After activating the fifth spirit ability, the White Tiger Demonic God Transformation, the immense pressure lessened slightly, but it was still formidable.
Dai Mubai, pausing on his current step to catch his breath, casually turned his head and saw his good brother, Tang San, step by step, heavy and slow, yet without any sign of stopping, ascend the thirty-fifth step, then two more, showing no intention of ceasing.
Dai Mubai's pupils constricted: "Xiao San, you haven't used any spirit abilities at all. How have you managed to persevere?"
He remembered this was his second time using a spirit ability. He had used his third spirit ability earlier, around the twenty-something steps.
Looking at Tang San, who hadn't used a single spirit ability and had been steadily moving forward, Dai Mubai found it incredible.
However, the answer that followed instantly transformed his astonishment into numbness.
Tang San, also drenched in sweat that continued to pour out, said in a low voice, "Because I have three more spirit bones than you."
Dai Mubai: "......" This was absurd.
He really shouldn't compare himself to the "king of effort" siblings; otherwise, he'd be driven to death sooner or later.
He turned his head, looking at the thirty-seventh step before him. He took a deep breath and raised his tired, trembling right foot. However, the moment his toes were about to touch the step, an immense pressure caused his spirit power to drain rapidly, and the mentally and physically exhausted Dai Mubai was repelled.
Then, like a toppling domino, the golden tiger stripes that had appeared on Dai Mubai dissipated. In the hazy golden mist, his vision began to blur, the string in his mind snapped, and he was flung backward as if struck by a massive force!
"Mubai!"
"Oldest Brother Dai!"
"Be careful!"
Oscar and the others, who remained on the steps leading up to the island, watched with drastically changed expressions.
But in the next second, Dai Mubai, who was flying backward mid-air, was intercepted by another leaping figure.
Tang Sui, pressing her hands against him and enduring the double impact of the Sea God's Light, had a point of black and red light flash in her eyes. Her demonic power surged out, forming a semi-transparent black barrier around their bodies, temporarily blocking the fierce and massive pressure that flowed like a torrent.
However, the barrier soon emitted a crisp cracking sound.
Tang Sui, her brow furrowed as she held the drained Dai Mubai, landed on the steps below, then rapidly and steadily retreated step by step, to prevent the pushing force from sweeping them away. She temporarily exited the range of the Sea God's Light.
"Oldest Brother Dai!"
"Mubai, are you alright?"
The others surrounded them.
Oscar quickly produced a Super Recovery Sausage and gave it to Dai Mubai.
Dai Mubai, completely exhausted, chewed the sausage and looked at his companions reassuringly. He then struggled to raise his arm towards Tang San, who was on the thirty-eighth step above them, and gave him a thumbs-up.
Tang Sui, who had not used Dai Mubai's second spirit ability, looked thoughtfully at the steps, then at the now-conscious Dai Mubai, and said, "Oldest Brother Dai, you should quickly meditate and recover."
"When I watched you climb the steps, I noticed that some of the golden mist surrounding you was absorbed by you. There might be something peculiar about it."
Considering the original setting, absorbing this golden mist should have a marrow-cleansing effect. As the body endured pressure, the golden mist would slowly clear the meridians and acupoints, thereby doubling the cultivation benefits.
Dai Mubai, already feeling his bones and even every cell in his body breathing freely, took a deep breath and immediately began to meditate and recover.
"Sui Sui, why didn't you just use your second spirit ability on Oldest Brother Dai? Wouldn't that have restored him faster?" Ma Hongjun asked Tang Sui, confused.
Tang Sui shook her head, "The effect of this Sea God's Light is similar to when my brother and I endured the pressure from the three deans at Heaven Dou Royal Academy. The greater the pressure endured, the greater the subsequent benefits obtained from self-cultivation."
Discarding the watermelon to pick up the sesame seeds was a no-go.
"If I healed Oldest Brother Dai instantly with my second spirit ability, the benefits he gains from the pressure would be greatly reduced. Also, I noticed that when I was on the seventh step, I intended to use my second spirit ability on Oldest Brother Dai, but my second spirit ability seemed to be temporarily sealed by an invisible force, rendering it unusable."
"However, looking at Oldest Brother Dai, it seems that enhancement-type spirit abilities can be used. My condition has almost recovered. I will continue to climb the steps. You all can try as well."
While they were talking, the strength Tang Sui had consumed climbing the steps had almost fully replenished.
The others exchanged glances, watching Dai Mubai completely immersed in cultivation. They nodded to each other and then stood before the steps leading to the island, climbing up in turn.
Ma Hongjun, after climbing the first step, swayed and stumbled back two steps, being repelled by the powerful pushing force. He hissed, "Such immense pressure! If it weren't for my weight, I would have been blown away!"
Oscar rolled his eyes at Ma Hongjun, "Sui Sui and the others said the pressure was immense, and you were still so reckless. Honestly."
Ma Hongjun sheepishly rubbed the back of his head, chuckled, and then put away all his casual demeanor, seriously joining his companions in climbing the steps.
Tang San was currently stuck on the forty-third step. His Eight Spider Lances had extended, their sharp tips propped against the two steps behind him for support.
He gasped with difficulty, his legs trembling slightly.
If not for the support of the Eight Spider Lances, and with both of his domains deployed to share the burden of most of the pressure, he would have suffered the same fate as Dai Mubai and been repelled.
As he swayed and gasped for breath, he suddenly heard his companions' exclamations from behind.
"What the heck! Is that even human! How is Sui Sui climbing so easily!"
Sui Sui?
Tang San slowly turned his head and saw Tang Sui, about ten steps behind him, climbing steadily and powerfully step by step, rapidly closing the distance between them.
What surprised Tang San the most was that Tang Sui, now on the thirty-third step, showed no signs of exhaustion and maintained a consistent pace.
Tang San's gaze went past Tang Sui to his companions, who were only on the tenth or so steps, then back to Tang Sui, who looked as if she hadn't broken a sweat. He looked at his sister with a head full of questions as she reached his level, only a light sheen of sweat on her forehead.
Tang San asked in a slightly hoarse voice, "Sui Sui, why don't you seem tired at all? Did you use any spirit abilities?"
Tang Sui looked at her brother, who seemed on the verge of collapse, and blinked. "Perhaps because I have one more bloodline than you? So my body's resilience is stronger?"
Tang San: "......"
This was the first time he realized how... well, how that statement he'd made to Oldest Brother Dai sounded.
Having been "showed off" to, Tang San stared blankly as Tang Sui continued to climb without pause. He took a deep breath, silently told himself not to compare himself to the "king of effort," and continued his arduous journey.