73: Chapter 73: The Ladder to Immortality

The moment the Heavenly Gate closed, the nine of them felt the world spin around them.

It was as if they were passing through infinite time and space; their surroundings were filled with flowing seven-colored light, and the aura of ancient Laws enveloped their bodies.

Three breaths later, they felt solid ground beneath their feet.

Xiao Ran opened his eyes and found himself standing on a vast platform paved with white jade.

At the end of the platform, nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine white jade steps towered majestically, reaching straight into the clouds.

The steps were a hundred zhang wide, and each step was inscribed with complex Immortal-Demon runes that emitted a heart-palpitating pressure.

There was no sun or moon in the sky, only a soft light falling evenly across the space.

Surrounding them was a vast sea of clouds with no visible end.

Aside from the nine of them, there were no other living beings.

"This is... the first stage of the Immortal-Demon Trial."

The White Bone Scholar looked around, his voice solemn.

Almost the moment the nine of them landed, that vast and ancient voice rang out once more, echoing throughout the space.

"The first trial: The Immortal Climbing Ladder."

"Nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine steps. For every thousand steps climbed, a reward shall be granted."

"Those who reach the top may enter the second stage, Heart of Dao Inquiry."

"Time limit: Three days."

The voice faded away.

The nine people looked at each other and then moved simultaneously.

Whoosh!

Li Tianxing took the lead, his body wrapped in blood-colored baleful Devilish Qi as he transformed into a bloody shadow and charged up the steps.

Ling Jianxin refused to be outdone; his Sword Intent soared to the heavens as he rose on his sword.

In an instant, the two of them reached the hundredth step, leaving the others behind.

This was the power of a Nascent Soul Great Perfection!

"Let's go as well!"

The White Bone Scholar barked in a low voice, and the others followed closely behind.

Xiao Ran was about to follow when he felt a wave of weakness inside his body.

The backlash from the Hundred-Meter Soul-Chasing Order secret technique was beginning to manifest.

After all, the activation requirements for such an overbearing and unreasonable plundering secret technique were extremely harsh.

Xiao Ran felt that more than half of his essence blood had been consumed, his Meridians throbbed with pain, and even his spiritual power circulation had slowed by thirty percent.

However, the Immortal Climbing Ladder was right before him; how could he not climb it?

So, he took a deep breath, and the Guixu Demonic Light slowly circulated, devouring the dense Spiritual Qi in the surroundings to replenish himself.

Only then did he step onto the first stair.

As soon as he stepped on, a wave of pressure descended from the sky.

This pressure wasn't strong, roughly equivalent to the full Spiritual Pressure of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

But Xiao Ran knew that the higher he went, the more terrifying the pressure would become.

He looked ahead.

Li Tianxing and Ling Jianxin had already reached the three-hundredth step; the two were neck and neck, competing silently.

The White Bone Scholar was around the two-hundredth step.

Jian Wuchen, Liu Ruyan, Ba Dao, and Su Qinghan were between the hundredth and hundred-and-fiftieth steps, each moving at their own pace.

"I can't fall too far behind."

Xiao Ran gritted his teeth and quickened his pace.

His Guixu Body operated at full power; with every step he took, he quietly devoured a portion of the pressure on the stairs, converting it into his own momentum.

This was the advantage of the Myriad Dao Guixu Body—it could devour all Laws, including the trials on these stairs!

...

At the three-hundredth step.

Li Tianxing and Ling Jianxin stopped at the same time.

It wasn't because they were tired, but because a change had appeared ahead.

On the three hundred and first step, a line of golden text emerged:

"First Threshold: Heart Demon Trial."

"The climber must face their deepest inner fear."

"Those who succumb shall be eliminated."

The text dissipated, and a faint black mist rose on the stairs.

The Heart Demon Trial!

"Interesting."

Li Tianxing's crimson eyes flickered as he took a step forward.

The black mist swallowed him instantly.

After a brief moment of hesitation, Ling Jianxin also stepped into the black mist.

The two figures disappeared.

Behind them, the White Bone Scholar and the others arrived one after another.

"Heart Demon Trial..."

"Everyone, be careful. This stage tests the Dao Heart; external forces are useless, it all depends on oneself."

The White Bone Scholar said with a solemn expression.

He was the first to step in.

Jian Wuchen, Liu Ruyan, Ba Dao, and Su Qinghan followed closely.

When Xiao Ran arrived, he saw Li Changsheng just about to enter the black mist.

Their eyes met briefly.

Through their Soul link, Li Changsheng's voice came through.

"Xiao Ran, how's your condition?"

"Not great, the backlash from the secret technique has kicked in."

"What about you?"

Xiao Ran answered truthfully.

"My condition is also average, but Heart of Dao Inquiry is too simple for me."

"You, on the other hand, should be careful."

Li Changsheng's tone was relaxed.

His Physique was specifically suited for Heart of Dao Inquiry; one could say it was his specialty.

"Understood."

The two of them stepped into the black mist one after the other.

...

Inside the black mist, the scene shifted.

Xiao Ran found himself back in a familiar place.

A foot massage center.

In front of him was a row of technicians waiting to be chosen.

Outside the window was a familiar city night view, with traffic flowing like a river.

"I... I'm back?"

Xiao Ran stared blankly at his own hands.

Before he could react, a commotion suddenly broke out outside the room.

"Police inspection! Everyone out!"

Xiao Ran's heart sank instantly.

He bolted upright, and by reflex, he sprinted toward the window and nimbly vaulted out.

However, this was the eighteenth floor.

While flying through the air, Xiao Ran suddenly realized something.

"Fuck, I didn't even do anything, what am I afraid of?"

But it was already too late.

Immediately afterward, the scene changed again.

"Xiao Ran, wake up!"

A voice rang in his ear.

It was Li Changsheng's voice!

Xiao Ran snapped his eyes open and found himself still standing on the three hundred and first step, drenched in cold sweat.

He was the only one around; the others had already rushed to the next stage.

Only Li Changsheng lingered at the back, not daring to look back.

However, he was incessantly calling Xiao Ran's name through the Soul link.

"Changsheng, I'm fine."

Xiao Ran panted.

"You scared the crap out of me! I thought you were going to be swallowed by your Heart Demon!"

Li Changsheng cursed loudly, his tone filled with anxiety.

"How is that possible?"

"I dreamed of the foot massage center from before we transmigrated. I was enjoying a lady's service, so I was a bit slow coming out."

Xiao Ran replied, feigning a relaxed tone.

"Fuck!"

"You actually got to enjoy yourself?"

"How come for me it was just a flash of white light and then I was out?"

Li Changsheng immediately felt it was unfair.

To be honest, he also missed the services of the foot massage parlors a little.

"You bastard, just hurry up and climb!"

Xiao Ran took a deep breath, no longer wanting to talk to Li Changsheng.

The two of them began climbing the stairs again.

Xiao Ran looked ahead.

Li Tianxing had already reached the four-hundredth step.

Ling Jianxin was at the three hundred and eightieth step; he seemed to have encountered some obstacle, and his speed had slowed down.

But his Sword Heart was clear, and he soon broke through, continuing forward.

The White Bone Scholar and the others were all around the three hundred and fiftieth step; each had their struggles, but they all pulled through.

Li Changsheng's speed wasn't slow either; he had already reached the three hundred and twentieth step.

Pure Qi circulated around him, his Dao Heart was clear, and he walked upward step by step with steady footing.

The First Threshold had eliminated zero people.

But everyone knew that this was only the beginning.