278: Chapter 278 The Test of Perseverance, Climbing the Ladder to Heaven

The Soul-shaking, heroic choice made during the Heart-Nature Trial served as the most solid Foundation of trust cast between Xu Ruyu and the Taihu Clan.

That pure sense of righteousness and fiery friendship of "rather dying in battle than living alone" completely conquered the hearts of all the Taihu Clan's high-level members.

Xu Ruyu's status in the clan was no longer just that of a "Holy Master" or a "honored guest"; he was personally acknowledged by the Clan Chief as a "brother" and regarded as one of their own, connected by blood.

After resting for several days, once Xu Ruyu had fully recovered from the intense impact of the battle soul blood crystal and his mind had stabilized, the trials of the Nine-Aperture Exquisite Array reached the seventh gate—the Trial of Perseverance.

On this day, as the first light of dawn appeared, almost all the Elders of the Nascent Soul Stage and above, the various Hall Masters, and numerous Core Disciples of the Taihu Clan gathered at the foot of Qingtian Peak, the most towering and majestic main Peak of the Tianyin Mountains.

Qingtian Peak pierced straight into the sky, its height unknown. Its upper half was perpetually hidden within the churning sea of clouds and the biting astral winds. The mountain body was a dark cyan color, bare and jagged, with almost no vegetation; only the hardest rocks remained exposed, having endured the tempering of eternal wind and frost.

A vast, solitary, and inviolable aura of majesty naturally permeated the air, inspiring awe in all who beheld it.

On a relatively flat open space at the foot of the mountain stood a simple stone tablet, with three large characters carved in vigorous ancient script—Heaven-Climbing Ladder.

The inscription recorded: The Taihu ancestor, "Immortal Master Baihong," sensing the Dao of heaven and earth, kowtowed at every step on this Peak while ascending the stairs. After nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine steps, he finally reached the absolute summit, saw through all illusions, received the immortal light, and ascended in a halo of light.

Out of concern for future generations, the Immortal Master left behind the dao rhyme of this ladder. Each step leads to a new heaven, tempering the Dao Heart and refining the Physical Body to test one's perseverance.

Those who reach the top have the hope of Immortal Ascension.

At this moment, the Clan Chief, the Supreme Dharma Master, the Grand Elder, Lady Qingli, and others stood before the stone tablet, with a dense, solemn crowd of clansmen behind them.

Everyone's gaze was focused on the youth standing beside the stone tablet, dressed in simple green robes, his figure slightly thin yet as upright as a pine tree.

“Brother Xu,” the Clan Chief began, his voice under the moonlight carrying a rare touch of warmth and solemnity, “this is the seventh trial, the ‘Trial of Perseverance,’ also known as the ‘Heaven-Climbing Ladder.’”

“This ladder is made of neither stone nor jade. It is the ‘Path of Dao Traces’ formed when our ancestor ascended, his steadfast Dao Heart resonating with the Laws of heaven and earth, leaving an imprint on the mountain.”

“With every step upward, the pressure of the Laws of heaven and earth will strengthen by a degree. It is an all-around tempering and trial for the Physical Body, spiritual power, and Divine Soul.”

The phantom of the Supreme Dharma Master added from the side, his ethereal voice tinged with reminiscence: “Throughout the ages, countless children of our clan have attempted to climb it.”

“However, those who could reach the top are few and far between.”

“The vast majority stop halfway. It is not due to a lack of strength, but because their will is not firm and their perseverance is insufficient, making it difficult to resist the ever-increasing heavenly might that points directly at the flaws in one's Dao Heart.”

The Grand Elder stroked his beard and sighed, “The Heaven-Climbing Ladder tests the purest ‘perseverance’—when faced with seemingly endless and increasingly strong pressure and pain, whether one chooses to shrink back and give up, or grit their teeth and persist, moving forward one step at a time until the Peak. This is not only a tempering of the body but an ultimate refinement of the will.”

Lady Qingli's beautiful eyes were filled with worry as she said softly to Xu Ruyu, “Xiao Yuer, this trial is no small matter.”

“That pressure of the Laws will trigger your deepest fears, fatigue, and even flaws in your Dao Heart.”

“Remember, do not force your speed. Steady your mind and feel the dao rhyme within. Go as far as you can. Your safety is most important.”

After the events of the Heart-Nature Trial, she valued Xu Ruyu even more than her own life.

Xu Ruyu looked up, gazing at the majestic mountain Peak disappearing into the clouds, his eyes clear and firm.

He could feel the heavy, ancient, and majestic aura of this Peak that pointed directly toward the Great Dao.

Each step a new heaven? Pressure from the Laws of heaven and earth? Wasn't this the perfect place to test the Foundation of his True Explanation of Taixu Source Energy and temper his adaptability to 'energy' and 'rules'?

“Thank you for the warning, Clan Chief, Supreme Dharma Master, and Grand Elder, and for your concern, Sister Qingli.” Xu Ruyu cupped his hands, his tone calm and carrying a quiet strength. “Junior understands.”

“The path of perseverance values persistence as much as it values comprehension. I will act according to my ability.”

Having said that, he no longer hesitated. He nodded slightly to everyone, turned around, and faced the seemingly ordinary yet secretly profound mountain path—the starting point of the ‘Heaven-Climbing Ladder.’

First step, he stepped onto the mountain path.

Instantly, a weak but incredibly clear and strange pressure descended quietly from all directions, acting upon his body, Meridians, and even his Divine Soul.

This pressure was not a simple increase in gravity, but a ‘field’ mixed with various auras of the Laws of heaven and earth. It repelled all living beings who attempted to ‘climb to heaven,’ as if questioning: What right do you have to peer into the Heavenly Dao?

Xu Ruyu's body sank slightly, but he immediately steadied himself.

He carefully savored this pressure.

The Haotian True Qi Chapter operated automatically, adjusting the subtle balance between the True Qi within his body and the external pressure field.

He did not rush forward but closed his eyes to feel for a moment before taking the second step.

As expected, the pressure increased slightly—extremely subtle, yet truly there.

Furthermore, the nature of the pressure seemed slightly different, adding a sense of stagnation targeted at the Meridians.

“I see,” Xu Ruyu realized in his heart. “This Heaven-Climbing Ladder is not a simple linear increase in pressure.”

“With every step, the emphasis of the Laws contains subtle differences. Some test physical strength, some test the purity of spiritual power, some test the resilience of the Divine Soul, and some even point directly at weaknesses in one's state of mind...”

“It's like a comprehensive, multi-angled ‘stress testing System.’”