Nine Heavenly Steps, Second Step
As Mu Chen's figure descended onto the platform under the attentive gazes of countless people, the seven figures present shot different gazes towards him. There was joy, gloominess, curiosity and indifference within those gazes.
As Mu Chen descended, he raised his head to take a look at the platform that had attracted the attention of tens of thousands of people. Including Xia Youran, there were only seven figures present. However, he understood that the seven people before him might be the genuine peak figures within the younger generation of the Northern Heavens Continent. Although he had yet to cross hands with them, he was able to sense that every single one of them was far stronger than Wu Dong, as well as Qing Hu, who had obstructed him earlier.
These people were the real stumbling blocks.
Naturally, there was still the biggest roadblock.
Mu Chen's gaze shot towards the ordinary-looking Mo Xingtian. At this moment, the latter's deathly still eyes were staring back at him, with not a single ripple of emotion present within them, nor any killing intent present within them. From the looks of it, Mo Xingtian appeared just like an emotionless walking corpse, causing people's hair to stand on end.
However, Mu Chen knew that this Mo Xingtian might be the most thorny to deal with.
Following the appearance of Mu Chen, the originally silent and oppressive atmosphere on the platform seemed to become even more oppressive. At this moment, Xia Youran quietly walked out. Pulling Mu Chen's arm, she retreated to the side, not allowing him to become the focal point of everyone's gazes, and saving him from the oppressive atmosphere that had converged.
"Why are you only here now?" asked Xia Youran in a low voice.
"I suffered some injuries earlier. That's why I was delayed," replied Mu Chen with a faint smile.
Retrieving the Wind Resistance Spiritual Pearl, he handed it back to Xia Youran. "Thank you very much, Senior Sister Xia."
Receiving the Wind Resistance Spiritual Pearl, Xia Youran gave a sweet smile and replied, "Not bad.
You're quite capable to actually be able to make it here. Looks like I've underestimated you. "
Looking at the oppressive platform, Mu Chen asked, "What's going on here?"
The group of fellows had stopped here, neither moving up nor taking action, causing the atmosphere to be oppressive.
All of them were like wooden dummies, staring at each other. This scene left Mu Chen scratching his head in confusion.
"Holy Spirit Baptism.
Xia Youran pointed her jade-like finger towards the highest point of the Nine Heavenly Steps. At the top, there was a gigantic clump of light, one that appeared just like a sun.
It emitted boundless radiance.
Faintly, there seemed to be a rather vast and terrifying fluctuation spreading out.
"From there?" Mu Chen was slightly startled.
"The higher one stands on the Nine Heavenly Steps, the stronger the Strength of Baptism one will be able to absorb. As for the experts standing at the bottom, the only amount of Strength of Baptism they'll be able to absorb would be the leftovers of those at the top," said Xia Youran with a smile. "However, the question now is, exactly who has the qualifications to stand on the first step?
The Power of Baptism was not limitless. The fewer people there were on the first floor, the more people there were.
The stronger the Power of Baptism you receive. "
Only then did Mu Chen understand what was going on.
There were seven people present. However, it was clear that not all seven of them would be able to stand on the first step. If that was the case, there would be no difference between the first and second steps. Thinking about it, none of them would be willing to split the originally limited Power of Baptism equally amongst the seven of them. In such a situation, if a ruthless person with strength far surpassing the rest were to appear and directly suppress them all, before forcefully standing on the first step and enjoying the most perfect Power of Baptism, there wouldn't be such a dilemma. However, the current problem was that none of the people present here had the ability to suppress the masses.
Even someone as strong as Mo Xingtian might not have the confidence to say that he could take on all six of them by himself, defeat Xia Youran and the rest, and ascend to the top.
Therefore, before the appearance of the Strength of Baptism, they had already sunk into some sort of entanglement. As of now, with the addition of Mu Chen, this entanglement, it had become even more difficult for them to allocate the Strength of Baptism.
Mu Chen's expression faintly changed, before noticing Liu Ying shooting a cold and sinister gaze at him from not too far away.
"The spots on the second step are already full. I'm afraid that there won't be any more people left."
Liu Ying's indifferent voice rang out, shattering the oppressive atmosphere. Instantly, the gazes of everyone on the second step turned to look at Mu Chen. Obviously, they had sensed the hostility within Liu Ying's words.
However, they weren't dissatisfied with this. Towards Mu Chen, a person who had popped up out of the blue in an attempt to split the Power of Baptism with them, all of them had a grudge in their hearts.
After all, the seven of them had a good understanding of each other's strength. Therefore, they were still somewhat fearful of each other. However, what was Mu Chen's sudden appearance?
Although the combat prowess of a Heavenly Completion Stage initial stage was indeed astonishing, to the point that even someone like Qing Hu was unable to obstruct him, wasn't it obvious that Qing Hu and the rest could only obediently stay on the third step, not daring to step into this place?
In a place like this, there was a clear distinction between levels. Regardless of what kind of strength one possessed, one could only stand on the level one was supposed to stand on, before accepting one's fate and accepting the leftover Power of Baptism that had been exploited. As for whether one would be able to complete the baptism, that would depend on one's own luck.
"Liu Ying!" Upon seeing Liu Ying open his mouth, Xia Youran immediately knew that he was targeting Mu Chen, causing her eyebrows to frown slightly.
"Youran, you should know the rules of this place. No one is willing to have another person share the Power of Baptism. At the very least, those who are able to stand here have to obtain the approval of the majority."
Faintly curling up the corners of Liu Ying's mouth, he stared at Mu Chen and said, "However, take a look at this place now. Other than you, who else would approve of him standing here?"
"Haha. Youran, what Liu Ying said isn't wrong. If anyone can come here and take a share of the Power of Baptism, I'm afraid that this place would turn into a mess. I don't know how many people would swarm over without a care. At that time, it would cause quite a bit of trouble," said the Heavenly Yuan Chamber of Commerce's Dong Yuan with a faint smile.
Although the other people were watching from the sidelines, one could tell that the majority of them had the same thoughts. They were not willing to have another person share the Power of Baptism that originally belonged to them.
Within the crowd, not a single ripple of emotion could be seen on Mo Xingtian's face. Shooting a look at Mu Chen, his deathly still eyes shot a look at him. His mission this time was to kill Mu Chen and snatch back the treasure of the Demonic Dragon Palace. However, if the latter was defeated and killed by Liu Ying, it would save him some trouble. If he were to personally take action against someone with such strength, he would truly look down on them.
At this moment, Mu Chen's handsome face appeared exceedingly calm and tranquil. He wasn't angered by Liu Ying's provocation, as this scene was within his expectations. After all, if the others truly didn't take any action against him standing there, he would start to suspect whether there was something fishy going on.
"You!" Xia Youran clenched her teeth.
"Youran, on account of the fact that we have an engagement, I advise you not to interfere in this matter. If not, you'll incur the wrath of the masses and get expelled. I'm afraid that you'll have wasted your trip to the Divine Spiritual Mountain," said Liu Ying with a faint smile.
"Come and give it a try, then!" replied Xia Youran, her beautiful eyes brimming with fury. Just as she was about to take a step forward, she was stopped by Mu Chen.
"Thank you, Senior Sister Xia. However, I can't let a girl stand up for me in this matter."
Looking towards Xia Youran, a gentle smile appeared on Mu Chen's face. Truthfully speaking, this Liu Ying's appearance represented the thoughts of the other figures at the top of the younger generation of the Northern Heavens Continent. If Xia Youran were to obstruct him, there was a high possibility that she would be implicated. Clearly, this wasn't something that Mu Chen was willing to see.
Xia Youran bit her lip. Naturally, she understood this point as well. However, she was extremely displeased with Liu Ying's tone.
"Haha. You've finally caused people to be slightly astonished. I thought that you'd let a girl stand up for you again."
Upon seeing this, a ridiculing smile curled up at the corner of Liu Ying's mouth, with a hidden meaning behind it. A few days ago in the Divine Spiritual Pavilion, when Mo Xingtian had wanted to deal with Mu Chen, a girl had stood up and helped Mu Chen to repel Mo Xingtian. If not, he would have already become an ice-cold corpse at that time.
However, faced against his ridicule, Mu Chen only gave a faint smile in response. Slowly walking forward, his gaze swept across the numerous people that were indifferently looking over as he said, "What qualifications do I need to stand here and enjoy the Strength of Baptism?"
Hearing Mu Chen's straightforward reply, the ridicule at the corner of Liu Ying's mouth grew even more pronounced. Rubbing his nose, he gave a faint smile and replied, "It's simple. You just need to prove that you have the qualifications to stand here."
"How do I prove it?"
Replied Mu Chen with a smile. However, a chilling glint was present within his black pupils, slowly enveloping the area akin to the frigid winter.
Slowly walking forward, Liu Ying finally stood before Mu Chen. Extending his finger, he gently hooked it, while the smile at the corner of his mouth slowly turned dark and cold. Containing some killing intent, his indifferent voice slowly rang out across the second highest step.
"You just need to survive from my hands."
Slightly tilting his head, he gave a smile and said, "Let me give you a piece of advice. I don't like to spar with others. Therefore, if you fight, you'll either die or be crippled, if you can't bear the price."
Pointing towards the bottom of the Nine Heavenly Steps, a cold and detached voice rang out.
"Then, scram down. This isn't a place you can come to."
Bang!
Boundless Spiritual Energy furiously erupted in an instant, causing everyone present on the stage to stare in astonishment as Mu Chen's figure appeared right in front of Liu Ying in a spectre-like fashion. Bringing along surging Spiritual Energy, he sent a kick flying out, causing even the surrounding air to explode apart.
Akin to a whip, Mu Chen's leg shot out without the slightest bit of mercy towards Liu Ying's head.
A kick, a clean and direct one.
Bang!
The wind generated from the kick smashed against Liu Ying's arm, causing energy fluctuations to ripple out, causing fissures to appear on the ground beneath the feet of the two.
At this moment, Liu Ying's face slowly rose from behind the arm that he had used to block his front, while the smile at the corner of his mouth slowly turned malevolent. At the same time, a sinister voice filled with killing intent rang out across the second highest level of the platform.
"Haha, what a straightforward choice. However, you truly don't know the difference between life and death."
(Today's guaranteed two chapters.
Continue to write!
Everyone, do you still have your monthly tickets?!
We really, really need them.)
(To be continued …)