In the end, it was one of the older middle-aged Princes who took the initiative to step forward, addressing Jiang Ziyan:
“Sister, I will go first.”
“Go ahead.”
Jiang Ziyan nodded.
The middle-aged man then bowed with folded fists to each of the seven Dao Law Realm experts standing beside the Heavenly Ladder before stepping forward.
As he approached, the large, dark elliptical mirror suddenly rippled with white light, like ink spreading, revealing the silhouette of the middle-aged man, along with the reflected message.
Ancient characters appeared:
Age, 328 years old.
The middle-aged man was startled, not expecting the Bone-Reflecting Mirror to actually reveal his age.
He took a deep breath, hesitated no longer, and revealed his full Qi Force as he stepped onto the Heavenly Ladder.
As soon as he set foot on the ladder, he felt an overwhelming sense of oppressive force engulfing his entire body.
It seemed to be some kind of law!
His expression changed dramatically, he could not afford to hide any longer, and burst forth with all his strength. Experience new tales on My Virtual Library Empire
Soon, his body rapidly ascended the Heavenly Ladder. When he surpassed the fifth step, the Extreme Dao Stele beside him showed no change.
Clearly, he had not cultivated to the Divine Power Extreme Realm.
The middle-aged man did not stop, he sprinted all the way, his momentum growing stronger, but his steps gradually slowed.
He demonstrated the strength of the Ultimate Study Realm, exploding forth like a wild bull, stepping on the Heavenly Ladder, his eyes dead set on the Immortal Gate, filled with desire and determination.
Finally, he crossed forty-nine steps of the Heavenly Ladder and arrived in front of the Immortal Gate.
A small tower floating above the gate suddenly spun swiftly, shooting out a beam of purple light that illuminated him.
Then, the purple light retracted, and the purple mist on the small tower transformed into golden yellow.
The middle-aged man glanced at it but did not pause, continuing towards the Immortal Gate, only to be suddenly blocked by a force, pushing him back.
“Hmm?”
The middle-aged man’s expression changed.
“Three hundred years, Yellow-Rank Dao Heart, aptitude, Low Rank, disqualified.”
The indifferent voice of Ancestor Yu then sounded.
The middle-aged man was stunned, his expression turning to one of shock and dismay, he said, “How could this be? I am at the Ultimate Study Realm. Though I’m over three hundred years old, I had entered the Defying Fate Realm at the age of sixty, it only took me Sixty Years!”
“We only look at aptitude, not cultivation level. Your Dao Heart is too weak, your potential is limited. Just retire in the Mortal World.”
Ancestor Yu’s voice was indifferent, followed by an irresistible force enveloping the middle-aged man, transferring him away from the Immortal Gate, back to Jiang Ziyan’s side.
Clearly, he knew the man was Jiang Ziyan’s royal brother, but still made no exceptions.
The middle-aged man was somewhat dazed, and upon stabilizing himself, he instantly knew what he had lost. His face was somewhat pale and extremely distressed.
Dao Heart too low?
How could it be? His Dao Heart was determined to inherit Emperor Yu’s throne, to become a sovereign!
Such a Dao Heart, deemed low?
In his view, there should be no greater ambition under the heavens, unless it were about becoming a Saint.
But was that something ordinary people even dared to dream of?
Jiang Ziyan’s expression also darkened somewhat, but she knew her master’s nature, and indeed, a Yellow-Rank Dao Heart was too weak.
How could he be so lacking in ambition?
“What is your Dao Heart?” Jiang Ziyan couldn’t help but look toward this royal brother, who, although not of Extreme Realm, had achieved Defying Fate in Sixty Years with his not-so-poor aptitude.
The middle-aged man looked at her, then hung his head in silence.
Speaking it out loud, he feared the Emperor would hear and have him executed.
Seeing his demeanor, Jiang Ziyan also guessed some things, internally lamenting—simply inheriting a throne was just that, true ambition should be to establish one’s own Divine Dynasty, to become the founding emperor. That would truly be a lofty aspiration.
“Forget it, who’s next? Let’s not embarrass ourselves further.”
Jiang Ziyan said.
The middle-aged man’s face twitched, but knowing he had lost his chance at the Immortal Gate and any support, he dared not show any more dissatisfaction, instead feeling a bit fearful inside.
Taking the risk of displeasing the Emperor and failing to enter the Immortal Gate, the throne seemed even more unattainable for him now.
The middle-aged man’s rejection was beyond the expectations of the others, the remaining Princes and Princesses were not rejoicing at his misfortune, instead, their expressions tightened.
And in the Imperial City, the gathered experts rushed to the square outside the Imperial Palace. Seeing this scene, their faces dramatically changed, filled with tension and apprehension.
An Ultimate Study Realm existence had been rejected—how stringent were the conditions of this Immortal Gate!
Quickly, the second member of the Royal Family took action, this time a Princess.
Her reflected age was only thirty-two years.
Her cultivation was at the Three Immortals Peak.
Just one step away from the Four Stands Realm, she had yet to form a Dao Heart.
With no Dao Heart, there was no need to test it.
But reaching the Three Immortals Peak at such an age showed extremely high aptitude.
Her figure stepped onto the Heavenly Ladder and quickly moved forward, sprinting just like the middle-aged man.
Seeing her darting figure, the middle-aged man was somewhat incredulous, but then realized something, and hurriedly asked Jiang Ziyan:
“Sister, is the Law Oppression on this Heavenly Ladder adjusted according to each person’s realm?”
“Yes.”
Jiang Ziyan nodded.
The Law Oppression tested real combat ability, that is, the Cultivation Technique and the like.
If one was cultivating a very poor technique and their strength was at Middle or even Low Rank among those in the same realm, it would be an achievement to complete the ladder.
By then, the princess had already rushed out quickly, using the royal Meridian Opening Skill, vigorously mobilizing all her strength, and finally arrived at the immortal gate with difficulty.
The Black Tower did not respond, She paused for a moment and then stepped towards the Immortal Gate.