Soul Emperor Awakening

Because the First Layer wasn’t very difficult, none of the one hundred people were left behind. If they couldn’t even climb the First Layer, it would be an utter disgrace. They had to at least reach the Second or Third Layer, right?

Otherwise, they would be too ashamed to face anyone, having completely wasted this opportunity.

Immediately, they began climbing the Second Layer. This time, not only did the Illusions double, but significant gravity was also added—a rough estimate put it at a force of at least two hundred thousand jin.

It was a terrifying figure for the Cultivators of the Demon Cloud Sea, but for Lin Xuan, it was practically child’s play. However, he didn’t choose to sprint ahead. Instead, he climbed at a steady, unhurried pace, adjusting his mindset as he went.

’The Illusions are just an added element, nothing to worry about... But for me, they’re meaningless.’ Lin Xuan continued his ascent. The one thing he feared least was Illusions.

Lan Xuan and Zeng Xuan were truly giving it their all, constantly charging upward and competing against each other. The Illusions and gravity of the Second Layer likewise had no effect on them.

With the added challenges, the climbing speed from the Second Layer onward slowed considerably. Some, whose bodies weren’t up to the task, were already finding the climb extremely strenuous.

"AHHHH..."

Suddenly, someone screamed and fell from high up, crashing heavily onto the ground. They clutched their head and began rolling around. Their body wasn’t seriously injured—the fall was from a height of ten zhang at most—but the biggest issue affecting them was the Illusions.

Once the first person fell, a second soon followed. Accompanied by countless screams, more and more people plummeted from above, all of them clutching their heads and writhing on the ground. It was clear their souls had suffered immense trauma.

While others were screaming in agony and clutching their heads, Lan Xuan and Zeng Xuan had already charged onto the Third Layer! This was the gap between people. Although their Elemental Power was sealed, their higher Cultivation and Realm still existed, making them stronger than the others in many respects.

At this moment, Zeng Xuan reached the Third Layer in a single burst, pulling slightly ahead of Lan Xuan. Unexpectedly, Lan Xuan had been surpassed. And while they were locked in their fierce struggle, Lin Xuan followed them onto the Third Layer with no difficulty whatsoever.

Having just reached the Third Layer, the frontrunners immediately began their assault on the Fourth Layer! By now, a small portion of the hundred-plus people had dropped out—about three-tenths of them, or around thirty people.

As Zeng Xuan and Lan Xuan began to climb the Fourth Layer, their speed dropped rapidly. Lin Xuan, however, maintained his original, unhurried pace and caught up to them. The Patriarchs watching from outside stared with wide eyes. Unexpectedly, the three were now side by side, with almost no difference between them.

It wasn’t that Lin Xuan had gotten faster, but that they had gotten slower! He had simply maintained a constant speed, steadily climbing upward.

"That kid was hiding his strength!" A ruthless glint flashed in Lan Qinghua’s eyes. Maintaining one’s speed was the most terrifying part. If he continued to maintain this pace later on, it would be truly horrifying.

"Patriarch Lan, Patriarch Zeng, it seems your people are nothing special after all. Their speed is already dropping. Clearly, they lack stamina!" Tuo Shengfeng sneered, returning their earlier taunts.

"Hmph! We’ll see who’s right when we see the final results!" Lan Qinghua snorted coldly.

"Why does that sound so familiar? I think I was the one who said that first," Tuo Shengfeng sneered. ’These people are just stubborn.’

Lin Xuan maintained his constant speed as he ascended, leaving his two rivals dumbfounded. They had looked down on him, and now he was climbing right alongside them.

Finally, climbing side by side, they all charged onto the Fourth Layer! The entire crowd was in an uproar. What shocked them most was that Lin Xuan was still neck and neck with the others. He had the lowest Cultivation, yet he was somehow keeping up. This was completely beyond their expectations.

"Go!"

Lan Xuan roared, grabbed a step, and continued to haul himself upward. At this point, a crushing gravity of one million jin bore down on them, and wild Illusions assaulted their minds. As experts at the Spirit Pill Stage Level, how could they be considered weak? Their speed had slowed significantly, but at least they weren’t overly affected by the Illusions.

Just then, a shocking scene unfolded—Lin Xuan was still maintaining his original, unhurried pace. He was moving at the same speed as before, yet he was now beginning to pull ahead of them!

This scene was like a harsh slap to their faces, leaving a stinging burn. With such an ordinary speed, he had surpassed them.

"There’s no way you can beat me!"

Lan Xuan roared, unwilling to accept being overtaken. With another shout, the muscles all over his body bulged, and his climbing speed increased significantly. Once again, he began to overtake Lin Xuan, sprinting upward.

Zeng Xuan was also unwilling to be left behind. His muscles swelled, and he began to rapidly scale the steps. His face, however, was ashen. From the very beginning, he had never taken Lin Xuan seriously or even considered him a rival.

Now, it seemed it wasn’t Lin Xuan who was unqualified, but them.

In response to their performance, Lin Xuan’s expression remained unchanged. He didn’t say a word, simply maintaining his pace as he climbed. Was his speed so slow because he was doing it on purpose?

The answer was yes. He was deliberately going slow. As he reached out and gripped a step, a stream of power seeped out from it and flowed into his body. This was the reward, the reward the Martial God had spoken of earlier—a type of assimilative Energy.

Not only could it enhance his Spiritual Power, but it also tempered his body. He could even feel a special power accumulating within him, gradually increasing.

This was the reason for his slow speed. It was as if he were both climbing and comprehending something, gaining some new insight with every step.

Outside the great gate, the Patriarchs couldn’t help but sigh in relief when they saw Lan Xuan and the others finally overtake Lin Xuan. Now, it was just a matter of seeing who could reach the summit of the Fifth Layer.

"I finally made it up!" Lan Xuan growled. With a final heave, he grabbed the edge and pulled himself up, at last reaching the Fifth Layer!

Zeng Xuan also reached the Fifth Layer. His face was pale; the trial had clearly taken a heavy toll on him.

However, they didn’t rest for long before wanting to climb toward the summit. As long as they climbed this final layer, they would be able to obtain the Martial God’s inherited Ultimate Skill. Naturally, they couldn’t relax. With the treasure right before their eyes, who could possibly stop?

"Wait!" the Martial God finally spoke. He looked at the two of them and said, "You may rest now. Wait for the remaining participants to finish before we proceed."

At his words, both of them were stunned. Though confused, they still chose to sit down in meditation to recover. They also took out Elixir Pills, stuffed them into their mouths, and began rapidly restoring their Elemental Power.

When Lin Xuan climbed up, he sat down in meditation to rest without a second word, not asking the Martial God a single question. ’Since the Martial God said so, he must have his reasons.’

The few Patriarchs looked at each other in bewilderment. What was going on now?