With the influx of hundreds of millions of cultivators, the once incredibly bustling territory of Cangzhou became instantly silent, turning exceptionally empty.
After the last Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator entered, the bone gates shut tight, standing tall between heaven and earth.
“Everyone, why not sit and gather?”
An immortal sect expert waved his hand, and hundreds of tables and chairs appeared out of thin air, with several pots of hot tea thoughtfully placed on them.
The various sects and factions did not stand on ceremony. After exchanging salutes, they took their seats one after another.
The Ancient Immortal Realm would remain open for quite a long time, lasting for several months. It was precisely during these few months that a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator could reach the Golden Core Realm, which would normally take others hundreds of years, or meet their demise.
A mere few months was but a fleeting moment to these mighty experts, nothing more than the duration of a single meditation session.
At this moment, several light screens projected from the bone gates, instantly broadcasting the situation inside to everyone outside.
If Wang Xuanyi were here, he would definitely cry out in surprise.
A live broadcast!
The mighty experts were also unsurprised. They had experienced similar things in their younger years, and some cultivation partners even blushed.
Whether it was live-action combat, love and hatred, or whatever exciting drama, they had already seen and experienced it all, so it was nothing out of the ordinary.
“Fairy Sister, what is that?”
Murong Qing asked, tilting her head, highly curious about the projection screen.
Strangely enough, this little girl wasn't close to Xiao Hongye at all. She was only clingy toward Su Qian and the others, to the point that others once thought she was Su Qian's disciple.
“This is something fun. We can see the traces of Little Yi-Yi and the others.”
Su Qian pinched her chubby little cheek, her eyes filled with nothing but doting affection.
“Oh, I see.” The little girl didn't understand, but she could see the dense crowd of people stepping onto a ladder to heaven paved with stars.
Just like the scene on the screen.
As soon as the hundreds of millions of cultivators entered the Ancient Immortal Realm, what welcomed them was not some ancient battlefield, nor some pitch-black alternate dimension.
Instead, it was a starry road adorned with starlight and paved with hundreds of thousands of dim stars, with surroundings as bright as a night sky filled with stars.
“Why is the pressure here so immense?!”
“Indeed, it feels like a boulder weighing hundreds of thousands of jin is pressing down on me.”
At the front of the starry ladder, the cultivators who arrived first found it difficult to move. With every step forward, a deep indentation was left beneath their feet, the pressure making it hard for them to even stand straight.
At this stage, whether they were Golden Core Realm or Violet Palace Realm cultivators, they were all like those in the Foundation Establishment Realm, unable to walk at their normal pace.
“So this is the Heavenly Ladder.”
The ancient freaks were unsurprised. They strode forward with steady steps, looking upon the staggering frontrunners with deep disdain.
“The Heavenly Ladder is related to one's talent and skeletal structure. Those with superior aptitude will not be affected,” an ancient freak explained the reason.
“So that's how it is. No wonder I'm walking so easily!”
A cultivator gritted his teeth and persevered, straightening his back and taking a step while pretending to be relaxed. However, the moment his foot landed, his newly straightened back bent right back down.
Seeing this, someone couldn't help but burst into laughter.
That man was soft all over, except for his stubborn mouth.
“Oh, right. I forgot to tell you untalented fools that predators will be coming for you very soon,” an ancient freak said with a mocking sneer.
“Predators?”
Everyone looked bewildered. Soon after, they heard bloodcurdling screams coming from ahead, accompanied by blood mist and severed limbs raining down from the sky.
Hundreds of demon beasts emerged from the end of the Heavenly Ladder. They had bloody fangs, dog-like bodies, lion-like heads, and were hairless and pitch-black all over. Their crimson eyes dripped with brutality.
“Hmph!”
The ancient freaks chuckled. Stepping forward as if there were nothing in their way, they easily dealt with the lunging ancient beasts as if they were slaughtering chickens or dogs.
The realms of these ancient beasts were very low, at most in the Foundation Establishment Realm. To them, this was the simplest trial in the Ancient Immortal Realm.
But to those staggering cultivators, it was fatal.
Not only did they have to face the talent suppression of the Heavenly Ladder, but they also had to split their focus to deal with these ancient beasts. Quite a few found themselves overwhelmed.
Fear gripped some of these cultivators. Feeling the urge to retreat, they fled backward in total disregard.
At this moment, as if it had been prearranged, the ancient beasts abandoned their other targets and lunged toward that fleeing cultivator all at once.
In an instant, crimson blood splattered everywhere, drenching the surrounding people and causing several young women to let out sharp, ear-piercing screams.
“Nothing but insignificant insects.”
The ancient freaks were happy to watch this scene unfold, so they didn't bother to inform the other cultivators that the trial of the Dao Heart had already begun the moment they stepped into the Ancient Immortal Realm. Once a desire to retreat arose, it would not only attract a swarm of ancient beasts but also breed inner demons, leading to their downfall!
This was also vividly illustrated by dozens of cultivators.
Having lost their footing and fallen off the Starry Heavenly Ladder, they dissolved among the stars, only to reappear as white specters on both sides of the ladder, tormenting the minds of the passing cultivators.
“Hmph, a bunch of ants. Get out of my way!”
Suddenly, a loud shout echoed across the ladder. Aside from the incredibly powerful ancient freaks, the geniuses of the current generation were not to be outdone either.
For example, the protagonist, Long Zitian.
Exuding a righteous aura, a golden lotus bloomed above his head, and several five-clawed golden dragons coiled around his body, making him look like an invincible emperor from ancient times!
“This kid possesses great fortune.”
The silver-haired Holy Son of Yinyang Valley narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze drifting toward Long Zitian, who was hacking through obstacles and charging straight ahead, quite surprised by his talent.
“Indeed. This world has never lacked geniuses. Whether from ancient times or the current era, it has always been a clash between supreme talents,” the Holy Daughter of Yinyang Valley said calmly.
For geniuses of any era, they all acknowledged each other's strength.
Meanwhile, outside the Ancient Immortal Realm.
The mighty experts were also filled with praise.
“Sect Master Shen, I have long heard that your esteemed immortal sect took in a disciple of extraordinary talent. Seeing him today, he is indeed extraordinary,” the Mountain Master of Huoyun Mountain spoke up.
“You flatter him, Mountain Master. I see that the genius of your esteemed mountain can stand shoulder to shoulder with the ancient geniuses among tens of thousands of people. His talent is truly remarkable,” Shen Shi replied.
The two smiled at each other and politely raised their cups to drink together.
For powerhouses of their caliber, they would not speak so bluntly or directly; their conversations were always filled with subtle, roundabout remarks.
Diplomacy was still necessary between the various sects. Whether forming alliances or rivalries, it all depended on a silver tongue to reap benefits.
“Qing'er, what are you drinking?”
Su Qian watched the little girl in her arms slurp down her fruit drink, and she couldn't help but crave a taste herself.
Compared to bitter tea, Su Qian preferred the spiritual fruit juice made by Wang Xuanyi. It not only had an excellent texture but also tasted several times better than ordinary beverages.
“Fairy Sister, Big Brother was worried I'd go hungry before he left, so he gave me a storage ring with lots of delicious food inside. Do you want some?”
Slurping her juice, Murong Qing, with her hair tied in two buns, blinked her large eyes and looked up at Su Qian cutely.
“Sure, sure!”
Su Qian dotingly patted Murong Qing's head, unable to help but sigh inwardly. A little girl was indeed the best. Little Yi-Yi was not only incredibly caring but also extremely thoughtful. Unlike her, who had run off without leaving anything behind.
Next, Murong Qing rummaged through her storage ring and pulled out crispy, golden french fries, thin and crunchy potato chips, soft and delicious bread...
When the little girl pulled these out, Su Qian, Shen Shi, and the others were all shocked.
What on earth were these? And what exactly did that kid Wang Xuanyi use his storage ring for?
There wasn't a single cultivation item inside; it was filled entirely with food, drinks, and toys.
“Fairy Sister, this is delicious. Try it.”
Murong Qing took a french fry and fed it into Su Qian's mouth, then looked at her expectantly.
Crunch!
Not wanting to spoil the mood, Su Qian took a bite. To her surprise, it was exceptionally delicious, and the unique texture actually stimulated her appetite.
Seeing Su Qian's shocked expression, Murong Qing rummaged through her storage ring again, took out a jade bottle filled with cola, held it out with both hands, and said excitedly, “Fairy Sister, try this!”
“Okay.”
Su Qian took a small sip of the dark, cold drink, and her expression instantly froze.
“This cold drink... I'm not sure. Let me taste it again!”
Then, Su Qian took another sip. The explosive sensation stimulated her taste buds, as if tiny people were dancing on the tip of her tongue. The slightly sweet flavor carried a hint of refreshing coolness, making it incredibly delicious.
“Mmm~ It's so delicious~”
Seeing Su Qian's enchanted expression, Shen Shi and the others also grew curious.
But they wouldn't ask.
They could only pretend to be uninterested, casting a few stealthy glances over from time to time.
Rate on N.U.
