Chapter 4: Refining Bone Cliff

  "Listen up, everyone," Master Yuedao said loudly. "From the small path in the bamboo forest, you can reach the Bone Refining Cliff of the Seventh Mystic Gate. The first section is the Bamboo Forest Zone, followed by the Rocky Zone, and finally a cliff. Only those who can reach the top of the cliff can enter the Seventh Mystic Gate. If you cannot arrive before noon, although you cannot become an official disciple, if you show some remarkable performance, you can be taken in as a registered disciple."

  Han Li didn't quite understand the meaning of "registered disciple", but he knew that no matter what, he had to move forward and climb the mountain. He looked ahead and saw a slope that wasn't particularly steep, with many thick and thin bamboo stalks growing on it, which seemed not too difficult to climb!

  Han Li looked at others, he was unwilling to lose to his peers, and the atmosphere between other children also became suddenly tense.

  Yuedang host looked at the rising sun and said: "The time is almost up, let's get ready to set off! Don't be afraid, your senior brothers will protect you from behind and won't let you take any risks."

  Han Li turned his head to look at the young men behind him, it turned out that these people were called Shixiong, probably the disciples he had accepted before, if he joined too, could he wear the same cool clothes!

  As he was indulging in wild fancies, Han Li suddenly discovered that all the other children had already rushed into the bamboo forest. Seeing this scene, he hastily followed them.

  The bamboo forest should be very vast, with more than 30 children rushing in and immediately dispersing. Behind Han Li was a tall and thin senior brother who followed closely, his face cold and expressionless, not saying a word as he trailed behind him. Han Li felt a bit afraid and didn't dare to speak to him, so he just lifted his feet, lowered his body, and slowly made his way forward along the slope.

  This bamboo forest doesn't look like much, but after walking for a long time, it starts to feel tiring. The legs get heavier and heavier as they move forward, and gradually Han Li has to use one hand to slightly pull on the bamboo stem to move forward, in order to conserve some energy.

  He had persisted for a long time, and Han Li was really tired enough to collapse, so he simply found a mound of earth and sat down with a thud, panting constantly.

  Han Li took a moment to turn around and glance at his tall, thin senior brother. Despite the steep terrain being quite treacherous, this senior brother was still standing motionless, without even a speck of dust on him, standing upright like the bamboo trees, quietly gazing at Han Li from not far below.

  Han Li saw his senior's cold gaze and felt a little scared, so he quickly turned his head back. He then heard the sound of heavy breathing coming from in front, knowing that there were people who climbed faster than him also resting ahead. Han Li stayed for a moment before hurrying to catch up.

  The slope was even steeper, and Han Li's strength was getting smaller and smaller. In order not to stand still while walking, Han Li could only bend down, hands and feet together, fortunately the clothes on his body were sturdy enough, otherwise the joints of his limbs would be worn out.

  Finally, they were almost out of the dense bamboo forest, but Han Xiang felt that this last bit of road was getting harder and harder to walk, with more and more rocks on the ground and fewer and fewer bamboos.

  Han Li could no longer pull himself forward with his bamboo pole, and this last stretch of road was a crawl inch by inch.

  As soon as he walked out of the bamboo forest, he saw a vast expanse in front of him. Right in front was an enormous boulder, on top of which several small figures were already slowly climbing up. Behind each of them followed a fellow disciple dressed in the same attire. Han Li didn't hesitate any longer and hastily ran towards the giant stone wall ahead.

  The stone wall of this boulder is layered with overlapping rocks, severely weathered, and some places will crumble at the slightest touch. Of course, there are also many sharp rock fragments that have withstood the test. In just one meal's time, Han Li's hands were already covered in scars, his elbows and knees had torn clothes, and the skin underneath was cut in many places. Although the wounds were small, some fine rock debris seeped into them, adding to the pain.

  The people in front had already climbed far away, Han Li thought of his family and Third Uncle's words, he could only grit his teeth again and continued to climb up with difficulty.

  Before setting off, Han Li's father and third uncle had already reminded him that the entrance test would be very difficult. If he didn't persist to the end, it would be impossible to join the Seven Mysteries Sect. At this time, Han Li no longer cared about whether or not he could enter the Seven Mysteries Sect. A fierce determination suddenly arose in his heart, and this pent-up breath made him determined to catch up with the others.

  Han Li raised his head and looked up with difficulty, now the person crawling in front was Wu Yan. Wu Yan was after all more than one year older than Han Li, had also practiced some martial arts, and his body was much stronger than the other children, so it wasn't surprising that he was crawling in front.

  Han Li turned his head and glanced back at the rear, there were still many figures moving behind him. Han Li took a deep breath and accelerated forward again.

  All the strength of drinking milk has been used, but still can't narrow the distance with the people in front, the body is getting heavier and heavier, the sun is slowly climbing to the middle of the sky, while Wu Yan has already climbed to the top of the giant stone wall.

  There was a vertically steep cliff, over thirty zhang high, with more than a dozen hemp ropes hanging down from the top of the cliff, and on each rope there were knots as big as fists. Wu Xiang was now climbing up one of them, slowly moving towards the top of the cliff.

  Han Li looked at the Dance Rock in front of him and felt a bit discouraged. He knew he couldn't catch up with the people in the front, and time was running out too.

  As this thought occurred, the injured parts of his elbows and knees suddenly transmitted a burning pain, his limbs went limp, and the hand grasping the rock trembled. His whole body was about to fall down, Han Li's heart thumped rapidly, and he hastily pressed himself tightly against the stone wall, not daring to move again.

  After a while, I calmed down and used my hand to grab a protruding stone corner, pulled it a few times, and felt more secure.

  Han Li subconsciously turned his head to look back, and saw that his senior brother was half squatting with his arms open, in a defensive posture to protect Han Li. Seeing that he was safe again, he slowly stood up straight.

  Han Li felt a surge of gratitude in his heart, if he really fell down, all the hard work before would be in vain! So he took a short rest, and then slowly moved forward again, crawling towards the thick hemp ropes hanging on the cliff.

  Finally arrived at one of the deserted hemp ropes, the sun had almost reached the center of the sky, leaving less than half a time to reach noon. At this time, Wu Yan had climbed to the top of the cliff and was looking down. When Han Li climbed to the bottom of the hemp rope, he happened to see Wu Yan, who raised his arm, stretched out his little thumb, and lightly gestured twice towards the people below the cliff, then burst into a fit of crazy laughter before leaving.

  Han Li felt a surge of annoyance in his heart and quickly grabbed onto the hemp rope, climbing up.

  But Han Li had exhausted all his strength and energy, and now he could hardly even grasp a fist.

  When he finally climbed up to the last knot with great effort, and sat down on it, he felt soft all over his body, unable to move even a finger. With a laborious turn of his head, he saw that there were still some children sitting on the stone wall behind him, panting heavily, apparently having used up their last bit of strength just like himself.

  Han Li could only bitterly smile to himself, he had underestimated this test. Fortunately, he hadn't fallen behind, but as he turned his head, he saw that cold and detached senior brother of his. Han Li hesitated for a moment before gritting his teeth and continuing to climb upwards with all his might. Although it was impossible for him to reach the top before noon, stopping now would be too embarrassing!

  Han Hui stretched out his slightly stiff hands, exerted a bit of the strength he had just recovered, and slowly moved up along the knot. However, at this time Han Li's hands were completely unresponsive and couldn't grasp the rope. After struggling for a while, he still couldn't get any results.