Seeing the envy on everyone's faces, Lin Hao's expression was grim: "Fellow Daoists, you may not know this, but while this *Diamond Body Refining Technique* is excellent, cultivating it is far more difficult than I anticipated."
"Since obtaining this body refining technique, I've devoted myself to rigorous training, rising before dawn every day to hone my physical body, expending a vast amount of spirit stones and energy. Yet, after over a year, I still haven't even grasped the basics."
"This body refining technique places extremely high demands on the physical body. Every movement requires extreme strength and precise control. The slightest carelessness will damage the meridians, or even backfire."
As he spoke, Lin Hao raised his arm, rolled up his sleeve, revealing faint bruises and small wounds on his arm—marks left from improper movements and incorrect control of power during the body refining technique's practice.
Looking at the scars on Lin Hao's arm, the envy on the crowd gradually turned into sympathy and understanding.
Although they hadn't practiced a high-grade Xuan-level body refining technique, they knew that the higher the level of the technique, the greater the difficulty of cultivation. Body refining techniques, in particular, demanded extremely high physical talent and perseverance; the slightest mistake could lead to failure.
Seeing Lin Hao's frustrated expression, Jiang Lijuan said, "Junior Brother Lin, don't be too impatient. High-grade Xuan-level body refining techniques are inherently difficult to cultivate; difficulty in even starting is common."
"Cultivating body refining techniques requires gradual progress; one cannot rush it. Perhaps you can adjust your cultivation pace and slowly try to get started; maybe you'll reap the rewards."
Lin Hao nodded, a bitter look on his face: "Thank you, Senior Sister Jiang. My father is preparing to find me a new body refining technique."
Far away in the mine, Qin Changsheng's eyes lit up upon hearing this.
He had been searching for a body refining technique.
He had originally thought it would take a lot of effort to find a suitable one.
Unexpectedly, Lin Hao possessed a high-grade Xuan-level cultivation technique.
This high-grade Xuan-level technique was extremely difficult for Lin Hao to master.
However, Qin Changsheng had no such concern.
Because Qin Changsheng possessed a golden-attribute body refinement technique.
With this golden-attribute's blessing, cultivation was incredibly easy.
Moreover, judging from Lin Hao's tone, it seemed he intended to sell the technique.
He could easily have Hu Nan acquire it.
Soon afterward, the conversation turned to the sect's major affairs.
"Speaking of major sect affairs, the biggest event last year was the death of Elder Lin Zhentian's disciple, Zhang Hao, right?"
"That Zhang Hao was truly a pity!"
"If he hadn't died in the Qingfeng Ruins, he probably would have already reached the Foundation Establishment stage!"
"The Qingfeng Ruins don't have any powerful demonic beasts; how could he have died there?"
Everyone discussed the sect's recent major events, and everyone agreed that the biggest event was Zhang Hao's death.
"This is nothing serious, the biggest thing is that Fairy Qingling is injured!" Wu Yong suddenly said.
"What? Fairy Qingling is injured?"
"What exactly happened?"
"Who could possibly injure Fairy Qingling?"
"Where is Fairy Qingling injured?"
Many cultivators turned their gazes to Jiang Lijuan above.
They all knew that Fairy Qingling was a Golden Core cultivator, and her cultivation was extremely powerful.
They were all extremely curious: who could have injured Fairy Qingling?
Jiang Li picked up the spirit tea on the table, took a small sip, and glanced at everyone before slowly saying, "Everyone, there's no need to worry. Master wasn't injured by anyone!"
"She was injured while challenging the Heavenly Ladder of the Qingyun Sect."
"So it was the Heavenly Ladder of the Qingyun Sect!"
"No wonder Fairy Qingling was injured!"
"That Heavenly Ladder is an ancient treasure, just like the Heavenly Sword Sect's cultivation technique stele!"
"However, the Heavenly Ladder of the Qingyun Sect opens every year, and anyone can challenge it for ten spirit stones!"
"This ladder has a thousand steps. With each step you climb, the pressure you experience increases. The higher you go, the more terrifying the pressure becomes, an extreme test of a cultivator's physical body, spiritual power, and willpower."
"That's terrifying! No wonder Fairy Qingling was injured."
"Who says otherwise? This Heavenly Ladder has been open for tens of thousands of years, and countless cultivators have tried to challenge it, but no one has ever succeeded in reaching the top. The most they've ever climbed is only about eight hundred steps."
Hearing Jiang Lijuan's words, everyone began to whisper among themselves.
They were all talking about the Heavenly Ladder of the Qingyun Sect.
Many of them had attempted the Heavenly Ladder themselves.
However, none of them had even climbed more than a few dozen steps before being overwhelmed by the terrifying pressure of the ladder.
Even so, many cultivators still went to the Qingyun Sect to challenge the Heavenly Ladder.
Because during the ascent, enduring the pressure tempered their physical body and spiritual power, which also brought benefits.
Far away in the spirit stone mine, Qin Changsheng was also somewhat tempted when he heard about the Heavenly Ladder.
However, Qin Changsheng had no plans to challenge the Heavenly Ladder for the time being.
After all, the pressure of the Heavenly Ladder was extremely strong; even Fairy Qingling hadn't succeeded in challenging it.
He couldn't possibly succeed either.
Just then, Wu Yong suddenly said, "Everyone, there's another peculiar phenomenon on this Heavenly Ladder."
"Senior Brother Wu, what other strange phenomenon is there on the Heavenly Ladder?"
"Please tell us quickly!"
Everyone turned their gaze to Wu Yong above.
Wu Yong didn't mince words, explaining directly, "On every full moon night, a special red light appears on the Heavenly Ladder. This red light converges to form a giant mirror, suspended at the top of the ladder. Faint patterns appear on its surface."
"Some say those patterns are the prototypes of ancient cultivation techniques; others say the mirror reflects a cultivator's potential and future."
"Such a phenomenon?"
"This mirror must be a treasure!"
"It's a pity we can't climb the Heavenly Ladder!"
"No wonder so many people go to climb the Heavenly Ladder!"
The crowd exclaimed again, their eyes filled with curiosity and longing.
They also wanted to climb the Qingyun Sect's Heavenly Ladder and obtain that red-glowing treasure.
However, the pressure on the Heavenly Ladder was extremely strong.
These people could only reach a little over a hundred levels.
Far away in the spirit stone mine, Qin Changsheng hadn't been particularly interested in climbing the Heavenly Ladder.
However, upon hearing about the strange phenomenon of the Heavenly Ladder, his previously calm expression suddenly changed, and he abruptly opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing in them.
"On the night of the full moon, red light converges, forming a mirror..." A surge of emotion welled up in Qin Changsheng's heart.
This phenomenon was exactly the same as the scene from a few years ago when he seized the fragment of the Heavenly Dao at Qingyun Lake!
He clearly remembered that back then, at the bottom of Qingyun Lake, the fragment of the Heavenly Dao was hidden deep within the lake's waters, leaving no trace except on the night of the full moon, when a faint red light would appear on the lake's surface, converging to form a small mirror.
At this moment, Qin Changsheng was certain that the red light phenomenon triggering the Heavenly Ladder was definitely a fragment of the Heavenly Dao!
He knew better than anyone the preciousness of fragments of the Heavenly Dao.
Each fragment of the Heavenly Dao could strengthen a golden attribute into a Heavenly Dao attribute.
At the same time, it could also allow Qin Changsheng's strength to achieve a qualitative leap.
Qin Changsheng's mind stirred, and he silently began to calculate: Everything at the mine is currently stable.
A few days later, he temporarily abandoned mining and went to the Qingyun Sect. Using the golden attribute [Intelligence], he precisely investigated the red light at the top of the Heavenly Ladder to confirm if it was truly a fragment of the Heavenly Dao.
If it was, he would find a way to reach the top of the Heavenly Ladder and obtain the fragment.
Meanwhile, Qin Changsheng noticed that Li Hu, who had previously appeared calm and indifferent to the discussions about the Heavenly Ladder, was now somewhat excited.
Qin Changsheng understood that Li Hu's excitement was clearly due to being attracted by the treasures on the Heavenly Ladder.
After all, Li Hu had also discovered the strange phenomena at Qingyun Lake.
Half an hour later, Jiang Lijuan slowly stood up: "Fellow disciples, we've gathered at Qingyun Tower today, and we've shared our insights and important matters."
"Why don't you all bring out any treasures you no longer need and trade them here? Each of you can get what you need, and that would be a good way to make the most of our time together. What do you all think?"
As soon as she finished speaking, everyone's eyes lit up, and their faces lit up with joy. They all nodded in agreement.