The Seventh Layer, the Purple Zenith Realm!

The fifth layer: the Azure Nether Realm.

Its law barrier was azure, corresponding to the initial opening of hidden immortal apertures.

The moment Li Qingshan stepped into the Azure Nether Realm, his surroundings changed abruptly.

The mountain path was no longer a winding flight of steps, but a straight staircase of azure stone climbing upward.

Every step was covered in dense ancient formation patterns.

The dark-azure patterns flickered across the smooth stone, like ancient runes carved into it.

Li Qingshan tried stepping onto the first stair.

The instant his foot landed, its formation patterns lit up with a hum.

An azure ripple spread from the sole of his foot, turning the entire step a brilliant azure.

"The formation patterns respond to immortal power."

Li Qingshan studied them for a moment and found that they were actively probing the aura of the immortal apertures within him.

He tried feeding the patterns immortal power from his ordinary immortal apertures.

They did not budge.

He drew out a thread of law origin from his hidden immortal apertures and channeled it into the patterns.

They erupted in dazzling azure light.

"Just as I thought. The fifth layer's formation patterns only recognize law origin from hidden immortal apertures. Immortal power from ordinary apertures does nothing. Cultivators who reach this point without opening hidden immortal apertures can't activate the patterns at all. They can only endure them through physical strength and mastery of laws."

He muttered to himself, then stepped onto the second stair.

Law origin surged through all thirty-six of his hidden immortal apertures, instantly lighting the patterns beneath his foot.

Then came the third step, the fourth, the fifth.

He moved faster and faster, and the patterns beneath him lit up ever more rapidly.

With every step, brilliant azure light bloomed beneath his feet.