9 Chapter 8. (1/2)

Once everyone was finished with the strength test it was time to start the final test, the test of fortitude. Everyone would be tested simultaneously likely because the old man wanted to keep posing.

We stood in rows within the central plaza as the old man walked before us with the air of a reluctant hero whose time had passed. Grandpa, I like your style, but aren't you too old for this?

While I had such rude thoughts the old man said four words, ”let the test begin.”

Before I realized it, my wife and I stood behind the little MC. It looked like we would have front row seats for the upcoming show.

The old man started at realm pressure of a 2nd realm mortal. Ten minutes passed by as he quickly worked his way up to realm pressure of a 5th realm mortal. About 400 people fell to their knees and were eliminated during the process. Once they fell to their knees the old man no longer applied pressure them.

When the old man reached realm pressure of the 6th realm, 100 people fell to their knees. All of the 2nd and 3rd realm mortals were eliminated at this point and only those 4th and 5th realm mortals continued to stand resolutely like the little mob characters they were.

I'm not trying to be rude here, but all I could think of them as were mob and filler characters. My reason being, if I squinted my eyes hard enough and looked closely; plastered to 90% of their faces, I swear I could almost make out a piece of paper with a question mark written on it.

As I silently finished insulting 90% of the crowd, the old man emitted pressure of a 7th realm mortal. Upon doing so, 200 more individuals dropped out.

Once it reached pressure of an 8th realm mortal, 250 people, which included my wife and I fell to our knees. We reached the minimum 15 points required to join the sect and found there was no need to keep up with the act.

The little MC on the other hand stood strong, gritting teeth while staring daggers at the old man like he was suffering the greatest injustice of his life.

The old man was clearly annoyed by the MC's glare as he increased the strength to the 9th realm. At this pressure 80 more people dropped out and only 20 remained. Finally it reached 10th realm mortal pressure and the MC was trembling. The rage that clouded his vision was clearly visible to anyone, but no one dared to say a single word.

Something was clearly wrong and I asked my wife ”can you tell what pressure he is really enduring?”

”4th realm semi transcendent.”

What? Such blatant cheating and the sect does nothing about it? Did you think I would actually say that? Of course there would be blatant cheating which for some reason no one inexplicably points out. Child, that is the fate of being a MC.

At this point there were only four people standing.

”What about the other three people?”

”Two of them are facing 10th realm mortal pressure while one of them is facing 8th realm mortal pressure.”

Hahaha. Man, being a MC sucks. It's like the world just wants to take a dump on your face.

”I see, so that brat at the lowest pressure is the one who is favored by the elders of the sect.”

He must also be the great antagonist and the MCs first roadblock in life.

I could only shake my head. ”Regardless of whether this child withstands the pressure, it was all for naught. There is no way he could actually win if there is cheating to such a degree.”

”Unless my little wife, do you think you can pull some strings and make those three fall to their knees without anyone noticing?”

”My darling husband are you stupid? I am a lower realm god, is there anything that I cannot do in this mortal world? However, interfering would not be beneficial for the development of this child. As much as it pains my heart...”

”You mean as long as it's more interesting, it's all good right?”

”Ehem… the more hardship one endures the stronger they become.”

She totally ignored me while looking into the distance with a profound look. My wife, I thought you were new to posing? Since when were you a professional?

”Look at this twelve year old child, his pride is as high as the heavens. Husband, do you think he would be satisfied winning because we assisted him. He definitely would not be content even if he knew he were being cheated. He wishes to overturn the views of everyone with his own power. If the elders do not approve he will make them approve. He is clearly the type to endure, endure and endure some more; to the point where he will one day come out on top.”

”Now that it has reached realm pressure of a 1st realm semi transcendent two of the remaining four have fallen right away. The last kid over there is only enduring 9th realm mortal pressure. Yet this twelve year old is still standing at 5th realm semi transcendent pressure. Darling, I do have to say, you were quite right. I am definitely surprised that he can still remain standing up to this point. It looks like this may be as far as he goes though.”