Chapter 74
Unexpected, Overbearing
The ladder to heaven.
After the hundredth step, each subsequent step becomes extremely difficult.
Of the 618 people, nearly half are already unable to make any progress.
Countless members of the Holy Land within an eight-mile radius gazed at the Heavenly Ladder.
They're both new members of the Holy Land, but the difference is too obvious.
During the Holy Land selection competition, the difference between them was not significant. However, after three months in the Spirit Cleansing Pool, their potential was fully unleashed, and the gap in strength caused by their different talents became increasingly larger.
"Huo Fengchun has stepped onto the 170th step."
Countless members of the Martial Peak Hall wore smiles, confident of victory.
This time, the Martial Peak Hall has once again claimed the top spot!
For the next three years, if any disputes arise among the holy sites of Luoxia Mountain, they may use this matter to ridicule and annoy the other three holy sites!
On the pavilion where the mythical beast Xie Zhi is carved.
The two red-robed commanders at the East Temple headquarters whispered:
"A commanding lead, the Brahma Battle Body—truly extraordinary!"
"It seems that this time, those scoundrels from the Martial Peak Hall have once again had the last laugh!"
In the crowd, Xuan Yuan Qin Yin kept her eyes on Gu Lin.
She found it slightly strange.
This kid is probably around number 100.
Aren't you going to put in the effort yet?
Similarly, Cao Baihu, sitting in the corner, also stared intently at the ladder to heaven.
Gu Lin shouldn't be this good!
How could someone who could decisively defeat Sima Yu not make it into the top 48?
On the Heavenly Ladder, Gu Lin stood on the densely packed talismans, on the 121st step.
This test was nothing short of torture for him!
If I relied solely on my natural talent and aptitude, I wouldn't even be able to reach the second tier.
He persevered solely by relying on his profound internal strength at the eighth level of the Confucian Martial Profound Realm and his own terrifying willpower. Even so, his entire body's meridians and bones were subjected to the heavy pressure of the spiritual array, and every muscle in his body was experiencing tearing pain.
He was probably the only one in the entire room who was enduring intense torment.
"We can't slow down any longer." Gu Lin's expression was solemn as he forced himself to endure the pain and quickly climbed the steps.
He surpassed one new member after another.
At that moment, a commotion arose from the surroundings.
A person was seen standing at the top of the ladder to heaven.
The Brahma Battle Body was the first to clear the level.
Huo Fengchun slowly turned around and calmly looked down at the crowd.
That young face was covered with scars.
Countless contestants looked up in awe, their hearts filled with dread.
This person is destined to suffocate them.
Born with an extraordinary and sacred body, he was secretly protected by the Martial Peak Palace's subordinate knife-wielding yamen.
He started fighting in underground boxing matches at the age of seven.
At the age of thirteen, he joined various gangs and sects under an assumed name, experiencing countless life-and-death battles.
He spent two years training and exorcising demons in the Yunshui Swamp at the age of sixteen.
At eighteen, he ventured into the Blood Tomb Ruins of Jiangzhou, slaughtering Blood Nightmares to hone his combat prowess.
At the age of twenty, he returned to Chuzhou to participate in the selection competition and easily won the title of the city's top official.
Brahma Battle Body has probably experienced thousands of battles, large and small. His talent is not the most awe-inspiring, but his combat power is even more astonishing!
Inside the Xie Zhi Pavilion, Lord Yu, dressed in purple robes, sighed:
"If only he were at my East Temple."
The Brahma Battle Body is one of the top-tier weapons even in the Holy Continent; it is born for battle.
Based on past competition experience, the results of the Sky Ladder competition are generally similar to the final rankings and will not change significantly.
Lord Yu, dressed in purple robes, kept a close eye on Sima Zongheng, who was wearing a robe adorned with the mythical beast Xie Zhi.
At the top of the Heavenly Ladder, a second figure appeared.
Pei Hao, a man of great potential.
Countless contestants looked up to this extraordinary Confucian and Taoist genius.
Born with an unusual body, his literary talent was several times greater than that of ordinary Confucian and Taoist geniuses. He had a photographic memory at the age of one and was well-versed in Confucian classics by the age of three. He was a prodigy beloved by Wenqu Haoran.
He was already dazzling enough, but unfortunately there was a Brahma Battle Body above him!
Gu Lin never looked up and continued climbing the steps, his position now ranking among the top sixty.
At the very top of the Heavenly Ladder, Du Fuyao, the Xuanhuang Saint Body of the Martial Peak Hall, had already stepped onto the 190th step.
Behind him stood Sima Zongheng, cultivated by the Sima clan.
The difference between the two is only five ranks.
Fourth order.
Third order.
"It's surpassed!"
Amidst the attention of the crowd, he surpassed the Xuanhuang Holy Body, clad in a Xiezhi official robe.
"Invincible and awe-inspiring!"
"Zonghengzhuangzhuang!!"
Many members of the Sima clan raised their arms and roared.
Until Sima Zongheng stepped onto the top of the Heavenly Ladder, the members of the Sima family's sacred ground smiled brightly, extremely proud.
For the grand competition of the sacred land, the Sima clan put aside the conflicts between its various branches and devoted all its resources to cultivating the number one young talent, who is now bringing glory to the Sima clan at his most dazzling moment.
So what if you were born with the Xuanhuang Sacred Body?
My Sima family's Sima Zongheng will still prevail!
"Not bad." Lord Yu, dressed in purple robes, nodded slightly in the pavilion, a smile appearing on his dignified face.
He knew very well that the ladder to heaven mainly relied on innate talent and physical attributes.
It was truly remarkable that Sima Zongheng was able to defeat the Xuanhuang Holy Body!
Another incense stick's time has passed, and ten people are already standing at the top of the Heavenly Ladder.
Three people from Wuji Hall.
Three people from Wendao Academy.
Two people from Dongsi Temple.
Two Tianxuan Guards.
All members of the sacred site of Luoxia Mountain are paying attention to these ten people.
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, they will be in the top ten.
At most two people will fall out.
The rankings may change!
After three incense sticks had burned, there were already twenty-five contestants at the top of the Heavenly Ladder.
Gu Lin was still on the 190th step.
Inside the Xie Zhi Pavilion, Lord Yu, dressed in purple robes, praised:
"It's already quite remarkable that this squad leader has reached this point."
The thousands and hundreds of households from the East Temple headquarters nodded in agreement.
While busy carrying out demon-slaying missions, his cultivation level is definitely far behind that of his peers who have been cultivating in seclusion at the Spirit Cleansing Pool for three months.
Making it to the top 48 is quite an achievement.
Xuanyuan Qinyin's beautiful face remained expressionless, but a hint of disappointment flashed deep in her eyes.
She had known all along that this kid would only be between tenth and fifteenth place.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have made the contract; she couldn't accept being taken advantage of.
But she really didn't expect Gu Lin to perform so poorly.
There are huge gaps between the top ten, let alone the top ten and the top twenty. This kid can't even get into the top thirty on the Heavenly Ladder.
It seems her guess was correct; that day at the Yin-Yang Sect, the boy did indeed use a mysterious Gu artifact.
Although he is exceptionally talented in Confucianism, Taoism, and Gu cultivation, his talent in martial arts is only average, and his Confucianism and Taoism cultivation cannot keep up. If he does not choose to give up one of them, the gap between him and other geniuses of the same age will only widen in the future.
"So incompetent, yet you dare to make a contract with me?"
Xuanyuan Qinyin knew she was certain of victory, but seeing the boy's performance, she couldn't help but feel disappointed and disdainful.
In the corner, Commander Cao's face was stiff, his complexion like rusted iron.
He was so disappointed he was almost furious!
Is this your promise?
Top ten?
They can't even get into the top twenty!
Could it be that they overestimated Sima Yu's strength, or that Gu Lin's cultivation had suffered a setback and his body had been severely damaged during this period?
If you can't get into the top 20 on the ladder to heaven, there's absolutely no chance of your final ranking making it into the top 10!
A liar and arrogant fool!
Cao Baihu's face darkened, all his pent-up expectations turning into anger.
The higher the expectations, the greater the disappointment.
Expecting this newcomer to help him pass the assessment is simply wishful thinking.
Under the watchful eyes of a group of high-ranking officials, contestants one after another stepped onto the top of the Heavenly Ladder.
Gu Lin was the thirty-second.
Xuanyuan Qinyin remained expressionless, her exquisite eyes shrouded in disappointment.
He was ranked 32nd, and his opponent in the first round was ranked 17th.
Even if they get past this round, their opponent in the second round will be ranked eighth on the ladder to heaven.
This kid won't even make it into the top twelve, he won't even make it to the final round.
I overestimated you!
Cao Baihu lowered his head and sighed.
There will be no lottery draw for the Holy Land Grand Tournament; Gu Lin's opponent has already been determined.
They might manage to get through the first round, but they definitely won't be able to get through the second.
The final round is simply a pipe dream!
On the vast square, the subordinates, including Feng Nu, Hua Nu, and Ya Ba, also had solemn expressions. They were still fantasizing about Lord Gu's remarkable achievements. It seemed that being overworked with official duties was indeed hindering his cultivation. As for that Sima Yu, he was probably greatly overrated by public opinion.
The Wind Woman had figured it out and chuckled softly:
"Anyway, Lord Gu is already a squad leader, so the Holy Land Competition doesn't matter. Even if they make it into the top ten, they'll only be promoted from cavalry to squad leader!"
The other four nodded in agreement.
As for the cultivation techniques and magical artifacts as rewards, Lord Gu can naturally exchange them for them by accumulating contribution points from completing missions in the future.
At the top of the Heavenly Ladder, Gu Lin was extremely weak. He closed his eyes to rest and tried his best to suppress the pain in his muscles and bones.
He would be very satisfied even if it were 48th place, let alone 32nd.
The Heavenly Ladder was not his battlefield.
At this moment, a handsome young man dressed in a robe adorned with a mythical beast called "Xiezhi" walked over slowly and spoke unhurriedly, as if making casual conversation:
"Do you know? When you provoked my Sima clan that day and massacred Sima Chongguang of the fourth branch, I could have stopped you, but my clansmen warned me not to break my seclusion and told me to stay in the Cleansing Spirit Pool."
"They say the life of a Pingzhun Bureau official is not worth as much as my future as Sima Zongheng."
"I won't be so arrogant as to think I can shake the Brahma Battle Body, but after today, I will also be a squad leader, and I will also wear the official robe of the three-headed Xie Zhi."
"By then, between you and me in the East Temple government office, who will be valued by the higher-ups?"
"Cao Qingzhi, Commander Cao, right? He's your backer? I, Sima Zongheng, have said that after today, he won't dare to protect you!"
"In the Eastern Temple government office, it's like climbing a ladder to heaven; you're only fit to look up at me!"
Sima Zongheng finished speaking in one breath, his voice calm and collected.
Finally, he turned and left, leaving only one sentence:
"Squad Leader Gu, from now on I'll play along with you, make you suffer, make you powerless and angry, and make you pay a heavy price for your arrogance."
At the summit of the Heavenly Ladder, many prodigies heard these words.
It seems that Sima Zongheng is determined to take the top three spots and be promoted two ranks.
As he said, both were squad leaders, but Sima Zongheng brought glory to the East Temple and made the distinguished guests of the central headquarters proud. It is self-evident which was more important in the East Temple!
Gu Lin kept his eyes closed the entire time, not even glancing at Sima Zongheng.
After the hundredth step, each subsequent step becomes extremely difficult.
Of the 618 people, nearly half are already unable to make any progress.
Countless members of the Holy Land within an eight-mile radius gazed at the Heavenly Ladder.
They're both new members of the Holy Land, but the difference is too obvious.
During the Holy Land selection competition, the difference between them was not significant. However, after three months in the Spirit Cleansing Pool, their potential was fully unleashed, and the gap in strength caused by their different talents became increasingly larger.
"Huo Fengchun has stepped onto the 170th step."
Countless members of the Martial Peak Hall wore smiles, confident of victory.
This time, the Martial Peak Hall has once again claimed the top spot!
For the next three years, if any disputes arise among the holy sites of Luoxia Mountain, they may use this matter to ridicule and annoy the other three holy sites!
On the pavilion where the mythical beast Xie Zhi is carved.
The two red-robed commanders at the East Temple headquarters whispered:
"A commanding lead, the Brahma Battle Body—truly extraordinary!"
"It seems that this time, those scoundrels from the Martial Peak Hall have once again had the last laugh!"
In the crowd, Xuan Yuan Qin Yin kept her eyes on Gu Lin.
She found it slightly strange.
This kid is probably around number 100.
Aren't you going to put in the effort yet?
Similarly, Cao Baihu, sitting in the corner, also stared intently at the ladder to heaven.
Gu Lin shouldn't be this good!
How could someone who could decisively defeat Sima Yu not make it into the top 48?
On the Heavenly Ladder, Gu Lin stood on the densely packed talismans, on the 121st step.
This test was nothing short of torture for him!
If I relied solely on my natural talent and aptitude, I wouldn't even be able to reach the second tier.
He persevered solely by relying on his profound internal strength at the eighth level of the Confucian Martial Profound Realm and his own terrifying willpower. Even so, his entire body's meridians and bones were subjected to the heavy pressure of the spiritual array, and every muscle in his body was experiencing tearing pain.
He was probably the only one in the entire room who was enduring intense torment.
"We can't slow down any longer." Gu Lin's expression was solemn as he forced himself to endure the pain and quickly climbed the steps.
He surpassed one new member after another.
At that moment, a commotion arose from the surroundings.
A person was seen standing at the top of the ladder to heaven.
The Brahma Battle Body was the first to clear the level.
Huo Fengchun slowly turned around and calmly looked down at the crowd.
That young face was covered with scars.
Countless contestants looked up in awe, their hearts filled with dread.
This person is destined to suffocate them.
Born with an extraordinary and sacred body, he was secretly protected by the Martial Peak Palace's subordinate knife-wielding yamen.
He started fighting in underground boxing matches at the age of seven.
At the age of thirteen, he joined various gangs and sects under an assumed name, experiencing countless life-and-death battles.
He spent two years training and exorcising demons in the Yunshui Swamp at the age of sixteen.
At eighteen, he ventured into the Blood Tomb Ruins of Jiangzhou, slaughtering Blood Nightmares to hone his combat prowess.
At the age of twenty, he returned to Chuzhou to participate in the selection competition and easily won the title of the city's top official.
Brahma Battle Body has probably experienced thousands of battles, large and small. His talent is not the most awe-inspiring, but his combat power is even more astonishing!
Inside the Xie Zhi Pavilion, Lord Yu, dressed in purple robes, sighed:
"If only he were at my East Temple."
The Brahma Battle Body is one of the top-tier weapons even in the Holy Continent; it is born for battle.
Based on past competition experience, the results of the Sky Ladder competition are generally similar to the final rankings and will not change significantly.
Lord Yu, dressed in purple robes, kept a close eye on Sima Zongheng, who was wearing a robe adorned with the mythical beast Xie Zhi.
At the top of the Heavenly Ladder, a second figure appeared.
Pei Hao, a man of great potential.
Countless contestants looked up to this extraordinary Confucian and Taoist genius.
Born with an unusual body, his literary talent was several times greater than that of ordinary Confucian and Taoist geniuses. He had a photographic memory at the age of one and was well-versed in Confucian classics by the age of three. He was a prodigy beloved by Wenqu Haoran.
He was already dazzling enough, but unfortunately there was a Brahma Battle Body above him!
Gu Lin never looked up and continued climbing the steps, his position now ranking among the top sixty.
At the very top of the Heavenly Ladder, Du Fuyao, the Xuanhuang Saint Body of the Martial Peak Hall, had already stepped onto the 190th step.
Behind him stood Sima Zongheng, cultivated by the Sima clan.
The difference between the two is only five ranks.
Fourth order.
Third order.
"It's surpassed!"
Amidst the attention of the crowd, he surpassed the Xuanhuang Holy Body, clad in a Xiezhi official robe.
"Invincible and awe-inspiring!"
"Zonghengzhuangzhuang!!"
Many members of the Sima clan raised their arms and roared.
Until Sima Zongheng stepped onto the top of the Heavenly Ladder, the members of the Sima family's sacred ground smiled brightly, extremely proud.
For the grand competition of the sacred land, the Sima clan put aside the conflicts between its various branches and devoted all its resources to cultivating the number one young talent, who is now bringing glory to the Sima clan at his most dazzling moment.
So what if you were born with the Xuanhuang Sacred Body?
My Sima family's Sima Zongheng will still prevail!
"Not bad." Lord Yu, dressed in purple robes, nodded slightly in the pavilion, a smile appearing on his dignified face.
He knew very well that the ladder to heaven mainly relied on innate talent and physical attributes.
It was truly remarkable that Sima Zongheng was able to defeat the Xuanhuang Holy Body!
Another incense stick's time has passed, and ten people are already standing at the top of the Heavenly Ladder.
Three people from Wuji Hall.
Three people from Wendao Academy.
Two people from Dongsi Temple.
Two Tianxuan Guards.
All members of the sacred site of Luoxia Mountain are paying attention to these ten people.
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, they will be in the top ten.
At most two people will fall out.
The rankings may change!
After three incense sticks had burned, there were already twenty-five contestants at the top of the Heavenly Ladder.
Gu Lin was still on the 190th step.
Inside the Xie Zhi Pavilion, Lord Yu, dressed in purple robes, praised:
"It's already quite remarkable that this squad leader has reached this point."
The thousands and hundreds of households from the East Temple headquarters nodded in agreement.
While busy carrying out demon-slaying missions, his cultivation level is definitely far behind that of his peers who have been cultivating in seclusion at the Spirit Cleansing Pool for three months.
Making it to the top 48 is quite an achievement.
Xuanyuan Qinyin's beautiful face remained expressionless, but a hint of disappointment flashed deep in her eyes.
She had known all along that this kid would only be between tenth and fifteenth place.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have made the contract; she couldn't accept being taken advantage of.
But she really didn't expect Gu Lin to perform so poorly.
There are huge gaps between the top ten, let alone the top ten and the top twenty. This kid can't even get into the top thirty on the Heavenly Ladder.
It seems her guess was correct; that day at the Yin-Yang Sect, the boy did indeed use a mysterious Gu artifact.
Although he is exceptionally talented in Confucianism, Taoism, and Gu cultivation, his talent in martial arts is only average, and his Confucianism and Taoism cultivation cannot keep up. If he does not choose to give up one of them, the gap between him and other geniuses of the same age will only widen in the future.
"So incompetent, yet you dare to make a contract with me?"
Xuanyuan Qinyin knew she was certain of victory, but seeing the boy's performance, she couldn't help but feel disappointed and disdainful.
In the corner, Commander Cao's face was stiff, his complexion like rusted iron.
He was so disappointed he was almost furious!
Is this your promise?
Top ten?
They can't even get into the top twenty!
Could it be that they overestimated Sima Yu's strength, or that Gu Lin's cultivation had suffered a setback and his body had been severely damaged during this period?
If you can't get into the top 20 on the ladder to heaven, there's absolutely no chance of your final ranking making it into the top 10!
A liar and arrogant fool!
Cao Baihu's face darkened, all his pent-up expectations turning into anger.
The higher the expectations, the greater the disappointment.
Expecting this newcomer to help him pass the assessment is simply wishful thinking.
Under the watchful eyes of a group of high-ranking officials, contestants one after another stepped onto the top of the Heavenly Ladder.
Gu Lin was the thirty-second.
Xuanyuan Qinyin remained expressionless, her exquisite eyes shrouded in disappointment.
He was ranked 32nd, and his opponent in the first round was ranked 17th.
Even if they get past this round, their opponent in the second round will be ranked eighth on the ladder to heaven.
This kid won't even make it into the top twelve, he won't even make it to the final round.
I overestimated you!
Cao Baihu lowered his head and sighed.
There will be no lottery draw for the Holy Land Grand Tournament; Gu Lin's opponent has already been determined.
They might manage to get through the first round, but they definitely won't be able to get through the second.
The final round is simply a pipe dream!
On the vast square, the subordinates, including Feng Nu, Hua Nu, and Ya Ba, also had solemn expressions. They were still fantasizing about Lord Gu's remarkable achievements. It seemed that being overworked with official duties was indeed hindering his cultivation. As for that Sima Yu, he was probably greatly overrated by public opinion.
The Wind Woman had figured it out and chuckled softly:
"Anyway, Lord Gu is already a squad leader, so the Holy Land Competition doesn't matter. Even if they make it into the top ten, they'll only be promoted from cavalry to squad leader!"
The other four nodded in agreement.
As for the cultivation techniques and magical artifacts as rewards, Lord Gu can naturally exchange them for them by accumulating contribution points from completing missions in the future.
At the top of the Heavenly Ladder, Gu Lin was extremely weak. He closed his eyes to rest and tried his best to suppress the pain in his muscles and bones.
He would be very satisfied even if it were 48th place, let alone 32nd.
The Heavenly Ladder was not his battlefield.
At this moment, a handsome young man dressed in a robe adorned with a mythical beast called "Xiezhi" walked over slowly and spoke unhurriedly, as if making casual conversation:
"Do you know? When you provoked my Sima clan that day and massacred Sima Chongguang of the fourth branch, I could have stopped you, but my clansmen warned me not to break my seclusion and told me to stay in the Cleansing Spirit Pool."
"They say the life of a Pingzhun Bureau official is not worth as much as my future as Sima Zongheng."
"I won't be so arrogant as to think I can shake the Brahma Battle Body, but after today, I will also be a squad leader, and I will also wear the official robe of the three-headed Xie Zhi."
"By then, between you and me in the East Temple government office, who will be valued by the higher-ups?"
"Cao Qingzhi, Commander Cao, right? He's your backer? I, Sima Zongheng, have said that after today, he won't dare to protect you!"
"In the Eastern Temple government office, it's like climbing a ladder to heaven; you're only fit to look up at me!"
Sima Zongheng finished speaking in one breath, his voice calm and collected.
Finally, he turned and left, leaving only one sentence:
"Squad Leader Gu, from now on I'll play along with you, make you suffer, make you powerless and angry, and make you pay a heavy price for your arrogance."
At the summit of the Heavenly Ladder, many prodigies heard these words.
It seems that Sima Zongheng is determined to take the top three spots and be promoted two ranks.
As he said, both were squad leaders, but Sima Zongheng brought glory to the East Temple and made the distinguished guests of the central headquarters proud. It is self-evident which was more important in the East Temple!
Gu Lin kept his eyes closed the entire time, not even glancing at Sima Zongheng.