Chapter 119: Ascension Ladder, Breaking Records

"Elder Mu, are there any restrictions on these two Trial Grounds?"

Zhou Chen asked thoughtfully.

"The Ascension Ladder can only be challenged once per person per year. The Primal Beginning Exquisite Pagoda has no such restriction, but each challenge consumes a significant amount of Mental Energy."

Mu Yuandao reminded him.

"Saint, given your current strength, I suggest you start with the Ascension Ladder and wait until your strength is greater before challenging the Primal Beginning Exquisite Pagoda. After all, the opponents inside are the strongest Prodigies of past generations, and their strength cannot be underestimated."

Zhou Chen nodded on the surface, but he already had a plan in his heart.

Since Chu Cangming was going to challenge the Ascension Ladder in five days and the Primal Beginning Exquisite Pagoda in seven, he had to act first if he wanted to snatch the opportunity.

"Understood. Thank you, Elder Mu."

"It is my duty; there is no need for such courtesy, Saint. Please remember to act within your means."

Mu Yuandao stood up and respectfully saw Zhou Chen off.

After Zhou Chen left, he walked directly toward the direction of the Ascension Ladder.

The Ascension Ladder was located in the Core Area of the Taichu Holy Land, a massive stone ladder that towered into the clouds.

Every step exuded an ancient aura, as if it carried the weight of countless years.

A stone stele stood in front of the ladder, engraved with the records of past challengers.

Zhou Chen scanned it and found Chu Cangming's name prominently listed, followed by a record of ninety steps.

"The highest record is ninety steps?"

A confident smirk tugged at the corners of Zhou Chen's mouth.

"That won't be the case starting today."

He took a deep breath and stepped onto the first step of the Ascension Ladder. Instantly, an invisible pressure surged from all directions, as if trying to crush him.

However, with Zhou Chen's current strength, this bit of pressure was nothing; it felt like a tickle.

He climbed steadily, ascending one step at a time.

"Hey, someone is climbing the Ascension Ladder."

"Isn't that normal? Looking at that unfamiliar face, it's probably another new Disciple."

"Are you blind? Don't you see the embroidery on his chest? That's the Tenth Sequence Saint!"

"Hiss!"

The Tenth Sequence Saint is on the Ascension Ladder!

This was big news. Disciples around him began to discuss it, word spreading from ten to a hundred, and more and more Disciples gathered.

"The Tenth Sequence Saint is challenging the Ascension Ladder? Is he crazy?"

"Exactly. He just joined, even Senior Brother Chu waited a year after joining before starting the Ascension Ladder."

"I guess it would be good if he reached the thirtieth step, after all, he is just the Tenth Sequence."

The discussions rose and fell, and most Disciples did not think highly of Zhou Chen.

Ten steps, twenty steps, thirty steps… As the height increased, the pressure also kept growing.

"Huh, he actually reached the thirtieth step. It seems this Saint still has some strength."

"What's thirty steps? I can reach forty."

"Stop bragging, you came down after only reaching thirty-five steps last time."

By the fiftieth step, the pressure was already considerable, enough to stop an ordinary seventh-Realm Nascent Soul Cultivator.

But Zhou Chen remained calm and continued to climb upward.

"He reached the fiftieth step!"

"This… how is this possible?"

"He doesn't look like he's struggling at all!"

The watching Disciples began to be shocked.

Fifty steps—this already exceeded the records of most Disciples present.

Sixty steps, seventy steps, eighty steps… When Zhou Chen stepped onto the eightieth step, hundreds of Disciples had already gathered around the Ascension Ladder.

Everyone widened their eyes, watching the figure who was still climbing effortlessly in disbelief.

"Eighty steps! Heavens, is he really just a new Disciple?"

"It's too terrifying. What Realm is he exactly?"

When he stepped onto the ninetieth step, the entire Ascension Ladder began to vibrate.

This was a sign that someone was about to break a record!

Within the Taichu Holy Land, countless Disciples felt this vibration and looked toward the direction of the Ascension Ladder.

"Someone is challenging the Ascension Ladder!"

"And they've already reached the ninetieth step. Is this going to break Senior Brother Chu's record?"

"Who could it be?"

The discussions continued.

Deep within the Taichu Holy Land, in a majestic palace.

The Supreme Elder of the Taichu Holy Land, Dao Xuan, was closing his eyes to Cultivate when he suddenly felt the vibration coming from the Ascension Ladder.

"Hmm? Someone is about to break the ninety-step record?"

Dao Xuan opened his eyes, a trace of surprise flashing through them.

"Did Cangming challenge it early?"

He scanned with his Divine Sense, only to find that the figure on the Ascension Ladder was not Chu Cangming.

"Zhou Chen?"

A hint of shock flashed in Dao Xuan's eyes.

"This kid… he actually has such strength?"

Meanwhile, at Mu Yuandao's residence.

Mu Yuandao was sipping tea when he suddenly felt the vibration, and the teacup almost slipped from his hand.

"This is… the vibration of the Ascension Ladder?"

Mu Yuandao's expression changed drastically.

"Could it be that the Saint went to challenge it? But I just advised him to wait until his strength was stronger…"

He hurriedly put down his teacup, flashed his figure, and flew toward the Ascension Ladder.

Chu Cangming also felt the vibration, his brows slightly furrowed.

"Someone is actually able to reach the ninetieth step?"

He flashed his figure and disappeared.

When Chu Cangming saw that familiar figure on the stone ladder, a complex expression flashed in his eyes.

"Zhou Chen…"

Whoosh!

At this moment, Zhou Chen had already stepped onto the ninety-first step, officially breaking Chu Cangming's record.

"Broken! Senior Brother Chu's record has been broken!"

"Ninety-first step! This is the new record for the third-generation Disciples of the Taichu Holy Land!"

"It's unbelievable!"

The watching Disciples were completely boiling with excitement.

Chu Cangming's ninety-step record had been held in the Taichu Holy Land for three full years, and today it was broken by a newly admitted Tenth Sequence Saint!

But Zhou Chen did not stop his steps and continued to climb upward.

Ninety-second step, ninety-third step, ninety-fourth step… Each step was extremely difficult, but Zhou Chen's steps were exceptionally firm.

"He's still continuing!"

"Ninety-fourth step!"

"How far is he going to climb?"

Mu Yuandao arrived at the scene and saw this scene, and the whole person was stunned.

"This… how is this possible? The Saint's strength is actually so terrifying?"

Chu Cangming stood in the crowd, looking at Zhou Chen's figure, his eyes full of shock.

"His strength… just how strong is he?"

Ninety-fifth step, ninety-sixth step, ninety-seventh step, ninety-eighth step… When Zhou Chen stepped onto the ninety-eighth step, the entire Taichu Holy Land quieted down.

Everyone held their breath, waiting for that historic moment.

"Ninety-ninth step… is he really going to reach the top?"

"Among this generation of Disciples, no one has ever been able to reach the top ninety-ninth step!"

"We are about to witness history!"

Fine beads of sweat kept flowing down from Zhou Chen's forehead; the pressure of every step above ninety was also huge for him.

"Undying Golden Body Art!"

"Primal Creation Scripture!"

"Open for me!"

Finally, in the shocked eyes of everyone, Zhou Chen stepped onto the ninety-ninth step!

Boom!

The entire Ascension Ladder erupted with brilliant light, and a golden beam of light shot into the sky.

"He reached the top! He really reached the top!"

"Ninety-ninth step! The first Disciple to reach the top of the ninety-ninth step in hundreds of years in the Taichu Holy Land!"

"The last one dates back to a thousand years ago!"

"This is simply a miracle!"

The watching Disciples went completely crazy.

Some jumped up in excitement, some were too shocked to speak, and some knelt directly on the ground.