Half an incense stick's worth of time passed, and the number of applicants on the cloud ladder had dwindled to less than five hundred. Li Xuan looked up; ten steps remained to reach the highest point.
The counterforce was already immense, and with each step, the crushing gravity made it difficult to move even slightly. Under such pressure, even Li Xuan had to elevate his physical strength to the Thousand Mountains Realm.
Bang!
Figures were sent flying off the ladder as they climbed, and some, unable to bear it, coughed up blood and passed out.
In the blink of an eye, fewer than two hundred people remained on the cloud ladder. Li Xuan had already reached the thirtieth step.
Five other individuals stood on the same step as Li Xuan. Their faces were pale, clearly having exerted their utmost effort. To Li Xuan's surprise, one of these five was a woman.
All five stopped, glanced at each other, and then their auras shifted. In the next moment, they all stepped forward onto the ladder above.
Li Xuan's fighting spirit was ignited. He immediately activated his Boulder Realm physique and stepped forward.
Whoosh!
As the counterforce and gravity pressure vanished, Li Xuan felt a lightness in his body. Now, including Li Xuan, all six had ascended the cloud ladder.
The Guiding Elder nodded slightly at the six, then his gaze returned to the remaining applicants on the ladder.
Soon, after another half incense stick's worth of time, the last applicant successfully climbed the ladder. However, upon arrival, this applicant immediately collapsed onto the ladder, gasping for breath.
"One hundred and seventeen people passed. This is more or less as I predicted," the Guiding Elder said, a rare smile gracing his lips. With a wave of his hand, the surroundings darkened, and everyone found themselves on a vast square.
Li Xuan's gaze fell upon a large, ink-black bell standing in the center of the square.
"My heavens, this Innate Spirit Treasure is truly something else," the Heavenly Dao Brush said curiously in Li Xuan's mind.
"Is this the Primal Chaos Eastern Emperor Bell?" Li Xuan asked, a flicker of surprise in his heart.
The Heavenly Dao Brush replied, "It should be genuine. After all, I am the Heavenly Dao Brush. I have the ability to discern authenticity."
Li Xuan felt a twinge of exasperation. The Heavenly Dao Brush never missed an opportunity to boast.
"This third trial is the Primal Chaos Eastern Emperor Bell you see before you. Those who can make it ring once will become a disciple of my Primal Chaos Holy Land. If you cannot make it ring, you may still become an outer disciple," the Guiding Elder announced to the crowd.
"May I ask, Guiding Elder, what happens if it rings twice, or three times, or even more?" someone inquired. Li Xuan also looked at the Guiding Elder with curiosity, as he himself was unsure how the bell was supposed to be rung.
The Guiding Elder smiled and replied, "One ring earns you the status of an outer disciple. Two rings, an inner disciple. Three rings, an elite disciple. Four rings, a core disciple. Five rings, an elder disciple."
The Guiding Elder paused, then continued, "Six rings will make you a Saint Son, with status second only to elders. Seven or eight rings signify monstrous talents, with the potential to become the next Holy Lord."
"And nine rings?" someone asked, their curiosity piqued.
The Guiding Elder blinked in surprise, then let out a wry smile, his expression becoming serious. "Nine rings consecrate a Divine Son, whose status is directly comparable to the Holy Lord. In the entire history of our Primal Chaos Holy Land, only our Ancestor has ever achieved this."
The crowd was rendered speechless by the revelation. The prospect of becoming a Saint Son with just six rings highlighted just how difficult it was to ring the Primal Chaos Eastern Emperor Bell. As for nine rings, many had already dismissed the thought.
"You need not be disheartened. Your reaching this point is already a remarkable feat. At the very least, your innate talent and comprehension have been recognized by our Primal Chaos Holy Land. From here on, this Primal Chaos Eastern Emperor Bell will determine your destiny." The Guiding Elder glanced at the assembled applicants and smiled.
"Very well, let us begin."
With a swift movement, the Guiding Elder floated into the air and sat cross-legged, observing the applicants.
"I'll go first!" a young man declared, striding confidently towards the Primal Chaos Eastern Emperor Bell.
Li Xuan observed the man, noting the rapidly rising aura that indicated he possessed the strength of the early Divine Realm. To achieve this at his age spoke volumes of his talent and potential.
The man's expression was still tinged with nervousness. After taking a deep breath, he placed his left hand on the Primal Chaos Eastern Emperor Bell.
A moment passed, and a bead of sweat appeared on the man's forehead.
Dong!
Suddenly, the body of the Primal Chaos Eastern Emperor Bell trembled slightly, and a single chime echoed forth.
The man's face lit up with joy, and he closed his eyes.
Dong!
Five breaths later, the Primal Chaos Eastern Emperor Bell rang out a second time.
Dong dong!
This time, it took a full ten breaths for the Primal Chaos Eastern Emperor Bell to produce two rings. Although the intervals were longer, the man's face was already radiant with elation.
"Four rings. You may become a core disciple," the Guiding Elder nodded, a flicker of satisfaction in his eyes.
"My turn!" As the first man stepped aside, a stout young man rushed forward.
Soon, the stout man's palm made contact with the bell, and a resonant chime pierced the sky.
Dong!
Dong dong!
Dong dong!
Within ten breaths, the Primal Chaos Eastern Emperor Bell had produced a remarkable five chimes.
The Guiding Elder looked at the stout man with surprise, a clear hint of interest in his gaze.
"Five rings, and you can become an elder disciple. Do you wish to take me as your master?" the Guiding Elder asked the stout man.
The stout man seemed dazed, not fully comprehending. After more than ten breaths, he finally took a deep breath and looked at the Guiding Elder.
"Disciple Lan Chu Yun pays his respects to Master!" Lan Chu Yun knelt, his excitement causing his ample flesh to tremble.
The Guiding Elder nodded with great satisfaction. Although Lan Chu Yun only possessed the strength of the peak Dao Controlling Realm, achieving five rings was an uncommon feat. Having presided over disciple recruitment for many years, the Guiding Elder knew this well.
"Continue," the Guiding Elder instructed the remaining applicants.
The testing proceeded. As time passed, more and more people underwent the trial. In the blink of an eye, a hundred people had been tested. Among them, only Lan Chu Yun had achieved five rings. The highest among the rest had managed only four rings.
Moreover, thirteen of the hundred tested hadn't managed even a single ring. Some of these were even in the Unity Realm, but faced with this undeniable reality, they had to stand at the back.
Ten minutes later, only Li Xuan remained untested.
All eyes turned to Li Xuan. Upon seeing that his strength was only at the advanced Dao Accomplishment Realm, most people shook their heads. After all, among so many, only Lan Chu Yun had achieved five rings at this level.
Li Xuan ignored their gazes and slowly walked towards the Primal Chaos Eastern Emperor Bell.
In the next moment, Li Xuan's hand gently touched the Primal Chaos Eastern Emperor Bell.
Dong!