Chapter 1014: Humiliating the Yang Clan

Lin Feng flapped his silver wings and ran away with incredible speed. He was holding Yang Zi Ye. It seemed that if she moved, she could die from the wings instantly.

“Silver wings spirit, Chou Clan, who are you?” said Yang Zi Ye coldly. Surprisingly, members of the Chou Clan actually kidnap her. That was unimaginable.

“Did you hear that Jun Luo is dead?” said that person coldly. Yang Zi Lan was quite surprised, “What are you talking about? Chou Jun Luo killed Lin Feng, stole his treasures and left with them. Why are you saying that he’s dead?”

“Hmph, people of the Yang Clan are so shameless!” said Lin Feng. They thought he was a member of the Chou Clan so Lin Feng played along. The more tensions between their clans, the better.

“Lin Feng saved your sister and you still act so shamelessly. You sent Jun Luo and the others to kill him, to help you all because you wanted your boat back. You used my brother, Jun Luo! He broke the talisman to tell you he was in danger, but you didn’t come, you let him die! You shameless b.a.s.t.a.r.d!” shouted Lin Feng furiously so that everybody could hear.

Yang Zi Lan and the others looked upset. Everybody knew that the Yang Clan wanted to kill Lin Feng but it wasn’t official. Now, surprisingly, one of Chou Jun Luo’s brothers was there, exposing the truth. The Yang Clan was losing face.

“Chou Jun Luo broke the talisman and… died?” Yang Zi Lan was surprised. He thought Chou Jun Luo had stolen Lin Feng’s treasures and escaped. Now, his brother was saying that Chou Jun Luo was dead?

“Indeed, he died.” said Lin Feng coldly. Yang Zi Lan could see that Chou Jun Luo’s brother was furious.

“What about Lin Feng?” asked Yang Zi Lan. If Chou Jun Luo was dead, what about Lin Feng?

“He died too. Everybody died, it was a total destruction, jade and stone burned together.” said Lin Feng coldly.

Qiu Yue Xin’s heart was suddenly crushed. He was dead. There was no hope anymore. She started crying.

Lin Feng looked at her, his heart hurt so bad, but he couldn’t do much. If he told her anything, everybody would know who he is.

“Jun Luo was my friend. I’m so sad to learn that he’s dead. Besides, Lin Feng killed him, why would you take my sister as a hostage?” said Yang Zi Lan in a gentle way, because he was now scared for his sister.

“Yang Zi Lan, don’t you think you’re acting ridiculous? You’re shameless. You make me want to puke. My brother died because of you and you dare spread rumors about him and tarnish his reputation. That’s what you do to your friends? You tarnish their reputation when they’re dead?” said Lin Feng. He was secretly exulting. He felt like he was secretly spreading poison amongst all those people.

“Maybe I was wrong, but I didn’t know that Jun Luo was dead. Now that I know, I will do what I can for the Chou Clan to forgive us. Let my sister go and our clans will stay friends in the future.” said Yang Zi Lan gently.

“Friend? Lin Feng saved that girl and took her home, that’s how you treat your friends?” said Lin Feng mockingly. Yang Zi Lan was getting furious and impatient by this point. Everybody would think that his clan was only shameless.

“Don’t be selfish. Think about your clan.” said Yang Zi Lan coldly. He was starting to threaten that person.

“My clan will kill shameless people like you because you’re inferior to us.” said Lin Feng fearlessly. If a great war started between the clans, that would be great.

“You want to die!” said Yang Zi Lan releasing energies. Lin Feng flapped his silver wings and Yang Zi Ye shouted in fear. She was wounded.

“You’re scared too. Unfortunately, when someone tried to save you, you didn’t show how grateful you were.” said Lin Feng mockingly. Yang Zi Lan recalled his energies. Lin Feng smiled coldly. He had tarnished Yang Zi Lan’s reputation and created tensions between the Yang Clan and the Chou Clan. 

“Qiu Yue Xin has done nothing. Let Miss Qiu Yue Xin go.” said Lin Feng indifferently. Yang Zi Lan was speechless. Lin Feng was still holding Yang Zi Ye and now he was asking them to liberate Qiu Yue Xin?

“Don’t you think that you’re going too far?” said Yang Zi Lan. However, Lin Feng was still holding Yang Zi Ye so Yang Zi Lan couldn’t do anything.

“Ah!” Yang Zi Ye shouted again, blood dripped down her throat.

Yang Zi Lan looked at Lin Feng with murder in his eyes.

The crowd was astonished. The Chou Clan had some insane people. They kidnapped Yang Zi Ye and then threatened the Yang Clan, that guy had b.a.l.l.s.

“I will not repeat myself again, let Qiu Yue Xin go.” said Lin Feng. Yang Zi Lan didn’t know what to do, but in the end, the members of the Yang Clan flew away and let Qiu Yue Xin go.

Qiu Yue Xin looked at Lin Feng, she didn’t understand why that person was helping her. She nodded at Lin Feng and also flew away.

“Now, let my sister go.” said Yang Zi Lan coldly.

“Not yet.” said Lin Feng with a cold smile. He looked at Yang Zi Lan and said, “Take out your boat and remove the connections you have with your boat.”

Yang Zi Lan looked furious. That guy wanted his boat?!

The crowd was astonished too, but they were excited. Things were getting interesting.

“Yang Zi Lan, are you that shameless? Would you let your sister die because of a boat?” said Lin Feng mockingly.

Yang Zi Lan said, “If I give you the boat, you must release my sister.”

“Of course.” said Lin Feng nodding. He had saved Qiu Yue Xin and was taking another one of their boats. Not bad. The two siblings wouldn’t have a boat after that, they wouldn’t be able to escape dangers in the future.

Yang Zi Lan shook his hand and a boat appeared. He immediately removed his connections to the boat.

“Take it.” said Yang Zi Lan. That boat was incredible and was worth a lot of abstruse crystals. 

Lin Feng established a connection between him and the boat. In a flash, the boat became alive again.

He flapped his silver wings and landed on the boat. However, the silhouettes of the strong cultivators of the Yang Clan flickered, they wanted to stop Lin Feng. They also released a powerful energy.

“You can let her go now.” said Yang Zi Lan coldly.

“If I let her go in these circ.u.mstances, you’ll just kill me. Why would I ask for the boat if it was to die five minutes later?” said Lin Feng with a cold smile.

“What do you want?” asked Yang Zi Lan in a piercingly-cold way.

“Let me pa.s.s!” said Lin Feng coldly.

“If I let you pa.s.s but you don’t let my sister go, what will I do then?”

“If I kill your sister, you’ll go insane. I’m not that cruel. I have everything I want now so let me pa.s.s. I will let her go.”

Yang Zi Lan remained silent and said, “If you don’t let her go, I guarantee you that you will not leave Tianjing City.”

Yang Zi Lan waved at the strong cultivators telling them to move away.

Lin Feng moved away with the boat and about ten thousand meters away, he said to Yang Zi Lan with a cold smile, “You better not come to the Chou Clan, otherwise, we’ll chop your sister’s body into a thousand pieces.”

He then flapped his wings, threw Yang Zi Ye away at Yang Zi Lan and left with the boat. In a flash, he disappeared. 

What a humiliation for the Yang Clan!

“Go back to the clan and inform them about what happened.” said Yang Zi Lan coldly. People s.h.i.+vered. They understood, things looked bad for the Chou Clan!

Chapter 1015: Incredible People

Lin Feng traveled far away with the boat before changing his face again. He also recalled his silver wings spirit.

That way, the one who had saved Qiu Yue Xin, kidnapped Yang Zi Ye and stole Yang Zi Lan’s boat had disappeared, and the only ones to blame would be the Chou Clan.

Lin Feng then went back to the hotel. He wanted to see Qiu Yue Xin, had she gone back to the hotel?

Lin Feng released his awareness and inspected the surroundings. Someone was in Qiu Yue Xin’s room, she had probably come back.

Lin Feng smiled and put the mask he was wearing back on. Then, he opened her room and saw Qiu Yue Xin. She was sitting on her bed and looked furious when she saw someone open her door.

“What?” When she saw it was the one who had helped her a moment before, she stopped releasing her energies and said, “Thank you for helping me, but this is my room and coming in like that is impolite.”

“I like you, I want you and me to be very close.” said Lin Feng with an indifferent smile. Qiu Yue Xin looked at him coldly and released her energies once more.

“Be respectful!” shouted Qiu Yue Xin furiously. That person actually disrespected her.

Lin Feng laughed and continued walking towards her.

“If you make one more step, I’ll kill you.” said Qiu Yue Xin. However, Lin Feng laughed and continued walking towards her.

“You’re a pervert!” said Qiu Yue Xin standing up. She then punched the air in Lin Feng’s direction. Lin Feng released strength and punched as well.

“Boom boom!” a crackling sound spread in the air.

“Seal!” shouted Lin Feng.

“Sealing strength!” Qiu Yue Xin stopped briefly. She had seen that attack before.

The sealing strength surrounded her and she could barely move.

Lin Feng got close and put his arms around Qiu Yue Xin. She fixedly stared at him.

“I’ve liked you for so long and you’ve already forgotten me.” said Lin Feng with a wry smile on his face. Qiu Yue Xin couldn’t believe it. Was it Lin Feng?

Lin Feng wasn’t… dead?

Lin Feng took off his mask and smiled, “Don’t you recognize me?”

Qiu Yue Xin was dumbstruck. Her eyes were red, she still had a cold Qi around her.

“You b.a.s.t.a.r.d!”

Her ice-cold energies surrounded Lin Feng.

“Eh…” Lin Feng was speechless. No need to be that aggressive, he thought.

“Since you think I’m a b.a.s.t.a.r.d, I’m leaving.” said Lin Feng smiling evilly. Qiu Yue Xin was wondering what he was thinking.

Lin Feng slowly lowered his head, that b.a.s.t.a.r.d. She wanted to shout, but Lin Feng kissed her. She just stared at him, she was astonished.

“Slas.h.!.+” a sound spread in the air. Qiu Yue Xin reacted, but Lin Feng was prepared and moved away, “You’re shameless!”

Lin Feng left the room and she chased him. However, she wasn’t angry, deep in her eyes, one could see that she was relieved. He was alive. She had to teach him a lesson for not telling her that he was alive sooner.

…………

Later that night, it all felt like a dream. Many people had practiced cultivation just for this moment. They had been waiting for that day for so long.

It was on this  day that Emperor s.h.i.+ and Emperor Yu’s recruitment process was going to start.

Many strong cultivators had gathered, both Zun cultivators and Tian level cultivators.

For many people, especially the Tian level cultivators, becoming an imperial cultivation disciple was a dream, a social status, a symbol proving that their future was going to be bright. People would respect them. That was also an opportunity to become stronger faster.

For Zun cultivators, it was difficult to become stronger. Each cultivation layer was harder than the last to break through. One cultivation layer, at the level of Zun cultivators, was like nines layer at the Tian Qi layer. It was even more difficult for high-level Zun cultivators. So emperors help along this path.

Becoming an imperial cultivation disciple was very difficult and the opportunities were very rare. Sometimes, people had to wait a hundred years before seeing such opportunities. Therefore, they couldn’t let it slip.

Lin Feng walked alongside Qiu Yue Xin down the flight of stairs but remained speechless.

“So many people, how would they choose imperial cultivation disciples amongst so many people!” said Lin Feng smiling wryly. There were so many people that it was impossible to count them all. It was impossible to even determine the area covered by all those people. There were many geniuses but who would be able to overcome the challenge of the last 81 steps? A few would surely succeed. Two groups of nine stairs couldn’t be impossible for some of them.

People couldn’t wait to see the millions of geniuses climb those stairs.

“That will be spectacular to see all those people climb the stairs!” whispered Qiu Yue Xin smiling at Lin Feng.

“I know, right? It will be incredible.” Lin Feng nodded.

Everybody looked solemn and respectful. They all looked incredibly motivated and determined. Becoming an imperial cultivation disciple, having an emperor as a teacher, if they managed to climb those stairs, they would have an incredible future.

“Emperors control Ba Huang Province. Only people as strong as them can give such heroic feelings to people.” Qiu Yue Xin though. Even though she was from a rich and powerful family, she clearly understood that emperors belonged to different and incomparable worlds. Those emperors, if upset, could destroy a entire clan like the Qiu Clan or any other. Everybody wanted to become like them.

“One day, I will become an emperor. And when I order my disciples to destroy the Yang Clan, they will do it without hesitation. n.o.body will dare offend me anymore!” said Lin Feng looking determined. One day, he would become an emperor.

“If you become an emperor, what will I be?” said Qiu Yue Xin smiling.

“When I become an emperor, you’ll be an empress!” said Lin Feng with a resplendent smile. Qiu Yue Xin wondered what it meant to be an empress.

Chapter 1016: Rules

“An empress, what does that mean exactly?” asked Qiu Yue Xin. She was curious and fixedly staring at Lin Feng.

“An empress is an emperor’s wife.” said Lin Feng with an incredible smile. Her heart started pounding. She was delighted by the idea.

An empress, what a powerful t.i.tle.

“It’s starting soon!” said Lin Feng raising his head. The sun was like a fire. It made people feel determined.

“We’re almost there.” nodded Qiu Yue Xin.

“Bzzz!” A sound spread in the air and made people’s souls shake. The atmosphere suddenly became calm. Many people raised their heads, looking solemn and respectful. They looked at the stairs which were now illuminated. They looked even more mysterious than before. Qi was flowing through the steps and appeared ethereal.

“They’re different!” Lin Feng was astonished. The flight of stairs was different, but Lin Feng didn’t know what had changed.

“Bzzz!” another sound spread in the air. People looked even more serious. In the distance, at the top of the flight of stairs, someone appeared.

They looked calm, sober. They put their palms together before him like a Buddhist or Hinduist monk.

It was a Sadhu.

“Come up!” said the Sadhu. He was surrounded by golden lights and he looked like a little Buddha.

“He looks like he can use ancient buddhist spells.” Qiu Yue Xin was very surprised. Lin Feng frowned, he didn’t understand so he asked, “Aren’t Sadhus Buddhists? What does “ancient Buddhist spells” mean?”

“Who told you Sadhus are Buddhists?” asked Qiu Yue Xin. She then added, “Sadhus practice self-denial and apply ascetic principles. It is painful and they devote their life to this cultivation. They are pure of heart and have few desires. They shave their heads to avoid being ostentatious. They refuse fame and wealth and other material things. They don’t wear clothes for glory, they wear a kasaya. They also recognize that they have flaws.”

“But there isn’t just one sort of Sadhu, especially in the antiquity. There are differences between Sadhus and also between the date of the teachings they received. Two Sadhus can be very different but can be very, very similar at the same time. This Sadhu’s energies are auspicious. He could make people feel calm and serene. It seems that he learnt ancient ascetic practices, that’s why I said that.” explained Qiu Yue Xin slowly. Lin Feng nodded. He understood.

He released golden lights which enveloped the stairs. It was a celestial Qi.

Some people rose up in the air and their Qi was extraordinary. Some people looked proud, some others looked humble, but people clearly understood that they were imperial cultivation disciples, to the extent that some of them were the emperors’ direct disciples. As an emperor, other people were insects to them.

An auspicious cloud appeared and a few dozen people were on it.

“Please monitor the exam, thank you.” said the Sadhu bowing respectfully in front of those people with his palms together before him.

“No problem. Do what you have to do.” said the group to the Sadhu. They all knew who he was. There was only one Sadhu who followed Emperor s.h.i.+ and Emperor Yu’s teachings. Their direct disciples all knew the Sadhu. 

“Thank you for your understanding.” said the Sadhu politely. He then looked at the crowd and said, “Those who are not partic.i.p.ating, please move backwards.”

He sounded enlightened. Many people moved backwards. The Sadhu just had to say a few words and millions of people listened to him.

n.o.body dared cause trouble, after all, it was an event organized by two emperors.

Two groups of people appeared, those behind and those at the front.

The Sadhu nodded and said, “Today, Emperor s.h.i.+ and Emperor Yu’s recruitment process is starting. However, there are too many people. Therefore, the emperors created that flight of stairs to do a first selection. There are 18,000 steps. Those who manage to come up to the 17,919th step will arrive in front of nine groups of nine steps. Then, there will be a key. If you manage to take the key you’ll be able to open the door to Tiantai. Only those who manage to do that will be able to move forwards and apply for an imperial cultivation disciple position.”

The crowd thought, a key? A key?! That seemed too easy.

Lin Feng was surprised as well, he had thought the exam only consisted of that challenge. He thought climbing all the stairs would be enough to become an imperial cultivation disciple.

The first group of nine steps was already very challenging. What would the exam be like after that then?

After the first challenge, which was already extremely difficult, would it get more difficult?

“How difficult, but it’s understandable.” whispered Qiu Yue Xin. Emperor s.h.i.+ and Emperor Yu only wanted to look for the strongest geniuses.

“81 steps, nine groups of nine steps. It’s as difficult as reaching the clouds. Climbing one group of steps grants you the possibility to come to Tiantai, but not to continue through to the compet.i.tion and become an imperial cultivation disciple.” said the Sadhu explaining the rules. One group of steps, one key, without the key, n.o.body would be able to go up the nine groups of nine steps.

The crowd sighed. They had to go through two groups of steps at least.

“Those who manage to go through two groups of nine steps will get a different key and will be allowed to continue competing to become an imperial cultivation disciple. If you take one key, you won’t be able to get the following keys. Therefore, if you take the third key, you will lose access to the six other keys. So don’t take a key carelessly. If you can, try to go as far as you can, the more groups of steps you go through, the better key you will get. Try to take a key only if you really can’t bear the energies anymore.” said the Sadhu slowly so that everybody could clearly understand.

The second key only allowed one to continue competing. Keys at higher levels offered more opportunities, many people were wondering what the ninth key had to offer.

Of course, many people were wondering what the pressure was like on the last level.

“Alright, start now!” said the Sadhu. Suddenly, many people started running up the stairs!

Chapter 1017: Xuan Yuan’s Success

“You only have half a day. Then, the staircase will close and you won’t be able to climb the stairs!” said the Sadhu laughing. A time limit was necessary, otherwise it would take too long.

“Only half a day!” many people were upset. Many people released pure Qi and started climbing the stairs right away.

It was incredible. All their energies were so s.h.i.+ny.

“Let’s go!” said Qiu Yue Xin.

Lin Feng shook his head and said, “We don’t need to go now, we still have time.”

“Alright!” said Qiu Yue Xin. More and more people were running up and their energies were making them suffocate. The flight of stairs was completely packed with people.

“If there weren’t 18,000 steps, they couldn’t hold so many people.” said many people laughing. There were so many strong cultivators, it was incredible.

The sun was s.h.i.+ning upon all those people and their energies were twinkling. The flight of stairs looked like real gold.

“Even in normal circ.u.mstances, that would already be quite a distance.” thought several people. There were already some people arriving before the last 81 steps.

“Some people are starting to step on the first group of the final steps!” some people gazed into the distance and noticed some people starting the final test of that first challenge.

They stopped. They looked nervous. One foot first.

Finally, a second foot.

“Bzzz!” A bright light illuminated the atmosphere and it was dazzling. That person turned into a beam of light and was propelled far, far away.

“How scary.” the crowd ah’d. That person crashed onto the ground behind him and he sat down cross-legged and started practicing cultivation. That was a strange reaction.

“What?” Lin Feng and Qiu Yue Xin glanced at each other. What was going on? The first time Lin Feng and Qiu Yue Xin tried, Qiu Yue Xin was wounded but hadn’t been propelled that far, to the extent that she needed to practice cultivation to recover.

“It seems even more difficult than when we tried before. They must be doing that to prevent people from trying a second time. Otherwise, there would be too many people trying all the time.” said Qiu Yue Xin. Lin Feng nodded. Trying a second time would be troublesome.

Although most started running immediately, there were still many people who thought had the same idea as Qiu Yue Xin and Lin Feng.

“That guy was the first one to arrive at the bottom of the 81 steps, he was faster and stronger than many people, but lost anyways.” many people were thinking. Now people weren’t feeling as confident as they once were.

After that, other people tried. A dozen people were blown away as well. Besides, the key was on the last step of each group of steps. So far, n.o.body had managed to grab the first key.

At that moment, someone arrived near the last 81 steps. His feet seemed to quake like mountains on those steps. People around him let him pa.s.s. There was n.o.body around him anymore.

“Xuan Yuan!” many people stopped and looked at him. n.o.body had managed to grab a key so far.

“I hope he manages to get through all nine groups of steps.” many people favored his victory. If he managed to do that, they’d probably be able to get through two groups of steps. 

“Xuan Yuan has imperial blood and a powerful blood spirit. He is an extremely gifted fighter as well. His goal is to rank first amongst Tian level cultivators.” said Qiu Yue Xin.

“I know.” said Lin Feng smiling. He recognized Xuan Yuan.

“Let’s see how many he can do.” said Qiu Yue Xin. He went up ten steps in a flash. He was now standing on the first step of the second group of stairs. 

“How strong!” thought the crowd sighing. Xuan Yuan was incredible. Other people hadn’t even managed to walk on the first group of steps. Xuan Yuan had directly gone to the second tier.

Xuan Yuan’s hair and clothes were fluttering in the wind. 

“Is he afraid to go up the steps of the second group of stairs?” thought the crowd petrified. If Xuan Yuan was afraid, what about them? It would be too difficult for them as well?

Many people had already failed.

Finally, Xuan Yuan moved. Even though they couldn’t sense what he was feeling, they could imagine. There was an incredible wind around him. Then, suddenly, Xuan Yuan went up another ten steps and arrived on the third group of steps.

The crowd was astonished and clenching their fists. Everybody was watching him. n.o.body else was trying.

“He’s moving again.” thought the crowd. Pure Qi was rolling in the atmosphere and surrounding his body. He went up nine steps, but it seemed even more difficult. At that moment, he was stepping onto the first step of the fourth group of steps, his body started shaking violently. He released blood strength and finally stepped on the fourth group of steps.

“Argh…” Xuan Yuan groaned with pain. He released more blood strength and climbed up ten steps again. He arrived on the fifth group of steps.

“His blood strength is incredible.” thought the crowd. Xuan Yuan’s body was twinkling with dazzling lights. It seemed like nothing was impossible for him.

“Boom boom boom!” Everybody was gasping with amazement. People’s hearts were beating at the same pace as Xuan Yuan’s. Xuan Yuan arrived at the last step of the fifth group of steps. He had the opportunity to take a blue key there, was he going to? Or not?

Xuan Yuan raised his head. People were feeling nervous for him.

Xuan Yuan put one foot onto the first step of the sixth group of steps, but took it back. Xuan Yuan turned around and looked at the crowd, “That’s the most anyone can do. n.o.body can step onto the sixth group of steps.” He sounded extremely confident. He took the blue key and then suddenly disappeared!

Chapter 1018: Insects Defy the Laws of Physics

“He’s in Tiantai?” the crowd was astonished. That key was magical and it served as a magical portal. They also noticed that all the keys had different colors, did it mean anything? Did it have anything to do with what the Sadhu had said, that each key offered different benefits?

“Xuan Yuan is really proud and arrogant. According to him, if he didn’t manage to step onto the sixth group of steps, then n.o.body else could.”

According to Xuan Yuan, n.o.body could surpa.s.s him. 

Some people were feeling uncomfortable. Xuan Yuan was extremely strong and had the ambition to rank first amongst Tian level cultivators so what about them? He had put one foot onto the first step of the sixth group and gave up.

On top of that, before Xuan Yuan, n.o.body had managed to get any key.

The atmosphere became very calm. But very quickly, several people started again.

Apart from Xuan Yuan, some people managed to get a key, however, it was only the first key. They would be guests in Tiantai, but couldn’t continue competing to become imperial cultivation disciples.

Two, three, four… people managed to get the first key. Many others were propelled backwards, like the first one. All those people sat down cross-legged and healed themselves at the foot of the flight of stairs.

Time pa.s.sed slowly and a few people succeeded.

Lin Feng looked at the crowd. More and more people had failed.

Lin Feng looked at the sky, there wasn’t much time left. Ten thousand people had managed to go to Tiantai and only half were eligible to continue through to the compet.i.tion.

There weren’t that many people. People from Tiantai were observing quietly. They wanted to see the potential candidates succeed.

“Those who managed to go to Tiantai are already quite numerous, I think. There are many strong cultivators in this world.” said Qiu Yue Xin, she sighed, “Like the master said, this is as hard as reaching the clouds, but still, so many people want to try.”

“Yue Xin, you belong to a rich and powerful family, you inherited incredible abilities, you’re n.o.ble, you’ve never suffered, how can you understand poor and weak people’s feelings?” whispered Lin Feng. “Weak people can’t protect their parents, cowards can’t protect their loved ones. When bullied, they can only hope to become stronger. Strong people look at them and despise them and humiliate them, that’s the life of us weak people.”

Qiu Yue Xin looked at Lin Feng and smiled, “I understand that because that’s the world of cultivation. If you’re not strong, you can’t do much and n.o.body will respect you.”

“Like those stairs, only the strongest people can make it to the top. The higher you go, the fewer people there are around you.”

“You’re right. People like you belong to the lower layers of society, and surprisingly, you dare talk about such profound topics with Miss Qiu.” said someone at that moment. Qiu Yue Xin and Lin Feng turned around and saw Yang Zi Lan, Yang Zi Ye and some other people.

“Miss Qiu, I trust you have been well since we last met.” said Yang Zi Lan coldly. He was still angry because of what happened last time.

“There are always those people who think they’re the best, who want to humiliate others, even if they are despicable. Those kind of people are weak yet self-confident. In the world of strong cultivators, those people are trash and are worthless. They don’t understand true cultivation principles. They are lucky to have rich families, but all in all, they are n.o.bodies and they end up dead.” Lin Feng said as if he hadn’t seen Yang Zi Lan and the others. However, he was implicitly talking about them and Yang Zi Lan looked furious.

“You’re right, many people end up dying. Very often, your conditions at birth determine the rest of your life. If you come from a rich and powerful family, you can despise other people. If you come from a poor family, you have to take great efforts. What a rich and talented cultivator can do in ten battles, a poor cultivator can do in one thousand battles. Unfortunately, those poor cultivators often die in their first attempts, rich cultivators then look at their corpses in a despising way and then everybody immediately forgets about them.” said Yang Zi Lan.

“Look at their corpses in a despising way?” said Lin Feng with a cold smile. Then, he pointed at Yang Zi Ye and said, “She has broken through to the same cultivation layer as me, Yang Zi Ye comes from the Yang Clan, a prestigious, powerful and rich clan. What you mean to say is that she can despise me because I’ll always be weaker? Well, what about a fight between her and I?”

“What?” Yang Zi Lan stared at Lin Feng. He wouldn’t have thought that someone would actually challenge his sister.

“Why not.” said Yang Zi Ye coldly. She envied Qiu Yue Xin who was so much stronger than her. She wanted to show everyone that she was as strong as her.

Now, a stranger who was with Qiu Yue Xin was challenging her.

Qiu Yue Xin and Yang Zi Lan moved away. Yang Zi Ye faced Lin Feng. She couldn’t recognize him with his mask.

“I want to see how an unknown and weak person can challenge me.” said Yang Zi Ye walking forwards. She released blood strength and threw herself at Lin Feng with remarkable speed.

Lin Feng condensed invisible strength in his hands and slowly raised them.

“Boom boom!” Lin Feng condensed the force of the Earth and sky in his hands and blocked her punch. Yang Zi Ye’s energies immediately disappeared and her fist felt very sore.

She was aghast. How could Lin Feng be so strong?

“Boom boom!” Another explosion sounded as Yang Zi Lan attacked and destroyed Lin Feng’s punch to protect Yang Zi Ye.

Yang Zi Lan looked at Lin Feng and asked, “Who are you?”

“I’m a candidate to become an imperial cultivation disciple. So, do you despise people like me?” said Lin Feng smiling. “Proud people are always like that, they think they can despise anyone and in the end, I always wonder why they act so confidently. If such people traveled alone, they’d die quickly. How pathetic.”

“Shut up!” said Yang Zi Lan furiously.

“Insects can also become dragons if they take great efforts, not like incapable show-offs.” said Lin Feng mockingly. Then, he added, “Dragons and snakes can’t mix. Yue Xin, let’s climb the stairs!”

Chapter 1019: Geniuses Together

Yang Zi Lan looked at Lin Feng and Qiu Yue Xin. He was furious. He was really upset about his luck the past several days. First Lin Feng, then the guy from the Chou Clan, then this one. He had lost two boats and was continuously humiliated.

Now, Yue Xin was with a new handsome young man who had humiliated him again. That guy had also only broken through to the third Tian Qi layer.

“Insects can also reach the clouds, you say? Show me how many steps you can climb!” said Yang Zi Lan coldly. “Come, let’s go too.” said Yang Zi Lan to his group.

In the distance, some people saw them. The leader of that group said, “The Qiu Clan and the Yang Clan are going up, how could we, the Lin Clan, stay behind!”

Then, they also started climbing the stairs.

“I wouldn’t have thought that the Qiu Clan, the Lin Clan and the Yang Clan would go up at the same time. Let’s go too.” said another group of people at that moment. They belonged to the Meng Clan so how could they stay behind.

At that moment, two people were going up and it seemed like they didn’t sense the energies of the stairs at all. They were moving without the slightest pause.

“Who are those people?” thought the crowd was gasping in amazement. Many people noticed them.

“Qiu Yue Xin and a boy, could it be Lin Feng? Has he been revived?” whispered some people. Everybody knew that Qiu Yue Xin had fallen in love with Lin Feng and that she had tried to kill Qiu Lin and Qiu Mei and Yang Zi Lan to avenge Lin Feng.

“Yang Zi Lan and the others are behind them.” many people noticed Yang Zi Lan and the others too. They were very fast.

“There are more people behind them!”

Then, they saw some other people who were moving just as fast.

“The Lin Clan, Lin Ruo Tian!”

“Interesting, the Qiu Clan, the Yang Clan and the Lin Clan are climbing together.” some people laughed. They were excited. Who was going to win?

“Look behind them, there are even more people.” said someone else. The Meng Clan was behind them all.

They’re all there.

People were gasping with amazement. All those geniuses from rich and powerful clans… They were different from other people because their clans had existed since the antiquity and they had ancient techniques and skills. Their corporeal bodies were stronger as well.

“They want to prove to each other that their clan is the best.” thought the crowd. They couldn’t wait to see what was going to happen.

It was almost over. Like Xuan Yuan had said, neither Tian level nor Zun level cultivators had managed to surpa.s.s him. The second best had managed to go up the fourth group of steps only.

Could the other famous geniuses surpa.s.s him?

“They’re really strong anyways, they don’t need to stop on the way.” thought the crowd. Even though they knew that they couldn’t succeed, they had come anyways to give it a try. For them, arriving near the first group of steps wasn’t too overwhelming.

Very quickly, two people arrived at the foot of the nine last groups of steps. Qiu Yue Xin took a deep breathe. Lin Feng looked indifferent as if nothing had happened.

Qiu Yue Xin smiled wryly when she saw that Lin Feng was perfectly fine. She knew that everybody had underestimated Lin Feng and only she knew how strong he was. She hadn’t forgotten that Lin Feng had used Chou Jun Luo’s silver wings. She knew what it meant. However, she had never seen Lin Feng use his own spirit.

“He needs more time, that’s all.” thought Qiu Yue Xin. She knew that even though Lin Feng’s cultivation level was low, he just needed more time.

“Who’s the guy with Qiu Yue Xin? He looks so calm and relaxed. He must be quite strong.” n.o.body recognized Lin Feng, but he did look calm. He had to be extraordinary anyways, otherwise, Qiu Yue Xin wouldn’t have shown any interest in him. They were confused though, didn’t Qiu Yue Xin like Lin Feng? How could the cold-hearted girl have a new boyfriend so fast?

Lin Feng and Qiu Yue Xin turned around, they hadn’t thought there would be so many people behind them so they were surprised.

“Who are they?” asked Lin Feng.

“Lin Ruo Tian from the Lin Clan and Meng Ba from the Meng Clan.” replied Qiu Yue Xin. Lin Feng understood that they were all disciples from prestigious and rich clans.

“Let’s go.” said Qiu Yue Xin.

“Wait for them now that they’re here.” said Lin Feng with a resplendent smile. Very quickly, Yang Zi Lan arrived too. He took a deep breath and glanced at Qiu Yue Xin and Lin Feng in a cold way.

Lin Ruo Tian and his people, as well as Meng Ba and his people arrived too.

Many geniuses from rich and powerful families had arrived at the foot of the nine last groups of steps.

“Qiu Lin and Qiu Mei are there too. I hadn’t noticed.” said someone. However, n.o.body paid attention to them. Qiu Yue Xin was the real symbol of the Qiu Clan in people’s eyes.

“Haha, since we all belong to the strongest families of the northern part of Ba Huang Province, let’s see who’s the strongest.” said Meng Ba laughing loudly.

“We’re first.” said Meng Ba and started walking on the first group of steps.

“Boom boom boom…” explosion sounded. Meng Ba arrived on the second group of steps. He didn’t even release Qi. He was just relying on physical strength alone. He was as strong as a mountain, it seemed.

“Why aren’t you all coming? I’m waiting for you here.” said Meng Ba to the rest of the group. He was strong. The Meng Clan had antique techniques to make their corporeal body stronger. They had an incredible physical strength. Just like Xuan Yuan, he had directly gone to the second group of steps without any effort.

“For an insect who wants to reach the clouds, you’re not moving much! Let’s see if an insect can reach the second group of steps!” said Yang Zi Lan coldly and then started walking onto the first group of steps.

His hair and clothes were violently fluttering in the wind. In a flash, he reached the second group of steps, he wasn’t as fast as Meng Ba but still, he wasn’t too bad.

Lin Ruo Tian followed and reached the second group of steps as well.

Everybody then looked at Lin Feng and Qiu Yue Xin.

They both smiled and walked up at the same time. Qiu Yue Xin, unlike the previous time, could go up without any problem. Lin Feng wasn’t fast but looked extremely relaxed, despite the strong wind. It was incredible to see. It was as if he walking up normal stairs.

“So easy.” said Lin Feng and Qiu Yue Xin while smiling at Yang Zi Lan as they arrived on the first step of the second group.

Chapter 1020: Fourth Group of Stairs

“Hmph!” Yang Zi Lan smiled coldly. “It’s only the second group of stairs. No need to think you’re strong. Insects can easily make it this far. Let’s see if you remain so confident now.”

“Only the second group of steps?” said Lin Feng with a cold smile. “Last time, your people said you would climb the 81 steps without any problem. You smiled indifferently as if it was obvious. Now, let’s see if you can really do it. I trust you can though because you’re an incredible genius. I can’t wait to see you looking triumphant at the top of the ninth group of steps, you’ll despise Xuan Yuan then!” said Lin Feng mockingly. 

Yang Zi Lan heard Lin Feng and was petrified. Xuan Yuan put a foot on the first step of the sixth group of steps and had taken it back. From then on, everybody understood how difficult reaching the ninth group of steps would be. Actually, they even understood that it was impossible.

“Yang Zi Lan, since you said that, I want to see you do it!” said Meng Ba laughing frantically. Yang Zi Lan pulled a long face and coldly glanced at Lin Feng.

“Since we’re all climbing the stairs together, there’s no need to talk s.h.i.+t, let’s go together. Let’s see how far this insect can go.” said Yang Zi Lan mockingly looking at Lin Feng. Then, he continued going up.

Lin Feng shook his head and smiled coldly. Yang Zi Lan was just ridiculous. Talking to such people was useless.

“There’s no need to take too many efforts. The most important thing is to understand the force of the Earth and sky.” said Lin Feng gently smiling at Qiu Yue Xin who nodded back. Lin Feng was giving her some advice, their cultivation level wasn’t the most important thing at that moment, they needed to understand the exam properly as well.

Xuan Yuan had imperial blood so he used his particular blood strength to get up the stairs. n.o.body else could copy that.

Meng Ba was the fastest. He was incredible strong and had an explosive power. His steps emitted explosion sounds. Very quickly, he arrived on the ninth step of the second group. One more step and he’d reach the third group of steps.

Lin Ruo Tian and Yang Zi Lan were moving at the same speed. Lin Feng and Qiu Yue Xin didn’t rush and stayed behind. Lin Feng still didn’t sense anything.

He had practiced cultivation there for three days, just a short time before. He understood how the staircase worked. He understand how the force of the Earth and sky was used there.

Very quickly, they all arrived on the first step of the third group of steps. The next steps were the third group.

Lin Feng raised his head. The Sadhu hadn’t allowed him to come up this high last time, unfortunately.

“Are you alright?” Lin Feng asked Qiu Yue Xin.

“I’m good.” replied Qiu Yue Xin. She wrapped herself up in pure Qi. Yang Zi Lan and Lin Ruo Tian did the same.

“Boom!” Yang Zi Lan and Lin Ruo Tian started shaking violently. Their pure Qi was emitting roaring sounds. They managed to keep their balance and step onto the first step of the third group.

“Alright!” shouted Meng Ba furiously. His hair was fluttering in the wind chaotically. He trampled on the staircase and made it shake violently.

“You go.” said Lin Feng to Qiu Yue Xin. Qiu Yue Xin nodded and moved towards the third group of steps. Her hair started fluttering violently and her clothes as well. She looked beautiful. And very quickly, she managed to keep her balance and control the force.

“Alright!” said Qiu Yue Xin with a smile. Lin Feng nodded and continued walking too. Everybody thought Lin Feng would get propelled away at that moment, but they were disappointed. Lin Feng stepped onto the first step of the third group too. He was motionless like a mountain.

“Surprisingly, he managed to come up too!” thought Yang Zi Lan.

“No wonder they’re from rich families.” thought the crowd. Apart from all those people, there were other people behind them. Some were still on the second group of steps.

“Enjoy it, you’re just lucky.” said Yang Zi Lan to Lin Feng coldly. His eyes were filled with hatred. He then turned around and continued.

They all continued. Some were slow, some were faster than others. Everybody was expecting to see someone get propelled away, especially Lin Feng. But the crowd realized Lin Feng, just like the others, was going up without any problem. Lin Feng arrived on the last step of the third group of steps but didn’t take the yellow key. He moved again.

“What is he doing?” thought the crowd, astonished. There were at most a hundred people who could go that high.

“An insect can be resistant but not for long. In the end, dragons crush insects under their feet.” said Yang Zi Lan releasing pure Qi and blood strength.

He started using his blood strength!

Lin Ruo Tian also used blood strength, like Yang Zi Lan. It was getting too difficult.

Qiu Yue Xin looked at Lin Feng and used blood strength as well.

“Boom!” Lin Ruo Tian and Yang Zi Lan stepped onto the first step of the fourth group of steps. They suddenly felt like they were going to explode and get crushed by those oppressive forces.

For a few seconds, it almost seemed like they were going to fail, but finally, they managed to steady their balance.

“Argh…!” Meng Ba groaned violently. It was harder for him to reach the fourth group of steps than it had been for Lin Ruo Tian and Yang Zi Lan.

Yang Zi Ye was using her full strength to reach the fourth group of steps.

“Let’s see if you manage to make it up here.” said Yang Zi Lan to Lin Feng in a despising way.

“It seems like one of them will fail. Let’s see if Lin Ruo Tian, Yang Zi Lan, Qiu Yue Xin and Meng Ba will manage to do as good as Xuan Yuan.” thought the crowd. 

However, Lin Feng glanced at Yang Zi Ye indifferently, ignored her and continued. He started condensing pure Qi as well as wind intent. 

“Boom!” When Lin Feng stepped onto the first step of the fourth group of steps, he had the feeling he was being attacked. Everybody looked at Lin Feng. It seemed painful. Surprisingly, he had decided to continue, he should have taken the key from the third group of steps!

However, Lin Feng managed to keep his balance as well. 

Lin Feng was using authentic force, the force of the Earth and the sky.

“He did it!” thought the crowd. Lin Feng had managed to reach the fourth group of steps! Yang Zi Lan was astonished too. He kept making fun of Lin Feng, but Lin Feng had managed to make it as far as him.

Chapter 1021: Lin Feng Defying the Skies

Lin Feng was sensing the force of the Earth and sky. They were all hanging on there firmly. They couldn’t afford being careless, otherwise, they would be crushed under the pressure.

“Moron, you can’t move any further, go back now!” said Yang Zi Lan coldly. Then, he continued walking up, step by step. He had to stop after each step.

“You go first.” said Lin Feng to Qiu Yue Xin. She nodded and continued going up. She stopped after each step too. She couldn’t afford being careless.

“All the geniuses from the prestigious families have continued to go up!” the crowd was amazed. Those people were getting closer and closer to reaching Xuan Yuan’s record. However, the weakest were probably stuck now, they couldn’t go back or forward.

Rumbling sounds spread in the air each time they moved up. Finally, four of them stopped on the ninth step of the fourth group of steps. They didn’t look relaxed at all.

“Hmph!” Yang Zi Lan turned around and coldly looked at Lin Feng, “Poor you, you’re going to be propelled away, even though you came so far.”

However, at that moment, Lin Feng smiled mockingly and it was a huge smile.

Lin Feng moved and continued going up, he looked absolutely relaxed as if he was walking in normal conditions.

“Eh?” the crowd couldn’t believe it. Lin Feng just walked up to the ninth step of the fourth group leaving them all dumbstruck.

“How’s that possible? We don’t even know him.” thought the crowd. Yang Zi Lan seemed like he had reached his limits, and Lin Feng had done the same as him, but in a more relaxed way.

“Are you satisfied now?” said Lin Feng indifferently. Yang Zi Lan looked to suffer more from seeing Lin Feng succeed than from the force of the flight of stairs. He felt weak.

“Hehe, who’s joining me higher up?” said Meng Ba with a resplendent smile. The others’ faces twitched. Meng Ba wanted to continue? Did he really want to do the same as Meng Ba?

“You should set reasonable goals. If we can’t reach the last step of the fifth group, we’ll lose everything. It’s better to stop here.” said Yang Zi Lan indifferently.

Lin Ruo Tian remained silent for a few seconds and tried to put a foot on the next step, however, he immediately took it back.

“Nah, I’m not going!” said Lin Ruo Tian indifferently.

“Hehe, since you’re not coming, I’ll continue. I’m having fun with this.” said Meng Ba.

“Argh!” Meng Ba’s clothes were suddenly ripped apart. He groaned as he sensed the incredible force crus.h.i.+ng his flesh. He felt like he was going to be crushed. Veins appeared all over his body.

“Boom boom!”

Explosion sounds spread in the air. Some of his veins actually broke and blood appeared. He looked like a violent injured beast had attacked him.

“Argh!” Meng Ba groaned loudly with pain and continued walking up. It was as if his feet were millions of kilos.

He reached the ninth step of the fifth group and grabbed a blue key, then he instantly disappeared.

“Meng Ba managed to finish the fifth group of steps!” the crowd was gasping with amazement.

Lin Ruo Tian and Yang Zi Lan’s eyes were twinkling as well.

“He’s much stronger than you.” said Lin Feng to Yang Zi Lan.

“Shut the h.e.l.l up! You’re just lucky to be here. You’re a tiny, little insect.” Yang Zi Lan snapped back.

Lin Feng smiled and released blood strength as well as pure Qi. He also started circulating his strength of the Heruka and the Buddha to flow through his body.

He then started walking up the fifth group of steps. People were wondering what he was doing.

Qiu Yue Xin was gasping with amazement. Lin Feng would go farther than her.

“Boom boom!” When Lin Feng set a foot on the fifth group of steps, he sensed that the energies there were much more terrifying, but he could still handle them.

He stopped for a few seconds, he looked relaxed, he turned around and looked at Yang Zi Lan.

“An insect is standing above you. How do you feel?” Lin Feng mocked him calmly. However, people’s thoughts were racing. How did he feel?

n.o.body knew how Yang Zi Lan felt at that moment. Was he still confident?

“If I’m an insect, you’re even less than an insect.”

Lin Feng’s words were penetrating deep into Yang Zi Lan’s heart. He was less valuable than an insect?

“Boom boom!” Lin Feng’s voice kept piercing through Yang Zi Lan’s eardrums as well as the sound Lin Feng’s steps made as he went higher up. Lin Feng then arrived on the ninth step of the fifth group of steps. There was the blue key floating there.

“Astonis.h.i.+ng, wouldn’t have thought that guy would do as good as Xuan Yuan and Meng Ba.” thought the crowd. Lin Feng had done what Xuan Yuan did!

Yang Zi Lan was clenching his fists. He felt humiliated.

“We’ll see each other in Tiantai in a few seconds?” said Qiu Yue Xin smiling.

Lin Feng shook his head. Qiu Yue Xin didn’t understand. Lin Feng continued, “When Xuan Yuan arrived here, he said n.o.body could go further. Even though he is incredibly strong, he was wrong.”

“What?”

Did Lin Feng want to surpa.s.s Xuan Yuan?!

“Go and die!” said Yang Zi Lan mockingly.

“Shut up!” shouted Lin Feng furiously. He then said coldly, “You’re a weakling and a coward, you’re lower than me so don’t even talk to me.”

Yang Zi Lan was furious.

“Insects give up easily and are not aware of their own strength. Meng Ba decided to climb the fifth group of steps because he loves challenges. It was challenging for him to get the blue key. Now, I’ll go even higher. That’s my challenge.” said Lin Feng making people feel vehement.

Then, Lin Feng took another step.

“Boom boom!” An incredible force appeared around Lin Feng. His hair was fluttering in the wind, it seemed like he was facing a hurricane. Was he going to fall down?

“Real cultivators don’t give up, real cultivators don’t care about material things. They challenge the Earth and sky. We know human and Earth fusion, I understand the force of the Earth and sky, how could the sky be stronger than me!” said Lin Feng looking at the sky.

“Die!”

He looked like he was in a trance. It was an extraordinary scene.