Auxiliary Women's Strategy: A Virtuous Wife Helps the King to Rule the World

The next day, the scorching sun still poured down mercilessly on the vast land, like a huge furnace, baking everything in the world dry.

With a mixture of nervous anticipation, everyone gathered before a mysterious, steep mountain. The peak, like a majestic giant, towered into the clouds, a formidable sight. The thousand steps leading to the summit stretched before them like a winding dragon. Each step was constructed of solid bluestone, etched with the marks of time.

Those 1008 steps, like a ladder to an unknown world, soared into the sky, towering before everyone. The blazing sun, like countless sharp swords, pierced the earth mercilessly, as if to ruthlessly evaporate every drop of moisture. The air around them seemed to be warped and distorted by the scorching heat, making every breath feel like swallowing scorching flames, a struggle.

The elder's majestic and solemn voice boomed through the suffocating atmosphere. "Today's endurance test is designed to determine the top ten. The top ten will have the honor of directly entering the inner courtyard for training. Remember, the pressure you endure increases with each step you take. During this test, no one is allowed to use spells or magic weapons; everything depends entirely on one's own strength. Now, the test begins!"

Following the elder's resounding order, many disciples were like wild horses that had broken free from their reins, and they could not wait to embark on this journey full of difficulties and dangers.

Ye Chen took a deep breath, his eyes fixed with determination and focus, like two brilliant stars, gleaming with unyielding brilliance. His start was steady and powerful, his steps measured and measured, his rhythm perfectly controlled, like a seasoned dancer executing each precise step on stage. With each step, the mounting pressure surged like a surging tide, an invisible, powerful force seemingly threatening to crush him in an instant. However, with his steely will and exceptional physical prowess, he withstood each wave of pressure. His gaze remained fixed unwaveringly on the summit, his heart brimming with a single, unwavering conviction: to claim first place. In his eyes, the summit marked not only the end of this test but also the new starting point for his long journey of cultivation, a crucial step toward achieving his grand dream.

Su Nan's heart was in deep conflict. She possessed unfathomable strength. If she exerted all her might, she could easily reach the summit in a fraction of a second. But this time, she couldn't easily reveal her true strength; she had to carefully conceal it. Therefore, she could only carefully control her pace and rhythm, maintaining a steady, moderate pace.

Like a fierce, aggressive lion, Lu Yi rushed to the front of the group without hesitation from the outset. He was consumed by a desire to prove his strength, eager to showcase his impressive power before everyone. He took long strides, each one imbued with a sense of unrivaled power, as if the world trembled beneath his feet. However, as the steps climbed, the pressure intensified like a gathering cloud, his steps becoming heavier than a mountain, his breathing becoming more rapid and erratic. His expression, once filled with confidence and pride, was gradually replaced by pain and exhaustion.

Lin Wan'er's figure was as light as a swallow. Although her steps were not hurried, they were always steady and orderly. Her gaze was as firm as iron, and she had only one strong thought in her mind: she must succeed in making it into the top ten.

Zhao Yifeng gritted his teeth and climbed up step by step. His clothes were already soaked with sweat, but this did not slow down his unwavering steps at all.

Murong Xue's face was as cold as ice, and her steps remained as steady as before, as if the huge and suffocating pressure did not have much impact on her.

Su Yu seemed unhurried, always moving forward steadily according to the pace he had planned long ago.

The other disciples also struggled under this crushing pressure. Some, after climbing only a few hundred steps, were already pale as paper, beads of sweat streaming down their cheeks like a torrential rain, instantly evaporating on the scorching steps. Others' legs trembled uncontrollably, as if they would collapse to the ground at any moment. But they all gritted their teeth and persevered, because the precious opportunity to enter the inner courtyard was too tempting. The inner courtyard held even more profound and mysterious techniques, more abundant and diverse cultivation resources, and a vast future of development.

Throughout this arduous climb, Ye Chen constantly adjusted his breathing, like a seasoned helmsman deftly steering a ship, allocating his energy with judicious precision. He could clearly feel the pressure mounting rapidly, each step upwards feeling like carrying an immensely heavy mountain. Yet, his heart grew stronger with the increasing pressure, its unwavering faith a perpetual beacon, illuminating his path forward on this arduous and treacherous climb. Each step was a thrilling struggle against a cruel fate, each filled with an infinite longing for a brighter future.

By the time everyone was halfway up, many disciples had already given up. They slumped down on the steps, breathing heavily, their eyes filled with helplessness and loss. They looked at those who were still persevering and striving, feeling a mixture of admiration for them and deep disappointment in themselves for giving up.

Lu Yi was already feeling the strain. His speed had dropped significantly, and his once-significant lead was gradually disappearing without him noticing. He watched helplessly as Ye Chen's figure gradually receded into the distance, his heart filled with endless resentment and anger. He deeply hated his own physical strength for not being able to maintain his previous astonishing speed, and even more so, he hated the immense and brutal pressure exerted by the steps. But his body was now like a bag drained of strength, no longer able to sustain his previous courageous drive.

Su Nan continued to advance steadily, neither hurried nor slow. She deftly controlled her energy, each step a meticulously calculated one, flawlessly precise. Her breathing grew increasingly rapid, but it remained under control. She knew the true test lay ahead, and she needed to conserve her strength for the final sprint.

Lin Wan'er's physical strength began to decline significantly at this time, but she still gritted her teeth and persevered with her amazing perseverance.

Zhao Yifeng's legs felt as heavy as if they were filled with lead, but the unshakable belief in his heart always supported him to move forward courageously.

Murong Xue frowned slightly, but her pace remained steady without any panic.

Su Yu's breathing became heavier, as if he had to use up all his strength to breathe, but his eyes remained firm and he never showed the slightest intention of retreating.

Ye Chen gradually surpassed his opponent one after another, his figure lonesome yet incomparably determined on the long flight of stairs. His footsteps grew heavier, each step seeming to come at a heavy price, yet his will was as strong as steel, unshakable. Every lift of his leg, every landing, was filled with boundless strength and unwavering determination. The surrounding scenery had become blurred in his eyes, his entire world now consisting only of the staircase that stretched ever upward and the unwavering goal in his heart.

As they drew closer to the summit, the pressure reached a terrifying, chilling level. Every time Ye Chen lifted his leg, it felt as if he was exhausting all his strength, and every breath felt like it was burning away his precious life. Yet, he remained unfazed. Within him, a blazing, unquenchable flame seemed to burn—a relentless pursuit of victory and an infinite longing for a bright future. That flame consumed his physical fatigue and the pain within him, driving him forward courageously, never to retreat.

Just when everyone thought Ye Chen would collapse from exhaustion, he suddenly erupted with astonishing strength at this crucial moment. A flicker of determination and resolve flashed across his eyes, and he clenched his teeth, as if mustering all the remaining strength in his body. He rushed over the last few steps in one breath and successfully reached the top of the mountain first.

Su Nan saw Ye Chen successfully reach the top and was secretly happy for him. At the last critical moment, she slightly increased her speed, relying on precise judgment and control to ensure that she could be ranked tenth.

Lin Wan'er also used up her last bit of strength and finally got a pretty good ranking.

When approaching the finish line, Zhao Yifeng made a desperate effort and successfully squeezed into the top ten.

Murong Xue always maintained a stable state and entered the top ten without any suspense.

With his unremitting efforts and tenacious perseverance, Su Yu successfully obtained the valuable qualification to enter the inner courtyard.

When everyone had completed this arduous test, the elder solemnly announced the final results: "First place, Ye Chen! Second place, Murong Xue! Third place, Lin Wan'er! Fourth place, Zhao Yifeng! Fifth place, Su Yu! Sixth place... and tenth place, Su Nan!"

And Lu Yi was eventually eliminated.

Ye Chen stood proudly on the mountaintop, overlooking the crowd below, his heart filled with pride and joy. A gentle breeze brushed across his sweat-soaked face, bringing a rare sense of coolness. He gazed out at the vast scenery in the distance, knowing in his heart that he had successfully taken a crucial step forward.

Su Nan smiled and slowly walked towards Ye Chen. Their eyes met. At that moment, they understood each other and understood what was in the other's mind.

Ye Chen was ecstatic: "Inner Courtyard, here I come!"

……