Between the vast dome, clouds churned, accompanied by streaks of blinding radiance. From the edge of the sky, a long staircase unfurled, surrounded by surging thunderstorms and immense pressure.
"Third round, the Saint Ascension Stairway."
"The Saint Ascension Stairway is a sacred artifact forged by the Xuanyuan clan and the Mohist school. It has ninety-nine steps. Each step exerts a different pressure, increasing as one ascends. Every nine steps, a Saint Platform appears."
"On the Saint Platform, Saint Light will descend, greatly enhancing your cultivation. This occurs every half an hour. The amount of Saint Light is limited. If one person were to absorb it all, breaking through a major realm would be possible."
"However, if multiple people stand on the same Saint Platform, the Saint Light will be divided equally among them."
The adjudicator of the Myriad Races Alliance explained the rules. All contestants who advanced to the third round listened intently, their faces tense. They knew that from this point onward, their individual rankings would determine the honor of their families and sects. Especially after this round, the supreme seat would be decided, so they could not afford any carelessness and had to focus completely!
"Since the Saint Light is limited, does that mean we can fight on the Saint Ascension Stairway and use our methods to eliminate any excess individuals?" asked Zhou Jie from atop a white cloud.
The elder adjudicator nodded, his face calm. "Of course."
"In this round, you may engage in free combat. There are no restrictions on magic artifacts or talismans, no limit on the number of participants. You may injure or kill, entirely at your own discretion."
Boom!!!
The dazzling announcement instantly caused a massive uproar across the sky above the Saint City.
"There are no rules or restrictions whatsoever? Then this round will be a battle to the death!" exclaimed an elder from the Seven Lotus Sect, stroking his beard in surprise. He had never expected the rules for the Saint Ascension Stairway to be so simple and direct this year. This might lead to the final battle starting earlier.
"Indeed. And if that's the case, what if geniuses from major clans gang up to eliminate rogue cultivators first? Wouldn't that be too unfair?" Another elder from the Xuanjing Sect spoke with a grave expression. Compared to the major clans, the geniuses from their sects were essentially rogue cultivators, lacking support and standing alone. If those major clans joined forces to eliminate the rogue cultivators first, then no matter how talented their descendants were, they would be forced to suffer such a loss silently. This was highly unfair!
"Heh, you all know about ganging up, don't you think others do too? In times like these, who can truly trust whom? If you dare to turn your back, you might be the first to be eliminated!" the elder ancestor of the Wang family from the Hundred Races said with disdain upon hearing the discussions. In this situation, he did not believe any clan could form a reliable alliance. Moreover, even if they did, they would likely have to divert their attention to deal with their enemies. Just like the Jiang and Ye families, they were destined to clash in this round.
The adjudicator listened to the discussions without paying them any mind. These were rules they, the five adjudicators, had deliberated upon and agreed to, and they would not be changed.
"These are the rules for the third round. If anyone cannot withstand the pressure or wishes to withdraw for special reasons, they may crush their jade slip and be teleported back at any time. However, they will simultaneously forfeit their qualification for the next round."
The adjudicator spoke, then his expression turned solemn as he declared with a deep voice, "Hear my announcement: The third round of the Myriad Races Alliance, the Saint Ascension Stairway, the competition begins now."
"Everyone, ascend the Saint Ascension Stairway!"
With the adjudicator's command, the white cloud barrier in the space shattered. The immense pressure from the Saint Ascension Stairway then descended like a tidal wave, causing all the cultivators eager to ascend to momentarily freeze.
Bang!
Countless young powerhouses, facing the wind and waves, stood at the forefront. They sensed the powerful pressure emanating from the Saint Ascension Stairway, like a mountain's roar and a sea's surge, capable of crushing one's bones.
At the front, Ye Gong's eyes widened in shock. The pressure from this Saint Ascension Stairway was incomparable to the pseudo-Saint Ascension Stairway from the preliminary rounds. He could easily withstand the latter, but this Saint Ascension Stairway, even on the first step, made him feel a sense of apprehension! Other ability users also hesitated, their hearts pounding, afraid of backlash. Thus, they clustered within the first three steps of the stairway.
However, this situation did not last long. The cultivators who had reached this round were already the top prodigies among the Hundred Races. And geniuses are never short of arrogance. They wanted to win, so they had to cherish time and be one step ahead. Thus, the first foot stepped forward.
Boom!
It was a young man with a grave expression, supporting a four-cornered, eaved furnace with flames burning within. Facing the incoming tidal wave, he activated the furnace's flames to resist and suppress it. Then, after a slight wobble, he stabilized himself on the first step.
"It doesn't seem particularly difficult."
Seeing this, someone took a step forward with surprise on his face. However, he was immediately struck by the power from the Saint Ascension Stairway, spitting blood and flying backward. He crashed onto the clouds in the distance, his fate unknown.
Witnessing this scene, everyone was alarmed again. They looked at the young man holding the furnace and suddenly understood. It wasn't that the Saint Ascension Stairway's pressure was too weak; it was because that young man was too strong. Perhaps he would be a dark horse in this round, capable of competing with the top contenders.
But soon, this thought was dispelled by someone's actions. Zuo Mingqiu, who had won first place in the first round and was known as the number one young lord of the Nine Heavens, took a step forward just as the furnace youth stabilized himself on the second step.
Hum!
His steps were steady, his expression unchanging. Even when facing the terrifying pressure of the Saint Ascension Stairway, only the corners of his clothes fluttered slightly in the wind, as if the pressure of the Saint Ascension Stairway meant nothing to him. Then, before Zuo Mingqiu could even wait for the crowd's astonishment, he took another step forward, standing on the same step as the furnace youth.
The furnace youth turned his head in surprise, wanting to see who this divine being was that could advance two steps at once. He saw a face so calm it was devoid of any expression, a stark contrast to his own effort in urging the alchemy furnace. While he was stunned, Zuo Mingqiu had already taken another step, then another, and in the blink of an eye, he had reached the fourth level.
The crowd below was aghast. Many prodigies, unwilling to be left behind, also began to ascend the Saint Ascension Stairway in succession.
Chen Changkong strode forward, his powerful sword intent swirling around him. One step at a time, he ascended with ease, soon reaching the position behind Zuo Mingqiu. Following closely were the geniuses from top clans such as Zhou Jie, Nangong Huai Tian, and Xuanyuan Shennian, all keeping pace and advancing steadily and rapidly within the same echelon.
The second echelon consisted of geniuses with slightly lesser strength, such as Jiang Taixu, Jiang Zheye, and Jiang Zhuo from the Jiang family, Ye Gong from the Ye family, and Qi Sheng from the Qi family, all striving upwards. In no time, they passed the ninth step and reached the Saint Platform on the tenth level.
There were not many people here, not just because they had arrived quickly, but because the first batch of geniuses to reach this point, Zuo Mingqiu and Chen Changkong, had not stopped. They chose to ascend further, seeking higher Saint Platforms within the time of two incense sticks.
Seeing this, Ye Gong exchanged a look with Qi Sheng, then gritted his teeth and said, "We're going up too!"
"On the first few levels, there are too many people and not enough resources to create a gap. It seems we can't fall behind," said an ability user from a major clan standing on the tenth-level Saint Platform, looking around and sighing. Although the pressure of the Saint Ascension Stairway was immense, after some time to adapt, many people had managed to reach this point. Within two incense sticks, there would be over three thousand people here, making it impossible to engage in combat and clear them out. There were simply too many people.
With so many people lingering here, dividing the Saint Light bestowed at the lowest level, the help to their cultivation would undoubtedly be minimal. Therefore, if they wanted to widen the gap, they had to ascend further.
"Ye Gong is moving, let's go too," Jiang Taixu said to Jiang Zheye and Jiang Zhuo, casting a wary glance at Ye Gong's retreating back. Neither of them had any objections, and nodding, they began to ascend together.
The pressure of the Saint Ascension Stairway was immense. Under such fierce and heated competition, cultivators made mistakes incessantly, were pushed off the Saint Ascension Stairway by the pressure, and fell into the vast lightning abyss, eliminated. Those with better luck fell onto the clouds. Although injured, they still had a chance to make a comeback after recovery, as the time for this round was ample, a total of three hours, allowing for six rounds of Saint Light bestowal.
Outside, the elders of the Hundred Races and the sect leaders and elders who had come to watch were all staring intently at the Saint Ascension Stairway, watching the figures ascending upwards, unwilling to miss any detail.
"Zuo Mingqiu is still strong! The Path of Conformity allows him to forge ahead. His expression suggests he hasn't exerted himself much, yet he's already reached the seventeenth step. I suspect the first place in this round will still go to this number one young lord of the Nine Heavens!" said the Sect Master of the Jinghai Sect, marveling at Zuo Mingqiu's power as he gazed at the young figure racing ahead on the Saint Ascension Stairway. He was rumored to be a descendant of the Daoist school from Tianshi Mountain, and the supreme seat seemed within his grasp.
As he spoke, his words were immediately refuted by others. The Grand Elder of the Silver Thorn Sect said with disdain, "I don't think so. That young sword saint from the Chen family is no less than Zuo Mingqiu."
"Chen Changkong started a bit later, but he's already caught up to the sixteenth step, and his speed is still increasing. He'll soon catch up to Zuo Mingqiu!"
The Sect Master of the Jinghai Sect retorted unceremoniously, "If that's the case, then at the same sixteenth step are also Xuanyuan Shennian, Li Guang the array craftsman from the Li family, and several other geniuses. Does that mean they can all contend for first place in this round?"
The Grand Elder of the Silver Thorn Sect shook his head and said, "Don't forget, the test in this round, while seemingly about ascending the Saint Ascension Stairway, is actually a test of combat strength."
"These geniuses are all strong. In a short period, they should be able to reach the same Saint Platform, but there's only so much Saint Light. Therefore, at that time, geniuses will inevitably be pushed out. As for who it will be, I can only say that anything is possible."
Another elder nodded in agreement and sighed, "Yes, anything is possible. Because of the rules, it's not impossible for those geniuses to team up and drive Zuo Mingqiu off the Saint Ascension Stairway first."
The elder of the Changsun family shook his head and said, "It shouldn't happen."
"Unless it's a last resort, these top geniuses from the Hundred Races will still have some regard for their reputation in front of the crowds. Even if they fight, it will be a gentleman's duel."
Another middle-aged man nodded and said, "That's true. But I'm really looking forward to what kind of battles will unfold. Will Zhou Jie and Chen Changkong clash first? After all, he's always considered Chen Changkong his rival, and he even provoked him in the second round!"
"Speaking of Zhou Jie, haven't you noticed that someone is missing from the top echelon of geniuses?" the Sect Master of the Jinghai Sect said, looking up at the few geniuses at the very front of the Saint Ascension Stairway. He felt that someone was missing there.
The elder of the Dongfang clan responded, "Of course, someone is missing."
"Except for the scholar Ji Xuansu, who is willing to remain neutral, my clan's Dongfang Yuchu is also not in the top echelon. This is because he is not skilled in physical cultivation, nor is his divine soul particularly strong. But this does not mean his strength is weak. If he encounters the people in front, he will have a great chance of defeating them!"
The Sect Master of the Jinghai Sect shook his head and said, "No, there's more."
"Have you forgotten that in the second round, someone fought Zhou Jie to a draw? That kid was fighting him on Zhou Jie's home ground and suppressed him!"
Upon the man's reminder, everyone in the audience remembered. There was indeed such a person, and his combat strength was formidable. He was not only a third-stage body cultivator but also proficient in the Daoist school's Bagua techniques, suppressing Zhou Jie to a draw. With a powerful physique and a strong soul, by all rights, this Saint Ascension Stairway should be his forte. But why wasn't he in the top echelon now?
"Zuo Mingqiu and the others have reached the second Saint Platform, but the top echelon is far ahead and still climbing. The second echelon is around the seventeenth step, with many people, including the direct descendants of the Jiang family. But there's no sign of that Mu Xu!"
Everyone looked up, their eyes widening as they searched. But after repeated scrutiny and filtering, they could not find Xu Mu among the leading contenders. Could he be at the back? But how was that possible? Unable to find him, everyone shifted their gaze to the Saint Ascension Stairway below the tenth step. Their eyes roamed back and forth among the cultivators struggling to ascend, but they still did not find Xu Mu.
Thus, from the tenth step down to the ninth, then to the eighth, seventh, sixth, and fifth, the cultivators present seemed numerous, but in reality, there were only a few thousand. So, everyone was quickly screened, and there was still no sign of Xu Mu.
Where on earth was he?
As everyone puzzled, someone finally discovered him. It was an elder from the Ye clan. His face turned red as he stared at Xu Mu sitting cross-legged on the white clouds. It seemed as if he remembered some humiliating event, and he roared angrily, "He's sitting on the clouds."
"He hasn't ascended the Saint Ascension Stairway!"