The pressure from these jade steps is not merely resistance, but a form of tempering. The pressure permeates every part of the body, suppressing cultivation while simultaneously forging the physical body and refining Magic Power.
Her Ultimate Ice essence operated autonomously under pressure, emitting an icy blue halo, and wherever it passed, a thin layer of frost condensed on the surface of the steps.
"Ice attribute origin? It seems quite pure."
Above, a disciple of the Yaoguang Holy Land glanced back, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, but he quickly turned back to focus on his climb.
The higher you go, the greater the pressure.
After reaching level 300, the pressure becomes equivalent to carrying a thousand pounds, and the suppression of the soul becomes obvious, with illusions constantly appearing in the mind and disturbing the spirit.
At the fifth level, the pressure increased further, and Daoist energy began to surge from the steps, with illusory figures of plants and trees bursting out from the steps to attack the climbers.
Snow Empress shattered the phantom of a man-eating flower with a single palm strike, her steps unwavering.
At level 700, the pressure is ten times that of the outside world. The impact of the Daoist energy is becoming increasingly intense, and it has begun to test the Daoist heart, directly pointing to the deepest obsessions and fears within.
Before the Snow Empress's eyes appeared the icy plains of the Far North, the place where she was born and grew up, and the kingdom she once ruled. Then the image shattered, transforming into the silhouette of Lin Hao standing with his hands behind his back on a cloud.
A moral dilemma: to follow or to transcend?
There was no confusion in Snow Empress's eyes; her ice-blue eyes were as clear as a mirror.
"My path is to pursue Eternal transcendence, not to compare myself with others."
The illusion shattered.
She reached level 800.
By this time, there were far fewer people on the steps. Fewer than a hundred people were able to climb more than eight hundred steps, and most of them were core disciples of major powers.
The Yaochi Holy Maiden, the Ji Family Divine Body, the Jiang Family Fire Spirit Body, the Yaoguang Holy Son, the Great Xia Prince, the Solar Divine Dynasty Divine Son... one after another, these young prodigies displayed their supernatural abilities as they struggled to advance up the steps.
The appearance of the Snow Empress attracted the attention of these top geniuses.
Who is this woman?
The Yaochi Holy Maiden was surrounded by celestial energy, like Mysterious Lady of the Nine Heavens. She glanced back at the Snow Empress, a hint of doubt flashing in her beautiful eyes. With Yaochi's intelligence network, they knew nothing about this woman.
Ji Family Divine Body radiated purple energy, and every step he took caused the void to tremble. He glanced at Snow Empress, his gaze lingering on her silver hair for a moment, as if deep in thought.
The Jiang Family Fire Spirit Body was even more direct, flames rising around him as his scorching gaze swept over the Snow Empress: "Ice attribute physique? Interesting. I wonder how it compares to my True Solar Fire."
Snow Empress ignored their gazes and continued upwards.
Level 900.
The pressure had reached thirty times that of the outside world. The impact of the Daoist energy materialized, and plants and trees transformed into divine weapons that attacked, each strike comparable to the full-force attack of a cultivator from the Four Extremes Secret Realm.
The Snow Empress finally unleashed her true power.
With a gentle wave of her hand, icy blue light condensed in her palm, transforming into a crystal-clear ice sword. As the sword's blade swept across, plants and divine weapons froze and shattered.
"The Law of Ice manifested? Her understanding of the Dao is quite profound."
One hundred and eight divine halos swirled around the Yaoguang Holy Son, isolating him from all attacks. He looked at the Snow Empress with a newfound respect.
Snow Empress continued its relentless advance, sweeping all before it.
Level 950, Level 960, Level 970...
Although her speed slowed down, it remained steady, and she gradually caught up with the leading group.
At this time, the first echelon consisted of only a dozen or so people, all of whom were the strongest successors of their respective forces. The difference between them was not significant, and they hovered between levels 980 and 990.
There are three people at the very front:
The Yaochi Holy Maiden, level 985.
Ji Family Divine Body, Level 986.
Great Xia Prince, level 987.
Snow Empress has reached level 980 and officially entered the first tier.
"How should I address you, fellow Daoist?"
The Yaochi Holy Maiden spoke, her voice ethereal and melodious.
"Snow."
Snow Empress uttered only one word, his gaze already fixed on the steps ahead.
"Fellow Daoist Xue is not from the Eastern Wasteland?" the Yaochi Holy Maiden continued to ask.
"From the North."
Snow Empress didn't want to say more, so he stepped onto the next level.
The Yaochi Holy Maiden was not annoyed; she smiled slightly and continued forward.
Level 988, Level 989, Level 990!
At this level, the pressure is like the sky collapsing, and every step is extremely difficult. The impact of the Daoist energy transforms into a world of vegetation that presses down, threatening to crush the climber.
The Snow Empress shone with a brilliant icy blue light, and the phantom of an ice and snow kingdom appeared behind him. In the center of the kingdom, an Ice and Snow Queen sat on her throne, and everything within her gaze froze.
An unusual phenomenon: Divine Kingdom of Ice and Snow!
This is a phenomenon she evolved from the Ultimate Ice; although it is not yet fully formed, it already possesses initial power.
The moment the icy kingdom appeared, most of the suppressive power of the plant world was neutralized. Taking advantage of this, the Snow Empress stepped up three levels in a row, directly reaching level 993!
"What?!"
The people behind were all shocked.
Ji Family Divine Body's pupils contracted. "Such a powerful nascent phenomenon!"
A surge of sword intent rose in the eyes of the Great Xia Prince: "The Great Dao of Ice can actually evolve to this extent?"
The Yaochi Holy Maiden's beautiful eyes flickered. "When did such a figure emerge from the North?"
Snow Empress ignored their shock; she focused all her Divine Capital on fighting the pressure.
Nine hundred and ninety-four, nine hundred and ninety-five, nine hundred and ninety-six...
With each step she took, the illusory image of the icy kingdom behind her solidified a little more, and her aura also rose, as if the pressure of the steps was not an obstacle, but a whetstone, helping her to temper her foundation.
Nine hundred and ninety-seven!
Nine hundred and ninety-eight!
There's only one level left.
But this level is like an insurmountable chasm.
A phantom of a Green Lotus appeared on the steps. Although it was only three feet tall, it exuded an imperial might that suppressed all the heavens. It was a mark left by the Azure Emperor.
Overcome the obstacles, reach the summit.
Failure means all previous efforts have been wasted.
Everyone behind held their breath, staring intently at Snow Empress's back.
Snow Empress took a deep breath, a resolute glint flashing in her icy blue eyes.
She formed a hand seal, and the icy kingdom behind her solidified completely. The Ice Queen in the center of the kingdom opened her eyes, and her gaze transformed into two beams of icy blue divine light, shooting towards the illusory Green Lotus figure.
At the same time, she lifted her foot and took the final step.
The moment the foot landed, the illusory image of the Green Lotus swayed, scattering countless strands of blue light that collided with the divine light of ice and snow.
There was no earth-shattering explosion, only silent annihilation.
The azure light and the icy blue divine light clashed and eventually dissipated simultaneously.
Snow Empress has reached level 999.
Successfully reached the summit!
At the end of the steps lies a jade plaza, and at the end of the plaza is the main gate of the Azure Emperor Palace.
At this moment, the square was completely empty.
Snow Empress was the first to reach the summit.
The moment she stepped onto the plaza, the pressure around her vanished instantly, replaced by a surge of pure life energy flowing in from beneath her feet, rapidly repairing the energy and hidden injuries she had consumed during her climb.
"A nice reward."
Snow Empress sat down cross-legged and began to regulate her breathing.
On the steps below, everyone was invigorated when they saw her reach the top.
"Someone has reached the summit!"
"Hurry, we can't fall too far behind!"