"No way, I refuse!"
The moment Li Xuan finished speaking, the elder sitting on the stone stool was no longer as steadfast as a mountain.
Under Li Xuan's gaze, the elder's body seemed to combust and vanish into the void, and the surrounding scenery also turned illusory.
In the next instant, Li Xuan reappeared on the steps of Xuán Xuán Mountain.
Unlike before, the steps beneath Li Xuan's feet now flickered with faint spiritual light. Although it quickly disappeared, it brightened everyone's eyes. Especially those on the high platform, who now knew that Li Xuan had successfully passed the checkpoint at the halfway point of the assessment.
In truth, Li Xuan himself felt a sense of relief. He had harbored doubts when the elder appeared.
And after the elder uttered those words, they were filled with endless temptation. If one's will were not strong, they would likely be instantly blinded.
The elder's final request undoubtedly made Li Xuan even more certain that the elder's appearance was merely part of the assessment.
After all, Xuán Xuán Mountain was established by Grand Elder Lin Yi, and yet the elder wanted Li Xuan to kill a supreme being. Based on this alone, Li Xuan knew it was all a deception.
As expected, he had passed the trial in the end.
Although it appeared simple, the challenges involved were far from it.
Firstly, it tested one's state of mind, and secondly, their loyalty to the Tian Yi Pavilion. If either of these were weak, it would be difficult to pass the halfway assessment. Li Xuan now had a rough understanding of the restrictions and trials that Grand Elder Lin Yi had set up in his time.
As Li Xuan continued to climb, about a dozen other disciples also stood at the halfway point of the steps. After half an hour, only thirty-two people remained on the steps.
Considering that these disciples were chosen to compete, they were all considered elites in terms of both strength and comprehension. The Xuán Xuán Mountain trial set by Grand Elder Lin Yi could be imagined to be incredibly demanding.
Time gradually passed, and as Li Xuan continued to ascend, he felt the pressure intensifying. The pressure emanating from the depths of his soul forced Li Xuan to slow down.
Eventually, even climbing a single step became extremely difficult, the pressure akin to a flower standing firm in a storm.
"At the halfway point of this mountain, there lies a wisp of Grand Elder Lin Yi's supreme pressure. The higher one climbs, the greater the pressure. To reach the summit, besides one's own strength and physical resilience, one also needs immense perseverance. These disciples will likely find it hard to continue climbing."
Time passed, and after Li Xuan was suppressed in place for several minutes, some of the participating disciples reappeared. However, like Li Xuan, they were also immobilized by the pressure. Supreme Being Zhang Chao saw this and shook his head slightly, sighing.
"That's not necessarily true. Since Grand Elder Lin Yi set this restriction, there must be a reason for it. If it cannot be overcome, what would be the point of Grand Elder Lin Yi setting it?"
"When I barely managed to pass it back then, I gained some insights. This final ascent is said to be a trial, but it's more of a tempering. For the climbers, it's about stimulating their own potential. How much they can stimulate, however, depends on their individual foundations."
Supreme Being Jin Guangshuo spoke with a smile upon hearing this.
Supreme Being Mu Lanxin and the others nodded slightly, their gazes returning to the remaining contestants on the steps.
Under the immense pressure, Li Xuan's forehead veins bulged, and sweat dripped incessantly. His trembling shoulders clearly showed him bearing the powerful pressure with all his might.
As time went on, Li Xuan had pushed his physical strength to its limit. However, even with the augmentation of the Three Rounds of Celestial Sun, Li Xuan could only manage to prevent himself from being pushed down. To take another step forward was undoubtedly difficult.
"This powerful pressure is truly an experience that greatly hones a person." Although Li Xuan had been continuously circulating his energy to resist the pressure, he had also discovered something. His physical strength seemed to be improving under this suppression.
Although the progress was minimal, Li Xuan noticed it immediately. Furthermore, after such a long time, Li Xuan found himself becoming more accustomed to the pressure.
Beneath the terrifying pressure, Li Xuan's flesh and blood were continuously being refined. After a full ten minutes, Li Xuan's eyes lit up, and he took a step forward on the staircase. The invisible, terrifying pressure seemed to have vanished.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Li Xuan advanced over thirty steps consecutively before stopping again. However, Li Xuan's ruddy complexion instantly turned pale. Large drops of sweat streamed down his face, clearly indicating he was being suppressed again.
The closer he got to the summit, the more intense the suppression became. Li Xuan even had the illusion that if he took one more step, his body would simply collapse and dissipate. Looking at the summit, which was so close, a trace of determination slowly appeared in Li Xuan's eyes.
"In my life, I can only stride forward, never retreat."
"In my life, no matter how difficult the choice, I cannot choose to give up."
"In my life, to live is not just for myself. To become stronger has greater meaning."
"Fearless, and without dread!"
Li Xuan murmured to himself, his eyes shining with unwavering resolve. Under everyone's gaze, the defenses on Li Xuan's body seemed to recede like a tide.
"He's abandoned all resistance? What… what is he trying to do?"
"He wants to withstand this Grand Elder's pressure with his bare body? Has he gone mad?"
"I'm certain he'll be blasted down in less than a second!"
"…"
As Li Xuan voluntarily withdrew his defenses, the leaders of various factions and the disciples of the Five Pavilions watching burst into discussion. Even the sub-pavilion masters on the high platform stood up, their faces filled with astonishment.
"This courage is indeed extraordinary. But isn't he afraid of being sent flying down the next second?" Supreme Being Jin Guangshuo remarked.
Supreme Being Mu Lanxin chuckled bitterly and then sighed, "As spiritual masters, we have always acted against the heavens. His action is undoubtedly abandoning all his reliance. However, to have reached this point is already not easy."
"I didn't expect even Venerable Mu to think this child cannot continue climbing. Then I won't make a judgment. However, as Venerable Mu correctly stated, our requirement for this assessment is to pass. And this child has already passed the halfway point." Supreme Being Chen Peng said.
The three women, Mo Ningxiang, exchanged glances, and then, at the nod of Venerable Lin Yunyun, remained silent.
However, in the next moment, disbelief flickered in their eyes.
Li Xuan, whom almost everyone had judged incapable of continuing, had, with his own flesh and blood, stepped onto another level!
Even though Li Xuan's legs were now nothing but a bloody skeleton with blood constantly flowing, his legs had genuinely stepped forward.
The entire venue fell silent, all eyes fixed on Li Xuan.
The contestants on the steps were also deeply moved by Li Xuan's actions.
Under everyone's gaze, Li Xuan slowly raised his pale face and looked towards the distant summit.
"My fate is my own, not heaven's!"
A roar like that of a beast erupted from Li Xuan's throat. The legs that were now just bone and blood rapidly began to grow flesh and blood. Then, he took another step towards the summit.
*Bang bang bang!*
As only the last step remained on the staircase, several muffled thuds echoed, and Li Xuan's body exploded into a mist of blood.
"Ah!"
Li Xuan let out a furious roar, and the entire audience stood up in shock, utterly silent now.
Because Li Xuan's foot had already landed firmly on the final step!