171: Chapter 171 Reaching the Summit

Qin Changsheng's footsteps paused slightly, but he did not stop.

Upon seeing this, Chen Erniu continued, "Fellow Daoist, your strength is formidable; you will surely reach the summit of the Ascending Heaven Ladder. I have a favor to ask, and I hope you can help me."

Seeing that Qin Changsheng did not stop, Chen Erniu continued, "As long as you can help me retrieve a token after reaching the summit, I am willing to Exchange it with treasures."

"Whether it is a High Grade Golden Core formation pill, auxiliary Materials for a Lifebound Treasure, or Spirit Stones, Fellow Daoist, just name your price. As long as I have it, I will not be stingy."

Hearing Chen Erniu's words, Qin Changsheng instantly understood why Chen Erniu had been so obsessed with challenging the Ascending Heaven Ladder and why he had been climbing with all his might.

It turned out that his goal was never the heavenly dao fragment at the top of the ladder, but that mysterious token hidden at the summit.

As for that mysterious token, Qin Changsheng had seen it before.

It was the one Chen Erniu had obtained from Qin Changsheng during the Heavenly Sword Sect Grand Competition by exchanging a High Grade foundation establishment pill and a defensive Magic Treasure.

At the same time, Qin Changsheng was filled with doubts. What was the origin of that token? What special function did it have?

Why would Chen Erniu, a Soul Transformation Reincarnation, care so much about it?

However, Qin Changsheng did not respond at all and quickly headed toward the summit of the ladder.

In the blink of an eye, he stepped onto the six-hundredth level.

Seeing Qin Changsheng's figure enter the six-hundredth level, Chen Erniu's expression became very ugly.

Had he known that the man in black had such ability, he should have placed a tracking mark on Qin Changsheng.

But it was too late now; the man's Speed was too fast, and he had long since left him far behind, not even giving him a chance to catch up.

However, Chen Erniu was not overly worried.

After all, there was only one path on the Ascending Heaven Ladder; after ascending the ladder, one had to come back down.

As long as Qin Changsheng came down, he could place a tracking mark on him.

With this mark, he would be able to easily find Qin Changsheng.

And then find Qin Changsheng again.

At that time, he would decide whether to Exchange for the treasure or snatch it from that person.

Thinking of this, Chen Erniu strode down the ladder.

Inside the Ascending Heaven Ladder, Qin Changsheng was completely unaware of the complex emotions of Chen Erniu behind him; he maintained his extremely fast Speed and kept rushing upward.

With the dual enhancement of the [Pressure] trait and the qingyun jade pendant, he remained calm and composed even amidst the formidable Pressure above the six-hundredth level. Without needing to consume too much Spiritual Qi, his steps became increasingly steady, and his Speed grew faster and faster, like a bolt of black lightning shuttling across the golden ladder.

In just a moment, Qin Changsheng broke through the seven-hundredth and eight-hundredth levels, and in the blink of an eye, he stepped firmly onto the nine-hundredth level.

The moment Qin Changsheng stepped onto the nine-hundredth level, the entire Azure Cloud Sect was thoroughly shaken!

On the high platform, the previously calm Elders of the Azure Cloud Sect stood up abruptly, their eyes filled with unbelievable astonishment.

Elder Wen Xuanli's hand, which was stroking his beard, trembled slightly, and his tone was filled with amazement: "Nine hundred levels! Someone can actually ascend to the nine-hundredth level!"

"My god! Nine hundred levels! He actually really ascended to the nine-hundredth level! This is simply a miracle!"

"I remember the record for the ladder was eight hundred levels!"

"And it was set by the first Sect Head of the Heavenly Sword Sect!"

"Who exactly is this person?"

"How is his strength so powerful!"

"Could he be a Genius from some hidden Sect?"

"Rest assured, this person will come down soon, and we will know who he is then!"

Clad in black and wearing the Profound Iron Mask, Qin Changsheng stood firmly on the nine-hundredth level. After a brief pause, he resumed his stride, rushing toward the clouds at the summit of the ladder. His figure became increasingly dazzling in the sky full of rosy clouds, and with every step upward, the Pressure of the ladder grew stronger.

However, this Pressure had absolutely no effect on Qin Changsheng.

After all, he possessed the Golden Trait Pressure and the qingyun jade pendant.

His steps were light and unhurried, as if what lay beneath his feet was not the perilous Ascending Heaven Ladder, but ordinary stone steps.

Meanwhile, several special figures arrived at the bottom of the ladder.

The person in the lead, dressed in purple daoist robes, with a square face and white hair and beard, surrounded by unfathomable Spiritual Qi, was none other than the Sect Head of the Azure Cloud Sect, Immortal Master Moyuan.

Behind him followed a group of Azure Cloud Sect Elders. Everyone wore a solemn expression, their gazes cast uniformly toward the black-clothed, masked figure on the Ascending Heaven Ladder.

The originally noisy venue instantly fell silent. The Cultivators in the field bowed one after another, saying respectfully, "Greetings, Sect Head! Greetings, Elders!"

On the high platform, the Elders who had been standing also bowed to Sect Head Moyuan, their expressions filled with awe.

Moyuan did not pay attention to the greetings of the crowd; his gaze was tightly locked on Qin Changsheng, who was climbing up the Ascending Heaven Ladder, his eyes filled with undisguisable astonishment.

"Incredible, truly incredible! The record for the ladder was only eight hundred levels, yet this person can easily break through the nine-hundredth level and is still continuing to climb. Such talent and strength can be called a peerless Genius!"

The Elders behind him also revealed expressions of astonishment, gazing at Qin Changsheng's figure with complex expressions. Their discussions were hushed, yet they could not hide the shock in their hearts.

"Sect Head, this child's strength is too formidable, and his talent is even more rare in a thousand years!"

"Indeed, if such a Genius could be recruited into our Azure Cloud Sect, it would surely allow our Azure Cloud Sect to reach a higher level!"

"Looking at the entire Southern Region, among his peers, I fear no one can compare to this child!"

Moyuan snapped out of it, the astonishment in his eyes gradually turning into solemnity and urgency. He turned to look at Elder Wen Xuanli beside him and asked urgently, "Elder Wen, who is this child? Which Sect is he from? Do you have any information on his identity?"

He urgently wanted to know the origin of this mysterious man in black. If such a peerless Genius could be used by the Azure Cloud Sect, he would surely become a great asset to the Azure Cloud Sect.

Hearing this, Elder Wen Xuanli quickly bowed and replied, his tone carrying a hint of apology and helplessness: "Reporting to Sect Head, this Disciple does not know. When this child registered, he used an anonymous token and concealed his own aura and identity. He wore a mask the entire time, so his appearance could not be seen, and there is no way to investigate his origin or Sect. This Disciple cannot obtain any information about him for the time being."

Moyuan frowned slightly, a flash of disappointment in his eyes, but he did not criticize him too much.

To be able to perform like this on the Ascending Heaven Ladder, he must have come prepared, and concealing his identity was within reason.

Seeing this, Elder Wen Xuanli quickly added, "Sect Head need not worry. Since this child has ascended to the nine-hundredth level, it is highly probable that he will reach the summit. When he returns from the summit and comes down from the Ascending Heaven Ladder, we can then step forward to ask for his identity, and it will not be too late to make plans then."

Hearing this, Moyuan nodded slowly, his gaze casting once again toward Qin Changsheng on the Ascending Heaven Ladder, a look of determination flashing in his eyes.

He was silent for a moment, then said solemnly to the Elders beside him, "Elders, this child has peerless talent and formidable strength; he is a Genius rare in ten thousand years. No matter which Sect he comes from, and no matter what price must be paid, I must keep him in the Azure Cloud Sect! Even if it means gifting high-level Cultivation Techniques, top-grade Materials, or even promising the position of Elder, it is worth it!"

The Elders heard this and nodded in agreement, their tone respectful: "Sect Head is wise! If this child can remain in our Azure Cloud Sect, he will surely cause our Azure Cloud Sect to flourish; no matter the price, it is worth it!"

Elder Wen Xuanli also bowed and said, "Sect Head, rest assured. When this child comes down, this Junior Brother will certainly go up personally, invite him sincerely, and ensure he stays in our Azure Cloud Sect."

On the Ascending Heaven Ladder, Qin Changsheng was completely unaware of the commotion on the high platform. He maintained his extremely fast Speed, climbing all the way up—nine hundred and ten, nine hundred and twenty... nine hundred and ninety. Every step was calm and steady; the extreme Pressure on the ladder was still as good as non-existent to him.

The moment Qin Changsheng's sole stepped firmly onto the one-thousandth level, the entire world seemed to stop.

The golden light of the Ascending Heaven Ladder suddenly surged, even more dazzling than the scorching sun, causing the Cultivators present to squint their eyes. Immediately following this, sounds of the Great Dao, ancient and profound, slowly descended from the Nine Heavens. They were low and distant, as if they had traversed the ages, passing directly into the ears of everyone present.

The sounds of the Great Dao were clear and long, without a fixed melody, yet they contained infinite principles of the Heavenly Dao. Every note seemed to be telling the truth of the path of cultivation, piercing through the rosy clouds and lingering in every corner of the Azure Cloud Sect.

As the sounds of the Great Dao rang out, countless golden rosy clouds erupted from within the Ascending Heaven Ladder, pouring down like a waterfall. Within the rosy clouds, one could vaguely see the phantoms of a Dragon and Phoenix dancing, spiritual cranes chirping in unison, thousands of auspicious rays, and strange phenomena arising. The entire Azure Cloud Sect was enveloped by this sky full of golden light and auspicious energy, and the Spiritual Qi between heaven and earth surged accordingly, becoming so dense it almost turned into substance.

Below the ladder, all the Cultivators were shocked by this sudden phenomenon. They stopped their discussions, closed their eyes, and listened intently to the sounds of the Great Dao.

As the sounds of the Great Dao entered their ears, it was like an Epiphany. Countless obscure and difficult cultivation realizations instantly surfaced in their minds. The Bottlenecks and confusion they had encountered in their previous Cultivation were now unexpectedly resolved. The Spiritual Qi in their bodies began to circulate involuntarily, and they began to crazily absorb the surging Spiritual Qi between heaven and earth. The aura of many Cultivators was quietly rising, and expressions of Epiphany appeared on their faces.

"Wonderful! Simply wonderful!"

"My Fire Snake Technique has actually reached Major Achievement!"

"My Sword Control Technique has also advanced!"

"My cultivation level has improved!"

"Listening to the sounds of the Great Dao is like receiving guidance from an ancient mighty figure; this Epiphany is worth several years of my hard Cultivation!"

The Cultivators in the venue were immersed in their Epiphany, surrounded by Spiritual Qi, their expressions devout and ecstatic.

On the high platform, the Elders of the Azure Cloud Sect also closed their eyes and listened intently, their faces revealing solemn yet joyful expressions.

Elder Wen Xuanli's Spiritual Qi circulated, the furrows between his brows gradually smoothing out. His cultivation, which had been stagnant at the Golden Core Middle Stage for many years, began to loosen slowly. A more profound Spiritual Qi emanated from his body, and the aura around him became increasingly majestic.