Chapter 365: Chapter 286: The Final Sprint
Dragon Gate City hovered in the sky, in front of the Sky Dragon Palace’s square.
Hundreds of powerful individuals from various factions or wandering alone, were eating Spirit Fruits and Spiritual Wine while exchanging cultivation experiences and anecdotes.
The opportunity to gather so many powerful individuals was rare. Using the Dragon Gate Conference, they took the chance to make connections with peers or senior experts.
Thus, the square before the palace was bustling with activity.
In their spare moments, many experts would occasionally glance at the magical projection in front of the palace, observing the climb up the Dragon Gate Heavenly Ladder below.
Some Dragon Sect disciples who had been waiting in the Sky Dragon Palace were interspersed among them, attentively attending to these experts. Among them, even the second-generation star Qin Lianyun was present.
Qin Lianyun had never seen so many powerful individuals before and was thrilled, curiously observing each faction’s experts.
At this moment, Qin Xiangyang sat in the main seat, with the delegation from the Great Flame Country on his left and the delegation from the Qiguang Country on his right.
“Able to forge a treasure like the Dragon Gate Heavenly Ladder, Lord Qin is truly powerful, admirable indeed,” said the emissary from Black Snow Country, a thin, dark-skinned old man in a white robe, with a smile.
Qin Xiangyang looked at the old man and smiled faintly. “It is entirely due to the power of the Law.”
Dragon Gate was close to Black Snow Country. The thin, dark-skinned old man sent by Black Snow was a familiar face who had dealt with Qin Xiangyang many times before.
At that time, as the representative of Black Snow Country, he was aggressive at every meeting and took advantage of Qin Xiangyang, never showing respect to Dragon Gate or the Black Wind Domain.
Now that Qin Xiangyang had achieved King Level, the old man’s attitude had taken a 180-degree turn. Though still backed by Black Snow Country and confident, his words were now laced with flattery and caution.
From the Great Flame delegation, a middle-aged man in a Vermilion Bird Black Robe spoke up. “Tower Master Qin’s enlightenment into the Path of Transcendence with the power of the Dragon Carp is truly astonishing.”
“Envoy Xiao is too kind. In Great Flame, in the Sky Patrol Department, many are stronger than me,” Qin Lianyun remained polite towards the Xiao Jian Imperial Envoy of the Great Flame.
Qin Xiangyang naturally harbored no underestimation towards this giant dragon in the south, a ruler standing tall for thousands of years.
At this moment, the Qiguang Envoy Kleken chimed in. “Lord Qin, no need for modesty. The power of transcendence is rare and formidable among many strengths. Our Qiguang Country hasn’t seen anyone master it in a millennium.”
Qin Xiangyang courteously cupped his hands and smiled, glancing at Xiao Jian Imperial Envoy, then said no more.
The entire continent was not so peaceful at the moment, especially with the tenuous relationship between Great Flame and Qiguang lately.
Originally, Dragon Gate was merely a Burning Sun Level force and insignificant to Great Flame and Qiguang. Now, as Qin Xiangyang had ascended to King Level, Dragon Gate had come into the view of various countries.
Situated near the central Black Wind Domain, if something did occur between the two countries, Dragon Gate would inevitably get entangled.
As a southern force in an unclear situation, naturally aligning with Great Flame was essential.
Qin Xiangyang was well aware of this.
Moreover, Great Flame had offered the mining rights to a Tiger Vein this time, indicating significant sincerity.
While chatting, everyone also kept an eye on the Dragon Gate Heavenly Ladder.
Seeing Seth already climbing past nine hundred and forty steps, Xiao Jian nodded slightly. “Mr. Kleken, the young man you brought truly is excellent. If he reaches the nine hundred and fiftieth step and combines it with Enhancement Skills, he may pass the Dragon Gate Heavenly Ladder in one shot.”
Xiao Jian offered sincere praise for excellence.
“Mr. Xiao Jian, you’re too kind,” Kleken smiled courteously.
Kleken harbored little doubt about Seth’s ability to pass the nine hundred and ninety-nine step ladder.
Seth Howard, at the Gold Limit, with a 4C-graded Blue Star Card and top-tier Enhancement Technique surpassing the T1 level.
As a direct lineage genius of the Howard family, how could he be compared to these motley groups gathered below?
The only question now was whether Seth could seize this opportunity to break through to Shining Star Level, as it was a significant obstacle.
Qin Xiangyang looked at the screen, slightly surprised. “Oh? Gold Middle Stage and Gold Early Stage also reached nine hundred steps? They look like Great Flame people. Envoy Xiao Jian, are they the young talents you brought?”
Hearing this, Xiao Jian looked over to find a Gold Middle Stage and a Gold Early Stage Great Flame people climbing nine hundred steps, quite surprised.
Xiao Jian, as a Burning Sun Level expert, could understand the ladder’s intensity with slight perception.
For Gold Middle Stage and Early Stage to reach nine hundred steps meant their strength was considerable.
The Sky Patrol Department consisted of experts above the Shining Star Level. How could he bring Gold Level talent here?
Before Xiao Jian could shake his head, a purple-haired young man drinking Spiritual Wine alone noticed, his eyes brightening.
“Envoy Xiao, that’s Su Yuan from the Demon Capital Academy. He dealt with the Demon King’s resurrection event. Recently, he also repelled the Qiguang student delegation.
Now, he has been designated as a candidate by the Lord.”
This purple-haired youth was Hou Wu, of Vermilion Bird Imperial. Seeing the Gold Middle Stage climber being Su Yuan, he eagerly whispered to Xiao Jian.
Indeed, about the Qiguang student delegation event was handled by Xuanwu Imperial initially, unknown to Hou Wu.
Although minor, the incident had significance, and hearing the Academy’s victory over Qiguang had spread across the Sky Patrol Department.
Afterwards, Xuanwu Imperial reported “Su Yuan’s” name, adding him to the candidate list for future contact.
Reading Su Yuan’s name, Hou Wu realized it was also Su Yuan who dealt with Qiguang’s student delegation, marveled internally.
After the South Sea Demon King event, Fang Qingxiao had already listed Su Yuan as a candidate for Vermilion Bird Imperial. Hou Wu ran to clarify with Xuanwu Imperial, ensuring Su Yuan wasn’t usurped.
Xiao Jian realized, admiringly, about to speak to Qin Xiangyang.
However, before Xiao Jian spoke, Qin Lianyun, seeing the projection, rushed to Qin Xiangyang’s side, both surprised and pleased.
“Father, that’s Su Yuan. Last time the Blood Lion Alliance’s matter was thanks to Brother Su’s discovery!”
“Oh, so that’s him?”
Qin Xiangyang looked at Su Yuan on the projection, surprised, smiled softly, then produced a talisman, handing it to Qin Lianyun.
“Lianyun, if Brother Su doesn’t make it, personally invite him.”
Excited, Qin Lianyun took the talisman. “Alright, Father!”
“Lord Qin, you know Su Yuan?” Now it was Xiao Jian and Hou Wu’s turn to be surprised, seeing Qin Xiangyang and Qin Lianyun seemingly familiar and favoring Su Yuan.
Qin Xiangyang laughed heartily. “Of course! And to be honest, Brother Su has done me quite a favor!”
“Oh?”
Xiao Jian and Hou Wu were puzzled.
Qin Xiangyang said no more, simply smiling. “Let’s see how far he climbs… Also, Mr. Kleken’s Qiguang talent.”
…
On the Dragon Gate Heavenly Ladder, Su Yuan steadily ascended step by step. With each step, heavier pressure weighed down upon him.
Nine hundred and one steps, nine hundred and ten steps… nine hundred and thirty steps!
“At the limit…”
Su Yuan, hands on knees, felt the crushing pressure of the nine hundred and thirty steps nearly overwhelming him.
Breathing deeply, Su Yuan, only at Gold Middle Stage, having walked to nine hundred and thirty steps under such pressure, showed his physical and Star Power’s comprehensive quality not much behind Seth at Gold Limit.
Now, it was time to use techniques for a breakthrough!
Despite the distance, Su Yuan hesitated not a bit.
“Great Sun Burning Body!”
With a thought, red flames ignited all over Su Yuan, though heavily suppressed by the Ladder’s force, the flowing flames remained exceptionally bright!
The current Great Sun Burning Body Technique, unrestrained, had reached Epic Grade and mastered by Su Yuan.
Combined with the “Blessing of the Undead Evil Fire”, merely Red Flames Burning Body’s enhancement surpassed the original significantly.
With flames enshrouding him, more power surged, lightening his body. Su Yuan quickly ascended several steps, finally slowing to a halt at nine hundred and forty steps!
“Nine hundred and forty steps, seems that’s the limit.”
“Pity, with average enhancement skills, he can’t advance five more steps… Wait! It’s a staged enhancement skill!”
As everyone on Dragon Ascending Square thought Su Yuan’s journey was ending, the red flames on his body turned bright yellow.
Wordlessly, Su Yuan stepped forward again!
“Thud, thud, thud…”
Nine hundred and forty-five steps, nine hundred and fifty steps…
Progressing continuously, Su Yuan surpassed many struggling Gold Level experts ahead.
Upon stopping, he had reached nine hundred and fifty-six steps!
This time, Su Yuan advanced sixteen steps at once.
Only three remained before him.
Seth, a robust man bare-chested, and a tall woman with black hair.
The three at Gold Limit.
Seth, wrapped in six Holy Light Rune Chains, turned his entire being into a Light Energy Body, striding at the forefront.
The tall woman, shrouded in thick black mist, eerily unpredictable, lagged behind Seth.
The robust man, with condensed Gang Qi on his surface, fierce and ruthless, currently on nine hundred and sixty-six steps, the nearest to Su Yuan.
Each displaying their skills, all began their final sprint!
“Time to catch up one by one…”
Su Yuan’s eyes sharpened, the yellow flames around him flickered, transforming bright white!
The heavily suppressed flames ignited twelve to twenty centimeters, lifting Su Yuan’s aura to an astonishing height!