the real world.
This place resembled a military training ground, though only the six of them were present now.
"Just judging by your individual capabilities, you've already surpassed the level of a Vice General," he added.
"The second test of this round is simple Weapon Arts."
Lin Feng explained that this stage would test the candidates' combat techniques using weapons of their choice. Whether it was a sword, a spear, or even gloves, any weapon was acceptable.
"See the giant screen behind me?" Lin Feng asked, pointing over his shoulder.
"All you need to do is touch it, and your consciousness will be pulled into a miniature realm inside the screen."
Within that realm, the candidates would face wave after wave of combat puppets, each stage harder than the last.
There were seven stages in total, and energy usage wouldn't be an issue once they exited, their energy reserves would be fully restored.
Another absurdly overpowered realm, Gaia thought, amazed once again by the tech.
"So, who's going first? Just for your information clearing stage 8 gives full points, stage 7 gives 90, stage 6 gives 80, stage 5 gives 70, and anything below that gets 0. I believe all of you can at least reach stage 5," Lin Feng added.
Khalid took a step forward, his eyes steady. I can't keep falling behind. I have to prove myself this time.
"Then let me go first," he said with quiet resolve.
"Oh? Hoping to make a comeback after the last round, are you?" Lin Feng teased. "Go ahead then just touch the screen to begin."
Khalid stepped up and placed his hand on the screen.
He remained still, but the screen showed his consciousness entering a realm that resembled outer space dark, but glittering with starlight.
There, Khalid summoned his weapon twin scimitars resembling Persian twin blades and dropped into a battle-ready stance.