Stepping on the demon door, the witch becomes the strongest.

Chapter 415: There Will Be a Great Reward
On a 20-point scale, Yan Yu gave Tang Xiaolian's swordsmanship a score of , which of course seriously underestimated her ability.

The cultivators who could enter the four major teams had no obvious shortcomings in their talents. Even Chen Lingyun, who was described by Yan Yu as having "too poor talent," was only compared to the average level of the top cultivators in the four major teams.

If we change the reference standard to the first batch of cultivators as a whole, and rank them from high to low according to their cultivation talent, Chen Lingyun is roughly in the top 40%, which is actually not bad.

Of course, Yan's standards are too high. When evaluating cultivation talent, he only looks at people like Xie Ruoxi and Liu Longtao, so naturally he looks down on Chen Lingyun.

He was even more demanding about swordsmanship. Take Lin Ning, for example. Based on her swordsmanship alone, it would be difficult for her to rank in the top three in the country, but getting into the top five was no problem at all. Even Team Longxiong's Ai Lu and Guo Feiyun weren't necessarily her match, but in Yan Yu's eyes, they were just "so-so" and "inflexible."

Similarly, Tang Xiaolian is actually quite pretty, with bright eyes, fair skin, and especially her slim waist and sweet voice, which really add a lot to her external charm. Otherwise, why would everyone in the Fire Phoenix Team take care of her?
But Yan Yu's vision was spoiled by the girls of the Zhenhai team, so his evaluation of her appearance was "average" and "barely acceptable". He did not think that she was a particularly beautiful little beauty at all, let alone have any other thoughts about her.

Tang Xiaolian could see that Captain Yan had no sympathy for her at all. Her beauty had been widely recognized throughout her childhood; otherwise, her parents wouldn't have let her wear traditional Chinese clothing to promote their family's homestay. One studio even contacted her after seeing her photos, hoping to create a Miao fairy internet celebrity persona for her.
Could Captain Yan be gay? She muttered to herself.

The two of them passed through a large field of golden flowers and arrived at the foot of the mountain where the palace was located. They saw a bluestone mountain road winding up.

"Team Yan, Team Yan," Tang Xiaolian said crisply. "From the time we entered the secret realm to here, we've passed through the 'Canyon Skyline', the 'Cave Stone Gate', and the 'Golden Flower Field'. Each environment is a test of observation, learning, and defense."

"In other words, there's a high probability that there will be some kind of test along this mountain road, and its content will be related to the qualities required of a Sword Immortal, right?"

"Yes." Yan Yu looked at her in surprise, "Aren't you quite smart?"

"I already have brains!" Tang Xiaolian said angrily. It's fine if you don't praise me, but you're mocking me?
"Then why didn't the previous levels show any intelligence at all?" Yan Yu asked.

"Because I have full confidence in Team Yan's ability to solve problems, I temporarily became lazy and gave up thinking." Tang Xiaolian said righteously.

"Then I hope you'll keep your brain with you from now on." Yan Yu said calmly, "You also heard what the female voice in the secret realm said just now. Everyone who enters the secret realm must undergo a test. What will you do if a certain level suddenly teleports us apart?"

"I'll wait for Captain Yan to come and rescue me." Tang Xiaolian said without hesitation.

"Can't you be a little more promising?" Yan Yu laughed.

"I'm not being lazy," Tang Xiaolian explained. "This secret realm tests one's abilities as a Sword Immortal, and I'm likely failing in that area. Rather than rushing into danger and becoming a burden requiring rescue, why don't I just wait for Team Yan to find me and then join forces?"

Yan Yu: ...

I'm speechless, she makes a lot of sense!

So why did I bring her to this secret place in the first place?

"So, on this mountain road, do you want to go first or should I go first?" Yan Yu asked.

"Team Yan will make the arrangements." Tang Xiaolian said obediently.

"Then I'll go first." Yan Yu took a step forward and just as he stepped onto the step, he felt something was wrong.

The body...becomes heavier?

Although the increase in weight was minimal, he had superb control over his body. He realized something was wrong in an instant and immediately turned around and retreated.

"What's wrong?" Tang Xiaolian was a little nervous.

Yan Yu did not answer, but just ordered:

"Go up and try it."

He didn't want to express his guess, lest Tang Xiaolian have a preconceived notion and confuse her judgment, but the other party obviously misunderstood his intention and said seriously:
"I'm telling you, Captain Yan. I only obey your orders because I have 100% trust in you. If you use this to embarrass me and make me laugh, I will never trust you again." "What are you talking about?" Yan Yu was also at a loss for words. "I didn't intend to bully you at all. I just wanted to see if my guess was correct."

Tang Xiaolian looked at him suspiciously for a while before she looked away and carefully stepped onto the first step.

Huh? Not feeling anything.

"And then?" she asked, turning back.

"Just a few more steps." Yan Yu said.

Tang Xiaolian took four steps in a row, a puzzled look on her face, and turned back again:
"There's nothing unusual about it. It's just like a normal staircase."

"Don't you feel that your body has become heavier?" Yan Yu asked in surprise.

"Get heavier?!" Tang Xiaolian was horrified. "Is this a staircase that will make people gain weight like crazy?"

"...No." Yan Yu was speechless. "I'm talking about gravity. Don't you feel that the higher you go, the heavier your body becomes?"

Tang Xiaolian was feeling around on her body, trying to identify any extra fat. Upon hearing this, she first breathed a sigh of relief, then became annoyed.
Damn it! It turns out it wasn't the secret realm's restrictions that were causing the problem! I can only start dieting and exercising after I get out.

"Since there is nothing, let's go." Yan Yu thought that since the little girl didn't have much perception, he might as well go up a little further and see.

He took Tang Xiaolian and continued climbing the mountain, heading towards the palace on the top.

After walking almost half the distance, the sense of gravity finally became obvious, so that Tang Xiaolian's face was sweating and her legs felt like they were weighed down by lead. Fortunately, after entering the marrow cleansing stage, her physical fitness had been strengthened to some extent, so she could barely hold on.

"This is the 'Ladder to Heaven,'" the female voice from the secret realm echoed again. "It's modeled after the 'Road to Heaven' of the Kunlun Taiqing Sect."

"Kunlun emphasizes the state of mind, and the road to heaven is full of inner demons. Our sect, however, places even greater emphasis on fundamental strength. Therefore, the further back you go on this ladder, the heavier the earth's magnetic pull becomes. Even if one's fundamental strength can withstand it, it still requires immense willpower to reach the end."

"Sister~" Tang Xiaolian said with a bitter face, "I'm not a sword immortal, so it's understandable that my bones are a little weak, right? Can you lower my gravity coefficient a little? If I keep walking, my legs will break!"

"No," the female voice refused. "You haven't completed the Marrow Cleansing Stage yet. As long as you don't stay on the Heavenly Ladder for more than a quarter of an hour, you won't suffer irreversible damage to your body. Furthermore, cultivation is inherently about going against the will of Heaven. Sword Immortals are undoubtedly best at forging ahead, but don't other cultivators also have to go against the current?"

"Although this secret realm of mine preserves the legacy of the Sword Immortal, it also contains some valuable items for you. If you can't hold on, it proves that you don't deserve the treasure. It's not too late to leave now."

Tang Xiaolian secretly groaned, thinking to herself, you already told me you have a treasure for me, how can I be willing to give up halfway?

She gritted her teeth and continued moving forward, trying to keep up with Yan Yu.

Yan Yu was also suppressed by gravity, but he was a man of extremely firm character. Therefore, even though he was sweating all over, he still moved forward step by step, and his pace did not seem to slow down or become disorderly.

Tang Xiaolian, who was behind him, finally couldn't hold on any longer and almost fell forward. In a panic, she quickly grabbed Yan Yu's arm and whispered to herself:
"Captain Yan, save me!"

"I've already told you to go back if you can't hold on." Yan Yu reluctantly held her arm and said, "You owe me another favor."

Tang Xiaolian was supported by him and felt that the burden on her body was relieved. She quickly sent a message:
"Thank you, Captain Yan. I appreciate it! Great kindness will surely be rewarded!"

"I hope you won't be a slave in the next life." Yan Yu said.

Tang Xiaolian was immediately amused by him and couldn't help but chuckled, laughing as crisply as a silver bell:
"I won't default on my debt!"

(End of this chapter)