The Not So Easy Scale

Passing through the portal-like tear that had appeared in the Saint Tower, he felt Yao Yao's presence disappear, being replaced with something much more powerful, at least in the terms of Genesis Qi. It was beyond that of even Wu Huang. In his current state, he wasn't sure how he matched up, but he was still rather confident nonetheless. Julong was assuming this was the work of the being who was watching him and Yao Yao from before. The watchful eye had no threatening aura to his being, so Julong was rather calm about the whole situation.

The 38 Geniuses appeared at the beginning of a winding staircase, leading high into mountain peaks that surrounded them all. It had a thick mist near the top, one that no one present was able to look through, which only served to make it look very daunting.

Murmurs of disbelief came from the Geniuses.

"The final challenge is this simple?"

That line seemed to be the general consensus of those in the area. And yes, while it seemed easy, there was sure to be some twists to it. This was something they all had to be aware of.

It was at that point the first person decided to take on the steps.

"Well if no one else is going, I'll be the first to move."

With that he took off, walking up each and every one of the mountain steps.

No one followed, carefully observing him as he began his ascent.

"Nothing is wrong? He's not facing any difficulty?"

As soon as such words were muttered, the rest of the Geniuses began their own ascent of the seemingly never-ending staircase.

Even after half an hour of mindless walking up the steps of the mountain, nothing had happened. It lead to the geniuses becoming increasingly restless, to the point of finally giving in. Genesis Qi burst off their bodies as one by one they each began using their own Genesis Qi to scale the mountain quicker.

In just a few seconds, they were able to make boundless leaps up the stairs consisting of at least a dozen steps apiece.

Though despite the people at the front jumping forward following the leaders of the pack, both the smarter ones of the group and the more powerful Geniuses decided to hang back as if expecting something to come.

Something isn't right about this challenge. Whatever is supposed to make it difficult should be coming soon if it has not already appeared.

As if reading Julongs' thoughts - a very possible coincidence - a wave of beserk Genesis Qi formed right in front of the leaders of the group. It came barreling toward them so quickly that they had no time to react, ending up knocking those who were arrogant enough to not expect such a thing, off the staircase, eliminating them.

Those a little further back had much better luck, being able to shield themselves from the onslaught provided to them. Julong was no different, and in fact, while the others were busy adjusting themselves to the pressure, Julong shot forth.

Thanks to the External Cultivation he had done, the pressure had much less effect on him. Then all he had to do then was activate the Minor Mythic Saint Body Art and he would almost have no issue with the pressure without even using his Genesis Qi.

While the Technique was a Black Yuan Technique, it wasn't set to its rank, since it was a lead into the ensuing Mythic Saint Body Techniques which were all at different levels. This meant that along with the tempering it had already achieved on his body, it would be bolstered thanks to his breakthroughs, and allow him to passively Externally Cultivate as he climbed. No matter how one looked at it, it was a win, win scenario. It was also something that all the other Geniuses were incapable of since External Cultivation was widely unheard of at such a level of Internal Cultivation, that was unless you were purposefully Externally Cultivating over Internally Cultivating, or were just like Julong with a lead in Technique to External Cultivation.

Looking back he spotted everyone else, without exception using their Genesis Qi to block the incoming pressure of the flood. It was just as he had expected. While they were expending their energy, the only thing he was using his Genesis Qi for was to increase his speed. That was it.

While moving his gaze across everyone, he became a little worried, as he saw Zhou Yuan was struggling a little. While he was sure this would not be indicative of the final result, he did not want to be the one to kill Wu Huang if it came to it. That was and always would be Zhou Yuan's job.

He shook his head, looking ahead once more.

I should focus on myself. That is the most important thing for now. Zhou Yuan will be fine, knowing him.

The three dozen Geniuses or so that had entered the Saint Tower were quickly separated into three groups, consisting of the most Talented Geniuses at the front, Second Rate Geniuses in the second group, and the Less Talented Geniuses at the back.

Naturally, all those who one would expect to be in the leading group, were. Wu Huang, Ye Ming and Wan Julong were just a few of the people leading the group. Julong was undoubtedly in front of everyone but one person. He was running by his side, dressed in a coat with a hood on, making his face indistinguishable. He wasn't sure who this was, but he was convinced this was the person who had replaced Yao Yao.

At this point Julong was still negligent of using his Genesis Qi, so to try and get the upper hand, and to test him slightly, Julong decided to use some genesis Qi to decrease the resistance he was facing even further.

His speed instantly shot up as he created even more distance between him and the other leading Geniuses. Everyone but the one who he had originally intended to overtake. Just as he had, they also increased their Genesis Qi flow, keeping speed with him.

So you want to play? Then allow me to accommodate you. The games have just begun, after all.