Zhaang Ye surpassed Situ Houtu in a single breath, reaching the end of the Ancient Passage and landing on a massive stone platform.

As soon as he left the Ancient Passage, Zhaang Ye felt the presence that had been weighing heavily on his mind suddenly dissipate.

With the dissipation of that presence, the True Qi in Zhaang Ye’s body immediately resumed its circulation. His whole body suddenly felt light and airy. The fatigue and drowsiness vanished in an instant, and he felt filled with boundless energy.

The sound of footsteps came from behind him. It turned out that Situ Houtu had also arrived.

Situ Houtu’s cultivation had reached the Fifth Layer Peak of Martial Arts. The moment he arrived at the end, his strength immediately recovered. His body suddenly straightened, as rigid as a mountain. The weariness in his eyes vanished completely, and his gaze turned sharp and bright, naturally exuding a powerful aura.

Zhaang Ye’s and Situ Houtu’s eyes met.

Situ Houtu’s gaze was like a great shovel carrying a grim intent of death, as if he wanted to scoop up and bury everything before him. Zhaang Ye’s gaze, however, was as sharp and unyielding as a saber. Nothing could shake it, and everything before it seemed to become fragile.

Their gazes clashed for a moment before Situ Houtu suddenly spoke. "Good, good, good! Your comprehension and willpower are truly powerful! May I ask your name?"

Situ Houtu felt exceptionally aggrieved. Since he began his cultivation, he had relied on his superior talent, comprehension, and great fortuitous encounters; his journey had been smooth sailing. He had reached the Fifth Layer Peak of Martial Arts in his twenties and could break through to the Sixth Layer of Martial Arts at any moment.

In addition to his rapid advancement in cultivation, he had also acquired the immensely powerful Heaven Burial Shovel Technique. With his profound cultivation and this Shovel Technique, Situ Houtu was practically unrivaled among his peers. Even Feng Tongming, who possessed the bloodline of the Ancient Phoenix Clan, was no match for him.

In Situ Houtu’s mind, first place in this test was destined to be his. But he had never expected a genius like Zhaang Ye to emerge from this batch of youths. He found that this young man before him was his equal in both comprehension and willpower, and perhaps even a cut above.

This sense of grievance prompted Situ Houtu to immediately view Zhaang Ye as his greatest rival, leading him to proactively ask for his name.

Zhaang Ye smiled faintly and said, "I am Zhaang Ye."

"Zhaang Ye," Situ Houtu repeated, then said slowly, "You are extraordinary. However, there is still one final stage left in the True Hall’s test. In this last stage, I will definitely defeat you and enter the Inner Hall one step ahead of you."

Zhaang Ye smiled faintly. "We’ll have to see about that."

Zhaang Ye knew Situ Houtu was resentful about being surpassed. ’However, my Dragon Elephant Skill has already reached the Mid-stage Fifth Layer, and my combat power has greatly increased. Even though Situ Houtu is at the Fifth Layer Peak of Martial Arts, I might not be inferior to him.’ Therefore, he didn’t need to be polite.

Their gazes parted, and they each took a look at their surroundings.

The massive stone platform was situated on the mountainside of a high peak. At its edge were nine flights of White Jade Steps. These nine stairways ascended the verdant mountain peak, level by level, like nine white jade dragons riding the wind and clouds straight into the heavens.

And at the top of these nine flights of White Jade Steps, a colossal palace that seemed to connect heaven and earth stood faintly visible amidst the clouds and mist, like a celestial citadel. Even from dozens of miles away, the ancient, weathered, and majestic aura emanating from the palace rushed toward them, leaving both Zhaang Ye and Situ Houtu slightly moved.

Both of them knew that these nine flights of White Jade Steps were likely the final test of the True Hall. Without another word, they both executed their Body Techniques, each choosing a flight of steps and ascending like the wind.

After cultivating the Dragon Elephant Skill to the Mid-stage Fifth Layer, Zhaang Ye’s execution of the Cloud Stepping Technique became even more effortless. Although this flight of White Jade Steps was dozens of miles long, it wouldn’t take him much time to traverse it with the Cloud Stepping Technique.

After traveling several miles in an instant, Zhaang Ye suddenly heard a surprised "Eh?" followed by a voice. "Someone passed through the Ancient Passage this quickly?"

Zhaang Ye was startled. He stopped and shouted, "Who’s there?"

Following Zhaang Ye’s shout, he saw a young man in white slowly emerge some three hundred yards ahead. The young man’s clothes were the same color as the White Jade Steps, and his aura was identical as well. If he hadn’t spoken up, Zhaang Ye would never have noticed there was someone else on this stairway.

Seeing this white-robed young man, Zhaang Ye’s expression grew solemn.

This white-robed young man could actually merge his own aura with the White Jade Steps. His control over his presence had reached a point of absolute freedom. This person was definitely an expert, with a strength of at least the Martial Arts Seventh Layer!

While his mind raced to guess the young man’s intentions, Zhaang Ye cupped his fist in salute and said, "May I ask for Senior Brother’s name? What is your purpose here?"

The young man in white sized Zhaang Ye up. Seeing that Zhaang Ye was only fourteen or fifteen years old, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes. He then said leisurely, "I am Sang Fan. The reason I’m here is simple: I’m here to stop you. You should have seen it already—at the top of this flight of White Jade Steps is the True Hall. Once you finish climbing the White Jade Steps, you will naturally enter the True Hall and become an Inner Hall Disciple. However, to pass the White Jade Steps, you must first get past me."

Zhaang Ye’s expression changed slightly. Sang Fan’s aura was as ethereal as a cloud, his strength profound and unfathomable. From a distance, he gave off the impression of being an invincible opponent. ’If this person is determined to stop me, I’ll never be able to defeat him unless I use that Long Whip. Even with the Long Whip, I’m not the least bit confident. After all, Sang Fan’s strength is too overwhelming. He would probably be able to kill me several times over in the time it took to activate the whip.’

Just then, Sang Fan chuckled lightly and said, "You don’t need to worry too much. Although my cultivation is at the Martial Arts Seventh Layer, I can only use ten percent of my True Qi in this fight. You can use any means necessary, as long as you can get past me."

’Ten percent True Qi!’

Hearing Sang Fan’s words, a surge of confidence welled up in Zhaang Ye. ’Sang Fan is powerful, but my Dragon Elephant Skill has reached the Mid-stage Fifth Layer, and my Mountain-Breaking Slash is about to reach the Minor Achievement Realm. My combat power has increased dramatically. Passing this stage shouldn’t be a problem.’

Zhaang Ye knew that Situ Houtu was probably tackling his own challenge at this very moment. ’If I want to be the first to reach the True Hall, I have to repel Sang Fan quickly.’ With no time for further thought, the Heavy Saber on his back suddenly appeared in his hand. Zhaang Ye took a long deep breath and shouted, "Senior Brother Sang, be careful! I’m making my move!"

Sang Fan nodded slightly.

Zhaang Ye had been the first person to pass through the Ancient Passage. Sang Fan knew that anyone who could achieve that must possess extraordinary abilities. Therefore, despite Zhaang Ye’s young age, Sang Fan wouldn’t underestimate him.

Beyond that, Sang Fan had another concern. He had been cultivating in the True Hall for a full twenty years. If he were to be easily defeated by Zhaang Ye, a newcomer on the verge of joining, he would lose a great deal of face.

SWOOSH!

Zhaang Ye executed the Cloud Stepping Technique, his figure drifting over like a cloud. The Heavy Saber in his hand was like a bolt of lightning within that cloud, instantly slashing down in front of Sang Fan.

After cultivating the Dragon Elephant Skill to the Mid-stage Fifth Layer, the power of Zhaang Ye’s attacks had increased considerably. Previously, even when he attacked with all his might, his Sword Qi was only six or seven feet long. Now, at full power, the pitch-black Sword Qi stretched a full eight feet. Wherever the Sword Qi passed, the air instantly erupted with a series of loud bangs.

"Oh."

Seeing the slash coming from Zhaang Ye, a hint of surprise appeared in Sang Fan’s eyes. Then, he suddenly raised a hand and gave a light push forward.

WOOOO—

With Sang Fan’s push, Zhaang Ye felt the surrounding air suddenly tremble. An invisible, intangible Air Wall materialized out of thin air, blocking his Sword Qi. Zhaang Ye’s ferocious Sword Qi was completely stopped in its tracks before this Air Wall, unable to advance another inch.

’Gathering Qi into Wall!’ Zhaang Ye was inwardly shocked when he saw Sang Fan’s move. He hadn’t expected Sang Fan to be able to use such a skill with only ten percent of his True Qi.

Gathering Qi into Wall was an ability unique to Sixth-Layer Experts. They could release their True Qi to form a wall in front of them. ’If I can’t break through this wall,’ he thought, ’then there’s no way I can pass Sang Fan’s test.’

Though shocked, Zhaang Ye’s hands remained steady. ’Sang Fan is only using ten percent of his True Qi, after all. Even if he can use the Gathering Qi into Wall technique, its power must be greatly diminished. As long as I use a powerful enough attack, I can definitely break his Air Wall.’

Zhaang Ye took a deep breath, slightly retracted his Heavy Saber, and then suddenly executed the Reverse Flow Slash.

The Reverse Flow Slash was a Saber Technique that condensed a hundred slashes into one. When this technique was unleashed, Sang Fan immediately felt his Air Wall rapidly dissipate amidst a series of air-splitting explosions. Zhaang Ye’s Heavy Saber was now cutting through like a hot knife through butter!

’This kid’s Saber Technique is so domineering! But it won’t be that easy to get past me!’ Sang Fan was slightly startled and pressed forward with both palms from a distance.

Following Sang Fan’s motion, Zhaang Ye suddenly felt the Air Wall in front of him begin to spin, faster and faster. The frantically rotating Air Wall generated a powerful Rotating Power that began to devour his Sword Qi, piece by piece. It even felt as if it was about to swallow him whole, saber and all!

"Hm?"

Seeing Sang Fan’s response, Zhaang Ye was first startled, then overjoyed. The Air Wall Rotation Technique Sang Fan was using was indeed profound, but Zhaang Ye himself had been studying Rotating Power for a long time and was very familiar with it. He understood the mysteries of Sang Fan’s technique with just a single glance!

’Since I understand its mysteries, breaking it will be easy.’ A flash of confidence appeared in Zhaang Ye’s eyes. He abruptly raised his Heavy Saber and unleashed his third slash! (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for Recommendation Tickets and Monthly Tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)