Rumble! Boom!

Titanic exchanges of energy flew both ways. The Stairway to Heaven continued to beat down on the challengers, who were desperately trying to attack the waves back before they reached them.

Ordinarily, the 30th step was supposed to be a milestone. After that, the going was supposed to get even tougher. And yet the two in the lead were currently pushing on as though there was no such resistance.

It was not that the energy flow was weak, but rather these two were running with all cylinders fired.

Each time they passed 30 steps, the energy would ratchet up another notch, and they would quickly neutralize it and move on.

A few minutes later, the two were well in the lead, and very close to the top of the Stairway to Heaven.

Miraculously, Li Luo and Jing Taixu were still neck and neck.

It was Sun Dasheng and Lu Ming who had slowed down even more. Even they were watching their rivals with interest. Who would finish first?

Besides, the energy would be strongest at the end.

Perhaps at this most grueling part, the difference between the two would become clear.

"Li Luo..."

Lu Ming stared at the dark horse challenger, her mind full. The fact that he could keep level with Jing Taixu was testament to his superb talent. The masterful use of the water mirror technique had been nothing less than inspired.

But through this period of observation, Lu Ming could see that his Water Mirror Art was taking a toll on him. Each time the energy grew stronger, the gap between the incoming wave of energy and the reflected energy continued to narrow.

Which meant that in the last wave of energy, Li Luo's Water Mirror Art would be close to ineffective. His speed would be seriously diminished, and he would likely not be able to keep up with Jing Taixu.

In the end, the Spear of Enlightened Sage would probably win the race.

Ultimately, it did not matter. The Stairway to Heaven did not reward speed. The fact that Li Luo had managed to force Jing Taixu to take this seriously was already a win for his side.

At the very least, it made her see him with newfound respect.

She had ignored rumors of a fourth contender in the Hall-level competition up till now, but seeing Jing Taixu and Li Luo side by side ahead of her... seeing was believing.

Boom!

Another monstrous explosion rocked her out of her reverie.

The wave of energy bearing down on them was the final one, and also the strongest one.

Jing Taixu's eyes were tight on the energy flow, and he was still looking calm.

With a single hand, he summoned green resonant power that formed a green fan, which he brought now in a magnificent swish.

"Slicing Twister!"

A large arc of wind energy several meters wide flew out with speed that confounded the eye. Many students barely registered a blur of green and a split-second of howling.

It crashed into the incoming energy.

Shrrrk.

At the heart of wind resonant power's efficacy was its speed. Air was one of the lightest elements, and it was brought to dangerously quick speeds through the resonance. It broke things apart, sheared its way forward, and blew things away.

Currently, it was concentrated into a powerful arc that split the energy wave into two.

Terrifyingly destructive!

Jing Taixu stepped forward into the energy-free wake of his attack, moving onwards to where the anima bell stood at the top.

“Wow.”

The students were stunned, in awe at Jing Taixu's move.

At the same time, a good part of the crowd was watching Li Luo.

POOM!

Li Luo, as with before, used his Water Mirror Art, the huge, watery, glass surface taking the energy before shattering and converting it into his own.

Again, an opening broke out in the energy wave.

But just as Lu Ming had predicted, the opening was not deep enough to punch through the entire depth of the wave. It was not going to carry him through.

Yet Li Luo did not slow or hesitate. He stepped into the small gap, and soon enough, he was against the unbroken energy wave wall's boundary.

He lifted the Onyx-Elephant Blade.

His dual resonance powers burst forth within his body.

A resonant power halo appeared around him.

His sword blade glittered with energy, spitting and hissing as though trying to intimidate the obstacle before him.

Li Luo knew that it was not enough.

He forced even more energy into his sword, until faint patterns of light started to glow on it.

Golden-Jade Onyx-Elephant Blade, Level One Divine Elephant Power!

The power immediately ripped the skin on Li Luo's arms, his veins bulging as he struggled to control it.

But he grinned through the pain, feeling grim satisfaction at the sheer power he could muster.

He brought it down in a decisive slash. This thing was unstoppable. He felt invincible. He ran on towards the top of the Stairway to Heaven.

Over at the other side, Jing Taixu had reached the top a moment earlier. He was in front of the anima bell in a trice, and he slapped his hand down on it.

He smiled to himself.

Li Luo was good enough to worry him, but not good enough to win.

He was a step behind.

His hand was an inch from the anima bell, when he heard a beautiful peal, a clear ring from a bell just a moment before his own rang out.

Jing Taixu's eyes narrowed.

He whirled around to the other Stairway to Heaven, where he saw a sword stuck halfway in the bell, which was swinging and ringing merrily.

A moment later, Jing Taixu's own hand hit the anima bell, ringing it as well.

His smile was gone.

Everyone was watching in stunned silence.

Sun Dasheng and Lu Ming had both stopped, staring in shock.

Li Luo ambled the last few steps up to the bell, and pulled his sword out.

He did not turn around to look at them, but carefully wiped his blade down, then spoke loudly to the air.

"Well, that was...

"Tedious.”