Su Mo landed lightly on the iron chain, his sleeves fluttering in the mountain breeze like an immortal who had strayed into the mortal world. The sight left many staring in awe.
The moment his foot touched the chain, a voice echoed in his mind:
“First Trial: The Swing.”
What?
His heart lurched. Had he misheard? But the voice continued:
“Each person must cross the chains in a unique manner. Repeating another’s method will incur punishment. Those who fail their chosen challenge—die.”
Su Mo froze, so stunned he nearly slipped and plummeted off the cliff.
His lips twitched. “What the hell? This is exactly like a kids’ game I played as a child!”
And more importantly—what was this “rule”? Did it have sentience? If so, how was it any different from a god?
Not daring to test whether the rules were real, he racked his brain for the most obscure and unconventional way to cross.
After all, there was no telling if others had come before them. If someone had already used a method, repeating it would mean punishment.
Hmm… then I’ll just…
Meanwhile, those waiting at the cliff’s edge watched with bated breath, terrified Su Mo might slip and vanish into the abyss.
“That’s terrifying. A fall from this height would leave nothing behind. I don’t think I can do it.”
“Same. Maybe we should just stay here?”
“But if we don’t cross, we’ll miss out on the treasure.”
“Who said there’s treasure over there? It’s just speculation. And even if there is, do you really think we’d get any? The strong ones will take everything—we’d be lucky to get scraps.”
“…Good point. But if everyone else goes, won’t it be dangerous to stay?”
“Easy. If a few stay, others will follow. Safety in numbers, right?”
The two exchanged glances and nodded in agreement.
Just then, someone gasped. “Look! She’s doing somersaults while walking!”
All eyes turned to see Su Mo flipping gracefully along the chain.
“Is she out of her mind?!”
“You’re the one out of your mind!” Xia Qingqing snapped, glaring at the speaker. “Qingyi obviously has a reason!”
“Qingqing, Luo Xiu, hurry over. I’ll wait for you on the other side,” Su Mo called back, deliberately distancing himself to reduce the chance of others copying his method.
For him, this trial wasn’t difficult—just a matter of avoiding repetition. The swaying chains posed no threat to his exceptional balance.
Thanks to Ye Qingyi’s childhood training (and his own enhancements), his coordination far surpassed ordinary people’s, allowing him to somersault steadily across.
After nearly a kilometer of this, Su Mo finally reached the other side.
“First Trial: The Swing—cleared.”
A petal-shaped mark appeared on his palm, serving no purpose other than as proof of completion.
If there’s a first trial, there must be a second. What’s next?
He’d soon find out.
Back on the cliff, Luo Xiu and Xia Qingqing began their crossing after Su Mo’s hint.
Xia Qingqing was terrified, but with Luo Xiu’s encouragement, she hesitantly stepped onto the chains—only then realizing why Su Mo had opted for somersaults.
Gritting her teeth, her cheeks puffed with effort, she could barely walk straight, let alone attempt anything fancy.
In her nervousness, she completely forgot the “no repetition” rule and simply… walked across normally.
Luo Xiu blinked. “Wait. What if everyone assumes past challengers used elaborate methods… so they avoid the simplest one?”
Exactly. Without knowing if others had come before, no one would think to choose the most basic approach.
Xia Qingqing had unwittingly exploited a loophole.
Truly, luck was its own kind of strength.
As more people attempted the crossing, they mimicked the flashy methods of those before them, not understanding why—but following suit anyway.
Nearly a fifth of the group remained behind, too paralyzed by fear to proceed—partly due to the growing whispers of dread among them.
Then, one finally mustered his courage… and promptly fell to his death.
Yes—before even hearing the trial’s rules, he slipped and plummeted.
This cemented the resolve of those still hesitating.
“Forget treasure. I just want to live. I’ll crush my spatial stone and leave if I have to.”
And so, they congregated at the cliff’s edge…
Deaths weren’t uncommon, but this was the first time someone had died before even touching the chains.
Meanwhile, those who made it waited for the group to regroup before moving toward the next trial.
As they ascended, the altitude grew more punishing. By the time they reached the second trial’s location, several were exhausted, relying on companions for support.
“You go ahead. We can’t go on,” one groaned to Su Mo’s group.
Others, equally drained, quickly echoed the sentiment.
Su Mo and Wu Heng exchanged glances, neither speaking.
As the strongest present, they could’ve marched another day without issue.
“Qingyi, I’m exhausted,” Xia Qingqing whined, clutching her stomach. “And starving—I can barely lift my arms.”
Su Mo immediately agreed. “Alright, let’s rest.”
Wu Heng shot him a look but sat down as well.
Hmph. Not like I’m tired. Just humoring you.
After such a long trek, everyone was hungry and weary, chewing on their packed rations.
Someone noticed Su Mo had no food and offered him a bun.
He declined.
Rations? Please. After all this, we’re eating properly.
With a flourish, he “summoned” a large pot, followed by bottled water, oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, meat, vegetables…
Everyone except Xia Qingqing gaped.
Sis, are you here for training or a picnic? Your supplies are better stocked than my kitchen.
No one even paid attention to his white jade storage ring…
“Qingqing, what do you want to eat?” Su Mo asked cheerfully.
“Hot pot! It’s so cold—perfect for warming up.”
“Hot pot it is.”
Out came a pack of hotpot base and an assortment of ingredients.
Nearby, Wu Heng’s eyes nearly bulged out of his skull.
What kind of person carries an entire kitchen—no, a grocery store—just to avoid eating rations?
Is her stomach really that important?
He couldn’t fathom it.