Chapter 498: Ascending the God Refining Steps

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The four of them arrived at East Pole City at the foot of the Divine Mountain, but only stopped at a restaurant for a meal before preparing to climb the mountain and head to the Sword God Palace.

"Is this the place?" Mo Xiao looked at the ancient stone steps before them that snaked around the mountain like a ladder to the sky.

Curiously, he looked at his sister and asked, "Is this the entrance to the Sword God Palace? Isn't anyone here guarding it?"

Mo Xin smiled and said, "Why would there be guards? The Sword God Palace has never refused any guest who wishes to come. Of course, you need the ability to climb up."

Beside them, Zeng Yi nodded to himself upon hearing this. The Sword God Palace was truly impressive, with its gates wide open, allowing anyone to climb the mountain and visit. Such magnanimity was admirable.

Moreover, with the strength of the Sword God Palace, there was no one in all of Eastern Continent who had the courage to cause trouble here. With the power of Divine Prohibition, even spirit masters would be ordinary people within this place. No one could stir up trouble here.

However, Zeng Yi quickly noticed the hidden meaning in Mo Xin's words. "Does this climbing stone staircase have some kind of mystery?"

"You'll find out when you go up there." Mo Xin looked at Zeng Yi, who was filled with curiosity. A mysterious smile curved on her lips.

"Let's give it a try." Zeng Yi said, intrigued, as he lifted his foot and stepped onto the stone steps.

Just as his foot touched the first step, Zeng Yi's body involuntarily froze. His spirit power within his body had been sealed.

This was an even more powerful Divine Prohibition suppression.

Not only were his spirit abilities sealed, even his spirit power couldn't be used in the slightest. Without spirit techniques and spirit power, what difference remained between a spirit master and an ordinary person?

Of course, in comparison to ordinary people, spirit masters still had much stronger physical qualities.

Despite the towering Divine Mountain, estimated to be at least ten thousand meters high, resembling a divine sword piercing the clouds with a thick layer of clouds above, obscuring the peak from view, for Zeng Yi, even without spirit power, it wasn't too difficult to climb to the summit with his formidable physicality and willpower.

"My spirit power has been sealed?" Mo Xiao also stepped onto the stone steps and felt the condition of his body, exclaiming in surprise.

"This stone staircase is called the God Refining Steps. Anyone who climbs this staircase will have their spirit techniques and spirit power sealed, and can only rely on their physical strength and determination to ascend." Sword Saint Chen Mu explained to Zeng Yi and Mo Xiao.

"This can be considered the Sword God Palace's test for every practitioner who comes here. It's a good place to temper one's spirit and willpower."

"Interesting, the God Refining Steps!" Zeng Yi rubbed his chin, contemplating for a moment. According to his impression, if he could quickly climb this trial staircase, there must be some benefits waiting for him, right?

Thinking this, Zeng Yi asked Sword Saint Chen Mu, "What happens if we complete this God Refining Steps?"

"Complete it?" Sword Saint Chen Mu was taken aback and then chuckled. "This God Refining Steps isn't so easily completed. Throughout the history recorded by the Sword God Palace, only seventeen people have managed to complete the God Refining Steps."

"Only seventeen people? Don't tell me even you, Sister, couldn't complete it?" Mo Xiao looked at his sister Mo Xin in astonishment.

Mo Xin shook her head. "What about you, Esteemed Sword Saint? You should be able to complete it, right?"

"Me?" Sword Saint Chen Mu paused, feeling a little embarrassed. "I've climbed to the top, yet I'm not one of the seventeen recorded. Only those who reach the end after climbing the trial steps for the first time and step onto the summit of the Divine Mountain are qualified to be recorded in the annals of the Sword God Palace."

"In the past, I challenged it six times before I managed to complete the God Refining Steps."

"What? Isn't it too difficult if even Esteemed Sword Saint couldn't reach the end on his first try?" Mo Xiao couldn't help feeling immense pressure.

"The people who can reach the end of the God Refining Steps aren't ordinary." Sword Saint Chen Mu remarked, gazing at the winding stone steps before him with a sigh. "The last person to reach the end of the God Refining Steps was five years ago."

As Sword Saint Chen Mu finished speaking, he cast a meaningful look at Zeng Yi.

"Well, let's go, let's go up." Zeng Yi started stepping forward, placing one foot in front of the other.

Gradually, Zeng Yi's brow furrowed tightly.

Something was off!

Zeng Yi seemed to have discovered the problem. With each step he took, he felt the influence of gravity increasing. Although this increase in gravity was minuscule, it couldn't be detected without careful observation.

This slight increase in gravity had little effect on Zeng Yi's current state.

But one must remember that the God Refining Steps had an unknown number of stairs, with the Divine Mountain itself towering ten thousand meters. Furthermore, the stairs weren't placed vertically but winding around the mountain, forming numerous groups. How many stairs were there?

When these seemingly insignificant increases in gravity stacked up, it became inconceivable.

It should be noted that this was merely the silent growth of gravity; one's physical strength would also slowly diminish over time.

At this moment, Zeng Yi finally understood why the records of the Sword God Palace only listed seventeen people who had succeeded in climbing it on their first try.

Without spirit power and spirit techniques, relying solely on his body and willpower to reach the summit, these people were monsters!

Interesting!

Zeng Yi chuckled. The God Refining Steps were a perfect place to temper one's spirit and willpower. It was worth his challenge!

The four of them walked upon the stone steps, and after a short while, they encountered a fork in the road with an additional path.

"This God Refining Steps is not for me, but you young people can continue. I'll wait for you on the mountain." Sword Saint Chen Mu said to the three of them, pointing toward the side path, before disappearing from their sight.

"What's this?" Mo Xin looked at Zeng Yi with an inquiring gaze and explained, "This is another path that leads to the summit. There's no Divine Prohibition there, so you can climb to the Divine Mountain more quickly. And within the God Refining Steps, whenever you've walked a certain distance, there will be such a path for those who can't persist any longer to exit."

Understanding, Zeng Yi nodded. "I see."

"Then let's continue." Mo Xin said, and the three of them resumed their steps, gradually ascending the steps and moving forward.

As time passed, Mo Xiao began to feel his body giving out. His face turned red, his breathing became rapid, and sweat soaked his clothes.

"Why do I feel like my body is getting heavier?" Mo Xiao asked his sister in a disheveled state.

"The gravity has increased, causing your energy to deplete more quickly. Naturally, you'll feel your body becoming heavier." Zeng Yi answered before Mo Xin had a chance to speak.

"I see. I was wondering why I was getting so tired. I thought I was getting weaker." Mo Xiao wiped his sweat and looked at his sister and Zeng Yi. They seemed unaffected, their faces not red, their breathing steady, like they were taking a leisurely stroll.

This comparison made him feel as if he were a worthless individual. It was truly discouraging.

"Are you okay?" Zeng Yi looked at Mo Xiao with concern.

Mo Xiao smiled and said, panting, "I'm fine, I can still continue."

"Let's go!"

Mo Xiao gritted his teeth, raised his foot, and continued moving forward.

Since the gravity had increased, even pausing wouldn't allow for rest; it would only meaninglessly waste energy. Thus, they could only continue and not linger.

Ten minutes later, Mo Xiao finally couldn't hold on any longer.

"Sorry Sis, Yi-ge, you guys keep going. I can only stop here." Mo Xiao said wearily, heading toward the small door on the other side.

"I'll go with you." Mo Xin also decided not to continue climbing and walked toward the alternative path with her brother.

However, Mo Xiao looked at his sister in surprise. She still seemed to have the strength to continue, so why did she give up?

"Sis, you don't have to worry about me. Can't you still continue climbing?" Mo Xiao asked.

Mo Xin shook her head. "I don't have enough strength to reach the end. So, continuing to climb has no meaning. I'll stay here to take care of you."

Mo Xin was well aware of her own abilities. If it weren't for staying to watch over her brother, she would have climbed the mountain with Sword Saint Chen Mu.

Furthermore, she knew she couldn't keep up with Zeng Yi's pace; the gap between them was too large. Even five years ago, the person who reached the end of the God Refining Steps couldn't compare with Zeng Yi.

Thus, there was no need for her to continue, as she couldn't witness Zeng Yi's ascent. She would wait for him at the summit.

Stepping into the doorway that led out of the God Refining Steps, Mo Xin turned back and gazed at Zeng Yi, who was still climbing.

"We'll be waiting for you at the summit!"

Hearing her words, Zeng Yi couldn't help but laugh bitterly. "You have quite a bit of confidence in me."

"Naturally, you are the Sword Saint. If you couldn't pass this, how would that be acceptable?"

"In that case, I'll give it my best shot."

Zeng Yi watched Mo Xin and Mo Xiao's figures disappear from his sight, then turned around to face the winding stone steps leading to the peak.

"Now, let's be serious." Zeng Yi squinted and smiled, stretching and flexing his muscles.

He deliberately slowed down his pace earlier to match Mo Xiao's, making sure to slow down his steps. But now that he was alone, his condition was much better. After all, his most formidable state was when he had the Passive Skill of the [Ronin]

Zeng Yi lifted his foot, starting to ascend the steps with swift strides, as if he were walking on flat ground.

This state was completely different from before, resembling two different people.