Heavens' Laughter

On the vast drifting cloud, the Trial Overseer and the instructors stood frozen in disbelief, their eyes fixed on the unprecedented scene unfolding before them.

In all their long lives, never had they seen anyone reach the 500th step—let alone surpass it with such ease.

"Who... Who is this young man?" Zhao Rui, a scarred instructor cloaked in a tattered black robe which matched his eyes and hair, whispered in trembling awe, his voice barely above a breath.

Try as he might, he couldn't look away, each deliberate movement drawing him deeper into a state of disbelief.

Zhao Rui's thoughts swirled with a mix of admiration and curiosity, for this was no ordinary human.

This young man had not only shattered expectations but seemed entirely unbothered by the trial's grueling mental demands.

Beyond impressed, Zhao Rui couldn't help but wonder just how far this young man could climb, his heart racing at the prospect of witnessing something truly legendary.

"…Let me see…" Mei Xue muttered, her delicate fingers flipping through a worn notebook with practiced precision.

The only woman among the instructors, she stood out in her long purple robe, intricately adorned with chains that coiled elegantly around her body.

Mei Xue's medium-length purple hair framed a face marked by sharp curiosity, while her dark purple eyes shimmered with determination.

Unable to contain her own intrigue, she searched frantically for the name of the young man, who left all of them in awe.

"Found it!" Mei Xue exclaimed, her voice tinged with excitement as her finger landed on the name in the notebook:

"His name is Feng Shen! The Second Young Master of the Feng Family!"

Mei Xue paused for a moment, as if letting the revelation sink in, before snapping the notebook shut with a decisive motion.

Turning to face her peers, her dark purple eyes shimmered with admiration.

Even Mei Xue, who prided herself on only accepting female students into her class, found herself captivated by the Second Young Master of the Feng Family.

After all, this young master wasn't just talented; he was extraordinary—a prodigy destined for greatness.

Against Mei Xue's usual principles, a small part of her couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to guide someone with such limitless potential.

This young master, without question, was a young man whose future blazed like a rising star.

"Ah, well~ It's a shame, really. None of us will be able to teach this young man—after all, what's the point in teaching a dead man?"

Mei Xue, Zhao Rui, the other instructors, and even the Trial Overseer all turned their attention toward the man who had uttered those words.

"What? Why are you all staring at me like that? I'm only speaking the truth!" Tian Hao snapped, his voice sharp and unwavering.

His frame was thin, almost frail, his short gray hair tousled in disarray. One eye was covered by a worn eye patch, while the other glowed with a striking golden hue.

Tian Hao crossed his arms and turned his gaze away, completely unfazed:

"Whatever. I'll pass up on him. I'm not dealing with that baggage!"

Tian Hao couldn't understand his fellow peers.

After all, they had all witnessed the Second Young Master of the Feng family paralyze the youth of the elite, who were the future rulers of the Upper Realm in a single trial.

It was an unmistakable slap in the face—not just to those youths, but to their families as well.

The truth stung, but it was undeniable, and Tian Hao felt no reason to sugarcoat it.
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'Give me a break… I can't be the only one who understands the risks?' He thought to himself.

The expressions of the rest darkened slightly, a subtle hint of displeasure flickering across their faces.

While they couldn't deny the truth behind his statement, the bluntness of Tian Hao's words left a sour taste.

Still, they understood his reasoning.

However, the future of the Second Young Master of the Feng Family burned brighter than any potential consequences the elite could put on them.

"I'll be the one to take the risks. I'll take him as a student…" Yuan Bo spoke up, an instructor, his voice cold and mechanical, the words barely carrying any emotion.

His entire face was obscured by a metal mask, an imposing, featureless iron visage that gave no hint to his true expression.

Clad entirely in silver, Yuan Bo's armor gleamed under the light.

"You all have long lives ahead of you."

Yuan Bo coughed before continuing:

"I am merely being kept alive by this damn suit, forced to endure its torment. The consequences that those spoiled brats might bring... they wouldn't harm me at all."

Yuan Bo's words, though flat, carried a certain bitterness.

It was clear that he saw the potential risks ahead, but for him, the price was already paid—his existence, which he hated.

The others glanced at him, all in understanding…

"Well~ it seems it's decided~ scary iron guy can have the Second Young Master of the Feng Family." The Trial Overseer chimed in, his voice light, though there was a glint of amusement in his eyes.

He took a small sip of his alcohol, savoring the taste as he let out a quiet sigh.

The Trial Overseer's earlier drunken stupor had faded, the sharpness of his mind returning as he realized what was unfolding before him.

History was being made in front of his eyes, and a future dragon was emerging.

And so, for the first time in as long as he could remember, he didn't overindulge in his drink.

There was no need to drown his awareness—the Trial Overseer wanted to remember this moment, to witness the rise of something truly extraordinary.

"Well, seeing that's what you want, I won't fight you on this~" Mei Xue said with a playful tone, a sly smile curling at the corners of her lips:

"Though, if I dare ask, could I at least teach him a little myself? Only in the mornings, of course, so I can form a bond with a future dragon, who is undoubtedly going to shake the heavens."

Mei Xue tilted her head slightly, her expression shifting to one of exaggerated innocence, her eyes widening with a soft, pleading look.

She subtly adjusted her posture, emphasizing her form in a way that was unmistakably intentional.

Mei Xue made sure her charm was well-known, and in this moment, it was clear she was hoping to leverage both her allure and her keen sense of opportunity.

She wanted to be in the good graces of someone whose future held immense power—someone whose favor could open doors to untold possibilities.

"I do not care. But only in the mornings," Yuan Bo replied bluntly, his gaze unwavering, his voice as cold and detached as ever.

He didn't even spare a glance at Mei Xue, unmoved by the charm she was clearly trying to flaunt.

Yuan Bo's demeanor remained as stern as ever, untouched by the subtle allure she presented.

He was a man of discipline and integrity, a man who saw beyond such fleeting distractions.

The simple charms of a woman, no matter how striking, had no sway over Yuan Bo. He would not be swayed by such tactics, remaining firmly anchored in his own principles.

"Damn it..." Zhao Rui muttered under his breath, his frustration barely contained as he watched the opportunity slip through his fingers.

The chance to spend some time with the Second Young Master of the Feng Family, to perhaps forge a connection, was now lost.

Zhao Rui's disappointment was palpable, and with a resigned sigh, he kicked at the drifting cloud beneath him.

The soft puff of air it created did little to ease the weight of his regret, and he couldn't help but feel a pang of envy toward Yuan Bo, who had claimed the prize without hesitation.

Tian Hao simply rolled his eyes. He wasn't about to get tangled up in this madness.

He was being smart!

Even if some people seemed eager to throw themselves into the fire, Tian Hao wasn't about to follow suit.

He knew the importance of picking his battles, and right now, staying out of this was the wisest move.

Let them become enemies of the elite!

"What the—?! He's actually reached the 900th step?!" The Trial Overseer spat out his alcohol in shock, his eyes widening in disbelief.

The bottle he had been holding slipped from his grasp.

It was one thing to pass the 500th step, but the 900th?

'This is impossible…' The Trial Overseer thought to himself. He couldn't comprehend the magnitude of what was happening right before his eyes.

The only being to ever reach the 900th step was the Guardian of the Soaring Academy, but that was so long ago, and the staircase had only grown stronger since then.

No one had ever come close to surpassing that record—until now.

The Trial Overseer's shock deepened as he processed the weight of the moment:

"Holy… Fucking… Shit…"