Translator: Lordbluefire Editor: Lordbluefire

  Within the sacred academy. The vast majority of experts were staring in the direction of the Stonebell Rampart. If there was only a single commotion, they wouldn’t be so bothered by it. But this case was obviously extraordinary as there were so many commotions from there within such a short period of time.

  Everyone was wondering who that person was. Who exactly would cause that phenomena to appear in the air?

  Before the Stonebell Rampart, the gazes of the experts within were all focused on Qin Wentian. They stared as he advanced continuously, clear in their hearts what a shocking feat this was.

  Qin Wentian had walked a total of 74 steps in a single attempt. There has never been someone in the sacred academy who has done that before, obtaining such glory. Not even for that person who managed to refine a saint-grade immortal foundation.

  Occasionally, the spectators would glance at the figure on the immortal path beside Qin Wentian. It was none other than Gu Xiao who had managed to accomplish the 76th step. He advanced to the 76th step as a domineering reply to Qin Wentian. At that time, Qin Wentian was merely at only 50 plus steps but now, the distance between the two of them was only a mere two steps.

  Although at this level, the difference of two steps was as tough as breaching the barriers to the heavens, everyone no longer thought that it was impossible. Because, Qin Wentian had persisted till here with a single breath.

  This indicated that Qin Wentian could easily accomplish what Gu Xiao did. As for Gu Xiao, he wouldn’t be able to replicate Qin Wentian’s accomplishments. And although Qin Wentian has yet to surpass Gu Xiao in the number of steps, everyone was already very clear on the difference in their talents.

  Also, as long as Qin Wentian was able to stabilize the violent energies in his body, the two more steps probably wouldn’t be able to bother him.

  Naturally, all of them also understood that these two steps would be exceedingly tough to reach. If he was the slightest bit careless, Qin Wentian might even die here.

  Right now, Qin Wentian could truly sense how terrifying the pressure was. The bell chimes echoed from without and within, incomparably violent. The last nine steps would cause the blast of attribute energies from the rampart to soar up sharply with every step he took. He knew that if he continued, the might boring down on him would only grow more tyrannical. The closer he was to completion, the difficulty would surely skyrocket.

  Drawing in a deep breath, Qin Wentian closed his eyes once again. The reverberation within his body didn’t cease and his blood was churning frenziedly, transforming into a blood sea. This blood sea generated terrifying tidal waves, crashing against the sound notes of the bell chimes which struck with such force as though they wanted to destroy his bloodlines.

  At the same time, Qin Wentian’s body was also enduring against that torrential might. The attribute energies from the rampart infused deep into his bones and flesh, branding runes there. He faintly sensed that right now, his entire body could also emit chimes similar to the Stonebell Rampart.

  This time, Qin Wentian halted for quite some time. Everyone stared at him as they waited quietly. It was already tremendously difficult to advance to where he was. Even if Qin Wentian didn’t continue on, it was already sufficient for him to be extremely proud of his achievements.

  But as they were wondering if he would continue, Qin Wentian lifted his foot and stepped forward. On the Stonebell Rampart, boundless light flashed and filled the air as sound notes of the terrifying bell chimes rammed into his body once again, seeping fully into it. Qin Wentian’s body convulsed intensely, as though on the verge of shattering.

  But at this moment, the sacred academy felt another commotion.

  "The 75th step." Everyone was stunned speechless. The trembling of the earth was like the shock shuddering their hearts. Qin Wentian still managed to step on the 75th step eventually.

  At this very moment, their eyes abruptly narrowed. They only saw Qin Wentian proceeding forward once again.

  A supremely stifling aura engulfed this entire space, as the boundlessly vast inner regions trembled unceasingly. Qin Wentian had taken another step right after, standing shoulder to shoulder with Gu Xiao at the 76th step.

  The crowd stared with shock at Qin Wentian’s imposing figure. As the commotion of the earth gradually ceased. Qin Wentian’s body also stabilized there. His long robes fluttered in the wind and the majesticness he exuded by standing there made it seem as though he was the only person in the entire world.

  Qin Wentian managed to step on the 76th step within such a short time, accomplishing something everyone thought it was impossible to achieve. As for Gu Xiao, how long had he spent to achieve such a step? In fact, just for the transition of his 75th to 76th step, the amount of time he took was extremely long.

  Before this, Gu Xiao used his 76th step success to domineeringly respond to Qin Wentian. Because he believed that the 76th step was a symbol of his pride and Qin Wentian wouldn’t be able to accomplish that.

  Despite so, Qin Wentian had succeeded and did so in such a short amount of time. The Gu Xiao now had a heavy expression on his face as he too, was stunned into speechlessness.

  What else could he still say?

  "Is 76 steps very awesome?" Qin Wentian stared right ahead, not bothering to look at Gu Xiao as he calmly stated. His voice was like a resounding slap that directly landed on Gu Xiao’s face.

  Earlier when Qin Wentian said this sentence, everyone assumed that Qin Wentian didn’t know the immensity of the heavens and earth and was incomparably arrogant. However right now, nobody would think of him as so. Because, Qin Wentian himself has already accomplished that, standing on the 76th step.

  When Gu Xiao heard Qin Wentian’s words, he actually didn’t know how to respond. Qin Wentian used reality to slap his face and unless he could do what Qin Wentian did, no matter what he said verbally, it would all be useless.

  The earth was still shaking, the tremors continued on and on. Ying Teng who fainted earlier had now awoken. When he saw the scene before him, and when his gaze focused on the number of steps Qin Wentian took, he only felt panic in his heart as he actually coughed out yet another mouthful of blood. His countenance was as pale as paper with no hints of color.

  From afar, many experts flew over. Evidently, the commotion from the Stonebell Rampart has attracted them all. When they saw the supreme genius that was causing the commotion, all of them only had stunned expressions on their faces. This man was not from the Myriad Devil Islands or the Senluo Immortal Empire. Could it be that this man was a newcomer yet he actually achieved such success already?

  "Damn, it’s him!" The people spectating the duel of the two geniuses at the entrance were all here now as well. When they saw Qin Wentian, they could only rub their eyes in disbelief. What was going on? Didn’t Qin Wentian just come here? Why was he standing on the 76th step?

  "It’s not even an hour right? Yet he actually is now at the 76th step? This is too crazy. He truly intends to make his fame in a single night."

  "Who said that he just crossed the immortal sea? He is clearly from the other sacred academies here to challenge us."

  "That’s right, directly walking 76 steps in a single attempt. This is a clear challenge wanting to suppress everyone."

  As the voice of discussion grew more and more, everyone who just arrived only then knew that this Qin Wentian advanced 76 steps in one shot. This was simply too terrifying.

  "Proclaiming yourself to be an innate sword king and truly believing it. You really have no idea regarding the immensity of the heavens and earth and how fearsome true geniuses are." A terrifying energy released from Qin Wentian’s body as he closed his eyes and spoke coldly. He didn’t come here for Gu Xiao. But it was Gu Xiao who provoked him first. Since this was the case, Qin Wentian naturally wouldn’t miss the chance to smack his face.

  He, Qin Wentian, has never been a man of great magnanimity. He would repay kindness with kindness, and hatred with hatred. Since the Paragon Sword Sect joined forces with the Skymist Immortal Empire, there was no need for him to be polite to any of their members.

  Gu Xiao’s aura fluctuated, he had no way to maintain his state of heart. He finally managed to unsteadily stand still upon his position. Yet at this very moment, Qin Wentian stepped out again, moving onward to the 77th step.

  "BOOM……!" The resounding bell chimes echoed through the air as beams of immortal light shot up into the skies. The space and earth both trembled violently as more pressure from the rampart shot into Qin Wentian’s body, adding to the intensity of the violent storm that already existed within.

  "Innate sword king? Can you advance to this step?" Qin Wentian didn’t turn back his head as he spoke. However, everyone understood who he was talking to. Gu Xiao naturally understood as well.

  Qin Wentian’s voice echoed together with the bell chimes, ringing out in Gu Xiao’s heart. His aura started to turn chaotic as the violent storm of energies within him started to rip wildly.

  With a thunderous roar, sword intent from him gushed forth frenziedly, as he fought to stabilize himself once more. However, the pressure from the stone rampart continued boring down mercilessly, slamming into him. At this instant, Gu Xiao could finally endure no longer and was flung through the air and pierced by millions of sword-rune energies - the same attribute which he was proficient in, resulting in fresh blood splattering through the sky.

  "Gu Xiao!" The countenances of several experts drastically changed as they soared up into the air and grabbed hold of Gu Xiao’s body. Their faces were ashen. Gu Xiao was actually forced out of the Stonebell Rampart because of Qin Wentian’s words and was even heavily injured because of that.

  "Eliminating an opponent without using a weapon, what a terrifying character." The hearts of everyone trembled. All of them understood the power of the Stonebell Rampart, if one could not endure, instead of enjoying a beneficial refinement, they would be bombarded by the overwhelming pressure instead and might even die here. Qin Wentian domineeringly surpassed Gu Xiao and even used words to mock and provoke him. Even an expert as powerful as Gu Xiao had no way to guard his state of mind and fell for Qin Wentian’s scheme. This fellow truly shows no mercy to his enemies.

  After Qin Wentian disturbed Gu Xiao’s state of mind causing him to be heavily injured. He himself actually closed his eyes and guarded his state of mind tightly, not allowing the Stonebell Rampart to seize any opportunities. That overwhelming pressure started to temper his bones, sinews, flesh, blood and immortal-foundation while Qin Wentian’s understanding of his own attribute energies grew deeper and deeper, carved into every fiber of his being.

  More and more experts arrived. Qin Wentian paused for about two hours before he lifted his foot and stepped upon the 78th step.

  The space and earth trembled once again because of this.

  This time around, Qin Wentian paused even longer. Only after a few hours until the accumulated violent energies within his body calmed to a certain extent did he step out once again, landing on the 79th step.

  The entire academy trembled. A resplendent light filled the skies, all the geniuses here could only stare in awe at him, their hearts shaking.

  There was actually someone who could succeed in advancing 79 steps in a single attempt. This was a deed unprecedented in the past and hard for anyone to accomplish in the future.

  Only two more steps were left and he would be able to bring a perfect closing to this. However, can Qin Wentian do it?

  At this moment, everyone could clearly see the trembling of Qin Wentian’s body. Boundless pressure bore down on him as the storm of violent energies within wrecked absolute havoc. Once they erupted out of control, there was no doubt what his ending would be.

  This time, Qin Wentian paused for a very long while as he steadied himself. However, despite the long time he took, everyone was still waiting, standing in their original location wanting to see if Qin Wentian would be able to complete the two final steps.

  After half a day, Qin Wentian finally moved, stepping on the 80th step. The might from the Stonebell Rampart infused his body as the boundless energy from the bell chimes reverberated through the heavens and earth. Qin Wentian’s body seemingly transformed into an ancient bell resonating with chimes so powerful that it even seemed as though the entire academy was shuddering with his body.

  Qin Wentian managed to step upon the 80th step.

  There was only the last step remaining.

  At this moment, the number of experts that gathered here grew more and more. Even Huang Wudi and his subordinates were here. The experts from the Nine-Emperors Immortal Empire all had ashen expressions when they saw this. They initially had stood guard at the entrance, yet they actually allowed Qin Wentian to sneak into this academy.

  With just a single step more, Qin Wentian would accomplish the same thing as the most dazzling genius from their Nine-Emperors Immortal Empire had done.

  Huang Wudi glanced at Qin Wentian, he then abruptly roared out, "Qin Wentian has already officially announced that he would give up pursuing Princess Qing`er, the daughter of the Evergreen Immortal Emperor. From now on, Qing`er is the woman of my elder brother, a woman of my Nine-Emperors Immortal Empire."

  The eyes of everyone flashed. Huang Wudi chose to shout this out now. Undoubtedly, he wanted to disrupt Qin Wentian’s momentum. Right now, as long as Qin Wentian’s state of heart wavered in the slightest, he would be unable to complete that final step and would end up in a situation with no hope of reprieve.

  This act of Huang Wudi was truly ruthless enough!