Chapter 7: Pressure Became a Stepping Stone
The cloud-covered volcano, the Sacrifice, had been menacing for the younger ones. They knew that they are still far from the foot of the volcano but it is already this tall. However, in front of these two men, they can't actually see the Sacrifice.
Even though the Elders already mentioned that the Patriarch may participate, the youngsters didn't really think much about it and brush it off. Some as proud as they were for being chosen, they couldn't believe that they would easily see their Patriarchs at such a young age. It was too far for them to reach it.
These talents had their legs being wobbly and losing strength. They had to focus and strengthened their hold to not fall and embarrassed themselves in front of these Patriarchs and Elders but some that have the lowest cultivation of these youngsters already dropped to their knees.
The Patriarch of the Lei Clan, Lei Zhuang, he may look like a middle-aged man but his age could almost be comparable to the Elders. His long white hair reflected the sunlight still in that windless moment. His sharp eyes looked over the youngsters who had fallen, however, nobody knows what he was thinking since he had an unchanging slight smile.
The Patriarch of the Yun Clan, Yun Kang, he has black spiky hair and looked at his forties. He is a little skinny and looking quite a fatigue with his eyes closed and darkened underneath but he has this dissatisfied expression on his face.
The two Patriarchs were wearing a simple suit according to their Clan. Azure for Lei Zhuang and white for Yun Kang. The reason those youngsters recognized that they are the Patriarch was because of the crest in their belt. A wolf and a snake carved on the crest.
These youngsters and even the guardians had their head flooded with memories about how they learned about in school about the crest of the Patriarch on their belts, signifying power over the whole Clan. At that time, nobody was unamazed by how powerful these Patriarchs are. They became idols and even to the point of seeing as a god inside these youngsters heads so losing their strength was normal but they still can't afford to fall on their knees.
The Patriarchs are not excluding any of their auras but their presence and existence alone made them lost their strength. The only way to get past them was to get accustomed to it.
From the very start, Mu was the first who fell on her knees. She was only fourteen and only in the Eight Step of the Mortal Realm, there is nothing she can do about it when she lost her strength in her knees. On top of it, two of the Thirty-Five Powerhouses were in front of her. How could she not get excited?!
Uncle Xiu was concerned for her. Even though the guardians felt the same, they have more experience in life that they can easily hold themselves.
Feeling weak, Mu gritted her teeth and clenched the grass and the soil beneath her palms. This was currently how weak she is. They felt the same as if they saw god in front of them. Only for a little while before she regained her strength a little and stood up. By the time she stood up, everyone was already standing and waiting for her.
When the Patriarchs saw that everybody got a hold of themselves, Patriarch Lei spoke, "After a few moments, the first expedition around the Sacrifice will officially start.", his voice was soft and loud while he barely moved his lips, "We have come to assure your protection at all costs.", his eyes then looked at the youngsters again and shouted, "All of the young ones that you have brought are all talented and are considered a genius. Young ones! Good luck!", Patriarch Lei did not speak any longer to not scare the children too much. A little bit of pressure was fine. They knew how dangerous going to the Sacrifice will be since it has been decades that they've been observing the energy fluctuations around it. Today was especially strong so they decided to attend. They could only hope them luck and survive in this expedition.
The youngsters felt strongly pressured that their chest felt tight, even the guardians were not an exception.
However, it was different for Mu. Earlier, she lost her strength out of excitement and pressure. Seeing a Patriarch, one of the Powerhouses of the whole world was simply breath-catching. That was more than when she met Elder Min and now that danger approached, she surprisingly took it well. It made her more thrilled about this.
"Elders, be ready at all times. Since we are here, only Grade 4 Beasts and above would dare to attack us.", Patriarch Lei spoke while Patriarch Yun stayed silent, "Nobody shall separate from the group and simply follow us."
All the Elders nodded.
"For now, we will wait a little more for the top students from the main branch of the family to come. They will come late since they are only informed a week ago. For the time being, prepare yourselves.", Patriarch Lei then closed his eyes, "That is all."
Right after that, the two Patriarchs went into the woods and informed no one what they will do.
After they have left, the Elders advised the youngsters to meditate and use the pressure to help their energy flow in a different flow this time to see any other more ways that are compatible with them. This is also to help to relieve the pressure. Before Elder Min could say anything, Mu was already sitting in a meditative position and was focusing.
Elder Min smiled at this sight and told Uncle Xiu to not disturb her or anyone as he will go and associate with the other Elders. They have a lot to catch on.
Because of this, the guardians have nothing to do but to look over their child with worried faces that they too fell over meditation to control their emotions.
A lot of time passed since then. The sun hid over the Sacrifice, letting its shadow devour the land. The afternoon looked like it was already night time there.
While the others were resting on the grassy ground and making themselves comfortable, sometimes even post-meditation was taxing, Mu was still in her meditative posture and trying something over the flow of her body's energy.
'Almost there...', sweats poured from her forehead as she breathed deeply. Currently, she was trying to make the energy within her chest go further to her limbs and head.
She was currently in the Eight Step in the Mortal Realm. There are Nine Steps in total and gate which you will have to open for the next realm.
Uncle Xiu was observing Mu for a while now and didn't know what she was doing. Elder Min told her to meditate so she can relieve the pressure but if she is overdoing it then it will completely defeat its purpose. Yet, he still chose not to disturb her, he trusts that she knew what she was doing.
After that, night already came and that was when Mu opened her eyes. Instead of feeling fatigued and tired, she was instead, feeling rejuvenated. She stood up and stretched her body with a cheerful smile on her face.
She saw Uncle Xiu who was resting his head on his palm while sitting down and dozing off. When Mu walked to him, Uncle Xiu snapped out of his daydreaming and looked at Mu but stayed silent.
"You...", Uncle Xiu narrowed his eyes, "... Did you just stepped into the Ninth Step?"
Mu stared just stared at him and smiled widely as a reply.
"Ha... This kid...", it made Uncle Xiu dumbfounded, "Didn't you just stepped up in the 6th month last year?"
"Yes", Mu slightly tilted her chin up as she knew that she was going to be raised.
"It's still the 3rd month this year and you already stepped up again?"
"Yes", she then crossed her arms beneath her chest.
"Wow, Mu is really talented...", Uncle Xiu reached out his hand to pat Mu on the head.
"Hmph-hmph!", Mu nodded and after she got a pat, she sat beside Uncle Xiu.
"Maybe in a hundred years, you can reach the Heavenly Realm.", Uncle Xiu laughed, "At this state, you will be the first person to pass the Heavenly Realm and reach the fabled Immortal Realm."
Mu was silent for a brief moment before saying, "Is reaching higher realms really that important?"
"Ah...", Uncle Xiu stopped laughing and didn't expect Mu to ask something like that.
"I mean, I can already search for father at this stage. I'll just avoid the Beasts and the Demons. Is cultivation really that needed?", Mu pondered.
'She's in that age, after all.', Uncle Xiu just looked at her. This is an important stage of her life. This is the stage where her future personality may form. However, before he could answer her, someone in the background shouted:
"The two Patriarchs are back!"
Eyes followed the shout as they saw the two Patriarchs coming out of the woods. This time, they are not alone, two more youngsters were following them like sheeps.
One of them, Mu recognized them, she shouted, "Uncle Xiu! It's Brother Zhe!"
"Everyone, the expedition starts now, I believe all of you had already prepared.", Patriarch Lei spoke, his voice was loud but looked like he had just whispered and as always, Patriarch Yun was silent whilst his eyes closed.
'So Brother Zhe was the top student of the Lei Clan!', Mu excitedly thought. For that reason, she got pumped up. The expedition finally started.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone