Standing some distance away, Qin Fengming considered briefly, then flew up as well.
Since the lord of Cold Wind City had said nothing about assigning stone platforms to cultivators who had failed the test, that meant anyone who wished to ascend could choose freely.
Qin Fengming understood this point. Breaking the temple's restrictive spell depended primarily on the combined efforts of those gathered on the two stone platforms. Cold Wind City had issued jade tokens and imposed restrictions to ensure that the cultivators on both platforms were evenly matched in strength.
Those who had failed could hardly be counted among the forces capable of breaking the temple's restrictive spell. They were allowed to ascend freely only to avoid dampening everyone's spirits, but they would be responsible for their own lives.
Sweeping the area with his spiritual sense, Qin Fengming spotted the Zong Family's twin brother and sister, whom he knew, along with the young man from the Huang Family. The beautiful female cultivator surnamed Lu was scanning her surroundings, seemingly searching for someone.
At this sight, a faint smile appeared on his face, and he flew toward one of the elevated platforms without hesitation.
The moment he landed on the stone platform, the sacred chanting suddenly sounded in his head again, and that halting call once more echoed through his mind.
"Quick... come here quickly. I cannot hold on much longer."
Hearing this voice, Qin Fengming was no longer shocked. Brilliant light merely flashed in his eyes as he swiftly released his spiritual sense, sweeping it toward the towering mountain before him.
His spiritual sense was now even stronger than that of a Great Cultivator at peak Nascent Soul.
To his disappointment, although the sacred chanting continued to ring through his mind, the voice remained impossible to trace, despite no