The sky was an azure blue expanse, dotted with languid white clouds.

The clouds hung low like flowing water, gently caressing the ancient moss-covered stone steps.

It was like a beautiful watercolor painting. As one after another, the Main Path Guild disciples in blue robes seem to dot across the watercolor painting, giving it a little pop of color.

At that moment, heaven and earth were plunged into a state of tranquility.

At the foot of the mountain, by the gated memorial arch, a couple of the upper fourth-class disciples and the elders of the Main Path Guild were staring at the figures on the cloud stairs. Their pupils shrank!

After 500 steps, the difficulty of ascending the cloud steps would increase in difficulty by leaps and bounds.

No one could have imagined that such a shocking scene that struck a blow to their psyche would occur before their eyes.

By making it to the 500th step, Fang Lang had surpassed everyone's expectations. However, no one could have predicted that as a cultivator whose main specialty was sword mastery, Fang Lang would be able to perform so well in spell mastery.

Even among the numerous Main Path Guild disciples, being able to ascend to the 500th step of the Thousand Cloud Stairs would give them the name of a top genius.

Who could have known that after the 500th step, Fang Lang's true genius would begin to show.

At that moment, he was like a furious dragon who had appeared out of the deep, dashing towards the Main Path Guild Disciples with bared teeth!

At the foot of the mountain, everyone was speechless. Even Zhao Zhenshi was staring intently at the scene.

Even Huang Zhihe, who came with Fang Lang, widened his eyes which betrayed the stir of emotions in his heart.

"This boy is taking a different approach, using force to break through the runes, ascending the mountain with sheer power!"

"It's like he's swinging a butcher's knife, slicing through the mountain to create a new path," said Huang Zhihe as he took a deep breath in.

Zhao Wuji, who stood beside him, raised an eyebrow, "Is it really that easy?"

In the distance, Zhao Zhenshi's ear quivered slightly when he heard those words. He shot a look at Zhao Wuji and began to laugh, "Haha, easy?"

"He was such a stupid martial arts disciple!"

"This method of using brute force to break through the rune has been seen before. Each time the Main Path Mausoleum opens, there will be a fellow who does not know his own strength that wishes to use force to break the runes."

"Ascending the steps is like a war. It is an extremely vicious battle between spiritual senses. If you wield a sword, the runes of the stone steps will respond by drawing an even more powerful sword!"

"Each time, there will be plenty of disciples whose spiritual sense suffers great damage requiring half-a-year before they recover completely 500 cloud steps. 500 runes. The Five Phase Rune is the prototype of this rune."

"Every hundred steps would have the five phases as rune attributes. How could he have sufficient spiritual sense to sustain his rune breaking if he used force to do so?"

"He would be able to ascend a hundred steps at the most through using force. After that, the spiritual attack of the runes will have a hard fight with one's consciousness. Since he lacks spiritual sense to protect his consciousness, in the end he will end up with his spiritual sense battered. His consciousness might even end up completely crushed!" said Zhao Zhenshi.

"When the time comes, this fellow will understand how stupid his actions are."

Huang Zhihe's expression faltered.

To one side, Ni Wen wore an anxious and worried expression as she looked towards the white robe on the cloud stairs.

Zhao Zhenshi did not continue speaking. However, his eyes were not as calm as they seemed to be.

Everything he said was true. Numerous disciples had attempted to use force to break through the runes. In the end, they were injured because they depleted their spiritual sense and could no longer withstand the counterattack.

However, even those disciples were not as quick as Fang Lang when they ascended the stairs.

The figure running up the mountain path was practically a monster!

"The spiritual sense of this boy has such power to break through the runes!"

"His spiritual sense is solid and sturdy. His spell mastery is extraordinary. It must be at least earth-level. Besides that, his spiritual sense attack spell is pretty strong!"

"This kid could be a mighty success in the field of spell mastery!"

Zhao Zhenshi's eyes seemed to notice something unusual.

It was no wonder that Xuanyuan Taihua had accepted him as a disciple. The unusual qualities about Fang Lang were his strong suits. The disciple that Xuanyuan Taihua had accepted was a top genius!

"With this speed, he will definitely be able to be among the first ten to ascend to the mountain peak. With his power, he had managed to defeat the disciples of half our sect. How could this happen? This will completely humiliate our guild!"

Zhao Zhenshi exhaled deeply. His heart was worried and troubled. However, he did not know what to say.

"However, the only good news is that this kid shouldn't be able to hold out for much longer. He's using his spiritual sense in such a wanton, reckless manner. There will come a point when it will dry up. When that happens, he will be faced with the counter-attack of the runes."

Zhao Zhenshi stroked his beard as his eyes flashed. He could only pin his hopes upon this happening.

If not, it would be extremely humiliating to lose, even though he had sent out disciples amounting to half the guild to suppress him.

An Fan was in shock when he saw Fang Lang running up the mountain. He shivered as a feeling of shock and astonishment appeared in the depths of his heart.

He could vaguely feel the same feelings that Li Yuanzhen had felt. It was like a vicious tiger was soundlessly running towards him behind his back and was about to swallow him whole!

"Fang Lang is using spiritual sense to attack the runes in order to break through them. He won't be able to hold out for much longer. His spiritual sense will definitely run out at some point. When that happens, he will only be able to resist with his consciousness and mind! He won't be able to last for long."

An Fan took a deep breath in. He then turned around with a swish of his robes and continued to ascend the mountain with a serious expression.

He needed to stay calm!

He was at the 900th step. There were only 100 steps left. At the moment, he was currently in first place. Being able to enter the Main Path Mausoleum was a certainty waiting to happen.

The Thousand Cloud Stairs was shrouded in clouds and mist. It looked like a fairy realm. However, rushing footsteps could be heard echoing along the cloud stairs.

After 500 steps, many of the Main Path Guild disciples turned their heads back in disbelief. They could see a white-robed figure holding a bow, running across the ancient, moss-covered steps so fast it seemed like he was flying!

At that moment, there were about 50 Main Path Guild disciples ahead of him. They were all geniuses of the fourth-class realm with a powerful spiritual sense. However, they would not dare to act the way Fang Lang was right now!

The 50th disciple felt his hairs stand on end as cold sweat appeared on his forehead. He quickly began to focus his attention to resist the pressure coming from the rune on his step!

When he successfully withstood the attack and pressure of the rune, he noticed Fang Lang ran past him, bending his fingers and shooting arrows. He shot out formless spiritual sense arrows which shattered through the runes like it was shattering through a mirror.

That disciple stood in a daze on the moss-covered stone step. He began to doubt his existence!

That was a third-class disciple!?

As he watched Fang Lang's figure continue running, he felt a chill spread from the bottom of his feet.

Did this fellow have unlimited spiritual sense!?

Fang Lang had activated the Spirit Eyes and switched into Binding Partner Mode as he ran full steam ahead up those stairs.

Of course, Fang Lang did feel tired. The higher he went, the more tired he felt. The oppressive force came from the spiritual sense and also the tiredness of his physical body.

However, Fang Lang's lungs were filled with a burst of energy and this energy sustained him as he ascended without ceasing!

Spirit Eyes could only be maintained for a limited period. Fang Lang needed to reach the peak as quickly as he could!

Time began to pass by slowly.

Everyone looked at Fang Lang in a trance, waiting for the moment that he would collapse. However, he never reached the point of collapsing as he surpassed disciple after disciple that were ascending the mountain.

Number 20, number 19, number 18

Fang Lang slowly drew closer to the top ten!

The top ten disciples of the Main Path Guild seemed like dogs whose tails were on fire as they began to rush frantically, putting their all into climbing up the mountain! It was like a rabid dog was snapping behind their butts!

"What is this monster!? How can he be so quick!?"

"He's only a third-class and a sword disciple. How can his spiritual sense be so strong! He must have cultivated in spell mastery. He might have at least reached the level of an earth-level spell mastery practice method!"

"We can't lose! We carry the pride and honor of the Main Path Guild. We can't lose to this person!"

The disciples were filled with crazed fervor. However, Fang Lang was even crazier!

He chased up to number 11. Above him, there were ten more Main Path Guild disciples of the fourth-class realm. They could see Fang Lang drawing closer and felt the approaching threat. All of them were in a state of utmost anxiety!

Fang Lang panted like a dragon as his sweat rained down like rain. He was not having an easy time doing this like everyone thought he was. If it were not for the fact that his physical body had the endurance of a blood-bending realm master, he might have collapsed a long time ago and fallen straight down to the foot of the mountain!

The effect of the Spirit Eyes disappeared!

Fang Lang began to slow down. He started to lose the spiritual sense that he had stored up. However, he immediately used what was left of the Meditation Card that he squeezed out of Old Jiang!

He slowly countered number ten, number nine, number eight

Right in front of the despairing eyes of the Main Path Guild disciples of the fourth-class realm, Fang Lang continuously surpassed them!

An Fan felt the threat and could hear the frustrated, angry roars coming from behind him!

It was coming!

He was coming!

An Fan felt goosebumps erupt all over his body as his hair stood on end. It was like an incubus was chasing behind him.

Monster! He was a monster!

An Fan calmed his nerves and looked at the mountain summit that was near. ON the peak of the mountain lay the entrance to the Main Path Mausoleum.

He needed to stay calm!

Fang Lang rushed over, panting like a dragon. An Fan's forehead was covered in sweat. His hair was a little mussed. However, he looked much cooler than the usual Fang Lang.

However, he never imagined that Fang Lang would be able to catch up with him with the power of Fang Lang's third-class realm!

An Fan turned back to look at Fang Lang. He could see that Fang Lang's eyes were bloodshot. His sweat dripped like rain. Every muscle and cell on his body seemed to tremble.

"I will not lose to you!"

An Fan gritted his teeth. He was a fourth-class phantasm realm spell cultivator. His spiritual sense was much stronger than Fang Lang's. This was his advantage!

This seemed to be the recurrence of the battle between the two Imperial Examination champions. At this moment, An Fan's spiritual sense was used up. Even if he could safely resist the rune attacks and arrive at the final peak

With his speed, Fang Lang would be able to catch up with him, he might even surpass him!

An Fan steeled himself. He bit through his lip and a thick, pungent taste of blood filled his lips!

He needed to be calm!

He could not lose!

He had been using the mountain ascending stance that uses his spiritual sense to protect his consciousness and resist the spiritual sense attack of the runes. However, he then swapped to attack the runes with his spiritual sense, increasing the speed that he was breaking through the runes!

Even though this would expend more spiritual sense, An Fan did not care about that. He was losing to Fang Lang's spiritual sense Victory was no longer guaranteed!

When Fang Lang saw that An Fan had suddenly sped up drastically, he was stunned!

He seemed to understand that An Fan had swapped his method of ascending the steps.

Fang Lang felt a surge of determination!

He used the Spell Awl combined with the bow formed out of spiritual sense, and his speed increased rapidly!

The Main Path Guild disciples below them looked at Fang Lang and An Fan who were battling at the mountain top. In an instant, everyone went silent.

At the foot of the mountain, Zhao Zhenshi shook his head and sighed.

Many Main Path Guild elders focused their eyes on the sight. Some of the elders hung their heads sadly.

"How foolish!"

"Fang Lang's spiritual sense is very odd. It's strong and enduring. His spell mastery appears to be no lower than an earth-level. The rate of recovery of his spiritual sense seems to maintain a balanced state. This might be the reason that Fang Lang is able to break through these runes in this manner. An Fan is not being sensible enough."

"Argh"

The sound of sighs reverberated at the foot of the mountain.

The situation at the top of the mountain played out exactly as the elders below had predicted. Fang Lang and An Fan were fighting neck-and-neck after the competition of life and death ended. In the end An Fan was stuck at the tenth step.

He could no longer continue. He stood in the same spot. His spiritual sense was completely depleted and he needed to stop to recover.

If he continued to attack forcefully, he would no longer have any spiritual sense to protect himself. The rune attack would then be able to attack his consciousness and spirit directly. He would be unable to endure and might even fall to the foot of the mountain!

Even though An Fan wanted to compete against Fang Lang, he did not want to lose his spot to enter the Main Path Mausoleum. He was fearful

He believed that Fang Lang was at the end of his limits as well and should need to stop to rest too.

However, the sound of footsteps rang out. An Fan looked on in a daze as Fang Lang surpassed him. Fang Lang managed to do so with his blood-shot eyes, shivering body and pale complexion. There was barely any ripple of spiritual sense on his body.

An Fan looked at him dumbly as the figure in white ascended up the mountain, step by step.

With each step he took, that youth left a huge puddle of sweat on the stone step.

How could this be!?

There was no trace of spiritual sense activity on Fang Lang. That meant that Fang Lang was using his consciousness and his spirit to resist the attack of the runes.

Did he not feel pain!?

The pain experienced by the spirit should be the worst possible pain!

Was it worth experiencing such pain in order to ascend the final few steps!?

An Fan closed his eyes. In his mind, he could see Fang Lang's fighting spirit. His unyielding and uncompromising fighting spirit. That sort of genuine drive that would not give up even until the final drop of spiritual sense was used up!

This kid was not merely a genius. He was a genius that strived with all his might!

This was the first time that An Fan experienced the despair and feeling of helplessness that Li Yuanzhen felt.

How could he possibly surpass his opponent when his opponent was like that!?

Fang Lang resisted attack after attack from the rune. Every cell in his body was trembling. His spirit was in extreme, indescribable pain. Despite this, he did not relax. If he gave up, he would be completely crushed and fall to the bottom of the mountain.

If that happened, he would lose the qualification to retrieve the sword. Besides that, he would also lose in the fight for victory in this cultivation battle.

His surroundings had been altered by the runes, transforming into storms, landslides, tsunamis. It was like there were thousands of needles piercing through Fang Lang's spirit and physical body, causing it to be covered in thousands of holes!

However, a verse of poetry rang out in Fang Lang's mind.

'May I one day surmount the highest of peaks, where I could gather a sight of all mountains there laid.'

This time, he did not want to lose. Hence, he chose to allow his body to be battered and covered in wounds. He desired to reach the mountain top to see the scenery!

Clang!

With a final step, he arrived at the top of the Thousand Cloud Stairs. Fang Lang took out the Blooming Lotus Sword covered in scratches from his scabbard and stuck it into the ground, using it to support himself so he would not collapse to the ground.

Fang Lang stood at the entrance of the Main Path Mausoleum. He vaguely felt as though he could see through time and space.

He could see a spotless sword within the depths of the Main Path Mausoleum, stuck in a stone tablet.

As though it could sense Fang Lang's gaze upon it, the sword began to vibrate gently, emitting a clear sword cry that rang out in the mausoleum.

At that moment, the entire Main Path Guild echoed with the sound of the sword's cry.

Fang Lang closed his eyes and exhaled deeply.

He did not continue to look into the depths of the Main Path Mausoleum. He continued to hold his sword, turned around with his head lowered and looked at all the blue-robed disciples on the Thousand Cloud Stairs.

He looked like a king who had risen from obscurity as he overlooked all the corpses pile up below his throne.

At that moment, the entire mountain, top and bottom, was deathly silent.