Eternal Blood Emperor-Chapter 443: Heaven-Ascending Ladder

"So many people?"

Xiao Ningyue whispered in surprise, her eyes scanning over the dense crowd, it could be said there was a sea of people.

Most importantly, these young men and women all had at least the Seventh Layer of the Celestial Monarch Realm in cultivation. Those below the Seventh Layer were only a handful aside from her.

"It seems we arrived just in time; the Profound Lady Sect is likely conducting its recruitment examination for new disciples."

Wang Ruoxie’s gaze swept over the groups gathered in threes and fives, smiling as he spoke.

Clearly, these people appeared here with the same goal as them: to join the Profound Lady Sect, one of the Holy City’s three major superpowers.

"Which kingdom or imperial dynasty are you from?"

Just then, a young man in a silver robe beside them suddenly smiled as he asked Wang Ruoxie and Xiao Ningyue.

"We are not from any kingdom, let alone an imperial dynasty."

Wang Ruoxie gave the youth a light smile, responding.

He and Xiao Ningyue had just arrived from the Yuanwu Realm, they were not from the Canglan Sacred Domain, nor did they belong to any kingdom or imperial dynasty.

"Could it be you’re from one of the Seven Great Imperial Dynasties?"

Surprise flashed in the youth’s eyes as he spoke again.

"No, we’re not."

Wang Ruoxie shook his head.

"I see. You must be from another Middle Thousand World."

The youth pondered for a moment, then his eyes brightened slightly as he spoke.

He didn’t consider them from a Small Thousand World, after all, those from such worlds could only ascend to a Middle Thousand World after surpassing the Divine Human Tribulation.

Moreover, according to his knowledge, no Divine Human Realm beings had ascended from a Small Thousand World for centuries.

"Let’s say we are."

Wang Ruoxie begrudgingly replied, fearing more questions would follow if he denied it again.

"Great! Although the Canglan Sacred Domain governs a dozen Middle Thousand Worlds and hundreds of Small Thousand Worlds, I’ve never visited any of them. Can you tell me about your world?"

The youth spoke enthusiastically.

"Maybe another time."

Wang Ruoxie replied somewhat helplessly.

"Alright, once we join the Profound Lady Sect and become fellow disciples, we can talk more then."

Hearing this, the young man nodded and said, "By the way, I’m Ying Hongyu from the Seven Luminaries Central Imperial Dynasty."

"Wang Ruoxie."

"Xiao Ningyue."

Wang Ruoxie and Xiao Ningyue also introduced themselves.

"Brother Wang, Miss Xiao, since you’re from another world, you might not know about the Profound Lady Sect’s selection process, right?"

Ying Hongyu asked Wang Ruoxie and Xiao Ningyue.

"Indeed, we don’t know."

Wang Ruoxie shook his head slightly, for Xueyao hadn’t had the chance to tell them the exact content of the examination.

Xiao Ningyue also nodded; at the time, Xueyao had only informed them how to get to the Profound Lady Sect.

"In that case, let me give you a brief introduction."

Ying Hongyu chuckled and said, "The examination is divided into three rounds, the first of which is the Heaven-Ascending Ladder."

"Heaven-Ascending Ladder?"

Upon hearing this, both Wang Ruoxie and Xiao Ningyue’s eyes revealed curiosity.

"Yes, the Heaven-Ascending Ladder. This place isn’t the true entrance to the Profound Lady Sect, at best it can be considered the Outer Sect."

Ying Hongyu nodded and continued, "Only by ascending the nine hundred and ninety-nine steps of the ladder can one enter the Inner Sect of the Profound Lady Sect."

"Where is this ladder?"

Wang Ruoxie asked Ying Hongyu.

"Look over there."

Ying Hongyu pointed to a section ahead of the plaza.

Wang Ruoxie and Xiao Ningyue turned to look in the direction Ying Hongyu indicated.

In the depths of the clouds, there was a towering stairway, its jade steps emitting a gentle glow.

"Is this the Heaven-Ascending Ladder?"

Wang Ruoxie looked on with surprise, feeling no special aura fluctuations emanating from the ladder.

It’s important to know that nearly everyone here was at the late stage of the Celestial Monarch Realm, coming from various Imperial Dynasties, kingdoms, or even top-tier talents from other Middle Thousand Worlds—ordinary stairs could be conquered with a single thought.

Thus, this wouldn’t serve as a proper examination.

But, of course, he knew the Heaven-Ascending Ladder was anything but simple; otherwise, how could the Profound Lady Sect use it as the first round of tests?

"Upon this ladder, an expert in the Divine Human Realm from the Profound Lady Sect has set a Divine Array—a formation that doubles the pressure with each step upward. Additionally, every ninety-nine steps see a tenfold increase in pressure."

Seeing Wang Ruoxie’s doubts, Ying Hongyu laughed and said, "Thus, the ladder’s nine hundred and ninety-nine steps are known as the Ninefold Heaven, meaning with each set of ninety-nine steps, you ascend as if reaching another layer of heaven."

"Only by passing the Ninefold Heaven can one truly enter the Inner Sect of the Profound Lady Sect for the second round of the examination."

Ying Hongyu’s explanation gave Wang Ruoxie and Xiao Ningyue a basic understanding of the first round of the test, and they were well aware that reaching the conclusion of this ladder, passing the Ninefold Heaven, would not be an easy task.

Before long, Wang Ruoxie noticed that those at the front had already begun ascending the Heaven-Ascending Ladder.

"Brother Wang, Miss Xiao, shall we start as well?"

Ying Hongyu called to Wang Ruoxie and Xiao Ningyue.

Upon hearing this, Wang Ruoxie and Xiao Ningyue nodded, then all three picked up their pace and followed the crowd toward the ladder.

Even though this was merely the first test, almost everyone was giving it their all. They knew full well that failing even the first round meant losing their chance to join the Profound Lady Sect.

Most importantly, if they excelled in this round, they might be noticed by the high-ranking members of the Profound Lady Sect observing them from the shadows and be directly accepted as a direct disciple. This wasn’t unheard of.

Previous examinations had precedent for such outcomes.

Therefore, many participants were eager and excited, striving diligently to catch the attention of the Profound Lady Sect’s higher-ups.

"Today will be the day Huyan Ting’s name resounds through the world. I will be the first to scale the Ninefold Heaven."

At this moment, a young man radiating a terrifying aura rushed toward the ladder.

In mere moments, he appeared over a hundred steps up the ladder.

"Who is that guy, already over one hundred steps?"

"What a formidable fellow, he must be at the level of Half-step Celestial Emperor."

"The Profound Lady Sect’s recruitment examination indeed attracts countless geniuses and powerful figures."

Many people were looking at Huyan Ting with astonished eyes, exclamations continuously emerging.

"That is Huyan Ting, the Ninth Emperor’s Son of the Beixuan Imperial Dynasty. His aptitude and strength are exceptional, rivaled by few among the younger generation."

Ying Hongyu’s gaze followed the rapidly ascending Huyan Ting as he spoke.