Shen Yuan Ring

The central area of ​​the secret realm

Three large characters are written above the high platform: "Ascending to Heaven Platform". The platform is grayish-white in color, and it is unknown who built it.

The Ascent Platform looks more like a command post, except it has four staircases, allowing access to the top from any direction.

It looks square, V-shaped, with a gentle slope at a 45-degree angle. The steps become narrower as you go up, and the platform is completely empty.

The Ascent Platform has four sides of steps, each with fifty steps. At the bottom of each side of the steps is a white statue: a Azure Dragon in the east, a White Tiger in the west, a Black Tortoise in the north, and a Vermilion Bird in the south. Each statue is lifelike, majestic and powerful.

Beside each sacred beast stands a stele, which records the numerous trials required to obtain the inheritance. The Ascension Platform is the first trial. Each trial passed will be rewarded, while those who fail will lose the right to continue. The person who performs best will receive everything.

The steps on the four sides of the Ascending Platform correspond to test-takers of different ages. The Azure Dragon direction in the east allows ten-year-olds to climb, the Vermilion Bird direction in the south is for eleven-year-olds, the White Tiger direction in the west is for twelve-year-olds, and the Black Tortoise direction in the north is for thirteen-year-olds.

The Ascent Platform tests the climber's talent, skill, and willpower, because the more steps one climbs, the greater the gravity they will experience.

Many people entered the secret realm and went straight to its center without exploring other places; of course, not everyone did this, some gained other benefits and finally reached the Ascension Platform after going around in circles.

After several days, Ji Daoyi and his group arrived near the Ascension Platform. From a distance, they could see the prominent characters "Ascend the Platform".

Ji Xiaohu curled his lip and complained, "This Qi Wei is really arrogant. He dares to name a small step 'Ascending to Heaven Platform.' Anyone who doesn't know better would think he's a powerful expert in the Dao Master Realm!"

When Ji Dao heard Ji Xiaohu speak rudely to Qi Wei, he agreed with him but still reminded him, "Xiaohu, don't speak recklessly. No matter what, he is our senior. Even if he is only at the peak of the Divine Realm, he is still a top figure in Daoshu City. It is not unreasonable for him to name himself that way. Moreover, the Divine Realm is not something we Body Refinement Realm people can afford to offend."

Ji Xiaohu gave an embarrassed smile: "Brother Dao! I understand."

"Dao Yi, look! There are already quite a few people on the Ascension Platform. I wonder if we're too late." Seeing the people resting on the steps, Ji Zihan was surprised that they had arrived so quickly.

“Let’s go check the situation first. We’ve already gained quite a bit of benefit along the way, so it doesn’t matter if we didn’t get the inheritance. The family doesn’t even care about a mere Divine Realm inheritance.”

“Ji Daoyi, this is not just a simple inheritance of the Divine Realm. Senior Qi Wei has the inheritance of the Pill King. Otherwise, why do you think the five major powers of Daoshu City would attach so much importance to this matter? Back then, he was a top-notch alchemist in Daoshu City. Even our major families treated him with great respect. And I came here this time for his Pill King inheritance.”

Seeing that Ji Daoyi looked down on Qi Wei's inheritance so much, and that he had previously told those around her that there was something wrong with the inheritance and that she should not have any designs on Qi Wei's inheritance, Yao Yuyao finally couldn't help but remind Ji Daoyi.

However, to her disappointment, Ji Daoyi showed no emotion whatsoever when she heard him mention the Pill King's inheritance, not even a hint of excitement. If she didn't know he was only ten years old, she would have suspected that he was an old antique in disguise.

Little did Yao Yuyao know that Ji Daoyi already possessed the inheritance of the Pill King, and that all he needed to do was raise his cultivation to the Divine Realm to unlock the memories of the Pill King's inheritance.

Perhaps it was because he had spent some time with Crescent Moon's mother, and because of this relationship with Crescent Moon, coupled with the benefits he had gained along the way, that he couldn't help but suspect that Qi Wei had ulterior motives in leaving behind this legacy.

Ji Daoyi said to her, "You've already become the disciple of the Minister of the Pill Hall, becoming a Pill King is only a matter of time, so why be so fixated on this inheritance? Besides, haven't you ever wondered why he went to such lengths to create an inheritance instead of taking on a closed-door disciple beforehand? Alright, there's no danger here anymore, so let's part ways here."

After saying that, Ji Daoyi led the others away, leaving Yao Yuyao with a complicated expression.

After they had walked for a while, Ji Zihan walked up to Ji Daoyi and said, "Daoyi, aren't you being too hurtful to Yuyao by saying that? After all, she was just trying to be helpful."

Ji Daoyi replied, "I was just telling the truth, and besides, I meant well by reminding her. Never mind, let's not talk about her anymore. Let's go and see what's going on with this Ascending Platform."

Before long, they arrived at the front of the Ascending Platform.

However, they couldn't see anyone else around the Sky Ascension Platform; all those who wanted to come were already on the platform.

The enormous white tiger statue immediately attracted their attention, drawing their gazes to it.

"This white tiger stone sculpture is so lifelike, it looks just like the real thing."

“Look, there are inscriptions on this stone tablet. This white tiger statue is used to determine directions, and there are three other animal statues, each representing a different direction. Only thirteen-year-olds are allowed to climb this direction.”

"I'll go try it and see if it's as magical as they say." Ji Xiaohu ran towards the first step, but just as he was about to reach it, an accident happened. He seemed to hit an invisible wall and crashed into it.

Fortunately, he wasn't going very fast, otherwise it wouldn't have felt like a slight impact.

Seeing that Ji Xiaohu really couldn't, Ji Daoyi turned to everyone and said, "It seems that the information written on this stone tablet is true. Apart from Xiaolan being able to climb up from here, the rest of us can only go to the east where the Azure Dragon statue is located if we want to step onto the Ascension Platform."

"Xiaolan, let's part ways here and see if we can meet again. Be careful on your journey, and don't hesitate to give up if necessary."

Ji Xiaolan shook her head and replied, "Dao Yi, I don't plan to join in this fun. Even if I go in, I won't get anything good. Besides, the Iron-Eating Beast is outside, so I can keep it company and cultivate outside to improve my cultivation."

Everyone else was also taken aback by Ji Xiaolan's words. No one expected her to make such a choice. Judging from her expression, it seemed that she had made this decision a long time ago, and it was not a spur-of-the-moment decision.