I have Taoism and can understand other worlds

Chapter 677 Second Heaven

Jiang Wen and the elders of Baixi, having already decided to provide assistance, no longer hesitated.

The Dragon Elder was stationed in the First Heaven to coordinate all parties and to conduct initial contact and negotiations with the Baiyi, Baihai, and other tribes that were arriving successively.

Jiang Wen, along with the chieftain of the Rock People, the high priest of the Four-Armed People, and others, led ten thousand elite warriors from the Hundred Streams, accompanied by four holy maidens from the Hundred Barbarians, on an immediate journey to their homeland that had been swallowed by the Black Water.

As everyone stepped onto the path to immortality, the scene before them weighed heavily on their hearts.

The once lush and verdant homeland of the Hundred Barbarian Tribes has now been largely transformed into a dark and desolate wasteland. The boundless, viscous black water, like ink, has swallowed mountains and valleys. Rotting giant trees and unrecognizable remains float on its surface, and the air is filled with a nauseating stench and an atmosphere of despair that erodes the mind.

Only a few towering mountain peaks still retain a few struggling green shoots, like isolated islands in a black ocean, crowded with sallow-faced, emaciated, and numb-eyed Baiman people.

Seeing the saints return with reinforcements, a faint light rekindled in the dim eyes of the survivors.

"The black water is still rising slowly, and time is running out." The Holy Maiden of the Heavenly Serpent Clan said with suppressed anxiety, her silver serpent tail sweeping uneasily across the scorched earth.

Those elderly, weak, women, and children trapped on the mountaintop were simply unable to cross the treacherous terrain surrounded by black water on their own, let alone climb the towering path to immortality.

Jiang Wen's gaze swept over the despairing black ocean and the creatures that were eagerly waiting, and he had already made up his mind.

He took a step forward, hovering above the black water, and took something out of his storage bag.

He didn't display any earth-shattering magic, but simply channeled his immense magical power into the giant scarlet ancient tree, and the tree began to take root and sprout, eventually slowly expanding and extending.

In an instant, a strange change occurred.

Above the murky black water, a touch of emerald green suddenly pierced the darkness, and then grew and spread at a speed visible to the naked eye.

The Bodhi tree, infused with Jiang Wen's magical power, has now taken root and sprouted. It has transformed into a vast, blood-red ladder spanning the boundless black waters, one end connecting to the mountain peak where the survivors reside, and the other end pointing towards the path to immortality.

The Heavenly Ladder is entirely crystal clear and bright red, like a piece of exquisite red jade, yet it is soft and resilient, exuding a calming and refreshing aura. Floating on the black water, it repels all the surrounding desolation and filth.

Even more amazing is that those who step onto the ladder, regardless of age or strength, feel as light as a swallow. The height that would normally require a great deal of effort to climb can now be easily reached by simply walking slowly.

"Quickly! Take your people and embark on the path to survival!" The Holy Maiden of the Red Water Clan cried out, her voice choked with emotion.

The heroes of Baixi also sprang into action. The Rock People warriors, with their immense strength, helped carry the disabled. The Four-Armed Warriors moved nimbly, maintaining order and rescuing the weak.

Other races also displayed their abilities, and the vast migrating processions moved towards hope along the blood-red ladder that stretched across the sea of ​​death. The ladder was as solid as a mountain, unshaken by the churning black waters below.

Jiang Wenjing stood at the source of the Heavenly Ladder, maintaining the spell, his expression calm and composed. Constructing and maintaining a Heavenly Ladder of such scale was quite easy for him. Jiang Su and Liang Yuanjing stood guard beside him, while Jiang Zhen watched her master nervously.

After several hours of tense migration, the last million or so survivors of the Baiman tribe finally arrived safely in the vicinity of the Ascension Road.

As the last member of the Hundred Barbarian tribes stepped onto the Heavenly Ladder, Jiang Wen slowly finished his work, and the blood-red Heavenly Ladder transformed into a sky full of red light, dissipating into the void.

Looking at the Bai Man tribesmen who had survived the ordeal and were embracing each other in tears, and then looking at the still expanding dark dead zone at their feet, all the heroes of Bai Xi who participated in the rescue were filled with complex emotions. They felt both relief at saving lives and deep fear of the eerie black water.

The resettlement arrangements were quickly initiated. With the assistance of the Baixi tribe, the remnants of the Baiman tribe were temporarily settled in an area designated on the outskirts of the capital.

The Rock People helped build sturdy stone houses, and other tribes brought food and water. Although conditions were rudimentary, they finally had a chance to catch their breath and avoided annihilation.

After handling the follow-up matters of the Bai Man tribes' migration, the atmosphere on the road to immortality became increasingly tense and exciting.

On the vast cloud platform of the first heaven, warriors from various races had already set up several bustling temporary markets, the clamor of bartering filling the air. But the gazes of all the powerful were unanimously fixed on the jade steps leading to the second heaven, hidden in the higher glow of the clouds. These jade steps began at the edge of the first heaven platform, extending upwards and disappearing into the even denser sea of ​​clouds, flowing with golden and purple light. The oppressive aura emanating from them, even from a great distance, instilled a sense of awe.

Jiang Wen, Jiang Su, and Liang Yuan stood at the edge of the platform, gazing at the second section of the Heavenly Ladder.

Jiang Zhen stood obediently not far behind them. She knew that her cultivation was still shallow and that reaching the first level was her limit. Although she longed for a higher realm, she cherished this rare opportunity to observe the powerful climbers.

"The pressure of the second heaven is probably far greater than here." Liang Yuan felt the faint oppressive aura emanating from her, and her expression became more solemn. Her spiritual energy unconsciously circulated around her, as if she was adapting in advance.

Jiang Su remained silent, her cold gaze sweeping over the heavenly ladder without revealing the slightest ripple.

"The path to immortality is a journey of ever-changing heights. Opportunities and risks coexist; proceed only according to your abilities," Jiang Wen said calmly. A wooden whip appeared in his hand, radiating a warm luster and subtly resonating with the world around him.

Soon, the elite troops from various ethnic groups began to move.

The Baixi tribe was led by Elder Ma Yi, followed closely by heroes such as Ao Xuan, Yan Ming, and Xuan Jue, all with solemn expressions, adjusting their own state.

The four holy maidens of the Baiman tribe also gathered the last remaining elites of their tribe. Their eyes were resolute; the path to immortality was not only about seeking opportunities, but also about finding hope for the future of their tribes. The powerful figures of the Baiyi, Baihai, and other tribes also gathered, eager to fight.

It's unclear who made the first move, but a figure shot towards the second jade staircase like an arrow released from a bow.

This action seemed to ignite a fuse, and thousands of elite warriors from various tribes leaped forward, scrambling to reach the heavenly ladder.

Jiang Wen nodded slightly to Jiang Su and Liang Yuan, and the three of them followed suit.

Stepping onto the first step of the second jade staircase, a pressure several times heavier than that of the first heavenly staircase suddenly descended.

This pressure no longer only affected the mind and magical power, but seemed to have transformed into a tangible burden, pressing down on every inch of muscle and flesh, and even the soul felt a violent squeezing sensation.

Jiang Wen's body dipped slightly before regaining its balance. A clear light circulated around him, easily dissolving the terrifying pressure.

He looked to his side and saw that Jiang Su's steps were still composed. Her white clothes fluttered, seemingly slow but actually fast. The pressure that would make ordinary heroes' bones crack seemed to have no effect on her.

Liang Yuan let out a muffled groan, his face instantly turning red, and his body burst with spiritual energy as he desperately resisted the sudden force.

Her steps were slightly heavy, but each step was extremely firm, clearly indicating that she was mobilizing all her cultivation to resist.

Looking back, the situation of the entire climbing team was even more clearly divided.

Leading the charge were naturally the elite beings of each race. The dragon elder was enveloped in a faint dragon-shaped aura, his steps steady.

The four Hundred Barbarian Saintesses each displayed their unique abilities. The Heavenly Serpent Saintesse swayed her snake tail, her body twisting strangely, thus relieving some of the pressure.

The flame patterns on the skin of the Crimson Water Saintess burned fiercely, exuding a powerful aura; the body of the Cloud-Turning Saintess seemed to merge with the jade steps beneath her feet, taking root with every step; the single horn on the forehead of the Moon-Reflecting Saintess shone with clear light, protecting her entire body.

Yanming roared repeatedly, and a bright yellow light shone on his stone skin. With each step he took, it seemed as if he would crack the jade steps. Although his speed was not fast, it was filled with an indomitable courage.

Xuanjue's four arms danced rapidly, creating numerous afterimages, as if setting up an invisible force field in front of him, skillfully deflecting and dispersing the pressure, his figure agile.

Many warriors from various tribes changed their expressions drastically after stepping onto the jade steps.

(End of this chapter)