Chapter 274: The Cloud Water Secret Realm, The Gap Between Geniuses

Chapter 274: The Cloud Water Secret Realm, The Gap Between Geniuses

July 8, 2024

Upon hearing Lu Qing's words, everyone looked up at the heavenly ladder.

They saw Bai Bufan and the others, who now looked very different from before.

The previous ease and nonchalance were almost entirely gone, replaced by flushed faces, heavy breathing, and drenched in sweat as they braced themselves against the ladder.

It was clear that they had all reached their limits.

However, the steps where they stood finally showed some disparity.

Among them, Bai Bufan and Si Tujin stood together at the very top.

The rest trailed slightly behind, with only a difference of three to four steps between them.

Bringing up the rear was Qin Yunting from the Xuanxin Sect.

Just as Lin Zhirui had said, Qin Yunting, who specialized in agile martial arts, was at a disadvantage when it came to climbing the ladder.

"Bai Bufan and Si Tujin are currently at step one hundred and sixty-five!" Wei Zian quickly counted and exclaimed. "It looks like they're at their limit. As expected, their potential pales in comparison to yours, Lord Zhirui."

Maggu couldn't help but be amazed. "This method of gauging potential through the ladder climb seems quite reliable."

...

"Brother Bai, do you still have the energy to climb further?" Si Tujin, his face glistening with sweat, asked Bai Bufan.

His muscles were trembling, a sign that his Vajra Body technique was being pushed to its limit.

"That depends on whether Brother Si still has any strength left," Bai Bufan replied, his expression equally strained. His usually pale and elegant face was now flushed, and even his eyes showed signs of strain with visible bloodshot veins.

Clearly, he had reached his limit in terms of endurance.

However, despite this, he refused to show any weakness in front of Si Tujin.

"I still have a bit of energy left. If I force myself, I might be able to climb one or two more steps," Si Tujin said.

Bai Bufan's expression changed slightly at Si Tujin's words.

He had truly reached his limit and had no extra energy to climb further.

But just as he was about to concede, Si Tujin's next words surprised him.

"How about we call this contest a draw this time?" Si Tujin proposed.

"You're willing to settle for a draw?" Bai Bufan was taken aback, looking at Si Tujin in disbelief.

Over the years, Si Tujin had always been competitive and confrontational towards him.

Now, with everyone watching, he had a perfect opportunity to win, yet he was willing to let it go?

"That's right," Si Tujin continued. "I can push my Vajra Body technique further and force myself to climb one or two more steps.

But if I do that, the pressure from the ladder will backfire on me, damaging my physical foundation and delaying my breakthrough to the Innate Realm once again.

We are already lagging behind those two. I don't want to compromise our progress for the sake of a petty rivalry and let them pull further ahead."

Bai Bufan fell silent.

He knew exactly who Si Tujin was referring to when he mentioned "those two."

To be honest, among the Top Ten of Zhongzhou, he hadn't paid much attention to those two in the past.

After all, one of them was from the Tianji Sect and specialized in divination, so their actual combat strength was likely inferior.

As for the other one, he was even less concerned. Coming from a declining minor sect, his access to resources would be limited, and his cultivation speed would inevitably be slower than theirs.

Thus, he had always focused his attention on Si Tujin and the others, who had similar backgrounds to him.

Who would have thought that after all their competition, it would be the most inconspicuous pair who would break through first?

With this thought, Bai Bufan suddenly felt a sense of disillusionment.

"What you say is true," he said. "Sacrificing our martial arts progress for the sake of our rivalry is not worth it.

Our focus should be on breaking through to the Innate Realm as soon as possible, rather than these petty squabbles.

Brother Si, I concede this contest to you." Bai Bufan spoke sincerely.

Si Tujin was taken aback, just as Bai Bufan was about to announce his surrender, a light laughter rang out from the sky above.

"So these are the famed Top Ten of Zhongzhou?

Climbing a mere ladder has exhausted you so. Indeed, as my master said, the martial artists of the outside world have weak foundations. All show and no substance."

Though the voice was not loud, it carried for miles, and everyone nearby heard it clearly.

The mocking and condescending tone immediately caused a stir.

"Who dares speak so boldly?"

"How dare they ridicule the Top Ten of Zhongzhou? Who are they?"

"Looks like we have some entertainment ahead!"

Everyone looked up in the direction of the voice.

And the next moment, everyone's mouths hung open in astonishment.

For they saw, floating in the sky, seven or eight giant birds, each carrying a person on their backs.

The birds' wings spanned over ten meters, and with each flap, a gust of wind could be heard.

Bai Bufan and the others, already incensed by the mocking tone of the speaker, burned with anger.

But when they saw this, they too were stunned, and the anger in their hearts faded away.

As for Lu Qing and the others, they were even more astonished.

Hailing from a remote area, they had never witnessed such a spectacle. Their eyes widened in amazement.

"It's them!"

Lin Zhirui's face also changed drastically, and he exclaimed in surprise.

"Your Highness Lin, do you know them?" Lu Qing asked curiously.

"I don't know them personally, but I recognize their origins." Lin Zhirui stared intently at the sky and replied slowly.

"Wearing cloud and water-patterned robes and riding divine birds, they must be from one of the four great secret realms—the Cloud Water Secret Realm!"

"Four great secret realms?"

Lu Qing's interest was piqued, and he recalled a past encounter. "When I fought against Yan Canghai's direct disciple, he once suspected that I was a disciple from one of the secret realms out on a training journey." After that incident, he had paid attention to information regarding the secret realms.

According to his findings, the four great secret realms were extremely mysterious places, and no one knew their exact locations. However, whenever disciples from these secret realms appeared in the world, they would inevitably stir up countless waves.

Rumor had it that even the establishment of the Holy Mountain had the tacit approval and support of the four great secret realms, which allowed it to gain recognition from the various major sects in the world.

Undoubtedly, these were four incredibly mysterious and powerful forces.

Who would have thought that they would suddenly appear here?

Intrigued, Lu Qing immediately activated his ability and looked up at the sky.

"This grand display and their distinctive attire—they're from the Cloud Water Secret Realm?!"

In the higher reaches of the Holy City, the powerful figures sensed the commotion and were shaken by the sight in the sky.

"There's no mistaking it. That cloud and water pattern is the mark of the Cloud Water Secret Realm."

"With the changes in the world and the revival of spiritual energy, it seems even the four great secret realms can no longer remain secluded."

"Now that the Cloud Water Secret Realm has made an appearance, the other three secret realms will likely show up soon as well."

"Shouldn't we go and greet them?"

"Let's hold on and observe the situation first. Besides, even if we were to greet them, it's not our place to do so."

...

Just then, a youth dressed in brocade, who was riding on one of the giant birds, spoke to Bai Bufan and the others on the heavenly ladder: "How about it? From the looks on your faces, it seems you're still not convinced by my previous assessment?"

Everyone could tell that the mocking voice from earlier belonged to this youth.

"Young Master, we harbor no objections," Bai Bufan replied, though he couldn't identify the youth's identity.

However, anyone capable of taming so many extraordinary birds must be from a formidable power. Combining this with stories they had heard from their elders, they could make an educated guess.

These people were likely from the legendary secret realms.

How could they dare to show any anger now?

"Is that so? But from the look in your eyes just now, you clearly disagreed," the brocade-clad youth said with a light laugh. "Never mind, if I don't give you a demonstration, you won't understand what it means that there's always someone better out there."

As he finished speaking, the youth pulled gently on the reins in his hand. The giant bird beneath him let out a long cry, flapped its wings, and stirred up a gust of wind as it dove straight toward the ground.

Its fierce momentum startled the crowd gathered at the foot of the mountain, and they hurriedly retreated to either side, afraid of being swept by the bird's wings and suffering broken bones and muscles.

Fortunately, the brocade-clad youth had no intention of harming anyone. Just as the giant bird approached the ground, he leaped off its back and landed on the heavenly ladder.

The giant bird, meanwhile, flapped its wings vigorously, creating swirling currents of air as it rose back into the sky.

As for the youth, the moment his feet touched the ladder, he didn't pause for even a moment. With another step, he soared upward like an arrow leaving its bow.

When he landed on the white jade steps again, those below couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

With that single leap, he had surpassed over twenty steps, covering nearly eight zhang in height.

This height was almost double that of Bai Bufan's initial jump!

But that was not all. Without the slightest hesitation, the brocade-clad youth tapped his foot against the white jade step and propelled himself upward once more.

It was as if the pressure of the ladder didn't affect him at all.

Although his second leap wasn't as high as the first, it still covered a distance of six to seven zhang.

Then, when his body landed on the white jade step again, he stepped forward once more, ascending swiftly.

Like an agile monkey climbing a steep cliff, the brocade-clad youth continued to leap and climb up the ladder with incredible speed.

Soon, he reached the spot where Bai Bufan and the others were.

Without pausing, he flashed a contemptuous smile at them and continued upward, leaving them behind.

Bai Bufan and the others were so astonished that they forgot their anger. They could only watch as the youth effortlessly surpassed them and climbed higher.

At the foot of the mountain, the crowd was equally silent, all of them stunned as they watched the brocade-clad youth climb with a speed that, although slower than his initial ascent, could still be considered swift.

One hundred seventy, one hundred eighty, one hundred ninety...

Despite surpassing Bai Bufan and the others, the youth continued to cover several steps with each stride, defying all expectations.

Everyone watched with bated breath as he steadily approached the legendary position.

Finally, when the youth reached the two-hundredth step, his body remained unwavering, and his expression calm.

The crowd below erupted into a frenzy.

"Two hundred steps! He actually reached the two-hundredth step!"

"Isn't it said that post-innate realm warriors can only climb up to one hundred and ninety-nine? Beyond that lies the realm of innate warriors. Could he be an innate realm expert?"

"Impossible. I don't sense the unique aura of an innate realm practitioner from him."

"The record for post-innate realm warriors climbing the ladder was set by 'Emperor Yu' over a thousand years ago. I never expected someone to break it today!"

"Who is this person, and how can he be more talented than Emperor Yu from a thousand years ago?"

...

High above in the Holy City, the powerful figures were equally shaken by the sight.

"He actually reached the two-hundredth step. That youth must be a post-innate realm practitioner, right?"

"That's for sure. Otherwise, he wouldn't have spoken so arrogantly, mocking Bai Bufan and the others. If he were an innate realm expert, he would be bullying those weaker than him, and that would only make him look bad."

"Indeed, the Cloud Water Secret Realm's legacy is truly extraordinary. The pressure at the two-hundredth step is almost at the limit of a Martial Arts Master. Even someone who just broke through to the initial innate realm might not be able to withstand it stably. Yet, this youth climbed up without the slightest hint of struggle.

From his demeanor, it seems like he still has room to go further.

Could it be that he can even fight an innate realm expert with his post-innate realm cultivation?"

"What's so strange about a post-innate realm warrior fighting an innate realm expert? Practitioners from the four great secret realms have achieved such feats in the past."

"The secret realms' legacies are indeed very different from ours. Otherwise, they wouldn't have been able to secretly control this world for so long."

"In the past, the practitioners who came out of the secret realms were usually one or two at most. This time, the Cloud Water Secret Realm has sent out so many people, and they're so high-profile. It looks like the world is truly changing."

...

"He actually climbed to the two-hundredth step so easily."

On the other side, Lin Zhirui was also astonished as he watched the youth climb the ladder.

As someone who had climbed the heavenly ladder more than once, he was well aware of the immense pressure it exerted.

Especially after the one hundred and fiftieth step, the pressure was almost at the limit of what a Martial Arts Master could bear.

Even he, with his exceptional talent, had struggled to climb step by step, eventually reaching the one hundred and seventy-first step.

He never imagined that a post-innate realm warrior could climb the ladder with such ease and even surpass his own record.

Although Lin Zhirui couldn't sense the youth's aura from such a distance, he was certain that the youth was indeed a post-innate realm practitioner.

Practitioners from the Cloud Water Secret Realm were known for their arrogance.

They would never stoop to bullying those weaker than themselves.

But precisely because he understood this, Lin Zhirui was all the more shocked by what he had witnessed.

"Your Highness Lin, it seems your information was incorrect. There are indeed post-innate realm warriors who can climb to the two-hundredth step.

As expected of the legendary secret realm, anyone who comes out of it is incredibly formidable." Lu Qing commented with admiration.

"Lu Qing, why do you remain so calm?" Lin Zhirui suddenly asked, seeing the look of admiration on Lu Qing's face.

"Hmm?" Lu Qing looked at him, confused.

"Seeing such a huge gap, don't you feel even a hint of despair?" Lin Zhirui asked.

"You're talking about the gap between us and that practitioner from the Cloud Water Secret Realm?" Lu Qing asked, understanding Lin Zhirui's confusion and offering a slight smile in response.

"Your Highness Lin, people have different talents and experiences in their cultivation journeys. It's natural for there to be differences in speed and progress.

Once we embark on this path, we can't just give up our cultivation because we have inferior talents compared to others, can we?

So, why bother comparing ourselves to others? We should only compare ourselves to who we were yesterday.

As long as we are stronger today than we were yesterday, it means our cultivation efforts have not been in vain.

With perseverance, even if we can't catch up to those peerless geniuses for now, I believe that one day, we will encounter our own opportunities.

As the saying goes, 'the strong make their own way,' and a gentleman should constantly strive for self-improvement. What do you think, Your Highness Lin?" Lu Qing offered his perspective.

Upon hearing Lu Qing's words, Lin Zhirui's body trembled, deeply moved.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end