Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
In just three days, countless individuals were violently flung out, unable to withstand the overwhelming pressure inside.
"It's terrifying!"
"Millions have already been eliminated in just three days, haven’t they?"
"How intense is this pressure? Even the slightest weakness in strength seems unacceptable."
"Even those in the Void Comprehension Realm probably can’t endure it for long, let alone reach the summit. The pressure will only grow fiercer further up."
"Ah, this is undoubtedly a competition among those in the Supreme Realm, or even the Immortal Realm."
"No, it’s clearly a competition among Chen Yunxuan and the other four."
"Wait… aren’t they all on the same side?"
"They are, but rankings will be determined by their own abilities."
By now, Chen Yunxuan and the others had covered half the distance, with the five already spread apart.
Chen Yunxuan and Ye Zhiqiu formed the leading group, Li Qiye trailed in the second, while Gu Xian'er and Gu Fengyao lagged in the third.
A handful of others still followed, but their numbers were sparse, and they too had halted, evidently pushed to their limits.
"Can you keep going?" Chen Yunxuan asked Ye Zhiqiu.
Ye Zhiqiu shook his head without false bravado, sighing, "We’re only halfway to the summit of Taihua. At our current strength, reaching it is impossible."
"True. The other three seem worse off than us, but… I think this is an opportunity," Chen Yunxuan replied with a smile.
While Chen Yunxuan and Ye Zhiqiu could still converse calmly, Li Qiye and the other two were too exhausted to speak.
"What opportunity?" Ye Zhiqiu asked curiously.
"Training!"
"Cultivating under this intensity might yield unexpected benefits."
"I’ll inform the other three—they should adjust their states through cultivation before continuing."
With that, Chen Yunxuan descended to share his idea with Li Qiye and the others.
The trio agreed wholeheartedly.
Thus, the five began cultivating at their respective limits.
Witnessing this, those below were inspired and promptly followed suit.
Over a month passed in the blink of an eye. The foot of Taihua’s summit remained bustling as some departed and others arrived.
"It’s been over half a month. Most who were going to be eliminated are already gone. Do you think Chen Yunxuan and the others have reached the top?"
Reached the top?
"It’s… hard to see clearly."
"Strange. Given our strength, our vision should be sharp. Why can’t we make out what’s happening inside?"
"It must be the barrier’s doing, obstructing our view of the details within."
"Ah, I’d love to go in and see what they’re up to. I want to experience this pressure for myself."
"Honestly, I’m curious too."
Chen Chang'an, however, gazed unimpeded into the barrier. From the start, he had known exactly what Chen Yunxuan and the others were doing.
"They’ve broken through. It seems they’re ready to continue," Chen Chang'an remarked lightly.
"Breakthrough? Who?" Da Huang asked eagerly.
"All of them."
"Chen Yunxuan and the rest—each has advanced by one minor realm."
All of them? In just over half a month? Their progress was staggering.
"Truly peerless prodigies. Their speed of advancement is astonishing."
"Indeed. Even at the Supreme Realm, maintaining such a pace is terrifying."
Hua Wulei and the others were stunned. For most, breakthroughs at the Supreme Realm took decades, even centuries.
Those with exceptional talent might measure progress in years—yet these five had all advanced in a mere half-month?
"If they hope to summit Taihua, they’ll likely need another breakthrough."
"Otherwise, they won’t get far before hitting their limits again."
As Chen Chang'an predicted, despite their breakthroughs, the mounting pressure soon forced Chen Yunxuan and the others to halt once more.
Their only option? Keep cultivating. Keep breaking through.
"Why don’t you go in and join the excitement?" Da Huang asked Chen Chang'an.
"Why? I can see just fine from here," Chen Chang'an replied indifferently.
"Aren’t you curious about the pressure’s intensity?"
"Hmm… I suppose I am a little."
"Maybe I should go in and test it out?" Chen Chang'an mused with a smile.
"Sounds good to me," Da Huang agreed earnestly.
Hua Wulei and the others were taken aback. Test it out? How?
This barrier was erected by the Heavenly Dao—it wasn’t something one could just waltz into!
"Palace Master, the barrier is formidable. Perhaps it’s best not to risk it," Hua Wulei advised.
"Right, there’s no need. You’re not even competing for the Earth Ranking—why meddle?" Gu Tianyuan added, perplexed.
"I’ll just take a quick look and return shortly."
With a faint smile, Chen Chang'an strode toward the barrier.
His actions left onlookers baffled. What was he doing?
"What’s Chen Chang'an up to?"
"No idea. Heading for the barrier? Does he plan to enter?"
"Don’t be ridiculous. You think the barrier just lets anyone in? Does he really think—"
Before the speaker could finish, under the crowd’s stunned gazes, Chen Chang'an stepped straight through the barrier and vanished inside.
"Holy shit!"
"Am I hallucinating? Did you all see that?"
"Of course we saw it!"
"How did he do that? Did the barrier vanish?"
"Vanish my ass—it’s right there! If you don’t believe me, try walking in yourself."
"Fine, I’ll try."
"Damn it! No luck—I can’t get in!"
"How the hell did he manage it?"
One question burned in everyone’s minds: How had Chen Chang'an entered?
Why was he the only one who could pass through?
"Oh my god!"
"I’ve got it!"
"Huh? Got what?"
"Chen Chang'an… is he the Heavenly Dao itself?"
"Could you make a wilder guess?"
"Then what? Why can he enter when no one else can?"
"Well… maybe he’s the Heavenly Dao’s son? Is that possible? Can the Heavenly Dao have children?"
"How should I know? But honestly, him being the Heavenly Dao sounds more plausible."
"Then I’ll just say he’s the Heavenly Dao’s father."
"Are you out of your mind? How dare you say such things?"
"Ahem, I... misspoke, it was a slip of the tongue."