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Chapter 251: Run!

With their backs facing the observation platform, a stretch of dense fog hovered above. By concentrating their divine intent, the observers could see the climbing status of anyone they wanted to see.

Thirty-six peak masters gathered on the platform. Wang Xuanling, as the grand peak master, had to entertain guests from the other sects in the Divine Nine and Terrestrial Ten. Only after fulfilling this duty was he able to take his seat.

One of the peak masters on the side said, "Grand Peak Master Wang, thanks for your hard work."

"It's not hard when I'm doing it for the sect," Wang Xuanling responded with a steady calm tone.

At that moment, a sharp voice rang out. "Thanks for your hard work indeed. With your old bones, you should step down as soon as possible and let the younger, more talented people take your position."

"Di Nufeng..." Without looking back, Wang Xuanling knew that it was the troublemaker of the Mount Shu Sect speaking. He declared firmly, "Stop dreaming. You will never have the chance to be the grand peak master."

"Heh. Then watch how my disciple will crush your disciple," Di Nufeng said arrogantly.

"Such arrogance," Wang Xuanling scoffed disdainfully.

He had been keeping an eye on that young disciple from Silver Sword Peak. Admittedly, the boy was exceptional, but compared to his own disciple Xu Ziyang, he was still too weak.

Regarding this, Wang Xuanling was very confident.

"Let's wait and see," Di Nufeng, snorted, muttering under her breath, "If I can't fix you, all these years of study would've been for nothing."

Wang Xuanling's eyebrows, which were usually looking stern, started twitching. It took him great effort to suppress the burning rage.

Clearly, the Stairway to the Heavens was not only testing the disciples' Dao heart, but also his own...

...

At that moment, a group of Mount Shu disciples stood on the other side of the square, gazing up at the ethereal stairway emerging from the clouds in front of them, marveling at its sight. This place, the Stairway to Heaven, was only opened during the Mount Shu Summit. This was a sight they would never have a chance to see during ordinary days.

The Heaven-Reaching Peak was already the highest point of Mount Shu. Where would this Stairway to Heaven lead to? Would it really live up to its name?

The Conservation Master stood in front of the clouds and transmitted his voice, "This test is just the preliminary stage. Only the top sixty-four people will be granted the chance to join the fighting tournament. However, this is a rare chance to test yourself. All you have to do is continue advancing forward. Don't think about the ranking. During the test, you will not be able to see other members. Just concentrate."

The group of disciples nodded in agreement.

The Mount Shu Summit that they had been looking forward to for a long time finally started. Obviously, everyone was very excited.

The Conservation Master gazed at the group of energetic youngsters. Without further delay, he waved his hand and declared, "Then, ascend this Stairway to Heaven!"

At his command, countless figures surged forward, swiftly rushing into the mist, fearing to fall behind even a fraction.

On the other hand, Chu Liang was in no rush.

As he contemplated this preliminary round, he figured this Stairway to the Heavens wouldn't possibly be some race. What would be the purpose of scrambling now for a temporary advantage?

As he stepped into the clouds, he felt his body momentarily blurred. Immediately, everything in front of his eyes changed dramatically. Having entered the hidden realm many times, he was very familiar with this sensation. Clearly, he had stepped into another realm.

The crowd before him vanished, leaving only a desolate and towering mountain. Along the mountainside, a winding path could be discerned, faintly visible for several levels before disappearing into the clouds above.

He wanted to soar upward, manipulating the wind. But then, he suddenly realized that there was no wind around him.

Clearly, a restriction was placed in the space between heaven and earth and flying was not allowed.

I have to walk up one step at a time?

He carefully observed the surrounding before he strode forward.

Just as he set foot on the walkway, the scenery ahead suddenly shifted, and several figures appeared before him in a flurry of light and shadow.

Di Nufeng, Liu Xiaoyu'er, Jiang Yuebai, Lin Bei, and even the Golden-Furred Hou—seven or eight figures in total appeared. These were all people that were extremely close to Chu Liang.

They all stood together, blocking the path ahead.

What's going on? Chu Liang wondered.

Chu Liang stopped in his step. He hadn't been pondering deeply when the Conservation Master's voice sounded from behind him. "They are all people that you care about."

The Conservation Master, being a tall and elderly figure, wore plain robes that day. His long beard flowed in the air as his eyes smiled. He said to Chu Liang, "To proceed through this level of the stone walkway, you must kill one person from this group."

Chu Liang stared at the group of figures before him. Although he knew that they were illusions and that he could just simply kill Lin Bei without bearing much psychological burden...

But could things truly be as simple as they seem?

...

"What is this?"

Xu Ziyang calmly stared at the people before him.

His esteemed teacher, his sister, numerous fellow disciples... Dozens of them stood before him, blocking his path.

The voice of the Conservation Master sounded behind him, "I didn't expect that you care about so many people. Nonetheless, you must kill one of them in order to move onto the next level of the stone walkway."

Xu Ziyang stared at him and contemplated for a moment before he asked, "If I kill one at this level, will I have to kill another one in the next level? And I will have to make a choice every time?

The Conservation Master smiled and said, "You are very smart."

Xu Ziyang turned around and summoned his flying sword.

Swoosh...

With a swift burst of blood, he mercilessly slaughtered all the people before him without so much as blinking an eye.

"All of them hold equal weight in my heart. Since they are mere illusions, I might as well kill all of them instead of just one. This would save me the trouble of making more choices later on," Xu Ziyang stated emotionlessly.

It didn't matter who he killed. None of them would be pleased about it. In that case, he decided to treat them all equally and eliminate them all.

The Conservation Master nodded and remarked, "People like you are rare..."

However, Xu Ziyang didn't care about his comment as he had already strode forward to the next level.

...

On the stone obelisk erected in the square, Xu Ziyang's name was prominently displayed at the very top, indicating he was currently first.

Wang Xuanling still maintained a serious expression.

"Hahahaha..." Di Nufeng laughed loudly as she remarked, "Look at your fine disciple. Did you see how ruthlessly he killed you? He probably wanted to do that for a long time!"

"It's just an illusion. There's nothing wrong with acting decisively," Wang Xuanling said.

"But why do I feel like he's using this opportunity to vent his frustration?" Di Nufeng said, intentionally provoking and attempting to sow discord between Wang Xuanling and his disciple.

"Hmph," Wang Xuanling retorted. "It's better than your disciple sitting there motionless. Who knows? Maybe he'll end up choosing you to eliminate first!"

Di Nufeng raised her eyebrow sharply as she scowled, "He wouldn't dare!"

...

Jiang Yuebai looked at the two blurry figures before her, feeling somewhat perplexed.

The Conservation Master behind her also found it odd as he asked, "Do you really...not care about anyone? These two blurry figures are not really people. They are more like your lingering attachments."

Jiang Yuebai stared at him emotionlessly. "What should I do?"

"Just step forward. This stage can't stop you," said the Conservation Master.

Without showing any hesitation, Jiang Yuebai, dressed fully in white, started walking up the stairs.

The scene returned to the square.

Her name alternated with Xu Ziyang's in the lead, with the two of them neck and neck.

As Luo Xiaoyong from the Greater-Yin Cult observed the scene through the misty clouds, he was taken aback. He found it peculiar and commented, "Those who are naturally indifferent and ruthless are most suited to follow the Dao of the Supreme Mind."

The elder of the Greater-Yin Cult who was in front of him shook his head as he explained, "Just because they don't care about anyone does not mean that they are absolutely indifferent and ruthless."

"Hmm?" The words prompted Luo Xiaoyong to enter into contemplation.

These core disciples of Mount Shu attracted significant attention, being the focal point of people's interest. However, beyond them, each individual had their unique circumstances and experiences.

...

"Junior Sister Zhao... Junior Sister Qian... Chu Liang... Junior Sister Sun... Junior Sister Li..."

Lin Bei stared at the figures in front of him and was on the verge of tears.

"How can I decide? No matter who I choose to eliminate first, once they find out later, it will be hard to prevent a break up when I'm out.

"Oh Heavens, why are you so cruel to me!"

......

"Crystal pig hock... Sweet and sour pork ribs... Steamed sea bass... Four-joy meatballs...

As Lackey B stared at the dishes appearing before him, his eyes were filled with agony. He was in immense pain and suffering.

"If I have to abandon one, what should I do?"

The Conservation Master behind him massaged his temples, clearly irritated. "I don't care which one you abandon. Do it quickly. The sooner you climb the Stairway to the Heavens, the quicker all of this will end. Stop embarrassing the Mount Shu Sect."

...

"You've already pondered this for quite some time. If you delay any longer, you'll fall far behind the others," the Conservation Master reminded.

Chu Liang sat cross-legged on the ground and pondered for a long time.

As he gazed at the people closest to him in this life, a pained expression crept across his face. "Must one of them die?" he asked.

Although they were all fake, each one of them felt incredibly real.

"Yes," the Conservation Master said. "If you don't kill one, you can't ascend the staircase. That's why they say it is difficult for indecisive people to achieve great things."

"Alright then..."

Chu Liang showed a fierce expression. Immediately, he summoned his flying sword.

Whoosh! With a swift motion, blood splattered everywhere! The Conservation Master's body collapsed to the ground.

A smile crept onto Chu Liang's face.

His guess was correct. The Conservation Master had to tend to hundreds of disciples attempting to pass this stage simultaneously, meaning that this clone wouldn't possess very strong spiritual energy.

In addition, he launched a sudden attack. There was no chance for the Conservation Master to fight back.

When faced with such a difficult choice and if he truly had to eliminate someone, he would choose the person who posed the question, provided he had the capability to do so.

As he watched the Conservation Master collapse on the ground, he shouted toward all the illusions of his friends and family, "Run! While this old man is gone, let's make a run for it!"