met free 491. The ascent begins
491. The ascent begins
"Reaching the Spiritual Realm" is the most important test for an alchemist's soul strength. It consists of a hundred levels of soul power, each level representing a point, simple and straightforward. However, the pressure is also incredibly intense. Many young alchemists only reach the 30th or 50th level before being overwhelmed by the overwhelming soul power, their faces turning pale, and they collapse. Only after advancing their soul power to the Spiritual Realm can they climb to higher levels with relative ease.
Even for a Spirit Realm Soul Rank 8 Alchemist, this Heavenly Rank trial is still incredibly challenging, with each step a hurdle, enough to make the test-taker breathless. It's arguably the most direct and difficult of all the trials. After all, there are no fancy tricks or shortcuts; it's a simple and direct test of the participant's basic soul strength.
It is an undeniable fact that alchemists possess powerful soul strength, but this level requires the strongest of the strong, the very best of the best.
"Once you begin the Spirit Breakthrough stage, you can only move forward, not backward. You cannot rely on any external force or take any pills along the way." Zou Wu, the head of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion, looked at Xiao Yan with some nervousness as he explained the requirements of this stage to him, since Xiao Yan's performance was related to his future.
Xiao Yan's expression remained unchanged: "Understood."
"Then you can start anytime."
Xiao Yan gazed at the celestial staircase before him, which resembled clouds and mist. This entire venue had been arranged by the Spirit Clan. The staircase stretched upwards through the void, one level after another, and to the naked eye, it truly resembled the celestial ladders described in supernatural tales for ascending to the immortal realm. Looking towards the highest point, a few wispy clouds lightly veiled the view, making it indistinct.
Then, a flash of soul power appeared in Xiao Yan's forehead, and a figure exactly like Xiao Yan appeared.
"What is that? A second Xiao Yan?"
"After all, you came all this way specifically to watch the Pill Refining Competition. Can you stop being so idiotic? Once your soul power reaches the Spirit Realm, you'll have a soul clone, and this trial tests your soul strength!"
"Xiao Yan's clone seems different from the others; why is it so much more solid?"
Xuan Leizi, looking thoughtfully at Xiao Yan's clone, wondered, "Is this the Three Thousand Thunder Illusionary Body?"
Xuan Kongzi nodded and smiled: "Thunder Venerable died at his hands, and Fei Tian is now willing to become an elder of the Starfall Pavilion, even coming all the way to Saint Pill City to work as an errand boy. In the future, the true inheritance of the Wind and Thunder Pavilion will probably only be in Xiao Yan's hands."
Upon hearing this, Xuan Yi and Xuan Lei Zi both smiled, naturally recognizing the mockery in Xuan Kong Zi's words. However, they didn't really care much about the fall of the Feng Lei Pavilion, after all, the Central Continent of this continent was always in turmoil.
Since the Spirit Rush Rank only tests soul strength, using one's physical body would only add unnecessary burden. Therefore, Xiao Yan simply sat cross-legged. His soul clone took its first step on the Heavenly Rank, and a powerful pressure of soul force was instantly transmitted to Xiao Yan's soul clone.
However, this pressure was so great that even some fourth or fifth-grade alchemists would not be able to withstand it. Xiao Yan easily stepped over it and entered the second stage.
Upon ascending the second step, a new wave of soul pressure immediately descended, and Xiao Yan instantly judged that it was stronger than the pressure of the first step. However, this strength was still limited and not enough to stump Xiao Yan. He lifted his foot again and ascended the step.
Waves of soul-shaking energy relentlessly washed down, and Xiao Yan continued his ascent without stopping.
First-order, second-order, third-order...
Those paying attention noticed that Xiao Yan's walking rhythm was exactly the same, and his stopping speed at each step was also identical. This wasn't surprising at all; maintaining one's own rhythm was the common choice for most participants, only to have their rhythm eventually disrupted under the increasing pressure. And Xiao Yan would obviously also have moments where he couldn't go any further, leaving everyone secretly wondering: at which step would Xiao Yan stop?
Xiao Yan climbed at a leisurely pace, as if he were taking a stroll. Because he maintained a constant speed, he reached the forty-ninth stage in a short time.
Xiao Yan didn't hesitate any longer and stepped forward, reaching the fiftieth step! His soul power suddenly surged!
Without the strength of a seventh-grade alchemist, one would absolutely not be able to persevere here. Even a seventh-grade alchemist would find it difficult to move due to the pressure on their soul. But Xiao Yan remained stable, his speed neither slowing down nor deliberately increasing.
The sixtieth level!
The seventieth step!
Upon reaching the seventieth step, everyone instinctively held their breath. The seventieth step was another watershed; without a Spirit Realm soul, this was the limit. It was common knowledge that Xiao Yan had broken through to the Spirit Realm, but since it hadn't been long, it was generally assumed that he had at most stabilized his soul power at the early stage of the Spirit Realm. At this point, even if Xiao Yan didn't stop due to exhaustion, his speed should have been slowed down by the pressure.
Unaware of the thoughts of the many spectators, Xiao Yan, still engaged in the trial, stepped onto the seventieth step and began the tedious climbing activity.
Xiao Yan's speed remained unchanged; he seemed completely unaffected.
Ling Zhuo watched this scene with a faint smile: "At least your soul power can support you to continue, otherwise all my efforts would have been in vain. When you're exhausted, you'll understand: the higher you climb, the harder you fall, hahahahaha!"
The 80th step...the 89th step...
Upon arriving here, many people gasped in astonishment, for Xiao Yan's speed had not slowed down at all, indicating that he likely still had energy to spare! He had climbed the seventieth to eighty-ninth steps, representing the early stage of the Spirit Realm Soul, without showing any signs of fatigue. What about the next step? There were only eleven steps left, and it seemed that Xiao Yan really did have a chance.
Xiao Yan doesn't necessarily have to reach the final level. As long as he can reach the ninety-sixth level, he will exclusively hold the number one spot on the Heavenly Talent Ranking.
Xiao Yan is currently only 95 points behind Ling Zhuo, and initially, many people didn't believe he could surpass him. After all, Xiao Yan's explosion in the third trial left him with a huge hole, putting him at a significant disadvantage compared to Ling Zhuo. However, after his slump in the third trial and his extended period of reflection in the fourth trial, Xiao Yan seems to have returned to his invincible self, and the throne of first place seems within reach!
The 90th step, a test that only those who have reached the mid-stage of the Spirit Realm can withstand, was taken by Xiao Yan with a calm and collected demeanor.
Amidst the excitement of the crowd, no one noticed that the thin mist floating in the sky had already reached Xiao Yan's side.