Chapter 429 - 410: I, Choose to Stay in the Guixi Sect

Chapter 429: Chapter 410: I, Choose to Stay in the Guixi Sect

On the Asking Dao Ladder.

Once Lu Ping awoke and received the infusion, the eightieth step was empty. He had vanished.

Before the crowd could react, light and shadow twisted before them.

Lu Ping staggered into view at the foot of the Asking Dao Ladder.

The pillar of Spiritual Qi had fulfilled its purpose, dissolving into a sky full of shimmering motes.

A dead silence fell before the Asking Dao Ladder, broken only by the sound of the wind whipping at the hems of their clothes.

Hundreds of pairs of eyes were fixed on Lu Ping, who had just achieved Foundation Establishment.

GULP.

Someone in the silent crowd swallowed hard.

The sound, startlingly loud, snapped the tension that had been stretched to its breaking point.

"He... he reached Foundation Establishment?"

A saber of tempered steel slipped from someone’s grasp and clattered onto the bluestone pavers, sending sparks flying. The man didn’t even notice, his eyes glued to the vortex of spiritual pressure still swirling around Lu Ping. "He... he really ascended to heaven in a single step?"

This was against all common sense.

This defied the Celestial Dao.

’One moment, the training grounds were a bloodbath of flying limbs. The next, someone was telling you that you could skip years of bitter cultivation just by climbing a few steps? Were demonic sects really this kind?’

’I don’t believe it! It has to be a trap! This can’t be good! What demonic sect runs a charity? This is just fattening us for the slaughter!’

’Are they fattening us up to refine us into Human Essence Elixirs?! I’m not doing it... I’m done with this immortal path! Let me leave!’

But at the same time, Lu Ping’s successful gamble also stoked the flames of greed in many hearts.

’Holy cow! Aren’t demonic sects supposed to eat you whole and not even spit out the bones? Why are they just giving away free cultivation? Are they planning to fatten us up before turning us into pills for alchemy?’

’An act? If anyone else says this is just an act, I’ll rip their head off and kick it around like a ball! I want to try it too!’

The apparent benefits drove many into a frenzy.

After all, the increase in cultivation seemed genuine. The pioneer had proven the path wasn’t dangerous; even if you succumbed to a Heart Demon, you’d eventually wake up, and your cultivation might even increase!

The fear from seeing heads roll across the training grounds moments before still lingered, but the promise of such rewards was enough to sway the hearts of many aspiring cultivators!

This was a chance at immortal destiny—a path to the heavens that could change their fate, if only they could climb it!

"Out of my way! This fortune is mine!"

"Get the hell out! Anyone who gets in my way dies!"

With bloodshot eyes, many in the crowd began to shove their way toward the white jade steps as if their lives depended on it.

The spies from the righteous sects, hidden in the crowd, felt their heads buzzing.

’What is with this demonic sect? They swindle, they deceive, they kill the goose for the golden egg... so what in the world is this?’

’This disciple nearly suffered a cultivation deviation, yet instead of turning him into a corpse puppet, they gave him an empowerment from the Asking Dao Ladder and let him achieve Foundation Establishment on the spot?’

’Fine, he reached Foundation Establishment. At least that would make for a stronger corpse puppet. But from the looks of it, you guys don’t seem interested at all?’

’Is this Guixi Sect a den of demons or a hall of saints?’

’I have to find out! Even if this is a demon’s den, it’s one trimmed in gold! There must be a great opportunity here! Besides, I’m bound by a restriction and can’t escape anyway.’

’That being the case, no matter what oppression I face later, I have to stay here and find a way to get stronger! After all, the Guixi Sect is a far greater power than my own sect.’

’I’ll just... climb the ladder a little. As a member of the righteous path, it’s my duty to thoroughly critique this corrupt and evil demonic sect!’

As for the spies from the other demonic sects, cold sweat had long since soaked their undergarments. A gust of wind sent a chill through them.

’Who would dare call him a plant now?’

’Who would spend this much on a plant? The cost is astronomical!’

’This obscure Guixi Sect... they kill as wantonly as any demonic sect, but you can actually get real opportunities here. Their resources are as deep as a bottomless pit, and their methods are so extravagant they’re insane.’

’They don’t play by any of the usual rules, and the opportunities hidden within are immeasurable!’

’The thought of being an unwilling spy in a sect like this filled them with both the terror of being beheaded at any moment, and the thrill of risking it all for a huge payoff.’

’This feeling—licking blood off a blade’s edge and tasting sugar—it’s exhilarating!’

For these spies who had already embarked on the path of cultivation, there was no choice. They were bound by restrictions and couldn’t escape, so they might as well resign themselves to their fate and enjoy the ride. No matter what oppression they might face in the future, they had to endure it—for the heaven-defying opportunities of the Guixi Sect, and for their own missions!

And so, one after another, they stepped forward to climb the ladder.

Su Ling’er looked at Lu Ping, and a thought occurred to her.

’He didn’t overcome his Heart Demon, but he still reaped the rewards. Now... will he still choose to stay in this place that eats people alive?’

’Or will he follow the guidance of his Heart Demon and go back to live out the rest of his life?’

Just then, the frenzied tide of people surged to the foot of the stairs.

"Everyone, move! The first taste is mine!"

A burly, fierce-faced man used his thick frame to shove his way through the crowd and become the first to set foot on the steps.

His face was flushed red, his eyes wide and round. He could already picture himself succeeding in Foundation Establishment, riding a flying sword, and holding a celestial maiden in his arms.

However, just as his foot landed on the second step...

"Urghh—!"

The burly man froze. The look of joy on his face intensified, and he fell completely into the illusion of the Asking Dao Ladder, trapped.

Another person made it two or three steps before he started screaming.

"Stay back! Don’t eat me! Mom! Help me!"

The man dropped to his knees with a THUD, clutching his head and letting out a blood-curdling scream. A large wet patch spread across his crotch.

Then a second, a third...

The new recruits who had scrambled to be first collapsed, one after another.

Some collapsed on the very first step, eyes rolling back as they foamed at the mouth. Others made it three or four steps before they started kowtowing to thin air, begging for mercy. Those who could pass the tenth step were as rare as a phoenix feather...

The scene of heroic ambition had, in the blink of an eye, turned into a mass psychotic breakdown. There were people crying for their parents, drooling and giggling foolishly, and throwing punches at empty air—a complete spectacle of disgraceful behavior.

Su Ling’er tore her gaze away from the scene and looked at Lu Ping. "So, are you going to take your reward and get the hell off this mountain, or are you staying here in the Guixi Sect?"

Lu Ping looked up at the woman who was, in name, his senior sister and guide.

"I choose to stay in the Guixi Sect."

He keenly sensed that after he gave his answer, the disappointment in his senior sister’s eyes deepened.

’She probably thinks I’m just another commoner greedy for power.’

Lu Ping didn’t explain. He couldn’t.

He glanced at the people struggling in agony on the steps, then back at Su Ling’er, before giving her a long, formal bow.

"Thank you, Miss Su."

"I will never forget the opportunity you’ve provided."

’Did he want to leave?’

’More than anything.’

’He wished he could sprout wings and fly back to Qinghe Town right now, to see if the old house was still standing, to see how the town was faring.’

’But that damned Guardian Dao Divine Spell from the Celestial Furnace Sect was still active (or so he believed)... He couldn’t leave.’