It Doesn't Matter, I'll Make a Move

Ximen Zhenghao felt the gazes of countless people looking up at him. He felt incredibly satisfied, and a smile involuntarily appeared on his usually poker face.

Taking a deep breath, he began his ascent under the watchful eyes of the crowd.

His steps were as swift as the wind. In just one minute, Ximen Zhenghao had reached the 100th step.

The previous fastest record was held by Zhuo Dongxuan and Dai Tianwei, at one minute and five seconds.

Don't underestimate the difference of 5 seconds; it was practically a chasm. It required the climber to possess extremely formidable strength, cultivation aptitude, and talent.

Xiao Xueyu, who had climbed the mountain before, frowned slightly and murmured, "He's really strong, actually five seconds faster."

"Actually, it should be more than 5 seconds. He might have been too excited or something, causing a mistake, which cost him 1 second."

Hearing Xiao Yao's words, Xiao Xueyu, like everyone else, thought Xiao Yao was deliberately picking a fight or trying to diminish Ximen Zhenghao's glory.

Some even chimed in indignantly, "Young man, I know you're very capable, but isn't your jealousy a bit too much?"

"I'd be jealous of him?" Xiao Yao's mouth twitched, his face filled with frustration.

Xiao Xueyu immediately realized. As the Young Clan Leader and a Direct Disciple of the Lotus Sword Emperor, he was far more noble than Ximen Zhenghao or the Ximen Family.

If anyone were to envy, it would be Ximen Zhenghao and the Ximen Family envying the Young Clan Leader!

Therefore, if the Young Clan Leader said it was a mistake, then it must have been a mistake!

In fact, Ximen Zhenghao had indeed made a mistake!

When he reached the 47th step, he was too excited and lagged for a moment, costing him 1 second.

However, due to his incredibly fast climbing speed, most cultivators hadn't noticed it!

Nine minutes later.

Ximen Zhenghao reached the 500th step.

"Ten minutes, 500 steps. Who else can surpass Ximen Zhenghao?"

"Too strong! As expected of the eldest young master of the Southern Wilderness Domain's number one family!"

This time, Xiao Yao didn't speak up, because he would soon slap these people in the face with facts and show them who the most powerful cultivator in the Sea Opening Realm of the Southern Wilderness Domain truly was.

Thirteen minutes later.

Ximen Zhenghao appeared behind Zhuo Dongxuan and Dai Tianwei, currently standing at the 698th step.

Zhuo Dongxuan and Dai Tianwei were both at the 700th step, panting heavily, indicating they still had some strength left.

"Ximen Zhenghao is coming!" Dai Tianwei warned Zhuo Dongxuan beside her.

Zhuo Dongxuan nodded. She wasn't sure if Ximen Zhenghao would avenge Ximen Zhengxiong, but it was always wise to be cautious.

Instantly, both women unleashed their protective spiritual energy, their combined power enhancing their defense.

Ximen Zhenghao, from behind, naturally noticed the two women's actions. The corners of his mouth curled up slightly as he said, "Do you think this will stop me from knocking you away?"

"Try it if you have the guts!" Zhuo Dongxuan retorted sharply.

This instantly ignited the darkness within Ximen Zhenghao. He gathered all the Mana in his body and unleashed a powerful spiritual energy that hadn't appeared during his climb before.

Even from two steps away, it caused Zhuo Dongxuan and Dai Tianwei to lean sideways, looking unstable.

"Hahaha! Flatter me now, and I might spare your lives," Ximen Zhenghao said gleefully.

However, Zhuo Dongxuan and Dai Tianwei showed no intention of flattering him. Instead, they both angrily retorted, "Hmph! Flatter you! Dream on!"

"You and your brother have such petty minds. You're jealous of him just because we stood next to Xiao Yao, and you even had your brother attack his clansmen. Calling you and your brother beasts would be an insult to beasts."

Xiao Yao's expression darkened. He had been wondering which clansman had offended the Ximen Family, never expecting it to be himself.

Of course, that wasn't important. What mattered was the ridiculous reason: simply because the Divine Maiden of the Shocking Heaven Tower and the Saintess of the Mysterious Moon Society were standing near him.

He had initially thought that a prominent family like the Ximen Family wouldn't produce such cultivators.

But he was wrong. Being born noble didn't guarantee good character; in fact, some were worse than those of humble origins.

"Young Clan Leader, if they provoke Ximen Zhenghao like this, they'll definitely be knocked away!" Xiao Xueyu said with concern.

Xiao Yao, however, remained calm. "It doesn't matter. I'll handle it!"

At this moment, Ximen Zhenghao's face was filled with rage, his eyes flashing fiercely as he strode upwards.

Crackle!

The powerful spiritual energy directly blew Zhuo Dongxuan and Dai Tianwei away. After Ximen Zhenghao passed the 700th step, the two women were sent flying off the stairs.

Under the terrifying pressure, they plummeted downwards at an incredible speed.

"That speed is even faster than Ximen Zhengxiong's! Who could possibly save them?"

Xiao Yao placed the Nine-tailed Celestial Fox on the ground and said, "Wait here obediently for me."

"Ying ying ying!" The Nine-tailed Celestial Fox extended its chubby front paw in acknowledgment.

In the next instant, a faint silver-white light enveloped Xiao Yao again. The Selflessness state was activated, increasing his entire strength by 20 times.

Whoosh!

In the eyes of the other cultivators, he transformed into a streak of light.

This time is different from Xiao Xueyu's previous fall. The 700th step is too far from the foot of the mountain!

Furthermore, based on his observations, the higher one goes on Neon Light Peak, the stronger the oppressive force becomes.

If they fell, their descent speed would naturally be faster, and it would require even greater strength to catch them.

Fortunately, for the 700th step, he still had the strength to catch them.

Dai Tianwei and Zhuo Dongxuan tried their best to steady themselves, but it was no use. The rapid descent made it difficult for them to even breathe.

Bang! Bang!

With two thuds, Xiao Yao precisely caught each of them by the waist.

Veins bulged all over his body, indicating he was using his full strength.

"Holy crap! He caught them? That's amazing!"

"It must have put quite a strain on his hands. I wonder if it will affect his climb later."

"God of Slaughter is God of Slaughter. If it were me, I'd have turned into a bloody pulp with those two beauties long ago!"

"The Divine Maiden of Shocking Heaven Tower in his left hand, the Saintess of Mysterious Moon Society in his right. That feeling must be incredible!"

Ximen Zhenghao gritted his teeth as he watched Xiao Yao steal the spotlight. He was furious, furious that this young man could be so strong.

Although he could have caught them too, his hands would definitely have been dislocated, and he wouldn't have been able to exert any strength for an hour.

That young man couldn't be stronger than me!

So, the young man's hands must be ruined!

Just as he was thinking this, Xiao Yao returned to their previous position with the two women. After putting down Zhuo Dongxuan and Dai Tianwei, the two women quickly asked, "Your hands!"

"I'm fine!" Xiao Yao replied.

Seeing that the two women and the Xiao Family members didn't believe him, he casually swung his hands.

Ximen Zhenghao was stunned, but he quickly convinced himself that Xiao Yao was just putting on an act. In reality, Xiao Yao's hands were definitely ruined, and he was just pretending to be strong!

However, the truth was that Xiao Yao was truly unharmed.

"Brother Xiao Yao, Ximen Zhenghao is really strong. You'd better not confront him head-on," Dai Tianwei kindly warned.

Xiao Yao smiled slightly and said, "Although you two helped me teach Ximen Zhengxiong, who knocked Xiao Xueyu away, a lesson, Ximen Zhenghao still knocked you two away. So, I must get revenge for this."

"But..." Zhuo Dongxuan wanted to say more, but she saw Xiao Yao's confident and arrogant expression.

At this moment, it was as if she had returned to the first time they met at the Dao Fruit Tree.

So, is it possible that Xiao Yao could defeat Ximen Zhenghao head-on this time?

She certainly hoped so, but having witnessed Ximen Zhenghao's strength, she found it a bit unlikely.

But no matter what, what needed to be done now was to support Xiao Yao.

"Xiao Yao, go ahead! I'll be watching below for your good news."

Dai Tianwei understood that Brother Xiao Yao had made up his mind and said, "Brother Xiao Yao, please act within your capabilities and don't push yourself too hard."

Xiao Yao repeatedly said "Mm" and then prepared to head towards the entrance to the climb behind the stone tablet.

Just then, the Nine-tailed Celestial Fox jumped up and leaped into his arms, whining "Yingyingying."

"Little fox, do you want to climb with me?"

The Nine-tailed Celestial Fox wagged its nine golden-orange tails and nodded vigorously, looking incredibly cute and heartwarming.

"Okay! Then we'll climb together."

As Xiao Yao's voice fell, his body disappeared from where he stood and reappeared at the entrance to the climb.

Taking a deep breath, his gaze sharpened, and holding the Nine-tailed Celestial Fox in his arms, he walked towards the first step.

"It's starting! It's starting! The God of Slaughter is beginning his climb!"

"I bet 5 low-grade spirit stones he won't be as fast as Ximen Zhenghao."

"5 low-grade spirit stones is considered a bet? Bet at least 50,000!"

"I'm siding with the God of Slaughter this time. This young man has been invincible so far, and his predictions have been relatively accurate."

At this very moment, countless eyes were fixed on Xiao Yao. Most of them hoped that Xiao Yao could suppress Ximen Zhenghao.