169: Chapter 169 Return to Qingyun Sect

Azure Cloud Sect.

Three days later, Qin Changsheng arrived within the Azure Cloud Sect.

By the time Qin Changsheng reached the Azure Cloud Sect, it was already bustling with activity.

As a major Sect in the cultivation world, the Azure Cloud Sect's Ascending Heaven Ladder was an annual feast of Opportunity that attracted Cultivators from all directions.

There were Core Disciples from various Sects, powerhouses among Loose Cultivators, and many Cultivators hiding their identities, all gathered for the ladder.

Qin Changsheng restrained his aura and blended into the crowd as he walked into the Azure Cloud Sect.

Dressed in ordinary green Cultivator robes with a plain face, he looked like the most unremarkable person among thousands, unlikely to attract any attention.

Just as he was slowly walking toward the registration desk for the Ascending Heaven Ladder, several familiar figures caught his eye.

There were Jiang Lijuan, Senior Brother Wu Yong, Lin Hao, and Li Hu.

The group walked toward the registration desk together.

As they walked, they discussed how many floors they could climb.

"Chen Erniu?" When Qin Changsheng looked toward the east, he also spotted Chen Erniu's figure.

Chen Erniu was dressed in the robes of a Azure Cloud Sect Outer Sect Disciple, blending into the crowd.

Qin Changsheng's heart tightened slightly, and his footsteps subconsciously faltered.

He knew that Chen Erniu was a Soul Transformation Reincarnation, possessing incredibly powerful Divine Sense and cultivation.

Yet now, Chen Erniu was constantly challenging the Ascending Heaven Ladder.

There must be some special treasure within the ladder that was attracting Chen Erniu.

Otherwise, it would be impossible for Chen Erniu to remain in the Azure Cloud Sect all this time.

"A heavenly dao fragment?" Qin Changsheng immediately thought of the heavenly dao fragments.

However, Qin Changsheng soon shook his head.

There had been a heavenly dao fragment in Qingyun Lake before.

At that time, Chen Erniu hadn't cared about it at all.

The heavenly dao fragment on this ladder naturally wouldn't attract Chen Erniu either.

It had to be some other treasure that was drawing him in.

Fortunately, Chen Erniu didn't notice anyone else; after registering for the Ascending Heaven Ladder, he hurriedly left the area.

More than half an hour later, Qin Changsheng stepped forward and handed over ten Spirit Stones: "Registering for the Ascending Heaven Ladder."

The Azure Cloud Sect Disciple responsible for registration was expressionless. After taking the Spirit Stones, he gave Qin Changsheng an entry token for the Ascending Heaven Ladder, indicating a successful registration.

"Give me a set of the most ordinary Black Cultivator Robes, and a mask that can hide my face and conceal my aura," Qin Changsheng continued.

The registration Disciple's eyes lit up. He nodded quickly, turned to take a set of pure Black Cultivator Robes and a Profound Iron Mask from the shelf.

The Black Cultivator Robes were made of tough material, providing some defense while being extremely plain and inconspicuous;

The Profound Iron Mask was entirely black, revealing only the eyes. It could not only hide one's face but also slightly conceal one's aura, perfectly meeting Qin Changsheng's needs.

Qin Changsheng took the black clothes and mask, inspected them carefully, and after confirming there were no issues, handed the Spirit Stones to the registration Disciple.

The reason Qin Changsheng wanted the black clothes and mask was that this time, he was determined to reach the top.

If others saw his face, it would surely cause a lot of unnecessary trouble.

The days passed in a flash, and the day for the opening of the ladder arrived.

In front of the Azure Cloud Sect square, a sea of people had already gathered. Cultivators from all directions were assembled here, faces filled with anticipation and nervousness, their gazes fixed on the Ascending Heaven Ladder that towered into the clouds, shrouded in celestial light and Spiritual Qi.

The Ascending Heaven Ladder was built entirely of ancient bluestone and pierced the heavens. A faint Heavenly Dao Pressure lingered over the steps, each layer radiating a powerful aura. The top was hidden in the mist, where a hint of golden light could be seen.

At this moment, Wen Xuanli sat on the high platform of the ladder, looking majestic as he quietly watched the Cultivators below.

Dressed in black and wearing the Profound Iron Mask, Qin Changsheng blended into the crowd, revealing only a pair of sharp and calm eyes.

He deliberately restrained his aura, suppressing his cultivation to the Qi Refining Late Stage, appearing like an inconspicuous Loose Cultivator as he silently observed the surroundings.

Scanning the crowd, Qin Changsheng quickly spotted several familiar faces.

There were Jiang Lijuan, Lin Hao, Senior Brother Wu Yong, and others.

There were also Zhang Han, Lin Yao, Zhao Lei, and the rest.

Next, Qin Changsheng's gaze narrowed slightly as it landed on two figures on the other side of the crowd.

Those two were also wearing pure Black Cultivator Robes and Profound Iron Masks similar to his. Their auras were deliberately hidden, making their true appearances unclear, but Qin Changsheng recognized them at a glance—they were Li Hu and Chen Erniu.

"Do you think anyone can reach the top?"

"Impossible! Even the first Sect Head of the Heavenly Sword Sect only reached the 800th floor!"

"Last year, someone reached the 500th floor!"

"I heard there's a treasure at the top of this ladder!"

"If only I could get the treasure on the ladder!"

"The Sect Head of the Azure Cloud Sect said recently that anyone who reaches the 600th floor can become his Personal Disciple!"

As the opening of the Ascending Heaven Ladder approached, the crowd's conversation was entirely focused on the ladder.

"Silence!" Half an hour later, a wave of Pressure descended from atop the ladder.

The originally noisy crowd gradually quieted down. All the Cultivators focused their minds and turned their gazes toward the high platform.

Wen Xuanli slowly stood up, his gaze sweeping over the thousands of Cultivators below: "The time has come. The Ascending Heaven Ladder is officially open!"

As his voice fell, Wen Xuanli did not hesitate. He waved his hand, and a soft yet majestic golden light flew from his palm.

That golden light shot straight into the towering Ascending Heaven Ladder.

As the golden light entered the ladder, the previously quiet structure instantly erupted with a dazzling golden glow. Celestial radiance and golden light intertwined, illuminating the entire mountain gate of the Azure Cloud Sect.

"The climb has begun!"

"Quick, onto the ladder!"

Someone shouted, instantly breaking the silence in the area.

The Cultivators, who had long been unable to contain themselves, scrambled toward the entrance of the Ascending Heaven Ladder. Their eyes were burning with desire, their hearts filled with the longing to reach the top and seize the treasure, hoping to grasp this rare Opportunity to improve their cultivation.

The first to rush onto the ladder were mostly Loose Cultivators and low-level Qi Refining Cultivators. Their strength was mediocre, but they harbored hopes of gaining a bit of luck on the ladder.

However, as soon as they stepped onto the first few floors of the ladder, they felt a wave of Pressure hitting them. Their steps faltered instantly, and their expressions became solemn.

As they continued to climb, the Pressure grew stronger. Every step required a massive amount of Spiritual Qi, making their blood boil and rendering them unable to sustain the effort.

In just a short moment, some Cultivators could no longer hold on. They were violently repelled by the ladder's Pressure, slamming into the ground with blood leaking from their mouths, looking haggard and clearly suffering significant injuries.

Following that, more and more Cultivators met with failure. Some were blown back at just over a dozen floors, while others barely managed to endure until the 80th or 90th floor. Ultimately, they couldn't break through the 100th-floor threshold and were all bounced back to the ground by the ladder's Pressure, looking pathetic.

"Sigh, still too weak. I couldn't even make it past a hundred floors. It seems this Ascending Heaven Ladder is not meant for me after all." A Cultivator who had been blown back sat paralyzed on the ground, his voice full of frustration and resentment. Looking at the still-glowing golden ladder, his eyes were filled with envy.

Not far away, when Lin Hao saw this, a look of deep mockery instantly appeared on his face: "Hmph, just a bunch of trash ants. You dare to climb the Ascending Heaven Ladder? You can't even endure a hundred floors. Truly useless!"

He folded his arms across his chest, his gaze sweeping over the ordinary Cultivators who had been repelled and rolled down. His eyes were full of disdain, as if he were looking at a group of insignificant ants.

In his view, these Cultivators had low strength and weren't worthy of participating in the Ascending Heaven Ladder. Only a Genius like him was qualified to aim for the higher floors.

"Pah, you'll reach a hundred floors at most?" one of the fallen Cultivators couldn't help but mock back.

"Hmph, talk is cheap. Watch how I climb and show you true strength!" Lin Hao snorted coldly. His Spiritual Qi surged as he charged into the ladder's entrance like an arrow from a bow. His determined appearance caused the Cultivators in the field to look on.

It had to be said that Lin Hao indeed possessed some talent and strength. Compared to those ordinary Cultivators, his Spiritual Qi was more robust, and his resistance to the Pressure was stronger.

After stepping onto the ladder, he didn't pause at all. His steps were steady as he climbed all the way up, his Spiritual Qi circulating freely to resist the Heavenly Dao Pressure on the steps. He quickly surpassed the Cultivators who had been repelled early on, easily breaking through the 50th and 100th floors, heading toward even higher levels.

On the Ascending Heaven Ladder, Lin Hao was like a hot knife through butter. Relying on his own talent and strength, he steadily climbed to the 200th floor.

However, the moment he stepped onto the 200th floor, a majestic and overbearing power instantly swept over him, pressing down hard on his body. His Spiritual Qi became chaotic in an instant, his blood boiled, his legs went weak, and he could no longer hold on.

"No!" Lin Hao's face changed drastically, his eyes filled with disbelief. He desperately channeled the Spiritual Qi in his body, trying to resist this powerful Pressure, but it was all in vain.

The Pressure was like a mountain crashing down, violently flipping him over. Lin Hao was like a kite with a broken string, thrown back from the 200th floor. He tumbled down the steps and finally slammed heavily into the ground, covered in injuries, his clothes in tatters, looking pathetic with blood even leaking from the corner of his mouth.

As Lin Hao hit the ground hard, the area went silent for a moment, followed by a burst of loud laughter. The Cultivators began to mock him, their voices full of playfulness and contempt, forming a sharp contrast to how Lin Hao had mocked others earlier.