Pursued by the Top Grade Saintess after Engagement Annulled-Chapter 402 - 398: Xia Tianming’s Decision

Xia Feng felt his surroundings blur for a moment, and then a sudden pressure enveloped him.

He looked around with a touch of bewilderment and realized that everyone except Tang Yunqi had been transported to the first tier of the Heaven-Ascending Ladder.

Not only those who had not yet climbed, but even Dongfang Qingcang, who had already ascended four or five steps, found himself back on the first tier in astonishment.

The Divine Power and energy he had just expended were not returned to him, but he was only put back on the first tier.

Looking at the people around, all in full condition, his expression turned dark.

But by this time, he wouldn’t question the Wuji Divine Monarch illusion above.

With a flick of his fan, a few loose cultivators who had just stepped onto the second tier were flung into the Sea of Secret Realm.

He then continued to climb upward.

Ximen Chun shuddered, following closely behind Dongfang Qingcang, not daring to overstep for fear that Dongfang Qingcang might toss him into the Sea of Secret Realm as well.

The main reason was that he was somewhat afraid of Xia Feng and Xia Tianming beside him, so he hurriedly stepped onto the second tier.

However, he was clearly unprepared mentally, as the pressure on the second tier was much heavier than the first, causing him to stagger and almost make a fool of himself in front of everyone.

As everyone’s attention was diverted, Tang Yunqi quietly stepped onto the first tier of the ladder.

No one noticed that his hand did not have the Plum Blossom Brand, nor that he had not been forcibly transported by the Wuji Divine Monarch to the first tier.

Someone beside him irritably turned his head and said, "Why are you squeezing? If you have the guts, go to the second tier."

Tang Yunqi raised his eyebrow slightly and then, with a smile, poked the person in the back.

Somehow, the previously arrogant and irritated person was poked down the ladder with just one finger.

As he watched the person tumble into the Sea of Secret Realm and get seized by a Blood Beast emerging from nowhere, he blinked slightly.

Tang Yunqi muttered softly, "How careless~."

As soon as he finished speaking, the people around him instantly backed away, as if afraid he might suddenly poke them as well.

However, Tang Yunqi clearly had no such intention.

He looked somewhat troubled as he glanced at Xia Feng and Xia Tianming, and after whispering something to them, started climbing upward.

Tang Yunqi looked around and then followed them.

The pressure was not too severe for Xia Feng, but to accommodate Xia Tianming’s pace, he still slowed down considerably.

Seeing them, the members of the Four Great Clans tried to group up and squeeze them off the Heaven-Ascending Ladder, but most were easily knocked down by Xia Feng.

The loose cultivators wanted to stay far away from them, fearing a massacre might result in them being chased off as well.

Few escaped from the jaws of the Blood Beasts; most ended their Secret Realm journey the instant they fell.

Even the Four Great Clans maintained their distance, harassing the trio’s progress from afar, unwilling to get too close.

As they climbed higher, it became increasingly difficult, though Xia Feng and Tang Yunqi seemed to handle it with relative ease.

But Xia Tianming’s pace began to slow, slightly impeding their progress.

By the afternoon of the next day, the trio reached the 50th step.

Xia Tianming sat on the step, breathing heavily, appearing exhausted.

Xia Feng looked worried: "Grandpa, are you okay?"

His palm touching Xia Tianming’s arm transmitted a probing message, asking if he needed to rest in the Dream Realm Pearl.

However, Xia Tianming waved off Xia Feng’s offer.

Though the time in the Dream Realm Pearl passed quickly, allowing for recovery, there were too many people here.

Someone might notice something odd, risking the secret being exposed.

Xia Feng couldn’t possibly kill everyone.

Revealing the Dream Realm Pearl would attract much more than minor attacks.

Even the Divine King would covet it.

Thus, Xia Tianming declined, speaking through heavy breaths: "I’m afraid I’ve reached my limit at these steps."

"The pressure is so heavy I can barely breathe. Trying to go higher, controlling my body is challenging, and any mishap could easily result in being thrown off."

Xia Feng glanced upward to see Dongfang Qingcang alone above them.

He was at the sixtieth step, and considering the additional pressure the Wuji Divine Monarch placed on the Four Great Clans, his strength was indeed formidable.

But it was clear that was his limit.

He had lingered at the sixtieth step for almost two hours, attempting over a dozen times to ascend the sixty-first step, to no avail.

He, too, was out of steam.

Xia Tianming looked at the situation above, then at those still struggling below.

"Xiao Feng, you keep going, I’ll stay here and knock down anyone trying to pass fifty."

His gaze held a cold determination, clearly deciding to defend the position and prevent anyone from surpassing the fiftieth step.

While he was capable, Xia Feng still worried.

After a long pause, he spoke softly, "Maybe I should stay here with you, Grandpa."

"There’s only Dongfang Qingcang above. If we both guard here, we can at least tie for second."

"Isn’t it enough to be in the top ten?"

Tang Yunqi quickly interrupted, "The first-place reward is better."

"Though we don’t know what it is, remember the reward from your first trial?"

"Are you willing to let Dongfang Qingcang take such a good prize?"

"I understand your concern. Don’t worry; I’ll stay here with your grandpa to block people below."

"If anything happens to Grandpa, I’ll surely help."

Xia Feng looked at Tang Yunqi, who appeared sincere, hesitating and unsure if he should trust this sudden ally.