Chapter 208 - 152: Reaching the Summit
Chapter 208: Chapter 152: Reaching the Summit
However, to their disappointment, Lu Yuan was steady from the moment he set foot on the stairs. He then ascended as if taking a leisurely stroll.
Every part of his being had been tempered by Divine Containment, causing his talent and potential to undergo a complete metamorphosis.
Who in all the world could compare?
His Python Robe billowed, though there was no wind.
As he ascended, the gap between Lu Yuan and those around him widened until he had surpassed them all. To his surprise, however, Xiao Hua was able to keep pace with him the entire way.
A soft glow enveloped her.
’As expected of the Crown Princess of the Northern Barbarians. Her foundation is truly profound,’ Lu Yuan mused, a look of delight on his face.
He slowed his pace, accompanying Xiao Hua on her ascent.
Just then, however, the system’s voice sounded in Lu Yuan’s mind.
[You have used the Formless Golden Bell to resist the pressure from the Upper Realm. Skill Level +10]
...
Hearing the notification, he raised an eyebrow. ’So this pressure really does exist. Otherwise, the system wouldn’t have been triggered.’
The higher they climbed, the greater the pressure became. A force constantly pushed back, restraining everyone’s steps. More importantly, a faint oppressive might filled the air.
The pressure varied according to one’s cultivation level.
Lu Yuan even saw a child of seven or eight who, despite a low cultivation level, surpassed one Void Manipulation and Gathering Pill powerhouse after another, steadily climbing upward.
’It seems this really is a test of potential. Cultivation level doesn’t play a major role,’ Lu Yuan thought, as he and Xiao Hua quickened their pace.
A moment later, they caught up to the first group to have started the climb, but all of them now looked to be in a sorry state.
Each one was drenched in sweat, their legs trembling, looking as if a single extra step would send them plummeting down.
When they saw Lu Yuan and Xiao Hua walk past them, expressions of unwillingness crossed their faces. Someone tried to speed up.
HUMMM!
But in the next instant, he was flung off the ladder and sent plummeting to the base of the mountain.
Shaking his head in resignation, he turned and left.
Outside, many people began to pay attention to Lu Yuan. After all, he was making his way up the Heaven-Ascending Ladder look far too easy.
He had now overtaken the previous leader by a full body length.
And the gap was still widening.
Xiao Hua, meanwhile, stuck close to his side.
A smile touched Xiao Gu’s lips. "As expected of Prince Qin. It seems his potential is immense. The Crown Princess’s potential is equally terrifying. They should have a chance of reaching the eight thousandth step or more."
If they can climb that high, it proves their cultivation can at least reach the Dharma Aspect Realm, with the potential to break through to become an Earth Immortal.
That would be considered an incredible level of talent.
Experts of the Earth Immortal Realm, much like Renowned Generals, are considered divine guardians of a dynasty.
Though the former are not as fearsome as the latter, they are more than enough to deter lesser villains.
The few Earth Immortal Powerhouses of the Northern Barbarians were always cultivating in their ancestral lands and rarely ventured out.
However, their mere existence served as the greatest deterrent.
Beside him, the middle-aged man holding a Golden Wheel said with a smile, "If that’s truly the case, it means the suffering of our Northern Barbarians is finally over. This is a gift to us from the heavens."
"Mm."
Xiao Gu nodded.
However, once one ascended past the five thousandth step, the upper part of the summit would become shrouded in clouds and mist, obscuring it from the view of outsiders. It was a kind of protective mechanism.
Therefore, everyone would have to wait for Lu Yuan and the others to return to find out just how high they could climb.
And just as they were speaking, Lu Yuan and Xiao Hua surged forward with a massive lead, rushing into the clouds and vanishing from sight.
"Whoa! That Prince Qin of the Northern Barbarians has some incredible potential and talent. He’s already past the halfway mark?"
"His talent is certainly impressive, but that was expected. This is the same Prince Qin who took first place in the competition against the Xirong in the Dayong Imperial Palace. Of course he’s not lacking. It’s just a pity we can’t see just how far his talent will take him."
"Everything about this Celestial Ladder is great, except for how secretive it is. All these people came to watch, but it won’t let anyone see the main event, hiding all the truly promising ones."
"What if it didn’t hide them? Should they just wait to be assassinated by their rivals? Who here doesn’t have enemies? If their potential were exposed, they’d likely be hunted across the world. I think it’s better this way."
...
Amid the rising discussions, the Dayong Crown Prince’s expression soured. Even though the upper section of the ladder was obscured, the fact that Lu Yuan was the first to reach it was still a slap in the face to him.
For someone in his high position, being seen as a poor judge of character was a potentially fatal flaw.
He imagined being stuck with that label and wondered what capable person would ever be willing to pledge their loyalty to him in the future.
Seeing his demeanor, Prince Polu said slowly, "He’s only climbed five thousand steps. It doesn’t prove anything. Look, aren’t others catching up now? A hundred people have already made it up there."
"I estimate the number will grow even larger. No one will care."
The Crown Prince nodded and said nothing more.
However, his expression remained unpleasant.
At that very moment, Lu Yuan had already reached the eight thousandth step with ease, having not paused once the entire way.
But beads of sweat had begun to appear on Xiao Hua’s forehead; it was clear that the climb was now strenuous for her as well.
Looking toward the summit, Lu Yuan said to Xiao Hua, "I’ll carry you on my back."
As soon as the words left his mouth, he lifted her onto his back. Lu Yuan could feel that past the five thousandth step, every stair one climbed brought benefits to the body.
Spiritual Qi would automatically seep into the skin, making one’s potential even greater.
If Xiao Hua could go even one step higher, her future breakthroughs could all reach Perfection, or even Half-Step Divine Containment. This was an enormous opportunity.