PDLP Chapter 76: Climbing the Ladder to Heaven
Chapter 76: Climbing the Ladder to Heaven
Gu Yun paused for a moment, then asked curiously.
"Huh? What about the other one? That Palace Master?"
"You mean Bing Buyu? He only has more than seventy levels, and he wasn't the most powerful one back then."
"His talent for understanding the concept of 'the art of war is not outstanding,' which is why his record in climbing the Heavenly Ladder is not high."
"However, his physical strength was exceptionally outstanding. It was said that he was already at an extraordinary level back then. He did not use any techniques or borrow any venues during the skill test. He broke through directly with his physical strength alone."
"They're practically humanoid monsters!"
Physical strength...
Gu Yun smiled slightly and murmured.
In this world, cultivating physical strength is a cultivation method with very low return on investment for the vast majority of living beings.
As expected, I felt more strongly about the Eight Realms.
The application of various forces.
Although it is the most basic force.
However, sometimes the most basic strengths have a higher potential.
...
"The Heavenly Ladder has appeared!"
"The rules for climbing the ladder to heaven are very simple, and some of you probably already know them, but I'll repeat them again for the sake of newcomers."
"There is no room for luck; trainees below the average level will be eliminated."
"Now, all prospective examinees, please begin your ascent of the Heavenly Ladder!"
As Liu Qingyun spoke, he raised his arm and a stream of blue energy shot into the sky.
In the center of the assessment site, a huge staircase pierces the sky.
The Heavenly Ladder is like a giant dragon leading to the heavens, watching over every student participating in the trial, emanating a soul-stirring aura.
Clearly, this ladder to heaven is not so easy to climb.
Facing the dragon head-on and climbing the ladder to heaven is the first step in testing one's will.
The ladder has ninety-nine steps, each step is wide enough to accommodate dozens of people standing side by side, which means it can easily accommodate hundreds of people climbing together to take the test.
Just as everyone stopped to admire this magnificent stairway to heaven.
A hearty laugh broke the solemn atmosphere.
"Hahaha, I've long heard about the Heavenly Ladder of Wentian Academy. This is not just a test, but also an opportunity and a test of one's spirit. Ji Chang, I'll go first."
A gray figure flashed past everyone's sight and landed steadily on the first step.
One move affects the whole situation; with the first battle underway...
The crowd began rushing toward the Heavenly Ladder Platform.
"Well, you are worthy of being my son!"
"First to win, hehehe."
A jeweled, overweight man standing next to the Ji family's seat laughed loudly in praise.
Shang Wenqing, a member of the Shang family, one of the six major families in Canglan Imperial Capital.
If you had to describe this family in one word, it would be:
Wealth can rival a country.
"Brother Qing, this is just the beginning! The business competition is indeed excellent, but we don't know who will ultimately take the top spot on the leaderboard!"
"My Qianqian is also exceptionally talented!"
Shang Wenqing waved his hand, shook the fat on his face, and indicated his disapproval.
"That's not true. Zhan'er is exceptionally talented and will surely win the Dean's favor."
"Oh, Tang Jing, why are you making a girl suffer like this? Fighting and killing are not suitable. Appropriate cultivation to strengthen the body is enough. Seriously, you should learn to do laundry and cook as soon as possible and marry my son."
"Hahaha."
The noblewoman who spoke to Shang Wenqing was none other than the Tang family, one of the six great families of Canglan Imperial Capital.
The Tang family, whose business was weapon forging, had the closest relationship with the imperial family.
Tang Jing rolled her eyes, not angry at Shang Wenqing's frivolousness. As if they knew each other's temperaments well, she pouted and retorted without any politeness.
"Dream on. Your son looks just like you. He's too ugly. My Qianqian told me a long time ago that she doesn't like him at all, hehehe."
Goodness, one sentence offended two people.
"If it were that little guy from the Ji family, he might be passable, but your son is out of the question."
"Oh~ right, little Ji Ning?"
As she spoke, Tang Jing gave Ji Ning a look.
Ji Ning snorted and stopped listening in, feeling a surge of displeasure.
Not only did they set me on fire, but they also insulted me like this!
What do you mean by "barely acceptable"?
My lord is handsome and dashing!
I wouldn't even look at your Tang Qianqian!
Shang Wenqing rolled his eyes; his good looks were his biggest weakness.
That gossipy Tang Jing always teases him about this.
He turned his head and glanced at the Ji family's banquet platform.
Hey.
"Isn't it your younger brother Ji Chang who is enrolling this year? Why didn't your father come, especially since the dean of Wentian Academy is present for its 300th anniversary celebration?"
"Such a big thing, why aren't you checking on the child? How can you be so careless?"
Shang Wenqing did not mention taking the entrance test.
Direct descendants of large families are almost guaranteed admission to school.
If we really get stuck, it will be awkward for both sides.
However, this year, the first challenge for the dean to observe was the hard test of climbing the ladder to heaven.
While it's not to the point that they'll be eliminated if they don't even reach the average number of floors.
But don’t be afraid of ten thousand, just be afraid of the eventuality.
It would be incredibly embarrassing to be eliminated because of this.
Ji Ning said disdainfully.
“My father has something to do, but with my elder brother here, what could possibly happen?”
While the various families maintain a facade of harmony, behind the scenes, they engage in countless power struggles and intrigues for personal gain.
In everyday interactions, elders may still care about saving face.
But this doesn't apply to Ji Ning.
Shang Wenqing glanced around and instantly spotted a handsome man dressed in black drinking tea.
Just as Shang Wenqing was pondering Gu Yun's blood-red eyes, a voice transmission appeared in his mind.
“Patriarch, this person is very strong, at least stronger than me. He should have already sensed my presence.”
Shang Wenqing was taken aback, a look of shock and confusion flashing in his eyes.
His personal bodyguard had been with him for many years.
With the strong support of the merchants.
He already possesses the strength of the eighth level of the Holy Body.
Moreover, the cultivation methods he learned were all of the covert assassination type, which he used to protect and also to deal with countless troubles for himself.
There were almost no mishaps.
It is almost impossible to detect those of the same or lower order.
Based on this calculation, the man in black before them must be a ninth-level Saint Body cultivator or even a peak Saint Body cultivator.
How can this be?
So young?
wrong...
The Ji family recently... could it be...?
"Hey, Ji Ning, who's this? You didn't even introduce him. What a handsome young man! When did the Ji family acquire such a person?"
Tang Jing didn't care about her image at all, unlike Shang Wenqing's reserved and thoughtful demeanor.
He asked his question bluntly.
But that doesn't mean she's stupid.
On the contrary, they are very shrewd.
The most terrifying women are those who know how to use everything they have.
"Zhao Fan, eighth level of the Heavenly Ladder!"
The referee, who was recording the number of floors, announced the name of the first test participant to fall from the ladder.
Ji Ning ignored Tang Jing's question and simply stared at Ji Chang and Hong Xiu, who were still standing in front of the Heavenly Ladder and had not yet started.
A glint of light flashed in Tang Jing's eyes upon seeing this, but it was quickly suppressed.
She pouted, turned her head to look at the ladder test, and began searching for her daughter in the crowd.