The 158 steps was merely an entry stage of the competition. Eventually, every candidate arrived at the top and received the Demi-Mortal Blessing, purifying their bodies as a result. Despite their heavily gasping breaths and placement of arrival, not a single one of them felt dejected or uncertain about their chances, still holding firm onto their beliefs of success. The success that they'll become the next Holy Child.
This wasn't without any warrant, as the entry stage merely tested one's initial qualifications, not the true determining factor of it. To the candidates, they even knew that pressure based on bodily age wasn't the proper measurement of talent, and even the World Sea Phase candidate had a smile of confidence as he received the blessing.