The astonished exclamations from the crowd below rang out without cease. Jiang Hao and the others had already gone far ahead, naturally unable to hear the discussions of those ordinary Martial Venerables.
Jiang Hao continued upward along the Sky-Reaching Stairway. The pressure on his blood and vitality and the assaults on his mind came wave after wave, yet his steps never faltered.
Just as he was about to step onto the stair ahead, two figures rapidly approached from behind and soon arrived at his left and right.
Wang Teng walked to Jiang Hao's left, while Li Chengyu came to his right. Their speeds were evenly matched, and in the blink of an eye, they were advancing shoulder to shoulder with Jiang Hao.
Jiang Hao turned to glance at them. Wang Teng's expression was calm, while Li Chengyu wore a smile. Neither took the initiative to speak.
The three of them climbed side by side, and soon a strange sight emerged.
Whenever Jiang Hao took a step, Wang Teng and Li Chengyu stepped forward at the same time. Whenever Jiang Hao slightly increased his pace, the two immediately quickened their steps as well.
He crossed several steps in succession, yet the two figures on either side remained perfectly in sync with him. Neither was willing to fall even half a step behind.
Jiang Hao increased his speed once more. Wang Teng's foot came down in response, and Li Chengyu stepped onto a new stair at that very same moment.
The three maintained the same distance between one another throughout. Rather than climbing the stairs, they seemed to be secretly competing.
Wang Teng looked straight ahead, his face showing little change. Yet every step he took matched Jiang Hao's pace, making his intentions exceedingly clear.
The corners of Li Chengyu's lips curled