281: Chapter 281, Level 7, Breakthrough

"Ah—!!!"

A roar, hoarse to the extreme, erupted from his throat!

Every chapter, every realization, and every understanding of energy within the True Explanation of Taixu Source Energy became clearer and more unified than ever before at this moment!

He no longer distinguished between kinetic energy, chemical energy, electromagnetic energy, nuclear energy...

Energy was simply energy! Laws were meant to be understood and utilized!

Open for me—!!!

Within his body, the Void Source Energy—which had been tempered ten thousand times by the Heaven-Climbing Ladder and was already reborn—erupted in a mysterious and unpredictable way!

It didn't impact outward against the pressure; instead, it collapsed and condensed inward, then... achieved a perfect resonance and Fusion with his Physical Body and Divine Soul!

The faint superficial barrier of the Qi Refinement Stage seemed to be infinitely diluted at this moment.

His life essence underwent an indescribable sublimation under the tempering of extreme pressure and will!

He reached out his hand, using the last of his strength to grab the final step.

Then, he gave a sudden heave!

His body felt suddenly light, like a Kunpeng breaking free from eternal shackles!

All the pressure, all the pain, and all the fetters vanished into thin air at this moment!

He had reached the summit.

He stood atop the absolute peak of Qingtian Peak, on a flat rock only a few yards wide.

Beneath his feet was a churning sea of clouds, and above his head was a deep blue sky that seemed within reach.

The sunlight fell without obstruction, warm and pure.

A mysterious aura permeated the air—fresh, free, and seemingly in harmony with the Dao.

Xu Ruyu collapsed to the ground, panting heavily, his body feeling as if it had fallen apart, yet a bright and pure smile appeared on his face.

Success.

It wasn't just passing the Trial of Perseverance.

More importantly, he had gained an unprecedentedly deep understanding and alignment with the True Explanation of Taixu Source Energy, his own "Dao," and the Laws of heaven and earth.

His state of mind had become transparent and resilient through these repeated dialogues with pressure and himself.

His cultivation (at the Qi Refining level) had been consolidated to an incredible degree, completing a fundamental transformation.

He lay there quietly, feeling the tranquility and loftiness of the summit, sensing the renewed power and vitality within his body.

After a long while, he struggled to sit up and crossed his legs to regulate his breathing.

Just then, another anomaly occurred.

Above the summit, clouds gathered, rosy light flickered, and the faint, clear sound of immortal music lingered.

A soft seven-colored pillar of light, containing the pure spiritual rhythm of heaven and earth, descended from the Void Realm and enveloped Xu Ruyu.

This was the gift from the Heaven-Climbing Ladder to those who successfully reached the summit—an Opportunity to cleanse the marrow, consolidate the Dao foundation, and draw closer to the Great Dao!

Within the pillar of light, Xu Ruyu's damaged Physical Body recovered at a visible rate, his exhausted mental energy was rapidly replenished, his newly broken-through cultivation Realm became incredibly stable, and even his Soul seemed to have been washed, becoming even more crystal clear.

As the pillar of light slowly dissipated, Xu Ruyu opened his eyes, a divine light contained within them, his bearing more steady and profound.

Though he still appeared to be in the Qi Refinement Stage, he gave off the feeling of an Ancient Cultivator who had experienced ten thousand years of vicissitudes and returned to a state of simple truth.

He slowly stood up, walked to the edge of the cliff, and looked down at the vast sea of clouds and the faintly visible silhouette of the Tianyin Mountains.

At the foot of the mountain.

When the light dot representing Xu Ruyu on the light screen finally stopped at the 9,999th step and stabilized without moving—

After a brief, deathly silence.

"He... he reached the summit?!"

"The 9,999th step! He reached the summit!"

"The Holy Master reached the summit!!"

"An outsider... has ascended to the absolute peak of the Heaven-Climbing Ladder left by our ancestors!!"

Exclamations, praise, and shouts of disbelief erupted like a volcano! The wave of sound surged into the clouds, even faintly reaching the summit!

The Clan Chief gazed up at the summit hidden above the sea of clouds, her figure trembling slightly under the moonlight. After a long time, she slowly let out a breath, her voice filled with endless emotion and relief: "One step, one heaven... He didn't just finish it; he turned every step into a cornerstone for his own growth.

Such perseverance, such Comprehension Ability, is unprecedented throughout the ages."

The phantom of the Supreme Magician bowed solemnly toward the summit: "Ancestors protect us, allowing our clan to encounter such a person. The Heaven-Climbing Ladder has granted its recognition, and the immortal fate has manifested.

Little Friend Xu's path is limitless."

The Grand Elder was so excited his old face turned red: "The Holy Master is truly a Divine Being! Our Taihu Clan is fortunate! Truly fortunate!"

Lady Qingli had long since broken into tears—tears of extreme joy.

Her Xiao Yuer had once again created a miracle, a miracle worthy of being recorded in the annals of the Taihu Clan, and even the history of the Cultivation World!

Xu Ruyu stood quietly at the summit for a long time until his body and mind were completely calm. Then, he turned and began to descend the mountain along the path he had come.

The path down seemed much easier.

It wasn't that the pressure had disappeared, but that his body and Soul had already adapted to it and could even dance with it.

When he reappeared at the foot of the mountain with steady steps, standing before the ancient "Heaven-Climbing Ladder" stone tablet.

All members of the Taihu Clan, whether Elders or Disciples, regardless of their previous impressions of him, all spontaneously and in unison bowed deeply toward him.

No words were spoken.

But this silent respect was weightier than any cheers or praise.

Xu Ruyu looked at everyone, smiled slightly, and cupped his hands toward the Clan Chief, the Supreme Magician, and the others:

"Fortunately, I did not fail my mission."

Four simple words, yet they were as heavy as a thousand catties.

The Nine-Aperture Exquisite Array, the seventh trial, the Trial of Perseverance, broken.

Xu Ruyu became the first outsider in the history of the Taihu Clan to successfully reach the summit of the "Heaven-Climbing Ladder."

Another brilliant stroke was added to his legend.

And the seven-colored immortal light that descended upon reaching the summit seemed to foretell that this young man's future was destined to have an indissoluble bond with the word "Immortal."