The Heaven's Ladder shimmered with a faint golden light, its translucent steps hovering above the chasm like the bones of a long-dead dragon.
Kai Lin stood at the foot of the steps, alone.
The Trial Overseer raised a hand. "Begin."
Boom—!
The first step erupted with pressure. Spiritual force crashed down like a mountain. Most outer sect disciples would be crushed instantly.
But Kai Lin didn't flinch.
He stepped forward.
Step One. Step Two. Step Three.
A murmur passed through the gathered crowd.
"Isn't he just Meridian Awakening Realm?"
"No, something's off… His Qi doesn't feel that weak."
From the upper platform, Lan Xue narrowed her eyes. "He's concealing his true realm."
Step Four. Step Five. Step Six.
The sixth step ignited. From thin air, a figure emerged—formed of condensed Qi. A projection guardian—a test of combat ability.
It lunged with a glaive, its edge coated in spectral fire.
Kai Lin raised a hand, his fingers forming a strange seal.
Ding—
Heaven-Severing Manual: Fragment I Activated
"First Severing – [Pulse Cut]" unlocked.
His fingers shimmered with black light.
Chi!
The projection's arm exploded at the joint. The glaive fell. Kai Lin twisted, spun, and in one step, crushed the guardian's head beneath his heel.
The watching cultivators fell silent.
Ding—
Trial Kill Bonus: +300 Merit Points
Heaven-Severing Insight: +1%
Progress: 0.3%
More steps. More pressure. More blood.
By the time Kai Lin reached the 13th step, four projection guardians lay shattered behind him. None had lasted more than one strike.
At the 15th step, the light around the ladder turned crimson.
The Overseer frowned. "Impossible. That step shouldn't activate unless…"
Another figure descended from above.
Clad in violet robes with silver embroidery, a sword at his waist.
"Li Shen…" someone whispered.
The inner sect prodigy. Ranked 3rd on the ladder. Spirit Vein Realm – Late Stage.
Li Shen descended to block Kai Lin's path.
"You've made too much noise," he said calmly. "You killed Jian Yuze. You humiliated us. The sect may forgive, but I won't."
Kai Lin stared back, unblinking.
"Move."
Li Shen smiled. "Make me."
Ding—
Warning: Host has entered a Live Trial Duel.
Opponent: Spirit Vein Realm (Late Stage)
System Estimate: 46% chance of survival.
Optional Sign-In Triggered: [Heaven's Ladder – Blood Trial]
Reward (If Victory): [Heaven-Severing Manual – Fragment II]
Accept?
Kai Lin didn't hesitate.
"Accept."
Black lines appeared on his arms. The seal deep within his dantian pulsed.
"Heaven-Severing Art… Pulse Cut – Sever!"
A single step. A blur of motion. A flash of dark light.
Li Shen's sword moved—too slow.
Blood sprayed.
A deep gash opened from his shoulder to hip. He fell, coughing blood, his body crashing down the ladder.
The entire platform went dead silent.
The Overseer rose to his feet. "The winner—Kai Lin."
Ding—
Trial Victory Confirmed.
Sign-In Reward Granted: Heaven-Severing Manual – Fragment II
Progress: 0.7%
Kai Lin stood on the 16th step.
Unmoving. Unshaken.
Unstoppable.