飘零影音

Arc 15: Heavenly Secret Realm | Chapter 272: Attraction

Xu Ziqing found this quite peculiar.

However, no matter how strong the restriction is, as long as it is attacked persistently at a specific point, it will eventually be breached.

Yun Lie also used three consecutive finger strikes, with each fingertip of sword aura targeting the same spot, attacking in a continuous series.

Finally, after the third strike, it seemed that the whirlpool reached an ultimate limit. Xu Ziqing suddenly opened his mouth and released a blue light, which charged forward—

“Boom!”

With a violent roar, the light screen shattered like glass, and the Geng Metal suspended within it began to fall.

Xu Ziqing quickly flicked his sleeve, sending out a green aura to wrap around the Geng Metal, which he then collected. Only then did he feel slightly relieved and held up the Geng Metal, saying, “Shixiong, please take this item.”

Yun Lie waved his sleeve and took the Geng Metal.

The two moved quickly; after securing the Geng Metal, they immediately proceeded forward.

After examining the heavenly materials and earthly treasures in two more rooms, they arrived at the third room and once again encountered the master-servant pair and the other two individuals.

The four were somewhat surprised to see Xu Ziqing and Yun Lie arriving.

The lazy youth smiled and said, “You two arrived quite quickly.”

The other Golden Core Realm cultivator and the Core Formation Realm cultivator also showed expressions of surprise.

They glanced at the nine-foot-tall muscular man and thought: They arrived so quickly, seemingly not inferior to this person.

After considering this, they grew even more wary of Yun Lie, viewing him as a formidable opponent on par with the nine-foot-tall man.

Thus, the six continued together. They paid no attention to the remaining treasures in the rooms and did not leave any trace of their presence. After Xu Ziqing obtained the Geng Metal, he felt an increasing sense of anticipation, as if something further ahead was drawing his attention, its allure growing stronger.

What could this be?

Gradually, the path came to an end, and the six finally reached the end of the road.

As expected, none of the previous rooms contained the inheritance; they were merely treasures left by Luofu Zhenren for future generations, serving as the first trial.

Now, reaching the end of the path meant that they were those who had passed the first trial.

At the end of the path stood a massive white jade palace, suspended in mid-air, like a celestial paradise, exquisitely crafted and resplendent.

In front of the white jade palace, a few steps had abruptly appeared. Each step could accommodate at most two people. These steps continued to extend downward, resembling a heavenly ladder that increased in number gradually. However, everyone understood that they would only be permitted to enter the palace once the steps reached the ground.

Xu Ziqing and his group were the first to arrive outside the palace, but the heavenly ladder had yet to descend, preventing them from entering.

If another moment passed, the people from the other passages would likely arrive.

By then, the advantage they had gained would be lost.

The Golden Core Realm cultivator’s expression was not pleasant. He took a few steps forward, moving closer to where the heavenly ladder would land.

The Core Formation Realm cultivator did the same but was astute enough to stay a step behind the Golden Core cultivator, quietly casting glances at the remaining four, seemingly observing them secretly.

The lazy young man smiled but did not make any moves, nor did his attendant, Jiazi.

Xu Ziqing glanced at his Shixiong, who also remained unflustered.

Sure enough, after the heavenly ladder added several thousand or even tens of thousands of steps, people began to emerge from two of the other passages. Each passage had at least five or six people, all determined individuals who likely desired the inheritance even more fervently.

In a short while, there were more than ten additional competitors.

When these newcomers saw Xu Ziqing and the others had arrived first, their expressions changed slightly. However, upon seeing the heavenly ladder, they seemed to relax a bit. They felt even more grateful to Luofu Zhenren, their mindset vastly different from that of the earlier Golden Core cultivator.

When the heavenly ladder finally descended to the ground, people emerged from the last two passages as well, but fewer in number, leaving only three or four individuals.

Thus, there were twenty-five people present at this point.

This was actually half the number compared to before.

Xu Ziqing scanned the crowd and noticed that among the few Shixiongs and sisters from the Wuling Immortal Sect, two had already stayed behind midway. As he had expected, the ones who remained were the most powerful cultivator, Geng Zheng, and the tenacious female cultivator, Shen Yinglan. Both were inner disciples who had not yet taken a master, making the ancient inheritance extremely important to them. It was evident they had carefully considered their choices, possibly preferring treasures or materials that suited their needs. Among the four, this pair of men and women likely had the greatest hopes, which could be a form of choice.

However, he did not dwell on it, moving on quickly.

The numerous cultivators arriving at this place looked at the heavenly ladder with intense anticipation. Seeing the vast white jade palace filled them with hope. They knew that it was best to ascend together to reach the palace more quickly, but those without companions faced difficulties. After some contemplation, they decided to persevere alone, preferring to move slowly rather than trust others.

Since Xu Ziqing and his group arrived first, the Golden Core Realm cultivator couldn’t wait to step onto the heavenly ladder as soon as it descended. He had managed to resist many temptations, but with the palace in sight, he could not hold back any longer. It was a race to be the first!

The Core Formation Realm cultivator closely followed the Golden Core cultivator, stepping up as soon as he did, not caring about offending others. His focus was solely on the opportunity.

The remaining dozen or so people gradually gathered around. The young master and his attendant, Jiazi, both smirked slightly and simultaneously leaped onto the third step.

Xu Ziqing smiled at his Shixiong, made a slight gesture with his fingers, and he and Yun Lie ascended together to the fourth step.

As soon as Xu Ziqing stepped onto the stairs, he felt a sudden weightlessness, and then another shift.

At this moment, Xu Ziqing realized that he could no longer feel the true essence of his dantian. He felt as if he had returned to a mundane body, becoming cumbersome. If it weren’t for the feeling of Rongjin stirring deep within his dantian and his ability to channel his divine sense, he might have thought his previous cultivation had been nothing but a dream.

However, he understood that his entire cultivation was likely being restricted by some force, probably a test set by Luofu Zhenren.

He looked down and saw that the previously empty space had turned into a deep abyss, with swirling white clouds inside. The several passages and large areas of land that had been visible before had all disappeared.

Other cultivators who had ascended the steps also noticed the change and their expressions shifted.

Xu Ziqing briefly pondered and sent a message to Yun Lie, “Shixiong, how do you feel?”

Yun Lie replied, “It feels like an ordinary body.”

…It was the same for him.

Xu Ziqing held Yun Lie’s hand tightly and said with a smile, “Now, we brothers might need to support each other to navigate these countless steps.”

Yun Lie nodded slightly and said, “This is a test of will; we should proceed with caution.”

Hearing his Shixiong’s comforting words, Xu Ziqing felt less anxious. Holding his Shixiong’s hand made him feel more grounded.

This situation… Although it was a test, it suddenly reminded him of a saying from his past life, “To hold hands and grow old together.” Though he and his Shixiong could not grow old together, if they could walk the path of immortality side by side and enjoy a carefree existence forever, it would be even more fulfilling.

Thinking of this, Xu Ziqing shook his head and smiled.

He was being foolish, pondering such things before their feelings were even established. Nevertheless, even though this “holding hands” was different from what he imagined, it still brought him joy.

Yun Lie might have thought his junior brother was nervous due to this first-time test and was comforting him by holding his hand, ensuring each step was steady. Noticing Xu Ziqing’s dazed state, he exerted a bit more force to bring him back to his senses, saying, “There’s no need to be afraid.”

Xu Ziqing sighed, knowing his Shixiong didn’t understand his feelings. Nevertheless, hearing such words from Yun Lie made him feel somewhat helpless. He smiled and said, “Shixiong, don’t worry. With your support, I will be fine.”

Yun Lie tightened his grip slightly.

Xu Ziqing’s smile deepened, feeling that the long journey ahead seemed less tiresome.

The heavenly ladder was indeed extremely long. Cultivators were accustomed to flying on the wind, using artifacts, or riding spirit birds and beasts. They rarely relied solely on their physical bodies for movement. Now, having to climb with only their physical strength was inevitably more strenuous than usual.

As the saying goes: “The one with affection will find even water satisfying.”

With his Shixiong accompanying him, Xu Ziqing felt this way, making the journey seem less arduous. Yun Lie’s willpower was formidable, having endured years of bitter cultivation in the sword cave and withstanding fierce winds. To him, the physical fatigue was nothing significant.

For a time, the two brothers moved along comfortably, their demeanor relaxed.

Ahead, the Golden Core Realm cultivator seemed to be struggling. Desperate to be the first to enter the white jade palace, he was barely holding on, but his steps were gradually slowing.

The Core Formation Realm cultivator following closely was even worse off. When the Golden Core cultivator stumbled slightly, he accidentally collided with the Core Formation Realm cultivator, who was already weak and barely holding on. The collision caused the Core Formation Realm cultivator to lose his balance and fall off to the side, plummeting down into the abyss with a cry of despair. The sound of his fall quickly faded, swallowed by the clouds and deep abyss.

Seeing this, the others’ faces turned pale.

Now, they were in mortal bodies; falling down meant certain death.

The crowd’s attitude became more serious. If the current cultivation world was fraught with danger, it was hard to imagine the ancient times. Even though Luofu Zhenren was kind-hearted, the inheritance was bound to have its perils; otherwise, how could one safely obtain it?

The Golden Core cultivator, shaken and alarmed, took a deep breath and continued to climb with difficulty.

Xu Ziqing felt a bit regretful but continued to ascend.

Once they passed this heavenly ladder, they would reach the white jade palace.

At that point, he would finally understand what was so captivating…

Translator: Lynn

Translations are not 100% correct. Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.

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