These Martial Artists all wish to ascend Heavenly Realm Mountain, to commune with the Heavenly Dao, to receive the recognition of the Heavenly Dao, and to obtain the status granted by it!

One must understand that obtaining the status from the Heavenly Dao is not merely about gaining its recognition and achieving fame.

When one receives this status, they can obtain rewards from the Heavenly Dao, and any single reward from the Heavenly Dao is beyond ordinary imagination. For these rewards, countless people proceed to Heavenly Realm Mountain.

At this moment, at the foot of Heavenly Realm Mountain, there appeared three men and one woman. The leader among them was a man clad in a black robe. Handsome in appearance, he carried an air of composure, treading the earth silently, presenting an unfathomable presence.

This man was none other than Ye Feng! The three others beside Ye Feng were Zhen Yunzi, Qingshan, and Zimo.

Ye Feng gazed at Heavenly Realm Mountain, clearly feeling the pressure of heaven and earth emanating from it, a force that soared above all. Ye Feng knew that this was the aura of the Heavenly Dao, a presence that made countless Martial Artists feel their own insignificance, instilling a constant sense of reverence for heaven and earth.

Ye Feng understood that the Heavenly Dao and the Dao are completely different. The Heavenly Dao is a form of will within the universe, an overseer of order, while the Dao is a force, a power maintaining the balance of the universe.

Though said to be unrelated, they are deeply interconnected. Yet, to assert that they are inseparable may seem they exist independently. At this time, Ye Feng and the others arrived at the foot of Heavenly Realm Mountain.

On Heavenly Realm Mountain are countless steps leading directly to the mountain top.

Zhen Yunzi said: "Ye Feng, Heavenly Realm Mountain has a total of 9,999 steps, each step a yard in height. If you can complete the first half by reaching the 3,333rd step, you will gain the recognition of the Heavenly Dao and become a true strong person of the Dao Sect, and also receive rewards from the Heavenly Dao.

If you manage to reach the 6,666th step, you can gain recognition and certify the Dao Position of Daoist Lord. Of course, if you reach the 9,999th step, you can certify as Dao Venerate!

Dao Venerate, the supreme of Martial Arts! Nowadays, in the three super sects of Spirit Martial Continent, not a single person exists as such! A Dao Venerate strong person is rarer than one in a billion Martial Artists, don’t even think about it. Feng, just strive to reach those 3,333 steps..." After all, a Dao Venerate strong person is legendary to them, no one dares to imagine.

"Hahaha! Zhen Yunzi, I never expected you to come to Heavenly Realm Mountain. Your Purple Lightning Sect is already declining, nearly falling out of the ranks of second-rate sects, and you dare to come here, do you seek humiliation?" At this moment, a voice echoed to Ye Feng and his companions, followed by a group approaching them.

At the forefront of the group was a middle-aged man in a red robe, with a dark demeanor, speaking in a bizarre tone, his voice gruff, making people very uncomfortable. He was a strong person of Great Perfection in True God.

"Daoist Huo Yu!" Zhen Yunzi looked at the red-robed middle-aged man, frowning, a hint of caution in his eyes.

At this time, Qingshan whispered to Ye Feng, "This is Daoist Huo Yu, an elder of the Red Fire Sect. The Red Fire Sect is our rival, having clashed countless times. Brother Feng, be cautious of them."

Ye Feng understood that these people’s purpose was the Daoist School exam. Although they already had their own sects, they could still participate in the exam. Both the Red Fire Sect and Purple Lightning Sect are second-rate sects.

Disciples from second-rate sects can also participate in the exams of first-rate sects and even super sects. This mechanism is like academic entrance exams on Earth, where super sects are akin to key universities.

And second-rate sects like the Red Fire Sect and Purple Lightning Sect are analogous to high schools, so participating in the exam is normal.

Daoist Huo Yu looked at Ye Feng and the others with disdain, saying, "Two True God peaks, one later stage True God. No, no, all trash. Your Purple Lightning Sect truly is falling apart, Zhen Yunzi. I think you should tell your Sect Master to merge with our Red Fire Sect when you go back; your younger generation is too worthless, destined to be wiped out sooner or later..."

"Shut your damn mouth! What does the Red Fire Sect amount to? Indeed, the Purple Lightning Sect has been in decline, but our foundation remains, and we will surely rise again. What do you know?" Anger sparked in Zhen Yunzi’s eyes.

At this time, a fair-skinned young man with a handsome face stepped forward, a sword box on his back. He gazed at Ye Feng and then at Zimo and Qingshan, "Qingshan, you’re really a waste, practicing for so long and still just a peak True God. I wonder why Zimo ever took interest in you!"

Qingshan’s expression became exceedingly unpleasant, and the young man indifferently said, "Zimo, Qingshan is just a waste. He’ll probably never break through into the Dao Realm. Why not come with me? I’ll surely treat you well!"

Enraged, Qingshan shouted, "Meng Fei, you bastard, openly snatching Zimo from me, openly disrespecting me!"

Qingshan immediately unleashed his full aura, drawing his longsword, lunging at Meng Fei, True Essence surging like tides, sweeping across, the air rippling in waves.

"Courting death!" Meng Fei sneered, instantly drawing a crimson longsword from his sword box, slashing forth.

Light blazed, and a sword beam descended upon Qingshan, entwined with the rules of Dao, extremely fierce.

With a "pft!", blood spurted wildly. Qingshan, unable to evade, took a slash across the chest, leaving a gaping wound, his body flying back hundreds of yards, falling to the ground, grievously injured.

"Trash! Who do you think you are to even try fighting me?" Meng Fei’s eyes shone with disdain, mocking loudly.