Standing atop the peak of the Heaven Ascension Ladder, Ye Yunfei swept his gaze across the surroundings. He could clearly take in everything in a single glance—the five main peaks of the Tianyuan Sect headquarters.
At this moment, Ye Yunfei could sense that with but a thought from his will, by urging the Heaven Ascension Ladder, the Tianxuan Five Elements Divine Mountain Formation could be activated. At that time, the five main peaks would regain their spirituality, revealing their mountain roots. Then, the concentration of spiritual energy within the entire Tianyuan Sect headquarters would increase by at least tenfold! Everyone in the Tianyuan Sect could receive enormous benefits. This was because many of the techniques and martial skills within the Tianyuan Sect had been created based on the attributes of these five peaks and were inextricably linked to them.
Moreover, Ye Yunfei knew that since he had gained control over this Heaven Ascension Ladder, he could now mobilize the power of the Five Elements in this region at any time. Within the Tianyuan Sect headquarters, Ye Yunfei was now essentially an invincible presence!
After standing at the summit for a moment, Ye Yunfei, with his hands clasped behind his back, began walking down the steps, one at a time.
Qin An was still standing frozen on the fifty-ninth step, unable to accept reality even now.
As Ye Yunfei passed by Qin An's side, he directly ignored him, not even sparing him a glance.
A moment later, Ye Yunfei walked off the Heaven Ascension Ladder.
"Senior Brother Ye Yunfei! Senior Brother Ye Yunfei! ..." Suddenly, thunderous cheers erupted from among the disciples of Gold Peak. Then, disciples from the other four peaks also began shouting loudly. Even the disciples of Water Peak were no exception, gazing at Ye Yunfei with reverence, even fanatical admiration.
After Ye Yunfei descended, Long Yingying, gritting her teeth, continued to climb upward. Astonishingly, Long Yingying ultimately managed to ascend to the sixty-second step! This caused another wave of minor commotion.
"She hasn't truly activated her Battle Clan bloodline yet. Otherwise, her performance would be even more outstanding," Ye Yunfei noted silently in his heart.
Meanwhile, the elite disciples of the three sects—Xiaoyao Pavilion, Zhencang Sect, and Ziyang Sect—began concluding their attempts and descending from the ladder one after another. Among these disciples, apart from Qin An, the highest any of them had reached was the fifty-second step.
Thus, at this point, the ladder climbing competition had officially come to an end!
"Ye Yunfei, about that battle intent you mentioned earlier, I think I caught a glimmer of it, but I still can't fully grasp it. Explain it to me," Long Yingying said directly after descending from the ladder, coming to Ye Yunfei's side and pestering him to explain battle intent.
"Battle intent is something you must comprehend yourself. It can be grasped intuitively but not conveyed through words. If you can't comprehend it on your own, no amount of my explanation will be useful," Ye Yunfei replied.
"I don't care. You have to explain it clearly to me," Long Yingying took a step forward. The unique faint fragrance of a young woman wafted towards Ye Yunfei. Her beautiful figure, brimming with youthful vitality, also came closer.
Though Long Yingying's personality was fiery and combative, it was undeniable that she was a great beauty. With a tall stature, a pair of long, shapely legs clad in snug leather boots, dressed in red attire, and complemented by exquisitely beautiful features, she unconsciously drew the gazes of every male present.
"Ahem, as I said, matters of 'intent' primarily rely on one's own comprehension. Others can, at most, offer some guidance," Ye Yunfei said.
"Alright then. So guide me. I'm willing to accept your guidance," Long Yingying said, her exquisitely beautiful face moving close to Ye Yunfei's, her breath as fragrant as orchids.
Earlier, on the ladder, Ye Yunfei's words had allowed her to climb all the way to the sixty-second step in one go—for her, it had been a superhuman performance. Thus, right now, her main concern was battle intent.
"Fine. This... we'll talk about it when I have time," Ye Yunfei suddenly realized that this Long Yingying was not only battle-loving; her skills in pestering people seemed to be first-class as well.
"Good. Remember to guide me properly when you have time," Long Yingying pressed closer, her exquisite little face almost touching Ye Yunfei's!
At this moment.
"Everyone, I now declare that this ladder climbing competition has concluded!" Shi Zongyang stood up from the high platform on the east side of the square and announced loudly.
"In that case, we shall take our leave!" The Master of Xiaoyao Pavilion, the Sect Master of Zhencang Sect, and the Sect Master of Ziyang Sect all stood up simultaneously and addressed Shi Zongyang.
Then, the three sect leaders prepared to leave with their respective entourages.
"Pavilion Master, wait a moment," suddenly, Elder Ding of Xiaoyao Pavilion spoke up.
With a flash of her figure, she appeared before Ye Yunfei.
"Ye Yunfei, this is two hundred thousand Spirit Crystals. I hope you will honor your promise," Elder Ding said, tossing a spatial ring to Ye Yunfei, her sharp gaze fixed on him.
"Heh, payment taken, troubles resolved. Don't worry, now that you've paid, I will certainly help you solve your problem," Ye Yunfei replied, picking up the spatial ring. Sensing it, he confirmed it indeed contained two hundred thousand Spirit Crystals.
Last time, in Yuanyue City, Ye Yunfei had pointed out that Elder Ding had a problem with her body—alternating between heat and cold, with not much lifespan left. Ye Yunfei had stated he would only take action to help Elder Ding resolve it after receiving two hundred thousand Spirit Crystals.
During this period, Elder Ding didn't know how many famous physicians she had sought or how many methods she had tried. Not only had she not recovered, her symptoms had instead grown increasingly severe.
Therefore, she had no choice but to obediently gather the two hundred thousand Spirit Crystals and come find Ye Yunfei.
"Listen carefully. Your body is originally inclined towards Yin coldness, but you insistently cultivated a domineering Yang-attribute technique and, moreover, practiced it incorrectly. Thus, Yin and Yang are imbalanced, and your spiritual power is in disorder. This is the main cause of your body's issues.
To cure your body is actually very simple. From now on, cease practicing that Yang-attribute technique. Rest and recuperate for a period of time, and your body will be fine," Ye Yunfei stated.
"That's all there is to it?" Elder Ding was stunned.
"That's all there is to it," Ye Yunfei nodded.
"Such a simple method, and you charged me two hundred thousand Spirit Crystals! Ye Yunfei, you're clearly messing with me!" Elder Ding felt a sense of having been tricked, her eyes turning red as she stared fixedly at Ye Yunfei with a murderous gaze.
"That's not fair to say. Follow my method, and it will definitely work! If it proves ineffective, you can come back and I'll refund you," Ye Yunfei said with a smile.
"Ye Yunfei, aren't you afraid I'll kill you?!" Elder Ding said furiously.
"Ye Yunfei, what's going on?" At this time, both Shi Zongyang and the reclusive elder noticed something was amiss. Simultaneously unleashing their movement techniques, they rushed over.
Intentionally or otherwise, they positioned themselves to shield Ye Yunfei with their bodies.
To be joking now—Shi Zongyang and the reclusive elder already regarded Ye Yunfei as a treasure. Ascending to the hundredth step! In the history of the Tianyuan Sect, this was absolutely unprecedented! For such a genius, how could they bear to let Ye Yunfei suffer even the slightest harm?
"Hmph! Ye Yunfei, I'll remember today's events!" Knowing she couldn't possibly lay a finger on Ye Yunfei here, Elder Ding flicked her sleeve and turned to leave.
"Wait. Elder Ding, it seems you've forgotten something. We still have a bet between us. I won the ladder climbing competition, so now, let Qin An kneel and kowtow to me," Ye Yunfei suddenly said.
Upon hearing this, Elder Ding's body shuddered. She halted her steps, slowly turned back, her eyes brimming with boundless fury.
"Ye Yunfei, I advise you not to push your luck!" Elder Ding said, her icy gaze fixed on Ye Yunfei.