Free Web NovelChapter 86: Chapter 86: Before the First Gate
Floor 10 was different.
Every climber knew it.
The first nine floors were considered the early foundation path. Dangerous, yes. Deadly for the careless, certainly. But they were still preliminary trials.
Floor 10 was the First Gate Boss Trial.
It was the first true checkpoint.
A climber who passed Floor 10 was no longer treated as a complete beginner. Certain academy resources unlocked. Some class token fragments could appear. Early-floor rankings became more meaningful. Families began paying closer attention to students who crossed the First Gate with high evaluations.
For Qin Yuheng’s team, Floor 10 carried even greater weight.
They had accumulated a terrifying record before reaching it. If they achieved another high evaluation, their names would no longer be merely academy gossip. They would enter broader Heavenly Gate City discussion.
Yu Qingmei summoned Qin Yuheng before approving entry.
Her office was quiet.
On the table lay the Floor 10 file.
[Floor 10: First Gate Boss Trial]
Known Structure:
Three trial gates:
1. Strength Gate
2. Spirit Gate
3. Battle Gate
Standard Mission:
Clear one gate and defeat First Gate Guardian.
Higher Evaluation Path:
Clear all three gates before facing guardian.
Hidden Path:
Unknown. Rare teams have reported Tri-Gate resonance.
Warning:
Trial adapts to team performance.
Qin Yuheng read the file carefully.
Yu Qingmei spoke.
"Most teams clear one gate. Strong teams clear two. Very few attempt all three on first entry."
Qin Yuheng looked up.
"And SSS evaluation?"
"All three gates and guardian defeat. Hidden resonance may increase rewards further, but I am not advising you to chase it."
Qin Yuheng smiled faintly.
"I heard the warning."
"Did you accept it?"
"I will judge inside."
Yu Qingmei sighed.
"At least you no longer pretend otherwise."
She tapped the file.
"Strength Gate will test physical force, endurance, and pressure resistance. Spirit Gate will test mental clarity, perception, and illusion resistance. Battle Gate will test combat coordination and battlefield adaptation."
"Team or individual?"
"Both. Reports vary. Some gates split teams. Some test representatives. Some create shared challenges."
Qin Yuheng nodded.
Yu Qingmei’s expression became more serious.
"Qin Yuheng, First Gate rewards may include Class Token fragments. If you obtain one, do not rush to use it. Class path affects long-term growth."
"I understand."
"Also, after Floor 10, academy protection around you will become more complicated. More factions will approach."
"I expected that."
"Expect more."
He bowed slightly.
"Thank you, Vice Principal."
At the Qin Estate, preparation became more formal than before.
Qin Wanshan personally reviewed the team’s equipment.
Qin Zhengyuan gave combat advice for adaptive trials. fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm
Mu Qinglan prepared mental stabilization items.
Gu Tianhe had the War Intent Tempering Field adjusted for short, intense pressure sessions.
Tie Zhenshan repaired every weapon and armor piece.
Qin Mo complained that the entire family was acting like they were going to war.
Qin Wanshan answered, "First gates decide habits. Habits decide survival."
Qin Mo had no reply.
Each team member received specific preparation.
Qin Yuchen practiced under shifting pressure, learning to maintain calm when attack patterns changed.
Qin Lian trained against detection arrays and illusion mirrors to prepare for Spirit Gate.
Qin Mo studied multi-layer mechanisms and emergency formation shortcuts.
Qin Yuheng practiced restraint.
That was the hardest.
His power had grown rapidly. He now had many hidden cards: Primordial Origin Evolution, Primordial Thunder Emperor Body, Origin Thunder Emperor Body Scripture, Void Thunder Shadow Step, Blood Thunder Emperor Battle Step, high-grade talismans, evolved fruits, storage systems, and more.
But Floor 10 adapted to performance.
If he revealed too much in the gates, the guardian might become stronger.
If he hid too much, the team might lose evaluation.
He needed to release enough.
Not everything.
On the night before entry, Qin Zhengyuan found him in the training yard.
His father held the wooden spear again.
"You are thinking about how much strength to show."
Qin Yuheng nodded. freewebnovёl.ƈom
"Yes."
Qin Zhengyuan drew a line in the dirt with the spear tip.
"Many people think hiding strength means using less power."
"Is it not?"
"No. Hiding strength means controlling what your power implies."
Qin Yuheng listened.
"If you defeat an enemy with overwhelming force, people know your ceiling is high. If you defeat an enemy through technique, people think your skill is high. If you defeat an enemy through preparation, people think your resources are good. If you defeat an enemy through teamwork, people study your team."
Qin Zhengyuan looked at him.
"Choose the explanation before the fight ends."
Qin Yuheng’s eyes brightened slightly.
Choose the explanation.
That was exactly what he had done against Shen Wuji, but his father’s words made it clearer.
"What explanation should Floor 10 show?"
Qin Zhengyuan smiled faintly.
"That Qin Yuheng’s team is excellent."
Not Qin Yuheng alone.
The team.
Qin Yuheng understood.
If Floor 10 became another personal display, outside pressure would concentrate on him. If the team’s coordinated strength became the explanation, attention would spread and become more acceptable.
The next morning, Qin Yuheng gathered the team before the Heavenly Gate Tower.
Qin Mo looked at the massive gate and said, "Floor 10. Finally, a nice round number."
Qin Lian asked, "Does that comfort you?"
"No. But I am trying."
Qin Yuchen looked at Qin Yuheng.
"All three gates?"
Qin Yuheng answered, "If possible."
Qin Mo sighed.
"There it is."
Han Shuren supervised their entry.
His expression was stern but carried faint expectation.
"First Gate Boss Trial. Remember, clearing is victory. High evaluation is secondary."
Qin Mo nodded quickly.
Qin Yuheng said, "Understood."
Han Shuren clearly did not believe that fully.
The Tower gate opened.
[Entering Floor 10: First Gate Boss Trial.]
White-gold light surrounded them.
When Qin Yuheng opened his eyes, he stood in a circular hall.
Before them stood three massive gates.
One red.
One blue.
One black.
Above them floated words carved from light.
[Strength Gate]
[Spirit Gate]
[Battle Gate]
A mission panel appeared.
[Floor 10: First Gate Boss Trial]
[Main Mission]
Clear at least one Trial Gate and defeat the First Gate Guardian.
[Optional Objectives]
Clear two Trial Gates.
Clear all three Trial Gates.
Trigger Tri-Gate Resonance.
[Warning]
Trial difficulty adapts to performance.
[Select first gate.]
Qin Mo stared at the final optional objective.
"Tri-Gate Resonance. It is written right there. The Tower is baiting you openly now."
Qin Yuheng looked at the three gates.
Then he turned to his team.
"We begin with Spirit Gate."
Qin Yuchen looked surprised.
"Not Strength?"
"No. Spirit first, while our minds are fresh."
Qin Lian nodded.
"Correct."
Qin Mo looked at the blue gate.
"I dislike that this is reasonable."
They stepped toward the Spirit Gate.
The blue gate opened silently.
The first trial began.
