"This can only be blamed on Zhenyuanzi."
Having set such a rule, if Li Yu wanted to join, he could only climb the heavenly ladder and pass through the Heaven's Gates.
Beyond the first Heaven's Gate lay another steep, narrow mountain path.
A ladder-like trail had been carved into the sheer cliff face towering out of sight. It was no more than two feet wide, and many sections were broken, fragmented for long stretches.
Besides that, the "heavenly ladder" was filled with all manner of dangers: venomous insects, thorny brambles, mechanisms and traps, attacks by fierce birds—countless hardships of every kind.
"What a pity... this is only a painting."
Indeed, the entire Qianyuan Assembly was actually a scroll painting that Qianmingzi had unfurled. Every trial, everything within it, was a World within a painting.
"This World within a painting trick is something this poor daoist has long since grown tired of playing."
Back in the Primordial World, Li Yu had used a painting to play a game of A Chinese Ghost Story with Ji Ning and the others.
Compared to Li Yu's methods, Zhenyuanzi's "world within a painting" was merely passable.
The Eye of Chaos had already seen through everything.
All those dangers and obstacles were nothing more than child's play before Li Yu.
Thus, after crossing the first Heaven's Gate, Li Yu did not pause in the slightest. He stepped easily onto the "heavenly ladder" and headed toward the Second Heaven's Gate.
"Fearless before hardship, with a heart as firm as iron, never retreating. This boy possesses extraordinary talent and outstanding character. What a pity..."
Qianmingzi let out another long sigh. "Even if he passed the first Heaven's Gate quickly, the later trials... are far too difficult!"
Li Yu had passed the first stage, but there was no need