The martial artists outside the pathway could wait no longer. With a gesture from Howard, the challenge began. Only three were allowed to enter at a time. Immediately, three swiftly stepped onto the pathway: two ninth-grade fighters and a sovereign-grade fighter. Despite their speed, their pace slowed as if the air itself had frozen. Each step felt impossibly heavy.

"Ugh!" "Cough..."

Two ninth-grade fighters coughed up blood and were flung from the pathway, mirroring Timothy's earlier fate. Ninth-grade fighters could manage, at most, a single step. Both fallen fighters remained on the ground; one still breathed, the other was dead. Timothy, though injured from his stubborn attempt, had fared better.

The crowd gasped. Risking their lives was a steep price to pay.

"This is the consequence of disobeying the rules and stubbornly attempting the challenge!" Howard's face darkened. "Anyone who tries will face the same fate." Attendants carried the unconscious fighters away.

The challenge continued, but doubt hung heavy in the air. Dustin remained calm, observing the crowd and studying Apollo's markings, refining his strategy. Metal Mask did likewise.

"Let me try," Victor chuckled, nodding to Howard, a familiar face who acknowledged him. Victor, a frequent participant, took a deep breath, prepared himself, and stepped onto the pathway. His expression remained unchanged on the first step, but by the second, he was sweating profusely. By the third, he was hunched over, struggling.

"Victor will stop at the fourth," the Bones family's sovereign-grade fighter predicted.

Victor took another breath, chuckled in resignation, and retreated. "Three steps—better than before. Seems I'm destined never to obtain the martial arts technique," he muttered, moving to the sidelines. His caution and strategic approach, avoiding grave injury despite numerous attempts, earned Howard's approval. Victor treated the challenge as training.

"The Sorensen family's highest record is ten steps, achieved by only one person. Seven steps earns you one item from the Sorensen family store, including Master Apollo's martial arts technique," Howard announced.

The crowd was stunned. Apollo's technique was a rare treasure, promising steady improvement. Even more shocking: someone had achieved seven steps! Victor, Lannopolis's greatest fighter, had managed only three. The disparity was vast. Was this power, or genius?

Timothy's face darkened; he'd only taken one step before injury.

"Seven steps?" Metal Mask looked at Dustin, vowing to surpass that mark. Other experienced martial artists felt renewed confidence. "Phew..."