Published: February 11, 2025
CHAPTER TEXT:
The small path in front of him resembled a heavenly ladder, winding upwards with no end in sight.
The Crystal Pillars on both sides and the crystalline steps, which could only accommodate two people side by side, had some obscure patterns that looked distant and mysterious.
Although the crystal's pearlescent white made the place seem a bit cold, the actual temperature was not low, remaining within a comfortable range for the human body. There was even a slight breeze blowing down from above the path; if the sun were shining here, it might truly make one feel refreshed.
Ye Zhongming did not rush onto the steps. He stood before the first step, absorbing everything around him.
He was surprised to discover, whether it was the gentle breeze or the surrounding environment, that both his physical and mental stamina were steadily recovering!
In terms of physical stamina, the change wasn't very obvious since Ye Zhongming had rested well before entering here. But what about his mental stamina? Before coming here, he had crafted some equipment to use with the Soren Magic Box, which consumed a considerable amount of it. Now, however, it was being replenished at a pace that wasn't too slow for Ye Zhongming.
Wasn’t all this prepared to allow evolvers to maintain a more peaceful mindset and better state?
Was this arranged by the heavenly stele? What was the purpose behind it? Was it for the upcoming trial… or perhaps a battle?
Ye Zhongming shook his head. Thinking too much wouldn’t reveal the answers. To understand everything, he just had to step onto the stair.
He took a step with his right leg, planting his foot on the first step.
With a loud boom, he vanished from the path.
……………………………………………………………………
Meanwhile, in various locations of the heavenly stele, many people were doing the same as Ye Zhongming. Many discovered that everyone could only choose one path.
Fortunately, there were enough paths here, allowing everyone to disperse and enter different ones.
No one was clear on what the heavenly stele was, but no one was willing to give up the chance to try.
Whether it was Ye Zhongming, Tong Steward, or any ordinary warrior, it was the same.
Under the heavenly stele, it soon became quiet. Only on the largest and most even Crystal Pillar at the highest point did many names of various factions appear, resembling those on the plaques from before.
Behind these names were marked numbers, most of which were within ten. The larger the number, the higher the rank. Currently, in first place was White Steward from the five rings society, with the number 18 after his name.
Ye Zhongming, however, was ranked outside the top hundred, with a number of 10, tied with many others.
This new information appeared silently but was still extremely eye-catching; anyone who looked up would certainly see it.
No one had noticed yet, simply because there hadn’t been anyone around, as everyone was either easily or laboriously walking along the paths.
But soon, this tranquility was shattered. Someone suddenly appeared at the entrance of a path, letting out an instinctive gasp.
This person touched his chest, looking around in a daze before finally relaxing and wiping the sweat from his brow.
After a moment’s thought, he gritted his teeth, wanting to attempt to ascend again, but a gentle yet unyielding force pushed him back.
After several attempts, he faced the same outcome, so he turned to a brand new path that no one had ascended, but the result was the same as before.
After struggling for quite some time, he finally realized he had likely lost the opportunity to continue on the heavenly stele path. He then noticed the distant Crystal Pillar displaying information.
He saw his name, ranked last, with a number beside it—9.
Others might not understand, but he knew that number represented the nine steps he had taken before failing on the tenth.
Last place, huh? The evolver chuckled bitterly, but soon the regret on his face lessened as he sat on the ground, realizing that other evolvers were emerging.