"Just now, which one of you Water Peak people said you'd kowtow if I could climb past the fifth step?
Well, I've reached the fifteenth step now.
You can get down and kowtow."
A Niu turned his head, his gaze sweeping over the Water Peak disciple contingent, as he shouted, suppressing the excitement in his heart.
A deathly silence fell over the Water Peak disciples, everyone's faces turning ugly.
Naturally, no one stepped forward to kowtow.
"These Water Peak scoundrels never keep their word. How boring."
A Niu yelled, then continued climbing the ladder.
In the end, A Niu gritted his teeth and managed to force his way up to the twenty-second step!
The entire field was stunned!
One had to know that among the Five Peaks, many Core Disciples hadn't achieved such a result!
On the raised platform to the east of the square, Elder Du's eyes shone brightly, brimming with excitement.
"Strange. A Niu's martial cultivation talent seemed utterly ordinary before.
How has he suddenly become so formidable?
Could it be... because of Ye Yunfei?"
While excited, Elder Du also felt deeply perplexed, his gaze shifting to Ye Yunfei.
"Senior Brother Ye Yunfei, I didn't disgrace you, did I?"
After finishing his climb, A Niu jogged all the way back to Ye Yunfei's side, his face flushed with excitement as he spoke to Ye Yunfei.
"Not bad.
Congratulations, A Niu, on becoming a Core Disciple of Jin Peak."
Ye Yunfei smiled and nodded.
With this result, A Niu was absolutely qualified to become a Core Disciple of Jin Peak.
"Core Disciple!"
A Niu trembled from head to toe, his eyes glowing.
Being a Core Disciple not only meant an increase in status and position but also that he would receive the sect's focused training and gain more cultivation resources!
"Senior Brother Ye Yunfei, any achievement I have is bestowed by you.
From this moment on, my life belongs to you!"
A Niu declared.
"What use is your life to me?
Don't talk nonsense."
Ye Yunfei shook his head.
A Niu chuckled sheepishly.
However, in his heart, he had already decided to forever be Ye Yunfei's loyal follower from this day forward.
"Senior Brother Ye Yunfei, when do you plan to go up and climb?"
A Niu asked.
"Now."
Ye Yunfei finished speaking, raised his foot, and walked towards the stage.
"Look, Ye Yunfei is starting to climb!"
The moment Ye Yunfei's figure appeared on the stage, someone immediately shouted.
Instantly, countless gazes from across the square focused on Ye Yunfei.
"I heard Ye Yunfei's combat prowess is extremely powerful, even defeating Water Peak's third-ranked expert in a single move.
He should put on a decent performance in this ladder-climbing competition too."
"Hmph, so what if his combat strength is high.
I heard this Ye Yunfei specializes in physical strength.
Cultivating physical strength indeed makes it easy to surpass peers in the early stages.
But no matter how strong his physical strength is, it doesn't mean his martial cultivation talent is good.
I don't think much of him."
"Hmm, you make a good point.
With just his ability, he wants to get into the top five? I don't see any chance!"
...
Whispers and discussions rose throughout the entire square. Some held high hopes for Ye Yunfei, while others dismissed him.
On the raised platform to the east of the square.
"Ye Yunfei, I hope you don't disappoint me."
Elder Du grew a bit tense.
After all, back when he had recruited Ye Yunfei in Yuanyue City and returned to the sect, he had overruled all opposition to insist that Ye Yunfei occupy one of the spots to enter the Tianying Small World.
Over this matter, the high-level figures of the Tianyuan Sect had argued countless times, reaching a complete impasse.
Once the news spread,
a large number of Core Disciples within the Tianyuan Sect had collectively petitioned the sect leader to protest.
The entire Tianyuan Sect was in an uproar.
Thus, this ladder-climbing competition had come into being!
In a sense, this ladder-climbing competition was specially held for Ye Yunfei!
Now, the main character was taking the stage, drawing everyone's attention!
"Heh heh, Elder Du, let's see what kind of result this person you recruited can achieve.
If Ye Yunfei can't make it into the top five, Elder Du, I wonder where you'll hide your old face then!"
The Peak Master of Water Peak, Luo Fengyang, sneered.
"Ye Yunfei alone, single-handedly, can almost crush the entire Water Peak's disciples. Doesn't that prove his strength?"
Elder Du shot back.
"Ahem, Elder Du, let me state clearly beforehand.
If Ye Yunfei fails to make the top five in this ladder-climbing competition, I will absolutely not agree to let him occupy a spot to enter the Tianying Small World!"
The Peak Master of Earth Peak, Su Deqing, spoke up.
"Hmph!"
Elder Du snorted coldly.
However, deep down, Elder Du also felt somewhat unsure.
Although Ye Yunfei's combat prowess was indeed strong,
so far, the combat strength Ye Yunfei had displayed was largely physical power.
"This lad is anything but simple."
Throughout the entire Tianyuan Sect, only the reclusive elder observed Ye Yunfei with an appreciative gaze, nodding secretly.
On the stage,
Ye Yunfei arrived before the Heaven Ascension Ladder.
"Hmm, indeed, this stone staircase contains energy of five different attributes.
Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth.
Each energy corresponds to one peak.
Once this stone staircase is controlled, the energy it contains can be transmitted to the corresponding peaks, activating the spiritual nature of the five peaks.
Once that happens, the Tianxuan Five Elements Divine Mountain Formation can be activated.
Once the grand formation activates, in less than five years, the overall strength of the Tianyuan Sect will skyrocket!
It will become the strongest existence among the Four Great Sects of the Great Qin Empire."
Ye Yunfei released his Soul Power, carefully sensing the stone staircase before him.
"Good.
Since I've encountered it, I'll just take control of this Heaven Ascension Ladder.
Then, I can use this Tianxuan Five Elements Divine Mountain Formation to forge a set of Five Elements Spirit Swords.
With the Five Elements Spirit Swords, I can cultivate the Five Elements Deity-Slaying Sword Array."
Ye Yunfei thought to himself, making up his mind to take control of this Heaven Ascension Ladder.
"Huh?
What is Ye Yunfei doing?"
"He's standing before the Heaven Ascension Ladder, not moving a muscle. Why isn't he climbing?"
...
Puzzled voices echoed across the square.
Everyone watching Ye Yunfei stand motionless before the Heaven Ascension Ladder found it very strange.
"No way!
Could it be that Ye Yunfei doesn't dare to climb at all?
Otherwise, what is he hesitating about?"
"Sigh, I thought he was amazing. Is his martial cultivation talent really this poor?"
"It seems physical strength, no matter how great, doesn't prove anything.
After all this fuss, it turns out Ye Yunfei's aptitude is so lousy.
Pah!"
...
Soon, voices filled with scorn, disdain, and mockery began to rise.
The looks many cast towards Ye Yunfei began to change.
No longer the previous reverence or fear.
They were replaced with contempt and disdain!
"Hahaha... Ye Yunfei, your true colors are finally revealed!
Weren't you amazing, so arrogant?
Climb! Climb for me to see! Where's your amazingness, where's your arrogance now!"
Zhou Tong rushed quickly onto the stage, arriving beside Ye Yunfei, shouting at him in a wildly excited voice.
"Ye Yunfei, today I'll make you understand that even though you defeated me!
Before me, you are but an ant!
An ant I will crush beneath my feet!"
Zhou Tong's voice dripped with venomous hatred.
Having been slapped a hundred times in public by Ye Yunfei, he already bore a bone-deep grudge against him!
Now, he felt the chance for revenge had finally arrived!
He decided to thoroughly humiliate Ye Yunfei next!
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh...
Suddenly, Zhou Tong quickened his pace, climbing five steps of the stone ladder in succession with clean, effortless movements, showing no pressure at all.
Zhou Tong glanced back triumphantly at Ye Yunfei, then exerted himself again. In one breath, he climbed another five steps in a row, standing on the tenth step.
"So fast!
A Heaven Realm Expert is indeed formidable!"
Cheers erupted across the square.
So far, Zhou Tong was the first Heaven Realm Expert to take the stage and climb!
"Ye Yunfei, you trash, have you seen it now!
You are now beneath my feet, someone you need to look up to!"
Zhou Tong turned his head, roaring at Ye Yunfei, his face twisted with a sickening, perverse delight!
He felt the exhilaration of vengeance!