Chapter 326: Human Fortress, Bai Xi Clan (Combined)

How is the third level?

The Moon Spirit Ancestor spoke with a smile, "It's alright; if nothing unexpected happens, the one who should be able to reach the third level of the Heavenly Stairway is you. In that case, it's fine for me to reveal a bit beforehand."

The Heavenly Stairway is named a ladder, but actually each level is a world.

But there's no problem calling it a ladder.

Since each level of the Heavenly Stairway corresponds to one another, you can consider the three-level Heavenly Stairway as three completely overlapping different worlds.

Adjacent worlds can have their power projected in a special manner, forming a power projection, i. e., what is called Descent.

But between the first and third levels lies a second level; power is blocked and cannot be projected in any way, only able to transmit information, as we are doing now.

Compared to the vibrant first level, the third level is barren." The Moon Spirit Ancestor sighed, "There are no plants, insects, fish, mountains, or rivers here—only emptiness."

There are far too few living beings here; only the ancestors that each race can reach.

We each divide our territories and stare each other down before the Race War truly arrives.

Just a standoff, with no fighting having ever occurred?" Qin Chuan's eyes flickered slightly as he asked casually.

Combat, naturally, has also occurred." The Moon Spirit Ancestor spoke slowly, "Especially when a new race reaches the level, the balance is broken and each race's forces are reshuffled."

Even the ancestors will have some movement amidst the new turmoil.

Almost every thousand years, it's like this, until the balance is restored, then the ancestors of different races will lay down their arms.

When the fighting intensifies, even ancestors can fall!

However, each race will have at least one Second Realm expert capable of reaching the third level at any time, so they can immediately take over the ancestor's position when the ancestor falls.

In other words, the recent reshuffle happened a thousand years ago?" Qin Chuan asked as if unintentionally.

A thousand years ago..." The Moon Spirit Ancestor fell silent briefly, his voice unusually grave, "Indeed, a thousand years ago not only did the interracial reshuffle occur, but a major event also took place."

Could you elaborate?" Qin Chuan's heart skipped a beat.

He vaguely felt that the major event the Moon Spirit Ancestor mentioned was likely related to the mysterious Seventh Ancestor.

Upon careful thought, that mysterious ancestor involves the Crystal Clan and the Half Demon Clan; as observers, the Moon Spirit Clan indeed has no need to keep it secret.

The third level: each race has only one seat, meaning a race can have at most one ancestor." The Moon Spirit Ancestor spoke slowly, "This is the iron rule of the Heavenly Stairway."

But a thousand years ago, this rule was broken.

The Seventh Ancestor appeared.

The ninth selected Wave Clan, whose strongest had not even reached the Second Realm, so this Seventh Ancestor is not from them.

No one knows which race the Seventh Ancestor comes from; his power system and form have been deliberately concealed.

His only move was to aid the Crystal Clan Ancestor, heavily wounding the Half Demon Ancestor.

So you're saying the Seventh Ancestor comes from the Crystal Clan?" Qin Chuan asked, following the Moon Spirit Ancestor's words.

No, the Crystal Clan is the least likely source." The Moon Spirit Ancestor calmly denied that guess.

Every ancestor knows this.

In contrast, the Half Demon Clan's suspicion is actually the greatest.

... Huh?" Qin Chuan blinked.

Because before the Seventh Ancestor acted, the Crystal Clan Ancestor was merely at a disadvantage, not facing a life-or-death crisis." The Moon Spirit Ancestor explained softly, "After they joined forces, the Half Demon Ancestor should have surely died, but was only heavily wounded."

This..." Qin Chuan's eyes flashed with astonishment.

This time he was truly astonished.

On one hand, Qin Chuan was surprised that the true situation of that battle a thousand years ago was actually so bewildering.

As the victim, the Half Demon Clan's suspicion is actually the greatest.

On the other hand, Qin Chuan was surprised that the Moon Spirit Ancestor was unexpectedly candid about this, even sharing his own speculation.

There's no need for the other party to lie, after all the other ancestors were also eyewitnesses; Qin Chuan could always find a way to verify.

Perhaps that's why the Moon Spirit Ancestor is especially candid? "As for what you want to know, the strength comparison between me and the other few ancestors…" The Moon Spirit Ancestor smiled, "It's a bit hard to say; analyzing by racial advantage, the Dragon Ancestor should be the strongest."

But he rarely acts after reaching the third level, often choosing to stay as a spectator, being quite low-key.

Among those who frequently act, the Half Demon Ancestor should be the strongest, but he was heavily wounded a thousand years ago, and whether he has fully recovered now is unknown.

As for me…" The Moon Spirit Ancestor's voice trailed off slightly, gaining a hint of arrogance.

My clan's abilities are special; it's not easy to defeat the other few ancestors, but for them to defeat me is also no easy task.

Understood." Qin Chuan showed an expression of comprehension, "Thanks for clearing up my doubts."

No problem." The Moon Spirit Ancestor smiled, "Being able to chat with a new friend is also a pleasant diversion for me."

I look forward to the day the Human Race truly reaches the Heavenly Stairway.

Regardless of the outcome of the Race War, at least I can free myself from ten thousand years of idle sitting.

As his words faded, the nine-colored crystal ball gradually dimmed.

Qin Chuan stared at the crystal ball, pondered for a moment, then rose, pushed open the door of the quiet chamber and walked out. —Third Level of the Heavenly Stairway.

A blurry figure sat cross-legged in the void, gazing at the dim crystal ball before him, fell silent for a moment, then suddenly spoke in a low voice.

What do you think, how much did he believe?

I don't have the ability to read minds." Another voice drawled, "But if I were him, I would probably believe."

After all, to gain his trust, you risked revealing the origins of the Immortal Clan and the Human Race to that human kid.

If he really found the remnants of the Immortal Clan from back then and knew the truth… hehe, that would be interesting.

Immortal Clan… still have remnants?" The Moon Spirit Ancestor spoke low.

Another voice fell silent for a moment.

Who knows?

They are a bunch of madmen who dare to draw their swords at gods.

The Moon Spirit Ancestor also fell silent.

After a while, he suddenly spoke.

"Are the things ready?"

"Already prepared." The lazy voice spoke calmly, "As long as the number of humans entering the Heavenly Stairway is sufficient, it can be opened at any time."

"The tenth... finally gathered." In the Moon Spirit Ancestor's voice, tinged with emotion, "It can also be considered a twist of fate; back then we missed the immortal race, and now humanity has filled the last piece of the puzzle." "Seeing you so happy, let me tell you another piece of good news." In the lazy voice, with a hint of teasing.

"Humans have started building the fortress."

"Other races are about to move."

"A new round of reshuffling is about to begin."——"Boom boom boom boom boom——"

Accompanied by a deafening roar, the last wall slowly rose from the ground until it reached a height of over a thousand meters.

A grand fortress with a distinctly modern style appeared on the plain, standing alone, utterly out of place among its surroundings.

At the moment the fortress was completed, hundreds of figures cheered and leapt with joy.

From today onward, the Human Race will formally develop and grow strong on the Heavenly Stairway.

"It's finally done." Long Ji stood on the city wall, looking down at the cheering crowd below, a hint of smile appearing on his face, "With this fortress and the Tianlan Holy Formation Eye, plus my lordship, the Human Race can at least hold its ground."

"Just holding on isn't enough." Ze Fei Na spoke calmly behind him, her eyes flashing with sharp light, "We need to go on the offensive; the Heavenly Stairway is vast, we can't limit ourselves to just one territory."

"Of course, but that's for later." Long Ji turned his head, looking at the other few behind him, "Next, we're heading to White Flood Cold Ridge."

"There, we can find an ally."

"I'll guard the home." Yi Fu Lin held a stalk of grass in her mouth, hands in her pockets; though small in stature, she possessed a strength no one could ignore, "Just leave this place to me."

"Yi Fu Lin, are you sure?" Hong Ye beside her couldn't help but show a worried expression, "When Uncle Tie Hammer saw us off, he told us to take good care of you."

"Hmph! He's staying in the Dream World, so he can't control me." Yi Fu Lin showed her little tiger teeth and made a funny face.

"Let Hong Ye and Yi Fu Lin stay behind." Lai Ang Ha Te laughed loudly, "I'll just follow them to White Flood Cold Ridge; that's enough."

"Among us who came this time, there are at least sixteen Legendary Stage cultivators, more than enough to form nine users of the Tianlan Holy Formation Eye."

"That works." Hong Ye thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement, "Then Mr. Lai Ang Ha Te, please be extremely careful."

"Will do." Lai Ang Ha Te smiled.

A few Legendary Stage cultivators also volunteered to stay and guard the city, so the roster for those heading to White Flood Cold Ridge was quickly finalized.

Watching the crowd depart, Hong Ye's face showed an expectant expression, "I wonder just how strong this ally of ours really is."

"If the President and Vice President specially mentioned him, he probably isn't weak." Yi Fu Lin rested her chin on her hand, leaning against the city wall, and replied offhand.

Hong Ye walked to Yi Fu Lin's side with her hands behind her back.

"Yi Fu Lin, are you still mad at Uncle Tie Hammer?"

"No way." Yi Fu Lin turned her head to the other side.

Seeing this, Hong Ye, who knew her personality well, gave a wry smile, "Uncle Tie Hammer staying in the Dream World can help more players advance to the Epic Stage."

"He's never been good at combat; the rear lines are the best fit for him."

"I know." Yi Fu Lin cutely scrunched her nose, "But the entrance to the Heavenly Stairway is a one-way passage."

"If he doesn't come here, I won't be able to see him!"

"That won't happen." Hong Ye rubbed Yi Fu Lin's head, "In the real world, you can still meet."

Moreover, Uncle Tie Hammer is just not coming for now; when the time is right, he will still come to the Heavenly Stairway.

"Do you still remember what Uncle Tie Hammer said when he saw us off?"

"Yi Fu Lin, you need to try growing up on your own."

"All right." Yi Fu Lin rested her chin and gazed into the distance.

Below, the Epic Stage powerhouses, after the initial celebrations, quickly began intensive preparations.

The first batch of Epic Stage cultivators came almost entirely from the Special Affairs Group; they possessed extremely strong discipline, and even before entering the Heavenly Stairway they had already assigned each person's duties—garrison, scouting, logistics—each performing their role.

Once the Human Race's first batch of powerhouses had settled in completely, the Legendary Stage cultivators who had gone to White Flood Cold Ridge also returned with good news.

"Success!" The dusty and weary Long Ji returning wore an excited expression, holding aloft a silvery-white scale, "We have successfully made contact with Senior Bai Xi beneath White Flood Cold Ridge."

"According to the agreement between them and Luo, we can call upon them for help when we encounter danger, and they will respond immediately."

"However, each time they intervene, they demand six Legendary Stones or gold‑item props of equivalent value." Long Ji's eyes showed a pained expression.

Six Legendary Stones could forge a Legendary Stage powerhouse.

But after witnessing Bai Xi's formidable strength, Long Ji also realized this was a deal that far exceeded its cost.

"We need to let the President know about this as soon as possible." Hong Ye smiled and took out a delicately shaped jade ruyi.

This was the communication ruyi obtained from the random loot Qin Chuan received after conquering an SSS‑rank secret realm, the other half being held by Qin Chuan himself.

On the Heavenly Stairway, the guild channel is disabled; to send messages over long distances, one needs certain special treasures and means. —After concluding the conversation with the Ancestor of the Moon Spirit, Qin Chuan politely thanked Ma Xi Ya, then bade farewell to Lin Yue and left.

Not long after leaving the city, he received a message from Hong Ye.

After reading the content transmitted by the jade ruyi, Qin Chuan's face showed a smile.

"They have already preliminarily built a fortress at the entrance of the Heavenly Stairway and made contact with Senior Bai Xi."

"Everything is turning out well." Lin Yue revealed a delighted smile.

"That's right." Qin Chuan gazed toward the direction of White Flood Territory, "Everyone is working hard; we can't afford to slip up."

"The next ritual site is in Akas Territory, right?" Qin Chuan took out a map and glanced at it.

Unlike Red Rock Territory, from their current position reaching Akas Territory involves a rather distant journey.

Roughly estimated, it will take two or three Heavenly Stairway days on the road.

And this is already the nearest ritual site to the two of them.

Other ritual sites are even farther away.

"Yes." Lin Yue gave a slight nod, her eyes filling with anticipation, "Once we get there, Xiao Hong will be able to break through to the Mythic Stage."

Most of Akas Territory is shrouded in volcanic clusters, constantly spewing terrifying heat in all directions.

The temperature there is several tens of degrees higher than the surrounding territories, making it unsuitable for residence by experts of other attributes.

But for those of the fire attribute, it is like paradise.

And it is also the most suitable ritual site for Xiao Hong.

【Flame King: To burn everything seen with fire, completing the final transformation in the scorching volcanic magma.】

(End of chapter)