One more step, one more level.
Despite the thunderous storms and howling winds, Xu Mu's figure remained upright, his footing secure on the ninety-first holy step.
At this moment, the baptism of holy radiance began. Golden beams of light pierced through the clouds, descending from the heavens. The very air where they passed became intoxicating. The gifted and extraordinary individuals on each holy platform, without time for thought, quickly closed their eyes and sat in meditation, immersing themselves in the joy of the holy radiance baptism.
But some were displeased.
Looking at Xu Mu's receding figure, Zuo Mingqiu felt a peculiar emotion surface. He stood there, lost in thought, until the holy radiance fell upon him, jolting him back to reality.
Thus, Zuo Mingqiu also took a step forward.
*Boom!*
"Look quickly, Zuo Mingqiu has moved too! He's also forsaken the holy radiance baptism!" Outside, someone shouted in shock, their expression incredibly exaggerated.
"This is madness, absolute madness! Both of them have chosen not to accept the holy radiance baptism, wanting to seize every moment to reach the highest point!"
"But is that truly possible? With only the last half-hour remaining, the difficulty of these final ten steps is greater than all ninety steps combined!"
Above the clouds outside the arena, cultivators from various tribes and sects across the continent gazed at the two figures on the holy ladder with expressions of shock and reverence.
One was Zuo Mingqiu, the prodigy of the Daoist sect, hailed as the foremost lord of the Nine Heavens. Since the first round of the Myriad Races Assembly, he had held the top position with absolute dominance, never once being surpassed. Just moments ago, he had ascended from the eightieth holy platform to the ninetieth in less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.
Such a feat was incredible, making one recall the Holy Son of Ji Chang and the Nangong clan from years past.
But immediately after, Xu Mu surpassed him, accomplishing the same feat in even less time.
Even more, after stepping onto the ninetieth holy platform, standing shoulder to shoulder with Chen Changkong and Zuo Mingqiu, Xu Mu was not satisfied. He took another step forward, reaching the ninety-first step.
He was one step higher than Zuo Mingqiu, and one head taller.
Zuo Mingqiu could not tolerate this.
So he too stepped forward.
*Boom!*
Facing the endless raging thunder, the Bagua formation disk around Zuo Mingqiu began to manifest. He drew out a peach wood sword. The hair tie loosened, and as his black hair flew, an unimaginably pure Dao source attached itself to the wooden sword. The surrounding lightning was then assimilated, automatically clearing a path for him.
Zuo Mingqiu stood on the ninety-first step.
But Xu Mu was no longer there.
"My heavens, such a terrifying physical body, is this still human!" Outside, someone trembled with disbelief, their legs growing weak, utterly stunned by the sight.
On the holy ladder, Xu Mu took another step. Several thick bolts of lightning, as wide as bowls, descended from the sky, dense as rain and impossible to dodge. They struck the holy ladder, scorching its metal surface red and leaving behind shallow pits.
Logically, this level of heavenly tribulation should have reduced any mere mortal to ashes, something even magical artifacts would struggle to withstand.
But the person outside watched with trembling knees.
Because Xu Mu had withstood it head-on.
*Boom!*
On the holy ladder, Xu Mu stood bare-chested, revealing his smooth yet scarred, firm physique. He bathed in the heavenly tribulation.
Moments later, the tribulation vanished. He stood unmoving, his body renewed. The rough outer skin peeled away, replaced by tender new flesh that gleamed with a crystalline golden light, like a magnificent sculpture.
Below, countless people stared in stunned silence. To bathe in heavenly tribulation with one's bare body and ascend to the ninety-second step, how was this possible? How did he achieve it?
Zuo Mingqiu looked up at Xu Mu, silent. At the moment the tribulation descended, he had clearly seen Xu Mu's foot shift slightly, using Bagua techniques to alter his position. Yet, he did not understand the significance of this action.
But even without understanding, Xu Mu had done it. He had once again opened a gap between himself and Zuo Mingqiu, standing on the ninety-second holy step.
Seeing this, a hint of ferocity flashed in Zuo Mingqiu's eyes. His wooden sword cut through the sky, and his Dao source condensed into a true dragon, tearing at the descending heavenly lightning and swallowing it. In an instant, he too stood on the ninety-second holy step.
Before the onlookers outside could even express their shock, Xu Mu took another step upward. His physical body surged, and the heavenly tribulation tempered him, widening the gap between himself and Zuo Mingqiu once more.
Seeing this, Zuo Mingqiu continued to ascend.
The heavenly lightning rumbled and flowed downwards, striking many innocent cultivators. Even its residual energy injured them, causing some to fall from the steps.
The holy radiance baptism ended. Nangong Huaitian opened her eyes and quietly watched Xu Mu's retreating figure.
Suddenly, a gust of cold wind blew. She turned her head and saw Zhou Jie finally climbing up from the eighty-ninth step, covered in wounds. Xuanyuan Shennian and Ji Xuansu followed closely behind.
The two female prodigies exchanged a glance and said nothing. Ji Xuansu silently moved to Nangong Huaitian's side, recuperating.
Zhou Jie glared at the two chasing figures above, his expression grim. He walked up to Chen Changkong and asked in a hoarse voice, "You are in good condition, why are you not competing?"
Chen Changkong's expression was calm. With a blade of grass in his mouth, he smiled faintly and retorted, "Why should I compete?"
Zhou Jie's face darkened. He spoke sternly, "Of course you must compete! Because the whole world knows that I don't even regard Zuo Mingqiu, but I consider you my only rival. And now, you are willing to be overshadowed by Zuo Mingqiu and that brat? Doesn't this imply to everyone that I, Zhou Jie, and you, Chen Changkong, are inferior to them?"
Chen Changkong, hearing Zhou Jie's words, was taken aback. He shook his head and chuckled, saying, "Strength or weakness is not compared in this way. It will be revealed during the decisive battle."
"Besides, it's not me who is saying this, but you are always clamoring to fight me, and no one in the world catches your eye. Yet, you have already lost to that kid from the Jiang family. Don't you find this outcome embarrassing?"
Zhou Jie, hearing Chen Changkong's half-smiling expression, was enraged. He pointed to the sky and roared, "I did not lose, that was a draw!"
"Furthermore, if I hadn't been saving my strength to kill you, how could that brat still be alive now? I would have killed him long ago!"
"Then kill him, and then come kill me."
Zhou Jie froze, seemingly doubting his own ears. He asked, "Say that again?"
Chen Changkong turned around and said expressionlessly, "I said, you kill Mu Xu first, then come find me. Otherwise, I will not fight you."
Zhou Jie's eyes widened, and he eagerly asked, "Why!"
Chen Changkong said calmly, "If you can't even defeat him, what right do you have to come to me?"
Zhou Jie sneered and said, "You speak as if you have already defeated that brat. Don't forget, he is above us now. Neither you nor I have defeated him. Do you not understand what this means? He is at least an equal to us in strength!"
Chen Changkong lightly tapped his sword sheath rhythmically and said faintly, "I do not believe that represents anything. He will not be my opponent."
"Just as I told you before, in my eyes, besides that man, there has never been a second sword cultivator in this world."
Zhou Jie was slightly stunned. He frowned and asked, "Do you mean that none of us are worthy of being your opponent?"
Chen Changkong said, "Kill him, and you will be."
Zhou Jie shook his head and laughed mockingly, "Chen Changkong, do you think I'm an idiot? You want me to go fight that brat to the death. No matter who wins, you will have two fewer opponents. Your calculations are quite shrewd, but I won't fall for it!"
"Well, as you wish. In any case, I am already disappointed in you. If you do not prove yourself, I will not accept your challenge." Chen Changkong casually turned away, no longer looking at Zhou Jie.
Zhou Jie's expression turned grim. He said, "Don't forget, we are on the battle stage of the Myriad Races Assembly, not in your Chen family!"
"According to the rules, as long as you stand here for even a moment, you cannot refuse a challenge!"
Chen Changkong turned his head and smiled faintly, "Whether there is a way to refuse is not for you to decide."
Zhou Jie stared intently at the former, as if about to lash out in rage, but he quickly calmed down. He knew in his heart that Chen Changkong could indeed refuse the fight.
At worst, he would simply run away. This young sword saint, who roamed the martial world freely, would not shy away from such actions because he was thick-skinned.
Zhou Jie stared at Chen Changkong for a long time, then suddenly remembered something and asked suspiciously, "Do you... have some grudge against that Mu Xu?"
Chen Changkong's expression remained calm. "If we truly had a grudge, why would we need to use your hand?"
Zhou Jie stared at Chen Changkong, then fell silent.
"That's right. A person like you wouldn't do such a thing." Zhou Jie clicked his tongue and said no more.
He had believed Chen Changkong's words and began to consider whether he should deal with Xu Mu first.
While this was happening, Chen Changkong slowly turned his head, his gaze calm as he looked up at the sky where two figures were in constant pursuit.
One of them, he had seen for the first time, but he had been anticipating his arrival here for a long time.
Chen Changkong gazed at Xu Mu's retreating figure. The fingers tapping his sword sheath suddenly trembled slightly, as if from excitement or some other emotion, appearing out of nowhere.
But soon, this bearded young swordsman regained his composure, the force with which he tapped his sword sheath remaining light.
He stopped looking at Xu Mu and slowly lowered his head.
It was at this moment that Zhou Jie finally finished his contemplation. He took two steps forward and said solemnly,
"Chen Changkong, I promise you."
"I will do as agreed and kill that Mu Xu!"