A case of being praised to death in a fantasy world! Has Ye Hao fallen into depravity and lost his true self?

The moment both feet firmly stepped onto the 8,000th stone step.

That terrifying gravity that had been pressing down on Ye Hao suddenly vanished without a trace.

"Phew..."

"The gravity is gone."

"Did I... pass the first trial?"

Ye Hao let out a long breath of turbid air and stretched his somewhat stiff limbs, feeling his whole body become incredibly light, as if he could fly with just a little effort.

However, not a hint of joy appeared on his resolute face.

Because he knew very well that the Gravity Array just now was merely an appetizer on this long mountain-climbing path.

The real main event was only just beginning!

"Since the first trial is over, there are still 1,999 steps ahead."

"Then on these steps, there must be even more dangerous and difficult trials waiting for me!"

Ye Hao looked up, his gaze following the winding stone steps upward.

Amidst the swirling clouds and mist, the grand and magnificent mountain gate of Taibai Academy was actually visible in the distance, seemingly within reach.

Yet he understood that if he didn't pass this final trial, he wouldn't be able to become a true student of Taibai Academy!

Let alone step through that supreme gate?

"..."

"Having come this far, I naturally cannot give up."

"Even if there's a mountain of blades or a sea of fire ahead, I must charge through!"

"Let me see what trials still lie ahead!"

After taking a moment to adjust his breathing and bringing his essence, energy, and spirit to their Peak, Ye Hao no longer hesitated.

With a determined gaze, he lifted his foot and stepped heavily onto the 8,001st step!

Buzz!

The moment his foot landed, it was as if he had triggered some kind of Restriction.

With that, the entire Heavenly Demon Heart-Questioning Array was successfully activated!

In an instant, the white clouds and mist began to churn, transforming into a layer of heart-palpitating crimson mist.

This mist surged wildly, exuding an indescribable evil aura, enveloping all the subsequent steps and appearing incredibly eerie, like a ghostly path leading to the underworld... "He's in!"

"That student named Ye Hao was the first to enter!"

In mid-air, Gu Zhiyun, who had been watching the situation, shouted excitedly upon seeing the red mist churning.

"What a pity..."

"We can't see what he'll actually experience inside the illusion."

Looking at Ye Hao's disappearing figure, Lin Xiyue shook her head with a slight sense of regret.

"Heehee, does Sister Yue want to watch the fun?"

"How is that difficult?"

"Watch me make a small move to fulfill your wish~"

Just then, a playful and somewhat seductive voice rang out in Lin Xiyue's ear without warning.

A flash of red light appeared in the nearby Void Realm.

Buzz!

The space in front of everyone rippled slightly, and then a giant light screen emerged out of thin air.

And within that light screen, Ye Hao's figure was clearly reflected!

"Wow! We can watch a live stream now, right?"

"Thank you, Sister Yu! Sister Yu is the best!"

This made Lin Xiyue overjoyed, and she immediately showered Liu Qingyu with praise.

Then, everyone held their breath and began to watch Ye Hao's performance within the illusion with great interest... Inside the illusion.

Ye Hao felt his vision blur, and the surrounding scenery seemed to distort for a moment, but it quickly returned to normal.

He didn't notice anything amiss.

In his perception, he was still on the stone steps of Mount Taibai, making his final sprint.

"Strange..."

"Though this red mist looks scary, it doesn't seem to have any lethality?"

Ye Hao looked around vigilantly, but his pace didn't falter.

He climbed up step by step; although he was cautious, his speed wasn't slow.

Soon, he had passed over a thousand steps and reached the final few hundred.

"Could the final trial just be a scare tactic?"

Just as this thought arose in Ye Hao's mind.

Rumble!

A sudden clap of thunder exploded overhead!

The previously calm sky was instantly covered in dark clouds, with purple lightning snakes darting wildly through them.

"This..."

Ye Hao's pupils constricted, and his hair stood on end.

The next second.

Crack!

A thick bolt of lightning, carrying the power to destroy heaven and earth, struck directly toward his head without any warning!

"Not good!"

Ye Hao turned pale with fright and tried to dodge, only to find that the surrounding space seemed locked down, making it impossible to avoid!

"I'll give it my all!"

At the critical moment, he roared, his internal blood and Qi circulating wildly as he crossed his arms over his head, choosing to take the hit head-on!

Boom!

The lightning struck him, and terrifying electrical currents swept through his entire body.

Pain!

Intense pain!

The pain, which felt as if his Soul were being torn apart, nearly caused Ye Hao to faint on the spot.

But he gritted his teeth and didn't make a sound, still standing tall!

"I can still take it!"

"Again!"

Boom! Boom! Boom!

One bolt of lightning after another fell, each more terrifying than the last.

Ye Hao was struck until his flesh was torn open, his body charred black and dripping with blood, looking utterly miserable.

Yet the light in his eyes grew brighter, and his will became firmer.

He was like a stubborn rock; under the tempering of lightning and fire, he didn't break but instead became even harder!

Finally.

Just as he was about to exhaust his very last bit of strength.

The thunderclouds dispersed, and the red mist receded.

The magnificent mountain gate of Taibai Academy finally appeared clearly before him!

He had succeeded!

"Huff... huff..."

Ye Hao dragged his scarred body across the final step and stood on the plaza in front of the mountain gate.

"Clap! Clap! Clap!"

A burst of crisp applause rang out.

Ye Hao looked up blankly.

He saw light flashing ahead as several figures appeared out of thin air.

At the head were the goddess-like Lin Xiyue, along with Lin Guohui, Sikong Yang, and other important figures!

"Good! Very good!"

Lin Xiyue looked at Ye Hao, her beautiful face filled with admiration and wonder.

"Ye Hao, you really did it!"

"Under this Lightning Tribulation purgatory-like trial, you didn't shrink back; instead, you fought more bravely as it went on!"

"Such Heart-Nature and perseverance are truly rare in the world!"

Beside her, Sikong Yang couldn't help but stroke his beard and sigh, his eyes filled with fervor.

"A natural Divine Being! This is absolutely a natural Divine Being!"

"If this lad doesn't rise, it would be an injustice to heaven!"

"Ye Hao!"

Lin Guohui stepped forward and slapped him heavily on the shoulder, announcing publicly:

"In view of your perfect performance in the assessment!"

"On behalf of Taibai Academy, I announce that you will be designated as our academy's—Chief Genius!"

"You will enjoy the highest level of resource allocation within the academy and possess the most unique privileges!"

"The Scripture Pavilion will be open to you 24/7! Medicinal Pills will be supplied in unlimited quantities! We will even personally protect your Dao!"

"You are the future hope of Great Xia!"

"Chief Genius?!"

"Unlimited resources?!"

Hearing these words, Ye Hao was completely stunned, a massive wave of happiness instantly overwhelming him.

He was somewhat overwhelmed by the favor and instinctively wanted to say a few humble words.

"This... this student was just lucky..."

"Hey! Excessive modesty is just pride!"

Lin Xiyue interrupted him and said with a smile:

"This is what you deserve."

"In this era, the strong should have privileges!"

Surrounded by everyone's crowding and praise, Ye Hao eventually accepted it all.

The following days were like living in heaven for Ye Hao.

He moved into a luxurious single dormitory with the richest Spiritual Qi, ate top-grade Medicinal Pills, and used the best Magic Treasures.

Whether walking through the campus or on the Martial Arts Arena.

All the teachers were pleasant to him, even somewhat fawning.

The gazes of all the students were filled with admiration, awe, and even jealousy.

"Greetings, Senior Brother Ye!"

"Senior Brother Ye is truly too strong; if only I had half his talent."

"Senior Brother Ye, could you give me some pointers?"

Every compliment and every envious gaze was like honeyed wine, watering Ye Hao's heart day and night.

Gradually.

Ye Hao changed.

He began to get used to this feeling of being high above others.

He began to feel that all of this was only natural.

I am a Genius, I am the Chief, I should enjoy all of this!

These ordinary students were merely green leaves setting off a red flower, or even mud on the ground, completely unworthy of being compared to him.

The figure of that humble and resolute youth who once gritted his teeth and persevered on the training grounds became increasingly blurred.

In his place was an arrogant young man with pride in his eyes and a "number one under heaven" attitude in every gesture.

One day.

On the Martial Arts Arena.

A student accidentally bumped into him and hurriedly apologized.

If it were the old Ye Hao, he would definitely have smiled and said it was fine.

But this time.

He only gave the other person a cold glance, his lips curling into a mocking arc, and used Spiritual Qi to blast them away.

"Blind fool."

"You think you're worthy of blocking my way?"

He flicked away non-existent dust from his sleeve and walked away amidst the fearful gazes of the crowd.

And at this moment, an indescribable sense of superiority sprouted in his heart, growing wildly like weeds.

Until... it completely swallowed his original heart!