Three days later, Qin Changsheng appeared outside the Qingyun Sect.
The Qingyun Sect was built against the mountain, its gate towering into the clouds. Constructed of massive bluestone blocks, the gate bore the three powerful characters "Qingyun Sect," their calligraphy imbued with a rich Daoist aura and faintly exuding the oppressive power of an ancient treasure.
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On either side of the gate stood two lifelike stone lions, their bodies shrouded in a faint spiritual energy, their imposing presence awe-inspiring. Outside the gate, cultivators came and went in an endless stream, including disciples of the Qingyun Sect and cultivators from other sects who had come seeking its fame.
Qin Changsheng slowly sheathed his flying sword and landed in a dense forest not far from the Qingyun Sect, his gaze sweeping over this major sect of the cultivation world.
Qingyun Sect and Tianjian Sect are both top-tier sects in the cultivation world, possessing profound foundations and countless experts. Not only are there numerous Golden Core cultivators, but rumors also suggest that Nascent Soul experts reside deep within their sects, their strength unfathomable and far surpassing that of ordinary sects.
Qin Changsheng's purpose in coming here was simply to confirm whether a fragment of the Heavenly Dao truly existed at the top of the Heavenly Ladder.
Qin Changsheng found a secluded rock to sit on, calming his mind, and directly summoned the golden information entry.
The next instant, a golden light suddenly shone in his sea of consciousness, and the [Information] entry slowly appeared, its brilliance dazzling and radiating a mysterious Dao aura.
"A fragment of the Heavenly Dao!"
As Qin Changsheng typed the words, a golden light instantly shone.
[Fragment of the Heavenly Dao: Qingyun Sect, Top of the Heavenly Ladder]
"It really is a fragment of the Heavenly Dao!" Qin Changsheng suddenly opened his eyes, a flash of wild joy in them.
He hadn't expected to find the third fragment of the Heavenly Dao so quickly.
If he could obtain this fragment, he could further enhance his golden attribute.
His strength would also increase significantly.
Suppressing his excitement, Qin Changsheng headed towards the Qingyun Sect.
Because there were so many people challenging the Heavenly Ladder, Qin Changsheng easily entered the Qingyun Sect.
Qin Changsheng didn't rush towards the Heavenly Ladder.
He came for two reasons: first, to find the Heavenly Dao fragment at the top of the Heavenly Ladder; second, to search for the auxiliary materials for refining his natal magic weapon: Spirit Marrow Jade; Purple Spirit Grass for harmonizing essence and spiritual power; Spirit Condensing Dew for nourishing the nascent magic weapon; and Five-Colored Crystals for enhancement.
He hadn't yet gathered all four core auxiliary materials. Now, being in a powerful sect like the Qingyun Sect, with its profound foundation, might provide clues.
Finding a secluded corner under the eaves, Qin Changsheng sat cross-legged, calming his mind, and summoned the golden [Intelligence] item again.
Qin Changsheng began to examine the auxiliary materials.
After only a few breaths, a clear message appeared on the virtual attribute panel, the words concise and clear: Spirit Condensation Dew, Holder: Chen Erniu, Location: Qingyun Sect.
"Chen Erniu?" Qin Changsheng suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze filled with shock and disbelief.
Qin Changsheng knew Chen Erniu very well.
This person was a reincarnation of a Nascent Soul cultivator.
Several years ago, during the sect competition, Qin Changsheng and Chen Erniu had crossed paths.
At that time, Chen Erniu asked Qin Changsheng for help in obtaining a token.
Chen Erniu exchanged a high-grade Foundation Establishment Pill for it.
Chen Erniu had bid farewell to Qin Changsheng on the second day of the competition.
Qin Changsheng had initially assumed Chen Erniu was in seclusion somewhere, cultivating in seclusion, never imagining he would remain within the Qingyun Sect.
This sudden news left Qin Changsheng momentarily stunned.
He also harbored some doubts: why was Chen Erniu hiding within the Qingyun Sect, and what was his purpose?
Qin Changsheng took a deep breath, suppressing his questions.
He decided to first head to the Heavenly Ladder to investigate.
The Qingyun Sect was bustling with cultivators, mostly there to ascend the Heavenly Ladder. They walked in twos and threes, conversing quietly, their words filled with anticipation and trepidation about the ascent.
"The Heavenly Ladder of Qingyun Sect will open in a few days!"
"The Heavenly Ladder only opens once a year in February, and each opening lasts only ten days!"
"Every year when the Heavenly Ladder opens, whether you are a sect disciple or a visiting cultivator, you only need to pay ten low-grade spirit stones to exchange for a challenge token at the token counter on the east side of the mountain gate. After obtaining the token, you can go to the foot of the Heavenly Ladder and start your challenge at any time."
Qin Changsheng walked forward, constantly hearing the conversations of cultivators, and the rules of the Heavenly Ladder gradually became clearer.
The Heavenly Ladder opens every February for ten days, with no cultivation restrictions. You only need to pay ten low-grade spirit stones to exchange for a challenge token. With the token, you can challenge the Heavenly Ladder. With each step you climb, the pressure increases; the higher you go, the greater the opportunity and the greater the danger.
Listening to this information, Qin Changsheng began to make his calculations.
Qin Changsheng didn't have much confidence in climbing the Heavenly Ladder.
Even a Golden Core expert like Fairy Qingling had only climbed a few hundred levels.
Although Qin Changsheng possessed many cultivation techniques, he couldn't possibly withstand the immense pressure of the Heavenly Ladder.
He came to the Heavenly Ladder of the Qingyun Sect merely to assess its strength.
It wouldn't be too late for Qin Changsheng to challenge the Heavenly Ladder after he had perfected the *Diamond Body Refining Technique*.
Shortly, Qin Changsheng arrived at the opening of the Heavenly Ladder at the Qingyun Sect.
Located at the foot of the mountains, the open space, paved with bluestone, was already bustling with activity, crowded with cultivators who had come to register for the Heavenly Ladder challenge.
On one side of the plaza, several registration desks were set up, where more than a dozen outer disciples of the Qingyun Sect sat, methodically collecting spirit stones and distributing challenge tokens.
Qin Changsheng concealed his aura and mingled among the crowd, slowly walking towards the registration desks.
Soon, it was Qin Changsheng's turn. He took out ten low-grade spirit stones from his storage bag and handed them to the Qingyun Sect disciple behind the registration desk, saying calmly, "Register to challenge the Heavenly Ladder."
"The Heavenly Ladder will open in three days!"
"This token allows you to challenge once!" The disciple didn't inquire about Qin Changsheng's identity, merely counting the spirit stones before handing him a token.
After receiving the token, the disciple asked if Qin Changsheng needed black clothing and a mask.
"Black clothing and a mask are for concealing one's identity!" the Qingyun Sect disciple explained.
Hearing this, Qin Changsheng instantly understood.
Many cultivators buy black clothing and masks to hide their identities.
"One set, please!" Qin Changsheng nodded slightly.
Qin Changsheng put the token, black clothes, and mask into his storage bag and was about to leave when a rather ordinary figure inadvertently entered his field of vision.
The person wore a plain Qingyun Sect disciple's robe, with an honest face, looking unremarkable.
But Qin Changsheng recognized the person at a glance.
This person was Chen Erniu, whom he hadn't seen for several years.
Qin Changsheng suppressed the turmoil in his heart and calmly observed Chen Erniu.
This observation surprised Qin Changsheng somewhat.
Because he discovered that Chen Erniu's cultivation had already reached the fourth level of Foundation Establishment, only one level lower than Qin Changsheng's.
It should be noted that Qin Changsheng had the blessing of numerous golden and heavenly Dao attributes, which allowed him to cultivate so quickly.
However, Qin Changsheng quickly understood, after all, Chen Erniu was a reincarnation of a Nascent Soul cultivator.
Just then, Chen Erniu seemed to sense something, slightly raising his eyes and scanning the crowd, his gaze meeting Qin Changsheng's.
"Senior Brother Qin, what are you doing here?" Chen Erniu walked over with a smile.