133: Ascend to the Immortal Stage!

The scene was shocked by the sight.

“Oh my, what kind of Spirit Treasure is this? It’s a mountain!”

“There’s actually a mountain hidden beneath Xuanhuang City?”

“You must be new. This mountain is called Boundless Immortal Mountain. It’s a relic discovered jointly by the Three Great Sects, sealed beneath Xuanhuang City. It only appears during the Ascension Assembly.”

“Really? Is that true?”

“It’s true. According to historical records of the Xuanhuang Domain, this Immortal Mountain was once the Sect of the Boundless Sect, the overlord of the Xuanhuang Domain.

Later, the Boundless Sect declined, and after several bloody struggles, the current pattern of the Three Great Sects jointly controlling the Xuanhuang Domain was formed.”

At the Zhi Shui Palace Disciple encampment.

Su Rao said with a smile, “It’s true that this Immortal Mountain was obtained jointly by the Three Great Sects, but the Spiritual Qi within it is already scarce, making it difficult to activate.

So, they simply made good use of it, nurturing it with the Spiritual Qi of Xuanhuang City for three years, activating it once as the venue for the Ascension Assembly.

It’s not as mysterious as others make it out to be.”

Jiang Ning’s Realm was high.

Naturally, he saw more than others.

The truth was as Su Rao said: the Spiritual Qi of this Immortal Mountain was scarce, like a parched land. Even after three years of nurturing, making the Immortal Mountain appear to have abundant Spiritual Qi, it couldn’t hide the decay within.

But Jiang Ning didn’t focus too much attention on the Immortal Mountain.

Instead, he looked at the patterns on the central plaza where the three jade tablets were placed.

These patterns were even more precious than the Immortal Mountain.

Rather than saying Boundless Immortal Mountain was hidden beneath Xuanhuang City, it was more accurate to say Boundless Immortal Mountain was taken into this Small World.

This was too similar to the Small World stored in his dao leaf.

Jiang Ning stared at the Dao patterns for a long time, and suddenly felt that he had also seen these patterns on the dao leaf.

He had examined and comprehended the single dao leaf day and night for a long time, but never achieved results.

Now, looking at these shimmering patterns.

It suddenly became clear.

There were also these patterns within the dao leaf!

Those were the Meridians of a leaf, with capillaries connecting and branching off the main veins, intersecting and influencing each other, ultimately forming this dao leaf.

A dao leaf was just a dao leaf, but how could a dao leaf not also be a world?

It had its own operating Laws.

It also had its own Laws of existence.

Jiang Ning entered a state of meditative focus.

As Su Rao was speaking, she noticed Jiang Ning standing still in place, feeling a bit puzzled.

Shen Jinhuan looked over. She originally wanted to call out “Revered Master,” but was afraid of disturbing Jiang Ning.

Su Rao’s eyes lit up.

“Ning Jiang has entered a meditative state. He has entered a state that many great powers cannot even achieve. I have never seen a Cultivator who can enter a meditative state while still in the Qi Refining Realm.”

The deeper Su Rao interacted with this brother and sister pair, the more she felt they were extraordinary.

Ning Huanhuan, at such a young age, had a cultivation similar to hers, and her Aptitude was beyond words.

She had initially thought Ning Jiang was slacking off and had poor talent, but to be able to enter this state, even if his Aptitude wasn’t great, his Comprehension Ability was terrifying.

Su Rao and Shen Jinhuan, along with the little fox in the shadows, silently surrounded Jiang Ning to prevent others from disturbing him.

On the other side.

Boundless Immortal Mountain finally ascended to the highest point in the sky.

Three shimmering white steps descended from Boundless Immortal Mountain, layer upon layer, forming three steep “staircases.”

This was the appetizer for the Ascension Assembly: the Ascension Steps!

After releasing Boundless Immortal Mountain, the three leaders all looked exhausted.

Xing Zhan, the Commander of the Tiance Military Prefecture, sat directly on a chair, not saying a word, but the Killing Intent and deterrent aura emanating from him were chilling.

Daoist Lingbao and Daoist Baihe exchanged glances.

Daoist Baihe smiled and sat down on a chair.

Daoist Lingbao sighed.

In the end, he was still the one to act as host.

Daoist Lingbao looked at the empty central plaza.

“Those holding jade tablets may choose any Ascension Steps to climb. As in previous years, three hundred will successfully ascend the Immortal Mountain. Those who fail to ascend the Immortal Mountain will lose their qualifications.”

“Everyone, please allow this old man to ramble a few more words.”

“I don’t even know how many steps are on the left Ascension Steps. There are no dangers on these steps, and fighting is also not allowed, and there’s no knowing where it ends.”

“The right Ascension Steps have relatively fewer steps, only nine hundred and ninety-nine, but these Ascension Steps are filled with conflict and desire.”

“And the middle Ascension Steps only have nine steps, but for every step you take, you have to try your luck. If you’re lucky, climbing these Ascension Steps will only take a few breaths.

If you’re unlucky, one step could cost you your life.”

“Entering the cultivation world, we all understand that choice is greater than effort, and a single misstep in cultivation can lead to eternal damnation.”

“Everyone, please consider carefully and make your choice. Once you step onto a certain Ascension Steps, if you wish to change, you can only start over.”

“I declare the Ascension Assembly officially open!”

After Daoist Lingbao finished speaking, he sat down in his chair.

He glanced at Xing Zhan, who was radiating Killing Intent, took back his words, and turned to speak to Daoist Baihe.

“Fellow Daoist Baihe, which path do you think these Cultivators will choose?”

“In previous years, more chose the right path, didn’t they?”

Daoist Baihe recalled for a moment and chuckled.

“Although the right path allows for fighting, it’s still a fight between people. But if the people you encounter aren’t very combative, couldn’t you pass through unimpeded?”

“Everyone has a Luck mentality, that’s very normal.”

“The left Ascension Steps are safe, but some people, seeing others choose the right or middle path, will feel pressured. After all, this is a long road.

Those who want to choose this path will be swept along, forced to choose what everyone else chooses.

The number limit is set.”

“As for the middle one.”

Daoist Baihe glanced at it.

“I’m afraid only those who feel they’re running out of time and are reckless will choose to gamble. This is truly gambling with your life!”

Daoist Lingbao smiled.

Together with Daoist Baihe, he turned his gaze to the Ascension Steps.

The Three Great Factions issued a total of three thousand jade tablets for the Ascension Assembly. Three thousand to select three hundred people, a ten-to-one ratio, which wasn’t cruel.

The number of people who could truly enter the Three Great Factions was actually only thirty to forty.

Below the stage.

A large group of people holding jade tablets stood before the three Ascension Steps.

They observed each other, wanting to see what everyone else chose.

Someone suggested, “The other two paths are dangerous. Why don’t we all choose this left path, the one without danger? We’ll each rely on our own abilities, how about that?”

“Alright, you go first, I’ll follow.”

“Exactly, you go first, I’ll definitely follow.”

The person who made the suggestion sighed.

He knew that trying to group together and choose the safest path was not feasible.

So, he directly erupted with power and rushed towards the rightmost Ascension Steps!

At this time, everyone was hesitating. If he displayed his best and fastest speed to open a gap with those behind him, there might be a chance to directly reach the Immortal Mountain!

Many others thought the same as him!

Under full exertion, the faster people overtook those around them.

But the slower ones, seeing that they were about to be overtaken by latecomers, their eyes moved, and they directly drew their weapons and turned to strike.

Blood fell on the Ascension Steps, but it did not stain them red.

The first life was lost.

It was at this moment that everyone truly realized.

Cultivation was a path full of bloodshed and turmoil.