Before long, some smaller sects began calling out to form an alliance with Taiyan Dao, to watch over one another.
As time passed, the number of such sects steadily increased.
Naturally, Qian Li Zhenren was delighted to see this scene.
However, he did not simply let them continue shouting.
Instead, he spread both hands and gently pressed down, sending a soft immortal energy sweeping over the entire venue.
Only then did the originally noisy scene quiet down.
“Fellow immortals, there is no need to rush.
If you wish to ally with Taiyan Dao, you may report to Immortal Dan Ting after the sect assembly concludes.”
Speaking, Qian Li Zhenren pointed to the side where Dan Ting stood.
The latter slowly stepped forward, gave a slight bow, then withdrew.
It must be said, Dan Ting’s tall crown was indeed distinctive.
Qian Li Zhenren clasped one hand behind his back and continued,
“Alright, I have nearly finished what I wanted to say.
Since the Heavenly Realm calamity, Taiyan Dao is the first sect to hold the Great Immortal Assembly.
Naturally, we must present some gifts to thank all fellow immortals for your support.”
As his words fell,
three immortals holding treasure chests stepped forward.
They came to the stage and opened their chests one after another.
In an instant, dazzling brilliance appeared.
Ye Yu looked forward attentively.
He saw three immortal artifacts floating midair.
They were a green measuring rod, an immortal sword, and a simple ink-colored immortal robe.
Judging by the immortal energy fluctuations contained,
the green measuring rod and the immortal sword were low-grade and mid-grade immortal artifacts respectively.
As for the ink-colored robe, its grade was hard to judge.
It seemed enveloped by a mist, completely isolating everyone’s divine sense.
But Ye Yu immediately confirmed this must be the exquisite immortal robe Shangguan Jiujiu and Bai Miaoling had spoken of.
Seeing the appearance of these three items,
the immortals’ eyes grew fervent.
Even in the Heavenly Realm, the quantity of immortal artifacts was not abundant.
Far from one artifact per immortal.
No, more accurately, among twenty immortals, having even one immortal artifact was considered very good.
A fine immortal artifact could completely turn the tide of battle.
They truly did not expect
Taiyan Dao to be so generous,
to present three immortal artifacts as gifts.
Moreover, everyone’s gaze focused especially on the ink-colored robe.
It is well known, what is hard to understand is bound to be good.
Besides, their arrangement had instantly made everything clear.
Just like a fill-in-the-blank question by habit.
Low-grade immortal artifact, mid-grade immortal artifact, what should be written in the next blank?
Naturally, high-grade immortal artifact.
Though the immortal aura from the ink-colored robe was ambiguous,
perhaps that was the unique quality of a high-grade immortal artifact.
For a moment, the scene boiled over again.
At this time, Ye Yu saw a young immortal suddenly stand up from his seat.
His eyes fixed tightly on the ink-colored robe.
His breath quickened, and his expression was unusually resolute.
He raised his hand to form a fist in front of him, as if determined to obtain that ink-colored robe at any cost.
Honestly, this person somewhat resembled those undeveloped male protagonists from fantasy novels.
Although his cultivation was not high, that eccentric youthful aura out of place with those around him was quite strong.
Qian Li Zhenren raised his hand slightly, and a stairway with ninety-nine steps to ascend to ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) heaven appeared.
The three immortal artifacts also flew to the top.
“Coming from humble origins is no shame, and a low cultivation at the moment is only temporary.
No one can say that an ordinary person today will not become a rising star in the Heavenly Realm tomorrow.
Therefore, Taiyan Dao has brought out these immortal artifacts onto the Ascension Stairway for fairness.
These artifacts do not test cultivation level, only willpower.
The stronger the will, the higher the steps one can climb.
These three immortal artifacts will be awarded to the top three immortals ascending the stairway.
First prize is the Four Symbols Ink Bamboo Robe,
second prize is the Heavenly Dragon Stone Sword,
third prize is the Withered and Flourishing Mysterious Measuring Rod.
If any immortal wishes to compete for these artifacts, come try.
However, there is one condition: at least fifty steps must be climbed, otherwise the artifacts remain property of Taiyan Dao.”
Qian Li Zhenren made a gesture inviting participation.
Immediately dozens of sect leaders flashed forward to the stage.
To them, wasn’t fifty steps a piece of cake?
Wasn’t this a pure welfare event?
If they could get immortal artifacts, forget fifty steps, they would gladly walk five hundred!
Ye Yu did not rush to act, instead glanced at the young immortal and saw he was still standing at his seat, showing no intention to approach the stage.
At this moment, Zheng Nuanxiu approached quietly and asked,
“I noticed you’ve been staring at that guy. Do you know him?”
Ye Yu shook his head slightly, casually saying,
“No, but I feel like I’ve seen him somewhere before.
Do you know him?”
Zheng Nuanxiu whispered,
“I’ve dealt with him before. He is Sect Leader Duan Yangfeng of Tianle Sect.
He’s quite strong, but very arrogant.
I really dislike him.”
Yes, that was exactly the name Shangguan Jiujiu and Bai Xichu mentioned—Duan Yangfeng.
A smile appeared on Ye Yu’s face.
Looking at Zheng Nuanxiu’s indignant expression, he whispered,
“Since you hate him, I’m starting to hate him too.”
Listening to their conversation,
Zhuo Lanqing stood aside like an outsider,
completely without chance to join the talk.
This made her very unhappy.
Meanwhile, more than a dozen sect leaders climbed the Ascension Stairway simultaneously.
After taking the first step,
they closed their eyes tightly, expressions turning difficult.
Within moments, five had already retreated.
They were drenched in sweat, eyes full of terror, as if they had encountered a great horror.
Those remaining on the steps staggered, as if they might fall at any moment.
Ultimately, within less than half a tea time,
only one of the dozen sect leaders reached the second step.
The others had retreated.
Seeing this, many around hurried forward to inquire what had happened.
Those who retreated explained that after stepping onto the first stair,
they encountered their own heart demons.
Retreating in time was not a bad thing.
If one tangled with it too long,
the false heart demon might turn into a true heart demon,
which could ruin one’s life.
Upon hearing this,
many sect leaders glared fiercely at Qian Li Zhenren.
“What nonsense is this?
Don’t they know cultivation forbids heart demons?
One careless step and you fall into the abyss,
your body completely controlled by the heart demon,
becoming a walking corpse that only kills.
This is no joke!”
Yet Qian Li Zhenren remained calm and composed.
He said softly,
“Fellow immortals, as I said from the start,
this Ascension Stairway tests an immortal’s willpower.
Heart demons are also a form of test.”
