From a distance, a tall mountain loomed, so high that its peak pierced through the clouds. The summit could not be seen clearly, always veiled by mist and sunlight. This was not a mountain any ordinary person would dare to climb. The winds that swept across its sides were sharp enough to tear through cloth, and the cold that blanketed its upper reaches could freeze a man to death within hours. Yet still, countless mortals attempted to ascend it.
Why, one might ask, would anyone risk their life for such a climb? The answer was simple. At the top of that mountain lay the entrance to the Floating Cloud Sect, one of the most respected high-tier martial sects in existence. It was said that those who could reach its gates would be allowed to take the entrance examination. Passing it meant stepping onto the path of cultivation — the path toward strength, longevity, and transcendence beyond mortal limits.
And so, despite the deadly conditions, people climbed. Most failed. Some never returned. Only a handful ever reached the top.
Among the climbers was a young man with dark hair, fair skin, and a lithe build. His name was Liam Osbert, and he was making his way up the steep, jagged rocks of the mountain, his fingers gripping rough stone, his body trembling slightly from fatigue. His breaths came out in short gasps, white mist forming with every exhale. His eyes, dark and steady, focused on the narrow path ahead.
He was climbing for the same reason any mortal would — to enter the Floating Cloud Sect. But unlike others, Liam carried a quiet confidence. He had something no one else did, something that made him certain he would reach the top.
After hours of continuous climbing, he reached a small ledge where he could rest. His body was drenched in sweat, though the air was freezing cold. He sat down carefully, leaning his back against the rock, and after a short silence, he muttered softly to himself.
"Status."
A faint blue light flickered before him, forming into a translucent screen only he could see.
> [Host: Liam Osbert]
[CP: ∞]
[Skills: Basic Climbing (Perfect Mastery), Basic Archery (Perfect Mastery)]
Liam's tired expression eased into a faint smile. The glowing words reflected in his eyes as he stared at the screen.
This was his greatest secret — what he called the Status Panel. He had no idea why he possessed it, only that it had appeared before him one day. The letters "CP" stood for Comprehension Points, and he had learned through experimentation that he could use them to instantly master any skill he learned. The most unbelievable part was that his CP was infinite.
In other words, as long as he learned a skill, he could perfect it instantly.
That was how he had mastered climbing in a single day. What would take others years of training, he accomplished effortlessly. And that was why, even on this deadly mountain where most mortals perished halfway, he remained calm. His breathing slowed, his heart steady. He believed with certainty that he would reach the peak.
He closed the screen and stood again after a short rest. His legs ached, and his arms felt heavy, but he continued upward. His fingers found cracks in the rocks with practiced precision, and his movements, though slow, were fluid and controlled. He was constantly fighting the mountain itself — the cold winds that whipped across his body, the sharp stones that tore at his hands, and the thin air that made every breath feel incomplete. Every moment tested the limits of his endurance.
Time passed slowly. Days blended together. He ate little and drank only the water that dripped from melting ice along the cliff. His muscles burned constantly, but his will never wavered. Every step he took was filled with determination. Whenever exhaustion threatened to overtake him, he whispered to himself, "Just a little higher."
And so, he climbed.
After several days, he finally pulled himself over a final ridge. His arms trembled, his vision swayed for a moment, and then his knees hit soft grass. For a moment, he did not understand. The mountain's surface had been nothing but rock and ice, but here, at the peak, the ground was covered in lush green grass, as if spring itself lived here.
Liam lay flat on his back, breathing hard. The sky above was vast and blue, completely free of clouds. The air was mild, neither cold nor hot, carrying a faint scent of flowers he could not name. It was peaceful — unreal compared to the deadly climb he had endured.
He stared up at the sky, his eyes half open. A small smile touched his lips as exhaustion finally overcame him. His vision blurred, and he lost consciousness on the spot.
Moments later, a shadow appeared beside him. It was a man dressed entirely in black, his robe bearing the symbol of a white cloud on the back — the emblem of the Floating Cloud Sect. The man's expression was calm and unreadable. He looked down at Liam for a moment, then took out a small porcelain bottle from his sleeve.
Without a word, he removed a single pill and placed it in Liam's mouth. The pill melted instantly, releasing a faint glow that spread through Liam's body. The man nodded slightly as Liam's breathing stabilized. Then, with practiced ease, he lifted Liam into his arms.
With a light push of his foot, he leapt into the air. His body rose several meters effortlessly, landing silently on another platform farther away. He continued this way, moving smoothly across the mountain's peak, until both of them disappeared into the distance.
---
When Liam next opened his eyes, he was lying on a soft bed. The ceiling above him was made of polished wood, with thin lines of gold carved along the edges. Warm light filled the room, giving it a tranquil atmosphere. For a moment, Liam didn't know where he was.
He slowly sat up. His body still felt sore, but the sharp pain was gone. He looked around and saw several other people lying on beds placed along the walls. Some were still unconscious, others sleeping peacefully. They all seemed around his age.
The room itself was spacious and clean. The air smelled faintly of herbs. Outside the window, he could hear faint birdsong and the sound of flowing water. It was completely different from the harsh, cold world of the mountain he had just climbed.
After a long silence, Liam exhaled softly and muttered to himself, "Where am I…?"
No one answered. Only the quiet hum of life around him responded.
And thus began the next step of his journey — though he didn't yet know it.