Chapter 154: Heavenly Ladder

"Huang Suyu participating in the Inner Disciple Trial — perhaps he has other ideas, and perhaps my involvement is also a reason?"

Yu Changsheng speculated, feeling this was very likely.

The matter of me killing his brother and servant, he cannot possibly not know; yet after so long there has been no movement, and Yu Changsheng would never be so naive as to think he doesn't intend to pursue it — Yu Changsheng felt Huang Suyu must be waiting for an opportunity.

"Suit yourself; even if you've reached Foundation Establishment, so what? I, Yu Changsheng, am not someone to be trifled with either. This little enmity — if it should be settled, then it shall be settled."

Thinking of these things, killing intent surged in Yu Changsheng's heart for an instant, but it was concealed very well and swiftly suppressed.

His character is simply like this: if others don't provoke him, he won't go provoke others; if others harbor designs against him, then don't blame him for being ruthless — in the Cultivation World there are no laws or regulations, the fist is everything.

With Miao Wenlun's continuous introduction, one hour passed in a flash; all participants in the trial on the square had assembled, and looking out, one could hardly find anyone with cultivation below Qi Refining Seventh Layer — among them were also many whose auras made even Yu Changsheng feel slightly surprised.

After a moment a bell rang, and the next moment three figures slowly emerged on the horizon, landing steadily on the stage before the thousand disciples.

These three were all men; one was young, with weaker cultivation; two were aged, with extremely profound cultivation.

The young man's expression carried a faint arrogance; he wore the Daofu specifically for Inner Sect Disciples, while the two beside him wore the attire of Inner Sect Elders, their expressions indifferent, joyless and angerless, merely standing there quietly — the aura and might on their bodies alone made the originally clamorous scene fall silent for a moment.

"It's Inner Sect Disciple Wang Luyi, and Inner Sect Elder Cao and Elder Hai — looks like this trial will be presided over by them."

The young man, namely Wang Luyi, first glanced at the crowd below, then respectfully turned and bowed to the two elders behind him; at their prompting, he made his complexion as gentle as possible and coughed twice with a full-face smile:

"Greetings, outstanding talents of the Outer Sect; I am your Senior Brother Wang Luyi. This year's Inner Disciple Trial will be presided over by me in cooperation with the two elders."

"No more nonsense — is everyone present? Those not present will not be waited for; now follow me to the First Trial site. I expect you all basically understand, so I'll just give a brief explanation here..."

Wang Luyi spoke slowly, his voice very gentle, drawing secret glances from many female disciples; but if one looked closely, that trace of condescension and disdain in his eyes could not be wiped away.

Still, no one would have any objection — as an Inner Sect Disciple, a bit of pride is normal.

As Wang Luyi spoke, he scanned the crowd below with gentle eyes; when his gaze fell on Yu Changsheng's area, he glanced at Yu Changsheng without leaving a trace, but did not linger.

Yu Changsheng's brow furrowed; for some reason, his keen Divine Sense always felt a malicious gaze had looked at him one extra time, making him instantly vigilant. Looking at Wang Luyi on stage acting as if nothing was amiss, Yu Changsheng was inwardly alert.

"This Wang Luyi — I've never met him; there shouldn't be any issue, right?"

"However..." Yu Changsheng's gaze sharpened slightly; he could sense the vast Foundation Establishment cultivation within the other's body, and the astonishing Sword Intent emanating from his essence, energy, and spirit.

"Most likely, this person is the disciple who entered the Inner Sect from Yujian Peak; perhaps he has some friendship with Huang Suyu as well. If that's the case, then everything becomes easy to understand. During the Inner Disciple Trial, Huang Suyu will certainly be waiting for me — inside and outside coordination, is it..."

Thinking of this, Yu Changsheng smiled faintly, shook his head, and felt not the slightest fear in his heart.

"Anyway, you Wang Luyi couldn't possibly step in personally; if it really is as I think, then once I enter the Inner Sect, I'll come find you to settle accounts."

As they spoke, they arrived at Wanxiang Sect Main Peak; the mountain body was vast, wreathed in mist and clouds, towering trees on it, auspicious beasts without end, immortal cranes flying — on the other side of the mountain, a broad waterfall plunged from the sky, like the Milky Way of the Nine Heavens.

Looking up, one could not see the end; the mountain body resembled a sword, piercing straight into the clouds, its upper half shrouded in mist, faintly visible, indistinct — whoever stood at the mountain foot would sigh at their own insignificance.

The main path in the mountain had been opened into layer upon layer of Heavenly Ladder bluestone stairs, extremely broad — each layer was probably a thousand zhang long; on them were engraved lines of mysterious patterns, dragons flying and phoenixes dancing, mysterious meaning surrounding them, spiritual Qi also automatically sinking into them — clearly a great Formation Array enveloped and empowered them.

Their vastness was the greatest Yu Changsheng had ever seen in his life, and he couldn't help but feel a trance in his mind — this was a wonder impossible to see in his previous life; this is the ghostly axe divine work power of the Cultivation World.

"Heavenly Ladder!"

"As the name implies, the Heavenly Ladder is naturally the Ladder that Pierces Heaven. The Great Dao of Cultivation has three thousand paths; each has the ability to Pierce Heaven. As us Cultivators, only by not fearing the pressure and hardship on this road, using perseverance and courage to face them, persisting tirelessly and advancing upward, can we rise swiftly, ascend smoothly, reach the peak of the Heavenly Ladder, and look down upon the mundane world."

Among the two elders, Elder Cao with immortal bearing spoke at the right moment, saying lightly, his voice clearly reaching the ears of all disciples.

"Those who can enter our Inner Sect — every one is a Person Among Dragons and Phoenixes among Cultivators; mind, perseverance, aptitude — none can be lacking. This First Trial is right before you; you will have three hours to climb."

"With every hundred stairs, every thousand stairs as a boundary — the higher you go, the greater the pressure, the more intense the torment to soul and body; but of course this is also a kind of tempering. Those who can persist will gain enormous improvement."

"The rules are simple: those who can climb to the Five Thousand Layers of stairs within the allotted time count as passing; the rest are all eliminated. And the higher the stairs climbed, the richer the rewards you'll obtain after the trial ends."

"So, please don't hold back — climb as high as you can! Let's see who can reach the mountain summit and ascend smoothly."

After finishing, Elder Cao also kindly reminded: "Also, while paying attention to time, pay attention to the people beside you — the Cultivation World changes unpredictably; there are always those with ulterior motives. Only by constantly maintaining a vigilant mindset can you go far."

As his words fell, the remaining disciples' complexions changed slightly; they silently distanced themselves a few steps from those beside them, while those who already had conflicts with each other were eager to try.

Yu Changsheng also seemed to sense something; he raised his head and turned to look — a gaze full of aggression was staring dead at the back of Yu Changsheng's neck.

After being seen by Yu Changsheng, the owner of that gaze did not converge it; on the contrary, he smiled at Yu Changsheng from afar.

(Chapter End)