Chapter 148 Just One Step Away

With the help of the Nine Sect Disciples, Ye Fan overtook everyone, causing Lü Xuan and the others' faces to turn almost green with anger.

After reaching over three hundred layers, even they walked with unsteady steps. Each layer consumed a massive amount of physical strength, and the slightest misstep could lead to elimination.

Yet, Ye Fan's condition was almost no different from when he was on the first layer. The reversal of fortunes came too quickly for these guys to accept.

"Brother Wei, how about you help me shoulder some of the pressure? I will definitely repay you after this is done."

Lü Xuan shamelessly spoke up, but all he got in return was a disdainful look from Wei Jun.

Everyone knew the four-hundredth layer was a major hurdle. Once ascended, the evaluation would be much higher. No one would give up the final sprinting opportunity.

In contrast, Ye Fan and his two companions successfully ascended to the four-hundredth layer, but Murong Wan and You Tan had exhausted their last bit of Qi and strength.

"Heh, at least it's better than just passing. The rest is up to you."

"You still have the energy to joke? Why not climb a few more layers?" Murong Wan said softly.

"No, I can't even move a finger now. I'd better just watch the show honestly."

The figures of Murong Wan and You Tan quickly disappeared. Once the Formation detected their surrender, they were automatically teleported back to the entrance.

Now, besides Ye Fan, only the top ten Prodigies on the hidden dragon ranking remained above the four-hundredth layer.

Naturally, Ye Feng was at the highest point, leading far ahead at the four-hundred-and-seventieth layer.

In second place was Fairy Han Yue, who had reached the four-hundred-and-fiftieth layer. The gap between the two wasn't very large.

The others were distributed between the four-hundred-and-thirtieth and four-hundred-and-fiftieth layers, forming three distinct tiers.

At this height, even the top ten Prodigies on the hidden dragon ranking felt immense strain. Each layer ascended consumed a vast amount of physical strength.

In contrast, Ye Fan was full of energy and began his pursuit in Peak condition.

Four hundred and one, four hundred and two, four hundred and three...

Ye Fan's figure actually leaped forward on the steps, catching up to the Prodigies of the third tier in just a few strides.

This made their expressions turn extremely ugly, yet they were helpless, forced to watch as Ye Fan moved further and further away.

In less time than it takes to drink a cup of tea, Ye Fan completely surpassed the third tier and soon caught up to Fairy Han Yue, who was in second place. As they passed each other, they sized each other up.

Fairy Han Yue's face was veiled with a light gauze. Though her features were unclear, her figure was truly excellent, almost on par with Su Ningxue's, making it hard to look away.

"Covering her face... either stunningly beautiful or terribly ugly," Ye Fan thought to himself.

Fairy Han Yue, on the other hand, revealed a somewhat curious gaze, evidently not yet recovered from the shock of the thousand-zhang radiant glow.

"Your Aptitude is very good. Given time, you might even participate in the Ascension Assembly," Fairy Han Yue suddenly said.

"Ascension Assembly? What Ascension Assembly?" Ye Fan asked, looking utterly bewildered.

"If you continue to grow, you will know one day. It's still too early to speak of such things now."

Having said that, Fairy Han Yue fell silent, focusing her mind entirely on charging towards the five-hundredth layer.

"So mysterious."

Ye Fan muttered a few words and also gave chase. All of this was seen by Ye Feng, who had just stepped onto the five-hundredth layer, stirring waves of jealousy in his heart.

He had known Fairy Han Yue for many years, pursuing her openly and covertly, yet he was always rejected, having barely exchanged a few words with her.

But Ye Fan had only met her twice and was already chatting with her. This was something Ye Feng found hard to accept.

"Hmph, once I defeat you, Han Yue will understand who is the best choice."

Thinking this, Ye Feng pressed ahead doggedly. Meanwhile, Ye Fan overtook Han Yue at the last moment, reaching the five-hundredth layer with a slight advantage. Now, only Ye Feng remained ahead.

After ascending to the five-hundredth layer, Fairy Han Yue also stopped, preparing to end this round of trials.

"Not going to push a bit more? With your cultivation, you should be able to manage a few more layers," Ye Fan asked subconsciously.

"No need to waste strength. The evaluation is the same between the five-hundredth and five-hundred-and-ninety-ninth layers."

Having said that, Fairy Han Yue's figure vanished. She gave up with remarkable ease.

"Then it's just you left."

After reaching the five-hundredth layer, the pressure with each step surged once more. Even someone as strong as Ye Fan couldn't charge recklessly; he could only proceed step by step.

Unconsciously, Ye Feng arrived at the five-hundred-and-fiftieth layer. He thought he had left Ye Fan far behind, or perhaps Ye Fan had simply given up.

But when Ye Feng looked back, the expression on his handsome face instantly turned extremely ugly.

"Hi, we meet again."

Ye Fan greeted with a smile. Only five steps separated them, as if they could reach out and touch each other.

"You... how..."

Though Ye Feng appeared relaxed, he was actually at the end of his rope. Seeing that Ye Fan had actually caught up, his concentration wavered, and he nearly collapsed on the steps.

"Your lower body foundation is lacking. Your future Dao Companion might suffer for it," Ye Fan couldn't help but tease.

Upon understanding, Ye Feng didn't dare to delay, gritting his teeth as he continued upward.

The two chased each other, sometimes one ahead, sometimes the other, seemingly locked in a stalemate for a while.

Though the six-hundredth layer was within sight, both seemed to be nearing their limits.

Ye Feng absolutely could not accept losing to Ye Fan again. He used a secret technique to exchange for a boost in power, once again widening the gap between him and Ye Fan.

"This is the difference in Sect heritage," Ye Feng said with a cold laugh.

Ye Fan remained silent, quietly circulating the Vajra Indestructible Body Divine Art. Strange runes flowed all over his body, quickly withstanding most of the pressure. Gradually, he began to catch up to Ye Feng again.

Unfortunately, the good times didn't last. After reaching the five-hundred-and-eightieth layer, the pressure with each step almost doubled. Even the mighty Vajra Indestructible Body Divine Art was struggling to hold on.

Cracks actually began to appear inch by inch on the skin all over Ye Fan's body, as if it might crumble at any moment.

At this moment, Ye Feng wasn't faring well either. Even using the secret technique, he was finding it hard to endure.

With each step he took, every joint in his body trembled, as if he might fall at any time.

Yet, what Ye Feng found most unacceptable was that Ye Fan had actually caught up again. Now, only a single step separated them. Ye Fan could be overtaken at any moment.

"Damn it... this kid..."

Before Ye Feng could say more, Ye Fan took a step and overtook him, continuing forward, successfully ascending to the six-hundredth layer before Ye Feng could.

The sudden turn of events made Ye Feng feel like vomiting blood. He struggled to suppress the impulse and, following closely, also stepped onto the six-hundredth layer, but he had exhausted his last bit of Qi and strength.

Though it was only a single step, Ye Feng refused to accept reality.

"Don't get too cocky. You were just one step faster than me. I'll catch up to that single step in no time!" Ye Feng said with a cold face.

"A single step away? Sorry, but I'm just getting started."

"What... did you... say?!"

Before Ye Feng could recover from his shock, Ye Fan's figure transformed into a bolt of lightning, charging towards the seven-hundredth layer at a speed far beyond everyone's imagination!