Chapter 148: Three Trials Broken in One Stroke, Like a Divine Miracle, Grand Elder

"So it's the Divine Son."

Contrary to everyone's expectations, the Grand Elder of the Academy not only showed no anger, but even offered a smile uglier than a sob, bowing slightly toward Jun Xiaoyao.

He had long been warned by the Academy's Dean and Vice Deans: never provoke the Jun Clan's Divine Son—treat him like a plague, and keep as far away as possible.

But now, seeing the two injured Holy Sons, the Grand Elder had no choice but to step forward with gritted teeth.

Seeing a Holy Master himself treat Jun Xiaoyao with such courtesy, the cultivators from all factions around murmured in awe.

"Grand Elder…" The Yin-Yang Holy Son and others turned pale.

They had just been relieved, thinking the Grand Elder would uphold justice for them.

Yet the Grand Elder turned out to be the biggest coward.

"Fine, consider it entertainment." Jun Xiaoyao stepped through empty air, beginning his ascent of the ninety-nine-step Heavenly Stairway.

When figures like Jin Chixiaopeng attempted these three trials, they were extremely cautious.

A single misstep could mean disaster.

But Jun Xiaoyao moved with calm ease, as if strolling on a spring outing.

Countless cultivators in the crowd fixed their eyes on him, not blinking, unwilling to miss a single detail.

They had long wondered whether Jun Xiaoyao, with his peerless talent, could break the ancient heroes' records—now they could finally find out.

Hua Xiqing's clear, spiritual eyes never left the white-robed figure.

Compared to the two Holy Sons, she, as Holy Daughter, had wisely preserved herself and avoided any involvement.

Jun Xiaoyao, in his peerless white robes, fluttered like a celestial immortal descending from the heavens.

He kept walking, step after step, never slowing his pace from start to finish.

Even after reaching the seventieth step, where pressure doubled like a mountain crushing down, his speed remained unchanged.

This pressure was child's play for Jun Xiaoyao, who possessed the Primal Ancient Holy Body and cultivated the Divine Elephant Subduing Hell Force.

Without doubt, Jun Xiaoyao shattered through the ninetieth step.

"He's reached the ninetieth step!" Many cultivators cried out, yet none were surprised.

Jun Xiaoyao's strength was unquestionable—reaching the ninetieth step was expected.

But beyond the ninetieth step, things became difficult.

"After the ninetieth step, each level carries more than ten times the pressure of the previous one—can the Jun Clan's Divine Son pass through?" the Grand Elder thought inwardly.

To be honest, he did hope to see Jun Xiaoyao fail.

After all, this Divine Son's reputation was too great, causing the Holy Spirit Academy great loss of face.

But fate was destined to disappoint this Grand Elder.

Jun Xiaoyao's body erupted with divine radiance, like a white-robed Divine King confronting the gate—each step he took shook the void, as if drumming a war chant.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

Jun Xiaoyao took nine steps in one breath.

These nine hardest steps were cleared in a single, uninterrupted surge!

Shock!

Stunned!

Unbelievable!

All Holy Spirit Academy disciples, stewards, and even the Grand Elder froze in place.

As members of the Academy, they knew better than anyone how difficult the ninety-nine-step Heavenly Stairway was.

Yet now, Jun Xiaoyao had crossed it effortlessly, reaching its peak!

In the sky, rain of light fell, auspicious mythical beasts manifested, and the spectral shadows of ancient heroes flickered, as if bowing to Jun Xiaoyao.

The ninety-nine-step Heavenly Stairway—Jun Xiaoyao had surmounted it in one go.

Jin Chixiaopeng's expression froze.

Ye Xingyun couldn't help but draw a deep breath.

The Little Western Heaven's Buddha Son's face turned rigid.

The records they had failed to break, Jun Xiaoyao shattered effortlessly.

And it looked like child's play—easier than easy.

"Next trial."

Jun Xiaoyao didn't pause a moment, stepping directly toward the second trial.

The second trial required ringing that heavy ancient bell.

Previously, Jin Chixiaopeng had only managed fifteen rings.

"I think the Jun Clan's Divine Son might reach the record of eighteen rings!" a prodigy cried out, voice trembling with excitement.

They were witnessing a miracle!

Some cultivators' eyes gleamed—they too speculated Jun Xiaoyao might break the record again, reaching eighteen rings.

Jun Xiaoyao immediately activated the Divine Elephant Subduing Hell Force and unleashed a punch!

Ninety thousand elephant micro-particles, plus ten thousand dragon-elephant micro-particles—nineteen hundred million jin of overwhelming divine power erupted from his fist.

Simultaneously, spectral images of dragon and elephant burst forth with the punch.

Dragon and elephant represented the ultimate of strength, embodying supreme might.

Jun Xiaoyao was the living embodiment of that supreme might!

Dong…

Jun Xiaoyao's fist struck the ancient bell, producing a dull, heavy sound.

Everyone held their breath, waiting for the next ring.

But none came…

After that single sound, the ancient bell fell silent, as if dead.

"What happened?" Many were bewildered, stunned.

Why only one ring?

This was nothing like their predictions—it was utterly opposite.

"Impossible! No matter how strong the Jun Clan's Divine Son is, he couldn't make the bell ring just once!"

The prodigy who had predicted the record-breaking ring count couldn't help but speak.

The Yin-Yang Holy Son and Xia Lan, though unsure of the reason, didn't stop their faces from twisting into sneers.

But Jin Chixiaopeng, Ye Xingyun, and others sensed something was wrong.

Jun Xiaoyao's expression remained calm as he retracted his fist.

"Third trial…"

Jun Xiaoyao stepped directly toward the third trial's arena, offering no explanation—only leaving them his back.

Just as everyone was utterly confused—

Crack…

A faint sound of breaking echoed.

A crack appeared on the ancient bell.

As if triggering a chain reaction, continuous cracking sounds erupted.

Before the stunned eyes of all, the entire ancient bell shattered into countless fragments!

In that moment, the entire realm fell deathly silent.

The Yin-Yang Holy Son and Xia Lan's sneering smiles froze, looking absurd.

Even the Grand Elder, a Holy Master, felt his scalp go numb.

The bell—was shattered!

Now, when everyone looked at Jun Xiaoyao's back, it was as if they were gazing upon a god!

"The Jun Clan's Divine Son is truly a divine being, born to become a Great Emperor!" a prodigy screamed in excitement.

Jun Linglong, Wu Mingyue, Jun Zhangjian, Yi Yu, and others all wore unprecedented, fervent worship on their faces.

Even Hua Xiqing's spiritual eyes shimmered with extraordinary light.

All the prodigies she had ever seen before were utterly unworthy to compare to even one of Jun Xiaoyao's fingers.

As for the Yin-Yang Holy Son and Xia Lan?

No need to mention them—they couldn't withstand even one of Jun Xiaoyao's followers' blows.

The entire Holy Spirit Academy erupted in chaos; countless cultivators followed Jun Xiaoyao, eager to witness his final trial—the Leap of the Dragon Gate.

At that moment, the Grand Elder suddenly slapped his forehead and cried out: "Worse! Danger!"

He wasn't referring to Jun Xiaoyao—but to the golden-horned dragon serpents kept in the lake.

Those were his own pets!

Yet when the Grand Elder turned his head back—

Far away, at the Dragon Gate, another wave of shocked cries erupted.

Jun Xiaoyao smashed down his fist; the golden divine elephant crashed into the lake, instantly killing every single golden-horned dragon serpent within.

Not one left!

Not one alive!

"Holy shit!"

The Grand Elder screamed like a squawking duck, cursing loudly, his old eyes red with anguish, his heart bleeding.

Those were all his carefully tended and raised precious pets, and they've all been killed by Jun Xiaoyao!