On the Ancient Path to Heaven, the torrent of nearly ten thousand geniuses, after experiencing the initial rapid sprint, began to show obvious stratification.
The first three hundred steps could still be forced through with abundant spiritual power and strong physique. But after crossing the three hundred step threshold, every step up, that pressure originating from the origin of heaven and earth grew heavier by a fraction, like invisible shackles, layering upon the body, binding spiritual power, crushing flesh, impacting soul. Even more terrifying were those elusive "Heart-Questioning Illusion Realms" pointing directly at the flaws in one's Dao-heart. They were like vipers lurking in the dark; at the moment your will relaxed in the slightest, they would suddenly shoot out, dragging you into endless fear and desire abyss.
"Ah! I do not want to die! Save me!"
A cultivator on the five hundredth step suddenly screamed miserably. He seemed to see the terrifying scene of himself being torn to pieces by thousands of demons, his Dao-heart instantly collapsing, his spiritual power out of control, his whole body tumbling down from the side of the stone steps like a broken kite, gently yet quickly sent away by the ancient path's power, only leaving a despairing trailing echo reverberating in the heavy air.
"Hahaha! It is all mine! Power! Spirit stones! Beauties! All mine!"
Another cultivator near the six hundredth step fell into madness, his eyes red, dancing wildly, frantically grabbing at the air, clearly having sunk into an illusion of extreme greed, finally collapsing from exhaustion, also eliminated.
Wails, manic laughter, breakdown sobs... like discordant noises, from time to time rising in the solemn and heavy climbing team, accompanied by streaks of light being teleported away, announcing yet another genius's disheartened exit.
On both sides of the stone steps, people constantly had their speed drastically decrease, walking with difficulty, every step seeming to exhaust all their strength; some faces pale as paper, sweating like rain, bodies swaying; others stood rigid in place, expressions constantly changing, clearly engaged in bitter struggle with their inner demons.
However, in this chaos and struggle, there was a cyan-robed figure that appeared strikingly stable and unhurried.
Tang Xiaoqi.
His pace was not fast, could even be called somewhat slow, but every step was stepped extremely steadily, like an old farmer tilling land, plowing without stopping. His breathing was long and steady, his eyes clear and firm, always looking straight ahead, as if those scenes of falling, struggling, and collapsing on both sides were all passing clouds, unable to stir the slightest ripple in his heart.
The heavy pressure of heaven and earth fell on him, like giant waves crashing against a reef, the reef unmoving, instead appearing even more indestructible under the waves' scouring. His physical body flickered with faint golden light, the "Vajra Subduing Demons Divine Power" circulating on its own, transforming the pressure into energy for tempering the physique. In his dantian, the Green Lotus Origin slowly rotated, releasing pure and peaceful purification power, cleansing the corrosive effect of the pressure on the mind, keeping his spirit platform always clear.
As for those endlessly emerging "Heart-Questioning Illusion Realms," they were even harder to cause substantial disturbance to him.
He had once faced the extermination tragedy head-on, grasping vitality in despair, his will long tempered to be solid as rock.
He had once borne blood-deep vengeance, upholding his original heart in darkness, his Dao-heart long clear as glazed glass.
He had once experienced life and death tests, achieving enlightenment and breakthrough in desperate situations, his will long tough as divine iron.
The illusion recreating Xu Lan Manor's flames? That only made his belief in protection even firmer!
The illusion amplifying the desire for power? He pursued power for protection, not selfish desire, his original intention unchanged!
The illusion fabricating the false appearance of loved ones meeting disaster? His Dao-heart was clear, truth and falsehood instantly distinguished, only the remembrance of the departed becoming motivation to move forward!
He was like a small boat traveling in stormy waves, seemingly about to capsize at any time, yet always able to break through wind and waves with incredible balance and resilience, steadfastly moving toward the other shore.
His speed was always maintained in the middle-to-back position of the first echelon. Neither deliberately chasing those few figures at the very front who were still sprinting at high speed like monsters (such as Central Plains Ninth Prince, Ling Tianyu, Huang Jiutian, etc.), nor steadily leaving most competitors behind.
This stability, in this extreme environment, instead became a manifestation of power.
Quite a few cultivators still struggling to support or even already starting to fall behind, looking at that unhurried, yet seemingly never-stopping cyan-robed back, all showed complex colors in their eyes, there was admiration, there was envy, and there was a trace of helplessness. They were using all their strength, even using secret methods to overdraw, just to barely keep from falling behind, while the other party seemed to be strolling in a courtyard, this gap made people despair.
Blazing Sun Sect's Yan Feng at this moment was located about a dozen steps ahead of Tang Xiaoqi. His whole body was surrounded by raging flames, clearly having used some secret method to stimulate potential, his face flushed red, his breathing somewhat disordered, his speed also much slower than before. He looked back to see Tang Xiaoqi's unhurried appearance, comparing it to his own wretched state, his heart filled with both jealousy and hatred, yet he did not dare to be distracted to provoke at this moment, only able to grit his teeth and continue rushing upward.
And that Xuanji Holy Land's Mu Xue was located in an even more forward position of the first echelon. She still maintained that cold and transcendent posture, her moon-white Daoist robe slightly fluttering under the enormous pressure, her steps light and rhythmic, as if not undergoing a test, but strolling under starlight. She would occasionally look back, her cold gaze sweeping backward, pausing slightly on Tang Xiaoqi's steady figure, her eyes flashing with a trace of imperceptible appreciation.
Ascending the Heavenly Stairs definitely tested not momentary explosive power, but enduring stamina, firm will, and flawless Dao-heart!
Tang Xiaoqi's "steady advance" was the most perfect embodiment of this comprehensive quality.
Time slowly passed amidst heavy footsteps and the occasional sound of elimination.
Seven hundred steps... eight hundred steps...
At this height, the pressure was already great enough to crush refined iron to powder! The illusions were even more like bone-attached gangrene, pervasive, even beginning to interweave and superimpose, their power multiplying!
The number of people in the first echelon had already sharply decreased to fewer than a hundred! And their speed had inevitably slowed down; even Central Plains Ninth Prince, Ice Plain Holy Maiden and others showed grave colors on their faces, every step requiring breath adjustment.
Tang Xiaoqi's forehead also finally showed fine beads of sweat. His breathing was slightly heavier, his pace though still steady, every step falling felt like carrying a mountain on his back.
But the light in his eyes grew even sharper and brighter!
The greater the pressure, the more rapidly the Green Lotus Origin and "Vajra Subduing Demons Divine Power" circulated within him, his potential being constantly stimulated. He felt his physical body, spiritual power, and spiritual sense were all undergoing a deep-level tempering and sublimation under this extreme oppression!
He raised his head, looking toward that still unreachable Heavenly Stairs summit hidden in the starry sky, the corner of his mouth instead curving up with a faint arc.
Just like this!
Only this kind of extreme test could make him break through bottlenecks and step toward higher ground!
He took a deep breath, adjusted his rhythm, and once again took firm steps.
Steady, forward!
Goal, reach the summit!