Chapter 55: I refuse to accept this!
Yue Jianli.
A genius born with sword intent.
A direct disciple of one of the top sects, the Myriad Sword Sect.
The youngest leader in the sect’s history.
She was ranked second on the Heavenly Genius* Rankings. It wasn’t because she was weaker than first place, but because she rarely fought with anyone, making it hard to guess her strength, and Li Ran even had more titles than her.
[TLN: I changed the name from Genius Rankings to Heavenly Genius Rankings for more consistency with the CN version.]
The Devil Saint, the reincarnation of a great emperor, a peerless genius with a dao tattoo, a future Demon Owl Giant who will trample on the entire vast lands.
Due to his background in the Devil Sect, he wasn’t listed on the Heavenly Genius Rankings.
Many people guessed that Li Ran would definitely be on par with the first place.
However, only those who had come into contact with him would know that he was an existence that surpassed all geniuses, a genius amongst geniuses.
It was precisely these two most outstanding geniuses of the vast lands that were firmly pressed onto the stone steps, and could not even lift their heads.
Yue Jianli’s face was pale, her sweat dripped down the stairs. “As expected of an ancient emperor’s inheritance. Even after thousands of years, this path is still irresistible!”
She had a strong premonition.
Although those steps were close to her, it was like a deep abyss. If she took another step forward, she might die.
“Don’t you think this challenge is too difficult?” Li Ran suddenly said.
“En?” Yue Jianli was stunned.
Actually, she felt the same.
If it was just for the purpose of the trial, there was no need to put so much pressure on them.
“You mean…”
“The goal of this trial is not to see who can reach the top, but to let us crawl under his feet to show off his strength and authority!”
Yue Jianli suddenly understood.
“I indeed had this feeling… According to your words, he didn’t plan to let us reach the top in the first place?”
Li Ran nodded. “It’s the same as the last two rounds. There’s no need to reach the top. The three who climbed the highest should be able to directly advance.”
“I see.” Yue Jianli heaved a sigh of relief.
Li Ran glanced at her. “You seem quite happy?”
Yue Jianli frowned and asked, “What do you mean by that?”
“Being held down like an animal and worshipping this damned palace, shouldn’t you feel humiliated?” Li Ran said lightly.
A trace of anger flashed in Yue Jianli’s eyes as well, but she immediately said in a dispirited tone, “This is the rule set down by the ancient emperor. It’s only natural that we should follow it…”
We’re talking about an Ancient Emperor right here! It was only normal to feel respect and fear towards this existence!
They were only at the Golden Core Realm. They already took pride in reaching this realm.
“We should? Bullshi*t!”
The veins on Li Ran’s neck bulged as he stood up under the immense pressure!
The joints in his body exploded, but his expression was still calm. His figure was as straight as a spear.
“Don’t be rash!” Yue Jianli cried out in shock. “Our goal is to enter the final trial. There’s no need for us to try to be brave and kill ourselves!”
She wasn’t worried about him. However, this round was so difficult. How terrifying would the ultimate test be?
If Li Ran wasn’t present in the next trial, she wouldn’t have the confidence to complete it. Li Ran looked at the palace in front of him, his voice was cold and malevolent. “He made us kneel here, but he was sitting high above the clouds like he was looking down at an ant…”
“What are you doing?” Yue Jianli’s pupils contracted.
Golden light flickered on Li Ran’s body. A mysterious ancient seal slowly appeared, like a tattoo engraved on his skin.
This was the first time he had used the full power of the Heaven Seizing Technique!
“I’m going to personally walk into the palace to see if this guy really has three heads and six arms!” Li Ran took the first step!
Boom!
With a deafening explosion, the clouds were covered with lightning and thunder!
It was as if the entire world was pressing down on Li Ran.
Yue Jianli immediately felt her body lighten. She knew that the laws were doing their best to stop Li Ran, so they no longer cared about her.
However, she did not take the opportunity to reach the top. Instead, she stared at that back in a daze.
Blood oozed out of Li Ran’s ears, but his figure was still as tall as a spear. He lifted his leg and then climbed up again.
Kacha!
A streak of divine lightning struck down, but it was absorbed by the mysterious ancient seal on his body.
If the divine lightning wasn’t good enough, it would be replaced by flames, hurricanes, ice spears, and even turned into a weapon that slashed at him. The world’s laws tried to stop Li Ran.
Yue Jianli covered her mouth. He was right. The goal of this round of trials was not to let them reach the top but to make them submit.
Li Ran attacked with his spear, his lips curled into a crazed smile.
“Seize the Heavens and destroy the Heavenly Daos!
Replace ten thousand techniques with my technique, and the heaven’s will with my will!
My dao heart is firm, my will is immovable. How could you make me submit?!”
The golden light on Li Ran’s body began to shine brightly as he stood on the last step against the barrage of attacks.
The world instantly fell silent. All the pressure vanished, and the surging Dao laws receded like a tide.
Li Ran smiled smugly. “F*ck you! Aren’t you just…”
Before he could finish his sentence, he limped. Even though this stairway had been weakened after thousands of years, it was not something that a Golden Core Realm cultivator could contend against.
At this moment, his meridians were dried up, and his qi source was completely exhausted. Li Ran’s eyes darkened. He couldn’t stand still and was about to fall into the clouds.
At this moment, a slender hand firmly supported his back and straightened his body.
Li Ran looked at her in astonishment.
Yue Jianli turned her head and said in a low voice, “Stand firm, don’t let that guy see you as a joke.”
