The Terrifying Nineteenth Step

"He did it!" Iris exclaimed in shocked surprise as John stepped onto the nineteenth step. Even the Grand Elder, who had thousands of years of experience and hardly ever felt truly surprised couldn't help stare at John without knowing what to think. John, arriving only a week ago to the sect, had already shattered the realm of what was considered possible. 

However, the Grand Elder did not celebrate, and instead focused even more closely on John as he ascended to the nineteenth step.

John breathed out a deep sigh of relief, before his eyes suddenly snapped wide open again. An absolutely terrifying wave of energy suddenly appeared out of nowhere and crashed down on his location.

Boom!