"Alright, let's begin the test of perseverance," Lu Yunfeng announced.
On the left side of the platform, there was a staircase made of jade. There were a total of nine steps, and that was the Staircase of Flames.
The Lu family had spent a large sum of money to hire an inscription master to refine it. There were strange inscriptions carved on it, and it was very mysterious.
As long as one walked up, the inscriptions on the staircase would be activated and emit a scorching aura that enveloped the person who walked up.
When one was on the staircase, it was as if one was in flames and had to endure the pain and torture of being burned by the flames.
Even though it was not real flames, it was no different from being in real flames.
Moreover, each of the nine staircases was hotter than the last.
The test this time was to see who could spend the longest time at the top of the stairs and who could climb the highest step.
The higher the staircase, the longer the duration, the stronger the willpower.
"I'll go first."
A disciple of the Lu family who was about 16 years old was the first to walk up the Staircase of Flames. When he stepped on the staircase, the entire Staircase of Flames immediately shone brightly. It flickered with a fiery red light.
The young man's expression changed drastically, and he seemed to be in pain. However, he gritted his teeth and took another step onto the second staircase. Then, he stepped onto the third.
When he reached there, he stopped and began to resist the pain of being burned by the flames.
However, in just ten breaths, his body began to tremble, and his face turned pale. His expression was ferocious. It was obvious that he was in great pain.
After another ten breaths of time, he let out a loud cry. He could no longer resist and jumped down the Stairway of Flames.
"Lu Li, third staircase, twenty breaths."
Lu Yunfeng announced.
Following that, the disciples of the Lu family went up one by one to take the test.
However, most of them were on the third and fourth staircases. They only lasted for about twenty to thirty breaths.
"Let me try!"
Lu Chuan walked out and glanced at Lu Ming. He sneered and stepped onto the staircase.
He was very fast and did not stop at all. He directly stepped onto the fifth staircase.
Then, he stopped on the fifth staircase and stayed there for a total of fifty-two breaths.
That made everyone exclaim in surprise.
"Mm, as expected of Lu Yao's brother. Her talent is unparalleled, and her brother is not bad either. He can actually stay on the fifth staircase for fifty-two breaths."
Duanmu Qing praised.
"Haha, you flatter me, Emissary Duanmu."
The Grand Elder laughed loudly.
Lu Chuan smiled smugly.
Afterward, the test continued. Quite a few people had pretty good willpower, and two of them were not weaker than Lu Chuan. One of them stayed on the fifth step for 52 breaths, while the other stayed on the fifth step for 55 breaths.
However, no one dared to step onto the sixth step.
Soon, only Lu Yao and Lu Ming were left on the platform.
Lu Yao glanced at Lu Ming and walked towards the Stairway of Flames.
At this moment, everyone's eyes were focused on Lu Yao.
Lu Yao had too many halos around her. Everyone wanted to see how strong her willpower was.
Even if one's talent was high, one's willpower might not be strong.
Lu Yao lifted her foot and stepped onto the first step. Then, she stepped onto the second step.
One step after another, he did not stop at all. In one breath, he reached the sixth step.
The sixth step. He had already surpassed all the previous people. Everyone held their breaths and watched seriously.
However, Lu Yao did not stop. She took another step and stepped onto the seventh step.
"Lu Yao actually managed to reach the seventh step. How amazing!"
"Let's see how long she can last."
Everyone guessed.
But soon, they got the answer.
86 breaths.
Lu Yao stayed on the seventh step for a full eighty-six breaths of time before she jumped down.
"Amazing, really amazing. I didn't expect Lu Yao to not only be talented, but also have such strong willpower. She's really a genius."
"Isn't that so? That's the seventh step. The previous steps can't be compared to it."
Everyone was talking about it.
Lu Yao looked calm as if she had done something insignificant. She turned around and walked to the side. When she walked past Lu Ming, there was contempt in her eyes.
"Did you see that? That's the difference between you and me. "
Her soft voice echoed in Lu Ming's ears.
"Is that so? You have to remember this. "Lu Ming's lips curled into a cold smile as he walked toward the Stairs of Flames.
"You're overestimating yourself!" The Grand Elder sneered.
"How many steps do you think Lu Ming can reach?"
On the platform, Lu Chuan smiled and asked the other young people.
"In my opinion, he can reach the second step at most."
"I don't think he can last more than 10 breaths on the second step."
The other young people laughed.
However, as soon as they finished speaking, the smiles on their faces froze and they couldn't help but widen their eyes.
At that moment, Lu Ming had already reached the third step. However, he didn't seem to have any intention of stopping. He continued on to the fourth step.
Then, it was the fifth step, the sixth step …
When Lu Ming reached the seventh step, he still didn't stop. He took another step and reached the eighth step.
However, that wasn't the end of Lu Ming's journey. At that moment, he lifted his foot and took another step.
Everyone's hearts seemed to be in suspense when Lu Ming took that step. Then, they fell heavily when Lu Ming stepped on the ninth step.
Then, there was a violent uproar.
"God, Lu Ming actually stepped on the ninth step. Is there a mistake?"
"So what if he steps on it? Whether he can hold on or not is the most important thing. If he can't hold on and comes down in less than a breath, that'll be embarrassing. "
The Grand Elder said coldly, "He's overestimating himself. It'll be fun if he can't bear the pain and his mind collapses. He'll become an idiot."
"Ming 'er!"
"Young Master!"
Below the platform, Li Ping and Qiu Autumn Moon clenched their fists. They were sweating and their eyes were filled with worry.
However, slowly, the discussion on the platform became softer.
That was because 10 breaths had passed.
Lu Ming actually stood on the ninth step for 10 breaths and didn't come down.
Obviously, 10 breaths was just the beginning.
Time passed slowly. 20 breaths, 30 breaths …
Soon, more than 100 breaths had passed. However, Lu Ming was still on the platform.
He was tall and slender, standing on the ninth step like a sharp sword.
The entire place was silent.
"I think his mind has collapsed. Could he have died on the platform?"
The Grand Elder said coldly.
However, at that moment, Lu Ming smiled and said, "Lu Yao, you're right. This is the difference between you and me."
His words were like a slap to the Grand Elder's face. It was also a slap to Lu Yao's face.
Lu Yao was the one who said this to Lu Ming earlier. Now, Lu Ming returned the words to her with the truth.
Lu Yao looked at Lu Ming on the Fiery Steps and her eyes flickered. However, she soon calmed down and said, "Lu Ming, you've been a piece of trash your whole life and have been looked down upon by others. However, you've trained your mind well and you're quite resilient. However, on the path of martial arts, willpower is only the foundation. Talent is the most important. Now, I'll show you the true difference between us."
Everyone was enlightened after hearing those words.
It made sense. Lu Ming was a piece of trash and had been mocked for years. It was normal for him to have a firm mind.
"I see!" Duanmu Qing sneered.
"Is that really the case?" A strange smile appeared on Moulins' face. She was looking forward to seeing the expressions of Duanmu Qing and the Grand Elder when they saw Lu Ming's performance.
On the stairs, Lu Ming's gaze was calm. He smiled faintly and walked down the Fiery Steps as if he was taking a stroll.
"Alright, the first round is over. Let's begin the second round. Take your pulse and bring them up to the altar." The Second Elder announced.
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