Starting as the heir of a marquis's mansion, I gained access to a summoning system.

A stairway to heaven stands between heaven and earth, with a total of one thousand floors.

Each level was constructed of crystalline white jade, radiating a soft and sacred light. The staircase was about ten zhang wide, with no railings on either side, only endless void. Looking down, there was bottomless darkness; looking up, the top of the staircase was hidden above the clouds, from which countless rays of light and auspicious colors shone—there lay the legacy left behind by the celestial giant.

Beneath the Heavenly Ladder, nearly fifty prodigies who had passed the second stage gathered together. Some were excited, some were nervous, some were determined to succeed, and some were uneasy.

The voice of the spirit of the world echoed between heaven and earth, ancient and majestic, carrying an irresistible power:

"The third challenge is the Ascent of the Heavenly Ladder. There are a thousand floors, and the pressure increases with each floor. The first to reach the top will receive the inheritance of the celestial beings. This challenge tests not only cultivation level, but also willpower, temperament, and martial arts beliefs."

It paused, then added, "Flying is forbidden on the Heavenly Ladder, and no spatial teleportation techniques are permitted. Every step must be taken on your own two feet. Anyone who tries to cheat will be eliminated immediately."

"Now, let's begin!"

The moment the words fell, nearly fifty prodigies rushed toward the Heavenly Ladder.

No one wants to fall behind.

First 500 floors: Eliminating the weak

The first ten floors are as easy as walking on flat ground.

Everyone could keep up, and some even jumped around a few times, laughing, "That's it?"

But no one paid any attention to such shallow words. True masters knew that this was just the beginning.

At the fiftieth floor, the pressure begins to show.

Some of the early-stage Grandmaster prodigies began to sweat, their breathing becoming rapid. But they gritted their teeth and continued upward.

One hundred floors, the pressure is equivalent to the full-force pressure of an early-stage Grandmaster.

Several people staggered under the weight, their faces turning pale. One rogue cultivator's legs gave way, and he knelt on the steps, gasping for breath. He looked up at the receding figure in front of him, his eyes filled with resentment, but in the end, he was still thrown away by a gentle force.

Two hundred floors, the pressure is equivalent to the mid-stage Grandmaster level.

Several more slowed their pace, each step requiring immense effort. Sweat poured down their faces, dripping onto the white jade steps and evaporating instantly. But no one gave up—those who had reached this point were the cream of the crop, and who would willingly admit defeat at the very first hurdle?

Three hundred floors, the pressure is equivalent to the late stage of Grandmaster.

Some people were pinned down on the ladder, unable to move. They tried desperately to get up, but their bodies felt like they were being crushed by a mountain, unable to even lift a finger. Some roared, some cursed, some cried, and in the end, they were all thrown back.

Four hundred floors, the pressure is equivalent to the peak of a Grandmaster.

This is the first real watershed.

Many prodigies at the peak of the Grandmaster realm stopped here. Their faces were flushed, veins bulged, and their clothes were soaked with sweat. Every step was like struggling in mud, and they had to pant for a long time after climbing each step.

Murong Qiudi stood on the 430th floor, her purple robes fluttering in the wind, her long hair dancing wildly in the air. She bit her lip, three silver needles between her fingers—one of her trump cards, capable of stimulating potential and boosting her strength for a short time.

"It's not time to fight to the death yet." She hesitated for a moment, put away the silver needles, and chose to grit her teeth and persevere.

When Dugu Xin reached the 450th floor, the sword in its scabbard began to hum. His Dugu family's secret sword intent could help him share the pressure—protecting his body with sword intent and diverting external pressure into the sword. It was a clever trick, but the Heavenly Ladder didn't forbid it. His steps became slightly lighter as he continued upwards.

Long Aotian immediately activated the Heavenly Dragon Technique, his muscles bulging, and veins coiling on his arms like writhing dragons. He roared, and with each step he took, the steps trembled, as if a savage dragon was rampaging through the air.

Five hundred floors, the pressure is equivalent to the first level of a Grandmaster!

This is a true insurmountable barrier.

Several prodigies at the peak of the Grandmaster realm had their faces flushed red, veins bulging, and they could no longer take a step. They struggled desperately, some even resorting to secret techniques that burned their life essence, but they still could not cross this threshold.

"I'm not reconciled!" A rogue cultivator roared to the sky, blood spilling from the corner of his mouth, but his body had already been sent flying.

Fewer than twenty people will be able to continue striving upwards.

Murong Qiudi stood on the 500th floor, silent for a long time. She felt the invisible barrier—the pressure of a Grandmaster at the first level—which she couldn't currently withstand. But she had a trump card.

"In that case..." She took a deep breath and simultaneously inserted three silver needles into her acupoints.

Secret method·Three flowers gather at the top!

A powerful force erupted from her body, and her aura suddenly surged. She actually withstood the pressure and stepped onto the 501st floor.

"It's a success!" A hint of joy flashed in her eyes.

But she also knew that this state wouldn't last long.

Dugu Xin also encountered a bottleneck at the 500th floor. His sword intent protection was nearing its limit, and the sword in its sheath emitted a piercing buzz, as if it might break at any moment.

"Dugu family sword intent, break!" He bit his tongue, spitting a mouthful of blood onto the sword. The sword light surged, and a sharp sword intent enveloped him, cleaving through the pressure like a blade, allowing him to continue upwards.

Long Aotian's approach was much simpler and more direct—he roared, unleashing the full power of the Heavenly Dragon Technique, his entire body radiating golden light, and he forcefully withstood the pressure of the first level of Grandmaster to reach the 500th floor.

"You can't stop me!" His voice boomed like thunder.

After the 500th floor, fewer than 20 people can continue to climb.

Floors 600 to 800: Clash of Titans

The pressure at level 600 is equivalent to that of a Grandmaster at level 2.

At this level, the pressure is no longer just "heavy," but carries a kind of mental pressure—as if an invisible pair of eyes are looking down on you, examining your heart, and questioning your martial arts.

Murong Qiudi's secret technique began to fade.

She stood on the 601st floor, her face ashen, her body swaying precariously. The effects of the Three Flowers Gathering at the Top had mostly worn off, and her life force was rapidly waning.

"That's enough..." she whispered, a hint of resentment flashing in her eyes, but mostly clear-headedness. "Any further up, and I'll die."

She took a step back and was teleported away.

When Dugu Xin reached the 650th floor, cracks began to spread across the sword. His sword intent protection had reached its limit, and it could no longer bear even a fraction of the pressure.

"Dugu Xin, what is your Dao?" A voice echoed in his mind—it was not the spirit of the world, but his own inner demon.

"My path... is the sword," he whispered.

"A swordsman would rather break than bend. Have you bent?"

Dugu Xin fell silent. He glanced at the increasingly steep heavenly ladder above, then at the fallen people behind him, and finally sighed.

"It won't bend, but it also won't break." He drew his sword, unleashing a burst of sword energy that shattered the pressure barrier in front of him, then took a step back.

Dugu Xin stopped at the 650th floor.