"Alas, still too weak. Qi Refining stage cultivators ultimately cannot withstand the pressure above the thirtieth level."
On the plaza, the cultivators who hadn't yet climbed the stairs sighed, their tone a mixture of regret and understanding.
Qi Refining stage cultivators have relatively weak physical bodies and spiritual power; reaching the thirtieth level was already considered a good achievement.
Qin Changsheng nodded slightly, his eyes showing no surprise.
Qin Changsheng's gaze continued upwards, landing on the Foundation Establishment cultivators.
The Foundation Establishment cultivators were clearly much stronger than the Qi Refining cultivators.
Their physical bodies were more resilient, and their spiritual power was much more abundant. Most could easily climb past the fiftieth level, steadily progressing towards higher steps.
However, once the Heavenly Ladder reached the hundredth level, the pressure experienced another qualitative leap. Many Foundation Establishment cultivators gradually showed signs of fatigue, their brows furrowed, their spiritual power greatly depleted, and their bodies began to sway slightly, only able to move upwards step by step with difficulty.
Most Foundation Establishment cultivators, after climbing to the 120th or 130th floor, could no longer sustain their efforts. They were either blasted away by the oppressive force or gave up, slowly descending the Heavenly Ladder, their faces filled with resentment and exhaustion.
Only a few late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators, relying on their powerful physiques and abundant spiritual energy, managed to break through the 130th floor and advance towards the 150th. However, those who ultimately succeeded in reaching the 150th floor were still extremely few, barely a handful.
Observing the reactions of these cultivators, Qin Changsheng made a judgment.
Although he possessed many golden attributes,
climbing over two hundred floors was still very easy.
Climbing over three hundred floors, however, was extremely difficult, let alone reaching the very top of the Heavenly Ladder.
At this moment, Qin Changsheng noticed many more masked and black-clad figures appearing on the Heavenly Ladder.
Initially, Qin Changsheng wasn't interested in these people.
However, one masked man in black behaved very unusually.
After entering the Heavenly Ladder, he ascended swiftly as if strolling leisurely.
The pressure of the Heavenly Ladder seemed to have no effect on him. Whether it was the gentle pressure of the first few dozen steps or the formidable pressure of the hundredth step, it failed to halt his steps in the slightest, and even his breathing remained perfectly steady.
His speed was incredible; his figure was like a black lightning bolt, swiftly traversing the Heavenly Ladder. Each step was firm and powerful, and the ancient rune-covered bluestone steps seemed utterly vulnerable beneath his feet.
The cultivators climbing the ladder around him could only watch helplessly as he swept past them, without even time to react, their hearts filled with shock and disbelief.
"This...this speed is too fast! What is his cultivation level?"
"Heavens! In less than half an incense stick's time, he's already climbed to the two hundredth floor! This is simply impossible for an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator!"
"Who is this person?"
"How can he be so fast?"
"He's already over three hundred floors?"
On the plaza, the onlookers were in an uproar. Exclamations and gasps rose and fell, all eyes fixed on the black figure atop the heavenly ladder, their eyes filled with awe and curiosity.
Those cultivators currently climbing the ladder also stopped, looking up at the rapidly ascending figure, their faces filled with shock, temporarily forgetting even their own fatigue.
"It must be Chen Erniu!" Qin Changsheng had already guessed.
Among all the cultivators in the entire Qingyun Sect, and indeed all those who came to challenge the Heavenly Ladder, besides Chen Erniu, the reincarnation of the Nascent Soul stage, no one else possessed such ability.
Only he could so easily withstand the immense pressure of the Heavenly Ladder, climbing over three hundred levels in less than a quarter of an hour.
Above the Heavenly Ladder, the masked man in black continued his rapid ascent, his figure gradually becoming smaller.
On the plaza, the gasps of amazement from the crowd never ceased, their eyes fixed on the black-clad figure. Some secretly speculated about how high he could climb, some even hoping he could break Xuan Yang Zhenren's record of eight hundred levels.
Others began to speculate about his identity.
Soon, the masked man in black reached the five hundredth level.
But the instant he stepped onto the five hundredth level, a force far more terrifying than the pressure of the Heavenly Ladder itself swept down from the heavens without warning, precisely locking onto his figure.
This force, vast and chilling, carrying an irresistible majesty, surged towards the man in black.
"Pfft—" Caught off guard, the masked man in black spat out a mouthful of blood. His aura instantly became chaotic, and his previously composed figure could no longer be maintained. He was violently thrown back by this terrifying pressure, plummeting from the 500th floor like a kite with a broken string.
Wen Xuanli gently waved his hand, and a surge of magic power caught the masked man in black as he fell from the sky.
After landing on the ground, the masked man in black cupped his hands in a respectful gesture to Wen Xuanli, then his figure flashed, transforming into a black streak of light, quickly rushing out of the plaza and disappearing into the depths of the Qingyun Sect's mountains and forests.
Only after Chen Erniu's figure completely disappeared did the plaza return to its previous clamor, with discussions and questions rising and falling, even more intense than before.
"My God! Who is this person?"
"How did he climb five hundred floors so easily?"
"This person is incredibly powerful!"
"He's probably a prodigy from some sect!"
The crowd buzzed with discussion, their eyes filled with doubt and curiosity, but no one could reveal the true identity of the masked man in black.
After Chen Erniu left, Qin Changsheng also put on the mask, preparing to challenge the Heavenly Ladder.
He wanted to see his strength and how many floors he could climb.
And whether he could obtain the Heavenly Dao Fragment within the Heavenly Ladder.
On the plaza, the observing cultivators also noticed Qin Changsheng, casting curious glances. Some whispered among themselves, speculating how high this seemingly ordinary rogue cultivator could climb on the Heavenly Ladder.
Qin Changsheng remained calm, ignoring the surrounding gazes and discussions. She lightly lifted her foot and slowly stepped onto the first step of the Heavenly Ladder.
The moment her foot touched the smooth bluestone steps, a gentle pressure instantly emanated from her, enveloping her without causing her any trouble.
This oppressive aura, just as he had observed before, was gentle and soothing, easily resisted even by ordinary Qi Refining cultivators.
He didn't rush to increase his speed, but instead steadily climbed upwards, adapting to the pressure of the Heavenly Ladder while circulating his spiritual energy, allowing his physical body to gradually adjust to the ancient Daoist rhythms of the steps.
For the first fifty steps, the oppressive aura remained almost unchanged. Qin Changsheng's breathing was steady, his steps unhurried, as if strolling leisurely, he easily ascended.
As he ascended the stairs, the oppressive pressure gradually increased, but even up to the hundredth step, it remained within Qin Changsheng's tolerance.
He maintained a steady pace, each step firm and powerful. The ancient runes-covered bluestone seemed to lose their intimidating power beneath his feet. His spiritual energy flowed smoothly, his physical body remained as resilient as ever, and he felt no fatigue whatsoever.
"It seems the pressure of the first hundred steps is indeed nothing to me," Qin Changsheng thought, not particularly surprised by the result.
With the support of numerous cultivation techniques and the [Diamond Body Refining Technique], his physical strength far surpassed that of other Foundation Establishment cultivators of the same level. The pressure of the first hundred steps was merely a warm-up.
The instant he stepped over the hundredth step, a significantly stronger pressure swept over him without warning, instantly enveloping Qin Changsheng.
This oppressive force was nearly twice as strong as that below the hundredth floor. The resistance to the flow of spiritual energy increased significantly, and his physical body felt a faint heaviness, as if a giant boulder was pressing down on him.
Qin Changsheng frowned slightly, but did not stop. Instead, he quickened his pace slightly.
He circulated all his spiritual energy, combining it with the power of the [Body Refinement] skill, pushing his body's resilience to the limit, forcefully resisting the increasing oppressive force.
With each step he climbed, the oppressive force grew stronger, but Qin Changsheng gritted his teeth and persevered. His steps were steady, and although his breathing was slightly disordered, it remained stable, without the slightest intention of retreating.
One hundred and fifty floors, two hundred floors, two hundred and fifty floors… Qin Changsheng steadily climbed, surpassing the barriers that many cultivators found difficult to overcome. Those cultivators who were climbing the stairs, seeing Qin Changsheng's composed ascent, revealed expressions of shock and admiration. Many even stopped to watch him ascend, their hearts filled with envy.
The onlookers in the plaza erupted in a frenzy, their discussions rising once more.
"This cultivator is too powerful! He easily broke through two hundred levels. He must be another hidden master!"
"His speed, while not as fast as that of the masked man in black, is still astonishing. He might even break through three hundred levels!"
"Who is this person?"
"I've never seen that masked man before."
"Probably another prodigy from some sect!"
Qin Changsheng paid no heed to any of this, focusing all his attention on climbing the stairs, desperately resisting the ever-increasing pressure.
The moment he stepped onto the three hundredth step, an incredibly terrifying pressure, like a towering mountain, instantly pressed down on him, causing him to abruptly stop.
This pressure was several times stronger than that of the two hundred and ninety-ninth step. His spiritual energy circulation became extremely difficult, and his body ached violently.
Qin Changsheng slowly closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and felt the terrifying pressure surrounding him, quickly assessing his own strength.
He knew clearly that with his current Foundation Establishment Level 5 cultivation, plus the [Body Refining] attribute and the "Diamond Body Refining Technique," he could only barely sustain himself up to the 400th level. To continue climbing upwards, or even to reach the top of the Heavenly Ladder and seize the fragments of the Heavenly Dao, was undoubtedly a pipe dream.
Above the Heavenly Ladder, the oppressive pressure increased with each step. After the three hundredth floor, the difficulty increased exponentially with each step. The pressure at the four hundredth floor was his limit. Forcing a breakthrough would not only prevent him from continuing upwards but could also damage his meridians and cultivation, a loss far outweighing the gains.
After a moment, Qin Changsheng slowly opened his eyes, a hint of relief flashing within them, devoid of any resentment.
On the path of cultivation, one must proceed according to one's ability to go far. He wouldn't risk his cultivation for a temporary opportunity.
He looked up at the top of the Heavenly Ladder, where clouds swirled and the faint aura of a fragment of the Heavenly Dao emanated. Though regretful, there was nothing he could do.
With his current strength, it would be difficult to climb a thousand floors to seize the fragment of the Heavenly Dao.
Only when Qin Changsheng's strength increased significantly, or when he perfected the Vajra Body Refining Technique, would he have a chance to obtain this fragment of the Heavenly Dao.
Without further hesitation, Qin Changsheng slowly turned around and steadily walked down the Heavenly Ladder.
His steps remained steady, and even amidst the terrifying pressure surrounding him, he remained calm and composed, showing no sign of panic.
The cultivators climbing the ladder looked puzzled as he turned and retreated, unable to understand why he, who had easily broken through three hundred levels, chose to give up halfway.
On the plaza, the observing cultivators discussed among themselves; some felt regret, some were confused, but others admired his rationality.
After arriving at the plaza, Qin Changsheng ignored the cultivators and headed straight for the distance.