Degrade from Nobility to a Humble Slave

Paved with ordinary limestone slabs and decorated with neatly trimmed verdant grass on both sides, it looked like any other road in the empire. The road turned and twisted, stretching away as far as the eye could see.

Participants who had registered for the initial exam seemed pretty confident and relaxed as they stood in line. Refining had strengthened their body, so for them, running was child's play. Most of them were quite sure that they would breeze through the exam.

The white-bearded old man gave a signal, and the exam began.

All candidates broke into a run. Just then something strange happened. The lead runners stumbled and sank to the ground, making a perfect pratfall.

Only a few people reacted quickly enough to recover their balance. They pulled themselves together and carried on running forward.

This incident gave the others an indication that there was something unusual about this road. They were more careful where they set foot on the road. Although no one else fell, since the candidates were being careful, their speed reduced. It looked as if they were carrying a thousand pounds of weight.

After the first few batches set off on the road, it was Zen's turn.

He approached the edge of the square and stepped out slowly. Instantly he felt an invisible pressure. As he tried to lift his foot, he found that his legs felt leaden.

It was an odd feeling.

the road, the pressure encased him completely. Every inch of his skin felt

the road seemed normal, the air pressure seemed

the organ refining level, he was able to control his breathing. With enough food to supply his body with energy, he

out quickly. He wasn't sure how long he would last. Since he had lit up

ounce of strength, tightened every muscle against the pressure, and

had adjusted to the pressure almost instantly. They continued to run at a brisk pace as if the pressure didn't affect

participants were unable to continue.

their bodies gave up, they fell on the road. They were so exhausted that even raising their

some continued to run, they were panting and staggering. The effort to maintain their pace against

for seven or eight miles, Zen noticed that some participants began to drop

tune up his body as this was the only way to stay in a

"Zen!"

him. It was Nory, the boy he

Zen replied with a

doing well!" Nory gasped. "Impressive! Even though you are running under such high pressure, you look as if you are