Chapter 1942: 1941: Trial, Birds of a Feather

Chapter 1942: Chapter 1941: Trial, Birds of a Feather

The Heaven-reaching River connects to the Heaven-reaching Stairs, and the Heaven-reaching Stairs lead to the Emperor’s Tomb.

The Old Turtle smiled slightly.

He said, “This staircase is the first test.

How solid is your Daoist Heart?

It is not for you or me to decide, but for these Heaven-reaching Stairs to judge.”

“Who will go first?”

Longevity True Man glanced at his disciple Shou Zhong and instructed, “You go ahead.

If there is any danger, don’t try to be brave.

Come back immediately.”

Shou Zhong nodded.

With a light shout, he leaped onto the Heaven-reaching Stairs.

Originally, Shou Zhong intended to leap higher.

But as soon as he approached the Heaven-reaching River, he was struck down by its rushing currents.

Shou Zhong almost couldn’t stand firmly and fell onto the first step.

“Young people shouldn’t aim too high,” the Old Turtle chuckled.

“The path must be traveled step by step.

There are no shortcuts on the Heaven-reaching Path.”

Shou Zhong did not speak, for the moment he stood on the Heavenly Stairs, the surrounding scene disappeared.

What appeared before him were the celestial deities above.

“Human race, this place is forbidden. Leave quickly, or face the consequences.”

The gaze of the Extermination Immortal in the sky was stern, angrily staring at Shou Zhong below.

At this moment, Shou Zhong’s Divine Soul seemed to tremble heavily.

It felt as if his Divine Soul had detached from his mind, unaware of the reality of his surroundings.

He even forgot that he was in the trial of the Heaven-reaching Stairs.

Shou Zhong only felt that the Abyss ahead was like an endless array of divine and buddha figures blocking the way.

He had yet to take a step, and his legs were already shaking.

Shou Zhong remained frozen in place.

Soon, the river on the Heavenly Stairs surged up, engulfing everything.

Even Shou Zhong was swept away.

Not until he left the Heavenly Stairs did Shou Zhong regain his senses.

He looked at the people around him, feeling utterly ashamed.

“Master, I…”

Shou Zhong tried to explain, but the Old Turtle interrupted.

“With such a Daoist Heart, you are destined for no great achievements.

Talismans and supernatural powers—these are external. If absent, they can be sought slowly, it’s of no matter.

But if your Daoist Heart is not stable, this life will only reach this extent.”

The Old Turtle’s words made Shou Zhong even more ashamed.

He seemingly had no face to live on.

But Longevity True Man consoled, “Fate, this thing, is elusive as a shadow.

It can be changed.

If today your Daoist Heart is unstable, what about hundreds or thousands of years hence?

Fate can be altered.”

“Well said,” the Old Turtle laughed.

“Worthy of a mentor, profound understanding indeed.”

Longevity True Man ignored the Old Turtle.

His most esteemed disciple’s Daoist Heart had nearly broken; were it not for the Emperor’s Tomb, he wouldn’t let the matter rest with the Old Turtle.

“You Longevity True Man are a waste, as are your disciples,” the Faceless Clan’s people laughed heartily.

Longevity True Man’s gaze sharpened.

His white hair and beard billowed, eyes like silver.

He glanced at the laughing member of the Faceless Clan.

The laughter stopped abruptly.

Longevity True Man struck forth, turning his palm into countless starlight.

“Boom!”

The Firmament was covered by a palm print, endless starlight colliding and exploding.

The Faceless Saint King let out a cold shout.

He stood forward to block the strike.

“Longevity, do you seek to initiate conflict?”

The Faceless Saint King asked solemnly.

“Tell your people to shut their mouths, or we fight, who’s afraid of who?” Longevity True Man said.

His tone was angry, as if he might strike at any moment.

The Faceless Saint King eyed his clansman, gesturing them back.

He was wary that Longevity True Man might suddenly strike.

Beside them, the Old Turtle laughed, “Good, good.

Let’s see a fight.

Old Turtle hasn’t seen a brawl in years.

Today’s a good day to feast my eyes.”

“You’re jesting, senior,” the Faceless Saint King replied with some reluctance.

“Next, let me give it a try.”

As the Faceless Saint King finished speaking, he took a step, landing on the Heavenly Stairs.

He didn’t resist these stairs.

He landed on the first step.

This brief illusion didn’t scare him, and the Faceless Saint King began walking upward.

Step by step.

Each step he took seemed to press on everyone’s heart, a rhythm none dared miss.

Soon, the Faceless Saint King’s speed turned into a mere shadow, and the heavenly deities seemed nothing noteworthy.

He had already ascended ninety steps.

As he was about to cross the hundredth step, it seemed a watershed.

The Faceless Saint King halted in front.

His face was ashen; no one knew what he was experiencing.

The Faceless Saint King’s fists clenched, nails dug into flesh.

His face showed struggle.

Veins bulged on his forehead, as if about to burst.

At this sight, everyone held their breath.

Afrf Raid disturbing the Faceless Saint King.

As his breath approached a breaking point, imminent collapse visible,

his momentum suddenly halted, eyes opened wide.

It seemed all malice poured from his eyes.

“For the revival of the Faceless Clan, I can forsake everything, what is life?”

“Death is destined on this path; today it begins with me.”

The Faceless Saint King seemed to disregard life, fearless, breaking through the Heavenly Stairs’ illusion.

The next moment, the Heaven-reaching River roared.

“Off you go to the Firmament,” the Old Turtle laughed.

The Heaven-reaching Stairs seemed endless, perpetually out of view.

But once a hundred steps were traversed, entry to the Emperor’s Tomb was automatic.

The test of the Heaven-reaching Stairs was primarily about fearlessness of death.

In that moment, the Faceless Saint King abandoned death, thus entering the Emperor’s Tomb at the final moment.

“Let me try,” Longevity True Man called.

Seeing the Faceless Saint King enter, everyone grew anxious.

Fearing treasures would be taken by others.

Especially the human race from Jiaqing City, rushing forward eagerly.

Xu Zimei planned to enter as well.

Though uninterested in the so-called Emperor’s Tomb, the person of the Empress intrigued him.

Xu Zimei approached the Heaven-reaching Stairs.

But he was stopped by the Old Turtle.

“You, sir, may enter the Emperor’s Tomb at any time without tests,” the Turtle said.

Intrigued, Xu Zimei asked, “Why?

We don’t even know each other!”

“Perhaps it’s the Old Turtle’s only merit.

I have a knack for seeing through people.”

The Old Turtle laughed.

“I sense in you an aura akin to the Empress.

You are of the same kind.

My perception isn’t wrong.”

Xu Zimei shook his head.