459: Chapter 459 Solemn Appearance

"But this pressure is simply too strong... Can these children endure it?"

Some also worried, their voices filled with heartache.

These were kind elders, watching the familiar figures in the water mirror pressed down until they could barely straighten their backs, seeing the blood at the corners of their mouths, their pale faces, and trembling legs, their eyes filled with pity and reluctance to watch.

However—

"Look! They are starting to adjust!"

In the water mirror, whether it was the white figure or the seven Prodigies, after the initial shock and passive endurance, they all reacted quickly.

This was the instinct belonging to top Prodigies, a reaction speed honed through countless life-and-death battles, a pride and resilience carved into their very bones.

Shock is acceptable, fear is acceptable, pain is acceptable—but one must never drown in them.

Because on the Heavenly Ladder, hesitating for a second means an abyss; falling for a moment means eternal damnation.

Someone sat cross-legged, with a majestic bearing, Dao aura flowing around their body, seemingly communicating with and adapting to this Heavenly Dao pressure using their own Dao.

It was Kasyapa. He closed his eyes, a near-pious expression appearing on his face—he was listening, feeling, and trying to understand the essence of this Heavenly Dao pressure.

Overcoming hardness with softness, governing Dao with Dao; since he could not resist it head-on, he would understand it, integrate into it, and become a part of it.

Someone roared, bursting with even more intense Qi and blood and demonic power, choosing to resist with force, moving step by step.

It was Blood Butcher. He was bathed in blood, every inch of his skin seeping blood, every step accompanied by a low roar, the stone steps beneath his feet cracking inch by inch, but he was still moving upward—even if slow as a snail, even if every step was difficult, he would never retreat!

Proving the Dao with force, breaking strength with strength; since the Heavenly Dao wanted to suppress him, he would respond with an even stronger attitude!

Some also unleashed a Magic Treasure, light flowing, trying to share the pressure.

It was the Divine Son of Holy Brilliance.

A simple, ancient divine lamp hung above his head, the flame flickering, casting down strands of radiance, enveloping him.

This radiance twisted and deformed under pressure but never extinguished—protecting the body with an artifact, substituting the tribulation with a treasure; since he could not bear it himself, he would let the Magic Treasure share it!

They all displayed their Divine Abilities; although their speed became extremely slow, and they had to gasp for a long time with every step, not a single one chose to give up, not a single one chose to retreat.

At their level, their will was as firm as divine iron.

The harder it is, the more it ignited their pride and fighting spirit; the more dangerous it is, the more it fueled the Battle Intent in their Bloodline.

They were Prodigies, they were monsters, they were beings looked up to by countless people—they have their own pride, a spine that refuses to bend, and a bloodiness that would rather die in battle than kneel to live.

The 5,000-step area has become the most watched focus of the entire Heavenly Ladder, also like an invisible barrier, temporarily separating the top Prodigies from the rear echelon.

There, eight figures, eight postures, yet all were struggling, resisting, and launching an assault towards a higher Realm.

Their backs were lonely and stubborn; their footsteps were heavy and firm.

And meanwhile—

The figures of the Third Tier finally reached this terrifying height.

Chen Shenhuang, Ji Tianming, Li Wuji, and Sword Prodigy almost simultaneously stepped into the 5,000-step range.

They were not as dazzling as the eight in front, not as powerful—but they also have their own pride, their own persistence, and their unwillingness to fall behind.

When their soles landed on that invisible boundary—

"Boom!"

The Heavenly Dao pressure arrived as expected, falling mercilessly on the four!

All four groaned almost simultaneously, their bodies swaying violently.

Chen Shenhuang's face turned deathly pale, blood spilling from the corner of his mouth; Ji Tianming trembled all over, cracks appearing on his skin, as if he would shatter at any moment; Li Wuji roared, forcibly stabilizing his body, but his legs sank deep into the stone steps, almost to his knees; Sword Prodigy's long sword wailed in his hand, cracks appearing on the blade, the Lifebound Treasure that had accompanied him for many years let out such a miserable sound for the first time—

But they did not fall.

Not one fell.

They struggled, gasped, and while trembling all over, still insisted on raising their heads, looking at the eight unreachable figures above.

Those eight figures, in higher places, in further clouds, struggling in deeper mud—but they, too, were struggling.

"Good..."

Chen Shenhuang gritted his teeth, squeezing the word out through his teeth, his voice hoarse and trembling, but carrying a relentless ruthlessness:

"Very good..."

In his eyes, no despair, no retreat, only a more intense Battle Intent. That Battle Intent, like a raging fire, burned in the depths of his eyes, burning away all fear and hesitation.

Sword Prodigy gripped his nearly broken long sword, said in a low voice, though light, it carried the weight of a thousand jin:

"Eight thousand steps? Ten thousand steps? A moment later... I will stand there."

And above—

Eight figures, still struggling forward in the mud of the 5,000 steps.

Every step was extremely difficult, every breath was enduring unimaginable pain, sweat mixed with blood dripping onto the jade steps, evaporated by the invisible pressure in an instant.

But no one looked back, no one gave up, no one stopped their steps.

5,000 steps, it is a watershed, a touchstone, the first real hurdle set by the Heavenly Dao.

And they are using their own spines, their own lives, their all, to cross this hurdle.

The Heavenly Ladder is endless, the climbing never stops.

On this divine ladder leading to the sky, every figure is writing their own legend in their own way.

5,000 steps.

This invisible boundary spanning the Heavenly Road, at this moment, is no longer just a number.

It is a Wall of Sighs—a Wall of Sighs separating the mortal world from the divine Realm. It stands quietly there, emitting a pressure that makes the Soul tremble. It is not ordinary pressure, it is the interrogation of the ancient Heavenly Dao to all who dare to approach, it is the judgment of the Secret Realm's will on your very existence.

The atmosphere in the entire area is stagnant like ten-thousand-year black ice. Even the hazy spiritual light ubiquitous in the Secret Realm seems to have shrunk and dimmed here, like a flock of birds startled by a tiger, not daring to approach even half a step.

Ahead, in the unreachable heights.

That white figure, and the Peak existences led by the seven alien Prodigies, are in a silent and thrilling contest with that majesty as vast as the sky. Every subtle movement of theirs—a slight tremor of a fingertip, a flutter of a sleeve, a deep breath—pulls at countless almost breathless gazes inside and outside the Secret Realm.

This is no longer climbing.

This is confrontation. Confronting the most core, most original Heavenly Dao will of this ancient Secret Realm.

And at this moment, this murderous battlefield welcomed the third wave of challengers.

Chen Shenhuang, Ji Tianming, Li Wuji, and Sword Prodigy.

The four peerless Prodigies, cultivated with all resources in their respective immortal Legacies, entrusted with high hopes of carrying the future, almost simultaneously stepped onto the 4,999th step.

The cold temperature of the jade came through the soles of their boots. Ahead lies that invisible, yet more heart-stopping threshold than a ten-thousand-foot abyss.

The four's gazes met briefly in the air.

No words. But what was reflected in the depths of their pupils was the same solemnity—and the determined flame that would not allow themselves to retreat even half a step.

They had already caught a glimpse of the situation of those in front, whether through sensing with secret treasures or relying on their own spiritual senses.

This is definitely not just pressure.

This is overturning, suppressing, the Heavenly Dao's interrogation of your very existence.

5,000 steps, it is the Dragon Gate—leap over it, and perhaps you can catch a glimpse of the secret of the ultimate fortune.

It is also the Gate of Hell—if you can't step firmly, it means your Dao Heart is frustrated, your Foundation is shaken, and you might even have your Soul destroyed on the spot.

"Go!"

A word spat out, cutting off all hesitation.

Four figures, simultaneously raised their feet, resolutely, stepping down towards that final boundary!

"Hum——!!!"

Not a loud noise.

It was a dull rumble that went straight into the depths of the Divine Soul, as if the heart of the entire Secret Realm had beaten heavily once.

The terrifying pressure, expected but far exceeding expectations, like four Buzhou divine mountains crushing down from the ancient barbaric era, smashed down!

It was no longer the progressive pressure of the previous steps.

But an all-encompassing, domineering, absolute power that wanted to suppress all things into nothingness!

The protective divine light, sharp sword energy, and brilliant imperial Qi around the four emitted an unbearable, tooth-aching "creaking" sound the moment they made contact. They vibrated violently, the light flickering, like a candle in the wind, about to extinguish in the next moment.

The jade steps beneath their feet even made a faint but clear wailing sound, like glass about to shatter.

"Hmph!"

Chen Shenhuang groaned. His upright body shook violently, his shoulders seeming to bear the weight of the stars in an instant, involuntarily bending slightly.

But a fierce look flashed in his pupils, and a roar of ancient Bloodline surging came from within his body—he actually forcibly stopped the bending trend and straightened up again!

The price was several spider-web-like cracks blooming on the jade beneath his feet.

Ji Tianming's complexion suddenly turned as pale as paper. The Void Realm above his head twisted, and a vague but heavy map of mountains and rivers, along with the phantom of a heavenly palace, appeared automatically, trying to share the Heavenly Might with the momentum of a nation's destiny.

However, the Heavenly Dao pressure was vast and indifferent. As soon as the phantom appeared, it shook violently, flickering, as if it would be completely crushed and assimilated by this merciless "Heaven" at any moment.

The jade hairpin binding Li Wuji's hair cracked with a "pop," and his black hair danced like wild snakes.

The "Hunyuan Wuji Deity" that originally rotated slowly around him, explaining the wonder of Yin and Yang derivation, now began to accelerate wildly like a roulette thrown into the center of a storm, Dao patterns flashing, trying its best to resolve, guide, and disperse this overwhelming power.

But a shocking trace of bright red still seeped from his tightly pursed lips.

Sword Prodigy's response was the most fierce and direct.

He let out a clear whistle—the whistle was like a Dragon roar and sword cry, rushing straight to the nine heavens!

At this moment, he seemed no longer to be a body of flesh and blood, but transformed into a peerless divine sword that had been tempered a thousand times and was finally about to cut through all shackles. The cold and pure Sword Intent soared into the sky, actually piercing a faint, sharp "ripple" on the invisible curtain of pressure.

However, the power of the Heavenly Dao is pervasive and all-encompassing.

No matter how sharp the Sword Intent is, it is difficult to break this "wholeness" that covers the eight wildernesses and six directions.

His body was still firmly "nailed" to the spot. Every inch of his muscles and bones was groaning in protest, and it was extremely difficult to move even a finger.

Suppressed!

Although he had expected it, when he personally experienced the terror of this pressure, which far exceeded the total of the previous 4,999 steps, huge waves still rose in the depths of the four's Dao Hearts.

The blood in their chests seemed to be flowing backwards, and their Divine Souls sent bursts of needle-like warnings.

Is this what those monsters in front are fighting against?

Is this the real "scenery" belonging to the second half of this Heavenly Road?

Terrible.

Despairingly heavy.

However, the shadow of despair only flashed briefly before being burned away by an even hotter, more unyielding flame.

After the initial shock, the eyes of the four instead lit up with an almost paranoid sharpness.

They began to display their abilities. Some used secret techniques to stabilize their Qi and blood, some urged their Lifebound Treasure to resonate with Dao principles, some burned their essence blood to stimulate potential. Little by little, they tried to move their bodies in this solidified "amber," raising that next step that weighed ten thousand jun.

Just as they were struggling to adapt and having the initial "break-in" with the Heavenly Dao pressure—

Behind them, the real torrent surged in.

The Fourth Tier gathered.