Chapter 817: Little Brother, You

Silence!

The scene was dead silent!

At this moment, every eye—whether from the Emperor or the spectators—was fixed on He Pingsheng and Wang Dun.

Yet no one spoke a word.

Upon hearing the name He Pingsheng, the Phoenix Clan's demonic emperors instinctively wanted to refuse.

But they did not know how to refuse.

After all, the Phoenix Clan had its dignity.

He Pingsheng, as a wall-breaker, posed no issue whatsoever.

No rule existed that could prevent He Pingsheng from becoming a wall-breaker.

Thus, if He Pingsheng were not allowed to ascend, it would require only brute force and unreasonable coercion.

But…

The Phoenix Clan's demonic emperors began to ponder again.

If He Pingsheng were barred, Duan Feihong would surely ascend instead.

Who was stronger: He Pingsheng or Duan Feihong?

Definitely Duan Feihong!

As a wall-breaker, He Pingsheng—according to ordinary logic—would not help Wang Dun climb far.

Throughout history, countless generations had proven that even a Void Refinement cultivator without a wall-breaker could reach at most sixty thousand zhang.

No one had ever surpassed sixty thousand zhang.

Moreover, above sixty thousand zhang, every additional foot brought greater pressure and fiercer gales.

Even if He Pingsheng possessed extraordinary talent, how high could he possibly climb?

Seventy thousand zhang at most?

Seventy thousand zhang wouldn't even place him in the top one hundred!

"He Pingsheng… is unsuitable!" Even so, the Seventh Elder still shook his head. "He is one whose qualification has been revoked!"

"Elder Seventh, you are mistaken!" The Golden Armor Demon Emperor retorted directly: "He Pingsheng's qualification to climb the Stone Platform Stairway was indeed revoked—but now he is not climbing! He is merely serving as Wang Dun's wall-breaker!"

"Has his qualification to be a wall-breaker been revoked?"

"Correct!" The Great Lun Ming Wang said: "Everything must be grounded in reason. The Phoenix Clan, a divine race, would not act without reason, would it?"

"This is reasonable!"

"I think He Pingsheng is fine—he's only acting as a wall-breaker!"

In an instant, many began to support He Pingsheng.

Of course, it wasn't because they truly wished to help He Pingsheng.

The Great Lun Ming Wang wanted to help He Pingsheng—this was unquestionable.

The Golden Armor Demon Emperor merely sought to uphold his own authority, for he himself had just publicly affirmed that He Pingsheng could serve as a wall-breaker.

Now, if the Phoenix Clan says "unsuitable," and revokes He Pingsheng's wall-breaker status, what does that make me?

What am I, then?

Do people now think I am the Phoenix Clan's servant?

Absurd!

As for the other demonic emperors who echoed support, each had their own motives—but one thing united them: none wished to see the Phoenix Clan dominate alone.

When you need to annoy someone, you might as well annoy them a little.

"I am not saying He Pingsheng lacks the qualification to be a wall-breaker!" Seeing the overwhelming tide of support for He Pingsheng, the Seventh Elder hurriedly added: "He Pingsheng is a prodigy whose climbing qualification was revoked. My concern is that he might take this opportunity to carve his name onto the Stone Platform Stairway!"

"If he does, wouldn't revoking his climbing qualification become a joke?"

"Here's the solution!" The Seventh Elder thought for a moment. "If He Pingsheng swears a Heavenly Oath, vowing not to carve any name or leave any mark upon the stone tablet, I will permit him to serve as wall-breaker!"

The Golden Armor Demon Emperor nodded: "Elder Seventh speaks wisely. He Pingsheng, his concern is not without merit."

"You should still swear a Heavenly Oath."

All eyes turned back to He Pingsheng.

He Pingsheng bowed slightly: "Please wait a moment, Demon Emperor."

Then he looked at Wang Dun, face etched with bitterness: "Brother Wang, what are you doing?"

"I've lost my qualification. Don't play around!"

"You could easily find a human at the peak of Body Integration!"

"I… I simply cannot bear this responsibility!"

"Why not… just let Duan Feihong go?"

"Yes, yes, yes!" Duan Feihong's body began to tremble: "Wang Dun… I beg you… stop this nonsense, will you?"

"Shall I kneel down to you?"

"Here—take this ring… everything inside is yours… you little…"

"Enough!"

As he spoke, Duan Feihong even removed the ring from his finger and shoved it directly into Wang Dun's hand.

He Pingsheng watched this scene: ………………

Nan Qiqi also looked utterly speechless.

Everyone was stunned: What is going on here?

"No!" Wang Dun was resolute: "Brothers, we've walked this path together—how many times have we faced death side by side? Today, as I climb the Stairway, you must stand with me… even if we don't make the top one hundred, it doesn't matter!"

"I only ask that brothers stand united, climbing the peak together!"

His voice rang loud and firm.

He Pingsheng was moved.

He nodded and said: "Fine… if Brother Wang feels this way, then I'll risk my life to accompany you!"

"Let's see if we two brothers can reach the summit!"

"By the Heavenly Dao!" He Pingsheng raised his hand and declared loudly: "Disciple He Pingsheng swears this Heavenly Oath: I ascend today solely to serve as Wang Dun's wall-breaker. I will not carve my name upon the Stone Platform Stairway. If I do, may the Heavenly Thunder strike me down on the spot!"

Upon hearing this oath, the Phoenix Clan breathed a sigh of relief.

Why?

First, He Pingsheng would leave no name—he was merely a wall-breaker.

Second, as a wall-breaker, He Pingsheng was unqualified—he was only Void Refinement.

Even if we grant, hypothetically, that He Pingsheng was qualified, even perfect, what then?

His effect would be no greater than Duan Feihong's.

So what?

All paths are sealed. Do you really think the two of you can overturn heaven?

"Good!" The Golden Armor Demon Emperor nodded. "Wang Dun and his wall-breaker He Pingsheng may ascend at once!"

"Proceed!"

The Demon Emperor's voice thundered across the square.

He Pingsheng said: "Let's go!"

In an instant, he became a streak of light, shooting toward the Stone Platform Stairway, ascending against the endless gales toward the heavens.

Whoosh…

The next moment, Wang Dun also became a streak of light, following close behind.

Their speed was swift; within a few breaths, they reached thirty thousand zhang.

The initial ascent was fast—this was not surprising.

Thirty thousand zhang!

Forty thousand zhang!

Fifty thousand zhang!

Beyond fifty thousand zhang, the gales grew ever stronger.

He Pingsheng strained to extend his magic power and spiritual sense, trying to block the gales.

But it was difficult.

"Little brother…" Wang Dun, still ascending rapidly below, looked up and gave a pained smile: "Can you hold it?"

"You're leaking wind—and leaking a lot!"

He Pingsheng: ………………

Correct!

He could not block the gales at all.

He blocked less than thirty percent; seventy percent leaked through.

And this was only at fifty thousand zhang.

Higher up, it would leak even more.