Reaching the Tenth Floor

Xiang Tian stood at the staircase entrance to the ninth floor, sweat pouring down his body. The pressure here was nearly five hundred times normal, and even he was finding it difficult to endure. He couldn't imagine who had managed to reach the ninth floor before him.

He was catching his breath. While the eighth floor had been tough, it was far from his limit.

With one step forward, the lights on the ninth floor flickered on, and the suddenly intensified pressure assaulted him. Gritting his teeth, he didn't retreat. He knew that if he backed down now, his momentum would falter.

Taking another step, Xiang Tian gasped for air, blood seeping from his lips where he'd bitten down.

News of someone challenging the ninth floor quickly spread throughout the academy, drawing many curious onlookers, including a significant number of teachers.

Amidst the crowd, Qiu Changfeng watched the lights of the ninth floor, his heart filled with a mix of emotions.

Xiang Tian really didn't need to go through all this. For Xiang Tian himself, his current realm wasn't that important. Why push himself so hard for an old man like him?

The management of the Spirit Pressure Tower activated the special access, and Xiang Tian's projection was displayed above the academy.

Everyone watched as Xiang Tian, hunched over and leaning against the wall, prepared to take the next step.

Sinan Yao was also in the crowd. Seeing his former rival, he couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness.

He realized that his own proud status was insignificant in this person's eyes. He had been the clown all along.

His family had already issued a decree: from now on, upon meeting Xiang Tian, he was to show deference and absolutely avoid any conflict.

Everyone watched with bated breath, eager to see if Xiang Tian could create another miracle for Changning Immortal Academy!

Bang!

Xiang Tian took another step. The immense pressure made his landing heavy, each footfall seeming to resonate with the hearts of the onlookers.

Five hundred times the pressure! They knew themselves well enough to understand that they absolutely couldn't withstand it.

"Go, Xiang Tian!"

"Xiang Tian, keep going!"

Some people couldn't help but shout encouragement for Xiang Tian, and more and more people were inspired to join in.

At this moment, their fear of Xiang Tian had vanished. In their eyes, the one struggling on the tower was just a student from the Immortal Academy.

"Write new history, believe in yourself!"

Even some teachers joined the cheering.

Inside the tower, Xiang Tian faintly heard the shouts, and his heart was touched.

These guys, looking at them now, were quite endearing.

Fueled by this surge of energy, Xiang Tian gritted his teeth and rushed straight onto the ninth floor!

"Ah, he made it! Xiang Tian is awesome!"

"My goodness, I'm actually witnessing someone reach the ninth floor of the Spirit Pressure Tower!"

"Xiang Tian is so damn cool, damn it, I love him!"

"Don't be so rigid about gender, okay? I like him too!"

The outside world erupted in cheers, as if they themselves had reached the ninth floor.

Seeing this, Qiu Changfeng and the other teachers felt a sense of deep satisfaction. This was the atmosphere of Changning Immortal Academy; it was truly excellent.

Above the ninth floor, Xiang Tian straightened his back and closed his eyes, beginning to adapt to the environment.

When he opened his eyes again, he didn't choose to meditate but instead set his gaze on the very top floor.

The cheers from outside abruptly ceased. Everyone stared blankly at the projection, too stunned to speak.

Xiang Tian... was he trying to challenge the tenth floor?

"Writing history, standing at the same height as others, is that considered writing history?"

Hearing the earlier cheers, Xiang Tian chuckled softly. Clearly, he was unwilling to stop here.

He had always believed that his potential extended far beyond this.

"Xiang Tian's moving again! My god, he's really going for the tenth floor!"

"A thousand times the pressure! Is he crazy? The ninth floor was already an incredible achievement."

Some people were bewildered, unable to comprehend why Xiang Tian had decided to challenge the tenth floor!

Within the academy, Qiu Changfeng's expression was conflicted. He regretted asking Xiang Tian for help, but it was impossible to stop him now. Even if he entered, he would have to endure the pressure of the ninth floor, and whether he could withstand it was uncertain.

"Xiang Tian, you don't need to go any further!"

He could only shout, hoping Xiang Tian would hear him.

Indeed, Xiang Tian heard him. He paused for a moment, then shook his head.

Since he had come this far, he had to create another legend. A thousand times the pressure – throughout history, there had been many who endured even greater hardship. If others could do it, why couldn't he?

Bang!

He stepped onto the first stair. The instantly doubled pressure almost made him collapse. His entire body turned red, and he felt a sensation he'd never experienced before, as if his blood was about to burst from beneath his skin.

He didn't want others to think he was just someone who relied on external forces to achieve greatness. He wanted to prove that he was also a person of perseverance and talent!

He didn't want to disappoint his two older sisters. He wanted them to know that the little brat from back then had grown up and could face storms on his own.

Bang!

On the second tier, Xiang Tian was so pressed down he couldn't straighten up.

Bang!

On the third tier, Xiang Tian was practically crawling on the ground.

Outside the arena, everyone was incredibly shocked, their expressions solemn, a sense of unspoken respect filling their hearts. Xiang Tian, it seemed, was not what they had imagined.

Xiang Tian's body began to ooze blood, his eyes bloodshot, like a madman.

Only one more tier remained. Xiang Tian's vision was a bit blurry; it seemed so far away.

But, what did it matter? He knew in his heart that this step was actually very close!

When Xiang Tian's hand gripped the final tier, the thousand-fold pressure hit him without reservation. The pain in his entire arm felt like it was shattering.

This was the first time Xiang Tian had personally experienced pain of this magnitude.

Good, Xiang Tian became even more excited. This is true cultivation. The thrill of success will never match the intensity of pain.

If anyone else knew his thoughts, they would surely think Xiang Tian was a pervert.

He wanted to push himself to the absolute limit, to a point of no return.

Under everyone's disbelieving gaze, Xiang Tian slowly crawled, dragging himself across the ground, leaving a trail of blood, all the way to the tenth level!

He was pressed so tightly to the ground he couldn't move.

This time, no one cheered. They were stunned, and at the same time, felt it was not worth it for Xiang Tian.

Why go through all this?

"Dean, are you alright?"

A nearby instructor noticed Qiu Changfeng, whose eyes were streaming with tears, and offered him a tissue.

"It's nothing... nothing. This kid Xiang Tian, truly..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but his heart was deeply moved.

On the ground, Xiang Tian could clearly hear his own thumping heartbeat.

He began to try and arch his back.

"Come on!"

"You have to get up, Xiang Tian!"

Outside the arena, everyone was cheering him on with all their hearts. The shouts of encouragement merged into a single roar, loud as thunder.

If you all are cheering me on like this, and I don't stand up, wouldn't that be letting everyone down?

Xiang Tian gave a wry smile in his heart, but it also fueled him with a surge of energy.

Drip... drip...

When he finally stood up, his entire body was a bloody mess, dripping blood continuously!

"Xiang Tian, you're awesome!"

"A legend, truly a legend!"

"Hahaha, I can brag to others from now on that my classmate stepped onto the tenth level of the Spirit Pressure Tower!"

The entire venue erupted. Everyone's eyes shone with a newfound light – a yearning for cultivation. Someone had personally demonstrated it for them, paving the way. They, too, felt a surge of confidence for their future paths and had found a goal.

"Hahahaha, good, good! Oh, why aren't these tissues drying my tears?"

Looking at Xiang Tian, Qiu Changfeng's old eyes were still teary, and he couldn't help but complain that the tissues in his hand couldn't stop his tears.