The third level of the stone stairs. With the experience from the previous two levels, Lin Xun moved with practiced ease. Without the slightest hesitation, he launched into action, wasting no time at all. His speed was astonishingly fast. His momentum was equally tyrannical. He held nothing back, unleashing his full power as he charged upward. The netherworld dao he had mastered had a natural restraining effect on these terrifying corpses, which greatly reduced the danger and resistance he faced. It made it far less perilous than he had anticipated. In no time, he fought his way up the fourth level...then the fifth...the sixth... Step by step, level by level, he advanced! From Xiang Xiaoyuan and Yue Duqiu’s perspective, Lin Xun’s figure tore through the void like a streak of incomparably sharp and dazzling lightning. He pierced through encirclements, forcing open a path of survival amidst the siege. The sight left them both dumbstruck, as if witnessing a miracle unfold. In that moment, Lin Xun was unquestionably the most radiant figure. Time and time again, they found themselves holding their breath. The dangers Lin Xun encountered were too horrifying and deadly. However, every time, he somehow turned the crisis into safety, breaking through with astonishing methods and emerging unscathed. Just as they began to feel relief, Lin Xun would reach another level and meet with a fiercer and more terrifying siege. Their nerves tensed again and their hearts clenched tight. It was as if a breath was caught in their chest, unable to rise, unable to fall. Simply watching felt like being submerged in a sea of fire and blades. Even the word ‘thrilling’ was not enough to describe the sensation. The eighteenth level. The nineteenth level. Lin Xun’s figure continued to rise higher and higher, as if walking the edge of a blade, life and death hanging by a thread. One misstep could lead to instant annihilation! Xiang Xiaoyuan and Yue Duqiu were shaken. In all their years of cultivation, they had never been so on edge. Furthermore, their fear wasn’t for themselves, but for someone else. At the same time, they noticed something strange. On every step Lin Xun had passed, the rampaging corpses began falling silent one by one once again, as though truly dead at last. Xiang Xiaoyuan stepped forward to test it, but just as she approached the first level of the stone staircase, an overwhelming aura surged from above, and the fallen corpses showed signs of awakening again! She halted instantly and backed away. Her eyes turned to the snow-white jade disk hovering before the grand hall at the top of the ninety-nine levels of stone steps. It gave off a soft, clear hum, flowing with a torrent of mysterious and obscure runes. “Why do I feel like that jade disk is alive, as if it possesses spiritual awareness and intelligence?” Xiang Xiaoyuan murmured with a frown. This jade disk was simply too mystical. It continuously absorbed and refined the power of the evil spirits. In addition, within the ruins of the Taiyi Immortal Sect, it ruled like a sovereign, commanding the terrifying corpses on the ninety-nine steps and preventing anyone from approaching! Yue Duqiu drew in a deep breath. “There’s only one explanation. There must be something truly extraordinary hidden inside that hall!” As they spoke, a thunderous roar of battle erupted. Both Xiang Xiaoyuan and Yue Duqiu paled instantly. Looking up, they saw Lin Xun had already reached the 54th level of the stone steps. It was also here that he encountered his first major obstacle. Over a dozen terrifying corpses suddenly awakened and charged at him all at once. The power they unleashed engulfed the entire level like a tidal wave! These corpses were visibly far more powerful than those on the previous levels. Each radiated an aura no weaker than that of Emperor Ancestors like Wen Taolue and Heng Xingzhou. They were all incredibly powerful. In other words, Lin Xun was now essentially facing over a dozen Emperor Ancestor-level foes at the same time! It was utterly terrifying! Just a glance made Xiang Xiaoyuan and Yue Duqiu’s scalps tingle. Horror and deep worry filled their faces. Logically, it was impossible for Lin Xun to survive such a siege alone. However, the situation was unique. Firstly, although these corpses possessed Emperor Ancestor-level strength, they were not true Emperor Ancestors. Lacking wisdom, they only knew how to strike and attack mindlessly. Secondly, the netherworld dao that Lin Xun had gasped had a natural suppressive effect on them. Because of this, the threats he faced were far less deadly than Xiang Xiaoyuan and Yue Duqiu feared. Even so, he was under immense pressure facing dozens of ghostly figures with monstrous power no less than Emperor Ancestors. Almost instantly, he summoned the Green Wood Dao Body, and like his original body, it wielded the power of the netherworld dao and joined the battle In the fierce, earth shattering battle that followed, Lin Xun fought like a tiger with wings. With peerless momentum, he tore through the encirclement and climbed to the next level. That sight left Xiang Xiaoyuan and Yue Duqiu momentarily dazed. Is that even possible? “This clone possesses strength nearly identical to his original body. What kind of inheritance is that?” Yue Duqiu was shaken. Throughout the myriad worlds and cosmic planes, there were countless secret arts for creating dao bodies, and each one was mysterious and wondrous. Some could even summon tens of thousands of clones. It was mysterious and unfathomable. However, without exception, the core power of these clone techniques stemmed from the original body, which meant they were inherently weaker. In battle, they lacked both wisdom and true cultivation, and were far inferior to the original. Despite that, Lin Xun’s clone already possessed independent cultivation and innate talents, and was unbelievably powerful! “As far as I know, in the Eternal True Realm, there is a legendary inheritance ranked ninth among the Nine Great Heaven Domains. It's said to be capable of forging such supreme dao clones.” Xiang Xiaoyuan said, “That inheritance is called the Four Symbols Nine Spirits Body. It’s a supreme inheritance of the Fu Clan, one of the Ten Immortal Giants in the Eighth Heaven Domain. When cultivated to perfection, its cultivator can form four distinct dao clones, each wielding a terrifying innate power. In battle, they can unleash unfathomable might.” Four Symbols Nine Spirits Body! This was the supreme inheritance of the Fu Clan, one of the Ten Immortal Giants in the Eighth Heaven Domain! Yue Duqiu was stunned. “You don’t think he’s related to the Fu Clan, do you?” Xiang Xiaoyuan chuckled, “If he really has ties to the Fu Clan, then do you think the three Immortal Imperial Clans, Heng, Wen, and Luo, would dare to target him?” This was a powerful existence in the Eternal True Realm! While the two spoke, Lin Xun continued climbing. The dangers he faced only grew more harrowing. By the time he reached the 60th level, even with the Green Wood Dao Body assisting him, the pressure doubled. He was facing just nine enemies. Unfortunately, each one was so monstrously strong that it defied logic. Were it not for their lack of intelligence, they would be unimaginably more terrifying. Without hesitation, Lin Xun summoned the Red Flame Dao Body. When he reached the 73rd level, he also had to summon the Black Water Dao Body. By the 81st level, the Yellow Earth Dao Body also emerged to fight. All of this was watched in silence by Xiang Xiaoyuan and Yue Duqiu. They exchanged a look and saw each others’ eyes were wide and full of disbelief. A thought surfaced in both their minds: Back in Taiyi City, Lin Xun had fought Emperor Ancestors like Wen Taolue with just his original body. However, if his clones had joined in as well... Would even Wen Taolue and the others have been completely suppressed? With this thought, they couldn’t help but inhale sharply. Only then did they realize that even though they had long known Lin Xun’s power was extraordinary and heaven-defying, it was only now, after seeing him fully unleash his strength that they understood they had still greatly underestimated him! Soon, they both forced themselves to set aside their wild thoughts. Their gazes locked onto Lin Xun who continued ascending the stone steps. Their minds were stretched taut like never before. Because at this moment, Lin Xun had summoned all five dao bodies and had reached the 93rd level of the stone stairs! Here, the skies were dark, the earth dim, and boundless destructive forces evolved into apocalyptic visions. Just looking at the scene was enough to drive the heart to despair and the mind to collapse. In truth, Lin Xun was under tremendous pressure. He was injured, his clothes torn, and his face slightly pale. From the first level to now, he had fought without rest, pushing himself to the very limits. Only through sheer will and strength had he managed to reach this point. Along the way, he had faced countless life-threading moments. If he was not careful even for a second, it would have resulted in complete annihilation. Now, he was facing seven opponents. Furthermore, in terms of combat power, these seven far surpassed even Emperor Ancestors like Heng Tianshuo and Wen Taolue! Lin Xun couldn’t help but suspect the seven terrifying corpses were once supreme beings who had transcended the Ancestor Realm and set foot on the immortal path in their lifetimes. Even though the netherworld dao naturally restrained these ghostly enemies, they still posed an immense threat in battle. Again and again, he was wounded, and blood sprayed in every direction. Lin Xun’s eyes remained calm. He didn’t care about the injuries. He couldn’t afford to. Only six levels remained between him and the white jade palace hall. How could he retreat now? He was almost in a berserk state. Unleashing his full strength, he charged forward, letting his five dao bodies bear the brunt of the fatal attacks. Finally, he broke through the encirclement and reached onto the 94th step! There, six more enemies awaited! Lin Xun’s clothes were soaked in blood, and his face had gone deathly pale, but his momentum did not slow. As soon as he stepped onto the level, he struck with all his remaining strength. In the end, although he managed to fight through and reach the 95th level, the Green Wood Dao Body was too heavily wounded. It shattered and dissipated into a ray of green light, which Lin Xun promptly retrieved. When Lin Xun poured his power into ascending the 96th level, the Yellow Earth Dao Body also collapsed, crumbling into dust He didn’t even have time to grieve. He quickly absorbed the origin power of the Yellow Earth Dao Body and charged ahead. The Black Water Dao Body was also destroyed, turning into a shower of black light that returned into Lin Xun’s body. The remaining White Metal and Red Flame Dao Bodies were defeated together. By the time Lin Xun stepped onto the 99th level, all five dao bodies had been destroyed. Even his original body was covered in terrible wounds. Cracks laced across his skin like shattered porcelain, and blood soaked him from head to toe. His handsome face was entirely pale, almost transparent! Now, he was just one step away from the white jade palace hall. Unfortunately, a final terrifying corpse blocked the way. It was a man clad in white, with flowing ink-black hair, a figure graceful as an immortal, and his body untouched by decay. It was as if he had walked straight out of the last epoch. Yet his aura was so terrifying that it was impossible to fathom!
