Chapter 96: Deadly trial, Heaven Reaching Mountain!
After he had chosen his reward, the light which shone down from the sky above started to dissipate, so did the other three Sacred order invitation cards. They went back to who knows where. Right after, the reality-management formation made an announcement.
‹Congratulations, the trial challenger has gained the rights to participate in the Heaven-Reaching trial, a great fortuitous encounter that many youths of the Wind Empire dream of participating in›
Along with these words, the Mana Wall Formation separating Whittaker and the Heaven-Reaching mountain started to change. Many thin White and Black lines stretched from each side of the Mana Wall, interjoining in the middle to create a circle divided into two halves by a curved blue line. The upper half of the circle was black, representing the calm and gentle side upon which Whittaker stood. The other side of the circle was white, representing the arduous future he would face if he decides to participate in the trial. Also, a black portal opened behind Whittaker, who could see both because of Devansha's vision.
‹The Mana Wall Formation separating the inheritance trial challenger and the Heaven-Reaching Mountain will vanish when you put your hand on the Yin and Yang symbol. The Yin and Yang symbol will be activated by the use of your handprint. The Heaven Reaching trial will start in the very moment when the Mana Wall formation vanishes while the black portal is the return portal that will take the challenger back to Yeon's home. Also, returning to the inheritance ground will not be possible›
The automatic prompts of the Reality-Management Formation stated while Whittaker intently listened to each word. Then, it continued announcing with the help of a holographic screen that has opened up on each side of the Mana Wall Formation, leaving only the Yin Yang symbol in the middle.
[Conditions to pass the Advance level inheritance trial: Cross the first level of the Heaven-reaching staircase of the Heaven-reaching mountain located in Zachary palace!
Entitlement:
A: Friendship of Zachary Zeolite.
B: Becoming an inheritance Student of 7-star Magic Teacher Zachary Zeolite.
B: Azure-Sky Zachary Palace Return Card.
The rules of the Heaven-Reaching trial are as follow:
A: The staircase in the middle of the Heaven-Reaching Mountain is divided into three-level according to the number of footsteps taken. The challenger will have to climb up the mountain whilst facing the pressure of the mana dragon. The pressure borne by the Challenger will increase with every step. The first level is classified as the lowest level, in which, the challenger will only have to endure a total of 33% of the pressure of the Mana Dragon. The percentage of pressure will increase with each level.
B: The trial challenger will be considered to have passed the trial if he crosses the 333 steps of the first level and takes one step into the second-level of the heaven-reaching staircase.
C: Rewards will be increased according to the number of steps the inheritance trial challenger can take.›
"Surprisingly, this time the announcement related to the trial was made beforehand..." He muttered while gazing at the holographic screen, as a Scarlet, blood-deep prompts popped up. As his vision focused on the Scarlet holographic prompt, the reality-management formation started to make automatic announcements.
‹Warning!: Elder Zachary holds extreme respect for the Zen Mountain. This trial is based on the trial of the Zen mountain. In respect to the Elders of the Zen mountain and the valiant spirits of all those who have died in the heaven-reaching trial, Elder Zachary does not allow the use of Reality-management formation in this trial.
This is a deadly trial and death here means certain death!
The choice to participate in this trial is totally up to the inheritance trial Challenger. Do continue with caution!›
"Gulp!" Whittaker swallowed his saliva. He was certain that the information provided to him was not false. Death means certain death. 'Elder Zachary and the Reality-management formation have no reason to lie to me, after all!'
And as this was the last trial, he believed that it will be the hardest one. Each trial was harder than another. Also, He had already faced death in the intermediate level trial so Whittaker was certain that the last trial isn't a joke and will not be as easy as taking a walk in the park. It might very well be the hardest trial.
____
Inside the central command room of Zachary Palace
Elder Zachary and Nina intently stared at the young boy. They didn't force him to make a choice, as in this trial, death was as certain as it could be.
Nina said: ‹Zachy, why don't you make an exemption this time? The young boy has shown the potential to become a Saint-level expert, he only needs to learn an intent to reach the King-level. Also, he has already shown great wisdom, mental fortitude, bravery, flexibility, and judgment making skill. He is certainly worthy to become your inheritor-"
"I know." Elder Zachary said with a full confident look on his face and continued by saying, "Nina, don't beat around the bush and come straight to the point."
He knows what she wants but still asks to confirm it.
Nina responded: "Should I breach the boundary and govern the Heaven-reaching mountain?"
If she governs over the heaven-reaching mountain then Whittaker will not die even if he gets crushed by the pressure. She can simply use reset on his dead body, after all. But she could not make such a decision on her own and needed permission from her master, who is also her creator.
"No!" Elder Zachary shook his head left and right in outright refusal.
‹Why? He is the perfect candidate that you have been waiting for! Moreover, Rules are meant to be broken!" Nina replied, baffled at the stubbornness of her old man.
"This time I have various reasons for my decision. First, if I allow you to manage the reality of the heaven-reaching mountain then it would be disrespecting the elders of the Zen mountain and my Ancestors. Second, no one is forcing him to undergo this trial. Third, I have already decided to take him as my inheritor even if he does not pass this trial, moreover, I will save him when he is one inch away from death. Lastly, in my last moments of life, I want to see the bloodline awakening of the Descendent of Devansha, The Great!!!" Elder Zachary concluded this matter by stating four different reasons. A hint of a smile appeared on his wrinkled face as the edges of his lips slightly stretched to each side.