Chapter 84

Below the Heavenly Ladder, the disciples of the four major sects were already prepared, each one brimming with fighting spirit, and the air between them was thick with tension. The four major sects were inherently adversarial, and even this joint Qi Prefecture Grand Competition was fraught with conflicts.

It was clear that the relationship between the Heavenly Sword Sect and the Profound One Sect was not good, perhaps because Li Wushuang and the Little Demon King were rivals. The disciples of both sides had already begun to verbally attack each other.

The disciples of the Burning Heaven Pavilion also showed obvious hostility towards the Profound One Sect. Not long ago, the inner gate genius Wu Sheng of the Burning Heaven Pavilion had been defeated by Guan Yiyun of the Profound One Sect, which left many disciples feeling resentful. Fortunately, the sudden emergence of Nanbeichao had restored the dignity of the Burning Heaven Pavilion. Even so, it could not stop the hostile relationship between the disciples, which would only intensify as the competition began.

Not to mention the disciples below, even the four geniuses on the Heavenly Ladder looked at each other with disdain. If it weren't for the Qi Prefecture Grand Competition, these four would never stand together so peacefully; they would definitely fight upon meeting.

Below the Heavenly Ladder, the disciples of the four major sects looked up at the four people at the top of the ladder with admiration.

"Senior Brother Nanbeichao is just too handsome, the number one genius of Qi Prefecture, my idol. If I could reach his level one day, that would be great."

"Ha, you should take a look at yourself in the mirror. You think you can be compared to Senior Brother Nanbeichao? How shameless."

"What are you boasting about? It's just Nanbeichao. If Senior Brother Guan hadn't performed poorly, there would be no place for you, Nanbeichao."

"What are you saying, brat? If you dare to disrespect Senior Brother Nanbeichao, I'll make sure to crush your Profound One Sect."

...

The arguments were intense, and it seemed they were just a step away from physical conflict. Qing Yizi and Ling Ao remained relatively calm, after all, they were geniuses, and entering the inner gate was a certainty. In the near future, they would have a significant status even within the inner gate. However, their eyes still shone with admiration when they looked at Baihuadie and Nanbeichao.

The most composed were the Little Demon King Hanyan and Li Wushuang. Whether it was Guan Yiyun, Liang Xiao, or Nanbeichao, they did not take them seriously. This was a pride that came from deep within. They might admire the four geniuses, but they would never blindly worship them, for they had the same great potential and the confidence to surpass them.

"Begin."

Nanbeichao loudly announced, signaling the start of the first round. As soon as he finished speaking, the sound of war drums echoed again.

Rustle!

Nearly seven hundred people instantly lined up in a row. The Heavenly Ladder was very wide, and even a thousand people would not feel crowded.

The Heavenly Ladder had a hundred stone steps, each one meter high. For experts at the Human Dan Realm, stepping over a meter was no big deal.

Therefore, as soon as Nanbeichao finished speaking, some people darted out like weasels, reaching the third step in the blink of an eye, full of vigor and spirit.

However, when many people reached the fourth step, they felt a faint pressure, which slowed them down. This pressure came from the combined efforts of four late-stage Heaven Dan Realm experts.

Moreover, these four late-stage Heaven Dan Realm experts were not ordinary. If they joined forces, even an early-stage Divine Dan Realm expert would not be a match for them.

The pressure on the Heavenly Ladder came from the overwhelming aura, the suppression of yuan energy, and most importantly, the soul pressure, making it more difficult for the participants to climb. In other words, this year's competition would be more challenging than in previous years.

Guan Yiyun, dressed in white, looked up at the crowd, his handsome face cold. He loudly said, "Apart from the four major sects, if anyone else wants to participate in the Heavenly Ladder competition, they can come up. If someone can enter the top thirty, they will directly become a disciple of the four major sects."

As soon as Guan Yiyun finished speaking, the crowd became restless. They looked at each other, but no one stepped forward. Everyone knew that Guan Yiyun's words were just a symbolic gesture on behalf of the four major sects; in most cases, no one would dare to challenge them.

Suddenly, several people looked at Jiang Chen. Someone taunted, "Hey, that kid, you said you wanted to take down the Little Demon King. Why don't you come up?"

"Haha, he must be scared. If you can't do it, don't talk big. It's too embarrassing."

"Exactly, come on, everyone, let's all look down on him."

...

Jiang Chen was speechless. He hadn't done anything, yet he was already being mocked. He glared fiercely at the big yellow dog, knowing that the words weren't his but the dog's.

However, Jiang Chen really intended to participate in the competition.

"Fine, I'll go. Get out of my way."

Jiang Chen waved his sleeve and strode into the Xunyang Square. This action surprised many people.

"Is this kid serious? He doesn't even know his own strength. Competing with the four major sects, isn't he just asking for trouble?"

"He'll just embarrass himself. I bet he won't even make it to the twentieth step."

"Twenty steps? You're too generous. He looks so weak; I bet he won't even make it to the tenth step."

Behind Jiang Chen, the mocking voices grew louder.

"You guys know nothing. He's the greatest genius. The Heavenly Ladder is child's play for him. He will definitely win first place."

The big yellow dog said arrogantly.

"Get lost, this dog is unreliable. First place? More like last place."

Someone scolded, wanting to slap the dog away.

"Damn, do you dare to bet? One hundred Human Yuan Pills, ten to one. Who dares to bet?"

The big yellow dog said seriously, with a glint of cunning in his eyes.

"Damn, ten to one? Dead dog, are you serious? How do we bet?"

Someone immediately became interested.

"Simple, each of you bet one hundred Human Yuan Pills. If that kid wins first place, you lose, and the pills are mine. If he doesn't win, I'll pay you a thousand each."

The big yellow dog looked very righteous.

"You're the most unreliable dog. We can't trust you. What if you run away?"

Someone said.

"Look at your pitiful faces. Do you think I'll run with so many of you? You could drown me with your spit. Go away, bet or not, it's up to you. Anyway, that kid will definitely win first place."

The big yellow dog wagged his tail, looking down on them.

"Little dog, what are you doing? You're causing trouble again."

Yan Chenyu's voice reached the big yellow dog's ears. The dog was betting on her Jiang Chen, which was not right.

"Money is to be made, not to be left. Little Rain, just stand aside and don't speak. We'll make a fortune today."

The big yellow dog was a cunning guy, not missing any opportunity to make money.

"Bet, I don't believe that kid can win first place. I'll bet two hundred."

"I'll bet two hundred too, all my savings. If you lose, you owe me two thousand."

Someone reminded.

"Don't worry, I have plenty of Human Yuan Pills. If you don't trust me, you can give the pills to this young lady to keep."

The big yellow dog looked at Yan Chenyu.

The crowd also looked at the purple-veiled girl, their eyes bright. They weren't fools; they could see that even with the veil, she was stunningly beautiful.

"Fine, I'll give them to this young lady. I'll bet one hundred."

"I'll bet too."

"Haha, dead dog, get ready to pay up. With the Little Demon King and Li Wushuang, that kid has no chance of winning first place."

"First place? I still think he won't make it past the twentieth step."

"Damn, if you can't pay, we'll cook you."

...

For a moment, people rushed to place their bets. In just a few minutes, over a hundred people had bet, and Yan Chenyu had collected fifteen thousand Human Yuan Pills. The commotion also attracted many others, who rushed over. When they learned the reason for the bets, they were almost jumping with excitement.

"Damn, someone from outside the four major sects wants to win first place? That's a pipe dream. Bet, bet."

Someone bet all their savings.

The big yellow dog's mouth was almost split to his ears, his eyes full of stars. This was a huge windfall, and it came so easily. Others didn't know Jiang Chen, but he did. This kid was very mysterious, and the Heavenly Ladder was nothing to him. Even a Divine Dan Realm expert might not be able to hold him back.

"Hehe, little dog, you're so naughty. Jiang Chen loves Human Yuan Pills."

Yan Chenyu giggled and patted the dog's head.

Jiang Chen walked towards the Heavenly Ladder, hands behind his back, calm and composed, watching the disciples of the four major sects rush to climb the steps with a faint smile.

The four geniuses at the top of the Heavenly Ladder saw Jiang Chen and their eyes brightened. Regardless of anything else, Jiang Chen's demeanor was not something ordinary people could match.

On the Heavenly Ladder, someone had reached the tenth step, and the pressure was already immense, sweat dripping from their forehead. The higher they climbed, the greater the pressure.

"Such strong pressure, my legs feel like they're filled with lead. The four geniuses together are too powerful. My soul is trembling. In this state, I probably won't make it past the twentieth step. It's too embarrassing."

Someone said while wiping sweat. The late-stage Human Dan Realm experts climbed faster, already reaching the twentieth step. The Little Demon King and the other three were calm and composed, already at the fortieth step, looking relaxed. This was the difference.