Heavenly Ascension Staircase

Since his defeat by Chen Kong in the Fallen Leaf King's Tomb, Lu Feng had been unable to lift his head within the Yuan Sword Sect. 

Although his peers didn't say it out loud, there was an underlying sentiment that Lu Feng had disgraced the Yuan Sword Sect by failing to live up to expectations. 

The elders of the sect were even colder in their attitude toward him, treating him as if he were the shame of the Yuan Sword Sect. 

Recently, Lin Yang, who had been missing for almost a year, suddenly returned with his strength having broken through to the Grandmaster level. His first target was Lu Feng. 

Despite Lu Feng having reached the second-grade Grandmaster level after a year of hard training and enduring disdainful looks, Lin Yang, with his first-grade Grandmaster strength, defeated him again, making him a stepping stone once more. 

What was even more terrifying was that Lin Yang had somehow acquired a mysterious opportunity, not only advancing to the Grandmaster realm but also inexplicably becoming a Fire Spirit Body! 

Facing Lin Yang, Lu Feng felt the same helplessness he had felt against Chen Kong, if not more. 

In Lu Feng's eyes, all of this was thanks to Chen Kong! 

If it weren't for Chen Kong, he would still be the top inner disciple of the Yuan Sword Sect, second only to the sect master and the deputy sect master's two personal disciples. 

Since his defeat in the Fallen Leaf King's Tomb, everything had changed. 

He realized that Chen Kong's strength seemed even more formidable. Just standing there, Chen Kong exuded a mountainous pressure that Lu Feng dared not challenge. 

Involuntarily, Lu Feng took a small step back. 

Mo Qingkuang's expression was icy. That bitch Chu Yanran was hiding among the crowd, protected by Sword Emperor Qin Wufeng, making it temporarily impossible for him to deal with her. 

But one day, Mo Qingkuang vowed to make her pay for her past actions! 

Seeing the seniors hadn't started fighting, yet the juniors were already on the brink of clashing, Zhou Xuanqing felt somewhat helpless. 

He clasped his hands and said, "Boundless blessings of the heavens. Since we are all here by fate, why don't both of you come up the mountain with me for some tea and a chat?" 

If he didn't mediate, the Yuan Sword Sect and the Imperial Academy would surely start a brawl at the teleportation array, creating a huge problem. 

Fu Qing's small eyes widened at the suggestion, "Cut the crap! You blocked me for so long, but as soon as Qin Wufeng arrives, you invite him up the mountain? Am I not as good as him? Are you looking down on me?" 

Hearing Fu Qing's words, Zhou Xuanqing looked helpless, "Alright, alright, stop making a fuss. Yunxiao Palace accepts your challenge. Follow me up the mountain." 

Zhou Xuanqing had no choice. Fu Qing's public declaration of the challenge meant that Yunxiao Palace had to accept it, especially with the Yuan Sword Sect watching. Any further evasion would indeed be disgraceful. 

Only then did Fu Qing's expression ease, and he called to the disciples of the Imperial Academy, "Alright, let's get moving. Less talking, more fighting. Once we get up there, if you don't like someone, just beat them up." 

"But remember one thing: if you lose, I'll beat you up too!" 

Qin Wufeng's face turned livid. He clearly understood the implication of Fu Qing's words. If the Yuan Sword Sect's key strong disciples, especially Lin Yang, who had recently risen to the top of the Young Qilin Ranking, were present, he wouldn't be anxious of the Imperial Academy. 

For now, he could only coldly snort, "Let's go up first." 

The group followed Zhou Xuanqing up the mountain, unlike the three elders who flew in the air. 

The students from both sects, whose cultivation levels generally ranged from Martial Master to at most Grandmaster, could only ascend the steps leading to the mountain peak. 

It was unclear if Fu Qing and the other elders had an unspoken agreement to let them compete, as none of them used spatial techniques to bring the students directly to the mountaintop. 

The steps leading to the mountaintop of Yunxiao Palace were known as the Heavenly Ascension Staircase, reputed to have 108,000 steps from the base to the peak. 

It was said that Yunxiao Palace's entrance examination required candidates to climb from the base to the peak within two hours to qualify for entry. 

Climbing this Heavenly Ascension Staircase was seen as a chance to ascend to great heights, joining Yunxiao Palace, one of the four major sects, and becoming recognized as a genius. 

For those taking the entrance exam, typically martial artists or newly entered Martial Masters, this was a daunting challenge. 

Even for those who had been members for at least a year, it was still a huge test of endurance. 

The students of the Imperial Academy and Yuan Sword Sect exchanged glances, their youthful vigor refusing to back down. 

Almost simultaneously, they dashed towards the mountaintop. 

Unexpectedly, leading the charge was not Chen Kong but Lu Feng of the Yuan Sword Sect. Lu Feng's true qi enveloped him as he flew with his sword, looking quite elegant. 

Once Yuan Sword Sect disciples reached the Grandmaster level, they could learn a sword-flying technique. Though the technique wasn't of the highest rank, it allowed them to control their flying swords with their true qi. While it didn't enable high-altitude flight, it was far superior for traveling compared to running. 

With no obstacles in the air and no need to push off the ground for momentum, the speed was significantly faster than running on the ground. 

With no one to hinder him, Lu Feng put all his effort into pushing forward. 

Though he might not be able to beat Chen Kong in combat, Lu Feng believed he could outpace him. 

He wanted to prove to everyone that he, Lu Feng, was not someone who could be easily surpassed. 

Following closely behind was Chen Kong. Despite his earth attribute constitution, which wasn't known for speed and was even considered slow compared to other attributes, he was a child of the earth. It seemed as though he had a special ability to shrink distances, with each step covering dozens of steps on the staircase. 

However, there was still a significant gap compared to Lu Feng. 

The distance between them continued to grow. 

In the third group behind them were Li Sheng and Mo Qingkuang, both known for their speed. Li Sheng, with his Martial Master cultivation, was moving as fast as he could, but Mo Qingkuang seemed uninterested in exerting himself. 

Finally, there were the ordinary disciples. While three of the top four were students from the Imperial Academy, the first place was held by Lu Feng of Yuan Sword Sect! 

Seeing the growing distance, the Yuan Sword Sect disciples felt great satisfaction. "It seems that Senior Brother Lu Feng also has exceptional strengths. Even though Chen Kong is powerful, speed is still his weakness." 

They cheered, "Senior Brother Lu Feng is mighty! Go, Senior Brother Lu Feng!" 

Some even made mocking faces at the Imperial Academy disciples. 

Surprisingly, the Imperial Academy disciples showed no anger at Yuan Sword Sect's triumphant shouts. Their hearts remained calm, with even a hint of amusement. 

That sword-flying technique of Lu Feng's was indeed fast, but who said Chen Kong was the fastest in the Imperial Academy? 

The true powerhouse didn't bother competing in such speed contests. Considering the speed at which Mo Qingkuang was climbing, it was merely strolling compared to his actual speed. 

Watching the twenty or so young men and women climbing the mountain with all their might, Fu Qing shamelessly asked, "Old Daoist, who do you think will be the first to reach the top?"