The Nine Lords Of Order - Chapter 44

As soon as Mars took a step into the central bridge he felt countless gazes focusing onto him. Feeling cold on his back Mars looked down below but he could only see a few shadows moving around but nothing he could recognize.

With each step he took he could slowly feel some kind of dark pressure building up on his body making it harder to keep moving forward. Although this pressure wasn’t much yet, if it kept accumulating then it might reach a point where he might be overwhelmed.

After a while Mars had already gone through hundreds of steps and could already feel a stifling sensation on his body. He could also feel his mind being invaded by some energy and suddenly felt very irritated. Shaking his body Mars tried to unleash his own aura to resist the pressure but only some arcs of electricity streaked across his body. However his actions still bore some effect and the pressure quickly vanished.

Raising an eyebrow Mars was getting an idea of what kind of test this was, however he kept going forward and as he did the pressure kept increasing.

Hidden within the clouds above there were a few youngsters watching, most of them were men but a few of them were women. They all wore black robes which were identical to the one the worn by young man who lead Mars and Ena to this place.

“How far do you think they’ll get?” A red haired youth asked while he scratched his chin.

“I heard the guy is a chosen, he will probably surpass the Three-thousand meter mark.” A lady said leisurely.

“Really? I don’t think so. This bridge also tests the heart, not only talent. If his heart is weak then he might not even surpass two thousand meters, after all, this test might get harder if the person being tested has flaws in his heart or mind.” Another young man said with a deep voice.

“I don’t know… this guy looks like he will get very far. Although the difficulty of the test depends on those two factors you mentioned, a more talented person will be more capable and will make it further despite the difficulties. However it’s impossible for him to make it as far as that monster though. He even surpassed the eight thousand meter mark!” The red haired youth responded.

“That guy was very impressive I heard as soon he left this dimension several elders from each palace came to recruit him. However his path was rather unique so no one dared to take him as a disciple. Even so, he soon managed to become the prime disciple from Loftycloud palace!” A pretty young lady said with awe apparent in her expression.

“That person was able to use some of his power on the bridge and forcefully resist the pressure. If you take a careful look this guy can do it as well…”

After five hundred meters Mars could already feel a force which was slowly corrupting his mind. Dark emotions distracted him and his aura became unstable. With his aura unstable, the protection he was using weakened and the pressure which weighted on his shoulders became several times heavier.

Shocked Mars quickly bit his tongue and and cleared his mind. Clenching his fists his aura became steady once again and the pressure diminished.

‘Alright, this might not be as easy as I thought but I can still keep going!” Gritting his teeth Mars increased his speed and dashed several tens of steps forward. Soon he reached the thousand meter mark with an incredible momentum. With each step he took his energy surged in waves and his path gem quickly pulsated as if it was angry that it was being suppressed.

More arcs of electricity streaked through Mars body and even though the pressure was getting stronger Mars could still keep going with the same momentum.

After he passed the thousand meter mark the howls of ghosts filled the area. The howls seemed to possess some kind of power and when they got into Mars head he could feel his mind grow dizzy and he stumbled, almost falling.

Emotions of fear and anguish seemed to grab his heart causing him to pant. His momentum was quickly weakened and his aura grew unstable. Feeling the pressure increasing once again Mars suddenly gave load roar and blue light started to shine around him. The rumbling of thunder came from inside his heart and the pressure weakened once again.

After several steps he soon surpassed the two thousand meter mark and kept going forward. Things kept growing harder and harder but he still kept going!

Swoosh! After he surpassed the 2000 meter mark a grey mist quickly filled the bridge. Although this was mist, Mars suddenly felt as if he was moving through water and his movements became ever more difficult. However he still kept dashing forwards!

2300 meters!

2600 meters!

2900 meters!

3000 meters!

“Look he made it past the 3000 mark and his momentum is still strong!” The red haired youth said excitedly.

“The girl is also advancing very quickly. It seems like she will also cross the 3000 meter mark” The lady with the leisure voice mentioned.

“They are both great talents. Now that one of them passed the three thousand meter mark then it means that some elders will probably be coming soon”

The people high above in the clouds were enjoying the test below. They were in charge of assessing the people who were in the process of entering one of the palaces. Usually most of the people who were tested here were not that impressive. Almost everyone barely made it past the thousand meter mark which was the minimum requirement to pass the test. Every now and then someone outstanding would appear and the elders would come and try to recruit that person to their own faction.

Although the three palaces usually acted as a sole entity, there would always be inner competition for power and resources.

After Mars passed the 3000 meter mark the temperature started to decrease rapidly and frost quickly started to appear all over his body. It seemed that every time he crossed a thousand meter mark a new element would appear and make the test even more difficult. By this point he had to use a lot more of his energy to protect himself and his energy was being quickly drained.

Rumble!

Thunder rumbled from Mars body and he shooting forwards. However his speed was not as great as before. He had only taken a few tens of steps to cross the first thousand meters however he was now advancing at a much slower pace. Soon he made it past 3500 meter mark. After another step he advanced another 25 meters and kept going like that until he reached the 3900 meter mark. Frost was quickly building up all over his body and the energy he released had a reduced effect in protecting himself.

“Fudge! They never told me how far I must get before passing this test!” Mars could tell difficulty was increasing rapidly and he didn’t know how far he would be able to make it. “Well, maybe I passed already however I should still go as far as I can!”

Gritting his teeth Mars kept running forward with all he had.

After he went past the 4000 meter mark he had trouble running so he had no other choice but to walk instead.

After the 5000 meter mark he had trouble even walking and his exhaustion increased.

After the 6000 meter mark he was already gasping for breath and would often stumble.

Slowly he was approaching the 7000 thousand mark but he could feel he was close to his limit. With every step he took several mental and physical attacks would strike him. Not only was his body weak, his mind was also exhausted.

“Impressive! He might be able to break the record from the Loftycloud’s prime disciple!” The red haired said with some awe apparent on his face.

“If he accomplishes that then he might be able to fight for the position of prime disciple as well! However he is not going to make it. The prime disciple record is 8267 meters and the pretty boy below is already exhausted.” THe youth with the deep voice said as he analysed the situation.

“Well, he might still make it!” A pretty girl said as she gazed at Mars with glittering eyes. Apparently she was attracted by Mars’ handsome looks and outstanding talent.

“Even if he doesn’t break the record from the prime disciple he will surely cause a commotion once he enters Loftycloud!”

By now more people had appeared standing on the black clouds above. Aside from the youths who were conversing, several people with elder robes were there as well. Even Ena was there and at her side was a middle aged woman. Apparently Ena had barely gone past the 4000 meter mark which was considered very impressive so this woman had taken her as a disciple.

The 13th elder, the person who had brought Mars and his companions from the southern territories to this place was also standing on a nearby black cloud. She would often look at the youth who was struggling on the bridge and then she would take another look at Ena.

She was surprised and confused. She had brought Ena here, so she was well aware that her talent was below average. But now her talents and capabilities were on par with the most outstanding chosen! It did not make sense at all!

At first she thought she was not observant enough all those years ago, however she then remembered that the three chosen she brought were pretty famous in the southern territories. If Ena was a chosen, then she would have known! She could only attribute Ena’s changes to some kind of opportunity she had luckily encountered.

‘Well, since she ended up joining my faction its fine. Although she is not under me, elder Wilma is the most suitable person to guide her.’ Playing with her hair she threw another glance at Mars who was struggling below.