The Song Dynasty was the king for thirteen years before he knew that he was Tianlong.

Chapter 299 Climbing the steps
The whistling sound came from afar and arrived in a moment later. Everyone looked over and saw a tall and imposing man.

He was tall and imposing, around thirty years old, wearing an old gray cloth robe. He had thick eyebrows, large eyes, a high nose, a wide mouth, and a square face that looked weathered. He exuded a powerful aura when he looked around.

Everyone looked on with slight surprise; this was yet another person who was neither Taoist nor Buddhist.

The man went straight to Zhao Ti, bowed and said, "Young Master, Xiao Feng is late, please forgive him."

Zhao Ti nodded, not expecting that Xiao Feng would also enter Shambhala.

When he left Xingzhou, he did not ask Xiao Feng to come with him, wanting him to stay and rest. Later, he also thought that Xiao Feng might follow and help him, but he did not expect that Xiao Feng would be able to enter the Buddhist Kingdom.

However, Xiao Feng was born into Shaolin Temple, and his teachers and biological father all had close ties with Shaolin, so it's understandable that he was able to get in.

Zhao Ti laughed and said, "It seems that everything was preordained. Every drink and every bite is preordained. Chief Xiao, you've come at the right time. Go and ascend the steps."

Xiao Feng asked in surprise, "Young Master, I entered this place by mistake and only just met you. I wonder... which steps do we need to climb?"

Zhao Ti briefly explained the origins of the Shambhala Buddhist Kingdom, and then recounted the events of the Trial Steps, saying, "Three members of our Confucian sect have already ascended."

Xiao Feng nodded: "Young Master, I also wish to join the Confucian sect and obey your orders. Please grant my request."

Zhao Ti smiled slightly: "That's very good. Since Chief Xiao has this intention, then he must also be a Confucian."

Xiao Feng bowed and said, "Please grant me a courtesy name, young master. It is inappropriate to address me as such."

Zhao Ti nodded: "With its towering peaks and deep valleys, overlooking the distant scenery and offering a panoramic view of all the mountains, let's call it Dingyuan."

Xiao Feng was overjoyed and said, "Thank you for bestowing the name upon me, young master. I will now ascend the steps."

Zhao Ti nodded, and then Xiao Feng stepped to the massive steps in front of him and climbed them.

At this moment, Kunlun and the demon monks had somewhat ambiguous expressions. Unexpectedly, the Confucianists arrived one after another and all went up the steps. They couldn't help but feel eager to try again.

Those standing before the steps, whether Taoist or Buddhist, were all those who had failed to ascend. Some had failed once, while others had failed several times in a row, and they were all recuperating and gathering their strength.

Looking up at the steps, one couldn't help but be surprised. The Confucian scholar who had just gone up walked very steadily, neither too fast nor too slow, unlike the previous Confucian scholars who either suddenly increased their speed or had inconsistent paces.

In just a moment, Xiao Feng reached the eighty-first level. Duan Yu and Tong Guan were still there. One was adjusting his breathing to improve his martial arts skills, while the other was in a bad state of mind and silently chanting the name of Amitabha Buddha.

Xiao Feng nodded at the two men. He naturally recognized Tong Guan, and although he didn't know Duan Yu, Zhao Ti had just explained that Duan Yu was also a Confucian.

He continued upwards until he reached the ninety-ninth step, at which point he stopped, a slight change appearing on his face.

The heavy, obstructive steps and the quagmire-like force had little effect on him; his martial arts skills were more than enough to handle them. However, the change in his mindset caused him to hesitate and feel confused.

Regardless of his background, his experiences in the past few years, the death of Wang Jiantong, the death of Ma Dayuan, the seduction of Madam Ma, the deaths of his adoptive parents, and the death of his master, all of these things left him in a daze.

Xiao Feng's expression gradually changed, his temples throbbing incessantly, and he murmured, "Right and wrong are not fixed, I only seek peace of mind, as bright as the moon, as bright as the moon..."

A voice from Kunlun below said, "We've stopped. I'm afraid we can't go any further."

Someone else said, "The ninety-ninth step. It would be a real pity to stop here."

One of the demonic monks sneered, "So what if there are ninety-nine steps? It's obvious that your mental state is not up to par. Even if you have high martial arts skills, it's useless. This is Shambhala, the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. If your mental state cannot be in harmony with the Buddhist teachings, how can you talk about reaching the top?"

Of the four Confucianists on the steps, only Xu Zhu was still moving upwards, but very slowly, having only gone up about twenty steps.

Duan Yu and Tong Guan remained frozen at the eighty-first step, one with sweat pouring down his forehead and the other with a tearful expression.

Xiao Feng stopped at the ninety-ninth step, his expression extremely complex and solemn, muttering softly to himself, clearly struggling with his own thoughts.

At this moment, the hot-tempered monk among the demonic monks laughed loudly, "What Confucianism? It's nothing special. I don't think anyone can get to the top of the steps."

Someone in Kunlun said, "That's not necessarily true. Although the giant at the ninety-ninth level seems to have stopped for now, his martial arts are superb. Perhaps after a spiritual leap and enlightenment, he will advance even further."

The monk said unhappily, "Do you think enlightenment is like radishes and cabbages in a garden, something that can be found just like that? I haven't seen any of you from the Jie Sect achieve enlightenment here."

The Kunlun people had no words to argue, they just chuckled coldly twice and remained silent.

Seeing that the other party ignored him, the monk became somewhat smug and turned to Zhao Ti, saying, "Master of Confucianism, it seems that your people have no further progress and are finding it difficult to continue climbing. How can you still stand by and watch?"

Zhao Ti smiled faintly and ignored him.

The monk, undeterred, said, "Why doesn't the leader of Confucianism ascend the steps himself? Is he inferior to his disciples? Does he not even dare to try?"

The plump monk beside him chuckled and said, "I'm afraid that's the case. It's been quite a while, and there's still no movement."

The gaunt monk who spoke first clasped his hands together, his eyes gleaming, and asked, "Could it be that you, benefactor, are practicing Immovable Zen?"

The Kunlun people also looked over at this moment, showing puzzled expressions.

Zhao Ti casually put his hands behind his back and said calmly, "How could you possibly measure my abilities?"

The monk said, "Anyone can talk about it, right?"

The plump monk shook his head: "This humble monk does not believe it."

The tall, handsome man from Kunlun shook his head and said, "This staircase is difficult. I'm afraid you're just talking the talk; you may not actually be able to climb it."

Zhao Ti glanced at the crowd and snorted: "What difficulty is there? What may be as difficult as ascending to the heavens for you is nothing more than a piece of cake for me. It is as easy as taking something out of a bag and it takes no effort at all."

"You..." the monk said indignantly, "Anyone can boast. I could also say that I can reach this level in a moment and achieve it in one fell swoop, but in reality, it's difficult to take more than thirty or fifty steps."

The plump monk said, "That's exactly it, that's exactly it."

The tall, handsome man shook his head: "Your words are presumptuous; I don't believe them either."

Zhao Ti looked at the monk and asked, "Were you knocked down from level 30 or 50? Level 30 or 50?"

The monk's face immediately turned dark red as he said, "I, I... I'm afraid you can't even reach level 30."

Zhao Ti smiled faintly and said, "What's so difficult about this step? Let alone going up, even going up and down seven times is nothing. I'll show you."

After he finished speaking, he still put his hands behind his back, slowly walked to the steps, and then took a light step onto the first step and started walking upwards.

Zhao Ti's steps were not only as steady as Mount Tai, but also unrestrained and free. It was not like climbing a mountain at all, but as if he were enjoying the scenery and taking a leisurely stroll.

In the blink of an eye, they reached the twentieth level. Xu Zhu was climbing with all his might next to him. He said, "Where there's a will, there's a way. With determination and perseverance, even the most difficult tasks can be accomplished. Your mindset is fine, but you lack martial arts skills. You need to have the determination and perseverance to break the cauldrons and sink the boats. If you don't give up until you achieve your goal, you will surely be able to reach the 108th level."

Xu Zhu wiped away his sweat, clasped his hands together, and said, "Young Master, I will remember your teachings and will never fail to live up to your expectations. I will do everything I can to reach the top of the steps!"

Zhao Ti nodded, put his hands behind his back, and continued walking upwards.

The crowd below looked on in surprise. One of the Kunlun people said, "How come this Confucian leader doesn't seem to be exerting himself at all? He's even more agile and relaxed than that big man." "Yes, yes, it doesn't look like he's climbing the trial steps at all, it's like he's taking a stroll," another person said.

"I think the master of Confucianism is unfathomably capable, far surpassing those disciples."

The hot-tempered monk frowned and said, "What can you possibly learn from these levels? At most, they might be a little more skilled in martial arts. How can our Buddhist mindset be considered compatible? They might not even be as good as that big man before, stopping halfway through..."

Before he could finish speaking, Zhao Ti had already passed the fifty-fourth step.

The man from Kunlun immediately laughed and said, "Half of them have already passed. Monk, your words are truly ridiculous."

The hot-tempered monk gritted his teeth and said, "I don't believe he can break through to level eighty-one. At most, he'll just stay there like those two disciples, trapped in their shackles!"

The thirty-sixth, sixtieth, seventy-second, eighty-first, and ninety-ninth steps of these trials are all thresholds. Each time one reaches one of these thresholds, the pressure increases dramatically. Often, those who attempt to climb to these heights stop and struggle to move forward, eventually succumbing to their injuries and being overturned.

Zhao Ti, now at the sixtieth level, glanced back at the monk below and said leisurely, "This level is too easy. I am not a Buddhist, yet I have the mindset of a Buddhist. Some people have entered the Buddhist order, yet they have no Buddhist understanding at all. It's really quite laughable..."

Upon hearing this, many of the demonic monks below blushed, while the people of Kunlun burst into laughter.

The hot-tempered monk retorted angrily, "I... I'm not lacking in mental fortitude at all..."

Zhao Ti laughed and said, "So that means your martial arts skills are lacking?"

These words only amplified the laughter below. The irritable monk's face twitched, and he hurriedly said, "You, you go ahead and continue, is it that you can't go any further...?"

Zhao Ti shook his head and said, "What a fool! I've already told you that I can climb these steps as easily as walking on flat ground. Why don't you believe me?"

After he finished speaking, he easily stepped onto the sixty-first step and continued to walk upwards. His figure was exactly the same as before, elegant and casual, showing no sign of strain.

Seeing this, the hot-tempered monk's breathing quickened, and the plump monk beside him whispered, "Junior brother, watch your words, watch your words."

The irritable monk muttered, "I don't believe it, I don't believe it..."

At this moment, Zhao Ti had already climbed to the eighty-first step. Looking at Duan Yu beside him, he said, "Brother Duan, reaching the top shouldn't be a problem. Take a break and then continue. Don't be so afraid of hardship. You've lived a life of luxury for twenty years. Don't you know the principle that every bit of hard work brings a bit of reward?"

Duan Yu was immediately embarrassed and stammered, "Brother Zhao, I understand, I understand..."

Zhao Ti then looked at Tong Guan, whose expression was constantly shifting, as if he were thinking of something, his face turning red and white as if he were about to change color.

Zhao Ti glanced at him for a moment and said, "There's nothing to say. If you can't go up, you might as well stay and become a monk."

"Huh?" Tong Guan seemed to be startled awake from a dream by these words, and immediately said with a mournful face, "Young master, I don't want to be a monk."

Zhao Ti looked at him and smiled slightly: "Why are you so reluctant to become a monk?"

Tong Guan cried, "Young master, don't you know me? I have too many thoughts and can't get rid of my greed. How can I bear the life of a monk? I'm afraid... I'm afraid I'll lose all interest in life and won't be able to go on..."

Zhao Ti said, "The more you think like that, the less likely you are to climb up, and the more you'll want to become a monk."

Tong Guan burst into tears: "Your Highness, what should we do?"

Zhao Ti suddenly smiled mysteriously: "Why don't you think about it the other way around? If you're determined to become a monk, even with a knife to your throat, no one can stop you from taking refuge in Buddhism. Then give it a try."

Tong Guan was stunned for a moment and said, "But this humble servant doesn't want to. Isn't this just deceiving myself? This humble servant knows in my heart that this isn't what I really think, and I can't fool myself..."

Zhao Ti shook his head upon hearing this: "Foolish, who said we're trying to deceive ourselves?"

Tong Guan was taken aback, then his eyes widened suddenly: "Sir, the young master means to deceive, to deceive..."

Zhao Ti glanced at the Buddhist kingdom above the steps: "It's good that you understand. Whether you can do it or not depends on your own abilities."

"This humble servant thanks you for your guidance, young master. This humble servant understands, understands..." Tong Guan followed Zhao Ti's gaze toward the Buddhist kingdom and nodded vigorously.

Zhao Ti smiled slightly and continued climbing. Although Tong Guan's mental state had just broken through and reached the eighty-first step, it was an extremely accidental event. No one knew what he had thought of that made him suddenly enlightened.

But such things are unique. Not to mention Tong Guan, whose state of mind is so varied and has nothing to do with Buddhism, or even goes against it, even a Buddhist disciple who is well-versed in scriptures and has deep wisdom could not possibly achieve enlightenment twice in a short period of time.

That's why he was asked to try to wholeheartedly convert to Buddhism and have the idea of ​​becoming a monk. It doesn't matter if he can't deceive his own family, the key is to deceive this Buddhist kingdom and make the Buddhist kingdom believe, and the trial stage believe.

Whether it will ultimately succeed depends on Tong Guan's own methods and fate.

"Eighty-two steps! The Confucian leader actually went up to eighty-two steps!" Exclamations came from below.

The irritable monk's face turned ashen, and he stumbled back a few steps.

The man from Kunlun looked at him and laughed, "It seems the Confucian leader was right. Those who don't enter Buddhism have an easier time climbing these steps than those who do. So why bother entering Buddhism at all?"

"That's right. I think you should all come and join my Taoism. Maybe you'll even have a chance to reach the top."

"Hahaha, that's how it is. You all should quickly change your ways and join my sect."

"There's still a chance to defect now, otherwise once we're all up there, you'll be left with nothing but empty eyes."

The group of demonic monks turned extremely ugly upon hearing the Kunlun people's sarcastic remarks. One of the hot-tempered monks shouted angrily, "You... you yourselves can't even get up there, yet you try to bewitch us?"

The Kunlun people laughed and said, "Whether we can get up there or not is another matter, but we can't stop that Confucian leader from making mistakes every time, which is ridiculous. This is a Buddhist country, not a Confucian court. His mistakes every time are simply laughable."

The hot-tempered monk was speechless upon hearing this, and after a few breaths he finally managed to say, "He, he couldn't possibly be..."

Before he could finish speaking, the chubby white monk next to him covered his mouth.

He struggled desperately, making "uh-uh" sounds, but his martial arts skills were clearly inferior to those of the fat monk, and he couldn't break free for a long time.

At this moment, a long-faced monk said, "Junior brother, you'd better not speak. Since this person dares to call himself the master of Confucianism, how could he not have some special methods and abilities? Reaching the summit is normal, and it's not something we can discuss..."

The irritable monk sobbed, "I...don't believe it, it can, it can..."

Before his voice had even faded, Zhao Ti was already standing on the ninety-ninth level, and Kunlun on the other side burst into laughter again.

The irritable monk's face turned ashen. Suddenly, his body trembled, his eyes rolled back, and he was overcome with anger, causing his internal energy to go astray. He couldn't catch his breath and fainted.

At this moment, Xiao Feng was still at level ninety-nine. Seeing Zhao Ti approaching, he tried hard to suppress his emotions and said, "Young Master..."

Zhao Ti stood with his hands behind his back, observing him for a moment. He had already guessed the troubles in his heart, and slowly said, "Those who have abandoned me, the days of yesterday cannot be retained; those who trouble my heart, the days of today are full of worries. A long wind carries the autumn geese for thousands of miles; with this, I can drink heartily in a high tower..."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Feng's eyes lit up, and he said, "Drawing a sword to cut water only makes it flow more, raising a cup to drown sorrow only makes it more sorrowful, life in this world is full of disappointments, tomorrow I'll let my hair down and drift away in a small boat... Young master, I understand!"

Zhao Ti smiled and nodded, then took a step forward and stepped onto the hundredth step. At that moment, the steps emitted a chanting of Buddhist scriptures, which was incomparably mysterious and never stopped.

(End of this chapter)