376: Chapter 376 Did I let you leave?

With a flash of white light and a blur of vision, by the time Ye Tian could see clearly, he found himself standing on an exceptionally long stone staircase.

The steps stretched upward as far as the eye could see, disappearing into a gray mist.

On both sides were bottomless cliffs, where a cold wind howled, making one's robes flap loudly.

The stairs were paved with grayish-white stones, each polished smooth, with faint ancient patterns visible on them.

“Is this the Ancient Path to Heaven?” Ye Tian steadied himself and carefully sensed his surroundings.

The suppressive force in the air had grown heavier, and a mysterious, indescribable power permeated the steps. It rippled toward him in waves like water, making his head spin and causing a strange sense of irritability in his heart.

“The power of space-time? It affects the mind!” Ye Tian frowned.

He Cultivated the Illusory Sea Heart Sutra, so his Divine Soul was much stronger than average. This level of influence felt like a mere mosquito bite to him; he barely felt it.

However, if it were someone with a weaker Divine Soul or an unsteady will, they would likely suffer.

He looked back. Just moments ago, he had charged in with a large group of people, but now the space behind him was empty, with not a single figure in sight. He was alone on the stairs.

“Random teleportation? Or did this ancient path separate everyone?” Ye Tian didn't dwell on it and began to walk upward.

Taking a step, he felt his body grow heavy, as if an invisible hand were pulling him down. These steps were indeed not simple; the higher one went, the greater the pressure.

However, for Ye Tian's current Sea-Transformation Realm Level 3 Peak physique and true essence, this bit of pressure was nothing.

He didn't stop, darting upward at a very high speed.

As he walked, fog began to rise around him.

It wasn't ordinary white mist, but a fog carrying distorted light and shadows, making everything look blurry.

Within the mist, fragmented images flashed from time to time: scenes of him practicing the sword at the Ye family as a child, adventuring in the Ancient Sword Manor, and even being struck by lightning in the Chixiao Thunder Hall...

They were all fragments that left a deep impression in his memory.

“An illusion? Is that all?” Ye Tian curled his lip.

These images were indeed very realistic, but with his Divine Soul strength, he saw through them at a glance.

Ignoring them completely, he walked straight ahead, and the images shattered with soft pops as they touched his body.

After walking for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the pressure increased significantly, and the illusions in the mist grew more frequent. Voices began to emerge—some praising him, some cursing him, some tempting him... the noise was enough to give one a headache.

“Noisy.” Ye Tian felt a bit annoyed. With a thought, he vibrated his Divine Soul power.

Buzz!

The surrounding illusions and noises instantly vanished, and the mist cleared considerably.

The view ahead suddenly opened up, and he could see a slightly wider platform on the stairs not far away.

By the edge of the platform stood a crooked stone pillar, carved with three blurry characters: 'First Layer Heaven'.

“So this is the first layer? That was too easy,” Ye Tian muttered. Without stopping, he continued upward.

Starting from the second layer, the variety of challenges increased.

Not only was there mental interference and doubled pressure, but small traps also appeared on the steps from time to time.

Sometimes when he stepped down, the stone would suddenly turn soft, sinking like a swamp.

Sometimes a strange wind would suddenly blow from the cliffs on either side, powerful enough to sweep a person away.

At other times, earth spikes would abruptly sprout from the steps, or boulders would come rolling down...

To Ye Tian, these were only slightly more troublesome than the first layer.

With his agile movement and quick reactions, he could easily avoid most of them.

For those he couldn't avoid, a casual sword strike or palm hit would resolve the issue.

He could more or less sense the energy fluctuations of those traps in advance.

Stopping and starting along the way, another hour passed, and Ye Tian had already cleared the fifth layer.

The pressure was now quite substantial; an ordinary True Martial Tenth Level practitioner would likely be reduced to crawling here.

The illusions had also upgraded. They no longer just replayed memories but began to construct scenes based on his inner fears or desires.

But for someone with a firm Dao Heart like Ye Tian, these were all like passing clouds.

His goal was clear.

Climb the mountain, find the ruins, and become stronger. Other distractions could not sway him.

“The sixth layer should be coming up soon.” Ye Tian looked up and saw another platform appearing in the mist ahead.

He quickened his pace. Just as he stepped onto the starting platform of the sixth layer, he heard the sound of fighting and familiar shouts from ahead.

“Is that Senior Brother Pei's voice?” Ye Tian was startled and hurried forward.

Rounding a corner, the scene before him caused his gaze to turn cold.

Ahead was a relatively wide section of the stairs, about ten-odd zhang long.

On the stairs, Pei Tieshan was leaning against the rock wall, panting heavily. He had several wounds on his body, and his left shoulder was scorched black by something.

The large saber in his hand was chipped, yet he still stood firmly in front, blocking the way.

Behind him were Feng Xuan, Yu Miaoqing, Shui Qingdie, and Dongfang Xinghe, but none of them were in good condition.

Feng Xuan was pale with blood at the corner of his mouth, and the light from the Jade Slip in his hand had dimmed.

Yu Miaoqing's hand holding her sword was trembling slightly, with ice crystals on the tip. Shui Qingdie sat on the ground with her eyes closed, seemingly resisting something with all her might, her forehead covered in sweat.

Dongfang Xinghe was in the worst state; a large hole was torn in the front of his clothes, leaving him bloodied. He still gripped a runic jade plate tightly, but the plate was cracked.

Besieging them were six men in black, each attacking ruthlessly and with perfect coordination.

Looking at their style, they were once again assassins from the Red Hand Hall!

The leader was at the Sea Transformation First Layer Middle Stage, wielding a pair of Mandarin Duck Hooks and aiming for vital points with every move.

The other five were all at the True Martial Tenth Level.

Pei Tieshan was bearing the brunt of the attacks alone and was clearly on the verge of collapse.

“You brats from the Liuli Xuan Sect sure have tough bones!”

The man grinned maliciously as his Mandarin Duck Hooks flashed with a cold light, heading straight for Pei Tieshan's throat. “A pity you all have to die here today! Young Master Nangong said there would be a heavy reward for bringing back your heads!”

“Bullshit! I'll tear you apart!” Pei Tieshan roared, taking another hit to his shoulder as he swung his saber at the man.

“Senior Brother Pei!” Feng Xuan was anxious and tried to rush forward to help, but he was pinned down by two assassins and couldn't break free.

It looked as though Pei Tieshan was in grave danger.

“Seeking death.”

A green shadow appeared out of nowhere in front of Pei Tieshan.

Clang!

The man's strike was effortlessly parried.

The sword hadn't even left its scabbard.

“Ye... Junior Brother Ye?!” Pei Tieshan was both shocked and overjoyed.

The man's expression changed drastically. How could the force of this newcomer's casual strike be so immense? It nearly knocked the Mandarin Duck Hooks from his hands.

He staggered back seven or eight steps before barely steadying himself, his eyes filled with horror.

“Ye Tian?! How are you...” He had clearly received word that Ye Tian should still be behind them!

“How am I what?” Ye Tian slowly turned around, his gaze sweeping over his injured fellow disciples before landing on the man, his eyes cold enough to freeze. “Red Hand Hall, Nangong Family... Good, very good.”

“Attack together! Kill him!” The man hardened his heart, knowing this wouldn't end peacefully, and shouted the command.

He didn't believe the six of them couldn't take down one Ye Tian! No matter how powerful this kid was, could he really defy the heavens?

The five True Martial Tenth Level assassins immediately abandoned Feng Xuan and the others, coordinating with their leader to pounce on Ye Tian from different directions, their blades flashing with Killing Intent.

“Junior Brother Ye, be careful!” Feng Xuan shouted urgently.

Ye Tian simply said to Pei Tieshan, “Senior Brother Pei, all of you step back and rest.”

With that, he took a step forward and swung sword casually.

“Begone.”

Ripples of Chaos sword light spread outward.

Thud, thud, thud, thud, thud!

Five muffled sounds rang out almost simultaneously.

The five assassins pouncing from the sides and rear were all sent flying back, spraying blood in mid-air. They crashed onto the steps and rolled several times, remaining motionless.

Each of their chests was caved in, with an unknown number of broken bones; they were as good as dead.

With just one move! Five True Martial Tenth Level practitioners were all taken down!

Seeing this, the man's eyes nearly bulged out of his head, his Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering in fear.

What kind of monster is this?!

Even as a Sea Transformation First Layer, it should be impossible to insta-kill five True Martial Tenth Level practitioners so easily!

Run! I must run! The Nangong Family has doomed me!

The man turned, intending to leap down the stairs.

“Did I say you could leave?”