Perfect: I am Shi An from Shicun, and I am Huang’s brother!

Chapter 241 The mantis stalks the cicada
Zhan Jingfeng slowly opened his eyes, a hint of exhaustion and joy flashing in them. He had succeeded and gained a foothold on the first floor.

"Lord Jingfeng!"

At the same time, seeing Zhan Jingfeng successfully resist the pressure, everyone in the stone chamber was extremely excited and burst into cheers.

Yan Yuru smiled, her beautiful eyes sparkling with joy and approval. She quickly walked to the edge of the stone platform and whispered, "Jingfeng, you really did it!"

Upon hearing this, Zhan Jingfeng remained calm and did not become agitated. Instead, he took a deep breath and slowly raised his arm, signaling everyone to be quiet.

Then, he turned to look at the old man statue on the platform and said in a deep voice, "Everyone, this stone platform has ten layers, and the runes engraved on each layer are different. Just now, I cracked the first layer in a specific way."

Then, Zhan Jingfeng explained to everyone present how to pass through the first level.

"Thank you, Lord Jingfeng!"

"Lord Jingfeng is so righteous!"

After listening to Zhan Jingfeng's story, hope was ignited in the eyes of everyone present. Their previous despair vanished, and even their gazes toward Zhan Jingfeng were filled with more reliance and trust.

All of this was because, within this mysterious and unpredictable palace, Zhan Jingfeng's performance served as a beacon, giving everyone hope.

Soon, everyone began to try climbing the stone platform according to the method taught by Zhan Jingfeng.

"clatter!"

As the strongest person present besides Zhan Jingfeng, Leng Qianjun was the first to leap onto the stone platform.

His muscles were bulging, his battle axe held horizontally in front of his chest, and he circulated his divine energy in a specific rhythm, easily resisting the first layer of pressure.

"Haha! It really works!"

Upon successfully ascending the first step, Leng Qianjun burst into laughter. He then turned to the crowd below and shouted, "What are you all standing there for? Hurry up and come up!"

As soon as Leng Qianjun finished speaking, Yan Yuru floated up, surrounded by water vapor, each step as if she were walking on waves.

Seeing this, the other cultivators followed suit and successively ascended to the first level of the stone platform.

Of course, not everyone can have such a smooth journey.

Some weaker cultivators, such as Zhao Wutian, were sent flying backward and crashing heavily as soon as they approached the stone platform, just like Zhao Ji had been earlier.

"boom!"

With a loud thud, Zhao Wutian crashed heavily onto the stone chamber floor, spitting out a mouthful of black blood. His internal organs felt as if they were being pierced by thousands of steel needles, causing him immense pain.

"puff!"

Zhao Wutian coughed up blood, his face was ashen, and his eyes were filled with panic and resentment. He struggled to get up and try again, but he had lost even the strength to stand.

He could only watch helplessly as those powerful cultivators ascended the stone platform one by one, his heart filled with resentment and anxiety.

Meanwhile, those who were less capable felt a chill of fear upon seeing his appearance.

They knew that with their own strength, rashly trying would likely lead to the same outcome.

Watching the cultivators fall one after another, Zhan Jingfeng frowned slightly, and finally said in a deep voice: "Those who are not strong enough should not try. Wait below the stage for now, and we will make plans after we find a way to break through to a higher level."

"I will obey Lord Jingfeng's command!"

At Zhan Jingfeng's command, no one dared to object and immediately agreed. Even those weaker cultivators who harbored a glimmer of hope dared not make any rash moves.

"Keep going up!"

Seeing that everyone was no longer acting rashly, Zhan Jingfeng immediately raised his hand and led everyone to move again.

"boom!"

The pressure on the second level of the stone platform was several times stronger than that on the first level.

Zhan Jingfeng remained in the lead, taking a deep breath as his divine energy surged like a mighty river, each step he took was extremely steady. However, even with his strength, he could clearly feel the increased pressure, and his forehead was soon covered with beads of sweat.

Leng Qianjun followed closely behind, gripping his battle axe tightly. His aura was like that of a furious lion as he struggled against the powerful pressure.

Yan Yuruo continuously formed hand seals, and soft water light surrounded her, relieving much of her pressure.

"what!"

Suddenly, a cultivator let out a scream, his body trembling uncontrollably. He was then forced to his knees by the oppressive force, a trickle of blood spilling from the corner of his mouth.

"hold onto!"

Upon seeing this, Leng Qianjun immediately shouted, wanting to lend a helping hand, but found himself equally unable to help, and could only watch helplessly as the cultivator was forced back by the pressure and fell heavily back to the first level.

"Don't be distracted!"

Seeing this, Zhan Jingfeng quickly spoke up to remind everyone, bringing them back to their senses.

"clatter!"

Time passed, and before they knew it, they had finally managed to climb to the second floor.

Although everyone who reached the second floor was pale and panting, the light in their eyes did not diminish in the slightest; on the contrary, they all shone with excitement.

"The pressure from this second level is indeed powerful, but we still made it up."

Leng Qianjun grinned, his body exhausted but his tone full of pride.

Zhan Jingfeng didn't speak, but nodded slightly, his gaze fixed on the third-level stone platform.

The runes on the third stone platform were more intricate, and the flashing light was even more dazzling, as if they concealed endless mysteries and dangers.

"continue!"

After resting for a moment, Zhan Jingfeng took another step and headed towards the third floor.

Seeing Zhan Jingfeng leading the way, the others exchanged glances. Then, seeing the determination on their faces, they all lifted their feet and followed.

"Boom!"

The pressure from the third level was several times stronger than that from the second level.

Even Zhan Jingfeng felt as if countless divine mountains were pressing down on him, making him exert tremendous effort with every step he took. His legs began to tremble involuntarily, and his body was on the verge of collapse.

Even so, he did not give up and continued to struggle on.

Leng Qianjun was in no better condition. His battle axe had slipped from his hand, and the bulging veins on his body looked like ferocious dragons to others.

As for Yan Yuru, her situation was even more difficult; a trickle of blood oozed from the corner of her mouth, clearly indicating that she had suffered severe physical and mental trauma.

Even so, she persevered through gritted teeth, manipulating the power of water to maintain her balance.

If the three original generations performed like this, one can only imagine how the others fared.

"what!"

Sure enough, with a desperate scream, a cultivator finally couldn't withstand it and was thrown back by the pressure, falling towards the bottom of the stone platform.

And this cultivator was like a fuse; after him, one cultivator after another was forced back by the pressure, falling heavily from the stone platform like birds with broken wings, and dropping back to the second level.

Screams and cries of alarm rose and fell on the stone platform, and the once imposing procession now appeared to be on the verge of collapse.

In the end, apart from Zhan Jingfeng, Leng Qianjun, and Yan Yuru, only a handful of cultivators remained on the third floor.

These individuals are all highly capable and determined.

(End of this chapter)