The moment Joshua's foot left the shimmering platform, the air changed.
It grew heavier, thicker, as if the very atmosphere of the Stairway was pressing down on him like an invisible mountain. The gentle coastal breeze of Driftbreak vanished, replaced by a sharp, metallic tang that stung his nostrils. His heart slammed against his ribs — not from fear, but from a wild, electric thrill that made his blood sing.
"The first step is always the easiest," Tian'yu's voice echoed in his mind, laced with that same ancient amusement. "But ease is a lie, Anomaly. Show me what you're truly made of."
Before Joshua could respond, the space around him warped.
The endless jade stairs stretched upward into misty infinity, but the section directly ahead solidified into a narrow trial platform no wider than a city alley. Glowing runes pulsed along the edges — warnings written in an language that felt older than the Second Big Bang itself.
A low growl rumbled from the swirling mist ahead.
Then it emerged.
A Spirit Beast — a hulking Ironhide Wolf, its fur shimmering like forged steel, eyes burning with feral red Qi. Saliva dripped from fangs the length of daggers, hissing where it touched the ground. This wasn't some weak coastal scavenger from Driftbreak. This was a genuine Floor Guardian, born from the Stairway's own energy, designed to test the resolve of new climbers.
"Trial of the First Step: Defeat the Guardian or be devoured. No retreat. No mercy."
The notification burned into Joshua's vision like fire across his retinas.
His grip tightened on the warm dagger. Fracture Sense stirred instinctively — he could feel the "seams" in the wolf's Qi flow, tiny fractures where its aggressive energy looped just a little too rigidly. But the beast was fast. Strong. Far beyond anything he had faced in the scavenging runs back home.
The wolf lunged.
Wind howled as its massive body blurred forward, claws ripping gouges into the jade platform. Joshua barely twisted aside — the attack grazed his shoulder, tearing through his patched jacket and drawing a hot line of blood. Pain flared, sharp and real.
Danger.
His pulse thundered. Adrenaline flooded his veins, turning fear into something sharper, hungrier. This wasn't training. This was life or death on the very first step.
He countered on instinct, slashing with the dagger. The blade connected, but the wolf's hide barely parted — sparks flew as if he'd struck actual metal. The beast roared and swiped again, forcing Joshua to roll desperately across the platform. The edge loomed dangerously close. One wrong move and he'd plummet back to Driftbreak… or worse, into the void between Heavens.
"Come on!" Joshua growled through gritted teeth, hazel eyes blazing. "You want to test me? Then feel this!"
He activated Fracture Sense actively for the first time.
The world slowed for a heartbeat. He saw it — the unstable knot in the wolf's charging Qi, right at the base of its throat where energy gathered for its next roar. With a desperate shout, Joshua thrust the dagger forward, pouring every scrap of his awakened potential into the strike.
Crack.
The beast's Qi formation glitched.
Its roar came out as a choked, distorted howl. The powerful momentum faltered mid-lunge, leaving its throat exposed for half a second too long.
Joshua didn't hesitate.
He drove the dagger home.
Hot blood sprayed across his face as the blade sank deep. The wolf thrashed wildly, its claws raking the air inches from his chest. Pain exploded across his side as one claw grazed him again, but he held on, twisting the blade with everything he had.
The Guardian shuddered… then shattered into motes of light, dissolving back into the Stairway's energy.
Joshua collapsed to one knee, breathing hard. Blood dripped from his wounds, but a warm surge of power flooded his body — the reward of the first victory. His muscles felt slightly denser. His senses sharper. A faint notification flickered:
[First Step Cleared. Basic Qi Reinforcement granted. Minor lifespan extension initiated.]
He laughed — a raw, breathless sound born of adrenaline and disbelief.
"Not bad, Anomaly," Tian'yu murmured, the voice carrying a note of genuine surprise. "Most new climbers bleed far more on their first trial. You… bent the rules just enough to survive. But the Stairway is only warming up. Higher steps grow hungrier. And not every guardian will be so… predictable."
Joshua wiped blood from his cheek, eyes narrowing upward at the endless ascent. The thrill hadn't faded — if anything, it burned hotter. This was what he had been waiting for. Not safe power. Not gentle guidance.
Real danger. Real growth.
Real chance to pull his family up with him.
He pushed to his feet, ignoring the stinging wounds. "Then let it get hungrier," he said aloud. "I'm not stopping here."
As he took the next step, the platform expanded again. New mist swirled ahead, thicker this time. Two low growls answered in unison.
A pair of guardians this time — twin Shadow Panthers, their forms flickering with dark Mana, eyes locked on him with predatory intelligence.
Far above, in the distant Divine Heavens, something ancient stirred. One of the Ten Supreme Divine Beasts — the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox — tilted its elegant head, nine luxurious tails swaying lazily as it sensed a faint ripple from the lowest layer.
"An interesting little glitch…" it whispered to no one, golden eyes gleaming with amusement.
Back on the Stairway, Joshua gripped his dagger tighter, Fracture Sense already scanning for new seams in the approaching threat.
His blood sang with excitement.
The real climb had only just begun.
And the Heavens — along with whatever waited in the shadows — were watching.