Chapter 436 - 234: Divine Soul Trial! Jiang Che Ignites the Crowd! The Final Trial Begins

Tier Ten... Tier Thirty... Tier Fifty!

The spot where Lei Kuang had been forced to stop was nothing to Xiong Tong; he strode right past it!

Tier Sixty!

His pace still hadn’t slowed!

"Th-this... How is this possible?!"

The crowd, who had just been so confidently analyzing the situation, now looked as if their eyes were about to pop out of their heads.

Only when he set foot on the seventieth tier did Xiong Tong’s massive frame finally sway slightly.

But he merely let out a grunt as two beams of wild, almost tangible crimson light erupted from his eyes!

It was a ferocity and tenacity that sprang from the very depths of his soul!

He gritted his teeth, enduring the terrifying pressure that could shatter the Divine Soul of an ordinary True Master, and took three more determined steps upward!

Finally, his feet planted themselves heavily on the seventy-third tier!

"S-seventy-three tiers?!!"

The entire arena instantly erupted in cries of disbelief.

"According to the Celestial Ladder’s rules, seventy tiers and above... that’s the Divine Soul standard of a Sixth Layer of True Master Realm expert!"

"Gods! His Physical Body Realm is at the Fifth Layer Peak of True Master Realm, yet his Divine Soul strength has reached the Sixth Layer?! This isn’t some brute; he’s a monster with absolutely no weaknesses!"

Up on the high platform, the three Elders, who had been relatively calm, could no longer remain seated.

Su Wuming’s eyes burned with fervor. "A fierce heart with a keen mind! This child’s strength of will is rarely seen in this world! If he were to command his Sword Intent with such a Divine Soul, how could his Sword Dao possibly fail?!"

Even Daoist Wu Wei, who was always smiling, wore a serious expression. "His physical body and Divine Soul are both top-tier. He is the perfect vessel for the Dao! My Myriad Phenomena Dao Sect must have this child!"

Xiong Tong’s performance was a resounding slap in the face to all his doubters, further cementing the worth of his title as the number one prodigy!

「After the disciples from several more prefectures had their turn.」

"Next, from the Southern Desolate Medicine King Valley, Nalan Ruoshui!"

As that graceful, light-green figure floated onto the platform, the once-raucous square fell instantly silent.

Everyone’s gaze turned exceptionally solemn.

As word had spread throughout the day, everyone had come to know the general situation of the top prodigies.

This was the Saintess of the Medicine King Valley, ranked second in terms of her Realm.

It was said she was one of those legendary figures born with a naturally mutated Divine Soul!

If Xiong Tong represented the pinnacle of the physical body, then she represented the peak of the Divine Soul!

Nalan Ruoshui’s expression was serene. She didn’t climb step by step like the others. Instead, with a slight shift of her body, she floated toward the top of the Celestial Ladder like a wisp of smoke.

For the first fifty tiers, she didn’t even pause!

Tier Sixty... Tier Seventy...

By the time she effortlessly surpassed Xiong Tong’s record of seventy-three tiers, the crowd was already stunned into a numb silence.

But she was still going!

Seventy-five... Seventy-eight... Seventy-nine...

Finally, under the watch of countless gazes that were almost suffocating, Nalan Ruoshui landed softly on the eightieth tier!

BZZZZ—

The entire Heart Inquiry Celestial Ladder seemed to sense something, and it began to tremble violently. It emitted a clear, resounding hum, as if paying tribute to this peerless Demon Fiend!

"Eigh... Eighty tiers..."

An elderly True Master from a Great State pointed a trembling finger, his voice shaking as he spoke:

"Eighty tiers... That’s the Seventh Layer of True Master Realm! It’s the Divine Soul threshold of a Sect Leader Level expert!"

"And how old is she? Twenty-eight!"

"At twenty-eight, she possesses a Divine Soul on par with a sect leader?! Th-this... She’s a Demon Fiend among Demon Fiends!"

An uproar!

A complete and utter uproar!

On the high platform, the Elders of the Three Top Sects exchanged glances, each seeing the shock and frenzy in the others’ eyes.

A Cultivation at the Fifth Layer of True Master Realm, yet possessing a Divine Soul of the Seventh Layer!

Such Talent was exceedingly rare, even in the long and storied histories of the Three Top Sects!

"This girl... is immeasurable!"

Nalan Ruoshui stood high on the eightieth tier and glanced back coolly at Xiong Tong below.

In Xiong Tong’s wild eyes, a raging battle intent instantly ignited, like two balls of fire clashing silently with Nalan Ruoshui’s gaze in the void!

After a moment, Nalan Ruoshui withdrew her gaze. Her figure swayed, and she floated down from the platform like a weightless falling leaf.

Wherever she passed, the crowded, boisterous masses parted automatically like the tide, opening a wide path for her.

No one dared to obstruct her brilliance, nor did they dare to look directly upon her face.

This top prodigy from the Southern Wilderness had utterly conquered everyone present with her irrefutable, absolute power!

...

"Next, Cangzhou Prefecture!"

With the official’s announcement, it was finally the Cangzhou Prefecture contingent’s turn.

The first to take the stage was Qin Xuange.

The General’s son, his face cold and stern, ascended the Celestial Ladder step by step.

His gait was steady and powerful, each step as if precisely measured.

Tier ten, tier twenty...

When he set foot on the thirtieth tier, his figure wavered for a moment before he stabilized.

But he did not continue upward; he chose to stop.

Tier Thirty corresponded to the standard of the Second Layer of True Master Realm.

For his Cultivation at the Early Stage of the Second Layer of True Master Realm, this result was respectable—no surprise, but no misstep either.

Just like his personality: steady as a rock.

Next, Qin Wuya took a deep breath and stepped onto the tiers.

He gritted his teeth, veins bulging on his forehead, clearly enduring immense pressure.

But the fire in his eyes never wavered. It was the burning desire to prove himself!

One step, then another!

Finally, he stopped on the twenty-ninth tier, his back soaked with sweat.

’Tier Twenty-nine...’