Is there any hope for me, who proposed to the world-destroying empress at the very beginning?

"The Taihao Heavenly Ladder has a total of 9,999 steps, divided into ten levels. Each level consists of 999 steps."

"Those who ascend the Heavenly Ladder must reach the sixth rank to be considered qualified, the seventh rank to be excellent, the eighth rank to be extraordinary, and the ninth rank to be peerless!"

"This Heavenly Ladder looks ordinary, but it is not. It was created by a powerful figure in the academy by drawing upon the power of the stars in the sky."

The higher you go, the stronger the sense of pressure becomes. It's a tremendous test of both strength and willpower.

"Although climbing the Heavenly Ladder is extremely difficult, it allows one to draw upon the power of the stars to temper the body, with remarkable results."

"Alas... It's a pity I have no hope of ascending the Heavenly Ladder to enter the Taihao Academy."

Huanling spoke with great insecurity and regret.

Of course, she had long known that her presence here was merely to serve as a foil to those favored sons and daughters of heaven.

Of course, she herself is also quite talented, especially in martial arts, which is the result of years of accumulated experience. Her chances are slim this year, but she will definitely have a chance next year!

However, having come all this way only to return empty-handed is truly disheartening.

"That's easy, I'll give you this."

While Huanling was still somewhat dejected, Su Liang nonchalantly handed her the academy's gold certificate.

Seeing this scene, the many talented men and women around were completely dumbfounded.

What's going on? The academy is giving away gold ingots like that!

"hiss--"

Even though many of the geniuses here are worldly-wise, basically

They had seen all sorts of scenes, but this was one they had never seen before.

A gold certificate from the academy represents a spot to enter the Taihao Academy.

Anyone who receives the gold invitation and is not too far from meeting the Taihao Academy's standards for accepting disciples can enter directly with the gold invitation.

In other words, anyone with a gold pass can enter directly.

"Senior Brother Su Liang, I can't accept this; it's too precious."

Huanling dared not accept it and immediately returned it.

In some ways, the imperial academy's gold-lettered scrolls are more precious than those of a country or a region; they are practically priceless.

If Su Liang were willing to barter, all the prominent young men and women here would definitely be willing to exchange their most precious treasures with him.

"Haha, please accept it. It's nothing to me. Consider it payment for answering my questions earlier."

"Besides, I have no need for this gold and iron, and I am very interested in the Great Heavenly Ladder."

Su Liang's few words drove countless people to the brink of madness.

There were quite a few cultivators around Su Liang and Huan Ling just now, so they naturally heard their conversation.

Su Liang only asked some insignificant questions. In other words, Huan Ling simply answered a few questions that everyone knew, and yet she received the academy's gold token. What kind of divine luck is this? And what kind of divine logic is this?

Of course, many people also think that Su Liang is just putting on an act and will soon take back the academy's gold token.

But at this moment, Su Liang had already arrived at the Heavenly Ladder, preparing to ascend to the heavens!

At this moment, the man and woman who had previously refused Su Liang's questions were now filled with regret and deep remorse.

The two of them were now filled with deep regret. Despite their arrogance, their strength was still insufficient to pass the trial. They were just there to make up the numbers.

If they had had a good conversation with Su Liang not long ago, wouldn't this academy gold certificate that Su Liang doesn't need now be in their hands?

Chapter 233 Ascending to the Heavens, Stunning the World

Unfortunately, in this world, there are never any "what ifs," only consequences and results!

When Su Liang arrived at the foot of the Taihao Heavenly Ladder, everyone's eyes turned to him at that moment.

The Taihao Heavenly Ladder has a total of 9,999 steps, with each 999 steps constituting one stage.

Since Su Liang was able to receive the academy's gold invitation, his performance on the Taihao Heavenly Ladder must not be too bad.

However, everyone was also eager to know just how far Su Liang could go on the Taihao Heavenly Ladder.

Below the Taihao Heavenly Ladder, Su Liang had already watched many proud sons and daughters of heaven participate in the assessment and training.

When the many prodigies and saints stepped onto the Taihao Heavenly Ladder, they did not behave in any particularly bad way.

At least before the first to fourth levels, although it became increasingly difficult to progress, no prodigies or saints were directly blasted down by the Taihao Heavenly Ladder or voluntarily teleported down.

Most prodigies fail their challenges when they reach the fifth or sixth tier.

For the Taihao Heavenly Ladder, the sixth rank is merely the passing grade!

Only those who reach the seventh rank can be considered excellent; those who reach the eighth rank can be considered extraordinary; and those who reach the ninth rank are absolutely stunning!

After watching for a moment, Su Liang, under everyone's gaze, immediately ascended into the sky.

"what?"

Su Liang took a step forward, and then his eyes widened slightly in surprise.

He had observed carefully that when all the prodigies ascended the first small step, their bodies were pressed down slightly.

Although they can recover quickly, there are almost no exceptions.

He had originally prepared to directly withstand the pressure when he was suppressed, to experience just how intense the pressure was.

But now Su Liang was a little confused, because the first step did not put any pressure on him at all.

Then, under the watchful eyes of the crowd, he continued his ascent into the sky.

The pace of the group varied in the first four stages, but since most of them were able to pass through, even if some abnormalities occurred, they would not attract attention.

But this time was different; Su Liang's speed was simply too fast.

One by one, the cultivators ahead of him were overtaken by him. After overtaking so many cultivators in succession, his speed did not slow down at all; on the contrary, he seemed to be enjoying the journey more and more.

At first, he didn't quite understand, but after a moment, he understood completely.

His spiritual power was so refined and pure that it was outrageous. The strength of his acquired divine dragon body was beyond the pressure of the Heavenly Ladder.

A moment later, he had overtaken everyone else, taking the lead and leaving everyone else in the dust.

"Sixth rank!"

"He reached the sixth level in less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn!"

At this moment, the many prodigies below looked at Su Liang with extreme apprehension.

Although Su Liang is only at the Life Palace Realm now, his performance in the first six tiers of the Heavenly Ladder surpasses that of more than 99% of the geniuses!

In other words, less than one percent of the geniuses in the first six tiers can be compared to him.

Who are the people who can come to Taihao Academy? They are the most outstanding, powerful, and excellent geniuses from all four states and eight wastelands of the world.

Any one of them could dominate a region. With so many geniuses gathered together, how could they still rank among the top 1%?

Such cultivators are extremely rare, like phoenix feathers among phoenix feathers.

"Seventh rank!"

Just now, Su Liang had traversed the first six steps in less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, leaving many people utterly astonished and deeply shocked.

Little did I know that the amazing performance just now was only the beginning; the most exciting part was yet to come!

At this moment, Su Liang completed the sixth step and arrived at the seventh step in less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.

The sixth stage is the passing mark for the trial. Those who complete the sixth stage are qualified to enter the academy for cultivation.

However, often, most people's goals are not even the starting point for a few.

When Su Liang finished climbing the seventh step of the Heavenly Ladder, he was already far ahead of everyone else.

Some of the geniuses who had fought their way to the sixth rank were unable to withstand the pressure of the Heavenly Ladder and were knocked down by it, so they were teleported out. Others chose to teleport out voluntarily.

At this moment, Su Liang continued to move forward.

When he finished the eighth step, the prodigy who was closely following him had only just finished the sixth step.

The eighth step was not Su Liang's final destination. He looked at the ninth step of the Heavenly Ladder and continued to climb it.

"Completed all nine steps, truly worthy of being a prodigy invited by the academy with a golden invitation!"

At this moment, the many prodigies felt only fear and admiration.

Su Liang's talent, potential, and willpower are now beyond doubt.

From now on, they will cultivate together at Taihao Academy, and they will also be in a competitive relationship.

Although Su Liang's cultivation level is slightly lower now, they still need to be extremely vigilant and pay close attention to him.

"The final step."

At this moment, some of the most talented individuals sighed with emotion, knowing all what taking that final step meant.

Most of the top talents only barely pass the minimum requirement, or reach the excellent level.

Only those who pass through the ninth level can be called the most outstanding among the outstanding. Such cultivators have limitless potential for future achievements.

"Huh? What's he doing?"

Just when many prodigies thought that Su Liang would take a bold step forward and enter the academy, unexpectedly, Su Liang came down again...

Indeed, Su Liang is actually walking back now!

That wasn't the most astonishing part. What was truly shocking was that after returning to the sixth step, he started climbing again.

This cycle repeats itself endlessly; it seems to be addictive?

Behind Su Liang, the prodigy who was striving to climb upwards had a gloomy face that looked as if it could drip water!

He was still struggling to reach the eighth step of the Heavenly Ladder, while Su Liang had already made three trips back and forth.

Humiliation! Utter humiliation!

Moreover, Su Liang was able to slow down on the Heavenly Ladder, as if there was a deeper meaning behind it.

At this time, many of the prodigies finished their trials one after another.

Some of the most talented students passed successfully, while many others were simply not strong enough and had to try again next year.

What's most surprising is that in this trial, the Holy Son of Moro also successfully passed the ninth level.