My whole clan is a master, I have become invincible by investing in my clan members

High in the sky, Zhuge Zi stared at Liu Qingye and smiled for the first time.

This smile is not one of joy, but of relief.

"Okay." He spoke slowly, his tone soft and gentle. "You've given me hope that the legacy may not be extinguished."

After saying this, he waved his sleeves.

"Since you have reached the 90th level, you can take four treasures according to the rules."

As the words fell, the void trembled!

Om-!

Powerful waves spread out, and there seemed to be a divine sound echoing between heaven and earth, carrying with it vicissitudes and grandeur.

Twelve divine objects emerged from the void, each shrouded in divine light, making it impossible to see the full picture, but the vast fluctuations were enough to make everyone tremble.

"Those...are probably at least Saint-level treasures, right?!"

“It’s impossible to see his true appearance at all!”

"It's so terrifying... Just the aura alone makes my heart shake!"

The monks below had fanatical eyes, and they couldn't wait to rush up and grab it.

But rules are rules.

They could only watch Liu Qingye choose his own opportunity.

Liu Qingye's eyes narrowed slightly.

He took a deep breath and slowly raised his hand. Four rays of divine light fell from the void into his palm and then disappeared into his sleeves.

After doing this, he did not leave immediately, but turned his head slightly and looked down.

Although his eyes were calm, they revealed a hint of anticipation.

——Waiting for the newcomers.

He is waiting to see who will be the second person to reach the high level!

At this moment, the whole audience was shocked and everyone was terrified!

Some people looked at his back and felt awe in their hearts.

Some people gritted their teeth, their eyes determined, as if they were determined to catch up.

Some people lowered their heads and avoided looking, obviously wanting to retreat.

Time passes little by little.

On the golden stairs, figures retreated one after another, some struggling, some silent, and some lonely.

The trial of literature and art is far more demanding than anyone imagined.

The vast majority of cultivators would have been defeated before the 30th level, and it was extremely rare for anyone to be able to pass the 40th level.

As of now, there are twelve figures standing firmly above the 50th step.

These people, without exception, are all above the sixth level of Saint Realm and have lived for tens of thousands of years!

They have gone through countless hardships and tempered their minds, and now they are able to stand on the upper half of this ladder and prove their faith in the Tao.

but--

Except for Liu Qingye who reached the ninetieth level, the highest level reached by the other eleven people was seventieth level!

Level 70 seems to be the limit.

As more and more people retreated, the remaining monks almost all chose to give up trying.

"No one can surpass Liu Wenzong anymore."

"Isn't it almost time to end?"

"Ah, this first level is not prepared for us celestial beings..."

Everyone looked at the golden stairs, with shock, helplessness, envy, and deep reluctance in their eyes.

"No one is coming forward anymore?"

On the ninetieth step, Liu Qingye frowned slightly, looked around, and there was a hint of disappointment in the depths of his eyes.

He was not afraid of not being able to obtain the inheritance of the Sage of Literature.

After all, you already have your own path, so why follow someone else's path?

If it weren't for the old dean's request, he probably wouldn't even want to leave the mountain.

——The atmosphere in the Central Region is impetuous, and the cultivators only know how to fight for power and compete in martial arts, but few people really devote themselves to studying literature and thinking about the laws of heaven and earth.

When he left Baisheng Academy, the old dean said to him meaningfully: "Go and have a look. Perhaps there are still people in this world worth meeting."

Now it seems that I am still alone.

Liu Qingye slowly closed his eyes, and the trace of expectation in his heart was completely extinguished.

The art of literature is vast and it is rare to find a true friend.

Over the past millions of years, apart from those ancient sages, how many people in the world can discuss philosophy with me?

..........

A hundred breaths passed, and no one stepped onto the stairs!

Many monks in the field were talking in low voices, with expressions of relief or regret on their faces.

"This trial is even more cruel than I imagined."

"Twelve people passing is already the limit."

"Liu Qingye has even reached the ninetieth level, making him absolutely the best! This level of attainment in literature and Taoism can only be matched by true ancient sages..."

As everyone was discussing, Zhuge Zi nodded slightly, as if he was ready to finish the first level of the assessment.

However, at this moment——

A figure slowly walked out from the crowd.

He walked steadily and his face was ferocious, as if he had been burned by flames. Half of his cheek was sunken and his left eye was slightly sunken, making him look quite ugly.

His appearance did not attract anyone's attention.

It's not because he's low-key, but because... he's not worthy of attention at all.

He didn't have a tyrannical aura, nor did he have earth-shattering Dao rhyme. He even took the initiative to release his own realm -

Seventh level of heaven and human realm!

Everyone glanced at him subconsciously and then looked away.

Heavenly Realm? Oh, there are too many.

In just a short while, they had seen too many celestial beings struggling on the golden stairs, some of whom were even shaken off and fell down in a miserable state before they could even stand on the 20th step.

"A person at the seventh level of the Heavenly Man Realm... dares to go up there?"

"Alas, what a pity. I guess he's just another guy who overestimates his own abilities."

"Maybe he saw Liu Qingye get four divine objects and was so jealous that he wanted to give it a try?"

Few people in the crowd even turned to look at him, as if this man's ascent of the stairs was not even worthy of being a laughing stock.

After all, even saints have not been able to reach the seventieth step, so how can a mere seventh level of the Heavenly Man Realm be so low?

——Who cares about his ending?

However, no one noticed that Liu Qingye, who was standing on the stairs, slowly opened his eyes and looked at the back with indifferent eyes.

First level.

The middle-aged man walked calmly up the stairs.

The golden light trembled slightly, and tadpole-sized golden runes emerged, rushing towards him like a tide, bringing with them the oppression of Wen Dao.

however--

He just took a step forward, and his figure stood firmly on the first step.

That kind of literary oppression seemed to be in vain.

Second stage, third stage...

The middle-aged man remained calm, his steps were not fast, but extremely steady, like an ordinary person walking in his own yard.

No stagnation, no pressure.

Even his expression didn't change at all.

Finally, someone in the crowd frowned and looked towards the stairs: "Huh? This guy...actually went straight to the sixth step?"

"Sixth level? This is a bit stronger than many celestial beings."

"Unfortunately, even if he's stronger than those losers, what good can he do? He can't even make it to the tenth level."

But, the words were not finished.

The figure still did not pause at all and continued to walk slowly forward.

The seventh level...the tenth level...the twentieth level...the thirtieth level!

At this moment, the whole place was silent.

Those monks who were originally disdainful were now all stunned and looked at the figure fiercely.

"What?! He...he actually reached the 30th step?"

"A seventh-level Celestial Realm cultivator actually... surpassed the limits of all Celestial Realms?"

"Wait...he's still walking!"

As the figure continued to move forward, everyone's eyes were focused on it.

Thirty-fifth level.....Forty-first level.....

"This...how is this possible?" A monk murmured in a low voice, his eyes full of disbelief.

"How did he... do that?" Another person looked at the figure, his tone filled with astonishment. "Such a strong Dao heart, but he's only at the seventh level of the Heavenly Man Realm? I'd believe him if you said he was at the seventh level of the Saint Realm!"

Liu Qingye stood on the ninetieth step, his brows slightly raised, and a hint of surprise flashed through his mind.

Although the fortieth level is nothing to him.

But for a cultivator in the Heavenly Man Realm, it is rare to be able to reach here.

"Although this person's cultivation is not high, his understanding of the Dao Heart is extremely profound..."

Thinking of this, Liu Qingye nodded slightly and thought to himself: If this person can maintain this state of mind, we can consider letting Baisheng Academy cultivate one or two of them. Well, he is a good seedling.

The thought just crossed my mind.

The next moment, just when everyone thought this man had reached his limit.

To everyone's surprise,

That figure actually took another step, and his speed far exceeded their expectations. Almost in the blink of an eye, he jumped over ten steps and stood directly on the fiftieth step!

boom--!

The whole audience was shocked!

The eyes of many monks almost popped out of their sockets.

"What? Fifty levels?!"

"He...he actually reached the 50th level?!"

"This is impossible! How could someone at the seventh level of the Heavenly Man Realm travel this far?"

This time, even Liu Qingye couldn't help but be slightly stunned, his brows furrowed, and waves of emotion surged in his heart.

He originally thought that this person would only stay at level 40 at most. Even if he broke through, level 45 would be the limit.

But unexpectedly, he was slapped in the face at the speed of light.

"Who the hell is this guy?!"

...........

At this moment, not only the monks present, but even Zhuge Zi who was standing high in the sky was slightly stunned and felt astonished.

Then, he narrowed his eyes slightly, with golden light flashing in his pupils, and began to observe the hideous face carefully.

But after careful observation, I found that there was a young face hidden underneath!

"Huh?" Zhuge Zi's eyes flickered slightly, as if he was a little surprised.

He pursed his lips slightly and whispered, "He actually mastered such a strange disguise technique. With his celestial body, he almost deceived me. This person... is quite interesting."

...........

On the 50th step.

Jiang Beixuan didn't care about the shock of the monks around him.

His steps were still calm, and he stepped steadily on each step.

As the former Emperor Beixuan, even though his cultivation is now only at the level of a celestial being, his state of mind and insights are still there.

Therefore, he had no fear of the trial on the stairs.

After all, his state of mind has long surpassed all external things.

"These tests are nothing."

Jiang Beixuan shook his head slightly, looking extremely calm.

Even though there was an infinite pressure coming from his feet, in front of his Dao Heart, all of this was like paper.

No matter how turbulent the outside world is, he remains like an unshakable mountain, allowing the wind and rain to attack, his heart is as solid as a rock, unwavering!

But soon, illusions began to emerge rapidly.

The palace in front of me is majestic, magnificent and imposing.

Jiang Beixuan was wearing a luxurious imperial robe and sitting on the golden throne, overlooking the officials in the court.

All the people worship him, and all the officials kneel down at his feet in humility.

The power at this moment seems endless, something that countless people yearn for, and even a dignity and glory that people can't even imagine.

However, all this glory did not move Jiang Beixuan in the slightest.

There was no desire in his eyes, only deep indifference.

"Power and status are external things, not what I seek. Only my own strength is eternal."

After he finished speaking, he waved his hand lightly, and the powerful ministers, officials, and even all the subjects in the court turned into nothingness.

The power and wealth that countless people pursued turned into dust and disappeared.

And then, the illusion changed again.

The second illusion appeared.

This time, Jiang Beixuan stood between the vast heaven and earth.

He has an immortal figure, standing on auspicious clouds, overlooking all living things, becoming an immortal who overlooks everything!

The endless heaven and earth bow in his eyes, and all living things are under his control.

This power and supreme respect are simply irresistible!

However, Jiang Beixuan remained unshaken.

"Becoming an immortal? Haha, a fake immortal, is he worthy of being called an 'immortal'?"

"Everything is just an illusion. The Tao in my heart is the true eternity."

In an instant, the entire world seemed to be shaken by an invisible force, and then disintegrated and turned into nothingness.

Jiang Beixuan stood there, his eyes like ancient stars, deep and peaceful.

“Even an immortal is but a speck of dust among all living beings.”

“The true Tao is not dependent on any external things and is beyond all illusions.”

As the thought flashed through his mind, Jiang Beixuan quickened his pace again.

At this moment, all the illusions and temptations from the outside world could not shake his state of mind!

Sixtieth level... Seventieth level... Eightieth level...

It was different from the movement when Liu Qingye climbed the stairs.

Jiang Beixuan remained calm throughout.

He did not cause any violent fluctuations, nor did he cause any thunderous roars.

Each of his steps was extremely steady, as if all the turmoil in the world was being resolved smoothly by him, and as if the laws of nature were being spread out under his feet.

The shock the latter brought to everyone was far beyond what the former could compare to!

Finally, under everyone's gaze.

Jiang Beixuan stood steadily on the 90th step, side by side with Liu Qingye.

In an instant, the whole audience was shocked!

"Wait, isn't he at the seventh level of the Heavenly Man Realm? Can anyone tell me what happened?!"

"He actually reached the ninetieth step, a height that no other saint could reach except Liu Wenzong!"

A murmur of astonishment broke out among the crowd.

Faced with the terrifying result of the 90th level, almost no one could remain calm!!

Even Liu Qingye couldn't help but look surprised.

He stared at Jiang Beixuan, cupped his hands and said, "With such a high level of mental attainment, you are definitely not an unknown person. May I ask, fellow Taoist, who are you...?"

Even if the other party has only the seventh level of Heavenly Man Realm cultivation.

But from the moment he walked here, he had already regarded the other party as an equal to himself.

After all, in his opinion, cultivation has never been the only criterion for measuring a person; the state of mind and perception are equally important.

The voice fell and the whole audience fell silent.

Even Zhuge Zi couldn't help but look over.

Jiang Beixuan just smiled slightly.

He casually removed his disguise, revealing his youthful face.

"Jiang Beixuan from the Cangwu Jiang family greets all the fellow Taoists."