Chaos Secret Realm

The conversation between the two inner disciples, though quiet, couldn't escape Li Su's divine sense.

His heart stirred. "Myriad Manifestations Heavenly Stairway," "Chaos Secret Realm," and "chance to become a saint" – these terms combined undoubtedly signified a tremendous opportunity.

He stepped forward, cupped his hands politely, and asked, "Greetings, fellow Daoists. I am Mo Xing, a newly initiated registered disciple. I overheard your discussion about the 'Myriad Manifestations Heavenly Stairway' and the 'Chaos Secret Realm,' and my curiosity is piqued. Would you mind enlightening me?"

The two disciples turned to look at him. Seeing that although Li Su was a bamboo spirit, his aura was pure and profound, and he had come down from a higher level of the Scripture Repository, they dared not be negligent.

One of the slightly older disciples returned the courtesy, "So it's Senior Brother Mo Xing. (The elder is respected; registered disciples can also be older or have higher cultivation.) You are new and may not know, but the 'Myriad Manifestations Heavenly Stairway' is an important trial ground in our Kunlun Mountain. It opens once every sixty years."

The other disciple added, "Precisely. The Heavenly Stairway has nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine levels. With each step ascended, the pressure doubles, and various inner demons, exotic beasts, and even laws of the Great Dao will manifest to test one's resolve. Those who ascend the Heavenly Stairway must rely on their own strength, Dao heart, and comprehension to move forward with great difficulty. Depending on the final level reached, different rewards will be granted, such as magical treasures, elixirs, or even profound immortal techniques. They might even gain the favor of an esteemed Martial Uncle or Martial Aunt."

The older disciple continued, his tone filled with longing, "Most importantly, if one can rank among the top three in the ascension, they will earn the qualification to enter the 'Chaos Secret Realm' for contemplation! It is rumored that this secret realm was created by the Sect Master with supreme magical power, connecting to the edge of chaos from the primordial era. It contains fragments of the most fundamental laws of the Great Dao, and perhaps even a trace of Primordial Purple Qi! It offers unimaginable benefits for comprehending the Great Dao and breaking through bottlenecks! Hence, it is known as containing the 'chance to become a saint'!"

Chaos Secret Realm! Trace of Primordial Purple Qi! Chance to become a saint!

Li Su's mind trembled as he listened. This was definitely a heaven-sent opportunity! No wonder even True Immortals were moved by it. If he could gain insights within, it would be of immeasurable help to him in integrating myriad laws and finding his own path to transcendence!

"May I ask what are the restrictions for the Myriad Manifestations Heavenly Stairway? Can all disciples participate?" Li Su suppressed his excitement and continued to inquire.

"In principle, all Kunlun Mountain disciples, whether inner, outer, or registered, can participate," the older disciple replied. "However, the Heavenly Stairway trial is extremely difficult. Those with insufficient cultivation can barely ascend the first thousand steps and might even damage their Dao Foundation. Therefore, it is usually attempted only by those at the peak of the Earth Immortal realm. Those who have ranked highly in previous attempts were at least at the late Celestial Immortal or even True Immortal stage."

Peak Earth Immortal? Li Su was currently in the late Earth Immortal stage, not far from the peak. Moreover, his actual combat strength far surpassed those of the same level. Perhaps he could give it a try? But his opponents would be Celestial Immortals and True Immortals... the pressure was immense.

"Thank you both for clarifying," Li Su said gratefully.

"You are too kind, Senior Brother. If you are interested, you could try your luck in three months. Even if you cannot win the championship, ascending to a certain height would be excellent tempering," the two disciples said kindly before taking their leave.

Li Su stood in place, his heart churning like waves. The allure of the Chaos Secret Realm was too great! He had to strive for it! But with his current strength, ranking in the top three among numerous Celestial Immortals and True Immortals was akin to a fool's dream. He had to improve his strength as much as possible within these three months!

He immediately left the Scripture Repository and returned to his Listening Bamboo Abode cave dwelling. He would go into seclusion! He would improve with all his might!

First, he took out the dark yellow stone he obtained from the battlefield and the tattered jade pendant from the golden skeleton. He would fully comprehend the "Bedrock" Dao rhythm and the "Guardian" Dao rhythm within them to further enhance his defense and willpower.

Second, he carefully reviewed what he had learned in the Scripture Repository, especially the basic chapter of the Jade Purity Immortal Method and the Sword Edict of the Eight Nine Mysterious Art. He would attempt to further fuse the Profound Gate Qi Refining method with his own Star Soul Devour power, improving the quality of his magic power and cultivation. The advancement from late Earth Immortal to peak Earth Immortal was not simply a matter of accumulating energy, but also of understanding the "Dao" and purifying and controlling one's own power.

Third, he continuously practiced his divine abilities, especially the newly acquired Stellar Evil Sky-Rending Thrust and Star Swirl Body Protection. He would also combine this with his knowledge of formations to try and create a combat style more suited to himself.

Time passed unnoticed in his cultivation. Within the cave dwelling, light flowed over Li Su's bamboo body, sometimes appearing as deep ink, brilliant with starlight; sometimes displaying profound patterns, indestructible; sometimes emitting a soft white light, protecting himself. His aura was steadily improving, and his control over his power became increasingly refined.

During this time, Zhiwei and Ming Chen, among others, came to visit. Upon learning that he was preparing for the Myriad Manifestations Heavenly Stairway, they offered encouragement and sent some elixirs and talismans to show their support.

Two months later, Li Su successfully broke through to the peak Earth Immortal stage! His magic power surged, his divine sense expanded, and his understanding of various Dao rhythms reached a new level. However, he did not emerge from seclusion. Instead, he began to attempt his most audacious plan – to fuse the Tenacity of the Bedrock Rune, the protection of the Guardian Dao rhythm, the defense of the Star Swirl, and the miraculous body transformations of the Eight Nine Mysterious Art into a defensive divine ability unique to himself!

This process was extremely arduous, with numerous failures, and he even nearly suffered a power backlash. But relying on his Array Heart Clarity divine ability and his precise control over his own power, he adjusted and attempted time and again.

Finally, at the beginning of the third month of his seclusion, he succeeded in integrating a trace of the "Bedrock" intent and the "Guardian" Dao rhythm into his Star Swirl Body Protection! The protective halo no longer appeared as a mere vortex of black starlight, but was now imbued with an extremely faint, almost imperceptible dark gold sheen. This increased its defensive power, especially its resistance to soul attacks and law erosion, by a full thirty percent! Although it was still far from true fusion, it was an excellent start!

[Successfully fused faint "Bedrock" Dao Charm and "Guardian" Dao Charm, Star Swirl Body Protection (Intermediate) has advanced to Profound Star Swirl Body Protection (Advanced), greatly increasing defense, with new Intermediate Soul Resistance and faint Law Resistance.]

Profound Star Swirl Body Protection! "Profound" refers to stars and mystery, while "Swirl" symbolizes bedrock and nexus!

Li Su rejoiced in his heart, his strength increased once more!

The day he emerged from seclusion was already the day before the Myriad Manifestations Heavenly Stairway opened. He had adjusted his state to its peak; his bamboo body's luster was contained, yet it held immense power.

On the morning of the second day, deep within Kunlun Mountain, an ancient bell chime resounded through the heavens and earth!

The Myriad Manifestations Heavenly Stairway was about to open!

Countless streaks of light ascended from various mountain peaks and cave dwellings, converging like a hundred rivers returning to the sea, heading towards a vast cloud sea plaza in the center of the mountain range!

Li Su opened his "eyes." His bamboo body transformed into a stream of ink-colored light, rushing out of the Listening Bamboo Abode and merging into the surging crowd.

New challenges, new opportunities, lay ahead!