Only three seconds? He's already the Lord of All Realms, so it doesn't matter.

Ye Xuan had already climbed the thousandth step of the three thousand steps to the Heavenly Ladder.

The surrounding fog thickened, and with each step upwards, the pressure increased. Not only were his cultivation and soul restricted, but even his five senses began to blur.

The staircase twisted and swayed in his vision, and countless whispers echoed in his ears, all of them the lingering obsessions from Zhao Wusheng's fragmented memories.

Most of the complaints were from Zhao Wu, who complained about the unfairness of the heavens. He had been cultivating smoothly when he first entered the Holy Sect, but due to a slight mishap, he was trapped at the fifth level of Foundation Establishment and was delayed for two months.

After finally getting things fixed, we ran into Qian San's mess...

However, what do these lingering regrets have to do with Ye Xuan? To put it bluntly, in this Holy Sect, Zhao Wu's talent and cultivation are simply insufficient, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that he brought it upon himself.

His expression remained calm, and he did not stop walking.

Their keen perception, able to discern the subtle signs, had already pierced through the illusion and seen the true nature of the ladder.

The Holy Sect set up this illusion not merely to test potential, but also to investigate the details of a disciple's cultivation path. If there are discrepancies in foundation or incorrect path, they will be exposed here.

Although the blue and white energies and the illusory image of the immortal willow in his body were suppressed, they maintained a subtle cycle. This cycle seemed to be the circulation of spiritual power of an ordinary Golden Core cultivator, but in fact it secretly corresponded to three different cultivation methods.

This is a realm that even the once-genius Yu Chenzi of the sect had never reached. How could a mere illusion possibly be able to see through it?

Thinking this, Ye Xuan suddenly encountered a strange change when he reached the 1,500th step.

The fog ahead suddenly condensed, transforming into a humanoid phantom that blocked the middle of the steps.

"Upon reaching the top of the three thousand steps, one can obtain the title of Dao Child, and will also be exposed to the Holy Sect's eyes."

Do you really think that by virtue of possessing Yu Chenzi's legacy, remaining hidden in the outer sect will prevent anyone from noticing?

Ye Xuan paused slightly, his gaze sweeping over the afterimage, and suddenly he smiled.

So what if it's exposed?

From the words of that phantom, he was somewhat surprised that the Holy Sect knew about Yu Chenzi, but they probably hadn't realized his true identity yet.

"Now that I've joined the Holy Sect, I have no intention of hiding forever. The legacy left by Yu Chenzi is an opportunity I've gained; why should I feel guilty?"

Before he finished speaking, he stepped forward, and the illusory figure suddenly dissipated, turning into a thicker mist that swirled upwards.

"really."

As the fog churned violently, the formation seemed to be disrupted and its operation became sluggish. The pressure on the steps suddenly eased, and Ye Xuan took the opportunity to accelerate.

Two thousand steps, two thousand five hundred steps, two thousand eight hundred steps...

The higher you go, the more profound the techniques inscribed on the steps become.

He had seen several secret methods of the Golden Elixir, including the Golden Elixir chapter of "Nine Separations from Heavenly Yang," and even a fragmented Nascent Soul cultivation manual.

"Unfortunately, only fragments are of no use to my sect."

Ye Xuan glanced at it briefly, memorized the rest of "Nine Departures from the Heavenly Sun," and then continued his ascent.

Upon reaching the 2,999th step, the fog ahead completely solidified, transforming into an invisible wall.

Behind the wall, the last step appears, blank except for a deep palm print embedded in the stone surface.

"Would you be willing to leave behind your cultivation technique? After many years, it will surely be studied and practiced by many disciples, just like Jiu Li Tian Yang."

The soft voice rang out again, but this time it was no longer ethereal; it emanated from the palm print.

At the same time, the invisible wall instantly transformed into a mirror, reflecting Ye Xuan's figure.

The person in the mirror wore a flowing green robe, and his eyes shimmered with emerald green. Behind him, the faint shadow of a willow tree swayed, with wisps of golden flames entwined among the branches. This was a simulation of the merging of Yu Chenzi's legacy with the Dao of "Nine Separations from the Heavenly Sun".

This is the final manifestation and reflection of the formation on his Dao foundation. Ye Xuan gazed at himself in the mirror and said:

"Not interested."

He intended to crush the jade tablet in his hand and leave the arena, but the mirror instantly floated in front of him, forcing him to reach out and press his hand into it.

Then the whispered words continued without further ado:

"You have successfully ascended the three thousand steps."

……

……

After the three thousand steps, the mist suddenly dissipated, and what lay before him was not the peak he had imagined, but an ancient stone platform.

In the center of the platform stands a stone tablet, blank except for a sword mark that runs diagonally across its body, the mark still bearing the chilling intent of a sword, which has endured for countless years.

At the edge of the stone platform, an elderly man in gray stood with his hands behind his back, facing away from the steps.

"On the fourteenth day of the fourth month of the year Bing Shen, outer disciple Zhao Wu ascended the three thousand steps of the Dao Inquiry Arena."

The old man did not turn around, and continued in a calm voice:

"Since the Holy Ancestor established the Daoist Inquiry Platform, a total of nine people have reached the summit over the past thousand years. You are the tenth."

Ye Xuan was speechless. "Is this how a dignified Holy Sect behaves?"

Upon hearing this, the old man finally turned around.

His face was withered, but his eyes shone like morning stars. When his gaze fell on Ye Xuan, it seemed to penetrate his skin and look straight into his soul.

"He possesses a fragment of Yu Chenzi's 'Eternal Immortal Willow,' and also cultivates my sect's 'Nine Departures from Heavenly Sun'..."

"Nine Heavens Sunshine goes without saying, and Jade Dust Child was once a disciple of my Holy Sect. Even if you possess a technique of dubious origin, shouldn't you still make some sacrifices?"

Ye Xuan felt a chill run down his spine. This old man had actually seen through most of his secrets at a glance? He was practically able to see right through his Taoist robe and understand his entire situation.

But he remained calm and continued to listen to the old man reveal the truth.

"Yu Chenzi betrayed the Holy Sect and fled with the Immortal Willow of Immortality, later perishing in the Northern Wilderness."

"His legacy has manifested in the world, and the sect has long been aware of it. Do you know why no one has sought you out?"

Ye Xuan remained silent. "Because what the Holy Sect wants is never just a fragment."

The old man strolled to the monument and ran his fingertips over the sword mark.

"Yu Chenzi's path has gone astray."

He attempted to devour all living beings to achieve his own power using the Immortal Willow Technique, but he did not know that all things have their balance. The more he devoured, the stronger the backlash became. In the end, he died and his soul dissipated, leaving not even his remains behind.

The sect kept you on for two reasons: firstly, to make you, as the successor, bear the blame for Yu Chenzi's sins.

Secondly, they wanted to see if those who benefited from his legacy could forge a new path.

Ye Xuan heard it clearly; at that moment, he had only one thought in his mind—

Overbearing! This Holy Sect's actions are far too overbearing.

He had long anticipated that the Holy Sect would not let him run wild, and that certain people must have noticed this when he received Yu Chenzi's legacy.

"However, you need not worry. According to the rules, those who climb to the top of the three thousand steps will be granted the title of Daoist Child."

"The sect will not pursue Yu Chenzi's offenses further; you will still enjoy the privileges of an inner disciple, or even a higher level."

The old man slipped a purple jade token from his sleeve and tossed it to Ye Xuan.

"By holding this decree, one can be exempted from all miscellaneous duties and can freely enter and leave the Holy Sect's Sutra Repository to read the sect's secret scriptures."

You may also choose to become an apprentice of an inner sect elder; of course, if you do not wish to, you may also cultivate on your own.

Ye Xuan accepted the token. It was made of warm, purple jade, with the words "Daozi" engraved on the front and the pattern of the Holy Sect's mountain gate on the back.

"Go."

The old man waved his sleeve, and the mist around the edge of the stone platform surged, revealing a teleportation array.

Although Ye Xuan was still somewhat unhappy, his identity hadn't been fully exposed after all. He figured he might as well accept being arranged for him; at least he'd made it into the inner sect...

"With this Daoist token, you are now an inner disciple, and your cave dwelling and monthly salary will be in accordance with the standards for Daoists."

Watching Ye Xuan step into the array of light, in his last glance before teleportation, he saw the old man still standing in front of the monument, looking up at the sword mark.

But no one could hear him muttering anything under his breath.

"The path of Dao Integration... If Yu Chenzi had understood it back then, he wouldn't have ended up like this..."

A burst of light engulfed his vision. When Ye Xuan opened his eyes again, he was already back at the entrance to the forbidden area in the back mountain.

The gray-robed deacon was still waiting in the same spot. When he appeared, a complex look flashed across his eyes.

"Zhao Wu... no, I should call you Senior Brother Zhao now."

The steward handed over a jade slip, saying, "Congratulations, this is what inner disciples should know."

Ye Xuan took the jade slip, scanned it with his senses, and found the contents clearly stated—

Ordinary disciples receive a monthly stipend of 300 merit points and have no other privileges.

True disciples receive a monthly stipend of 900 merit points and are eligible to enter the Scripture Pavilion, but there are still many restrictions.

The inner sect is different from the outer sect. Here, there's no need to worry about daily expenses. Just be aware that cultivation here can be done by any means necessary, with only the result mattering...

"Thank you, Deacon."

He put away the jade slip and turned to leave.

When we stepped out of the restricted area, the sun was already high in the sky, its rays piercing through the mist and falling warmly on our bodies.

Ye Xuan looked down at the purple jade token in his palm, the two characters "Daozi" shimmering in the light.

He manipulated his spiritual power to cut his fingertip, and a drop of blood fell onto the token. It was no longer Zhao Wu's aura, and his appearance returned to normal.

After being promoted to the inner sect, although he still needed to use Zhao Wu's name, Ye Xuan no longer needed to hide his identity.

After doing all this, he immediately returned to his cave. It was still very shabby. Ye Xuan had stayed there for several days using Zhao Wu's identity, but he hadn't added anything new.

Opening Zhao Wuna's miscellaneous notes, he picked up his pen and wrote—

"Promoted to Inner Sect today."