Demon Slaying, Gaining 60 Years of Cultivation From the Start
Chapter 1002 - 80: Climbing to the Top of the Heavenly Ladder, Shocking the Academy_2

Immediately, the next moment, they stepped out in unison.

When Gu Chen reached the five thousandth stair, what he saw was a scene where various monsters were struggling against something on the next stair.

"It seems there's more to this mystery," Gu Chen's eyes flickered.

He dared not use his heavenly eye, after all, the Great Powers and leading figures of Qingyun Academy were secretly watching. Gu Chen feared that using divine powers would expose him, and that would be a big problem.

Thus, he also took a step forward, opting to experience it firsthand. Since there have never been cases of death in the assessments at Qingyun Academy, he wasn't worried.

Buzz!

This step felt as if he had entered another world, where not only did the physical pressure increase tenfold from before, but the mental strain did as well!

Yes, on the five thousand and first step, an immense pressure descended upon the minds of Gu Chen and the others.

You see, although they were all extraordinary creatures, they were in the Cave Heaven Realm, having not yet condensed a spirit essence. Thus, their mental strength could be considered the only weakness in this group of beasts.

Now, with their minds suddenly under tremendous pressure, it caused the Sun Divine Sparrow Clan and the Chi Dragons, among other monsters, to turn pale and stand still for a long time.

"It seems that the White Jade Stairs indeed are a rare artifact, at least of the level of a spiritual treasure!" Soon, Gu Chen withstood this pressure and his mind recovered.

After all, before coming here, he had advanced his Reincarnation Seal technique to the fifth level, significantly enhancing his mental fortitude, which was key in his quick recovery.

Not long after Gu Chen recovered, the Sun Divine Sparrows, Chi Dragons, and other monsters also regained their composure.

After exchanging glances, they continued climbing upwards.

When they surpassed the six thousandth stair, apart from dual pressures on the body and spirit, multiple illusions appeared before Gu Chen and the others, tempting them into oblivion.

Using the remnant jade would negate the effects of all illusions, but that would undermine the purpose of the assessment and count as cheating.

If this were a battle, and the enemy used such a technique, Gu Chen would undoubtedly use the remnant jade to create an immune environment without a second thought.

But now, this was an assessment at Qingyun Academy, so there was no need for such measures.

Moreover, the Reincarnation Seal technique was also focused on this path. Thus, regardless of the numerous illusions appearing before him, Gu Chen shattered each one, and before he knew it, he was again leading the pack.

He really had been trying to hold back, but in the end, it was still like this.

By the time they reached the eight thousandth stair, the void flickered with emerging energies of wind blades, frost, flames, and thunder, starting to assault Gu Chen and the others.

At the same time, an unknown force aimed to immobilize them in place.

As they neared the summit of the stairs, the challenges became even more severe.

Even Gu Chen slowed significantly towards the end as compared to before.

Fortunately, before the Qingyun Academy assessment, Gu Chen had undergone a significant improvement in all aspects, so no matter how intense the assessment was, it couldn't trouble him.

Eventually, after enduring eighteen thunder strikes head-on, Gu Chen successfully reached the summit, arriving at the highest point of the White Jade Stairs.

In his best effort to hold back, in the end, the Sun Divine Sparrows and the Chi Dragons "unsurprisingly" surpassed him and arrived here first.

"Light of Purification, cleanse the flesh and spirit."

Accompanied by a grand voice, a flawless white light descended, shining upon the Sun Divine Sparrow, the Chi Dragon Clan, and other monstrous beings.

This was also the reward for reaching the top of the White Jade Stairs, which could help Gu Chen and others refine themselves and expel various impurities.

After being illuminated by this light, the Sun Divine Sparrow and other monstrous beings trembled, their eyes squinted, transcending the material world, resonating in both body and spirit, undergoing a purifying refinement.

Gu Chen was naturally affected too, but what was special about him was that this state lasted only briefly before ending within moments.

"Eh?"

From within Qingyun Academy, several light exclamations were heard, as the Great Powers were greatly perplexed.

"Why has the Light of Purification lost its effect on this young man? While everyone else's bodies and spirits have been baptized and gained considerable assistance, what is the matter with this young man named Gu Bai?"

Within the Academy, the Great Powers all fell silent, feeling curious about the current scene before them.

Then, a commanding voice spoke up, a titan declared, "That is because this youngster, at the Cave Heaven Realm, has already reached the state of a flawless body and a perfect spirit, so the Light of Purification naturally lost its corresponding effect."

"I see."

Upon hearing this, the Great Powers of Qingyun Academy were all startled, having not expected this young man to have reached such a state, surpassing the Sun Divine Sparrow, the Chi Dragon Clan, and other outstanding monsters.

"This young man is worth paying attention to." At that moment, a voice sounded, it was none other than the Dean of Qingyun Academy!

"To receive attention from the Dean?!" The upper echelons of Qingyun Academy were shocked.

The Dean of Qingyun Academy was a formidable and supreme powerhouse with a considerable reputation across the 3,600 domains of the upper realm!

Through the long years, these supreme powerhouses had seen countless remarkable and monstrous talents, and those who caught their eye were naturally extremely outstanding and extraordinary.

For a time, Qingyun Academy was abuzz, and many in the upper echelons silently turned their gaze upon Gu Chen, who had topped the White Jade Stairs.

A young man worth noting as mentioned by the Dean of Qingyun Academy, throughout the open sessions until now, the number of such individuals was indeed not large!

Of course, Gu Chen's uniqueness had only slightly attracted some attention from the Dean of Qingyun Academy; it was not yet possible for him to receive any preferential treatment or to be taken under the wing.

Even so, it caused a considerable stir among the upper echelons of the Academy, for, from the test of the White Jade Stairs, Gu Chen could be said to have outshone everyone else!

Of course, all this happened behind the scenes. Gu Chen's prominence was known only to the upper echelon of Qingyun Academy, unknown to others, with no disturbances reaching the outside world.

At the very top of the White Jade Stairs, Gu Chen was unaware that his efforts to conceal himself had still revealed his uniqueness.

"The Light of Purification is ineffective on me?" Gu Chen glanced at the Sun Divine Sparrow and other monsters immersed in the column of light, each of them gaining substantial enhancement.

"I'm somewhat at a disadvantage," Gu Chen mused to himself, seeing everyone else improved except him.

The so-called Light of Purification had briefly illuminated his flesh and spirit, only aiding him slightly before disappearing altogether.

"I wonder if Qingyun Academy will offer me some other compensation?" Gu Chen thought so to himself.

Immediately, he shook his head, finding his own thought rather amusing.

Just then, at the top of the White Jade Stairs, there was a stir again as a man with a face like jade, a Daoist, reached the top and arrived here.

This Daoist was none other than the Holy Son of the Limitless Dao Sect, an old friend of Gu Chen—Zhen Yuan!

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