In front of the thatched hut, under the watchful eyes of Ling Wushuang and Lei Yuxiao, Lin Heng took a few breaths before steadily stepping onto the second step.
This scene left Lei Yuxiao completely dumbfounded.
"You're completely alright?"
How is that possible?
The amazement in his heart made Lei Yuxiao exclaim out loud.
After all, more than a dozen people at the Primordial Chaos Heaven Stage had been blocked on these steps, and even a Fire Clan Heavenly Firmament almost failed to enter.
Logically speaking, Lin Heng, who is only at the Primordial Chaos Yellow Stage, should at least be able to pass the first level, like Lin Xuechen, right?
But the truth is, Lin Heng was perfectly fine. He easily stepped onto the second floor, and even his breathing was steady.
" Lei Yuxiao, what do you mean by that?"
Ling Wushuang's expression immediately turned cold. "Can't Lin Heng pass through safely?"
While he was indeed somewhat surprised by Lin Heng's smooth passage, Lin Heng was, after all, one of the Ascenders. They could think whatever they wanted, so why should the Eight Great Imperial Clans question him?
Lei Yuxiao also realized that what he had just said was wrong. Wanting Lin Heng to hang himself was one thing, but saying it out loud was another.
"I didn't say who it was."
"I was just checking on Lin Xuechen and the others when I blurted out that sentence."
Defiantly denying it, Lei Yuxiao changed the subject.
Ling Wushuang didn't delve any further, but gave Lei Yuxiao a warning look, reminding him that if he had any more bad intentions, she wasn't afraid to fight him right here.
This little incident did not affect Lin Heng. After stepping onto the second step, he re-entered the starry space.
"Stars move, swords rise, the heavens are emptied!"
"One sword shatters the stars, ten thousand swords cleave the void!"
That deep voice rang out again.
But this time, as soon as the voice fell, a miniature version of Sword Qi appeared out of thin air in front of them.
The Sword Qi energy was only half the size of the one on the first step, but the threat it posed to Lin Heng was more than double that of the previous Sword Qi.
"How wonderful!"
"I didn't expect that just three steps would gradually test my understanding of the Dao Realm."
"It may seem that the master of the Heavenly Estate is preventing outsiders from entering, but if a cultivator with a low Dao Realm comes here and has sufficient comprehension, they can still gain a lot."
Lin Heng silently assessed the situation in his heart, and realized that he had also grasped the good intentions of the Master of Heavenly Estate.
As Lin Heng was pondering this, the Sword Qi was already closing in.
The sharp Sword Qi was not as arrogant as the first layer of Sword Qi; its restrained nature made its inherent power even more terrifying.
At this moment, the Sword Qi before Lin Heng was like a sharp sword that had not yet been drawn from its sheath, yet it made you feel that your life was in danger at any moment.
This is a process of moving from extroversion to introversion, which can also be called a return to simplicity and authenticity.
However, such a Dao Realm was still child's play for Lin Heng.
"How dare we contend with the will of Heavenly Dao?"
Lin Heng let out a disdainful snort, pointed his finger forward, and easily broke through the Sword Qi attack once again.
Without any flashy visuals, a simple finger gesture shattered the Sword Qi, and the void returned to calm.
The moment the Sword Qi shattered, Lin Heng, standing outside the thatched hut, took another step and entered the third level of the stairs.
"So fast?"
Ling Wushuang was outside constantly monitoring Lin Heng's movements, was startled.
From the moment Lin Heng stepped onto the second step until he just stepped onto the third step, the time in between was no more than twenty breaths.
It should be noted that before Lin Heng, even the fastest record for the Heavenly Firmament Realm expert was forty-three breaths.
Lin Heng, however, reduced this time by more than half, which was terrifying.
This time, Lei Yuxiao didn't speak again, but his expression was somewhat gloomy.
He finally understood why the Thunder Punishment Saint Emperor was willing to give him so many resources in exchange for making him risk his life to stop the powerful figures on the Ascenders side, so that others would have a chance to kill Lin Heng.
Previously, Lei Yuxiao had only heard rumors about Lin Heng within the clan, and at that time he hadn't paid much attention to them.
Even during the incident in the Thunder God Domain, although Lei Yuxiao was present, he only thought that Lin Heng was just a lucky kid who had Ao Zhantian and others backing him up.
But now, Lei Yuxiao's thoughts are gradually changing.
The secrets hidden within Lin Heng are truly terrifying; just the fact that he passed the trial of the three steps in front of the thatched hut is enough to intimidate anyone.
" Lin Heng, with your talent, just stay in the Nine Heavens, and you'll reach the top sooner or later."
"But you just had to be so reckless as to venture into these ancient ruins."
"Ha! Since you've chosen your own death, don't blame the Eight Great Imperial Clans."
A murderous glint flashed in Lei Yuxiao's eyes as he began plotting to find an opportunity to kill Lin Heng within the ancient ruins.
The murderous intent that flashed in Lei Yuxiao's eyes did not escape Ling Wushuang's discerning eyes.
Although Ling Wushuang kept her eyes on Lin Heng, she still spared some attention for Lei Yuxiao.
Seeing the murderous intent flash in his eyes, Ling Wushuang felt quite helpless.
Lin Heng's displayed talent is indeed enviable.
If Lin Heng were from one of the Eight Great Imperial Clans, I would probably kill him without hesitation to prevent future troubles.
Thinking of this, Ling Wushuang couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Lin Heng, oh Lin Heng!
Can't you be a little more low-key?
Your high-profile display of talent puts me in a difficult position.
Even if you can get through in just twenty seconds, can't you wait another twenty or thirty seconds before stepping onto the third step?
Unfortunately, Lin Heng, who was currently undergoing the third level of Sword Qi trial, naturally could not sense Ling Wushuang's thoughts.
The same starry void.
But this time, there was no sound, no Sword Qi; the surrounding silence brought a unique kind of inner turmoil.
After entering the starry space, Lin Heng cautiously looked around, but after a full ten breaths, there was still no movement.
Just as Lin Heng was wondering where the Sword Qi in this level would come from.
Sudden!
Lin Heng's chest began to tremble violently.
An invisible Sword Qi seemed to arise from his heart. If one were far away from Lin Heng, it would be clear that his entire body was enveloped in a Sword Qi.
"That's interesting!"
"Is this the advanced application of Sword Dao, the Sword Heart?"
"With a mind at will, all thoughts become swords!"
Even though he was enveloped in Sword Qi, the smile on Lin Heng's face did not fade.
Compared to what I encountered in the Battle Heaven Pavilion, the Dao Realm contained in these three Sword Qi is indeed insignificant.
This time, Lin Heng didn't raise his hand again; he simply stood quietly in place.
But just as the Sword Qi began to erode Lin Heng, preparing to break through his heart and burst forth...
An invisible pressure began to emanate from Lin Heng.
Lin Heng slowly closed his eyes, and the Sword Qi enveloping him began to shake violently.
Upon closer inspection, the sword shape formed by the condensed Sword Qi gradually began to bend, as if it were submitting.
Soon, the Sword Qi slowly dissipated, as if it had never existed.