"Buzz—"
A martial soul emerged above Tang Lan's head—
Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda!
"Nine Treasures shine with Glazed Light—First, Strength!"
"Nine Treasures shine with Glazed Light—Second, Speed!"
"Nine Treasures shine with Glazed Light—Fourth, Defense!"
Three buffs activated, radiating across the entire team!
The squad's speed surged as they shot forward in a powerful sprint.
Jing Ling was propelled forward and soared to the 72nd step in a single charge.
Sensing that he was approaching his limit, he decisively swallowed a Replica Mirror Sausage.
"Fourth Soul Skill—Invincible Golden Body!"
He temporarily negated all pressure, buying time for Dai Mubai behind him to prepare.
Just as Invincible Golden Body was about to end—
"Fifth Soul Skill—Void!"
The ability reduced energy-based attacks by 50%, allowing Jing Ling to barely stagger up to stand beside Tang Lan.
Then—
"Fourth Soul Skill—Invincible Golden Body!"
Transforming into a golden statue once more, he was grabbed single-handedly by Tang Lan and launched skyward with a Heaven-Piercing Strike!
In an instant, he soared past 10 steps!
But once Invincible Golden Body wore off, he was caught and pinned down onto a step.
However—
"Third Soul Skill—Teleport!"
With a 5-meter teleportation jump, he crossed another 5 steps.
Collapsing on the 88th step.
And in a thoughtful move, he chose to fall on the far-left side,
ensuring his body wouldn't obstruct his teammates' ascent.
Above them—
Bo Saixi tapped her staff against the ground, using mental force to gently lift Jing Ling and place him beside her.
Her eyes remained fixed below.
With Jing Ling gone from the True Martial Seven-Step Formation, Shui Bing'er took his place.
Meanwhile, Ning Rongrong, standing alone, felt no pressure at all—
She wasn't even expending any internal energy!
She effortlessly dashed up to the 80th step,
taking the second slot in the formation.
Now next in line, Dai Mubai, who had been enduring with White Tiger Body Barrier and White Tiger Crimson Flame Transformation, finally hit his limit—
And activated—
"Fourth Soul Skill—Crimson Flame Demon God Transformation!"
His Crimson Flame Wings spread wide, blocking even more of the Sea God's Light for those behind him.
The Life Soul Core in his chest shone, ensuring he had enough energy to sustain the technique.
Even though he now bore heavier pressure, his footing only grew steadier.
The team's morale surged!
In one mighty charge—
They surpassed the 100th step and broke through the 108th step with ease!
At this point—
Dai Mubai, Tang San, and Oscar had officially completed their Black-Level Trials.
But the momentum did not stop—
They continued pushing forward!
Upon reaching the 150th step,
Dai Mubai began to falter, prompting Tang Lan to slow their pace.
By the 170th step, Dai Mubai was panting heavily—
Even with the Life Soul Core replenishing him, his energy consumption far exceeded its recovery rate.
He was on the verge of collapse.
Rather than forcing himself further, he gasped out, "Xiao… Xiao Ao…"
"Here!"
Oscar swallowed a Replica Mirror Sausage, summoning his Crimson Flame White Tiger.
He activated three soul skills simultaneously, and his Shining Silver Phantom Left Arm Bone glowed—
Soul Bone Skill—No Distance!
Oscar and Dai Mubai instantly switched places!
Oscar now held the second position, while Dai Mubai fell back to fourth to rest.
Tang San remained steadfast in third place.
With Oscar still at full strength, they pushed forward to the 185th step, but soon, sweat poured down his face.
—The pressure behind them had multiplied!
Oscar could only sustain short bursts of power.
"Master!" he shouted.
Following the same tactic, Tang San consumed the sausage, activated his three soul skills,
And then—
Oscar used No Distance once more, swapping their positions.
Tang San took the second slot, spreading his Crimson Flame Wings to shield the team.
The exhausted Oscar nearly collapsed but was caught by Dai Mubai,
Who braced him against his shoulder and continued moving forward, using his head as support.
They reached the 200th step, and even Tang San began to falter.
But—
He didn't follow the planned strategy.
Instead, he gritted his teeth and pushed forward,
Hoping to endure just a little longer and relieve some of Tang Lan's burden.
This caused Bo Saixi's expression to darken.
—A disaster was brewing.
The entire team was connected as one—
If Tang San collapsed due to overexertion,
everyone behind him would suffer!
And the unrestricted Sea God's Light would strike Oscar first,
likely killing him instantly!
As the Great Priest, Bo Saixi could not intervene.
She could only silently circulate her spirit power, ready to step in and save lives at any moment.
Fortunately—
Tang Lan had been monitoring them mentally the entire time.
The moment he sensed the issue—
He immediately executed the next step of the plan.
Blue Silver Life Domain—Unfold!
Under the Summon of the Plant Monarch,
The plants bathed in the Sea God's Light atop the Sea God's Hall released powerful life energy,
Bolstering Tang San, Oscar, and Dai Mubai, granting them a significant boost.
Then—
Eight Spider Lances Unfold—Black Hole Domain!
The domain absorbed the Sea God's Light's energy, forcibly weakening its power.
The team surged ahead to the 215th step!
"Pfft—!"
Tang San suddenly coughed up blood, staining Tang Lan's Black Hole Domain.
—This idiot had pushed himself too hard, his consciousness now hazy, unable to execute his "freeloader combo."
Without hesitation, Tang Lan delivered a fierce kick, sending the troublesome fool flying.
—If not for his stubbornness, they could've easily broken past the 250th step!
Luckily, his reckless decision only impacted himself and not the rest of the team.
No need for Tang Lan to even say a word.
Years of battle-tested teamwork made Xiao Wu react instantly.
"Third Soul Skill—Teleport!"
She replaced Tang San's position.
"Fourth Soul Skill—Invincible Golden Body!"
She withstood the initial wave of pressure,
While swallowing the Replica Mirror Sausage and switching her martial soul to Crimson Flame White Tiger.
"First Soul Skill—White Tiger Body Barrier!"
"Third Soul Skill—White Tiger Crimson Flame Transformation!"
"Fourth Soul Skill—Crimson Flame Demon God Transformation!"
Her Crimson Flame Wings spread wide, shielding Oscar and Dai Mubai as they pressed onward.
At the same time, Ning Rongrong officially joined the True Martial Seven-Step Formation.
For the first time, she began channeling her internal energy.
Upon reaching the 250th step,
Surprisingly, it was Dai Mubai, standing third in line, who collapsed first.
He activated the "Freeloader Combo."
Invincible Golden Body absorbed the pressure, buying time for the others to prepare.
Void teleported him to Tang Lan's side, then he transformed into a golden statue,
And was launched forward—
Soaring 10 steps!
Finally, he teleported again, gaining another 5 steps.
A total of 16 extra steps!
He collapsed at the 266th step, where Bo Saixi swiftly took him away.
Next was Oscar.
Relying on his high-quality soul bones, he pushed forward 11 more steps,
Before shouting—
"I can't go any further!"
Activating his "Freeloader Combo,"
He launched himself up to the 277th step.
Ning Rongrong had been waiting for this moment.
She swallowed the Replica Mirror Sausage and activated—
"First Soul Skill—White Tiger Body Barrier!"
"Third Soul Skill—White Tiger Crimson Flame Transformation!"
"Fourth Soul Skill—Crimson Flame Demon God Transformation!"
Even with Tang Lan, Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, and Shui Bing'erabsorbing most of the burden,
She could only advance 9 more steps before reaching her limit.
—And that was with four people shielding her from most of the pressure.
It wasn't that Ning Rongrong was weak.
Rather, the pressure at this height was already beyond human limits.
One could only imagine—
How much of the burden was Tang Lan bearing alone at the front?
(Chapter End)