Mythical Cultivation

"If Huang Hao's information is accurate, then it is indeed a good thing. The name 'Lianxin Road' should have a certain meaning and it is not just a random name." Mei Lingshuang thought for a while after hearing Wu Ming's words.

Several people pondered Wu Ming's words and felt that there was some truth in them. Although they had never encountered such a thing, they were disciples of the big sects after all, so they would naturally not be superficial. Therefore, they relied on themselves to walk this distance, and did not want to use their true energy unless it was absolutely necessary.

In this way, the group continued to climb hundreds of steps. However, as they climbed higher and higher, they gradually felt a faint and powerful pressure coming upon them. This mysterious force was like a heavy mountain pressing down on them, making their once light and nimble steps become heavy and difficult, and their speed naturally slowed down. At this moment, every step seemed to consume tremendous physical strength and energy, but they gritted their teeth, not retreating, and moved forward resolutely towards their goal.

Several people stared at the monks in front and behind who did not use their true energy to climb, and secretly speculated in their hearts: These people must have already seen through the connection here, so they would rather slow down their pace than easily waste their true energy.

On the other hand, those cultivators who used their true energy were perhaps bewitched by the extremely tempting opportunity on the top of the mountain, causing them to lose their minds; or they themselves had low cultivation bases and were from the group of casual cultivators, and were completely unable to comprehend the key points of it.

However, no one was willing to speak up and remind them. After all, they were all strangers and had no kinship at all. Who would be willing to take the risk of adding more competitors?

Time passed quietly, and after about an hour, the group finally arrived at a wide platform. At this moment, Wu Ming and the others also noticed a gradual rise in a sense of pain in their bodies, especially after the last hundred steps, when this feeling became even stronger.

They felt deeply that each step required them to expend several times more energy than usual just to maintain their balance before they could take the next step. This was due to two factors: first, the increasing pressure, which now made them feel like they were carrying a heavy burden weighing dozens of kilograms, making it difficult for them to regain the wonderful feeling of being as light as a feather.

Another reason was that it had been so long since they had relied solely on physical strength to complete such a long distance. Ever since they entered the Qingyun Sect, such experiences had become a distant memory. After all, everyone carried a vast amount of true energy, so who would deliberately choose to use their physical body to undertake such a thankless and arduous task?

It was precisely because of these two factors that, as they climbed the final few stone steps, each step required immense effort to advance even a short distance. After enduring countless hardships, they finally reached a resting area. If it weren't for the platform provided for rest and adjustment, they would have been tempted to use their inherent true energy.

The square before me was quite vast, stretching approximately a hundred feet in both length and width. Hundreds of monks sat in meditation, recuperating, while a steady stream of them bravely advanced towards the stairs ahead. However, some monks chose not to pause, let alone attempt the higher steps. Instead, they turned and set foot on the stone paths that flanked the square, gradually traversing the distance, their destination unknown.

Zhao Xiaohai arrived at the platform and couldn't care less. He just lay there, not wanting to move. "I'm so tired! I haven't felt this way in ages. Even fighting someone for 300 rounds didn't make me this tired," he muttered.

"Hey, there are actually two roads on this side! It's strange, why don't they continue to climb up, but instead go to the side?" Hou Tiancheng muttered to himself with a suspicious look on his face.

His voice, though quiet, was clearly heard by those around him. Upon hearing this, Wu Ming and the others turned their gaze towards the receding figures, their minds reminiscing about the scene they had witnessed at the foot of the mountain: the towering, seemingly endless stone staircases, and the staggering number of houses and palaces scattered across the mountain.

Undoubtedly, this mountain has more than just this straight climbing path. The path beside this platform is most likely the passage to those mysterious places. These monks must have been unable to suppress their curiosity and desire for the unknown, eager to explore deeper in the hope of discovering the opportunities hidden within.

"Why don't we go ask Huang Hao? After all, he came earlier and may know more about the inside story." Zhao Xiaohai suddenly had an idea and made such a suggestion.

The others thought about it briefly and agreed that this method was feasible. They all nodded in agreement. Then, they set off and headed straight for Huang Hao. Although Huang Hao had arrived long beforehand, he hadn't left the square yet, opting instead to rest for a bit.

When he saw Wu Ming and the others coming towards him from afar, a friendly smile immediately appeared on his face, and he took the initiative to greet them: "Haha, it's you guys. I didn't expect you to reach the top of the mountain so soon."

"Huang Hao, where do these two paths lead to?" Hou Tiancheng asked curiously.

Huang Hao frowned, thought for a moment, and then replied, "I don't fully understand this, but I think it must be the path to some disciples' residences. In my opinion, there probably aren't many precious things there. If you want to gain real benefits, the best choice is still to climb up the stone steps. Perhaps there will be a better opportunity waiting for us."

Huang Hao had already learned, thanks to Elder Ding's suggestion, that the buildings on either side were shelters for lowly, menial disciples. Because of this, he concluded they wouldn't harbor any rare treasures. According to Elder Ding, the Shenmu Sect, a powerful force dominating the entire state, saw a constant stream of new disciples seeking to become disciples. However, only cultivators who successfully reached the Foundation Establishment stage could be promoted to full disciples; those below this stage were considered mere menial disciples.

Huang Hao was deeply shocked when he heard this secret. He secretly sighed: The Shenmu Sect truly deserves to be called a super sect. Even cultivators at the Qi Refining Realm struggle to become its disciples! This shows that to gain a foothold and stand out in this vast world of cultivation, one must possess extraordinary strength and talent. Thinking of this, Huang Hao became even more determined to pursue higher realms.