Translated by: Pumpkin

At this moment, Zhou Xians face was filled with smiles. He turned to Qin Yu and them; with a humble smile, he said. Everyone, I shall go and meet the Exalted Celestial first then. Hopefully everyone will also be able to obtain a gift bestowed by the Exalted Celestials.

As he said that, Zhou Xian proceeded to walk up the steps of the Thunder Punishment Palace, one of the three side palaces. When he walked up the steps, he walked over to Yao Lin and even greeted her with a very courteous salute. Senior sister Yao Lin, thank you.

Yao Lin was also smiling. She then led Zhou Xian into the Thunder Punishment Palace.

As for Qin Yu and Duanmu Yu who were watching this scene from afar, they both felt a sense of disgust in their hearts. Even Kuiyin Hou and them were starting to feel indignant.

Brother Duanmu, are we to continue trying to ascend this Heaven Connecting Flight of Stairs? Qin Yu looked to Duanmu Yu.

At this moment, Qin Yu was filled with anger and indignance. I truly never wouldve expected that this Thunder Punishment Exalted Celestial was biased in helping his own descendents so openly. The Utmost North Sage Emperor has given us ten entire years to prepare. Why didnt this Thunder Punishment Exalted Celestial wait two or three years before summoning this Zhou Xian? Instead, right after this Zhou Xian appeared before the Mountain Sea Palace, he immediately showed himself and summoned Zhou Xian. This bias is too obvious.

It was so obvious that Qin Yu felt angry.

With his current frame of mind, it was practically impossible for him to surmount the Heaven Connecting Flight of Steps.

Qin Yu, lets rest for half a day first and regulate our frame of minds. After we reach our best states, it would not be too late for us to scale the Heaven Connecting Flight of Steps then. Duanmu Yus voice was still as amiable as before.

Merely, Qin Yu managed to sense that Duanmu Yus frame of mind had also been affected by what happened earlier and was a bit fluctuated.

Indeed, we should regulate our frame of mind. Qin Yu walked to the grassland on the side. He then sat down in a cross-legged position. As the amount of time for them to prepare the gift was ten entire years, there was no need for them to be overly hasty. What was most important was for them to be in their best state of mind when ascending the steps.

Qin Yu looked to the Heaven Connecting Flight of Steps and frowned. This Heaven Connecting Flight of Steps, in the entire history of the Divine Realm, not a single expert, who had yet to reach the Godking stage, has managed to ascend it. The difficulty in ascending it ought to be extraordinarily hard. I reckon that I will have to rely on my New Cosmos Spatial Energy this time around.

Qin Yu was very aware of his own strength.

Three thousand plus years ago, when he first came out from his New Cosmos, he had only reached the entrance of the High Level Heavenly Deity stage. After three thousand plus years, his clone had been comprehending the Spatial Laws for over forty million years.

Qin Yus clone had already comprehended around eighty percent of the portion of Spatial Comprehension left behind by the Godking of Life.

Currently, although Qin Yu had yet to reach the peak of the High Level Heavenly Deity stage, he could also be considered a relatively powerful person among High Level Heavenly Deities. Adding on his Spatial Energy from the New Cosmos, his strength ought to now be comparable to peak High Level Heavenly Deity experts.

Even if I rely on the Spatial Energy, it would still be difficult to tell whether Ill be able to ascend the steps or not. Qin Yu looked at the flight of ninety-nine steps. They were about a hundred feet tall. Qin Yu did not have absolute confidence in himself.

During the period of time when Qin Yu and Duanmu Yu were readjusting their state of mind, the following candidates had also arrived at the Levitation Island in succession. Kuiyin Hou, Shentu Fan and them had also gone to search for Hao Jun.

After some time.

Qin Yu and Duanmu Yu opened their eyes. At this moment, Qin Yus state of mind had already returned to its optimal level. The effect from what happened with Zhou Xian had been removed.

Brother Qin Yu, should we go? Duanmu Yu slightly smiled.

Qin Yu also smiled slightly. Good, lets go.

Between their questioning and answering, Qin Yu and Duanmu Yu had a tacit understanding of friends.

Just like that, Qin Yu and Duanmu Yu proceeded to walk towards the Heaven Connecting Flight of Steps. As for Kuiyin Hou and the other dozen plus people, they were still vexed as to how to see the Exalted Celestials.

Brother Qin Yu, Brother Duanmu, it would appear that you two are truly going to try to ascend this Heaven Connecting Flight of Steps. After thinking for so long, I think that I planned to try it too. Kuiyin Hou also had a trace of helplessness on his face.

Qin Yu and Duanmu Yu immediately started smiling.

Are you coming with us? Duanmu Yu smiled as he looked to Kuiyin Hou.

Kuiyin Hou raised his head and looked to the ninety nine steps. He took a deep breath and said. Since theres no other method, Ill try it out. If people think that I am a foolish clown, then so be it. As he said that, Kuiyin Hou looked to Qin Yu and Duanmu Yu. Ill go with the two of you.

Qin Yu, Duanmu Yu and Kuiyin Hou glanced at one another. They then proceeded to take a step forward simultaneously.

What a strange feeling!

After taking the first step, Qin Yu felt as if he had fallen into a swamp. It seemed as if he couldnt even control his balance. He immediately started to agitate the Heavenly Divine Energy within his body to stabilize it.

The first step is already like this, these ninety nine steps Qin Yu looked at Duanmu Yu and Kuiyin Hou beside him. Duanmu Yu seemed to be alright. As for Kuiyin Hou, he also stabilized his body like Qin Yu.

At this moment, the other people all discovered that the three of them were trying to ascend the Heaven Connecting Flight of Steps.

Brother Kuiyin, are you all truly planning to ascend the Heaven Connecting Flight of Steps? The other fourteen people all walked over. Other than Zhou Xian who had already entered the Thunder Punishment Palace, the other candidates were all at a loss as to what to do.

Qin Yu, Duanmu Yu and Kuiyin Hou turned their heads and looked at these fourteen people. They did not say anything and merely continued to climb the steps.

Brother Qin Yu, Brother Duanmu, Brother Kuiyin, wait for me. A familiar voice was heard. Once hearing that voice, Qin Yu knew that it was the shy genius youngster, Shentu Fan.

Qin Yu and them turned around to look.

The handsome Shentu Fan who had a red battle gown on had also stepped onto the Heaven Connecting Flight of Steps. At the same time, he said to Qin Yu and them with a reddened face. I cannot think of any other method. I guess Ill try ascending the Heaven Connecting Flight of Steps with you all. I have heard that in the history record of this Heaven Connecting Flight of Steps, the most anyone managed to ascend was ninety five steps. I truly wonder if we might be capable of reaching ninety steps.

Historical record?

Qin Yu was able to guess that it seemed that in the entire history of the Divine Realm, those that have not reached the Godking level, the strongest among them managed to ascend ninety five steps.

Lets go. Duanmu Yu said.

Right after, the four of them started to climb the steps together. As for the thirteen people below, they merely looked to the four of them and were discussing about this with one another. They did not attempt to climb the steps like the four of them.

That was because they did not need to attempt to climb the steps. Just by the history left behind by their predecessors, one could already know how difficult climbing those steps was.

Each step was ten meters wide. It was sufficiently wide for the four of them to climb the steps together.

After climbing ten steps, Qin Yu managed to understand completely. So it turns out that this Flight of Steps tests ones comprehension of the Spatial Laws. For the previous steps, one could resist through using ones Heavenly Divine Energy. However, it is impossible to do that anymore for the steps further up.

Qin Yu felt as if he had suddenly stepped onto a Dark Star.

At the same time, it also felt as if he had suddenly sunk into a thick and dense liquid. Occassionaly, he would feel as if his body were floating. And other times, he would feel as if body were being oppressed by the space.

This sort of unceasing change, the further he climbed, the more frightening it became.

At some times, that sort of oppression strength was so strong to momentarily destroy a galaxy. It was impossible for Qin Yu and them to stop this through using only their physical bodies. What they were using was their comprehensions of the Spatial Laws.

To shift, to weaken or to completely eliminate this sort of oppression.

Spatial Law against Spatial Law.

That Kuiyin Hou lightly laughed and said. The further we climb, the stronger the Spatial Laws become. No wonder His Majesty Sage Emperor had told me that it was absolutely impossible for one to reach the top unless one has reached the Godking level. It would appear to me now that the ninety ninth step would test the complete Spatial Laws.

Hearing what Kuiyin Hou had said, Qin Yu also agreed to his speculation.

Perhaps it really would be like that!

Duanmu Yu lightly laughed and said. If that truly is the case, then the Three Great Exalted Celestials are truly playing tricks on us. They said that if anyone that isnt a Godking manages to surmount the flight of steps, they would show themselves before that person. However, this Heaven Connecting Flight of Steps is something that one can only surmount after reaching the Godking level. That is to say the Three Exalted Celestials dont wish to see people at all.

Qin Yu also understood in his heart. Even if the Three Exalted Celestials dont wish to see others, there wasnt a need for them to play such a trick upon others. Merely Qin Yus gaze turned sharp. As long as theres hope, I cannot give up.

At this moment, they had reached the fiftieth step. The four of them still had the ability to speak. However, as they continued to climb, the four of them stopped speaking.

Seventy fifth step.

Occasionally, the space gives an immense oppression. Occasionally, the space rips apart. Occasionally, ones body feels like it is flying It is practically impossible to control my body anymore. Qin Yu also felt extremely exhausted.

Having reached this stage, Qin Yu had yet to use his New Cosmos Spatial Energy.

How many steps would I be able to surmount without using the New Cosmoss Spatial Energy? Qin Yu clenched his teeth and continued to persevere. At this moment, his forehead was filled with soybean sized sweat beads.

Not only him, that genius youngster Shentu Fans forehead was also filled with beads of sweat. His complexion was also extremely pale.

Only Duanmu Yu and Kuiyin Hous state were still relatively normal. They merely had a slightly redded face. The two of them were both peak High Level Heavenly Deities; their comprehension of the Spatial Laws were a bit higher than Qin Yu and Shentu Fan.

Eightieth step.

Right when Qin Yu stepped onto this step, he felt a tremble through his entire body. Qin Yu felt as if he were a little boat in a violent surging ocean. He was unable to resist the violent surging ocean anymore.

Bang!

A sound of collision was heard. Qin Yu and them all turned around to look. What they saw was Shentu Fan falling down from the flight of steps. He crashed onto the ground and spouted out a mouthful of blood.

With a pale complexion, Shentu Fan stood back up. He smiled to Qin Yu and them. Guys, it would be left to you all now. I had originally wanted to persevere until the ninetieth step, never would I have expected that I would not be able to persevere any longer after reaching the eightieth step.

Qin Yu, Duanmu Yu and Kuiyin Hou all gave Shentu Fan an encouraging smile. Although Shentu Fan had failed, Qin Yu and them all had a very favorable impression of him.

As the four of them had tried to surmount the Heaven Connecting Flight of Steps together, their impressions of one another had become very favorable in the course of doing so.

When the four of them all did something that others had considered only lunatics would do together, they would all have a feeling of acknowledgement for one another.

Everyone, lets continue onward. Perhaps the Three Exalted Celestials might break their rule and make an exception to see us seeing how hard we tried to surmount the Heaven Connecting Flight of Steps. Duanmu Yu said in a low voice while smiling.

Qin Yu and Kuiyin Hou both smiled and nodded.

Mn, lets continue striving.

The three of them continued to climb the steps.

After reaching the eighty third step, Qin Yu felt that the oppression of the space had reached a level stronger than what he could bear. He felt as if he were about to fall down from the steps.

Damn it.

At this moment, Qin Yu finally used the Spatial Energy from his New Cosmos. This Spatial Energy was completely controlled by Qin Yu. It protected Qin Yu.

In an instantly, that spatial oppression was decreased by over ninety percent.

Huff, perhaps I might actually be able to reach the top. After feeling the effect of being protected by his New Cosmoss Spatial Energy, a sense of hope was raised in Qin Yus heart.

One step, two step

Duanmu Yu and Kuiyin Hou, these two experts who had reached the peak High Level Heavenly Deity, also started having sweat on their foreheads. At this moment, they had reached the eighty eighth step.

The further they got, the harder each step was.

Qin Yu who originally still had hope now felt that for every step higher, the oppressive sensation increased by too much. It might not be possible to reach the top even with this Spatial Energy. Qin Yu became anxious. Its truly unfortunate that I am only capable of using such a small amount of Spatial Energy.

The New Cosmos was still growing.

If Qin Yu were able to use one percent of the entire New Cosmoss Spatial Energy, then he wouldve been able to easily surmount the flight of steps. However, right now the Spatial Energy that Qin Yu was able to use could only cover a hundred miles.

Compared to the entire cosmos, the range of the Spatial Energy was still very small, the amount of Spatial Energy was still very small.

It was only because Qin Yu was capable of completely controlling this Spatial Energy that the Spatial Energy was extremely powerful.

Ninetieth step.

Bang! Kuiyin Hous complexion had instantly turned super red. It was as if he had been smashed by a frightening power. He fell as he sprayed blood throughout the sky.

Qin Yu knew very well.

It was because of the enormous oppression by the space that caused Kuiyin Hou to vomit blood. That was because Qin Yu also felt the powerful oppression.

Qin Yu looked to Duanmu Yu beside him. He tried his hardest to voice our three words. Do your best.

Duanmu Yu was sweating so much that his sweat had turned to paste. His complexion had also turned pale. He merely smiled to Qin Yu. The current Duanmu Yu was incapable of speaking a single word.

The two of them continued to persevere.

Ninety first step!

Qin Yu felt pressure on his chest. The Spatial Energy surrounding him had been oppressed so much that it had begun to fluctuate.

Ninety second step!

Bang!

Qin Yu felt a burst of vibration in the air. Duanmu Yu sprayed blood out from his mouth as he powerlessly fell down the flight of steps. After he fell to the ground, Duanmu Yu tried his best to turn his body over and kneeled on the ground on all fours.

Duanmu Yu raised his head to look to Qin Yu. He squeeze out a smile. Do your best!

Qin Yu was moved. Qin Yu looked to the final steps. He once again clenched his teeth and proceeded to climb the steps again. The dozen plus people below were watching Qin Yu as he painstakingly climbed the steps. They had all held their breaths.

He had reached the ninety fifth step. He has tied the highest record. Kuiyin Hou exclaimed.

Perhaps he might really be able to succeed. Duanmu Yu said in a low voice.

Ninety sixth step.

Qin Yus complexion was as pale as paper. He was swaying back and forth. However, he still stepped forward to climb the next step.

Ninety seventh step.

Bang!

Practically everyone heard that sound of the air being violently shaken. Qin Yu whose complexion was so pale and without the slightest of blood spurted out a mouthful of blood and then powerlessly fell down the flight of steps.

The current Qin Yu did not have the slightest energy to move.

Brother Qin Yu, are you alright? Duanmu Yu and them immediately went up to support Qin Yu.

After a short moment, Qin Yu tried his hardest to stand. After leaving the flight of steps, Qin Yu recovered his injuries with a frightening speed.

I, still failed. Qin Yus body was slightly shivering. Earlier, when he reached the ninety sixth step, Qin Yu was actually about to fall down. However, he persisted on through all his effort. Yet, upon reaching the next step, he was jolted down without any power to resist.

Ah, that Zhou Xian has walked out. Suddenly, someone spoke and said.

Qin Yu wiped away the blood on the corner of his mouth. He stood up straight and looked over to the Thunder Punishment Palace. What he saw was a Zhou Xian with a face filled with smiles and holding a black scepter as he walked out from the Thunder Punishment Palace.

[TL: the scepter Zhou Xian is holding is a chinese scepter called ruyi. It symbolizes power and good fortune.]