Qin Changsheng paused slightly, but didn't stop.
Seeing this, Chen Erniu continued, "Fellow Daoist, your strength is formidable; you will surely reach the top of the Heavenly Ladder. I have a request, and I hope you can assist me."
Seeing that Qin Changsheng hadn't stopped, Chen Erniu continued, "If you can help me retrieve a token after reaching the top, I'm willing to exchange it for a treasure."
"Whether it's a high-grade Golden Core pill, or auxiliary materials for a natal magic weapon, or spirit stones, just name it. As long as I have it, I won't be stingy."
Hearing Chen Erniu's words, Qin Changsheng instantly understood why Chen Erniu was so persistent in challenging the Heavenly Ladder, why he was going to such lengths to climb it.
It turned out that his goal was never the Heavenly Dao fragment at the top of the Heavenly Ladder, but the mysterious token hidden there.
Qin Changsheng had seen that mysterious token before.
It was the one Chen Erniu had exchanged for from Qin Changsheng during the Heavenly Sword Sect Grand Competition—a high-grade Foundation Establishment pill and a defensive treasure.
Meanwhile, Qin Changsheng was filled with doubt. What was the origin of that token? What special function did it have?
Why would Chen Erniu, a reincarnation of a Nascent Soul cultivator, care so much about it?
However, Qin Changsheng didn't respond, quickly heading towards the top of the Heavenly Ladder.
In the blink of an eye, he reached the six hundredth floor.
Seeing Qin Changsheng's figure enter the six hundredth floor, Chen Erniu's face turned extremely ugly.
If he had known that the man in black possessed such abilities, he should have placed a tracking mark on Qin Changsheng.
But it was too late now. The man's speed was too fast, already leaving him far behind, without even a chance to catch up.
However, Chen Erniu wasn't too worried.
After all, there was only one path up the Heavenly Ladder; once you reached the top, you had to descend.
Once Qin Changsheng came down, he could place a tracking mark on him.
With that mark, he could easily find Qin Changsheng.
And then find Qin Changsheng.
Then, he would decide whether to exchange for the treasure or seize it from the other person.
Thinking this, Chen Erniu strode down the Heavenly Ladder.
Within the Heavenly Ladder, Qin Changsheng remained completely unaware of Chen Erniu's complex emotions behind him. He maintained his rapid pace, speeding upwards.
With the combined enhancement of the [Pressure] attribute and the Qingyun Pendant, he remained composed even amidst the formidable pressure of the six hundredth floor and above. He didn't expend excessive spiritual energy, his steps becoming increasingly steady, and his speed increasing, like a black lightning bolt traversing the golden Heavenly Ladder.
In a short while, Qin Changsheng broke through the seven hundredth and eight hundredth floors, and in the blink of an eye, he steadily stepped onto the nine hundredth floor.
The moment Qin Changsheng stepped onto the nine hundredth floor, the entire Qingyun Sect trembled violently!
On the high platform, the Qingyun Sect elders, who had previously maintained calm expressions, suddenly stood up, their eyes filled with disbelief and astonishment.
Elder Wen Xuanli's hand, stroking his beard, trembled slightly, his voice filled with astonishment: "Nine hundred floors! Someone actually managed to climb nine hundred floors!"
"My god! Nine hundred floors! He actually climbed nine hundred floors! This is simply a miracle!"
"I remember the record for the Heavenly Ladder is eight hundred floors!"
"And it was created by the first sect leader of the Heavenly Sword Sect!"
"Who exactly is this person?"
"How can his strength be so formidable!"
"Could he be a genius from some hidden sect?"
"Don't worry, he'll be coming down soon, then we'll know who he is!"
Qin Changsheng, dressed in black and wearing a black iron mask, stood steadily atop the nine hundredth floor. After a brief pause, he resumed his ascent, speeding towards the clouds at the top of the Heavenly Ladder. His figure shone brighter in the radiant light, and with each step upward, the pressure of the Heavenly Ladder grew stronger.
However, this pressure had absolutely no effect on Qin Changsheng.
After all, he possessed the golden aura and the Azure Cloud Pendant.
His steps were light and unhurried, as if the Heavenly Ladder beneath his feet were not a perilous ascent, but ordinary stone steps.
Meanwhile, below the Heavenly Ladder, several unusual figures appeared.
The leader, dressed in a purple Daoist robe, with a square face and white hair and beard, was surrounded by unfathomable spiritual energy—none other than the Qingyun Sect's Master, Mo Yuan Zhenren.
Behind him followed a group of Qingyun Sect elders, their expressions solemn, their gazes fixed on the masked figure in black robes atop the Heavenly Ladder.
The previously noisy arena instantly fell silent. The cultivators bowed respectfully, their voices filled with reverence: "Greetings, Master! Greetings, Elders!"
On the high platform, the elders who had been standing also bowed to Master Mo Yuan, their expressions filled with awe.
Mo Yuan ignored the bows, his gaze fixed on Qin Changsheng, who was climbing the Heavenly Ladder, his eyes filled with undisguised astonishment.
"Incredible, truly incredible! The record for the Heavenly Ladder is only eight hundred levels, yet this person has easily broken through nine hundred and continues to climb. Such talent and strength are truly unparalleled!"
The elders behind him also showed astonishment, their expressions complex as they gazed at Qin Changsheng's figure. Their whispers were low, but they couldn't hide the shock in their hearts.
"Sect Leader, this young man's strength is overwhelming, and his talent is unparalleled, appearing only once in a millennium!"
"Indeed, such a prodigy, if we could recruit him into our Qingyun Sect, would surely elevate our sect to new heights!"
"Looking across the entire Southern Region, among his peers, I fear no one can match him!"
Mo Yuan snapped out of his daze, the astonishment in his eyes gradually turning into solemnity and urgency. He turned to Elder Wen Xuanli beside him, asking urgently, "Elder Wen, who is this young man? Which sect does he come from? Do you have any information about his identity?"
He desperately wanted to know the origins of this mysterious man in black. Such a peerless talent, if he could be employed by the Qingyun Sect, would undoubtedly become a great asset to the sect.
Upon hearing this, Elder Wen Xuanli quickly bowed and replied, his tone tinged with apology and helplessness: "Reporting to the Sect Leader, this disciple is unaware. This young man used an anonymous token when registering, concealing his aura and identity. He wore a mask throughout, making it impossible to see his face, nor to ascertain his origins or sect. This disciple has no information about him at the moment."
Mo Yuan frowned slightly, a hint of disappointment flashing in his eyes, but he did not reprimand him further.
To perform so well on the Heavenly Ladder, he must have come prepared, and concealing his identity was perfectly reasonable.
Seeing this, Elder Wen Xuanli quickly added, "Sect Leader, there's no need to rush. Since this young man has reached the nine hundredth floor, he'll most likely reach the top. We can inquire about his identity after he returns from the summit and descends the Heavenly Ladder. It won't be too late to make plans then."
Upon hearing this, Mo Yuan slowly nodded, his gaze returning to Qin Changsheng atop the Heavenly Ladder, a determined glint in his eyes.
He paused for a moment, then solemnly addressed the elders around him: "Elders, this young man possesses unparalleled talent and formidable strength; he is a once-in-a-millennium genius. No matter which sect he comes from, no matter the cost, I will keep him in the Qingyun Sect! Even if it means offering him high-level cultivation techniques, top-grade spiritual materials, or even an elder's position, I will spare no effort!"
Upon hearing this, the elders nodded in agreement, their tone respectful: "Sect Leader is wise! If this young man can stay in our Qingyun Sect, he will surely bring prosperity to our sect. No matter the cost, it will be worthwhile!"
Elder Wen Xuanli also cupped his hands and said, "Sect Leader, rest assured, once this young man descends, my junior brother will personally go forward and sincerely invite him to stay with our Qingyun Sect."
On the Heavenly Ladder, Qin Changsheng was completely unaware of the commotion on the platform. He maintained his extremely fast pace, climbing upwards step by step—910th, 920th…990th—each step steady and composed. The extreme pressure of the Heavenly Ladder was still meaningless to him.
The moment Qin Changsheng's foot firmly stepped onto the 1000th step, the entire world seemed to freeze.
The golden light of the Heavenly Ladder suddenly surged, more dazzling than the sun, causing the cultivators present to squint. Then, ancient and profound voices of the Great Dao slowly echoed from the heavens, deep and far-reaching, seemingly transcending countless ages, directly reaching the ears of everyone present.
The sound of the Great Dao was clear and resonant, without a fixed melody, yet containing boundless principles of the Heavenly Dao. Each note seemed to proclaim the true essence of the path of cultivation, piercing through the rosy light and permeating every corner of the Qingyun Sect.
As the sound of the Great Dao resounded, countless golden rays of light surged forth from the Heavenly Ladder, cascading down like a waterfall. Within the light, the illusory figures of dragons and phoenixes could be faintly seen dancing, cranes cried in unison, auspicious wisps of energy swirled, and wondrous phenomena abounded. The entire Qingyun Sect was enveloped in this boundless golden light and auspicious energy, and the spiritual energy of heaven and earth surged, becoming so dense that it almost materialized.
Below the Heavenly Ladder, all the cultivators were stunned by this sudden phenomenon. They stopped their discussions, closed their eyes, and listened intently to the sound of the Great Dao.
The voice of the Great Dao entered their ears like a sudden awakening, instantly bringing forth countless obscure and difficult insights into cultivation. The bottlenecks and confusions they had encountered in their previous cultivation suddenly dissolved. Their spiritual energy circulated involuntarily, frantically absorbing the surging spiritual energy of heaven and earth. Many cultivators' auras subtly increased, and expressions of sudden enlightenment appeared on their faces.
"Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful!"
"My Fire Serpent Technique has actually reached its peak!"
"My Sword Control Technique has also advanced!"
"My cultivation has improved!"
"Listening to the voice of the Great Dao is like receiving guidance from an ancient master. This enlightenment is equivalent to several years of arduous cultivation!"
The cultivators within the arena were all immersed in enlightenment, their bodies enveloped in spiritual energy, their expressions devout and ecstatic.
On the high platform, the elders of the Azure Cloud Sect also closed their eyes, listening intently, their faces showing solemnity and joy.
Elder Wen Xuanli circulated his spiritual energy, the wrinkles between his brows gradually smoothing out. His cultivation, which had been stagnant at the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm for many years, began to slowly loosen, and an even more profound spiritual energy emanated from his body, his aura becoming increasingly powerful.