Chapter Seventy-Six: Questioning the Heart on the Jade Steps

Gu Weiyu looked up, following the direction of the voice.

By the jade steps ahead, a small pavilion had appeared. Inside, a middle-aged Daoist with a kind expression was beckoning to her. On the stone table before him, tea and refreshments were thoughtfully arranged.

Gu Weiyu smiled gently, saluted respectfully, and declined, “Thank you, senior, but I still have energy to continue onward.”

Without hesitation, she stepped around the pavilion and kept climbing.

Similar scenes unfolded before the other children taking the test. Many of them, their legs aching from the climb, didn’t hesitate to enter the pavilion upon hearing the invitation. The Daoist warmly urged them to enjoy the tea and treats; many were tempted, and began to eat and drink as they rested.

With a kindly air, the Daoist regaled those in the pavilion with strange tales and wondrous stories. The children were soon enraptured, forgetting they were even in the midst of a test.

Few, once inside, could resist losing themselves, let alone summon the resolve to leave and resume the climb up the jade steps.

On the path of cultivation, beauty, rare delicacies, indulgence—temptations abound. How many cultivators can truly keep their hearts pure and adhere to their Dao throughout?

But Gu Weiyu knew nothing of this. She only knew to throw herself into climbing upward; she was determined to join the Myriad Sword Sect!

After ascending quite a distance, Gu Weiyu began to feel a strange restlessness. Surrounded by mist, with no end to the jade steps in sight, a sense of oppression crept in.

“Child, do you know what the Dao is? And why do you cultivate immortality?”

An ancient voice drifted from the mist ahead. Gu Weiyu, still climbing, halted at the question.

What is the Dao? Why did she seek immortality?

She searched her heart. She didn’t truly understand what the Dao was—no one had ever told her.

But as for why she cultivated, she was very clear.

Gu Weiyu lifted her head, looking toward the mist. “Senior, though I do not know what the Dao is, I believe that for every cultivator, the Dao is different. I will search earnestly for my own path.

I do not cultivate for longevity, nor for pleasure, but to grow strong, to roam the world freely, and to protect my family.”

As she finished speaking, Gu Weiyu felt a sudden clarity within; the oppressive restlessness vanished like smoke, leaving her spirit bright and open.

A faint cracking sound echoed in her mind. The corners of Gu Weiyu’s lips lifted as she stepped forward once more.

“You... you, you, you...” The little green book in her mind stammered, rolling three times in agitation before it continued, “Master, your spiritual sense just broke through to the second rank!”

It was well known that most Foundation Establishment cultivators only had second-rank spiritual sense. Gu Weiyu was only at the eighth level of Qi Refinement, yet her spiritual sense was already at the second rank. In the future, she would be immune to the pressure of most Foundation Establishment cultivators!

Gu Weiyu merely smiled in response. She had noticed the change herself. Previously, she could only see about fifty meters ahead, but now her vision extended over a hundred meters.

And that was even with the mist’s natural concealment—otherwise, she could see even farther!

So this was what it felt like to reach the second rank of spiritual sense?

Meanwhile, in the Myriad Sword Sect, many people had gathered in the main hall to watch the floating Flowing Light Jade Mirror, which revealed the performances of those on the steps.

“That girl in red has a firm Dao heart. It’s a pity...” Fairy Yuyao, who cared much about appearances, noticed Gu Weiyu, shaking her head. Such a good seedling—what a shame about her face.

“I think that young man in green is quite promising—he’s always in the lead, forging ahead with determination. He reminds me of myself in my youth; truly a good candidate for sword cultivation!” Realman Qingjian, stroking his fine beard, smiled as he praised the first youth to climb the jade steps.

“Zhongli, didn’t you say there’s a dual fire-wood spiritual root among the alchemy candidates this time? Which one is it?” someone asked lazily, lounging on a meditation cushion.

“Replying to Realman Yuling, the red-clad girl Fairy Yuyao just mentioned is the one—her name is Lian Hongyi, dual fire-wood spiritual roots, both above ninety in value.”

Zhongli, standing calmly with hands folded, watched attentively. He was in charge of registration for this test, and could recite the hundreds of candidates’ details from memory—after all, after reaching Foundation Establishment, a cultivator’s spirit sense and memory were astonishing.

Realman Yuling’s gaze fell on Gu Weiyu in the Flowing Light Mirror. So, it was her?

She’d noticed this girl early on; from the very beginning of the climb, she had remained steady and unhurried—an ideal disposition for alchemy.

And to think she was a dual fire-wood root—practically made for an alchemist!

A smile tugged at Yuling’s lips. “I’ve taken a liking to this one. None of you are allowed to compete with me for her!”

Everyone in the hall shook their heads in unison. They might compete with anyone—but not with Yuling. After all, she controlled the lifeblood of their cultivation—pills!

Satisfied, Realman Yuling turned her attention back to the Flowing Light Mirror.

She pointed at Gu Weiyu in the mirror, and a miniature Flowing Light Mirror appeared before her, displaying Gu Weiyu alone.

She examined Gu Weiyu carefully from head to toe.

The scar on the girl’s face was a bit of an eyesore, but Yuling wasn’t one to judge based on looks, so she paid it little mind. Still, the girl’s sense of aesthetics seemed questionable—why would a young lady hang so many swords at her waist?

Yuling quietly disapproved, but said nothing aloud. This would be her first disciple; she could be critical, but if anyone else dared so much as to frown, she’d certainly take it personally!

On the Heavenly Ladder, Gu Weiyu kept climbing, her breathing labored. She was exhausted after such a long ascent.

When you pause while climbing, it’s easy for laziness to set in—and once it does, it’s hard to regain your former momentum.

Gu Weiyu longed to sit and rest, but feared that if she did, she’d lose her chance.

A single conviction drove her onward—keep climbing, keep climbing...

The mist ahead seemed to thin.

Gu Weiyu lifted her leg, trembling, and paused to observe the mist before her.

It truly was much lighter now!

Where once her spiritual sense could only reach a hundred meters, now she saw as far as one hundred and fifty.

Thinking back on the climb, Gu Weiyu’s heart began to pound—could it be that she was finally nearing the end of the Heavenly Ladder?

At this thought, strength filled her anew, and she pressed forward.

The higher she climbed, the thinner the mist became, until at last it fully dissipated, revealing the true form of the Heavenly Ladder.