Heaven-Ascending Stone Steps: Sword Dao Plus Edition?

After breakfast.

The carriages and horses set off in the morning light.

Distance.

The Sword Tower, shaped like a colossal sword, reflects a dazzling light under the sun, making the misty clouds shimmer with brilliance.

Standing alone, it seems to be the only one in the world.

Ying Bing stared blankly at the scenery outside the carriage curtain.

"This Sword Tower is a seamless whole, truly a masterpiece of nature."

Suddenly, Li Mo's voice reached my ears.

When she turned her head, the reflection in her eyes became him again, causing her gaze to ripple slightly.

"This Sword Tower is not a natural creation."

"Oh?"

"This Sword Tower has existed in Yun Province for a long time. Legend has it that there was once a second-rank Calamity Beast, Qiongqi, that wreaked havoc on the world. When it was rampaging through Yun Province, a giant sword formed from mountain rocks suddenly appeared from beyond the sky and slayed it."

"That sword is now the Sword Tower."

Ying Bing spoke softly.

"This was done by human hands?"

Li Mo gazed at the Sword Tower, as if he could feel the earth-shattering, awe-inspiring power of that sword strike.

"That's amazing!"

Jiang Chulong blinked, her small mouth slightly open.

"You will definitely be able to do it in the future. Maybe after seeing the Cloud-Crossing Sword Mark, you will be able to comprehend that sword technique."

Li Mo nodded with considerable certainty.

He had no doubt whatsoever about the Phoenix Heavenly Empress and her Innate Sword Physique as determined by the Heavenly Mandate Divine Eye!

Can I...?

Jiang Chulong pursed her lips, but when she saw Big Brother Li's gaze, she clenched her fists to encourage herself.

"Cloud-Crossing Sword Dao..."

Ying Bing's eyes flickered.

In her previous life, she had seen Jiang Chulong use this technique, dominating the Seventh Realm.

According to her plan, she should be Sword Heart Clarity at this time.

But now...

The carriage suddenly fell silent.

"Forehead..."

In Li Mo's eyes, he could discern two different expressions on Ice Block's face.

This is likely due to the division of sunlight.

Half of her face was bathed in sunlight, radiant and divine, while the other half was in shadow, complex and serene.

The reason is unknown.

But her current State of Mind is definitely problematic.

To the point that he lost even the confidence to comprehend the Cloud-Crossing Sword Mark?

What should we do...?

Little Li, a genius, put his mind to work.

This morning was the last day of Sword Trial.

Many people had already lost two opportunities to go on stage, yet the number of heroes from Yun Province present was still greater than usual, making it a lively and extraordinary event.

For example, the arena of a certain Sword Immortal Li still has that sign on it.

Meanwhile, below the stage... even before the performers arrived, a long queue had already formed, resembling a concert ticket-buying frenzy.

"Sword Immortal Li is here!"

Someone with sharp eyes shouted out.

Then countless eyes turned back.

"..."

With countless eyes watching him, Li Mo's initial excitement had worn off, and now he only felt immense pressure.

"Young Hero Li, when will you become the number one swordsman in Yun Province?"

"Even the Saintess of the Drizzle Pavilion died under Sword Immortal Li!"

Everyone showered him with compliments.

What they didn't know was...

For a moment, Li Mo even considered throwing the match.

Who spread these rumors?

Isn't this pure flattery that could be detrimental?

He bowed to the crowd:

"The Saintess of the Drizzle Pavilion is not dead, nor did she fight me."

"Achieving a little success was purely by luck."

"Compared to each other, Ying Bing and Jiang Chulong are more likely to shine in the art of swordsmanship."

Little Li is very sincere.

However, those in the audience felt that he was being deliberately modest and was just showering them with compliments.

Li Mo sighed softly.

He activated his Heavenly Mandate Divine Eye, and while sparring, he also sized up everyone present.

Suddenly, his gaze paused slightly.

It was an unremarkable-looking woman on the fighting stage not far away.

She just narrowly won and became the new champion.

[Name: Yin Mianmian]

[Age: 23]

[Root Bone: Heavenly Net Demonic Charm Physique.]

[Realm: Eight Apertures of Divine Observation.]

[Destiny: Purple]

[Evaluation: The Saintess of the Drizzle Pavilion, sixth on the Hidden Dragon Ranking, has killed several of the Hidden Dragon Ranking's prodigies. Unaware that she is being used as a cultivation vessel by the Drizzle Pavilion Master, her hobby is watching men fight to the death.]

[Recent encounter: He ordered numerous assassins from the Drizzle Pavilion to mingle in the crowd and promote the name of Li Mo, the Sword Immortal.]

Li Mo: "..."

Thank you.

The entire Yun Province City, and even Cloud-Crossing Sword City, were under martial law.

She actually dared to come?

After a moment of silence, Li Mo's lips moved, but no sound came out.

Meanwhile, Bai Jinghong on the other arena suddenly paused slightly.

A morning has passed.

Noon.

The Sword Trial was finally coming to an end.

On the high platform, the elders looked at the ten figures on the arena, their eyes filled with intense emotions.

Because the strongest martial arts genius they had ever seen in their lifetime might be among them.

"In this Sword Trial, ten outstanding young talents have emerged."

Elder Zeng tucked a picture album into his robes, landed in the center of the room, and scanned everyone present with his gaze.

Then, he went through the motions of announcing the names of the ten people.

Li Mo, Ying Bing, Jiang Chulong need no further explanation.

The Three Heroes of Cloud-Crossing, namely Bai Jinghong and his two companions, were also among these ten people. They all retained their positions on the stage for the second time.

Besides Huang Donglai and Zhong Zhenyue, there were two other unfamiliar faces.

Suddenly.

Elder Zeng made a sword gesture, his face calm, his robes fluttering in the wind.

A storm is brewing.

Layers of clouds gathered, connecting the top of the Sword Tower with the mountain gate, forming floating Cloud Steps.

Each Cloud Steps carries the various sword intents of the Sword Tower.

Each of those sword intents seemed to reach straight to the depths of one's heart.

"This is..."

Li Mo leans back tactically.

Why does it look so familiar?

His worst fears came true...

Then Elder Zeng said:

"Climb the steps, and you will reach the top of the Sword Tower."

"The first method is to ascend the steps using the cloud-like energy of the Sword Tower that I have summoned. This is also a way for our sect to test the State of Mind of its disciples."

"The more recognition one gains from the sword intent within the Sword Tower, the better one's talent. Generally, True Disciple can reach the top."

This is a test to see if the inner disciple of Cloud-Crossing Sword City are qualified to become True Disciple.

To be among the top ten in the Martial Dao Summit is generally a guarantee of advancement.

Li Mo: "..."

Isn't this just a Pulse version of the Heaven-Ascending Stone Steps Sword Path?

"What dangers would there be if it fell?"

Huang Donglai asked.

"No, the elders are here."

"What if the elders get distracted?"

"How could the elders be distracted!"

"I just saw you secretly..."

"Um?"

Elder Zeng raised an eyebrow, Huang Donglai shut down.

We've come this far.

Naturally, no one will back down.

Bai Jinghong and his two companions had all climbed the Sword Tower two years ago and were experienced, so they took the lead.

"Li... Li... Big Brother Li..."

Jiang Chulong's face was pale, and she gripped Li Mo's sleeve tightly.

"What's the matter?"

Li Mo was puzzled; how could Princess Little Jiang not withstand the test?

But at this moment, her small body trembled slightly with fear.

"I... I'm afraid... afraid of heights."

"... Then lean on me, and you won't be afraid if you can't see us, but following me might be a little slow."

Li Mo chuckled to himself.

Princess Little Jiang buried her face in his back as the two ascended the Cloud Steps.

A test of sword intent?

It would be difficult for him to walk quickly.

As soon as he stepped onto the Cloud Steps, he felt immense pressure, while Jiang Chulong's body relaxed slightly.

"By the way, where's the Ice Block?"

"She must have gone very far by now..."

Li Mo looked up, but did not see the figure.

He turned around.

Ying Bing was still standing there all alone.