Stellar Transformation Volume 16 Chapter 36-37

Volume 16 – Marriage - Chapter 36 – Flight of Steps.

Translated by: Pumpkin

Edited by: Phillip and Robin

When looking from down from the sky, the three thousand plus islands gathered there looked just like numerous pebbles. As for the island in the middle, the largest island, Levitation Island; it could be considered a pearl within the pebbles.

Bright radiating light was s.h.i.+ning from the center of the Drift Bare Island.

After landing on the Levitation Island, Qin Yu's eyes s.h.i.+ned as he looked to the distant Mountain Sea Palace. He gasped. "It is definitely deserving of being called the temporary residence of the Three Great Exalted Celestials. Although it cannot be considered luxurious, its presence greatly surpa.s.ses even the Sage Emperors' Palaces."

Mountain Sea Palace, it was a hundred feet taller than the surface of the Levitation Island.

It was because of the stairs.

When looking over, one could see layers upon layers of steps going straight towards the top, leading all the way to the main palace of the Mountain Sea Palace. On top of the flights of steps, on the vacant land before the main palace was a middle aged man and a middle aged woman. They were slowly sweeping the ground.

"Brother Qin Yu, in terms of presence, this Mountain Sea Palace is a palace created personally by the Three Great Exalted Celestials. Thus, how could its presence possibly be weak? You see those flight of steps?" Duanmu Yu smiled as he extended his slender finger and pointed towards the layers of steps.

What was special about the steps?

Qin Yu carefully looked to the steps. There was a total of ninety nine steps. Every single one of those steps was simple, unadorned and brown-black colored. On the surface of the steps were carvings of gra.s.s, trees and various other images.

The more he looked at it, the more Qin Yu felt that these steps were unusual. However, Qin Yu was unable to determine the secret of these steps.

Seeing Qin Yu's frowning and 'deep in thought' appearance, Duanmu Yu smiled and said. "Brother Qin Yu, those steps are the legendary Mountain Sea Palace's 'Heaven Connecting Flight of Steps.'"

"Heaven Connecting Flight of Steps? Why are these steps known as the Heaven Connecting Flight of Steps?" Confused, Qin Yu asked.

Although Qin Yu had been in the Divine Realm for some time now, he had spent majority of his time training. Thus, he only knew about some of the general stuff of the Divine Realm, and not any of the fine secrets.

Duanmu Yu smiled and said. "The Utmost North Sage Emperor told us to move the Exalted Celestials with our sincerity. How are we to do that? I can only think of a single method; that is, through the use of the Heaven Connecting Flight of Steps."

Qin Yu had also been confused the entire time about how to move the Exalted Celestials.

And now, upon hearing Duanmu Yu saying these words, he immediately asked. "Through the use of the Heaven Connecting Flight of Steps? How?"

"I know of a legend. In that legend, if one were not a G.o.dking and were capable of walking up the ninety nine steps that connected to the Heavens, then… the Exalted Celestials would definitely show themselves before that person." Duanmu Yu said, as he revealed the answer to the riddle.

Qin Yu looked at the simple and unadorned flight of steps with shock.

The flight of steps, they were ten meters wide and there were ninety nine steps in total.

"Brother Duanmu, could there be something astonis.h.i.+ng regarding these steps that make even High Level Heavenly Deities unable to scale them?" Qin Yu found it a bit unbelievable.

Was there something special about the flight of steps?

"In all history, there has yet to be a single person, who is not a G.o.dking, capable of summiting the flight of steps."  Duanmu Yu's resounding words continued.

At this moment, the man and the woman that were sweeping the floor above the steps took a step and flew down to Qin Yu and Duanmu Yu.

"Brother Duanmu, long time no see." That middle aged man smiled to Duanmu Yu as he greeted him.

Seeing the expression on Duanmu Yu and the middle aged man, Qin Yu knew right away that the two of them were former acquaintances. At this moment, Duanmu Yu said. "It's indeed been a long time. It have already been no less than eight million years since we last saw each other. Oh, that's right, Hao Jun, as you are the disciple of the Unfettered Exalted Celestial, have you seen the Unfettered Exalted Celestial in the past eight million years?"

At the same time, Duanmu Yu said to Qin Yu. "Brother Qin Yu, these two individuals are respectively the disciple of the Unfettered Exalted Celestial, Hao Jun, and the disciple of the Thunder Punishment Exalted Celestial, Yao Lin."

"This Qin Yu pays his respect to Hao Jun and Yao Lin." Qin Yu slightly bowed and said.

With Qin Yu's current eye prowess, he was able to tell that the two people before him were both High Level Heavenly Deities. Hao Jun slightly smiled to Qin Yu before turning to Duanmu Yu and smiled helplessly. "Brother Duanmu, His Exalted Celestial is an extremely free and unfettered person. After becoming a disciple to His Exalted Celestial, I have only managed to receive some guidance from him during the beginning. After that, he told me to deal with everything myself. Since the last time you came till now, in the eight million plus years, I have not seen His Exalted Celestial even once."

As Hao Jun said this, he looked at the middle aged beautiful woman beside him. "Yao Lin's luck was a bit better than mine. In the past years, she managed to see the Thunder Punishment G.o.dking once."

Duanmu Yu smiled to Qin Yu and said. "Brother Qin Yu, did you hear? Even these two disciples of the Exalted Celestials rarely manage to see the Exalted Celestials, the difficulty of us trying to see the Exalted Celestials and obtain a gift from them is extremely hard."

Qin Yu have no choice but to admit.

That it was indeed possible for the first chosen candidate spot to be wasted.

Qin Yu's Spatial Energy started to spread. It had already been six thousand years since he reached the Cosmos Stage. Qin Yu's current Spatial Energy possessed a range of a hundred miles.

"Although the Spatial Energy is still incapable of completely covering the entire Levitation Island, it is an extremely easy task for it to completely cover the Mountain Sea Palace on Levitation Island." Qin Yu started to carefully inspect the Mountain Sea Palace.

Before his inspection, Qin Yu was still curious.

However, after he started inspecting it, he discovered that there was nothing mysterious to the Mountain Sea Palace. It was merely a palace with a relatively more complicated construction. There was actually not a single person in the entire Mountain Sea Palace.

"Hao Jun, Yao Lin." Qin Yu turned to the two of them and said with a smile. "The two of you are respectively the disciples of the Unfettered Exalted Celestial and the Thunder Punishment Exalted Celestial; then, what about the Floating Feathers Exalted Celestial? Does he have disciples too?"

Hao Jun and Yao Lin glanced at each other. They both started smiling.

Duanmu Yu turned to Qin Yu and said. "Qin Yu, you know too little about the Floating Feathers Exalted Celestial. The Floating Feathers Exalted Celestial is the most mysterious among the Three Great Exalted Celestials. He is also the one who is the hardest to encounter. Much less you, I reckon even the Eight Great Sage Emperors have only met the Floating Feathers Exalted Celestial a handful of times at most."

"In all these years the two of us have been disciples of the two Exalted Celestials, we have only met the Floating Feathers Exalted Celestial once. Furthermore, the Floating Feathers Exalted Celestial possesses a very strange temperament and has never had any disciples before." Yao Lin smiled and said.

Hao Jun said in a low voice. "The Floating Feathers Exalted Celestial is extremely powerful. The other two Exalted Celestials would frequently get in some conflict with each other. However, they never dare to go against the Floating Feathers Exalted Celestial."

From what the two disciples of the two Exalted Celestials have said, Qin Yu became even more aware of how mysterious the Floating Feathers Exalted Celestial was.

The reason why Hao Jun and Yao Lin spoke so much to Qin Yu and Duanmu Yu was because they knew who Duanmu Yu was.

"Hao Jun, I need to go see the Exalted Celestials this time around and obtain a gift from them. Do you know of any good method of doing so?" Duanmu Yu asked.

Hao Jun blinked and then smiled. "Brother Duanmu, seeing the Exalted Celestials is a very easy task. All you need to do is to walk up those Heaven Connecting Flight of Steps."

"I naturally know about this. Merely, how could one possibly be able to ascend these ninety nine steps unless one has reached the G.o.dking level?" Duanmu Yu shook his head and said.

Hao Jun and Yao Lin glanced at each other. They both had a smiling expression in their eyes.

"Brother Duanmu, I know of the reason why you and the others have come. The Utmost North Sage Emperor has already informed this matter to us beforehand. I cannot help any candidates. Besides, it is not like I have the method to help any candidate anyways. To see the Exalted Celestials, the only method is through surmounting the Heaven Connecting Flight of Steps." Hao Jun chuckled as he said.

Qin Yu and Duanmu Yu felt helpless.

So they have actually already received the news of their purpose in coming.

"Obtaining the gift bestowed by the Exalted Celestials?" Qin Yu muttered.

Ascending the Heaven Connecting Flight of Steps, this was the last method to seeing the Exalted Celestials. In the following days, Qin Yu had been thinking about the ways to meet the Exalted Celestials on the Levitation Island the entire time. Actually, on the Mountain Sea Palace, other than the main palace, there were also three side palaces.

The three side palaces were respectively the temporary residences of the Unfettered Exalted Celestial, Thunder Punishment Exalted Celestial and the Floating Feathers Exalted Celestial. There was nothing special to the flight of steps connecting to these three side palaces.

Qin Yu had strolled the surrounding of the three side palaces numerous times.

However, in the desolate and empty Mountain Sea Palace, other than Qin Yu himself, there were only the two disciples of the Exalted Celestials and Duanmu Yu. Evidently, Duanmu Yu also did not make any headway.

"It seems that I really must try that Heaven Connecting Flight of Steps!" Qin Yu sat on a large bluestone and muttered.

"Brother Qin Yu."

Qin Yu raised his head to look. Duanmu Yu was currently walking over with a frowned expression. "Brother Qin Yu, Kuiyin Hou has arrived."

"Kuiyin Hou arrived?" Qin Yu immediately jumped down from the large bluestone.

Qin Yu and Duanmu Yu's flying speed was the fastest. This allowed the two of them to arrive here one or two months early compared to the majority of the rest of the candidates. However, Kuiyin Hou who was second to only Qin Yu and Duanmu Yu had also arrived at the Levitation Island just now.

"We cannot waste time anymore. In these past days, we have not discovered any other method. It seems that only the original foolish method is left." Duanmu Yu had a serious expression as he said to Qin Yu solemnly.

Qin Yu lightly nodded.

"Come, let's go to the Heaven Connecting Flight of Steps." Qin Yu and Duanmu Yu immediately proceed to walk toward the Heaven Connecting Flight of Steps in large strides. However, not long after the two walked, they discovered Kuiyin Hou who stood not far from the Heaven Connecting Flight of Steps.

Seeing Qin Yu and Duanmu Yu walking directly toward the Heaven Connecting Flight of Steps, Kuiyin Hou opened his eyes in shock.

"Brother Qin Yu, Brother Duanmu, have the two of you gotten fever and become unable to think calmly? That is the Heaven Connecting Flight of Steps, it is something that only G.o.dkings can surmount. Although the legend has it that if anyone who isn't a G.o.dking is able to ascend the Heaven Connecting Flight of Steps, then the Exalted Celestials would meet him, it is still very hard to determine whether the legend is true or false. Furthermore, if one hasn't reached the G.o.dking level, it is impossible to ascend the steps." Kuiyin Hou said to the two of them.

Qin Yu's body stopped.

Was it absolutely impossible?

Qin Yu looked to Kuiyin Hou. Duanmu Yu also looked to Kuiyin Hou. "Kuiyin Hou, there is no need for you to try to persuade us. Furthermore, this legend is real. If you don't believe me, you can go and ask Hao Jun and Yao Lin. The two of them are the disciples of the Exalted Celestials, they are the people who know about this the most."

"Even if it was true, then what?" Kuiyin Hou refuted. "The Utmost North Sage Emperor had also said to me before that unless one has completely comprehended the Spatial Laws, it is impossible for one to surmount the steps."

"Haha…"

A loud laughter was heard. Zhou Xian who was standing on a golden heavy sword flew over in the air. His cyan gown was fluttering in the air. The current Zhou Xian was displaying a domineering aura.

"Brother Qin Yu, Brother Duanmu, why are the two of you before that Heaven Connecting Flight of Steps? Could it be that the two of you are seeking troubles for yourselves? Haha, my Imperial Father has already told me that it is absolutely impossible for one to ascend this Heaven Connecting Flight of Steps unless one is a G.o.dking."

Right after Zhou Xian said those words, he had already descended.

Qin Yu looked afar. He saw that, one by one, many people were also flying over here in succession. There was surprisingly six people. These six people were all High Level Heavenly Deities. The shy youngster Shentu Fan was among them.

The six of them also descended.

"Brother Kuiyin, what are you all arguing about?" A robust youngster landed and then asked in a clear voice.

"Oh, Heavenly Wolf Palace's Palace Master, we aren't really arguing. Merely, Brother Duanmu and Brother Qin Yu were planning to scale the Heaven Connection Flight of Steps." Kuiyin Hou smiled and said.

Right away, that Heavenly Wolf Palace's Palace Master looked to Qin Yu and Duanmu Yu with a shocked expression.

Qin Yu frowned.

'This group of people, why are they acting like they're seeing clowns?'

"Brother Qin Yu, we don't have to care about them." Duanmu Yu's expression remained undisturbed. He did not care about the gaze from these people at all.

"Brother Kuiyin, I am friendly with that Hao Jun, the disciple of the Unfettered Exalted Celestial. Let's go and ask him together, I reckon that he might have some idea to how to meet the Exalted Celestials." That Heavenly Wolf Palace's Palace Master said.

Kuiyin Hou nodded and said. "That would be great." Then he looked to Qin Yu and Duanmu Yu. "Brother Qin Yu, Brother Duanmu, do you want to go together?"

"No need." Duanmu Yu replied indifferently.

Qin Yu also didn't say anything. He was merely thinking: 'If you two want to go, then you can try and ask them. Duanmu Yu and I have already asked that Hao Jun and Yao Lin.'

Kuiyin Hou and them then proceeded to walk toward the side palaces. They prepared to go up the steps of the side palace.

Suddenly…

"Your Highness Zhou Xian." An amiable voice sounded from above. It was Yao Lin. Yao Lin had a warm smile on her face.

Upon seeing Yao Lin, Zhou Xian prepared to greet her with a salute right away.

However, Yao Lin said. "His Exalted Celestial has just sent an order to have Your Highness Zhou Xian enter the palace." This Yao Lin was the disciple of the Thunder Punishment Exalted Celestial; the Exalted Celestial that she spoke of was naturally the Thunder Punishment Exalted Celestial.

Zhou Xian was slightly startled. After that, his face turned into one of ecstasy.

Kuiyin Hou and them were unable to refrain from looking at Zhou Xian. They all displayed envy within their gazes. From their mouths, they muttered softly. "This Zhou Xian…"

"Zhou Xian has just arrived and this Thunder Punishment Exalted Celestial has already sent an order. This is truly too obvious." Qin Yu was unable to refrain his anger in his heart.

Volume 16 – Marriage - Chapter 37 – Perseverance

Translated by: Pumpkin

Edited by: Phillip and Robin

At this moment, Zhou Xian's face was filled with smiles. He turned to Qin Yu and them; with a humble smile, he said. "Everyone, I shall go and meet the Exalted Celestial first then. Hopefully everyone will also be able to obtain a gift bestowed by the Exalted Celestials."

As he said that, Zhou Xian proceeded to walk up the steps of the Thunder Punishment Palace, one of the three side palaces. When he walked up the steps, he walked over to Yao Lin and even greeted her with a very courteous salute. "Senior sister Yao Lin, thank you."

Yao Lin was also smiling. She then led Zhou Xian into the Thunder Punishment Palace.

As for Qin Yu and Duanmu Yu who were watching this scene from afar, they both felt a sense of disgust in their hearts. Even Kuiyin Hou and them were starting to feel indignant.

"Brother Duanmu, are we to continue trying to ascend this Heaven Connecting Flight of Stairs?" Qin Yu looked to Duanmu Yu.

At this moment, Qin Yu was filled with anger and indignance. "I truly never would've expected that this Thunder Punishment Exalted Celestial was biased in helping his own descendents so openly. The Utmost North Sage Emperor has given us ten entire years to prepare. Why didn't this Thunder Punishment Exalted Celestial wait two or three years before summoning this Zhou Xian? Instead, right after this Zhou Xian appeared before the Mountain Sea Palace, he immediately showed himself and summoned Zhou Xian. This bias is too obvious."

It was so obvious that Qin Yu felt angry.

With his current frame of mind, it was practically impossible for him to surmount the Heaven Connecting Flight of Steps.

"Qin Yu, let's rest for half a day first and regulate our frame of minds. After we reach our best states, it would not be too late for us to scale the Heaven Connecting Flight of Steps then." Duanmu Yu's voice was still as amiable as before.

Merely, Qin Yu managed to sense that Duanmu Yu's frame of mind had also been affected by what happened earlier and was a bit fluctuated.

"Indeed, we should regulate our frame of mind." Qin Yu walked to the gra.s.sland on the side. He then sat down in a cross-legged position. As the amount of time for them to prepare the gift was ten entire years, there was no need for them to be overly hasty. What was most important was for them to be in their best state of mind when ascending the steps.

Qin Yu looked to the Heaven Connecting Flight of Steps and frowned. "This Heaven Connecting Flight of Steps, in the entire history of the Divine Realm, not a single expert, who had yet to reach the G.o.dking stage, has managed to ascend it. The difficulty in ascending it ought to be extraordinarily hard. I reckon that I will have to rely on my New Cosmos Spatial Energy this time around."

Qin Yu was very aware of his own strength.

Three thousand plus years ago, when he first came out from his New Cosmos, he had only reached the entrance of the High Level Heavenly Deity stage. After three thousand plus years, his clone had been comprehending the Spatial Laws for over forty million years.

Qin Yu's clone had already comprehended around eighty percent of the portion of Spatial Comprehension left behind by the G.o.dking of Life.

Currently, although Qin Yu had yet to reach the peak of the High Level Heavenly Deity stage, he could also be considered a relatively powerful person among High Level Heavenly Deities. Adding on his Spatial Energy from the New Cosmos, his strength ought to now be comparable to peak High Level Heavenly Deity experts.

"Even if I rely on the Spatial Energy, it would still be difficult to tell whether I'll be able to ascend the steps or not." Qin Yu looked at the flight of ninety-nine steps. They were about a hundred feet tall. Qin Yu did not have absolute confidence in himself.

During the period of time when Qin Yu and Duanmu Yu were readjusting their state of mind, the following candidates had also arrived at the Levitation Island in succession. Kuiyin Hou, Shentu Fan and them had also gone to search for Hao Jun.

After some time.

Qin Yu and Duanmu Yu opened their eyes. At this moment, Qin Yu's state of mind had already returned to its optimal level. The effect from what happened with Zhou Xian had been removed.

"Brother Qin Yu, should we go?" Duanmu Yu slightly smiled.

Qin Yu also smiled slightly. "Good, let's go."

Between their questioning and answering, Qin Yu and Duanmu Yu had a tacit understanding of friends.

Just like that, Qin Yu and Duanmu Yu proceeded to walk towards the Heaven Connecting Flight of Steps. As for Kuiyin Hou and the other dozen plus people, they were still vexed as to how to see the Exalted Celestials.

"Brother Qin Yu, Brother Duanmu, it would appear that you two are truly going to try to ascend this Heaven Connecting Flight of Steps. After thinking for so long, I think that I planned to try it too." Kuiyin Hou also had a trace of helplessness on his face.

Qin Yu and Duanmu Yu immediately started smiling.

"Are you coming with us?" Duanmu Yu smiled as he looked to Kuiyin Hou.

Kuiyin Hou raised his head and looked to the ninety nine steps. He took a deep breath and said. "Since there's no other method, I'll try it out. If people think that I am a foolish clown, then so be it." As he said that, Kuiyin Hou looked to Qin Yu and Duanmu Yu. "I'll go with the two of you."

Qin Yu, Duanmu Yu and Kuiyin Hou glanced at one another. They then proceeded to take a step forward simultaneously.

"What a strange feeling!"

After taking the first step, Qin Yu felt as if he had fallen into a swamp. It seemed as if he couldn't even control his balance. He immediately started to agitate the Heavenly Divine Energy within his body to stabilize it.

"The first step is already like this, these ninety nine steps…" Qin Yu looked at Duanmu Yu and Kuiyin Hou beside him. Duanmu Yu seemed to be alright. As for Kuiyin Hou, he also stabilized his body like Qin Yu.

At this moment, the other people all discovered that the three of them were trying to ascend the Heaven Connecting Flight of Steps.

"Brother Kuiyin, are you all truly planning to ascend the Heaven Connecting Flight of Steps?" The other fourteen people all walked over. Other than Zhou Xian who had already entered the Thunder Punishment Palace, the other candidates were all at a loss as to what to do.

Qin Yu, Duanmu Yu and Kuiyin Hou turned their heads and looked at these fourteen people. They did not say anything and merely continued to climb the steps.

"Brother Qin Yu, Brother Duanmu, Brother Kuiyin, wait for me." A familiar voice was heard. Once hearing that voice, Qin Yu knew that it was the shy genius youngster, Shentu Fan.

Qin Yu and them turned around to look.

The handsome Shentu Fan who had a red battle gown on had also stepped onto the Heaven Connecting Flight of Steps. At the same time, he said to Qin Yu and them with a reddened face. "I cannot think of any other method. I guess I'll try ascending the Heaven Connecting Flight of Steps with you all. I have heard that in the history record of this Heaven Connecting Flight of Steps, the most anyone managed to ascend was ninety five steps. I truly wonder if we might be capable of reaching ninety steps."

Historical record?

Qin Yu was able to guess that it seemed that in the entire history of the Divine Realm, those that have not reached the G.o.dking level, the strongest among them managed to ascend ninety five steps.

"Let's go." Duanmu Yu said.

Right after, the four of them started to climb the steps together. As for the thirteen people below, they merely looked to the four of them and were discussing about this with one another. They did not attempt to climb the steps like the four of them.

That was because they did not need to attempt to climb the steps. Just by the history left behind by their predecessors, one could already know how difficult climbing those steps was.

Each step was ten meters wide. It was sufficiently wide for the four of them to climb the steps together.

After climbing ten steps, Qin Yu managed to understand completely. "So it turns out that this Flight of Steps tests one's comprehension of the Spatial Laws. For the previous steps, one could resist through using one's Heavenly Divine Energy. However, it is impossible to do that anymore for the steps further up."

Qin Yu felt as if he had suddenly stepped onto a Dark Star.

At the same time, it also felt as if he had suddenly sunk into a thick and dense liquid. Occa.s.sionaly, he would feel as if his body were floating. And other times, he would feel as if body were being oppressed by the s.p.a.ce.

This sort of unceasing change, the further he climbed, the more frightening it became.

At some times, that sort of oppression strength was so strong to momentarily destroy a galaxy. It was impossible for Qin Yu and them to stop this through using only their physical bodies. What they were using was their comprehensions of the Spatial Laws.

To s.h.i.+ft, to weaken or to completely eliminate this sort of oppression.

Spatial Law against Spatial Law.

That Kuiyin Hou lightly laughed and said. "The further we climb, the stronger the Spatial Laws become. No wonder His Majesty Sage Emperor had told me that it was absolutely impossible for one to reach the top unless one has reached the G.o.dking level. It would appear to me now that… the ninety ninth step would test the complete Spatial Laws."

Hearing what Kuiyin Hou had said, Qin Yu also agreed to his speculation.

Perhaps it really would be like that!

Duanmu Yu lightly laughed and said. "If that truly is the case, then the Three Great Exalted Celestials are truly playing tricks on us. They said that if anyone that isn't a G.o.dking manages to surmount the flight of steps, they would show themselves before that person. However, this Heaven Connecting Flight of Steps is something that one can only surmount after reaching the G.o.dking level. That is to say… the Three Exalted Celestials don't wish to see people at all."

Qin Yu also understood in his heart. "Even if the Three Exalted Celestials don't wish to see others, there wasn’t a need for them to play such a trick upon others. Merely…" Qin Yu's gaze turned sharp. "As long as there's hope, I cannot give up."

At this moment, they had reached the fiftieth step. The four of them still had the ability to speak. However, as they continued to climb, the four of them stopped speaking.

Seventy fifth step.

"Occasionally, the s.p.a.ce gives an immense oppression. Occasionally, the s.p.a.ce rips apart. Occasionally, one's body feels like it is flying… It is practically impossible to control my body anymore." Qin Yu also felt extremely exhausted.

Having reached this stage, Qin Yu had yet to use his New Cosmos Spatial Energy.

"How many steps would I be able to surmount without using the New Cosmos's Spatial Energy?" Qin Yu clenched his teeth and continued to persevere. At this moment, his forehead was filled with soybean sized sweat beads.

Not only him, that genius youngster Shentu Fan's forehead was also filled with beads of sweat. His complexion was also extremely pale.

Only Duanmu Yu and Kuiyin Hou's state were still relatively normal. They merely had a slightly redded face. The two of them were both peak High Level Heavenly Deities; their comprehension of the Spatial Laws were a bit higher than Qin Yu and Shentu Fan.

Eightieth step.

Right when Qin Yu stepped onto this step, he felt a tremble through his entire body. Qin Yu felt as if he were a little boat in a violent surging ocean. He was unable to resist the violent surging ocean anymore.

"Bang!"

A sound of collision was heard. Qin Yu and them all turned around to look. What they saw was Shentu Fan falling down from the flight of steps. He crashed onto the ground and spouted out a mouthful of blood.

With a pale complexion, Shentu Fan stood back up. He smiled to Qin Yu and them. "Guys, it would be left to you all now. I had originally wanted to persevere until the ninetieth step, never would I have expected that I would not be able to persevere any longer after reaching the eightieth step."

Qin Yu, Duanmu Yu and Kuiyin Hou all gave Shentu Fan an encouraging smile. Although Shentu Fan had failed, Qin Yu and them all had a very favorable impression of him.

As the four of them had tried to surmount the Heaven Connecting Flight of Steps together, their impressions of one another had become very favorable in the course of doing so.

When the four of them all did something that others had considered 'only lunatics would do' together, they would all have a feeling of acknowledgement for one another.

"Everyone, let's continue onward. Perhaps the Three Exalted Celestials might break their rule and make an exception to see us seeing how hard we tried to surmount the Heaven Connecting Flight of Steps." Duanmu Yu said in a low voice while smiling.

Qin Yu and Kuiyin Hou both smiled and nodded.

"Mn, let's continue striving."

The three of them continued to climb the steps.

After reaching the eighty third step, Qin Yu felt that the oppression of the s.p.a.ce had reached a level stronger than what he could bear. He felt as if he were about to fall down from the steps.

"d.a.m.n it."

At this moment, Qin Yu finally used the Spatial Energy from his New Cosmos. This Spatial Energy was completely controlled by Qin Yu. It protected Qin Yu.

In an instantly, that spatial oppression was decreased by over ninety percent.

"Huff, perhaps I might actually be able to reach the top." After feeling the effect of being protected by his New Cosmos's Spatial Energy, a sense of hope was raised in Qin Yu's heart.

One step, two step…

Duanmu Yu and Kuiyin Hou, these two experts who had reached the peak High Level Heavenly Deity, also started having sweat on their foreheads. At this moment, they had reached the eighty eighth step.

The further they got, the harder each step was.

Qin Yu who originally still had hope now felt that for every step higher, the oppressive sensation increased by too much. "It might not be possible to reach the top even with this Spatial Energy." Qin Yu became anxious. "It's truly unfortunate that I am only capable of using such a small amount of Spatial Energy."

The New Cosmos was still growing.

If Qin Yu were able to use one percent of the entire New Cosmos's Spatial Energy, then he would've been able to easily surmount the flight of steps. However, right now… the Spatial Energy that Qin Yu was able to use could only cover a hundred miles.

Compared to the entire cosmos, the range of the Spatial Energy was still very small, the amount of Spatial Energy was still very small.

It was only because Qin Yu was capable of completely controlling this Spatial Energy that the Spatial Energy was extremely powerful.

Ninetieth step.

"Bang!" Kuiyin Hou's complexion had instantly turned super red. It was as if he had been smashed by a frightening power. He fell as he sprayed blood throughout the sky.

Qin Yu knew very well.

It was because of the enormous oppression by the s.p.a.ce that caused Kuiyin Hou to vomit blood. That was because Qin Yu also felt the powerful oppression.

Qin Yu looked to Duanmu Yu beside him. He tried his hardest to voice our three words. "Do your best."

Duanmu Yu was sweating so much that his sweat had turned to paste. His complexion had also turned pale. He merely smiled to Qin Yu. The current Duanmu Yu was incapable of speaking a single word.

The two of them continued to persevere.

Ninety first step!

Qin Yu felt pressure on his chest. The Spatial Energy surrounding him had been oppressed so much that it had begun to fluctuate.

Ninety second step!

"Bang!"

Qin Yu felt a burst of vibration in the air. Duanmu Yu sprayed blood out from his mouth as he powerlessly fell down the flight of steps. After he fell to the ground, Duanmu Yu tried his best to turn his body over and kneeled on the ground on all fours.

Duanmu Yu raised his head to look to Qin Yu. He squeeze out a smile. "Do your best!"

Qin Yu was moved. Qin Yu looked to the final steps. He once again clenched his teeth and proceeded to climb the steps again. The dozen plus people below were watching Qin Yu as he painstakingly climbed the steps. They had all held their breaths.

"He had reached the ninety fifth step. He has tied the highest record." Kuiyin Hou exclaimed.

"Perhaps he might really be able to succeed." Duanmu Yu said in a low voice.

Ninety sixth step.

Qin Yu's complexion was as pale as paper. He was swaying back and forth. However, he still stepped forward to climb the next step.

Ninety seventh step.

"Bang!"

Practically everyone heard that sound of the air being violently shaken. Qin Yu whose complexion was so pale and without the slightest of blood spurted out a mouthful of blood and then powerlessly fell down the flight of steps.

The current Qin Yu did not have the slightest energy to move.

"Brother Qin Yu, are you alright?" Duanmu Yu and them immediately went up to support Qin Yu.

After a short moment, Qin Yu tried his hardest to stand. After leaving the flight of steps, Qin Yu recovered his injuries with a frightening speed.

"I, still failed." Qin Yu's body was slightly s.h.i.+vering. Earlier, when he reached the ninety sixth step, Qin Yu was actually about to fall down. However, he persisted on through all his effort. Yet, upon reaching the next step, he was jolted down without any power to resist.

"Ah, that Zhou Xian has walked out." Suddenly, someone spoke and said.

Qin Yu wiped away the blood on the corner of his mouth. He stood up straight and looked over to the Thunder Punishment Palace. What he saw was a Zhou Xian with a face filled with smiles and holding a black scepter as he walked out from the Thunder Punishment Palace.

[TL: the scepter Zhou Xian is holding is a chinese scepter called ruyi. It symbolizes power and good fortune.]