Once Harry said those words, the Room of Requirements seemed to come to life. Thousands upon thousands of runes became visible on the floor, the ceiling, the seven walls, each casting a brilliant blue light and joining to form a complex chain of formations. Together, they illuminated the whole seven-sided room.
"Selecting the test…" the same female voice from earlier, the one that emanated from the stone platform in the Snowy Owl Clan, sounded out. Belatedly, Harry realized this was probably Rowena Ravenclaw's voice.
Everyone stood in tense anticipation, as whatever the formation chose for the test could decide the outcome. It was impossible to know what the test would be, as not only did it change with each competition, it was always something completely different. Furthermore, sometimes it involved a challenge that most cultivators couldn't possibly imagine – like searching a room of junk for treasure. Many times it didn't even involve one's cultivation or strength, but rather their wisdom and knowledge.
It was impossible to predict what the test could be.
'Just not a group fight… not a group fight…' Harry prayed in his mind. Though none of these people should have been strong enough to injure him, it was also true that he couldn't injure them either. And since these people were all from powerful clans, besides Daniel and Sullivan, they likely had precious treasures and weapons on them – which perhaps could injure or even kill him. Therefore, he fervently hoped it wouldn't be a group fight. It'd be best if it didn't involve fighting at all.
The runes glowed for many seconds, and then just as abruptly as they came to life, they dimmed and the room returned to its original appearance.
"Test selected. The one who receives my final inheritance must be a cultivator with great talent, one worthy of my name and one who can receive my personal approval. They must pass the most difficult of my tests, by successfully challenging the final gauntlet."
"All competitors will climb the staircase!"
The… staircase?
Harry looked around the room blankly, only to see everyone sporting the same lost looks. What staircase?
But immediately after the voice spoke, the room started distorting before Harry's eyes. It originally had seven sides, but it quickly morphed into a rectangular shape, long and narrow. The walls, the floor, the ceiling, even the walls of light, they stretched themselves to take the shape of the new room. New walls of light formed, neatly separating each person from their neighbors. The room, and seemingly space itself, shifted around them in a way such that, even though nobody moved, they found themselves all standing in a long line, side by side, backs against one of the long walls.
The walls of light still existed, but instead of separating each group, they now separated individuals. Everyone was confined to a narrow lane, just wide enough so that one could touch both walls if they stretched both arms outwards.
Then in front of them, a tall and wide staircase appeared out of thin air, growing upwards step by step. Engraved on each step of the staircase was a mind-boggling amount of runes. Harry counted 20 steps in all, forming a path to the top of the room.
Harry looked to his left, and saw Firenze the centaur furiously glaring back at him. His snout was pressed against the wall of light, like he was searching for a weakness in it. No doubt, he was frustrated that mere inches separated himself from his victim. Harry quickly turned to look to his right – and saw the angry face of Draco Malfoy, who was similarly probing for weaknesses.
Somehow, out of the 28 people in the room… he was stuck between Firenze and Draco Malfoy!
'You've got to be kidding me,' Harry groaned. How could his luck be so bad?
"James, consider yourself lucky this wall of light exists between us!" Firenze finally spat, unable to overcome the barrier.
Before Harry could say anything back, Rowena Ravenclaw's voice sounded out again.
"I will now explain the challenge of the staircase. I will only explain it once, so listen well."
"The test of the staircase is a representation of the struggles of the cultivation world. You all start at the bottom, and to pass the test, you must climb to the top. Each step upwards will be a challenge – and to overcome them, it will depend on your own strength.
"There are four tests in all, each of which tests one of the four most important qualities of any powerful cultivator – strength, determination, comprehension, and talent. Accordingly, the four tests are the test of strength, the test of determination, the test of comprehension, and the test of talent."
"During each test, you will be able to climb a number of steps, the exact number depending on your strength, your determination, your comprehension, or your talent. The higher they are, the more steps you will be able to climb. As long as you climb all 20 steps, you will have passed."
"As for the prize, it has already been placed at the top of the staircase. It will only become visible once someone reaches the 20th step."
"The test of the staircase is meant to be a fair and impartial test. You may not use any external cultivation aids. You may only use strengths inherent to your own body, including, but not limited to, cultivation techniques, Magic Spirits, and bloodline powers. You will find that your Space Rings and similar artifacts are sealed."
Hearing those words, Harry tried to open his Space Ring, but found a strange force blocking his Qi. When he tried to interact with his Space Ring, it felt like his Qi just slipped right off. Indeed, it was sealed off from him.
"Furthermore, the test of the staircase is an individual test. It does not matter how many people came along with you through one of my platforms, as you are all competing against each other."
Harry sighed a breath of relief at those words. Meanwhile, everyone else looked around with gloomy expressions. In the past, there were occasions where the test was a group competition. That was why whenever the platforms activated, everyone made sure to send in seven people, a pleiad to work together to hopefully pass the test. But this time… the allies turned into competitors!
The walls of light separating everybody were the best proof of Rowena Ravenclaw's words. Although everyone was climbing the same staircase, everyone was stuck to their own lane. There was no way someone could pass one of the walls and interfere with someone else taking the test.
"The first portion of the staircase will test your strength. As the contestant with the lowest cultivation is at the 2nd level of the Qi Absorption Realm," – all eyes shot to Harry – "the staircase has been adjusted accordingly. When you step onto the first step, the pressure of the 2nd level of the Qi Absorption Realm will attempt to force you off. You must resist the pressure for a minute – once the minute is up, you may move onto the next step."
"The pressure of each step is one level higher than the previous. The 2nd step will exert the pressure of the 3rd level of the Qi Absorption Realm on you, the 3rd step will exert the 4th level, and so on. The competition will continue until nobody can progress further, at which point, the test of determination shall begin."
"You will be considered to have failed if either of your feet leaves the step you are on. At that point, you will no longer be able to continue, and must stand in place until everybody has finished climbing. Wherever you finish after the test of strength will be your starting point for the test of determination."
"Remember, to gain my inheritance, you must climb a total of 20 steps across the four tests. The more steps you climb in the test of strength, the fewer you will need to climb in future tests."
"Now that I have explained the rules, the test shall begin. Step onto the first step."
20 steps!
20 steps was all that separated them from Rowena Ravenclaw's final treasure!
As long as they could climb the next 20 steps, a peerless treasure would be theirs, and their name would surely go down in history! There wasn't anybody who wasn't filled with excitement and determination.
Everybody was lined up right at the base of the staircase. Together, they all placed their feet onto the first step. Once they were all there, a pressure descended from above, gently pushing them downwards.
Just as Rowena Ravenclaw explained, it was the pressure equivalent to someone at the 2nd level of the Qi Absorption Realm. It was almost like a row of people at the 2nd level were standing on the second step, trying to drive all the competitors into the ground. If their bodies caved under the pressure, then they'd fall off and be eliminated. Harry almost felt like someone had their hands on his head and shoulders and was trying to press him down.
Despite that, Harry barely felt a thing. His tough physical body had progressed past the 2nd level of the Qi Absorption Realm long ago. And as for everyone else, they were all at the 7th level of the Qi Absorption Realm or higher. Therefore, this step didn't pose a challenge to anybody.
"Haha, James, it's over for you!" Malfoy's loud and snide voice echoed through the Room of Requirement. "While the rest of us climb on, you'll be stuck on this very first step. Haha, hahaha, just imagining it brings tears to my eyes!"
Around the room, similar looks of triumph and mockery could be seen on everyone else's faces. Perhaps James could make it through the second step – the 3rd level of the Qi Absorption Realm – before the pressure became too much, or perhaps, he wouldn't even pass the second step! In that case, he would be stuck on the very first step, hopelessly watching as everyone else climbed higher. Just imagining that situation brought some joy to all the people Harry had offended, which was pretty much everyone.
"Haha, you're right Draco! How can a little runt at the 2nd level compete against us?" Marcus Flint sneered.
"Hateful human, I look forward to seeing you stuck on the first step!" Firenze spat.
"If I were you, I'd just give up now!" Zacharias Smith called out from across the room.
Across the room, dozens of other insults made their way to Harry.
Harry chose to not respond, and just laughed inwardly. Indeed, it would have been a massive humiliation if he was stuck on step one, while the others made it to step six – at the very least. But when Harry heard the rules of the test of strength, he almost burst out laughing. Only Harry knew how strong he truly was. He had the confidence that he would come out on top in the test of strength.
After a minute passed…
Ding!
"Step onto the second step. You will feel the pressure of the 3rd level of the Qi Absorption Realm."
In unison, everyone climbed onto the second step. The pressure Harry was feeling increased to the 3rd level of the Qi Absorption Realm. But to Harry, this was still nothing!
Seeing James standing there calmly, a look of surprise appeared on Draco Malfoy's face. But it was quickly wiped away, and his usual scowl took its place.
"Hmph. So what if you made it to the second step? The difference between the 2nd and 3rd level isn't much."
"Even an insect could come this far," the centaur added on Harry's other side.
Harry just smiled to himself, not bothering to respond. Later on, he would be the one laughing.
The rest of the minute passed, and then –
Ding!
"Step onto the third step. You will feel the pressure of the 4th level of the Qi Absorption Realm."
Everybody advanced one step, and the pressure increased once again.
This time, it was the sneer on Firenze's face that froze. As Malfoy had said, it was indeed easier to fight above one's level for weaker people. The gap between the 2nd level and the 4th level was nothing compared to the gap between the 7th and the 9th, for example. But still, due to how quickly the power levels grew, in the Qi Absorption Realm, one's power roughly doubled every two levels. The strength of the 4th level was over twice the strength of the 2nd level!
Therefore, it was rare to find someone with this ability. Even in a Sacred Clan, such an ability would make them a talented cultivator.
"So what? It's just the 4th level. That son of a bitch will be eliminated the next step!" Zacharias Smith yelled out. Even though Zacharias was on the other side of the room, he hated James so much that he was closely monitoring James' progress.
"In the end, he'll still be stuck near the bottom!"
"That's right! Don't worry about him Draco! The third step is all that ant can reach!" Pansy's high-pitched and grating voice screeched from another part of the staircase.
Even though Pansy was on Draco's side, Harry clearly saw Draco's face twist in irritation.
'Interesting… could this be, a one-sided love?' Harry wondered. It was plainly obvious that Pansy liked Draco, while less obvious but still noticeable that Draco found her annoying. He kept that observation in mind, wondering if he could use that to his advantage later.
Ding!
"Step onto the fourth step. You will feel the pressure of the 5th level of the Qi Absorption Realm."
Smiling widely at both Malfoy and the centaur, Harry stepped onto the fourth step of the staircase. The pressure of the 5th level, considerably stronger than before, washed over him. It was like a giant hand was pressing down on him, forcing him to bend his knees and fall off the stairs. Yet, Harry resisted the pressure with no effort at all.
Seeing James still standing there, seemingly unaffected by the pressure, the sneers on Zacharias Smith and Pansy Parkinson were next to freeze. Everyone was looking towards James in surprise.
These people all knew very clearly, someone who had the defensive strength of three levels above their cultivation was a rare talent! Even when placed in a Sacred Clan, they would be at the very top! Generally, only powerful body cultivators or people who had special Magic Spirits had this level of power – but based on his appearance, James was no body cultivator, and he hadn't summoned his Magic Spirit. So how was this possible?
"Fine, I'll admit you impressed me," Malfoy conceded, though his facial expression made it clear saying those words hurt.
"But, the 5th level is your limit! And for someone of my talent, even the 9th or 10th steps are possible! In the end, I'll still be looking down on you!"
"Malfoy, do you enjoy eating your words?" Harry calmly asked. "Will you say the same thing on the fifth step?"
"Fifth step? Lowly human, do you really think trash like you can withstand the pressure of the 6th level?"
"Hmmm?" A smile stretched across Harry's face as he turned to look at Firenze. An idea for humiliating these beasts suddenly sprouted in his mind.
"And what if I do withstand it? What will you do then, Firenze?"
"If you withstand it? Impossible!"
"But let's say I can do it – what would you do?" Harry persisted.
"If you make it through the fifth step? I'd do anything if that happened!" Firenze sneered back.
"Haha, good, good, just what I was hoping you'd say! In that case… how about you slap yourself across the face? And of course, if I fail, I'll slap myself. How's that?"
"Deal!" Firenze snorted. "You better remember your words, lowly human."
"You too, little pony," Harry smirked back.
There was suddenly widespread interest in Harry and Firenze's bet. The first few levels of the staircase were trivial for everyone else, in fact, they were finding it rather boring. The existence of the bet livened things up.
Ding!
"Step onto the fifth step. You will feel the pressure of the 6th level of the Qi Absorption Realm."
Leisurely, Harry stepped onto the fifth step. The earlier pressure, comparatively light, had turned into a raging wind blowing against everyone. At least, that's what it both felt and looked like. A wall of force blew from the top of the staircase and headed downwards, while everyone braced themselves against it.
Everyone towards James, knowing he would be eliminated here… except… why was he standing on the fifth step so calmly?
The raging force on the staircase blew his hair and robes behind him, making it clear that he was suffering the same pressure as they were. But his back was straight, knees steady, face relaxed. Even as they watched, he lazily stretched his arms behind his back. Why wasn't he affected?
"You – how is this possible?" Malfoy's mouth went dry as he looked at James.
For someone at the 2nd level to withstand the power of the 3rd or 4th level was rare, but still within reason. Even the 5th level was possible, and the most talented body cultivators in the empire, those from the Sacred Clans, could reach this level. But to withstand even the 6th level… that was impossible!
The power of the 6th level was over four times the power of the 2nd level! How could someone withstand four times their own strength?
And furthermore, James said he was a rogue cultivator! He didn't have the backing or resources that a Sacred Clan could provide. Perhaps if James hailed from the Crabbe or Goyle or Bulstrode Sacred Clans, clans famed for their body cultivation techniques, then Draco could accept it. But for a rogue cultivator he had never heard of – he simply couldn't believe it!
Though everyone had various degrees of shock plastered on their faces, none were more furious than the centaurs. They had the strongest physical bodies, and often looked down on humans for their comparatively weaker flesh. Seeing a human, especially one like James, come this far was an outrage. And especially Firenze, who stood with his face etched into a scowl, fists tightly clenched, like he wanted to trot over and push James off the stairs himself.
Thinking of the bet he had just made, Firenze suddenly felt a heap of regret. It couldn't be… he'd actually have to slap himself?
Half the time had already passed, and Harry broke the silence by laughing at Firenze's angry expression.
"Have you prepared your face, Firenze?"
"You – the minute's not over!" the centaur spat.
"I know, I know. I'm just reminding you, in case you renege on our bet."
40 seconds… 45 seconds… 50 seconds… why wasn't James being blown off the staircase? Hundreds of chaotic thoughts flew around Firenze's mind. He absolutely couldn't accept that he was going to lose this bet!
55 seconds…
60 seconds…
Ding!
"Step onto the sixth step. You will feel the pressure of the 7th level of the Qi Absorption Realm."
No!
Mutely, everyone climbed up to the sixth step, while simultaneously looking at Firenze, wondering if he'd actually slap himself.
"What's wrong, Firenze?" Harry innocently asked.
"You – you –"
"Don't tell me, you're not going to uphold our bet?"
Firenze felt his face grow flush red with shame and anger. This was actually the second time he had been humiliated by this human!
"James, I refuse to accept this! Now we're facing the pressure of the 7th level! But you're still standing! That means, you're cheating!" Firenze yelled the first excuse that came to his mind.
And once he spoke it out loud, the accusation took root into his mind, becoming a reality.
"Right, you're cheating!"
"You're definitely cheating! That's the only explanation! Our bet was made with honorable intentions, and you broke those by cheating! Therefore, the bet doesn't count!"
"Hehe," Harry let out a low laugh. He wasn't upset, as he knew from the very beginning Firenze would never deign to slap his own face. He was just looking for a way to humiliate the centaur.
"I'm cheating? Why don't you tell me then, how am I cheating?"
To that, there was only silence.
"Do you see this, everyone?" Harry turned to address the rest of the humans of the room.
"This is the so-called 'noble' Star Scrying Centaur Clan. Everyone here is a witness to our bet, and everyone here heard Firenze say he would slap himself. Now he lost, and he refuses to uphold his end of the bet. Though he calls his clan noble, in reality, all they are are hypocrites and liars! Dishonorable and immoral! Witness the shamelessness of the ugly centaur race!"
Harry ended by dramatically pointing at Firenze, who flew into an enormous rage.
"JAMES – YOU SHUT UP! MY NOBLE CENTAUR CLAN CAN'T BE DESPISED BY TRASH LIKE YOU!" Firenze was frothing at the mouth.
"We have over 100 torture methods to use against those who offend our clan! After I cut the filthy tongue out your mouth, we'll peel the flesh off your body, break every one of your bones, then quarter you with the four strongest centaurs of my clan! Even if you kneel and beg for mercy, you won't receive it! That's the punishment a cheater like you deserves!"
Seeing Firenze getting so angry, Harry couldn't help but start laughing. Since these creatures had been enemies of the Snowy Owl Clan, he naturally didn't feel any pity. If anything, he hoped he could drive Firenze into even greater rage, and make him lose focus during the competition.
"Firenze is right! James, you're definitely cheating!" Pansy Parkinson's shrill voice rang from the other side of Draco Malfoy. Out of everyone in this room, she had the weakest physical body. She was using all her Qi to counteract the pressure. Therefore, seeing James effortlessly standing there drove her angry.
"I also think he's cheating!" Zacharias yelled from a different area of the room.
"As do I!" his friend Ernest joined in.
"The strength of the 7th level – it's many times higher than that of the 2nd! It's impossible for James to withstand it!"
"Therefore, he's cheating!"
"Lowly human, what despicable methods are you employing!?" another one of the centaurs demanded.
Even though all the humans looked down on Firenze now, his words had some merit. For someone like James to withstand this amount of pressure was plainly impossible. Some immediately believed he was cheating, others were slowly convinced as more and more people joined in on the accusations. After about half the minute had passed, nearly everyone looked at James with an outraged expression, convinced that James was using underhanded methods. Everyone except for Sullivan and Daniel, who had briefly witnessed his strength before.
Harry sighed. Part of him already knew something like this was going to happen. Everywhere he went, people were all the same. First, they mocked and ridiculed him. Then when he showed his true strength, they accused him of cheating. It was almost like these people were all reading off of the same script.
"Cheating? Despicable methods? Once again, let me ask you – how am I cheating?"
"How else do you explain it? It's the only explanation!" Draco Malfoy accused.
"I was born like this," Harry lied using the same excuse he always made. Of course, he wasn't going to tell anybody about the Nameless Seed or the Nameless Technique.
"My body is just naturally tough."
"LIAR!" an enraged voice roared from the other side of the room. Looking over, Harry saw it was that Rowle fellow who yelled. Though he was far away, Harry could clearly see him simply because he stood two heads above everyone else.
"How can a lowly rogue cultivator like you be this strong? It's impossible for you to be stronger than me! Therefore, you're cheating!" he spat.
"How?" Harry repeated.
"Who cares how you're cheating? You just are!" Rowle screamed back.
Suddenly, Harry was reminded of a nearly identical conversation he once had, back when he first met Maynard Hatton. Recalling the idiocy of that man, Harry just looked away, disinclined to argue further.
Though not everyone truly believed James cheated, it was the easier alternative to accept. As the most talented juniors of the empire, they were unwilling to admit someone else was better. By telling themselves that James cheated, it made it easier for themselves to cope.
Ding!
"Step onto the seventh step. You will feel the pressure of the 8th level of the Qi Absorption Realm."