163: Chapter 163 Qingyun Sect

Three days later, Qin Changsheng's figure appeared outside the Azure Cloud Sect.

The Azure Cloud Sect was built against a mountain, its gate towering into the clouds. Constructed from massive green stones, three vigorous and powerful characters reading "Azure Cloud Sect" were carved upon it; the calligraphy contained a rich Daoist charm, faintly exuding the Pressure of an ancient treasure.

On either side of the mountain gate stood two lifelike stone lions, their bodies surrounded by a faint Spiritual Qi, radiating a pressing majesty. Outside the gate, Cultivators came and went in an endless stream, consisting of both Azure Cloud Sect Disciples and Cultivators from other Sects who had come drawn by its reputation.

Qin Changsheng slowly put away his Flying Sword and landed in a dense forest not far from the Azure Cloud Sect, his gaze surveying this major power of the cultivation world from a distance.

The Azure Cloud Sect and the Heavenly Sword Sect were both top-tier Sects in the cultivation world with profound foundations and many experts. Not only were there numerous Golden Core Cultivators presiding over it, but rumors even claimed that deep within the Sect, there were Nascent Soul powerhouses living in seclusion. Its strength was unfathomable, far beyond what an ordinary Sect could compare to.

Qin Changsheng's purpose for coming this time was merely to confirm whether there truly was a heavenly dao fragment at the top of the Ascending Heaven Ladder.

Qin Changsheng found a hidden rock to sit on, calmed his mind, and directly summoned the Golden Trait Intelligence.

In the next instant, within his Sea of Consciousness, a golden light suddenly flared up. The [Intelligence] trait slowly emerged, its light brilliant and emitting a mysterious Dao aura.

“heavenly dao fragment!”

As Qin Changsheng entered the text, a golden light instantly lit up.

[heavenly dao fragment: Azure Cloud Sect, Top of the Heaven Ladder]

“It really is a heavenly dao fragment!” Qin Changsheng snapped his eyes open, a flash of wild joy appearing in the depths of his gaze.

He hadn't expected to find the location of the third heavenly dao fragment so quickly.

If he could obtain this heavenly dao fragment, he would be able to strengthen a Golden Trait again.

His strength would also receive a significant boost.

Qin Changsheng suppressed the excitement in his heart and walked toward the Azure Cloud Sect.

Because there were so many people coming to challenge the Heaven Ladder, Qin Changsheng entered the Azure Cloud Sect very easily.

Qin Changsheng was in no hurry to head toward the Ascending Heaven Ladder.

He had come this time for two reasons: first, for the heavenly dao fragment at the top of the Ascending Heaven Ladder; second, to find the auxiliary Materials for refining his Lifebound Treasure—spirit marrow jade, purple spirit grass for harmonizing essence blood and spiritual power, spirit condensing dew for nourishing the treasure's prototype, and five-colored crystals for reinforcement.

He had yet to gather these four core auxiliary Materials. Being in a major power with such a deep foundation like the Azure Cloud Sect, he might be able to find some clues.

Finding a hidden corner under a corridor, Qin Changsheng sat cross-legged, calmed his mind, and once again summoned the Golden Trait [Intelligence].

Qin Changsheng also began to check for these auxiliary Materials.

After only a few breaths of time, a clear piece of information appeared abruptly on the virtual attribute panel, the writing concise and clear: spirit condensing dew, holder Chen Erniu, location Azure Cloud Sect.

“Chen Erniu?” Qin Changsheng snapped his eyes open, his gaze filled with shock and daze.

Qin Changsheng knew Chen Erniu very well.

This person was the Reincarnation of a Soul Transformation powerhouse.

Several years ago, during the Sect Competition, Qin Changsheng and Chen Erniu had crossed paths.

At that time, Chen Erniu wanted Qin Changsheng to help him seize a token.

Chen Erniu had traded a High Grade foundation establishment pill to Qin Changsheng in exchange.

Since the second day of the Grand Competition, Chen Erniu had bid Qin Changsheng farewell.

Qin Changsheng had originally thought Chen Erniu was surely Cultivating in seclusion in some hidden place; he never imagined he had been staying within the Azure Cloud Sect all along.

This sudden news left Qin Changsheng unable to react for a moment.

At the same time, he had some doubts: why was Chen Erniu hiding in the Azure Cloud Sect, and what was his goal?

Qin Changsheng took a deep breath, suppressing the doubts in his heart.

He decided to go take a look at the Heaven Ladder first.

Cultivators were coming and going constantly within the Azure Cloud Sect, most of them here for the Ascending Heaven Ladder. They walked in groups of two or three, conversing in low voices; their words were mostly filled with anticipation and trepidation regarding the Ascending Heaven Ladder.

“The Azure Cloud Sect's Ascending Heaven Ladder will open in a few more days!”

“The Ascending Heaven Ladder only opens once a year in February, and each opening only lasts for ten days!”

“Every year when the Heaven Ladder opens, whether they are Sect Disciples or outside Cultivators, as long as they pay ten Low-Grade Spirit Stones, they can exchange for a challenge token at the token station on the east side of the mountain gate. After getting the token, they can head to the foot of the Heaven Ladder and start the challenge at any time.”

As Qin Changsheng walked along, the conversations of the Cultivators constantly reached his ears, and the rules regarding the Ascending Heaven Ladder gradually became clear.

The Ascending Heaven Ladder opened every February for ten days. There was no cultivation level limit; one only needed to pay ten Low-Grade Spirit Stones to exchange for a challenge token. With the token, one could challenge the ladder. With every step climbed, the Pressure would increase by a fraction. The higher one went, the more Opportunity and danger coexisted.

Listening to this information, Qin Changsheng also began to calculate in his mind.

Qin Changsheng didn't have much confidence in ascending the Heaven Ladder.

After all, even a Golden Core powerhouse like Fairy Qingling had only climbed a few hundred levels.

Although Qin Changsheng possessed many traits, it was impossible for him to resist the powerful Pressure of the Heaven Ladder.

He had come to the Azure Cloud Sect's Heaven Ladder just to see the intensity of the ladder.

It wouldn't be too late to challenge the Heaven Ladder after he had Cultivated the Vajra Body Refining Art to Perfection.

Before long, Qin Changsheng arrived at the opening site of the Azure Cloud Sect's Ascending Heaven Ladder.

This place was located at the foot of the mountains, and the terrain was open. The square paved with green stone was already boiling with people, crowded with Cultivators who had come to register for the Heaven Ladder challenge; it was extraordinarily lively.

On one side of the square, several registration desks were set up. Over a dozen Azure Cloud Sect Outer Sect Disciples sat there, methodically collecting Spirit Stones and issuing challenge tokens.

Qin Changsheng restrained his aura and blended into the crowd, slowly walking toward a registration desk.

Soon, it was Qin Changsheng's turn. He reached out and took ten Low-Grade Spirit Stones from his Storage Pouch, handed them to the Azure Cloud Sect Disciple behind the registration desk, and said in a flat tone: “Registering to challenge the Heaven Ladder.”

“The Heaven Ladder opening time is three days from now!”

“Holding this token allows for one challenge!” That Disciple didn't ask about Qin Changsheng's identity; he simply counted the Spirit Stones and handed a token to Qin Changsheng.

After Qin Changsheng took the token, the Disciple asked if he needed black robes and a mask.

“The black robes and mask are for hiding one's identity!” the Azure Cloud Sect Disciple explained.

Hearing the Azure Cloud Sect Disciple's words, Qin Changsheng instantly understood what was going on.

Many Cultivators bought these black robes and masks to hide their identities because they didn't want to be recognized.

“I'll take a set!” Qin Changsheng nodded slightly.

Qin Changsheng put the token, black robes, and mask into his Storage Pouch. Just as he was about to leave, a somewhat ordinary figure accidentally entered his line of sight.

The person was wearing a set of ordinary Azure Cloud Sect Disciple robes and had a simple and honest face, looking completely unremarkable.

But Qin Changsheng still recognized the person at a glance.

This person was Chen Erniu, whom he had been separated from for several years.

Qin Changsheng suppressed the waves in his heart and calmly observed Chen Erniu.

This probe left Qin Changsheng somewhat surprised.

Because he discovered that Chen Erniu's cultivation had already reached the fourth level of Foundation Establishment, only one level lower than Qin Changsheng.

One had to know that Qin Changsheng had the support of many Golden Traits and Heavenly Dao Entries to Cultivate this quickly.

However, Qin Changsheng soon felt relieved; after all, Chen Erniu was a Soul Transformation Reincarnation.

At that moment, Chen Erniu seemed to sense something. He slightly raised his eyes, his gaze sweeping through the crowd, and happened to meet Qin Changsheng's gaze.

“Senior Brother Qin, why are you here?” Chen Erniu walked over with a chuckle.