Chapter 148: The Long Stairway (Two in One Chapter)

As Xu Ming stepped onto the Heavenly Staircase, everyone's hearts tensed up.

Their emotions were complicated—an entanglement of contradictory desires.

They didn't want Xu Ming to ascend the staircase and claim the treasure, yet they also feared that if he failed, they would be trapped here forever.

This dual longing and dread filled them with inner conflict.

The best outcome, in their eyes, was for Xu Ming to meet some kind of accident while still obtaining the Baiwa Scroll. Then, due to some twist of fate, the scroll would fall into their own hands, granting them dominion over this realm.

Of course, they knew such a scenario was nothing but wishful thinking.

Step by step, Xu Ming ascended.

With every step he took, Xu Ming felt his body growing heavier.

At first, it was as if a massive boulder, weighing thousands of pounds, pressed upon him.

Gradually, that boulder seemed to transform, increasing from thousands to tens of thousands of pounds, until it felt as though he was carrying an entire mountain.

The weight wasn't just a physical burden—it felt like it bore down on his very soul.

In truth, Xu Ming wasn't mistaken.

From the perspective of those watching from below, as Xu Ming ascended the staircase, a massive golden boulder seemed to materialize on his shoulders.

No one knew its exact weight, but it was clear that this trial would be anything but light.

Xu Ming pressed on, and the golden boulder vanished, replaced by a phantom golden mountain.

Everyone saw Xu Ming's feet sink heavily downward, his shoulders dropping visibly under the increased burden.

Xu Ming frowned. When he lifted his foot, it trembled uncontrollably.

Every step upward seemed excruciating.

In the next instant, thick clouds were pierced by chains that wrapped around Xu Ming's body, sealing his inner energy and spiritual power.

At that moment, Xu Ming was no different from an ordinary man, albeit one whose physical strength exceeded most due to years of martial practice.

"Is it heavy?"

The Golden Toad asked, its face showing not mockery but genuine concern.

"Somewhat," Xu Ming replied, forcing his trembling right foot to take another step.

As soon as he stepped onto the next level, blood spilled from the corner of his mouth, and he fell to one knee.

For the first time, Xu Ming fully understood that the weight pressing on him wasn't just physical—it was crushing his very soul.

The moment he knelt, his spirit trembled, and he was on the verge of being shattered by the mountain's weight.

To the others watching below, the golden mountain on Xu Ming's shoulders had grown even larger.

"Whew…" Xu Ming exhaled deeply, forcing himself to his feet. He turned to the Golden Toad. "Is the trial of the Heavenly Staircase merely about enduring weight?"

The Golden Toad chuckled. "Do you know what it is you carry on your shoulders?"

Xu Ming asked, "What is it?"

With a wave of its hand, the Golden Toad made the golden mountain on Xu Ming's shoulders appear even clearer.

Those below furrowed their brows as they recognized it.

That golden mountain was, in fact, Baiwa City.

The sprawling city, spanning fifty miles in each direction, had been condensed into this single golden form.

On this mountain, you could see the citizens of Baiwa City strolling down its streets. You could see innkeepers preparing to open their establishments, patrons emerging from brothels, and street vendors selling steamed buns and other morning treats.

"Upon your shoulders," the Golden Toad said, "rests every brick and tile of Baiwa City, every blade of grass and tree, every drop of water, every stone, and every living soul within it."

The voice of the Golden Toad reverberated across the space.

"If you wish to become the master of Baiwa City, you must bear the entirety of its burdens. From this moment on, you will be the 'cause' of Baiwa City, and the city will form countless 'effects' because of your cause."

Xu Ming smiled faintly. "So, is this trial of the Heavenly Staircase nothing more than this? If that's the case, it doesn't seem all that difficult."

The Golden Toad clasped its hands together. "Amitabha. Benefactor, keep ascending, and you will see."

Closing its eyes once more, the Golden Toad fell silent.

Xu Ming straightened his back and continued climbing step by step.

Though the weight on his shoulders was immense, it was still bearable.

If this trial was merely a test of endurance, Xu Ming believed he could make it to the top of the staircase.

But he knew deep down that it couldn't be that simple.

Sure enough, as he reached the 333rd step of the 999-step staircase, Xu Ming suddenly felt an incredible lightness.

The golden mountain on his shoulders gradually vanished.

The chains that had pierced through his body dissolved, and when his spiritual energy and martial qi surged back through him, Xu Ming had never felt so free and powerful.

He continued his ascent.

Suddenly, Xu Ming stopped.

Golden light gathered in front of him, coalescing into the form of a jackal.

This jackal seemed familiar—it resembled the one from the Baiwa County Yamen.

"Little brother, if you want to keep going, you'll have to get through me first," the jackal said with a grin.

Xu Ming looked up at the Golden Toad.

The Golden Toad opened its eyes again and explained, "Next, you will face the spiritual manifestations of four Baiwa City residents. Defeat them, and you may continue your ascent."

"I see." Xu Ming shifted his gaze back to the jackal before him. "Then forgive me for what comes next."

"Little brother, I'm not that easy to beat," the jackal said with a sly smile, beckoning Xu Ming with a paw.

Xu Ming chuckled. "Easy or not, I'll get through."

With those words, Xu Ming took a step forward and threw a punch.

The jackal raised a claw to block the attack.

Fist and claw collided, scattering martial qi through the air. The golden spiritual form of the jackal staggered back several steps under the force of Xu Ming's strike.

The jackal was taken aback, shaking its paw in surprise.

How was this man's strength so overwhelming?

Xu Ming advanced up the steps.

With each punch he threw, the jackal was forced back one step, and with each step the jackal retreated, Xu Ming ascended another.

The onlookers below watched the battle in awe, gaining a newfound respect for Xu Ming's power.

"Boom!"

Xu Ming's fist landed squarely on the jackal's head, shattering its spiritual form.

Far below in Baiwa City, the jackal sitting in the county yamen spat out a mouthful of blood.

Sensing this, Xu Ming glanced in the jackal's direction.

The jackal wiped the blood from its mouth and bowed deeply toward Xu Ming, as if expressing its submission.

Xu Ming withdrew his gaze and continued onward.

The second golden manifestation was an old tiger monk whom Xu Ming had encountered before.

Compared to the jackal, this tiger was far more powerful, especially in terms of raw strength.

Among all the opponents Xu Ming had faced, this tiger was the mightiest—stronger even than the elephant of Baiwa City.

Each punch Xu Ming threw at the tiger was met head-on, with the tiger refusing to evade or block differently. The tiger reciprocated in kind, and their exchange of raw, unrestrained blows left the onlookers holding their breath in shock and awe.

Finally, Xu Ming employed the Thunderous Drum technique of his Heaven-Splitting Fist, each punch heavier than the last, until his final blow pierced through the tiger's chest.

The third golden manifestation was one Xu Ming also recognized—a wild pheasant from Baiwa City that roosted on the wutong tree and referred to itself as a phoenix.

"Pheasant?" Xu Ming asked tentatively.

"Pheasant? How dare you! I'm called Phoenix! Last time you did the same thing, calling me a pheasant the moment you saw me!" The bird huffed, raising its head proudly, with a touch of petulance.

"My apologies," Xu Ming said, bowing his head politely.

"Hmph! Even if you apologize, I won't go easy on you!"

The self-proclaimed phoenix soared into the sky, its body rapidly growing in size.

Flames engulfed its entire form, and a sharp, piercing cry rang out—an unmistakable imitation of a phoenix's call.

The phoenix spewed a torrent of flames at Xu Ming.

Xu Ming wielded a peachwood sword, enveloping himself in sword qi. Each time the fire reached him, the qi around his body sliced through the flames, dispersing them.

Finding an opening, Xu Ming leaped onto the phoenix's back, raining punch after punch onto its body.

The phoenix and Xu Ming tumbled through the skies, locked in a fierce battle. Those watching below couldn't help but wonder if Xu Ming would be burned to ashes.

Qin Qingwan's gaze remained fixed on Xu Ming, her fists clenched tightly.

"Min~!"

With another sharp cry, the phoenix's golden form plummeted to the ground, disintegrating into glowing light.

When Xu Ming returned to the Heavenly Staircase, he wasn't in good shape either. His clothes were tattered, and his exposed skin was charred in places.

Ignoring his injuries, Xu Ming continued climbing, awaiting the final golden manifestation.

"Ribbit."

The last golden form was none other than the Golden Toad itself.

The Golden Toad blocked Xu Ming's path, clasped its hands together, and bowed slightly. "Benefactor, please enlighten me."

As the Golden Toad took its place as Xu Ming's final trial, despair spread among the onlookers like wildfire. Even Qin Qingwan's face turned pale.

The Golden Toad's power was well known—undoubtedly the strongest in Baiwa City.

How could Xu Ming possibly defeat it?

Xu Ming regarded the toad calmly. "Are you at the Nascent Soul Realm?"

The Golden Toad shook its head. "Late Golden Core Realm."

"I see." Xu Ming nodded.

In the next moment, he stepped forward and punched the Golden Toad square in the stomach.

But his punch felt as if it had sunk into cotton, its force disappearing without a trace.

Suddenly, a shadow loomed overhead.

Xu Ming looked up just in time to see the toad's tongue lashing down at him.

He sidestepped swiftly, and the tongue struck the staircase with a crack, leaving a deep fissure.

The toad spat out a glob of venom, the corrosive liquid transforming into arrows that shot toward Xu Ming.

"Xu Ming!" Qin Qingwan screamed.

The arrows were too fast—it seemed Xu Ming was doomed.

But once again, his strength defied everyone's expectations.

Xu Ming stomped in midair, martial qi exploding beneath his foot, propelling him out of the arrows' path.

As the battle continued, inscriptions of the Dao began to manifest in Xu Ming's eyes.

When the Golden Toad locked gazes with him, its body involuntarily trembled.

For a moment, it felt as if Xu Ming's gaze had penetrated its very being, leaving it entirely exposed.

"Ribbit," the Golden Toad croaked nervously.

The Golden Toad's palm descended toward Xu Ming's head, and fierce winds coiled around Xu Ming's legs, rooting him in place. But Xu Ming made no effort to dodge.

Instead, he activated his Blood Qi Frenzy, causing the blood in his spirit veins to boil violently. Around him, blood energy mingled with martial qi, rippling outward like stones thrown into a lake.

"Boom!"

Heaven-Splitting Fist: Sea-Cleaving Form.

Xu Ming launched an upward punch that struck squarely at the center of the Golden Toad's palm.

A flash of pain crossed the toad's face as one of its arms disintegrated into a shimmering mist.

But Xu Ming wasn't done.

With the speed granted by his Blood Qi Frenzy, he appeared behind the Golden Toad in an instant. Straightening his foot, he unleashed a whip kick to the toad's head, sending it spinning in a full circle.

The Golden Toad retaliated by extending its tongue, wrapping it tightly around Xu Ming's arms and legs. With a powerful tug, it seemed intent on swallowing Xu Ming whole.

Yet Xu Ming grabbed hold of the tongue and yanked it with all his might, pulling the massive toad toward him.

Another devastating punch struck the Golden Toad square in the abdomen. The force of the blow sent a shockwave through its body, causing it to vomit blood.

From the point of impact, cracks began to spread across the Golden Toad's form like fractures in porcelain. Finally, its body shattered into countless glowing fragments that dispersed into the air.

Xu Ming stood still, his hands clasped behind his back, the wind tugging at the tattered remains of his clothing.

The spectators stared at Xu Ming's silhouette in stunned silence, their hearts trembling with awe.

They had never seen a martial artist like this before—so overwhelmingly powerful that he seemed to defy all reason.

The mere thought of what Xu Ming might achieve if he reached the pinnacle of his path filled them with a mix of dread and wonder.

Some even began to question whether the martial path was truly a dead end. Could Xu Ming forge a new horizon for martial artists?

Despite his victory, Xu Ming was in a sorry state. His body was covered in burns and claw marks, with blood seeping from open wounds. Every step he took pulled at his injuries, causing fresh blood to drip to the ground.

As the shattered remains of the Golden Toad reassembled, its form reappeared, fully intact and unscathed.

"Benefactor, proceed. I hope you can overcome the final trial," the Golden Toad said, clasping its hands together in a gesture of respect.

Xu Ming nodded and returned the gesture before continuing his ascent, his body battered and exhausted.

When only nine steps remained between him and the summit, the skies suddenly darkened. Thick storm clouds gathered, lightning crackled, and fierce winds swept across Baiwa City.

Even the air itself seemed to carry the numbing charge of thunder, making it hard for the onlookers to breathe.

Xu Ming raised his head, his gaze piercing the heavens.

In the sea of storm clouds, a massive shadow slithered back and forth.

Its outline hinted at something ancient and awe-inspiring—a creature out of legend.

On the mountain, Yu Wenxi stared at the scene above in disbelief. "It couldn't be… Is that…?"

"Roaaar!"

A dragon's roar echoed through the heavens and earth.

From the sea of clouds, a colossal dragon head emerged, its eyes locking onto Xu Ming.

-------------------------

If you want to read advanced chapters, you can read over 100 advanced chapters on Hiraethtranslations(.)com