Chapter 2: Bone Refining Cliff

Hall Master Yue announced loudly before the crowd, "Listen up, everyone. Follow the small path through the bamboo forest, and you will reach Seven Mysteries Sect's Bone Refining Cliff. The first section is the bamboo forest, followed by a rock wall area, and finally, a cliff. Only those who reach the top of the cliff can enter the Seven Mysteries Sect. If you cannot reach the top before noon, you won't become a formal disciple, but if your performance is commendable, you may be accepted as a registered disciple."

Han Li, of course, didn't understand the meaning of "registered disciple." He only knew that he had to keep moving forward and climb the mountain. He glanced ahead, seeing a moderately steep hillside covered with long bamboo stalks of varying thickness. It didn't seem too difficult to climb.

Han Li looked at the others; he didn't want to lose to his peers. Among the other children, the atmosphere suddenly grew tense.

Hall Master Yue looked at the rising sun and said, "It's almost time. Prepare to set off! Don't be afraid; your senior brothers will protect you from behind and ensure your safety."

Han Li looked back at the young men behind him. So these were the "senior brothers," likely disciples taken in previously. If he joined, would he also get to wear such impressive clothes?

As he was idly pondering, Han Li noticed that the other children had already rushed into the bamboo forest. Seeing this, he quickly followed suit.

The bamboo forest must have been vast. Over thirty children dispersed immediately upon entering it. A tall, slender senior brother followed closely behind Han Li, his face cold, saying nothing. Han Li felt a little scared and dared not speak to him. He simply lifted his feet, lowered his body, and slowly advanced along the slope.

This bamboo forest didn't look like much, but after walking for a long time, it became arduous. His legs grew heavier and heavier. Gradually, Han Li had to use one hand to slightly pull on the bamboo stalks to move forward, conserving some energy.

After enduring for a long time, Han Li was utterly exhausted. He found a random mound of earth, sat down with a thud, and panted incessantly.

Han Li took a moment to glance back at the tall, slender senior brother. Despite the steep incline, the senior brother stood perfectly still, seemingly untouched by a speck of dust, as upright as the bamboo stalks. He was quietly watching Han Li from a spot not far below.

Seeing the senior brother's cold gaze, Han Li felt a renewed sense of fear and quickly turned his head back. He then heard intermittent panting sounds coming from ahead, realizing that those who had climbed faster than him were also resting. After staying in place for a short while, Han Li hurried onward and upward.

The slope became even steeper, and Han Li's strength steadily waned. To avoid losing his footing, he had to bend low, moving on all fours. Thankfully, his clothes were sturdy enough; otherwise, the joints of his limbs and his knees would have been chafed raw.

Finally nearing the edge of the dense bamboo forest, Han Li found the last stretch increasingly difficult. Rocks became more prevalent on the ground, while bamboo grew scarcer.

Han Li could no longer pull himself forward using bamboo stalks. This final part of the journey was practically a shuffle, inch by inch.

As he emerged from the bamboo forest, a vast expanse opened before him. Directly ahead stood an enormous rock face, on which several slender figures were already slowly ascending. Each was followed by a senior brother dressed similarly. Han Li wasted no time, rushing towards the giant rock wall.

The enormous rock face was composed of layers of weathered sedimentary rock. Some parts crumbled upon touch, while others contained many sharp, sturdy rock fragments. In just the time it takes to eat a meal, Han Li's hands were already covered in scratches. His elbows and knees were torn, and the skin beneath was cut in numerous places. Even though the wounds were small, fine gravel embedded in them intensified the pain.

The leading few had already climbed far ahead. Recalling the words of his family and Third Uncle, Han Li gritted his teeth and painstakingly continued his ascent.

Before setting off, Han Li's father and Third Uncle had warned him that the entrance test would be difficult and that he wouldn't be able to join the Seven Mysteries Sect if he didn't persevere. At this point, Han Li no longer cared whether he could join the Seven Mysteries Sect or not. Instead, a surge of stubborn determination welled up within him; he felt compelled to catch up to the others.

Han Li laboriously raised his head and looked. The person climbing furthest ahead was Wu Yan, who was more than a year older than Han Li and had practiced some martial arts. His body was much stronger than the other children's, so it was not surprising that he was in the lead.

Han Li glanced back a few times, seeing many figures still moving behind him. He took a breath and accelerated his pace once more.

He expended every ounce of his remaining strength, yet still couldn't close the distance with the leading few. His body grew increasingly heavy, and he watched as the sun gradually climbed to the center of the sky. Meanwhile, Wu Yan had already reached the end of the giant rock face.

There was a vertical, steep cliff, over thirty *zhang* high. A dozen hemp ropes, each with fist-sized knots, hung from the cliff top. Wu Yan was now climbing one of them, slowly moving inch by inch towards the summit.

Watching Wu Yan ahead, Han Li felt a wave of discouragement. He knew he couldn't catch up to the leading few, and there wasn't enough time.

The moment this thought crossed his mind, a burning pain simultaneously flared in his injured elbows and knees. His limbs felt weak, and one hand, gripping the rock, trembled. Suddenly, his whole body lurched downwards. Han Li's heart pounded with fright, and he quickly pressed himself tightly against the rock face, daring not to move again.

After a while, his heart calmed. He then reached for an protruding rock edge, pulled on it a few times to confirm its stability, and finally felt reassured.

Han Li subconsciously looked back and saw the senior brother behind him half-crouched, arms spread open, in a protective stance. Only when he saw that Han Li was safe did he slowly straighten up.

Han Li felt a surge of gratitude. If he had truly fallen, all his previous efforts would have been in vain! So, after a brief rest, he slowly moved forward again, climbing towards one of the thick hemp ropes hanging from the cliff.

He finally reached an unoccupied hemp rope. The sun was almost directly overhead, with less than half an hour until noon. By this time, Wu Yan had already scaled the cliff top and was looking back down. Just as Han Li reached the bottom of the rope, he saw Wu Yan raise his arm and flick his pinky finger twice at those below. Wu Yan then burst into hearty laughter and departed.

A wave of irritation swept over Han Li. He quickly grabbed the hemp rope and began to climb upward.

However, Han Li had no strength left in his entire body; he could barely even grasp the knots on the rope.

After much effort, he finally climbed onto the last knot. Once he sat on it, his entire body felt limp, and he couldn't move a single finger. He laboriously turned his head to look and saw several other children sitting further down the rock face, gasping for breath. It seemed they, like him, had expended their last ounce of strength.

Han Li could only offer a wry smile. He had truly underestimated this test. Thankfully, he hadn't fallen behind the very last. He turned his head again and saw the cold-faced senior brother. After a moment of hesitation, Han Li resolved to push himself a little further up. Even though he certainly wouldn't reach the top before noon, stopping here would be too humiliating!

Han Li stretched his somewhat stiff hands, using the little strength he had just recovered. He slowly tried to move upward along the knots, but his hands had completely stopped obeying him. He couldn't grasp the rope at all. After fumbling for a moment, he still made no progress.