Chapter 270 - 164: Heaven-Ascending Road, All Parties Sense It

Chapter 270: Chapter 164: Heaven-Ascending Road, All Parties Sense It

Watching the ceremony conclude and knowing the deal was finally sealed, a grin stretched from ear to ear across Master Beardless’s aged face.

From this moment on, Jiang Hao was officially a part of his Beardless Sect. This formed a karmic bond that countless years could never sever.

The announcement of the Ascension Ladder stage echoed throughout the entire Endless Mountain Range. Suddenly, every Cultivator held their breath, fixing their unwavering gazes upon the youth standing before the Holy Ladder. Even the Saint Realm figures sitting cross-legged at the Spirit Peak Summit slowly opened their eyes, shifting their attention to him.

"Finally, we’ve reached this stage."

"The Ascension Ladder... If my old memory serves, the last investiture ceremony was three years ago, wasn’t it?"

"For three years, no one has climbed the Holy Ladder of Thousand Sects Island. I wonder which step this boy will reach."

"If I remember correctly, the one who walked the furthest on the Holy Ladder in our Thousand Sects Island over the past hundred thousand years was the Wenda Old Monster from the Wenda Court, some seventy thousand years ago."

"Wenda Old Monster passed away in meditation ten thousand years ago, but he set an absolute record on the holy steps—reaching the ninety-seventh step. No one in later generations has ever come close. That record has remained unbroken for countless years."

Many older generation Cultivators of Thousand Sects Island murmured to themselves, though their eyes remained relatively calm.

Over the past hundred thousand years, the countless Holy Sects of Thousand Sects Island had crowned an untold number of chief disciples. However, none had ever produced a truly sensational record during the Ascension Ladder stage. The Holy Ladder was also known on Thousand Sects Island as the ladder of the future. The higher one climbed, the more terrifying their potential and innate talent were proven to be.

This was not a trial that could be conquered through cultivation base alone. While ascending, it comprehensively tested the climber’s potential, including their martial soul level and overall aptitude.

Under the expectant gaze of endless Cultivators, Jiang Hao slowly walked toward the Holy Ladder.

The moment he drew near, a terrifying wave of energy surged toward him—a force so profound it even left Jiang Hao momentarily stunned. This indirectly proved just how terrifying the supreme being who originally left this Holy Ladder behind must have been. Their power had likely surpassed everyone’s wildest imaginations.

"Junior Brother Qin, the Holy Ladder has exactly ninety-nine steps, symbolizing the Ninety-Ninth Heaven. Every step forces you to bear a heavy burden, and with each step up, the restrictions double. Remember, you must not forcefully climb the Celestial Road," Master Beardless warned via a telepathic transmission just as Jiang Hao approached the steps. "You only need to reach the sixty-sixth step to gain the acknowledgment of the ten sects. Under no circumstances should you surpass the ninety-first step."

If Jiang Hao surpassed the ninety-first step, even though only a little over a hundred Holy Sects were present to witness the ceremony, it would undoubtedly trigger an unimaginable sensation.

However, Jiang Hao turned a deaf ear to the warning. In his eyes, there was only the ninety-nine holy steps piercing straight into Yunxiao.

It was obvious that the primary reason the so-called supreme being had established this Holy Ladder was, in all likelihood, to find an existence capable of inheriting some heaven-defying legacy. Jiang Hao did not know what would actually happen if someone reached the top, but one thing was certain—the existence of this Holy Ladder definitely held a special significance.

After a brief moment of contemplation, the youth took action. Under the expectant gaze of the masses, he slowly stepped forward and set foot upon the first holy step.

In an instant.

RUMBLE!!!

The moment Jiang Hao stepped onto the stairs, his entire Sacred Body erupted with boundless, dazzling light. It was as if the entire mountain range and island trembled in unison. Immediately after, a terrifying, mysterious power descended from above, instantly enveloping him. His body felt heavy, as if the weight of a hundred thousand mountains was pressing down upon him.

This oppressive force only further confirmed Jiang Hao’s suspicions.

At the very moment the Holy Ladder awakened, something shifted across the boundless expanses of Thousand Sects Island. Countless Holy Sects sensed the disturbance. One by one, ancient figures slowly lifted their eyes, instinctively gazing toward that region of heaven and earth.

Even far away, across endless islands and territories within the Cyan Mist Saint Hall, the current Sect Leader of the Cyan Mist Sect, Evergreen Saint Venerable, couldn’t help but cast a sideways glance, a trace of dismissive contempt flashing through his aged eyes.