The path that led to the top of the Skyscraping World was a long, stone staircase. It trailed down from the heavens like a white dragon. Setting foot on the stone staircase was like embarking on a path to heaven.
Only when he stood before the stone steps did Jian Chen properly understand the scale and grandiose of the stone steps. Each stone step was twenty-seven metres tall and two hundred and seventy steps wide. As he stood before the step, it was like he was facing a mirror-smooth cliff face.
Formations extended through the interior of the stone steps. From time to time, they would produce terrifying pulses of energy that could even bring chills to Immortal Exalts.
Very clearly, the formations used to protect these stone steps were even stronger than the formations used in other areas.
Standing before the first stone step, Jian Chen sucked in a deep breath before making his way up step by step with his hands behind his back.
He seemed to teleport, crossing several steps with each step.
Just like that, Jian Chen made his way upwards with composure like he was on a casual stroll.
At the same time, over a dozen figures sat at the top of the staircase, radiating with the pressure of Immortal Exalts.
Zuo Dao of the Divine Valley of the Nine Heavens from the Wondrous Success Heaven was among them.
Apart from him, there was also the Heavenloss Master from the Sword Sect of Yang Soul.
As well as the Profound Spirit Master from the Heavenly Palace of Scaling Heights from the Cloud Extent Heaven.
They either gathered together or sat alone, conversing with one another at a leisurely pace. They would furrow their brows sometimes or smile gently at other times.
However, the topic they discussed the most were the rumours regarding Yang Yutian.
The news that Yang Yutian slew great elder Tian Changji of the Immortal Feather sect had spread already. Now, many Immortal Exalts had heard about it, which left them all shocked.
Some of them guessed at Yang Yutian’s background and origins. They were certain that it was no weaker than a court of heaven, possessing the great heritage that left them fearless of the courts of heaven.
There were also some experts who claimed that Yang Yutian was truly just an independent cultivator. He simply did as he pleased without any tethers, which was why he could behave so fearlessly.
There were also some people who guessed that some kind of connection existed between Yang Yutian and the Heavenly Star Palace. He had the Heavenly Star Palace backing him, which was why he did not fear the Immortal Feather sect.
“Oh right, I’ve suddenly remembered something.” At this moment, a First Heavenly Layer Immortal Exalt old man suddenly spoke up. Seeing how many people looked at him, he cleared his throat and continued, “Fellows, do you still remember that bounty that the Immortal Feather sect released in the past?”
“Of course I do. The bounty had been personally issued by an Immortal Exalt ancestor of the Immortal Feather sect. They wanted an Immortal Emperor called Chang Yang. Who knows what incriminating thing that person did to actually make the Immortal Feather sect come after him like this…”
“Chang Yang is a mid Immortal Emperor. He cultivates the Chaotic Body and comprehends the Laws of the Sword. He possesses startling battle prowess. Even regular late Immortal Emperors aren’t his opponent…”
“I heard he also possesses a treasure that can hide his presence perfectly. Why do I feel like the Chang Yang that the Immortal Feather sect is after bears great similarity to Yang Yutian…”
When he said that, many of the Immortal Exalts present sank into their thoughts. They all found that the special characteristics lined up a little too well.
“Surely not. After all, not only are Chang Yang and Yang Yutian’s presence and appearance different, but Chang Yang used a medium quality god artifact, while Yang Yutian uses a high quality god artifact,” someone said in rebuke.
“Appearances and presences can be changed. There is some difficulty to that, but it’s not impossible. As for the difference in god artifacts… fellow, don’t tell me you’ve only ever used one god artifact in your life?”
When faced with an answer like that, the person who rebuked them immediately shut up.
Hearing everyone’s discussions, the face of the Profound Spirit Master who sat on the steps changed again and again. He seemed uncertain.
“Regardless of whether Chang Yang and Yang Yutian are the same person or not, his bravery is commendable. He’s just an Immortal Emperor, yet he actually has the courage to provoke one of the twelve courts of heaven, the Immortal Feather sect. He’s even offended the Immortal Feather sect to such a great degree, killing their great elders. That’s basically beyond the point of reconciliation.” The Heavenless Master sighed near the Profound Spirit Master.
His descendant had tied the knot with the fifth princess of the Heavenly Palace of Great Radiance, forging a tie for the entire sect. That was fantastic news, but even with a background like that, the Heavenloss Master still did not have the courage to offend the Immortal Feather sect at all.
“Heavenloss Master, do you still remember the junior who stole the Spiritual Fruit of Sword Nurturing?” the Profound Spirit Master suddenly communicated. He only spoke to the Heavenloss Master. None of the Immortal Exalts in the surroundings could hear his voice.
“Of course, I do. A major reason why I’m guarding this place is because of him. If he doesn’t come to the peak, then so be it, but if he does, I won’t spare him,” the Heavenloss Master ground his teeth. Back then, in the cave where the Spiritual Fruit of Sword Nurturing grew, they had already agreed he would take it. The Heavenloss Master had already begun treating the Spiritual Fruit of Sword Nurturing as his private possession. If someone tried to take it, that would be trying to rob him.
“I suspect the person who stole the Spiritual Fruit of Sword Nurturing was actually Yang Yutian!”
He had realised that Jian Chen was definitely far more difficult to deal with than he had initially imagined. After all, he had fearlessly killed Tian Changji, and he was likely the Chang Yang that the Immortal Feather sect had issued a bounty for. As such, he wanted to rope in the Heavenless Master from the Sword Sect of Yang Soul.
“What? That person was Yang Yutian?” The Heavenloss Master was greatly surprised, but upon closer thought, he discovered that the identifying characteristics of the Immortal Emperor who miraculously stole the Spiritual Fruit of Sword Nurturing that day lined up with Yang Yutian.
The Heavenloss Master’s eyes turned cold. He ground his teeth as he thought, “So that’s Yang Yutian. No wonder he was so reckless. No wonder he possessed that ability as well, where we couldn’t find him even with so many Immortal Exalts.”
“Looks like that’s also the reason why the experts of the Immortal Feather sect have failed to capture him, forced to issue a bounty to the entire Immortals’ World.”
“Not only is Yang Yutian fearless and reckless, Xing Caijian shows him goodwill for some reason. Heavenloss Master, how do you plan on dealing with this?” the Profound Spirit Master asked.
“Hmph, it doesn’t matter who he is or how great his background is. He needs to spit out the Spiritual Fruit of Sword Nurturing. That’s an offering specially prepared for the elder princess of the Heavenly Palace of Great Radiance. In the present Immortals’ World, who dares to steal from the elder princess?” The Heavenloss Master’s eyes shone coldly. Towards the end, his voice was filled with great confidence and haughtiness that looked down on all.
It was true. In the eyes of the Immortal Exalts of the Immortals’ World, although the elder princess of the Heavenly Palace of Great Radiance had not become a Grand Exalt yet, she was already akin to one.
She faced the four supreme ancestors of the Sacred Beast clan alone, yet she still managed to defeat them, emerging unscathed.
Apart from Grand Exalts, no one in the current Immortals’ World could replicate such a feat.
“Hmm? Isn’t that Yang Yutian? Yang Yutian is here…”
At this moment, a voice called out, and the dozen or so Immortal Exalts seated on the steps looked over. All they saw was a figure climbing up through the mist, growing clearer and clearer.