2274 You’re Not Worthy
A faint smile appeared on Perfected Immortal Jade Toad’s lips as he walked towards the Dao Heart Stairs.
Dealing with a Grade 1 Heaven Immortal who had just joined the inner sect was nothing much for him.
Although he was a legacy disciple, he was only ranked last among the hundreds of disciples in the legacy ground and was nothing much.
However, it was different for Sword Immortal Yue Hua!
In the legacy ground, Sword Immortal Yue Hua was one of the top three existences!
If he could make use of this opportunity to get closer to Sword Immortal Yue Hua and obtain some guidance, it would be quite an opportunity!
In Heaven and Earth Academy, be it the inner sect, outer sect or legacy ground, groups of various sizes would naturally develop.
If one was alone and did not have any backing, it would be difficult for them to establish themselves in the academy.
Actually, Heaven and Earth Academy turned a blind eye to fights between disciples of factions. In fact, it was a form of silent acknowledgment.
As long as they did not violate the sect rules and sparred, the benefits outweighed the disadvantages.
The path of cultivation was filled with danger and bloodshed.
If one did not have the experience of fighting and killing in the academy, they would not be able to adapt to the cruel world outside.
Initially, Perfected Immortal Jade Toad merely wanted to chase Su Zimo out and embarrass him.
However, Su Zimo’s rebuttal later on enraged him.
A Grade 1 Heaven Immortal who had just joined the inner sect and had ascended from the lower worlds dared to go against him?
So what if he was at the top of the Earth Ranking?!
Perfected Immortal Jade Toad had already made up his mind and intended to make use of the Dao Heart Stairs to teach Su Zimo an unforgettable lesson!
The Dao Heart Stairs were not dangerous to begin with.
However, if cultivators that ascended the Dao Heart Stairs could not withstand the impact of the Dao Hearts left behind by many experts before and insisted on not retreating, their Dao Hearts would collapse and they would enter Qi Deviation!
At best, it would be difficult for their cultivations to advance. At worst, their cultivations might even dissipate!
Tens of thousands of Heaven Immortal experts walked in the direction of the Dao Heart Stairs in a grand manner, forming an extremely spectacular scene in the inner sect.
“What’s going on?”
Some inner sect disciples who did not understand went forward to ask.
Someone laughed. “A Grade 1 Heaven Immortal who had just joined the inner sect created trouble at the cultivation ground and provoked Senior Brother Jade Toad. He even wants to compete against Senior Brother Jade Toad on the Dao Heart Stairs!”
“Who is he? Is he crazy?!”
“He’s just someone from the lower worlds who doesn’t know any etiquette.”
“No wonder.”
From the word of mouth of these disciples, they had long deviated from the truth.
Or rather, the truth was not important to the bystanders—they only wanted to know one thing.
A Grade 1 Heaven Immortal actually dared to challenge a legacy disciple!
The crowd surged.
Princess Scarlet Rainbow, who was initially lively and active, quietened down as well and looked at Su Zimo with worried eyes.
Liu Ping gripped his hands tightly with an uneasy expression. He looked at the strange gazes coming from time to time and felt uneasy when he heard the mocking laughter not far away.
Su Zimo followed the crowd with a calm expression.
Before long, many cultivators crossed a lush forest and arrived at an empty field.
Although the venue was rather spacious, it still seemed slightly crowded with tens of thousands of cultivators.
After all, the Dao Heart Stairs was a place where one’s Dao Heart was baptized and refined. It was rare for so many inner sect disciples to appear at the same time.
In the middle of the venue was a sacrificial platform.
Looking down, one could see extremely mysterious runes etched on the sacrificial platform. They were dense and seemed to be some sort of array formation restriction.
In the middle of the altar, a stone staircase rose from the ground with a total of nine levels.
Every single stone step was neither illusory nor corporeal. There was a strange glow circulating on them and they emitted a tremendous energy fluctuation!
Standing in front of the sacrificial platform, everyone did not seem to be facing the Dao Heart Stairs. Instead, they were facing nine eternal supreme experts that stood between the world and looked down at them!
An invisible pressure enveloped the world.
When Elder Zhong saw that Su Zimo had made up his mind, he knew that he could not persuade Su Zimo further and sent a voice transmission with his spirit consciousness, “Su Zimo, there are a total of nine levels to the Dao Heart Stairs. The first stone step was formed by the former Immortal King Tian Ming of the academy and it’s known as the Longevity Step.”
“Of the nine stone steps, the first stone step is relatively easier because most cultivators seek the Dao of longevity. Once you step onto the Longevity Step, a resonance will be easily created if your Dao Heart is similar.”
“The second stone step is called the Carefree Step and was formed by Immortal King Sui Xing of the academy. What this Immortal King seeks is freedom and being carefree so that he can do what he wants.”
“The impact of the Carefree Step on a cultivator’s Dao Heart won’t be too great. If you can’t withstand it, you can just retreat.”
“The third stone step is the Killing Step.”
At that point, a look of trepidation flashed through Elder Zhong’s eyes. “Su Zimo, no matter what, don’t step foot on this stone step!”
“The Killing Step has the most impact on a cultivator’s Dao Heart. If their Dao Heart is unstable, they will fall into the desire to kill and lose themselves, resulting in Qi Deviation.”
“In the academy, be it inner sect or legacy disciples, most cultivators won’t be able to cross the Killing Step.”
“I’ve never come into contact with the later steps. However, I heard that there’s the Nature Step and the Fearless Step. Oh… right!”
Elder Zhong seemed to have thought of something. “The ninth stone step was condensed by our Sect Master’s Dao Heart. However, no one from the academy has ever stepped foot on it.”
“Su Zimo, are you afraid?”
Right then, an ear-piercing and mocking voice sounded, causing many cultivators to burst into laughter.
When Perfected Immortal Jade Toad saw that Su Zimo was silent, he thought that the latter was fearful and provoked him.
“Su Zimo, if you’re afraid, I’ll compete with you!”
Right then, another voice sounded.
Su Zimo glanced sideways and saw many inner sect disciples surrounding Fang Qingyun, Yan Bingying and Tang Peng.
The person who spoke was Tang Peng!
He was worried that Su Zimo would retreat at the last minute out of fear of the reputation of legacy disciples. That was the reason why he jumped out eagerly.
Tang Peng smiled. “Su Zimo, we’re both inner sect disciples. If I ascend the Dao Heart Stairs with you, it’s not considered bullying.”
“You?”
Su Zimo looked askance at Tang Peng before retracting his gaze and saying indifferently, “You’re not worthy.”
Tang Peng was stunned for a moment before he was enraged!
“Insolent!”
“How arrogant!”
Before Tang Peng could speak, some inner sect disciples jumped out and shouted.
Tang Peng’s gaze was sharp like an eagle and shone with a cold glint. He glared at Su Zimo murderously and said coldly, “Alright, let’s see how many levels you can clear on the Dao Heart Stairs!”
Su Zimo could not be bothered with him and walked towards the Dao Heart Stairs. Perfected Immortal Jade Toad was already standing there.
“Zimo, watch out.”
Princess Scarlet Rainbow reminded softly with a worried expression.
Liu Ping was tense as well, seemingly more nervous than if he was the one ascending the Dao Heart Stairs personally.
Elder Zhong sent another voice transmission, “Su Zimo, you must remember not to force yourself! If you feel that something is amiss, retreat from above immediately!”
Su Zimo waved with his back facing the three of them and arrived at the sacrificial platform before long, standing shoulder to shoulder with Perfected Immortal Jade Toad.
Right then, Tang Peng suddenly advanced and came to Su Zimo’s left, sandwiching Su Zimo in the middle with Perfected Immortal Jade Toad.