Chapter 9: Chapter 8.
Once everyone was finished with the strength test it was time to start the final test, the test of fortitude. Everyone would be tested simultaneously likely because the old man wanted to keep posing.
We stood in rows within the central plaza as the old man walked before us with the air of a reluctant hero whose time had passed. Grandpa, I like your style, but aren't you too old for this?
While I had such rude thoughts the old man said four words, "let the test begin."
Before I realized it, my wife and I stood behind the little MC. It looked like we would have front row seats for the upcoming show.
The old man started at realm pressure of a 2nd realm mortal. Ten minutes passed by as he quickly worked his way up to realm pressure of a 5th realm mortal. About 400 people fell to their knees and were eliminated during the process. Once they fell to their knees the old man no longer applied pressure them.
When the old man reached realm pressure of the 6th realm, 100 people fell to their knees. All of the 2nd and 3rd realm mortals were eliminated at this point and only those 4th and 5th realm mortals continued to stand resolutely like the little mob characters they were.
I'm not trying to be rude here, but all I could think of them as were mob and filler characters. My reason being, if I squinted my eyes hard enough and looked closely; plastered to 90% of their faces, I swear I could almost make out a piece of paper with a question mark written on it.
As I silently finished insulting 90% of the crowd, the old man emitted pressure of a 7th realm mortal. Upon doing so, 200 more individuals dropped out.
Once it reached pressure of an 8th realm mortal, 250 people, which included my wife and I fell to our knees. We reached the minimum 15 points required to join the sect and found there was no need to keep up with the act.
The little MC on the other hand stood strong, gritting teeth while staring daggers at the old man like he was suffering the greatest injustice of his life.
The old man was clearly annoyed by the MC's glare as he increased the strength to the 9th realm. At this pressure 80 more people dropped out and only 20 remained. Finally it reached 10th realm mortal pressure and the MC was trembling. The rage that clouded his vision was clearly visible to anyone, but no one dared to say a single word.
Something was clearly wrong and I asked my wife "can you tell what pressure he is really enduring?"
"4th realm semi transcendent."
What? Such blatant cheating and the sect does nothing about it? Did you think I would actually say that? Of course there would be blatant cheating which for some reason no one inexplicably points out. Child, that is the fate of being a MC.
At this point there were only four people standing.
"What about the other three people?"
"Two of them are facing 10th realm mortal pressure while one of them is facing 8th realm mortal pressure."
Hahaha. Man, being a MC sucks. It's like the world just wants to take a dump on your face.
"I see, so that brat at the lowest pressure is the one who is favored by the elders of the sect."
He must also be the great antagonist and the MCs first roadblock in life.
I could only shake my head. "Regardless of whether this child withstands the pressure, it was all for naught. There is no way he could actually win if there is cheating to such a degree."
"Unless my little wife, do you think you can pull some strings and make those three fall to their knees without anyone noticing?"
"My darling husband are you stupid? I am a lower realm god, is there anything that I cannot do in this mortal world? However, interfering would not be beneficial for the development of this child. As much as it pains my heart..."
"You mean as long as it's more interesting, it's all good right?"
"Ehem… the more hardship one endures the stronger they become."
She totally ignored me while looking into the distance with a profound look. My wife, I thought you were new to posing? Since when were you a professional?
"Look at this twelve year old child, his pride is as high as the heavens. Husband, do you think he would be satisfied winning because we assisted him. He definitely would not be content even if he knew he were being cheated. He wishes to overturn the views of everyone with his own power. If the elders do not approve he will make them approve. He is clearly the type to endure, endure and endure some more; to the point where he will one day come out on top."
"Now that it has reached realm pressure of a 1st realm semi transcendent two of the remaining four have fallen right away. The last kid over there is only enduring 9th realm mortal pressure. Yet this twelve year old is still standing at 5th realm semi transcendent pressure. Darling, I do have to say, you were quite right. I am definitely surprised that he can still remain standing up to this point. It looks like this may be as far as he goes though."
The child gritted his teeth as hard as he could while blood dripped from the side of his mouth. His crimson eyes shone dangerously like that of a bloodthirsty demon from hell. Just looking at his will and determination to not fall sent shivers down my spine. Let's be real though; it didn't. However, the laws that govern this genre mandates I must act the part, right?
Foolish child, no matter what you do, you have lost. The best you can get is a three way tie for second even if you last through the last round. I couldn't help but think these corny lines.
I could imagine him responding with "even if I fail, a man must not bend his back in the face of adversity."
I would then slightly nod my head in approval while secretly thinking, yep it's official, you're a complete idiot, young child. Such a tard. Completely moronic. I'm glad I'm not your father. If I had such a troublesome brat for a son, I'd definitely slap him. After all, if you don't bend at all, won't you just snap like a twig? Rather than not bend, grab onto their leg and fawn on them while plotting against them behind the scenes. Duh, is that not common sense?
After two minutes passed under the pressure of a 5th realm semi transcendent, the child still stood strong and determined.
I felt slightly moved by his will and felt that it was far too cruel to lose to such a shameless posing old man. That was what I wished I thought; but, in reality I just found this development too boring and I wanted to spice it up a bit.
It was at this point I did something unlike the observer I was. I thought as hard as I could to see if there was any way to make things more interesting. I wanted to start a flame war and after a moment in though I finally came up with an idea while the child withstood the force of a 6th realm semi transcendent.
"What is the old man's semi transcendent realm?"
"He is a 6th realm semi transcendent."
"So that is to say, the maximum realm pressure he can apply is that of a 6th realm semi transcendent?"
"Yes that is correct. Why do you ask?"
I gave my wife a mysterious smile as my brows raised a bit as I said "no real reason."
Once it reached the two minute mark the final competitor who stood against the child fell to his knees in exhaustion while the child remained standing. His expression was warped in rage as blood oozed from his eyes and mouth. He continued to stand defiantly with an arrogant expression displayed for the world to see.
At this point the assumed to be antagonist who fell to his knees laughed out loud. He said "little Han, is it not time to take a rest? Congratulations to us, we both lasted until pressure of a 2nd realm semi transcendent."
"Both lasted? Sai Hitu, you fell to your knees moments ago while I still stand as the pressure continues." The young child spat out his words through his gritted, blood stained teeth.
It was at this point I stood up acting like I was struck by lightning. I put on the front of a naive and innocent young gentleman as I "unknowingly" added fuel to the fire. I said with wide open eyes; "that's right, he is still standing even after withstanding pressure of a 2nd realm semi transcendent. Isn't that weird? What happens now? The table only had up to 10 points for 2nd realm semi transcendent pressure. Was that under the assumption no one could withstand that level of pressure?"
"Silence." the old man glared at me as he tried to make me shut my mouth by exerting his full pressure.
However, perhaps it had to do with my new body; but, this level of realm pressure was not much of a threat. It's possible it may have been my little wife secretly providing assistance in the background though. Either way, I acted as if I noticed nothing different while I continued on.
"Elder, do you not think that exceptions should be made? Shouldn't we test whether this young child can withstand even higher realms of pressure?"
The elder was slightly flustered when he looked at me. It felt like he was unsure how I was completely unaffected by the pressure he exerted. He narrowed his eyes and it seems he realized he could not see through what realm of strength I had attained. Once he realized that, he took a more cautious approach as he asked, "may I know who you are young man?"
"I am but a simple applicant wishing to join your sect, but even I can see that there was clearly some lack of foresight in planning this test. Should the child not be allowed to test himself and see what his limits are?"
"No. This is clearly the limit of what this child can endure. There is no way I could allow myself to apply any more pressure to such a young child."
This old shameless hooligan; what happened to your man of few words act from earlier?
"Is it really that you cannot allow yourself to apply more pressure?... Or is it that you cannot apply more pressure?"
The old man narrowed his eyes and I could see a hint of killing intent that flickered momentarily before it quickly dissipated shortly after it appeared.
Are you mad that your posing session was ruined by this king of acting?
I couldn't help but smile as I asked, "is it really your decision whether you believe he can take more pressure... or is it the applicant's choice?"
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