Chapter 154

Chapter 154: A Lone Rider Ahead

Bu Linglong felt indignant inside. She was just about to speak, but a big hand suddenly landed on her shoulder, and Dao King slowly stood up, his gaze meeting Ye Xu’s.

"Master, I have long experienced your abilities, so how can I question them?" Dao King laughed and flattered, "The Master is a true immortal from the Red Dust. My humble skills are far inferior to yours."

True immortal from the Red Dust?

Upon hearing this, the Great Emperors from the Mystic Law Sect, the Holy Mother Palace, the Holy Sect of Transformation, and other forces wore stern expressions.

A true immortal level expert was enough to sweep across the current world.

However, could a true immortal truly resist the Great Dao of heaven and earth and remain in the mortal realm?

"Someone who could make Dao King wary, even if not a true immortal, was a top figure in the mortal realm," the Mystic Law Sect’s Great Emperor murmured to himself, a chill rising in his heart.

Fortunately, the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion had no heavy killing intent; otherwise, based on the behavior of the quasi-emperor bull demon, everyone in the Mystic Law Sect would probably have been buried with him.

"Haha… Daoist friend, you are too modest."

Ye Xu seemed to smile without really smiling. "Your ability to twice subdue Withered Wood Daoist—that was true abilities."

Hushing!

As soon as these words were spoken, a wave of commotion abruptly erupted.

Everyone’s gaze toward Dao King was filled with fear and awe.

"The rumor was true; Dao King really had slain his master to seize power."

Great Emperors from numerous forces felt great turmoil in their hearts.

Dao King’s expression suddenly turned gloomy; he stared at Ye Xu, his eyes flickering incessantly.

He did not understand why Ye Xu would reveal the truth publicly.

Although the matter of him slaying his master to seize power had always been rumored in various realms, almost no one had proof. But Ye Xu’s words effectively confirmed everything.

In any era, slaying one’s master to seize power was not a glorious thing.

Bu Linglong, on the other hand, turned pale and seemed incredulous.

The young man in linen beside her remained calm looking, seemingly unsurprised.

"Master, when speaking, one must rely on evidence," Dao King said cryptically.

Ye Xu remained composed and did not continue the topic.

He looked toward the sweating Yang Xuanzhan and said, "Yang Xuanzhan, you may continue."

"Yes."

Yang Xuanzhan took a deep breath and said, "To participate in the Hidden Dragon Gathering, there was another rigid standard: one must climb the Ladder of Ascension and reach the battle platform."

"If unable to do so, one would have no fate with the Hidden Dragon Gathering."

Yang Xuanzhan activated his power, and the Ladder of Ascension descended to the ground, extending all the way to the battle platform.

The ladder had ninety-nine steps and appeared ordinary.

However, no one thought that the obstacle set by the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion was simple.

Dao King had a sullen expression, his mind constantly pondering the reasons.

Why did Ye Xu expose his past?

Was it just because of his momentary thought?

That was unlikely.

Dao King exhaled a mouthful of Turbid Energy and said, "This matter would have been exposed sooner or later; it just arrived a step earlier."

To Dao King, slaying his master to seize power was not worth mentioning.

In this world, everything ultimately depended on strength.

As long as he remained the peak powerhouse of the lower realm, no one dared to criticize him.

The crowd also put Dao King’s matter aside and didn’t pay excessive attention; after all, this was an internal affair of the Taihao Heavenly Sect.

Moreover, there had been doubts about this matter before, and now it was only confirmed through the words of the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, whether it was true or false.

With Dao King’s ability, even if it was known that he had slain his master to seize power, no one dared to challenge him over it.

"Whether you can pass Senior Tian Ji’s test depends on your abilities,"

the Great Emperors of various sects said to their disciples.

"Begin."

Yang Xuanzhan retreated to the viewing platform.

Whoosh!

The first youth walked toward the Ladder of Ascension; his strength had reached the Saint realm, and his demeanor was impressive as he was the first to step onto it.

Upon stepping onto the first step, the youth’s figure paused slightly.

A few seconds later, he stepped onto the second step.

"Everyone, did you see clearly?"

Mystic Law Sect’s Great Emperor looked in the direction of an emperor-level expert and said solemnly, "There are formations set up on the steps; presumably, that is the test arranged by the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion."

"Continue watching."

A maiden then ascended the ladder; she was enveloped in divine light, and although only two steps apart from the youth, they were unaffected by each other.

"That’s amazing."

A female great emperor of the Holy Mother Palace said admiringly, "Each step is a different spacetime, and it can even evolve different spacetimes on the same step."

"This master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion not only mastered the Great Dao of creation but also touched upon the Great Dao of time and space."

"With this skill, few in the world can achieve it."

"That is indeed so."

The great emperors nodded in agreement.

"Father emperor, your son also wants to try it out."

Ao Lie said enthusiastically as he requested permission from Ao Bing.

"Be careful."

Ao Bing said worriedly, "If there is any danger, leave immediately."

Almost all of the participants were outstanding talents in the Saint realm. Though Ao Lie’s abilities were unique within the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace, they seemed quite ordinary across all realms.

Ao Bing, protective of his son, feared Ao Lie might suffer a setback.

Ao Lie went forward alongside Ji Xinyu.

"Sister Meng, shall we try as well?"

Qi Wuhen asked with eagerness.

Meng Feixian glanced at Nangong Zhandao, who sat still with an extraordinarily transcendent demeanor, showing no rush to move.

"That guy only knows how to act cool," grumbled Qi Wuhen. "Sister Meng, judging by your ability, Nangong Zhandao definitely isn’t your match."

"He is formidable. Do not underestimate him."

Meng Feixian frowned slightly. Without doubt, Nangong Zhandao was the most powerful opponent she had encountered thus far. Yet without a direct contest, she couldn’t gauge his true strength.

The exceptional talents from Godfall Ridge surged forward, charging toward the Ladder of Ascension.

Meng Feixian naturally stood as the leading figure.

She ascended step by step, nearly without pause, distinctly leading among the crowd.

The few who could rival Meng Feixian were individuals like Bu Linglong’s caliber. But among the hundreds of prodigies at the Hidden Dragon Gathering, fewer than ten reached such heights—each a supreme talent among their peers in their respective sects.

"Why hasn’t Nangong Zhandao moved yet?"

Yang Xuanzhan frowned.

Though the Ladder of Ascension served as a trial, it was also a contest of momentum, with everyone vying to be the first to ascend.

Nangong Zhandao had no reason to abstain.

After all, the entire Hidden Dragon Gathering was essentially tailored for him—he was the child of fortune of the Yuan Realm.

"A pity I was born a few centuries too soon," remarked Ye Hongchen, a flicker of envy in her eyes as she observed the figures on the ladder.

"Disciple, every generation has its unique opportunities; one cannot force fate," Qi Ruyu consoled her.

Despite her Master’s words, Ye Hongchen felt profound disappointment.

She believed firmly that if born in this generation, she would excel beyond any contemporary.

By the time one might finish drinking a cup of tea, Bu Linglong, Meng Feixian, and others had cleared over seventy steps. But their pace grew increasingly labored, restrained by the ladder’s formations, preventing swift movement.

"This is painfully hard," muttered Ao Lie, climbing alongside Ji Xinyu.

Their progress could only be described as slow as a turtle, placing them among the stragglers; each step demanded immense effort and time.

"If I fail at this very barrier, I’d truly bring disgrace upon myself," Ao Lie thought inwardly.

His personal shame aside, what truly concerned him was tarnishing the prestige of the Hidden Dragon List.

After all, no matter what, he still held a place on that ranking.

"The Senior is always giving people a hard time."

The one feeling aggrieved wasn’t alone.

Qi Wuhen trailed behind, grumbling internally as he climbed.

However, tempered by the last encounter, his words became measured—no trace of vulgarity escaped him.

He craned his neck, counting nine figures above.

A flash of frustration crossed Qi Wuhen’s eyes. "Better rein it in," he conceded.

Though tempted to unleash his full strength, careful thought suggested it was unnecessary.

Whoosh!

Nangong Zhandao finally moved.

A single step carried him to the base of the Ladder of Ascension.

Every gaze snapped towards him.

The child of fortune for the Yuan Realm, the undisputed first on the Hidden Dragon List—he was the undeniable center of attention.

"This man possesses extraordinary qualities," a Great Emperor assessed. "Late stage saint realm, yet his strength surpasses even cultivators at the Saint King level. Few in that realm could challenge him."

"Bearing the luck of the entire Yuan Realm," chimed in another Great Emperor, admiration in his voice. "Naturally, he’s a genius unseen in ten thousand years."

Dao King, too, observed Nangong Zhandao intently.

"Should the Yuan Realm undergo its great change," Dao King mused, stroking his chin with ill intent, "he will likely be the greatest beneficiary. To seize his fortune… that would surely guarantee my path to attaining immortality."

Undercurrents swirled.

Nangong Zhandao remained deaf to their discussion.

His expression was aloof; walking the ladder seemed effortless, as if traversing level ground. One stair at a time, within mere moments marked by breaths, he overtook Ao Lie, Qi Wuhen, and many others.

"All my arduous struggle for half the day, and just like that, Nangong Zhandao flits past me?" Qi Wuhen seethed, a mix of anger and fear churning inside.

"It’s genuinely astonishing," voices murmured in collective awe.

"This time, he has really stolen the spotlight entirely."

This time, it was Qi Ruyu who felt the sting of envy.

"That may not be advantageous," Qilou Yan stated solemnly, her tone grave.

Lin Qianmo and Lan Youruo exchanged a glance; both understood the implication beneath Qilou Yan’s words.

Another few breaths passed. Nangong Zhandao, like a rocket, glided effortlessly upward, catching up to Meng Feixian and her group.

"Such incredible speed?" Bu Linglong was stunned.

Each step on the Ladder of Ascension held unique formations, testing heart, cultivation level, physical strength, and primordial spirit. Mastering each required careful study. The higher one climbed, the harder the challenge. Hence, each step required a pause to decipher the formation.

For Nangong Zhandao to catch them within mere moments was terrifyingly fast formation breaking. After all, they had taken nearly the time needed to drink a cup of tea to get this far. Every member of that group was a top-tier prodigy among their generation, elites from countless realms.

"He truly is one of those with great fortune," Meng Feixian noted, her pupils contracting slightly, a complex emotion flickering in her eyes.

Whoosh!

Nangong Zhandao took one more step. Though physically on the same stair, the space within partitioned them into separate temporal streams. Visible, yet untouchable. After a mere heartbeat’s pause, he surged ahead, leaving them behind.

"I refuse to admit defeat." The face of the Mystic Law Sect’s most outstanding contemporary female disciple twisted with unwillingness. She marshaled her power desperately, torrents of demonic energy erupting as she forcibly ground down the formation and chased after Nangong Zhandao.

One by one, other elite talents activated their full power, spurred by competitive spirit, racing with everything they had to catch up.

"It’s futile," Meng Feixian murmured, shaking her head slowly. Her eyes remained utterly calm. Unlike the others striving frantically, she made no move to chase. She knew too well the qualitative gulf between them and Nangong Zhandao.

Catching him was impossible.

Her prediction proved right. Nangong Zhandao maintained his steady, step-by-step rhythm, establishing a clear lead. Several breaths later, a gap of over ten stairs separated him from the pursuers—and his speed showed no sign of slackening.

He stood truly and utterly unrivaled.