Nine Nether Dragon Emperor-Chapter 258: Arrived at Yao Guang, Strive to Make Money!
They also wanted to know why. Why was this Heavenly Ladder so much more difficult than they had been led to believe?!
After a brief glance at Mo Wu, the two of them fixed their gazes on Ning Xuan. Instinct told them that this matter was inextricably linked to him!
"What’s the matter? Can’t handle it already? If you can’t, then just come on down!"
Before Ning Xuan could even speak, Nanling Bully stepped in front of them, blocking their line of sight and speaking coldly. As far as he was concerned, his mission to the Lower Realm was already complete. A single Ning Xuan was worth more than countless so-called prodigies. It made no difference whether the others were there or not.
Neither Ye Yi nor Jiang Boya responded, choosing instead to act. Climbing the Heavenly Ladder is difficult, but to say we can’t do it is absolutely unacceptable!
"Come on! If you’re real men, climb a hundred steps!" Ning Xuan’s voice suddenly called out.
"You are so benevolent, My Lord," Nanling Bully said with a fawning smile.
Ning Xuan was left speechless. What is wrong with this guy? He’s a Venerable, yet he can’t even tell I’m being sarcastic?
"Just watch the show."
"You got it!" Nanling Bully always responded in an instant.
On the Heavenly Ladder, Ye Yi stepped onto the forty-third step. He took a deep breath, braced against the pressure, and chose not to advance further. The wisest choice now was to let Jiang Boya take the lead while he watched carefully from behind. This Heavenly Ladder was simply too difficult; this was the only way they might be able to climb higher! 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞
Up ahead, Jiang Boya ascended two more steps in quick succession. His expression was incredibly grim as he forced his legs to stop trembling.
Just a moment ago, something had clicked in his mind. The Venerable’s deferential attitude toward Ning Xuan could only mean one thing. This Heavenly Ladder was built by Ning Xuan!
The realization was earth-shattering, but it also ignited his fighting spirit. Ning Xuan was younger than him. In terms of background, Ning Xuan came from the Lower Realm! Despite all that, the man actually possessed the ability to construct a Heavenly Ladder.
If I can’t even climb this Heavenly Ladder, how can I possibly talk about getting justice for my elder brother?!
One moment, Jiang Boya was brimming with fighting spirit. But as he set foot on the fiftieth step, a terrifying pressure descended upon him. His knees gave out, and he fell directly to his knees!
He was stunned, as were Ye Yi below him and even Chu Tian further down.
What just happened? He was doing fine a second ago, and now he’s down?
On the fiftieth step, Jiang Boya recovered slightly, whipped his head around, and yelled down, "Ning Xuan, you fight dirty!" There was a sob in his voice.
He felt so wronged! Ning Xuan was an absolute bully! The pressure on the fiftieth step was on a completely new level compared to the forty-ninth—it was at least twice as strong! The abrupt spike in difficulty had nearly shattered his will to fight.
"What did you just say?! Instead of finding fault in yourself, you blame My Lord? Keep spouting such nonsense and I’ll revoke your eligibility right now!" Nanling Bully immediately stepped forward to champion Ning Xuan.
Jiang Boya desperately wanted to retort that Nanling Bully could revoke it for all he cared; he’d rather not climb such a Heavenly Ladder anyway! But he held his tongue. It was just a ladder built by Ning Xuan. He refused to be defeated by it!
Jiang Boya began to use his trump cards. These were meant to be saved for after he reached Yao Guang, but now he had no choice but to use them early!
Once on his feet, Jiang Boya’s speed increased dramatically. Step after step, he quickly conquered five more!
Down below, Ye Yi was utterly shocked. So this is Jiang Boya’s true power... truly formidable!
However, he was no weakling. Having confirmed that the anomaly was confined to the fiftieth step, he also picked up his pace.
THUD!
Even with Jiang Boya’s fall as a warning, and despite being extremely cautious, Ye Yi also collapsed to his knees when he reached the fiftieth step. In that instant, he completely understood how Jiang Boya had felt.
Damn it! This is just plain bullying!
But he didn’t complain. He had no desire to be targeted. All he could do was grit his teeth and push onward!
I hope Jiang Boya doesn’t get too far ahead. The higher he climbed, the denser the fog and clouds became. From his position on the Heavenly Ladder, he could see ten steps ahead at most. As he advanced, the visibility was bound to get even worse.
But Ye Yi soon discovered his worries were for naught. Jiang Boya, who was ahead of him, had slowed down.
Seeing Jiang Boya suddenly slump down on the fifty-eighth step, drenched in sweat and gasping for breath, Ye Yi was utterly baffled. What’s going on? Considering the state he was in just now, he shouldn’t be like this.
At the same time, he became even more cautious. This Heavenly Ladder is too damn weird. I have to be careful!
After struggling up another three steps, Ye Yi could take it no longer. He sent a telepathic message to Jiang Boya above, "Brother Jiang, this Heavenly Ladder is bizarre. Why don’t we cooperate to open the Gate to Heaven together?"
Up above, Jiang Boya’s interest was piqued. He immediately replied, "How do we cooperate?"
If Ye Yi had suggested this before, he would have scoffed. Who was he?! He was Jiang Boya of the Jiang Family! It was just climbing a Heavenly Ladder; why would he ever need to cooperate with someone?!
But now, reality had taught him a harsh lesson. This Heavenly Ladder that Ning Xuan built is damn poisonous! Even if he played all his cards, he’d only be able to reach the eightieth step at best. That was still a long way from one hundred steps.
"We can take turns climbing and tell the other person what to expect on the step ahead. That way, we’ll both have more time to recover."
Jiang Boya’s heart stirred. That’s actually a good idea. He immediately agreed. Without waiting for Ye Yi to say another word, he shared the conditions of the step right above Ye Yi.
Ye Yi was overjoyed, but in the next moment, they were both dumbfounded.
PFFT!
Despite being fully prepared, the moment Ye Yi set foot on the next step, he sprayed a mouthful of blood. If he hadn’t reacted instantly, an unknown force would have blasted him right off the Heavenly Ladder!
"You tricked me?!" The moment he stabilized himself, Ye Yi glared at Jiang Boya with killing intent.
"I didn’t! I have nothing to gain by tricking... I get it now! The trials we’re facing on each step are completely different!" Jiang Boya reacted quickly, instantly grasping the reason.
After speaking, he turned his gaze toward Ning Xuan. Such methods were truly inconceivable. How on earth did that guy manage this?!
The same question surfaced in the minds of You Ruo and Nanling Bully. A Heavenly Ladder built by Ning Xuan could actually present a different trial on every single step? That was just insane!
Beyond her shock, You Ruo couldn’t help but feel a sense of pity for all the Martial Artists of Cloud Summit Heavenly Palace. We’re completely screwed. From now on, none of the prodigies here will ever be able to climb the Heavenly Ladder again!
Looking at Ning Xuan with a complicated expression, she thought, He’s single-handedly cut off the path for all future prodigies! She had just taken over the Heavenly Palace, hoping to achieve great things. But now, what Ning Xuan had severed was more than just their paths!
Off to the side, the practically invisible Chu Tian didn’t know whether to be happy or sad. With a Heavenly Ladder like this, it was likely that no one would ever be able to open the Gate to Heaven again. Fortunately, he had made the right choice earlier. But if he was the only one to open the Gate to Heaven and reach Yao Guang, he would probably have to face everyone’s wrath alone.
Just as he was growing anxious, he subconsciously glanced at Ning Xuan and had a sudden realization.
How could I possibly be alone? Isn’t Ning Xuan here too?! After all, Ning Xuan himself said I was his dearest friend and closest family! Right. Once I get to Yao Guang, I’ll work hard and make money!
Chu Tian hadn’t even gone up yet, but he already had the proper mindset of a wage earner.
