279: Chapter 279 Don't be greedy for speed, don't

Xu Ruyu became interested.

Wasn't this the perfect research subject?

Studying the comprehensive impact of different Law pressures on living organisms, and how to optimally adapt to and resist these pressures.

Xu Ruyu slowed down completely.

He no longer thought about reaching the summit, but instead treated every lift and placement of his foot as a precise experiment and realization.

On the third step, the pressure focused on his tendons and bones.

He mobilized his "Haotian True Qi" to simulate a stronger skeletal support structure.

On the fifth step, the pressure brought a searing, burning sensation.

He attempted to guide a portion of the pressure, converting it into the thermal energy understood in the "Five Elements Evolution Chapter," and slightly adjusted the airflow on his body surface to dissipate the heat.

On the tenth step, the pressure contained an ice-cold, bone-chilling intent.

Using the reverse logic of his "Heat Death Palm," he slightly increased the molecular movement rate on his body surface to counter it.

On the twentieth step, the pressure became viscous, hindering the circulation of spiritual power.

He tried to change the fluctuation frequency of his "Haotian True Qi," searching for a certain "resonance" point with the pressure field to reduce resistance.

On the thirtieth step, illusions sprouted, testing his resolve.

He held firmly to the core principle of the "True Explanation of Taixu Source Energy" that "all things can serve as energy," viewing the illusions as disturbances in energy information, and remained unmoved.

...

Xu Ruyu walked extremely slowly, sometimes even staying on a single step for a long time, closing his eyes and focusing his mind, experiencing it in detail, his fingers unconsciously tracing in the Void Realm before him, as if deducing some formula or model.

His breathing was steady and long, and although his expression gradually became serious as the steps rose, there was no sign of struggle.

At the foot of the mountain, in front of the light screen projected by a special Formation that could only vaguely display the general position and height of the climbers, the members of the Taihu Clan were initially able to remain calm.

After all, the pressure on these initial steps should not have been anything for Xu Ruyu, who had already passed the previous stages.

But as time passed, Xu Ruyu's "snail-like" and frequently pausing climbing method began to make some people feel confused.

"Why is the Holy Master... walking so slowly? Is he adapting to the pressure?"

"Look at the light spot, he's only at the hundred-something step... This speed is several times slower than the slowest climber from back then."

"Could it be that he consumed too much in the previous stages and hasn't fully recovered? Or does the Law pressure of this Heaven-Climbing Ladder strongly suppress the Holy Master's special Cultivation Technique?"

"It's also possible that the Holy Master is experiencing the dao rhyme of the Heaven-Climbing Ladder in a unique way? After all, he is always full of surprises."

Whispers arose.

Lady Qingli clenched her hands, her beautiful eyes staring unblinkingly at the slowly moving light spot on the light screen, silently cheering him on in her heart.

The Clan Chief and the Supreme Mage watched in silence, their eyes profound.

They saw more clearly than the others that although the light spot moved slowly, it was disturbingly steady, without the slightest sign of hesitation, retreat, or violent fluctuation, as if every step was planted on the most solid point.

Time passed, and the sun rose higher.

Three hundred steps... five hundred steps... eight hundred steps...

Xu Ruyu still maintained that unhurried, one-step-at-a-time, meticulously observant rhythm.

His speed seemed constant; it did not significantly slow down as the pressure increased, but it certainly did not speed up.

At the foot of the mountain, some impatient young Disciples were already becoming restless, feeling that such a slow climb seemed to lack the passion and sense of impact that "perseverance" should have.

Elder Mo Feng (although he had lost power, he was still qualified to observe) hid in a corner of the crowd, his mouth curling into a sneer, and whispered to the person beside him, "Pretending to be mysterious! I think he simply can't withstand the pressure and can only crawl like a snail! He still wants to reach the summit? Dream on!"

However, when Xu Ruyu stepped past the thousandth step, a change occurred.

It was not that Xu Ruyu had a problem, but rather that the light spot representing him on the light screen, although still moving slowly, emitted an aura (vaguely transmitted through the Formation) that caused all members of the Taihu Clan at the foot of the mountain who had reached a certain level of cultivation to shudder in their hearts!

That aura still only had the fluctuations of the Qi Refinement Stage, but it was more condensed, thicker, and more... profound than before!

It was as if it were refined iron that had been tempered a thousand times, with all Impurities removed, leaving only the purest and most resilient essence!

"His cultivation... seems to have been further consolidated and purified under the pressure?" Elder Lan Yi said in surprise.

"Not just that," the Grand Elder's gaze was burning, "in his aura, there seems to be an added rhythm that vaguely resonates with the dao rhyme of this Heaven-Climbing Ladder... He is absorbing the pressure, converting the pressure?!"

The Clan Chief's gaze under the moonlight flickered slightly: "Advancing step by step, using the pressure as a whetstone to temper himself... This child's Heart-Nature, perseverance, and Comprehension Ability are truly terrifying."

The phantom of the Supreme Mage nodded: "Not greedy for speed, not seeking haste, walking every step to the extreme, turning external force into his own use. This kind of perseverance is not resisting with brute force, but a combination of wisdom and resilience. This is great perseverance indeed."

As the number of steps increased, the pressure grew exponentially.

After two thousand steps, gale winds began to appear, cutting like invisible blades; after three thousand steps, thunder phantoms occasionally exploded beside him, shaking his Divine Soul; after four thousand steps, the space seemed to become viscous and heavy, making every step difficult.

Xu Ruyu's speed was finally inevitably slowed down.

Fine beads of sweat began to seep from his forehead, and his breathing gradually became heavy.

His green robe was soaked with sweat, clinging to his body, outlining a slightly thin but exceptionally upright figure.

But his eyes were becoming brighter and brighter, like stars in the dark night.

The stronger the pressure, the faster and more refined the "Void Source Energy" within his body was forced to circulate!