"Umm, what does this question mean?" Lin Xian'er pouted unhappily as she arrived on the six thousandth step only to end up with a question that asked her identity and purpose.
Like Ye Chen, she also watched the previous illusion and saw the life of almost everything. However, she was just a thirteen-year-old girl so in the end all she cared about were the fun parts that happened. As for the purpose and anything else? She just couldn't comprehend that deeply, leading to the intense confusion now.
However, she does not have to think anything, as her hands moved on their own and wrote the following words on paper: The identity is a cultivator and the purpose is to reach the peak.
The answer was short and direct; nonetheless, the illusion broke instantly and she was able to climb further, now facing the trial of insight.
Compared to before, her speed was really slow but she still managed to climb further without too much difficulty and was gaining insights without knowing what changes were happening in her body.
If Ye Chen saw Lin Xian'er now, he would be definitely shocked, as she had attained an enlightenment. It was fine if this happened midway or after a few hundred steps, as one would have enough knowledge to be in a state.
But from the start? Even he was not that heaven-defying unless he used his divine ability.
…
Just as Lin Xian'er faced the trial of insight, Li Mei and others faced various difficulties such as fear, anxiousness, and loneliness.
They were not Ye Chen after all so they were having a hard time reaching the state of peacefulness as the time they had to spend alone kept increasing.
Nonetheless, they forged their strong wills to perfection and persisted. S~eaʀᴄh the Nôvel(F)ire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.
'Senior brother, you do not even look behind once. Are you not afraid that I will forget you?' Li Mei couldn't help but complain after a while as she saw Ye Chen minding his own business even though he knew they were suffering.
However, she did not hate him for this, as she understood if it was a life-threatening situation, he would be the one to save her first.
So except for feeling a little dissatisfied, she did not care too much, especially since her mental state was improving rapidly and it was with her own efforts.
Lan Ming was also no different than her; however, she did not complain and strengthened her will to get stronger so she could stand beside him.
Su Ying also had the same intentions; it's just not because of love or like but because of a hidden bond between her and Ye Chen.
She had, after all, consumed Ye Chen's blood essence, which shouldn't be a problem; however, Ye Chen was not a human and was immortal! So she couldn't refine the blood essence completely, which led to it merging with her and creating a hidden bond that only she and Ye Chen could sense. This bond even affected her thoughts; hence, she also wanted to stand beside him. It's just more like a best friend than a lover.
Well, she could only describe her feelings this way, as she was unwilling to accept falling in love with him, as Ye Chen was nothing but a young man in her eyes.
Compared to the three Wang Yiyi thought were much more simple, she just wanted to grow strong so she could help her mother and take revenge.
Just like this, the four of them continued to persist through the trial of time. Fortunately, this trial did not affect their memories and mental state so it was a little easy.
Nevertheless, many disciples behind were getting eliminated and soon only about a hundred of them remained.
-
-
-
Swoosh!
Ye Chen once again faced the illusions that displayed the changes his actions had caused. The illusion even displayed a future where Li Mei and others turned bloodthirsty and evil because of him.
"You really don't fear anything, right?" the fake Ye Chen inquired as he saw the real one remaining calm no matter what. Even at the terrifying future where many turned into bloodthirsty because of him.
"Fear?" Ye Chen chuckled with amusement. "Tell me why I should fear that is never going to happen. Also, just because the beggar might die if I help him, does that mean I or no one should lend that beggar a hand?" He questioned back.
Hearing this, the fake Ye Chen went silent.
There were many good actions that could cause bad things but how many such things really happened? Not to mention as long as you stand at the top, people around you will change because of your actions, no matter what place you are at.
So does that mean you should just stay at home as you fear the world will change because of you? Of course not! If that really happened, there will be no new inventions, no big decisions, no good actions, and no happy family!
In the cultivation, this fact spoke even louder as they possessed heaven-defying techniques, strength, status, and secrets. Many cultivators get jealous of such things and try to become better than others. The result? A lot of them end up dying!
If it was their opponent, then let it be. But what if the one who died was their friend or even a family member? Should they just give up on cultivation so no such thing happens?
It sounded cruel but every cultivator has to face many such things caused by their unintentional actions. Even the disciples who had failed this trial would someday face this and if they couldn't overcome it, then they would be stuck at the bottleneck forever.
The path of Dao or the path of cultivation, was, after all, not blameless, as with great power came great responsibilities but also the blame.
Someone might be praising you for your achievements but someone might also be cursing at you.
So the only way to walk forward was to bear the weight of consequence and walk anyway.
But one needed courage and strong will to do this; if not, they can never reach the top.
"I agree that fear might obstruct you from many things you can do but sometimes it is good to have it," the fake Ye Chen replied and continued.
"Anyway, this was the last trial and congratulations on successfully climbing the heaven's staircase. As per records, you are the first one to get here and will receive a treasured item! Want to know what it is?" the fake one said with a bright smile.
However, Ye Chen didn't fall for the trick and rolled his eyes.
"Hurry up and go away," he stated.
Hearing this, the fake Ye Chen's expression stiffened. Although it was just an illusion, the old man made it close to real life and even gave some emotions so it would be hard for someone to clear this trial.
But none of these tricks worked on Ye Chen in the end; the illusion could only sigh inwardly and wave his hand.
Swoosh!
The next moment the illusion shattered and Ye Chen returned to the final ten thousandth step. After which he hesitated no more and climbed on the empty platform.
Shing!
There was a metallic sound and suddenly the old man's figure appeared.
However different from previous times, it was not just a recording but a real one!
"I really did not expect that someone from this place would clear the trial. Maybe it's just fate or how things should be," the old man shook his head with a reminiscence and took a good look at Ye Chen.
He couldn't help but become surprised at his handsomeness and then his cultivation! Ye Chen was still at the ninth stage of Qi-gathering after all. Chances of him clearing the trial were even less but he still managed to do it.
"Hahaha! A genius! I have encountered a heaven-defying genius! Ah-hahaha," suddenly the old man started laughing wildly with joy.
However, Ye Chen was not as happy as him because he could not sense the cultivation of the old man; furthermore, he felt the old man was stronger than anyone he had seen. As for how much he didn't know.
Watching Ye Chen being cautious, the old man was not dissatisfied at all and even nodded in appreciation.
"Good! Good! A genius should always be cautious and not arrogant," he said with satisfaction and continued.
"How good it would be if everyone was like you, rather than thinking they are the Dao Incarnate after cultivating for once," the old man stated with dissatisfaction, and just as he was about to praise Ye Chen more, his attention was attracted to the staircase, or rather the first ninety steps, which were missing, and the big crater made by Ye Chen.
"Where did the stairs go?! And why is there a giant crater?! Was someone trying to blow up my trial? Who dares? Who dares to do such a thing?!" The old man questioned with a dark face and then waved his sleeves.
In an instant a screen appeared and started to display what happened from the beginning.
The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!