Chapter 058: The Celestial Staircase

  As time passed, more and more people gathered at the base of the stone staircase. Faced with the terrifying heat, most gritted their teeth and began to climb, while only a few chose to remain below.

  "Ah—!" A piercing scream echoed, drawing the attention of those below. A figure plummeted from above, his body engulfed in flames, severely injured by the intense heat.

  "Such ruthless methods," muttered a few people below, licking their parched lips. They couldn't help but feel relieved they hadn't attempted the climb, or they might have met the same fate.

  From time to time, more people fell from the Celestial Staircase, none surviving the fall. This prompted those remaining below to turn on each other, their eyes fixed on the fallen's spatial rings.

  Midway up the staircase, Yang Tian and Yun'er pressed forward step by step. The protective energy barrier around Yang Tian groaned under the oppressive heat, making strange noises.

  In contrast, Yun'er fared much better. The emerald-green treasure robe she wore emitted a cool aura, which Yang Tian found immensely comforting. As a result, the two walked close together, their proximity stirring something in Yang Tian's heart.

  Yun'er bit her lip lightly, her delicate face flushed with a rosy hue. Her eyes, filled with a subtle charm, occasionally glanced at Yang Tian. Noticing the sweat pouring down his face, she couldn't help but lean closer to him.

  "This girl will be quite the heartbreaker when she grows up," Yang Tian thought with a smile, licking his lips.

  Meng Yunxi was the type who could enchant anyone without even trying, while Yun'er was like a striking lotus—aloof yet captivating. Though she usually carried an air of cool detachment, that demeanor seemed to melt away when she was with Yang Tian.

  "Thud... thud..." The rhythmic sound of their footsteps broke the tension, bringing a sense of calm to the moment.

  On the Celestial Staircase, a sea of people pressed forward, some unable to withstand the heat and tumbling down. Yet, more and more people continued to arrive, undeterred.

  "Brother Wang, isn't that girl Xing Yun'er?" A man with a small drum on his head, shielded by a green light barrier, glanced at the two figures leading the way and smiled.

  A young man with a jade-like complexion, his face dark with anger, glared at the figure beside Yun'er, his eyes nearly spitting fire. This was Wang Long.

  "Ah, Brother Tuoba," Wang Long said, his expression quickly shifting to a polite smile as he glanced at the young man behind him. Deep down, however, he felt a hint of wariness. Although the Tuoba family was a rising star, their influence was no less than that of the Yin-Yang Harmony Sect.

  Tuoba Bao gave him a mocking look, his lips curling into a sneer. The Yin-Yang Harmony Sect was indeed a top-tier sect in the Eastern Continent, but its disciples were infamous in the cultivation world for their practice of dual cultivation. Wang Long, in particular, had ruined countless young women.

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  "Just wait until I get my hands on you. I'll make sure you regret this," Wang Long muttered through gritted teeth, his eyes fixed on the man cloaked in red walking so closely with Yun'er. As the young master of the Yin-Yang Harmony Sect, he wielded immense power and had long considered Yun'er his woman. No one else was allowed to lay a finger on her.

  "Hmm?" Sensing a hostile gaze, Yang Tian turned and glanced down at a figure below. He frowned slightly, puzzled by the intense resentment directed at him. It felt stronger than the bitterness of a scorned lover, and he couldn't figure out what he had done to provoke such animosity.

  "Little sister?" At the base of the staircase, a burly young man arrived, his eyes scanning the crowd anxiously. When he spotted the two figures nearing the top, particularly the one in the emerald-green robe, a flicker of relief crossed his face.

  "Wait, who's that beside her? Could it be Yang Tian?" Xing Hao scratched his head, a hint of confusion rising in his mind as he noticed how close the two seemed.

  "Out of my way! Move!" Like a charging bull, Xing Hao barreled through the crowd, his sturdy frame knocking people aside as he sprinted up the staircase.

  "Brother Hao, wait for me!" Not far behind, another figure dashed forward with astonishing speed, weaving through the crowd with an uncanny agility. Those nearby were pushed aside by a strange energy emanating from him.

  Slung across his back was a large purple bow, coiled like a dragon, exuding an air of nobility and grandeur.

  "You two are in a hurry to die..." someone cursed, but upon seeing Xing Hao charging up the staircase, they quickly shut their mouths, especially when they noticed the white-clad figure trailing behind him, moving like a phantom.

  "That's Xing Hao, the son of the Thundercloud Sect's leader," someone recognized him and exclaimed.

  "Who's that beside him? His movement technique is so unusual," others wondered aloud.

  "So it's someone from the Thundercloud Sect. No wonder they're so bold," a few muttered, their eyes wide with realization. The Thundercloud Sect, the Yellow Dragon Valley, and the Yin-Yang Harmony Sect were all top-tier forces in the Eastern Continent.

  "Tsk, tsk, his older brother is even more impressive. He can rival the prodigies nurtured by the ancient clans with their full resources. Rumor has it he's just half a step away from becoming a War King."

  Those who couldn't climb the staircase chatted animatedly, their discussions growing lively.

  "Haha, the treasure is mine! Wait for me!" A portly man suddenly charged forward, bellowing as he shoved people out of his way, sending them sprawling.

  "Are you in a hurry to die?!" The crowd, already irritated by the earlier disruptions, grew even more furious. But this burly man was even more aggressive, his steps causing the staircase to tremble.

  "Tsk, tsk, so many people today, each more aggressive than the last."

  "Wait, how did that guy get in? He looks like he's over twenty," someone wondered aloud. The rules of the Martial Mountain clearly stated that no one over twenty was allowed to enter.

  "Who knows? But his cultivation level seems even higher than Xing Hao's. Which family is he from?" The portly man gave off a vaguely familiar vibe.

  "Look, it's Li Hongtao!" A young man in purple robes rushed forward, followed by a group of fierce-looking individuals.

  "As expected of an ancient family. They're so powerful."

  "Huang Li is here too. I heard he nearly got killed a few days ago..."

  A muscular young man shouted excitedly, but someone nearby quickly covered his mouth, their eyes wide with panic.

  The crowd below buzzed with chatter, their eyes filled with frustration. They had spent a fortune to secure an invitation, yet the treasure was right in front of them, just out of reach.

  As night fell, Yang Tian and Yun'er had been climbing for an entire day and were nearing the top. Yang Tian's vitality was nearly depleted, and he began to think about acquiring a suitable treasure soon.

  "Thud!" As they stepped onto the final stair, the oppressive heat suddenly dissipated, and the scorching air vanished without a trace.

  "Phew," Yang Tian exhaled, shifting slightly to the side. The faint fragrance that had been lingering in his nose faded, and he couldn't help but feel relieved. He had no desire to endure that ordeal again.

  "Yun'er, we've made it."