Supreme Alchemist-Chapter 2390 - 2380: Take a Step

Long Yan’s words absolutely eliminated any thought of retreat among the group. After all, they hadn’t even tried yet, and as talented disciples from various major sects, it would be hard to justify giving up so easily. Therefore, they simply accepted Long Yan’s suggestion.

However, Thunder Leopard didn’t come alone this time. Even though his boss had left, his numerous lackeys still felt obligated to regain some face for their leader.

"You lead the way first."

Long Yan’s gaze locked onto a sharp-featured young man in the crowd. The man looked somewhat familiar to Long Yan—Gu Yuan, one of Thunder Leopard’s sidekicks. He had temporarily withdrawn from the trials earlier but returned that very afternoon, ensuring he was there this evening, likely due to his influence.

Seeing Long Yan looking at him, Gu Yuan remained completely unfazed. His pointy, monkey-like features drew disdain from the surrounding cultivators.

"Being a strong one sounds great, but achieving it is much harder."

Gu Yuan wore an indifferent look as if the matter had nothing to do with him, although his beady eyes kept darting toward Long Yan, scared of him making a move.

Long Yan found this amusing. Clearly, Gu Yuan was terrified inside, yet he still felt compelled to stick up for his boss. Thunder Leopard had truly found himself a gem.

Without Gu Yuan needing to say a word, seeing the man had already sparked Long Yan’s curiosity about the Path to Immortality. Of course, he had no idea what formidable challenges lay ahead on this so-called Path to Immortality.

"Let me take the lead then..."

Long Yan had just intended to take the first step toward the Path to Immortality, but Jian Wuchen suddenly interrupted him.

"I’ll go first!"

Leaving no room for objection, Jian Wuchen strode determinedly toward the Path to Immortality. His indifferent demeanor caused the hearts of the female cultivators present to flutter, though he remained blissfully unaware, as it was merely ingrained in his temperament.

Since Jian Wuchen insisted on being the frontrunner, Long Yan happily took a step back. After all, this matter had little to do with him, being originally under the jurisdiction of the Tianshan Sect.

Jian Wuchen’s cultivation base was at the early stage of Divine Emperor third stage. Even among the talented disciples present, he was a standout. And as a sword cultivator, his path on the Path to Immortality would naturally require climbing to even greater heights.

The failure of the previous man was painfully obvious—his strength was far from being at Divine Emperor first stage, which was the root cause of his downfall. Jian Wuchen glanced at the cultivator sprawled on the ground like a dead dog and let out a derisive snort through his nose.

"That someone like him almost drove me to desperation..."

With his distractions cleared, Jian Wuchen lightly stepped onto the Path to Immortality. An overwhelming pressure immediately descended upon him, and Long Yan noticed Jian Wuchen’s once upright shoulders momentarily droop. Yet, he still pressed forward with firm resolve, taking each step steadily.

Very quickly, Jian Wuchen traversed the First Layer, proving he indeed possessed the strength of Divine Emperor first stage. From the Second Layer onward, Jian Wuchen began to feel the pressure intensify, slowing the pace of his initially swift steps.

"This Path to Immortality isn’t merely about strength."

When Jian Wuchen joined the Tianshan Sect, he had already walked this path once before, meaning he understood precisely where the challenges lay. No one who underwent its trials had ever truly grasped what the Path to Immortality tested.

For cultivators who defy the heavens, abandoning their true selves is the key to success on the path to immortality.

Yet, amidst the mundane chaos, whether it be power, authority, or the wealth so readily available to cultivators, all could confuse and undermine a cultivator’s once steadfast Dao Heart. An unwavering Dao Heart is what immortals cannot do without, and the Path to Immortality equally tests one’s mental state.

To shed all worldly attachments and seek only the Immortal Path—that was the way of the Ancient Times.

The same destination, different paths. Modern cultivators prefer to remain within large sects, relying on resources to achieve personal accomplishments, which is a form of losing their true selves. The Path to Immortality does not assess a cultivator’s cultivation base but rather their determination to pursue the Immortal Path.

Thus, Jian Wuchen held an advantage compared to other cultivators, though only in terms of information. In practice, the Path to Immortality offered no shortcuts. Hence, when Jian Wuchen set foot on the Third Layer, it felt as though he had been hit by a truck, nearly coughing up blood.

Grinding his teeth tightly, Jian Wuchen planted his other foot firmly onto the First Tier of the Third Layer. The once high-spirited youth vanished entirely, replaced by a twisted, devil-like visage.

His bloodshot eyes revealed that Jian Wuchen had reached his limits. Illusory figures began to flicker around him—a sword-bearing elder standing tall and noble. His extraordinary bearing was evident even at a glance, and before his towering presence, Jian Wuchen was utterly paralyzed. Though the elder remained on a distant mountaintop, taking even a single step toward him felt as impossible as scaling the heavens.

"Am I going to give up?"

The thought entered Jian Wuchen’s mind only to be violently expelled. If he surrendered here, then what meaning was there to all his previous efforts?

Jian Wuchen’s legs trembled uncontrollably, his clenched teeth biting down hard. A step that usually came so easily now felt as distant as the farthest horizon.

Fortunately, being only at the early stage of Divine Emperor third stage meant he needed to reach merely the Third Tier of the Third Layer. Yet, this single step felt impossibly difficult—despite pouring all his strength into it, Jian Wuchen could not move forward.

"Roar!"

Jian Wuchen let out a fierce roar, as if rediscovering his strength. His right leg found the power to step onto the Second Tier. Though the move tarnished his usual grace, it was enough to earn admiration. Even Gu Yuan and others present couldn’t help but look up to Jian Wuchen for his perseverance on the Path to Immortality; his sheer determination was awe-inspiring.

By now, however, Jian Wuchen’s body had entirely given out. Just standing upright was his limit, let alone taking another step forward.

"It seems I’ve fallen short!"

Jian Wuchen murmured softly, his vision fading to black as his strength abandoned him. As his body began to topple backward, it seemed he could never reach the Third Tier—the nightmares in his heart still lingered.

"Hey, are you really giving up so easily, Young Sword Saint?"

A mocking voice called out from behind Jian Wuchen, accompanied by strong arms steadying his swaying form. Naturally, the only person who would dare to jest with Jian Wuchen in such a manner was Long Yan. Though Jian Wuchen’s consciousness was faint, the moment he heard Long Yan’s voice, he immediately regained clarity.

"How did you get up here?"

Even with Jian Wuchen’s experience of encountering countless geniuses, he had never seen anyone like Long Yan. Despite standing on a layer lower than Jian Wuchen, Long Yan was already at the Third Tier, far above the usual limit. While Jian Wuchen was drenched in sweat, Long Yan inexplicably still had the energy to joke.

"What kind of monster are you!"

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