Chapter 151

Chapter 151: Long Stairs (4000 words, combined two chapters)

As Ming stepped onto the Heavenly Ladder, everyone’s heart leapt.

They all harbored complex feelings.

They didn’t want Ming to ascend the ladder and obtain treasures, yet they feared his failure would leave them trapped.

This conflicting desire filled them with inner turmoil.

The best outcome would be if Ming encountered an accident but still obtained the Baiwa Scroll, which then somehow fell into their hands, making them the master of this realm.

Of course, they knew it was just a dream.

Ming ascended step by step.

With every step upward, he felt his body grow heavier.

At first, Ming only felt as if a thousand-pound stone pressed upon him.

Gradually, that weight turned from thousands to tens of thousands of pounds, until it felt like an entire mountain rested on him.

And this heaviness wasn’t just physical—it seemed to weigh down his very soul.

Indeed, Ming hadn’t sensed incorrectly.

In the sight of everyone below, as Ming began ascending, a golden boulder appeared on his shoulders.

No one knew the exact weight of this golden boulder, but this trial surely wasn’t light.

As Ming continued climbing, the golden boulder disappeared, replaced by an ethereal golden mountain.

The crowd clearly saw Ming’s feet sink heavily, even his shoulders dipped slightly.

Ming furrowed his brow. When he lifted his foot, it trembled uncontrollably.

Each step forward was arduous.

Suddenly, heavy clouds parted, chains pierced through Ming’s body, sealing his True Qi and Spiritual Energy.

Now, Ming was no more than an ordinary person—albeit with a body strengthened by years of martial training.

“Is it heavy?”

The Golden Frog asked, its face not mocking but rather concerned.

“A bit.”

Ming forced himself to lift his right foot and took another step up the ladder.

Just as Ming placed his foot higher, a mouthful of blood spewed from his lips, and he knelt on one knee.

At this moment, Ming fully realized his Divine Soul was being crushed under the immense pressure of this mountain-like weight.

From the perspective of others, the golden mountain on Ming’s shoulders had grown larger.

“Huff,” Ming exhaled deeply, stood up, and asked the Golden Frog, “Is the trial of the Heavenly Ladder merely about carrying weight?”

The Golden Frog smiled. “Do you know what burden you carry?”

“What is it?” Ming asked.

The Golden Frog waved its hand, making the golden mountain on Ming’s shoulders appear clearer.

Below the ladder, many frowned.

That golden mountain was actually Baiwa City.

Spanning fifty miles in each direction, Baiwa City condensed into this golden mountain.

On this mountain, you could see commoners strolling through the streets, innkeepers preparing for business, guests leaving brothels, and vendors selling breakfast.

“On your shoulders, you bear every brick and tile, every blade of grass and tree, every drop of water, every pebble, and every living soul of Baiwa City.”

The voice of the Golden Frog resonated.

“To become the master of Baiwa City, you must endure everything about this city.

Henceforth, you will be the ’cause’ of Baiwa City, and Baiwa City will produce various ‘effects’ because of you.”

Ming smiled. “So, the trial of this Heavenly Ladder is just this? If so, it doesn’t seem too difficult.”

The Golden Frog clasped its hands together. “Amitabha, traveler, continue forward, and you’ll understand.”

The Golden Frog closed its eyes as Ming straightened his back and continued climbing.

Though heavy, Ming could endure it.

If it were merely about carrying weight, Ming believed he could reach the top.

But Ming knew it wouldn’t be so simple.

Sure enough, out of the nine hundred and ninety-nine steps, when Ming reached the three hundred and thirty-third step, he suddenly felt lighter.

The golden mountain on his shoulders slowly disappeared.

The chains binding his body unlocked, and when Martial True Qi and Spiritual Energy surged back into him, Ming had never felt so refreshed.

Ming continued ascending.

Suddenly, he stopped.

Streams of golden light gathered before Ming, forming the shape of a jackal.

This jackal looked familiar, resembling the one from Baiwa County Government Office.

“Young fellow, you must pass my test to proceed.” The jackal grinned.

Ming looked toward the Golden Frog.

The Golden Frog opened its eyes again, explaining, “Next, you will face the manifestations of four residents of Baiwa City. Defeat them, and you may continue.”

“I see.” Ming shifted his gaze to the jackal. “Then forgive me.”

“Young fellow, I won’t be easy to pass.” The jackal chuckled, beckoning Ming closer.

Ming smirked. “Even if it’s hard, I must pass.”

With those words, Ming took a step forward, throwing a punch.

The jackal extended its claw, blocking Ming’s punch.

Their energies clashed, Martial True Qi scattering in the air, forcing the jackal’s manifestation back several steps.

The jackal was surprised, shaking its claw.

How could this man have such strength?

Ming continued climbing.

Every punch from Ming sent the jackal retreating a step, while each retreat allowed Ming to advance.

Others watching recognized anew Ming’s prowess.

“Boom!”

Ming’s punch struck the jackal’s head.

The jackal’s manifestation shattered instantly.

Inside the county office, the real jackal spat out a mouthful of blood.

Ming glanced toward the jackal’s direction.

The jackal wiped the blood from its mouth and bowed deeply, symbolizing submission to Ming.

Ming returned his focus and moved forward.

The next manifestation was the monk tiger Ming had previously encountered.

Compared to the jackal, this tiger was more formidable, especially in strength.

Among all opponents Ming faced, this tiger was the strongest, even surpassing the elephant of Baiwa City.

Every punch Ming threw at the tiger was met head-on without evasion.

Ming did the same.

Their brutal exchange of blows left spectators breathless.

Finally, Ming unleashed the Heaven Opening Fist’s Drum Beating technique, punching harder and harder until the last blow pierced through the tiger’s chest.

The third manifestation was the wild chicken residing in the phoenix tree of Baiwa City, claiming to be a phoenix.

“Wild chicken?” Ming tentatively asked.

“What wild chicken? People call me phoenix! You called me a wild chicken last time!” The chicken raised its chin indignantly, showing a hint of tsundere.

“Sorry, sorry.” Ming bowed apologetically.

“Hmph, even if you apologize, I won’t go easy on you.”

The self-proclaimed phoenix soared into the sky, its form growing larger.

Its body burned with flames, its sharp cry echoing like a phoenix’s song.

The chicken spat out a stream of fire.

Ming wielded the Peachwood Sword, wrapping himself in Sword Qi.

Whenever the flames covered Ming, they were sliced apart by the surrounding Sword Qi.

Seizing an opportunity, Ming leaped onto the chicken’s back, pounding it repeatedly.

The chicken and Ming tumbled through the sky, leading some to worry Ming might be burnt to a crisp.

Qingwan’s gaze locked onto Ming, her fists clenched tightly.

“Miiin~”

With another phoenix cry, the chicken manifestation fell from the sky, dissolving into light.

Ming, though battered, continued climbing.

The final manifestation awaited.

“Ribbit”

The last manifestation was the Golden Frog itself.

The Golden Frog blocked Ming’s path, bowing respectfully. “Traveler, please guide me.”

When the Golden Frog became the trial, Xia Donghua and others felt despair, Qingwan’s face turning pale.

Everyone had witnessed the Golden Frog’s power; it was undoubtedly the strongest in Baiwa City.

How could Ming possibly win?

Ming calmly observed the frog. “Are you Nascent Soul Stage?”

The Golden Frog shook its head. “I am late Golden Core Realm.”

“Hmm.” Ming nodded.

The next moment, Ming threw a punch, striking the frog’s belly.

His force felt like hitting cotton, disappearing without effect.

Ming sensed a shadow above him.

Looking up, a frog tongue descended toward him.

Ming sidestepped, the tongue smashing into the stair, creating a crack.

The frog spat corrosive saliva, transforming into poisonous arrows aimed at Ming.

“Xu Ming!”

Qingwan shouted, fearing the worst.

But Ming’s abilities once again shocked everyone.

Ming stomped mid-air, Martial True Qi exploding beneath his feet, evading the poison arrows.

Then, ancient runes emerged in Ming’s eyes.

When the frog met Ming’s gaze, its body trembled involuntarily.

The Golden Frog felt as if it were completely exposed.

“Ribbit.”

The frog slapped its palm toward Ming’s head, winds binding Ming’s legs, preventing escape.

Ming had no intention of escaping.

He activated Blood Qi Berserk, the blood in his meridians boiling violently.

Centered around Ming, ferocious Blood Qi mixed with Martial True Qi spread outward like ripples in a lake.

“Boom!”

Mountain Splitting Fist – Ocean Breaking Style.

Ming threw a punch upward, striking the frog’s palm.

The Golden Frog cried out in pain.

One of its arms exploded into light.

It wasn’t over.

Blood Qi Berserk enhanced Ming, who instantly appeared behind the Golden Frog, delivering a powerful kick to its head, spinning it entirely around.

The Golden Frog extended its tongue, binding Ming’s limbs, attempting to swallow him whole.

Ming grabbed the tongue and pulled forcefully, dragging the Golden Frog toward him.

Another punch landed on the Golden Frog’s abdomen, internal force causing it to spit blood.

Like cracked porcelain, starting from where Ming’s fist struck, the Golden Frog’s body crumbled, dispersing into countless points of light.

Ming stood there, hands behind his back, the wind brushing his tattered clothes.

Everyone gazed at Ming’s silhouette, astonished.

They had never seen such a powerful martial artist, one whose strength induced despair.

It was unimaginable what would happen when such a martial artist reached their peak.

Some even doubted if martial arts truly was a dead-end path.

Could Xu Ming carve out new horizons for martial artists?

Despite winning, Ming wasn’t unscathed.

After several fierce battles, he was covered in burns and claw marks, blood seeping from his wounds. Each step caused fresh pain, and blood dripped continuously.

The Golden Frog reformed, appearing intact again.

“Traveler, please proceed. May you overcome the final challenge.” The Golden Frog clasped its hands together.

Ming nodded, bowing respectfully.

Already weakened to the extreme, Ming continued climbing.

When Ming was only nine steps away from the top, dark clouds gathered overhead, lightning flashed, and strong winds swept across Baiwa City.

Everyone could feel the tingling sensation of thunder.

Ming looked up at the heavens.

Amidst the stormy clouds, a colossal creature darted about.

It seemed to be…

“No way,” Yu Wen Xi stared dumbfounded at the sky. “Could this be…”

“Roar!”

A dragon’s roar echoed across the heavens.

A massive dragon head emerged from the cloud sea, staring directly at Ming.