Jiang Chen stood quietly on the first step.
He pulled back the left leg he had been moving toward the second step. He stood motionless on the first step, like a wooden statue.
His eyes were shut tight.
He was recalling the sensation he had felt when he took that step just now.
'What is this feeling? It's like… when I took that step just now, I thought I heard a heartbeat…'
'But I can't feel it anymore. Was it an illusion? I'll try taking another step.'
Jiang Chen tried stepping forward again, ascending to the second step.
THUMP!
A dull, powerful heartbeat echoed in his mind.
'Yes, that's the feeling. Why? Why am I feeling this? It's as if my heart is telling me to stay, not to go any further.' Jiang Chen looked puzzled, unable to make sense of it. He then retreated, returning to the first step.
When the other geniuses saw this, they all revealed mocking smiles.
"Looks like he really can't even climb to the second step. Hahaha..." Snow Vajra sneered.
Tuoba Yan frowned, shook his head, and continued climbing.
Jian Lingkong looked nonchalant. "To think I once considered him a worthy challenger? Hah. Just as Snow Vajra said, a momentary win or loss means nothing. Once we ascend to the Sixth Celestial Palace and become Inner Sect Disciples of the Mystic Sect, we'll receive the Sect's vast inheritance. You... will eventually be left far behind by us!"
The experts continued their ascent.
Compared to Jiang Chen, who was just treading in place, their speed was as if they were flying.
Even the young experts whose names the Mystic Sect Spirit hadn't called had already climbed several hundred steps.
Jiang Chen was still treading in place.
He repeatedly stepped onto the second step, only to retreat again.
Treading in place!
Gradually...
Everyone stopped paying attention to Jiang Chen.
In their eyes, Jiang Chen was now just a weakling who had been eliminated. No matter how strong he had been before, he was no longer worthy of their attention.
Outside the Ninth Celestial Palace.
The Mystic Sect Spirit frowned, looking at Jiang Chen. 'What is this little guy doing? His talent might not be on par with those other kids, but it shouldn't be this bad! Oh, well. He's just a Tier Two genius, after all. His greatest achievement would be reaching the Fourth Celestial Palace. He's not worth paying too much attention to.'
Previously...
The Mystic Sect Spirit had taken a liking to Jiang Chen because of his politeness.
But it was, after all, the Mystic Sect Spirit. It had to consider the future of the Mystic Sect and would only focus on the strongest geniuses.
...
'The heartbeat... Yes, that's the feeling. So the Ninth Celestial Palace tests one's spirit. The higher you climb, the greater the pressure on your spirit. Eventually, not only will the pressure on your heart become too great for your physical body to bear, but your consciousness will also change due to that pressure.'
Jiang Chen's eyes snapped open, a smile spreading across his face.
By repeatedly experiencing the heartbeat sensation between the first and second steps, he had finally found the key.
The higher one climbed the Ninth Celestial Palace, the greater the pressure.
Moreover...
This pressure didn't just target the physical body, but also one's willpower!
Whether for a Martial Artist or an ordinary person, the heart is ultimately the most fragile and most central part.
Once the heart is under immense pressure, the heartbeat will accelerate, and this acceleration will cause changes in the subconscious.
It's just like when someone is walking in the dark at night and feels like they're being followed. They unconsciously quicken their pace, and their heart starts beating faster. As the feeling of being followed intensifies and their heart races, they begin to feel panicked and a chill runs through their body.
The Ninth Celestial Palace operates on the same principle!
The higher you climb, the greater the pressure on your heart and the faster it beats. This creates a subconscious illusion that you've reached your limit and can't climb any further!
'Truly worthy of being the number one sect of the Ancient Eastern Continent. This Ninth Celestial Palace tests not only a disciple's talent, but also their temperament, courage, wisdom, and willpower!' Jiang Chen took a deep breath.
Without sufficient talent, one wouldn't even have the right to climb the Ninth Layer of Heaven.
If one's temperament isn't calm enough, climbing too quickly from the start will only cause the heart to fail under the sudden increase in pressure, leading to an early exit.
Without enough courage and a strong enough will, one would also stop in their tracks when faced with the mortal danger of a heart on the verge of bursting!
Only disciples selected through such a testing mechanism could be truly well-rounded!
Unlike the Sects of today, which only look at cultivation and Martial Souls...
This was also the reason why the Mystic Sect produced so many experts in the Ancient Era!
'The Mystic Sect Spirit said I could at most reach the Fourth Celestial Palace? And Snow Vajra, Tuoba Yan, and Jian Lingkong, your goal is the Sixth Celestial Palace, right? Heh... In terms of your initial goals, you've already lost to me. The Sixth Stage? I, Jiang Chen, either don't walk this path, or I walk it to the very Peak and shatter all limits!'
His gaze swept upward, landing on the very top of the Ninth Celestial Palace!
The Ninth Layer of Heaven!
SWISH!
Jiang Chen strode forward, his speed increasing with every step.
Now that he understood the principle behind the Ninth Celestial Palace's trial, it was like walking on flat ground for him. Each step he took was exceptionally firm.
At the same time, he circulated his Profound Technique, enveloping his heart.
This kept his heartbeat at a relatively steady pace.
One step, two steps, three steps...
Jiang Chen's speed grew faster and faster.
"W-What was that just now? How was it so fast?"
"Wait, that was Jiang Chen!"
"What? That's impossible! Wasn't he just treading in place on the first step? How could he be so fast?"
A few experts stared wide-eyed at the receding figure, their faces filled with shock.
"I wonder how Jiang Chen is doing. Sigh, he couldn't have actually been so discouraged that he's still stuck treading in place, could he?" Zhao Hongluan had a worried expression. Suddenly, she saw a figure flash past her. Her phoenix eyes widened in disbelief. "J-Jiang Chen? H-How is he so fast?"
Jiang Chen continued to climb the Ninth Celestial Palace, his speed pushed to the absolute limit.
He continuously surpassed one expert after another.
Leaving a trail of stunned faces in his wake.
Tuoba Yan and Jian Lingkong were one behind the other. Jian Lingkong gritted his teeth. "I'm already at the Fifth Layer of Heaven. I'll reach the Sixth Celestial Palace soon, and my goal will be achieved."
A faint five-colored light emanated from Tuoba Yan's body as he frowned. "Almost there. The Sixth Stage is just ahead!"
SWISH!
A gust of wind howled past, overtaking the two of them.
It startled them so much that they staggered, nearly falling to the ground. They looked at each other in shock. "W-Was that just... Jiang Chen?"
Snow Vajra was a dozen or so steps ahead of Gai Shi, a smug look on his face. "Gai Shi, you're nothing special after all! Looks like you and that brother of yours, Jiang Chen, are both just trash!"
"Hmph! You're the one who lost to Jiang Chen. If you have the guts, why don't you challenge him to a one-on-one fight!" Gai Shi snorted coldly.
"Damn you!"
A flash of fury appeared in Snow Vajra's eyes.
Losing to Jiang Chen was the shame of his life. Now that Gai Shi had brought it up again, Snow Vajra grew even more furious.
Relying on his Ancient Snow Ape bloodline, which gave him an incredibly powerful body, he curled his lip into a sinister smile. "Since you admire Jiang Chen so much, why don't you go down and keep him company!"
SWISH!
A Cold Wind Palm Seal shot toward Gai Shi.
Gai Shi's expression changed drastically. He dodged, but his body staggered, and he was about to fall. The Celestial Ladder was incredibly high; a fall would likely send him tumbling down several levels!
Just as Gai Shi was panicking, a figure appeared beside him, supporting his back. A calm voice sounded in his ear, "Be careful!"
"Huh? Jiang Chen?"
Gai Shi was stunned.
Before he could say more, Jiang Chen was already chasing after Snow Vajra. He was so fast that he caught up to Snow Vajra in an instant.
Snow Vajra felt the rush of wind behind him and his heart skipped a beat. He looked back and his eyes widened. "Jiang Chen? Y-You... how could you possibly have caught up to me?"
"Nothing is impossible. Snow Vajra, you just attacked Gai Shi, didn't you? In that case, you can just go down!"
Jiang Chen's expression was calm.
His palm shot out, transforming into a massive True Essence Hand. With a SWOOSH, it grabbed the stunned Snow Vajra, and with a single toss, threw him high into the air. He rolled down toward the first level of the Ninth Celestial Palace like a snowball.
Snow Vajra's furious and unwilling roar echoed across the Ninth Celestial Palace...
"AHH... JIANG CHEN, I WILL NEVER FORGIVE YOU!"