73: Chapter 73 The Fifth Life, The Blazing Sun Illuminates the Martial Path (Part 21)

He had confidence in the dual attributes he had personally added points to before his reincarnation, and even more confidence in the will he had forged through several lifetimes of transmigration.

His goal had never been to become just an Outer Sect Disciple or an Inner Sect Disciple.

What he wanted was to reach the summit of the nine-layer heavenly ladder and take first place!

To become the first among the preparatory disciples of the Great Sun Holy Land in a hundred years!

To make the entire Great Sun Holy Land remember his name, Chu Shi!

During these three days, Seventh Prince Xiao Yuan had also come to find Chu Shi several times.

The two chatted together and exchanged insights on cultivation.

At the same time, Seventh Prince Xiao Yuan also brought a lot of detailed information about the geniuses from the other two states.

After spending time together several times, their friendship grew deeper.

Princess Xiao Xiao would occasionally come along with Seventh Prince Xiao Yuan, but most of the time she brought Yun Mengyao and sat on the side watching.

She would occasionally tease Yun Mengyao, rarely speaking to Chu Shi.

Yet, in her eyes when looking at Chu Shi, there was unknowingly a bit more curiosity and exploration that she couldn't hide.

Every time Yun Mengyao came, she would timidly hide behind Princess Xiao Xiao, not daring to meet Chu Shi's gaze.

But she could not help but steal glances at him, the emotions in her eyes becoming more complex day by day.

Chu Shi, for his part, always turned a blind eye to this.

After all, liking Yun Mengyao was his predecessor's business.

To him, women would only affect his martial path.

All his heart and mind were placed on the upcoming trial, without any distraction.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

On the evening of the third day, as the setting sun sank and night was just about to shroud Trial Peak.

The Utility Disciples of Trial Peak all acted in unison, quickly spreading a notice throughout the three preparatory courtyards:

"Tomorrow morning at the hour of Mao, all preparatory disciples must gather at the Trial Plaza in the center of Trial Peak.

At that time, the various Peak Masters and Elders of the Holy Land will be present to observe the ceremony.

After the recruitment Elder finishes speaking, the entrance trial for the nine-layer heavenly ladder will officially begin.

Do not be late, do not be absent; violators will have their trial qualifications directly revoked!"

The moment the notice was issued, the already intense atmosphere of the entire Trial Peak became even more tense.

Countless disciples stayed awake all night, trying to seize the last bit of time to meditate and regulate their breathing, doing their utmost to stabilize themselves in their peak state.

In the small courtyard in the deepest part of Canglan Courtyard, Chu Shi sat cross-legged on the meditation cushion in the cultivation room and slowly opened his eyes.

There was no trace of nervousness or anxiety in his eyes, only a calmness that was firm to the extreme.

He did not continue to cultivate, but merely circulated his cultivation technique to regulate his breathing, adjusting his own energy, blood, and state of mind to the absolute peak of perfection.

During these three days, he had completely stabilized his cultivation at the late stage of the Ox-Skin Realm.

The Blazing Sun Body also showed signs of initial awakening; the energy and blood throughout his body were like a rushing river, magnificent and blazing.

The night passed without incident.

The next day, before dawn, the eastern sky just began to show a hint of white.

Chu Shi had already risen, changed into a clean and sharp black martial outfit, tied his long hair up high, and the whole person appeared even more upright, with his sharpness restrained.

After carefully checking his state and confirming there were no omissions, he pushed open the door and walked slowly towards the Trial Plaza.

At this time, Trial Peak had already completely awakened.

On the small mountain paths, there were preparatory disciples dressed in martial outfits everywhere.

They walked in groups of two or three, gathering towards the Trial Plaza.

On everyone's faces, nervousness and anticipation were intertwined, along with a bit of desperate determination.

Occasional conversations on the road were all whispered in hushed tones, and even their footsteps were kept extremely light.

Chu Shi mingled in the crowd, walking unhurriedly.

The calmness and composure around him formed a stark contrast with the tense and oppressive atmosphere around him.

After walking for about half an incense stick of time, the vast Trial Plaza appeared before his eyes.

He stopped, looked up, and a trace of imperceptible surprise flashed in his eyes.

He saw that the plaza before him was paved with solid blue-black stones, as smooth as a mirror, and he could not see the edges at a glance.

Yet, the very center of the huge plaza was completely empty.

Let alone the legendary nine-layer heavenly ladder that pierced the clouds, not even half a piece of trial equipment or a single formation restriction could be seen.

Around the plaza, layered viewing platforms had already been set up.

In the main seats in the front row sat the various Peak Masters of the Great Sun Holy Land, each one with an unfathomable aura, surrounded by a faint, terrifying pressure.

Behind them sat many Inner and Outer Elders of the Holy Land, along with disciples who had come to observe.

The people had already arrived, and the pressure was overwhelming, but the core area of the trial was empty.

Not just Chu Shi, almost all the preparatory disciples who arrived at the plaza showed astonishment and confusion on their faces.

Whispers spread across the plaza:

"Didn't they say it was the nine-layer heavenly ladder trial? Where is the ladder?"

"This plaza is empty, there isn't even a formation; what exactly are we going to be tested on?"

"Could the rumors be false? Did the sect change the trial method at the last minute?"

Chu Shi scanned the crowd and quickly found the disciple team from Canglan State, then walked over.

Just as he reached the edge of the team, Seventh Prince Xiao Yuan spotted him at a glance and immediately waved vigorously at him: "Brother Chu! Here!"

Chu Shi walked over slowly and stood beside Seventh Prince Xiao Yuan.

Princess Xiao Xiao stood next to Seventh Prince Xiao Yuan, and Yun Mengyao was still following timidly behind Princess Xiao Xiao.

Seeing Chu Shi come over, she instinctively shrank behind Princess Xiao Xiao, revealing only half her face, and secretly looked up at him.

Many surrounding disciples from Canglan State, seeing Chu Shi come over, also nodded to him one after another, their eyes filled with awe and curiosity.

After all, the matter of Elder Zhang leaving him behind alone had already spread throughout the circles of the preparatory disciples of the three states.

Everyone knew that this "genius Chu Shi" was a seedling that Elder Zhang valued highly.

"Brother Chu, how is your state?"

Seventh Prince Xiao Yuan lowered his voice, his tone filled with unconcealable nervousness.

As he spoke, he looked up at the empty center of the plaza, and said with some confusion: "Also, look at this place, there isn't even a shadow of the heavenly ladder; what on earth is the sect trying to do?"

"Rest assured, my state is very good." Chu Shi smiled faintly, his tone calm and waveless.

"As for the trial, what is meant to come will always come.

What about you, are you nervous?"

"How can I not be nervous?" Seventh Prince Xiao Yuan gave a wry smile.

"This is the trial that determines our future status in the Holy Land; I didn't sleep soundly all night yesterday."

Princess Xiao Xiao, who was beside them, heard this and immediately pouted, raised her hand to pat Seventh Prince Xiao Yuan on the shoulder, and said casually: "Seventh Brother, look at how little backbone you have; it's just an entrance trial. What is there to be nervous about? Isn't it enough to just do your best?"

She said this, turned her gaze to Chu Shi, raised an eyebrow, and with a bit of playful anticipation in her eyes, said: "Young Master Chu, I am very much looking forward to your performance; don't disappoint me."

"I will certainly not fail your expectations, Princess." Chu Shi nodded slightly, his tone flat, carrying unparalleled confidence.

Just at this moment, the bells and drums around the plaza suddenly roared in unison.

"Dong! Dong! Dong!"