Chaos Secret Realm

Although the two inner disciples spoke quietly, how could they have hidden it from Li Su's divine sense?

His heart stirred. The words "Myriad Manifestations Heavenly Stairway," "Chaos Secret Realm," and "chance to attain sainthood" together undoubtedly signified an immense opportunity.

He stepped forward and cupped his hands politely. "Greetings, fellow Daoists. I am Mo Xing, a newly admitted Nominal Disciple.

"I happened to overhear you discussing the Myriad Manifestations Heavenly Stairway and the Chaos Secret Realm. I was curious and wondered if you might enlighten me."

The two disciples turned to look at him. Though Li Su was a bamboo spirit, his aura was pure and profound, and he had come down from one of the higher levels of the Scripture Repository. They did not dare treat him lightly.

One of them, the older disciple, returned the salute. "So it is Senior Brother Mo Xing. In cultivation, attainment comes first; even a Nominal Disciple may be older and more highly cultivated.

"Since Senior Brother is new, you may not know that the Myriad Manifestations Heavenly Stairway is an important trial ground of Kunlun Mountain. It opens once every sixty years."

The other disciple added, "Indeed.

"The Heavenly Stairway has a total of nine thousand, nine hundred and ninety-nine steps. With every step climbed, the pressure multiplies, and all manner of inner demons, strange beasts, and even trials of Great Dao laws manifest.

"Those who ascend it must rely on their own strength, Dao heart, and comprehension to advance with great difficulty.

"Different rewards are granted according to the final number of steps climbed—magical treasures, pills, divine abilities, secret arts, or perhaps even the favor of a martial uncle or martial elder."

The older disciple continued, his tone full of yearning. "Most importantly, anyone who places among the top three climbers that time will earn the right to enter the Chaos Secret Realm to comprehend the Dao!

"Legend says that the secret realm was opened by the Sect Leader with supreme power, connecting to the edge of primordial chaos from when heaven and earth first came into being. It contains the most fundamental fragments of Great Dao laws, perhaps even... a trace of Primordial Purple Qi!

"It offers unimaginable benefits for comprehending the Great Dao and breaking through bottlenecks! That is why it is said to contain a 'chance to attain sainthood'!"

Chaos Secret Realm! A trace of Primordial Purple Qi! A chance to attain sainthood!

Li Su's mind shook as he listened.

This was absolutely a heaven-defying opportunity! No wonder even True Immortals were moved by it.

If he could comprehend the Dao within it, it would surely provide immeasurable help in integrating all methods and finding his own path to transcendence!

"May I ask what restrictions the Myriad Manifestations Heavenly Stairway has?

"Can all disciples participate?" Li Su suppressed his excitement and continued asking.

"In principle, all Kunlun Mountain disciples may participate, whether inner disciples, outer disciples, or Nominal Disciples," the older disciple said.

"However, the Heavenly Stairway's trials are exceedingly difficult. Those with insufficient cultivation will struggle to even reach the first thousand steps, and may instead damage their Dao foundation. Thus, people generally only attempt it after reaching the peak of the Earth Immortal realm.

"Those who have ranked among the best in past trials were at least late-stage Heavenly Immortals, or even True Immortals."

Peak Earth Immortal? Li Su was already at the late Earth Immortal stage. He was not far from the peak, and his true combat strength far surpassed those of the same realm. Perhaps he could give it a try?

But his opponents would be Heavenly Immortals and True Immortals... The pressure was enormous.

"Thank you both for clearing up my doubts," Li Su said gratefully.

"You are too polite, Senior Brother. If you are interested, you may as well give it a try three months from now. Even if you cannot take first place, climbing to a certain height would still be excellent tempering."

The two disciples spoke kindly, then took their leave.

Li Su remained where he was, his heart already churning like stormy waves. The temptation of the Chaos Secret Realm was too great! He had to strive for it!

Yet with his current strength, trying to place among the top three amid so many Heavenly Immortals and True Immortals was no different from a fool's dream.

He had to improve his strength as much as possible during these three months!

He immediately left the Scripture Repository and returned to his cave abode at Listening Bamboo Abode.

Seclusion! He would improve with all his strength!

First, he took out the dark yellow stone he had obtained from the battlefield and the damaged jade pendant from the golden skeleton, devoting himself to comprehending the Dao essence of "bedrock" and "protection" within them, further strengthening his defenses and will.

Second, he carefully organized everything he had gained from the Scripture Repository, especially the foundational section of the Jade Purity Immortal Method and the Sword Edict of the Eight Nine Mysterious Art.

He tried to further merge the mystic sect's qi-refining method with his own star-devouring soul power, improving the quality of his magical power and his cultivation. Advancing from late-stage Earth Immortal to the peak was not merely a matter of accumulating energy; it also required an understanding of the "Dao," as well as purification and control of one's own power.

Furthermore, he continually practiced his divine abilities, especially the newly acquired Stellar Evil Sky-Rending Thrust and Star Swirl Body Protection. Combining them with his knowledge of formations, he tried to create a combat style more suited to himself.

Cultivation knew no passage of time. Within the cave abode, radiance flowed over Li Su's bamboo body, at times dark and profound, glittering with starlight;

at times, mysterious runes emerged, rendering him indestructible; at others, a gentle white glow spread forth, protecting his body.

His aura steadily grew stronger, and his control over his power became increasingly exquisite.

During this time, Zhiwei, Ming Chen, and the others came to visit. When they learned he was preparing for the Myriad Manifestations Heavenly Stairway, they all encouraged him and brought him pills and talismans to show their support.

Two months later, Li Su successfully broke through to the peak of the Earth Immortal realm! His magical power surged, his divine sense expanded, and his understanding of various Dao essences rose to another level.

Yet he did not leave seclusion. Instead, he began attempting his boldest idea—to combine the toughness of the Bedrock Rune, the protection of the Dao essence of "protection,"

the defense of his star vortex, and the marvelous bodily transformations of the Eight Nine Mysterious Art, creating a defensive divine ability unique to himself!

The process was exceedingly difficult. He failed repeatedly and even nearly suffered a backlash from his power.

But relying on the Array Heart Clarity divine ability and his precise control over his own power, he adjusted and tried again and again.

Finally, at the beginning of the third month of seclusion, he successfully fused a trace of the intent of "bedrock" and the Dao essence of "protection" into his Star Swirl Body Protection!

The protective halo was no longer merely a vortex of black starlight. It had gained an exceedingly faint layer of

an almost imperceptible dark golden sheen, increasing its defensive power—especially its resistance to soul attacks and law erosion—by a full thirty percent!

Though it remained far from true fusion, it was an excellent beginning!

[Successfully fused weak "bedrock" Dao essence and "protection" Dao essence. Star Swirl Body Protection (Intermediate) has advanced into Profound Star Swirl Body Protection (Advanced). Defensive power greatly increased. New intermediate soul resistance and weak law resistance acquired.]

Profound Star Swirl Body Protection! "Profound" represented the stars and mystery, while "Star Swirl" symbolized bedrock and a pivot!

Li Su was delighted. His strength had increased yet again!

The day he emerged from seclusion was already the day before the Myriad Manifestations Heavenly Stairway opened. He adjusted himself to peak condition. The sheen of his bamboo body was restrained, yet it contained vast, surging power.

The next morning, deep within Kunlun Mountain, an ancient chime resounded through heaven and earth!

The Myriad Manifestations Heavenly Stairway was about to open!

Countless streaks of escaping light rose from cave abodes across the mountain peaks, converging like a hundred rivers returning to the sea toward the enormous Cloud Sea Plaza at the heart of the mountain range!

Li Su opened his "eyes." His bamboo body transformed into a streak of dark light, shooting out of Listening Bamboo Abode and merging into the surging crowd.

A new challenge and a new opportunity lay ahead!