Chapter 9: Shocking the Profound Heaven Sect

This year's geniuses are more than in previous years; in the past, disciples who passed the fiftieth level were basically only one or two, but this time there are actually so many. said Second Elder Guo Jianping of the Profound Heaven Sect on the viewing platform.

Yeah, Lao Guo, do you think that little guy can match the sect leader's record? asked Sixth Elder Zhang Ziliang.

I'm optimistic about Yang Fan and Yun Qingyan; these two are top-notch geniuses of our Great Yun Empire. Guo Jianping stroked his beard and replied.

While the elders were chatting, Ling Ye and the other six had already climbed to the sixtieth level. Every thirty levels is a hurdle, and upon reaching the sixtieth level of the Heavenly Ladder, the pressure had multiplied.

Ouyang Xu, Li Xiang, and Dongfang Jie could no longer hold on; they had already been sent down to the ground, completely powerless, when they reached just the first level. Only Yun Qingyan, Yang Fan, Ling Ye, and Ling Feng remained on the Heavenly Ladder.

The four of them continued climbing upward, each feeling the multiplied pressure of the Heavenly Ladder, their speed no longer as fast as before. When they reached the sixty-seventh level, Ling Feng voluntarily jumped down. He is low-key; even with Xiao Ta around, he never lacks guidance from renowned masters. As long as he passes the test, that's enough; he doesn't flaunt his talent like Ling Ye does.

As time passed, Yang Fan and Yun Qingyan were respectively sent down from the seventy-third and seventy-second levels when they became completely powerless; only Ling Ye persisted on the Heavenly Ladder.

The elders looked toward the sound of Ling Ye on the Heavenly Ladder and hurriedly asked, "Which clan's disciple is this? Why have I never heard of him before?"

Nobody around knew Ling Ye's background; they all stared fixedly at his steps—seventy-fifth level, seventy-sixth level.

My heavens, he has already tied the record set by Saintess Yue Ning!

At this moment, inside the Profound Heaven Sect, Yue Ning was cultivating on the Main Peak of the Profound Heaven Sect when she saw disciples outside running about in a clamor, not knowing what had happened.

She hurriedly intercepted a disciple and asked, "What's going on in such a panic?"

The detained disciple, seeing it was the Saintess, hurriedly replied: "Saintess, someone outside has already broken your previous Heavenly Ladder record; this has shocked the entire Profound Heaven Sect. Saintess, please go take a look quickly."

Upon hearing this, Yue Ning hurriedly ran outside.

When Yue Ning arrived at the disciple recruitment site, Ling Ye had already climbed to the seventy-ninth level, just three levels away from tying the record set by her master, Xuan Ming.

It's him, really him. When Yue Ning saw the lone figure on the Heavenly Ladder, she realized it was Ling Ye, but she hadn't expected him to reach the seventy-ninth level.

Upon hearing Yue Ning mutter to herself, Elder Guo hurriedly asked, "Saintess, do you know this person's background?"

Yue Ning quickly replied, "Elder, this person is called Ling Ye, from a small clan in Tianye City on the southwest frontier."

Elder Guo heard this and said, "I never expected such a barren place in the southwest to produce a genius like this. I tell you few old-timers, don't compete with me for this disciple—I, Guo Jianping, have decided to take him as my disciple." Guo Jianping hurriedly said to the elders.

Lao Guotou, you haven't slept enough, right? With his talent he's bound to become the sect leader's personal successor, and later Yue Ning's junior disciple—stop dreaming.

Upon hearing this, Guo Jianping slumped onto his chair like a deflated balloon.

Lao Guo, we should still pick disciples from the remaining six; after all, passing the fiftieth level is already enough—back then we never had such a good opportunity.

While the elders were discussing whom to take as disciples, Ling Ye had already broken the record set by Sect Leader Xuan Ming.

At this point, the elders could no longer hold back.

A genius, truly a genius; if we nurture him well, our Profound Heaven Sect will surely produce a Void Breaking Realm expert.

Suddenly, a figure descended from the sky—none other than the Sect Leader of the Profound Heaven Sect, Xuan Ming.

Who would have thought this would even alarm the Sect Leader of the Profound Heaven Sect?

As Ling Ye stepped onto the ninetieth level, the pressure increased again, and blood began to trickle from his mouth. His internal organs were compressed by this immense pressure, making it hard for him to breathe.

But Ling Ye did not give up; he struggled to his feet, his clothes stained red with blood. At this moment, his only thought was to climb to the highest point. Ling Ye stared ahead, lifted his leg, and tremulously climbed toward the top of the Heavenly Ladder.

The crowd below fell silent, awed by Ling Ye's unyielding spirit. Everyone stared intently at Ling Ye, hoping he could reach the top of the Heavenly Ladder.

Big Brother... Ling Feng watched Ling Ye's back, unable to help worrying.

Your older brother is ruthless enough toward himself; his willpower is terrifying. I must say, he is among the top one or two geniuses I've ever seen. Xiao Ta also said, gazing at Ling Ye. He has witnessed countless things and has existed for who knows how many tens of thousands of years.

Ling Feng watched his older brother's back, silently cheering for Ling Ye, knowing what Ling Ye bore on his shoulders.

Under everyone's gaze, Ling Ye dragged his exhausted body up to the ninety-eighth level.

No one below dared to speak, fearing they might disturb Ling Ye.

Then another powerful aura appeared on the scene—it was the Emperor of the Great Yun Empire, Yun Tianwu, also a Heaven-Reaching Realm expert. He did not disturb those below, because everyone, including him, was staring at Ling Ye on the Heavenly Ladder.

Ninety-ninth level, one hundredth level.

When Ling Ye climbed past the hundredth level, the people below burst into cheers. The high-ranking members of the Profound Heaven Sect also had smiles in their eyes; their Profound Heaven Sect was about to rise.

Ling Ye stood atop the hundredth level, having no strength left; he collapsed straight onto the Heavenly Ladder and was then transported down.

Big Brother. Ling Feng saw this and hurried over.

I'm fine, little brother. Ling Ye smiled at Ling Feng; he was just exhausted.

Someone, take Ling Ye back to the sect to rest, give him medicinal pills, and make sure he recuperates properly. Xuan Ming said to his subordinates.

Thus Ling Ye was carried back to the sect, and Ling Feng followed along as well.

Inside the main hall of the Profound Heaven Sect.

Gathered were the Saintess of the Profound Heaven Sect and the six great elders of the sect.

Yue Ning, tell us about Ling Ye's background. Xuan Ming asked Yue Ning.

Yes, Sect Leader.

Thus Yue Ning told Xuan Ming how he had been pursued by a demonic shadow and then rescued by the brothers Ling Ye and Ling Feng, but she did not mention that they had been saved after being frightened off by poison darts aimed at the Ling family brothers.

In that case, he's unaffiliated and certainly not a spy sent by the Demonic Sect; therefore, our Profound Heaven Sect must spare no effort to cultivate Ling Ye. said Elder Guo Jianping.

When Xuan Ming learned that Ling Feng was Ling Ye's younger brother, he said, "All right, I'll make an exception this once and take in two personal disciples. I saw Ling Feng jump down with a relaxed expression; I guess he didn't want people to know his strength."

The other elders each chose their own disciples and then dispersed.