Beginning to practice immortality as a refugee

Chapter 479 The Ladder of Inquiry

The weak howling of the two-winged snake echoed in the field.

Because a thick branch pierced through his mouth, the humming sound was unclear, making it impossible to hear what he was saying. It might just be a meaningless wailing of extreme pain.

All the cultivators only saw that blurry mass of flesh and blood making creepy noises. Its limbs and torso were twisted in pain, and countless red blood vessels were twitching and bursting. Soon, the tree roots beneath it were dyed red.

The roots of the towering tree were also emerald green, but now stained with the blood of the two-winged snake. The part of the root beneath it was dazzling red, an oddly bright red.

When everyone took a few glances, they saw that a Nascent Soul demon was being skinned and imprisoned on the spot, but was saved by Futu Island's tricks and turned into a mass of wailing flesh and blood. It was too shocking to the spiritual consciousness.

I don’t know how many foundation-building cultivators felt their spirits were unstable and their whole bodies were cold, so they closed their eyes on the spot, silently using their magic power, fearing that their cultivation would be damaged; nearly half of the Jindan cultivators just frowned and watched, resisting the discomfort in their bodies.

There are also monks who are naturally calm and mentally tough, and they directly take out the photo stone to record the video.

This is a rare and famous scene.

One of the thirty-six famous thieves in the East China Sea, and also a difficult man among the Nascent Souls, the eleventh calamity cultivator, the Double-Winged Snake, was skinned alive right in front of them!

Among all the practitioners.

An excited and bloodthirsty look flashed in the vertical pupils of Prince Honghe of the Evil God Temple. The more the howl of the two-winged snake resembled him, the more excited he became. "Prince Long Bing" of the King Snake Palace frowned and lowered his head. Strictly speaking, the Black Water King Snake is still a relative of their Deep Sea King Snake.

Yin Yiji of the Void Valley had an indifferent expression on his face, as if it was a matter of course. The two-winged snake had enjoyed eating so many monks in the past, and being skinned now was just retribution.

Haiyan Zongshuai Bufan took only one look and turned his neck away, with a look of indifference in his eyes. If he died, he died. Why torture him deliberately?
High up in the leaves.

Qingyangzi sneered; Iron Swordsman and Cloud Piercer looked calm; Cheng Bingyan took just one look and closed her eyes, her heart trembling with fear.

Only Du Wan's mouth twitched, his face gloomy, and his mind was full of thoughts.

He had worked hard to win over this "second brother", who had done many dirty things for him.

He thought that if he couldn't save the two-winged snake, at least he could give it a quick death today. He didn't expect that his master would let the two-winged snake wail for several days before dying.

Du Wan was suddenly filled with sadness, but he quickly regained his composure.

If he hadn't placed a restriction in the other party's sea of ​​consciousness first, the two-winged snake might have given itself away due to the pain.

The two-winged snake acted rashly, and it was all his own fault!
Du Wan calmed his expression and stared closely at the intact scaly skin supported by several branches on the blurry, wriggling mass of flesh and blood.

Fortunately... the reverse scale is still there!

He didn't notice that Lu Ye was watching his every move below the court and followed Du Wan's line of sight again.

Lu Ye finally confirmed that the opponent's target was the reverse scale on the double-winged snake's skin, which was the third piece of colorful dragon scale fragment.

This is difficult to handle.

The winged snake's scales are hanging there, in front of everyone. We can't just snatch it away, right?

That's not much different from saving the two-winged snake.

He is still thinking about it.

Master Wang, who had just been firmly supporting Futu Island, sucked in a breath of cold air, lowered his head and closed his eyes; Mr. Baicao shook his head and said nothing.

The two Jindan were also frightened.

In their eyes, the Nascent Soul was the sky. Being skinned by the "Sky on Sky" today was as easy as slaughtering a chicken. How could they not be afraid? They even felt a faint sense of pain in their hearts.

Today, the atmosphere in the field was lively and bustling with the presence of all the practitioners.

Qing Yangzi came on stage and first skinned the two-winged snake, which immediately brought the boiling atmosphere to the freezing point.

He saw that the field was completely silent and all the practitioners were terrified, and he sighed in his heart - Master, is this the result you want?
Although Qingyangzi appears cold on the surface, he actually disagrees with Futu Zhenren's way of handling the matter.

If you want to kill the two-winged snake, you can just chop off its head with a knife. Why use such torture?
However, thinking that his master Buddha's spirit was attached to the towering tree and might be staring at him, he shuddered and spoke loudly.

"Everyone, this beast has been executed in public. This is to comfort the spirits of fellow Taoists from Jiugong Island!"

"I believe that all of you who have encountered difficulties can rest in peace now."

"The next step is the selection of a Taoist companion, which is of concern to all Taoist friends."

The spirits of all the practitioners in the field were shocked, and the previously low atmosphere became high.

The main part of the drama is here again.

The East China Sea has not held such a grand event for many years. Regardless of the name, many forces came here this time just to see the fighting power of the younger generation of geniuses, so as to decide which thigh to hold in the future.

Qingyangzi coughed and spoke slowly.

"This event has been decided to be held over three days on our island."

"On the first day of the literary competition, the participants' mental abilities will be tested. Ambitious people only need to climb the towering ladder of the mysterious tree to dispel the fog in their hearts. As long as they reach more than 600 steps, they will pass the test."

"On the second day of the martial arts competition, many vicious criminals were imprisoned in the Hundred Trees Cave on this island. There were the old thirty-six thieves, the bloodthirsty alien species that came from the alien land thousands of years ago, and the criminals who were captured in the last hundred years, etc. There were all kinds of cultivation levels, from the Great Perfection of the Golden Core to the Nascent Soul and above."

"Over the years, too many villains have been imprisoned in this cave."

"The winner of the first level will be able to enter the Hundred Trees Cave. Based on their cultivation level, they will be automatically matched with a prisoner of the same level. As long as they kill the prisoner, they will be considered the winner."

"If you are defeated, just shout "I surrender" and you will be transported out of the cave by the magic circle."

"On the third day, fellow practitioners will compete in a ring match. The competition will end when the opponent is defeated. Blood may be shed, but the opponent cannot risk his life. The top ten masters will be selected, and Fairy Bingyan will choose the one she wants in the end."

"Of course, in addition to that lucky person, our sect will also give rewards to the top ten, including Nascent Soul-level magic weapons, skills, materials, etc. The rest of the participants will also receive corresponding rewards."

"Everyone, if you want to become Miss Bingyan's Taoist partner, you must pass three levels of tests in sequence. We will not wait for anyone who is late, and we will not reopen the level for someone else."

"Everyone, you can think carefully and make a decision early."

Qingyangzi uttered a few words.

All the monks in the room immediately began to discuss in low voices.

Those sitting on the same leaf were all from the same sect, able to communicate through telepathy, and there were also many independent cultivators, so they whispered to each other and discussed carefully.

Seeing that Lu Ye and Baicao Jushi were puzzled, Master Wang explained to them.

This towering and mysterious ladder was a checkpoint when Futu Island recruited disciples in the past, in order to select those with outstanding intelligence and determination.

It was a tree ladder hanging from the top of the tree canopy. For prospective disciples, if they could walk up sixty steps, they could enter. The tree ladder could connect to the clouds, and it was said that the total length was nine hundred and ninety-nine steps.

After joining Futu Island, disciples can also use this ladder to temper their minds and spirits.

It is said that among the seven disciples of Buddha, Du Wan, who could cover the sky with one hand, once reached the 700th step in one breath when he just became a Nascent Soul, which was the best record among his fellow practitioners.

This time the passing level is set at 600. I'm afraid only those who have reached the great perfection of Nascent Soul and Golden Core can pass it.

The same is true for the second level, Exorcising Demons in Hundred Trees Cave. The cultivators imprisoned there have the weakest cultivation level at the Great Perfection of the Golden Core. Any cultivator with a cultivation level lower than this will be a waste if they enter.

Normally it was a place for the island's disciples to go in and fight and temper themselves, but this time it was opened up for an assessment.

Futu Island also did not want any casualties, and established a rule that admitting defeat could save one's life.

The third level is for players to learn from each other and stop when they reach the limit. It also provides a stage for the geniuses to become famous, but life-and-death fights are not allowed, as they are afraid of having to explain if someone dies.

Anyway, when Fairy Cheng Bingyan chooses a Taoist partner, she doesn't necessarily choose the strongest one. It all depends on her liking for him - or in other words, it all depends on the thought of Master Futu.

The top ten and other participants will be given generous rewards as a hush money to the other strong people who gained nothing.

In addition, in order to prevent people from taking advantage of loopholes, the three levels must be passed one after another, no levels can be skipped, and the level will not be reopened for someone.

Looking at the arrangement of Futu Island, it is open and fair in front of all the cultivators in the East China Sea. It can also be seen that it does not want to see the participants perish.

Lu Ye listened and thought about it.

Futu Island’s calculations are really making sense.

The literary competition is to see how strong the next generation of other forces are, while the martial arts competition is to use free labor to kill a group of villains imprisoned in their own Baigu Cave, which also reduces the pressure of guarding themselves, and finally the ring competition allows the geniuses from all sides to become famous in public.

As for issuing rewards, it is nothing for the wealthy and powerful Futu Island.

With this arrangement, three days is still tight.

Lu Ye felt a little disappointed that there was no treasure appraisal session that everyone liked to see. However, when he thought about how harshly Futu Island treated the two-winged snake, if stolen goods appeared at the treasure appraisal session, wouldn’t that be a slap in his face?
It's better not to open it to avoid trouble. This is the custom in the East China Sea. Killing a two-winged snake cannot change the custom of the East China Sea where there are piles of robbed cultivators.

Qingyangzi stood in the air and waited for the noise below to gradually die down before he coughed lightly.

"Everyone, now that you understand the arrangement."

"Without further delay, today is the first stage of the ladder of inquiry. Those who are interested, please step forward..."

The Iron Swordsman behind him received Qing Yangzi's affirmative look and immediately made hand gestures to cast a spell.

Magical power surged throughout the Iron Swordsman's body, and he slapped the magic seals in his hands one after another under the towering tree at his feet.

The big tree that sheltered the entire Futu Island began to buzz and light up.

Between the mottled and cracked tree trunks, a bright green light lit up, flowing like flowing water.

On the huge towering tree trunks, thousands of green streams of light were awakened and swam towards the treetops in the sky.

In just a moment, the treetops trembled and lit up.

Then the treetops were seen shaking and parting, and from the top, a dense branch as thick as a dragon slowly descended, and finally, it extended to the square.

From this moment on, the giant tree in front of them seemed to have "come alive" in the spiritual senses of the cultivators in the field. It was as if a powerful and incomparably powerful "cultivator" had appeared before them.

From the perspective of the picture of fish and dragons on the road.

The light from the towering trees, which had originally become the color of the background, condensed and shrank, and finally gathered into a brilliant green light, as bright as the stars in the sky, which was simply beyond the reach of any individual's power.

There is no essential difference between it and Nascent Soul in quality, but there is an unknown difference in quantity.

Lu Ye was shocked - it is said that all things have spirits. Legend has it that this tree took root and grew here tens of thousands of years ago in ancient times. After such a long time, it has been influenced by the spiritual veins and has become an intelligent demon!

It's just that because of its huge size and the excessive absorption of spiritual energy from heaven and earth, it has become more difficult for it to transform.

But the Yuanying on Futu Island has obviously mastered the secret method of mobilizing this tree. With this tree, Futu Island is equivalent to having more than a dozen Yuanying Great Perfection cultivators. It has also been designated as the hub of the island's defense formation.

I'm afraid that even if a cultivator who has reached the state of Divine Transformation came, he might not be able to break through this place.

Futu Island is indeed one of the five major forces in the East China Sea. However, the other four can stand side by side with it, and they must have the same foundation to suppress it.

It is said that the five major forces have all had ancestors who have achieved divine transformation in history. After those ancestors passed away from old age, their spiritual weapons, divine treasures, should have been left behind to suppress the fortune of their sect.

Thinking of this, Lu Ye's eyes flashed, it was no wonder that such a behemoth could stir up the situation in the East China Sea. Just by selecting a Taoist partner for dual cultivation, the leader's beloved daughter could attract most of the forces in the East China Sea to join. It was really not easy to mess with.

At this moment, the thick branches extending from the tree canopy to the square were still wriggling and changing. Under the watchful eyes of everyone, they transformed into a series of rough steps with branches and leaves entwined around them.

The tree ladder goes upwards and finally disappears into the towering tree canopy. There are only 999 steps at the bottom, and going up it returns to its original appearance of rough branches.

This is the Ladder of Inquiry on Futu Island.

In this literary competition, only those who can climb 600 steps in one go will be qualified.

Because it is a test of one's mental and willpower, those with weak cultivation may not be unable to climb to the top, while those with strong cultivation may be eliminated halfway.

Seeing that the towering tree had released the Ladder of Inquiry, Qingyangzi waved his hand and said with a smile.

"My fellow Taoists, juniors, if you have the confidence to pass the first level, please step forward and give it a try."

"The Ladder of Inquiry starts out easy and ends up becoming more difficult. It takes a disciple from Futu Island a whole day to complete one trip."

"I have a jade bell here. Within ten rings, cultivators who wish to participate in the assessment can come forward and directly ascend the Ladder of Inquiry. After ten rings, fellow cultivators who have not yet stepped out can just sit back and watch."

Qingyangzi raised his hand.

Chuanyunshou flipped his hand, and a bell hammer appeared in his hand. The branch next to him drooped, and the dense leaves parted, and a jade bell as tall as a person came out from it.

Without hesitation, he struck down with the hammer.

thump...

The majestic bell sound suddenly resounded throughout the island.

The first bell rings.

Several beams of light rushed directly towards the Ladder of Inquiry. They were Prince Hong He, Prince Long Bing, Yin Yiji and Shuai Bufan.

These four people are the faces of the younger generation of the other four major forces. This time, they came here to ask for Cheng Bingyan's hand in marriage, and it is also important to bring fame to the sect.

Naturally, they took on the responsibility and showed a domineering attitude as if no one else could do it better than them.

The four of them moved.

They flew to the bottom of the Ladder of Inquiry, and stepped onto the tree ladder. The ladder flashed green light, and the four people were shocked to find that the ladder had built-in magical effects such as prohibition of flying and prohibition of escape, so they could only walk on it.

The four of them were not in a hurry. They walked up the stairs and in the blink of an eye they had passed more than ten steps, walking very easily.

Second bell

People from other second-tier forces and sects also used their light escape techniques to move forward.

Master Wang's eyes lit up. He was old and weak, so naturally he had no desire to dream of passing the three levels. He came here today to have a look at the heroes of the East China Sea.

How can you enjoy it if you just watch without talking?

He used his telepathic consciousness to introduce it to Lu Ye and Baicao Jushi.

Look quickly, you two, there are only four people in this second group!

Rushing in the front was the chief disciple of Chaoyang Sword Sect, Jian Qiuyi, dressed in white as white as snow, holding a sword. It was said that his swordsmanship was excellent, not inferior to Du Wan, who could cover the sky with one hand before his arm was cut off.

Following closely behind was Nanliu Sect's young leader, Nangong Xing, dressed in black with a solemn expression and holding a scepter. After his master went astray and died, he was able to convince all the elders to succeed him. He should not be underestimated and is definitely a top figure.

Further back, on the side like gold paper, is the eldest senior brother of the Jinding Sect, Jin Tianwang. He is dressed in golden clothes and holding a small tripod in his hand. His sect likes to recruit disciples with golden spiritual roots, and they are the most fierce in fighting.

Behind the three of them was the young elder of Haishamen, Wan Caiyi, who was wearing a Taoist robe with pink flowers. He was gentle, delicate and elegant, with his hands behind his back holding a flute. His strength was unknown, but he was said to be the most handsome man among all the forces that came this time.

Perhaps he hopes to impress Cheng Bingyan with his beauty?

Lu Ye asked curiously.

Since these four sects are the second-tier forces in the East China Sea, how big is the gap between them and the five major sects?
Master Wang smiled and said that each of the four sects had more than seven or eight Nascent Soul cultivators.

Judging from the Nascent Soul level strength alone, they are actually not much behind the five major forces. Futu Island only has one master, seven disciples and eight Nascent Souls.

But Futu Island has a good ancestor!
The only difference between these four sects is that none of their ancestors had a true god of transformation. In addition, the sect does not have any god-transforming divine objects or spiritual weapons to suppress the sect's fortune.

In fact, each sect has thousands of disciples, and except for the five major sects, they can do whatever they want in the East China Sea.

Mr. Baicao added from the side - although these four people come from inferior sects, they are very powerful and may even be better than the four people including Hong Long and Yin Shuai.

Cloud Piercer struck the bell very slowly, and while several people were talking, only five sounds had been made.

at this time.

There are already hundreds of people crowded on the Ladder of Integrity.

The four people in the front, Shang Long, Yin Shuai, have already walked nearly a hundred steps. They are considered the first team.

The four people behind, Jian Qiuyi, Nangong Xing, Jin Tianwang and Wan Caiyi, are considered the second team.

Further back, a dense crowd of people formed the third team, crowded together.

This towering tree ladder is also mysterious. With so many people coming up, even if dozens of people are walking side by side, the ladder will attract branches on both sides to form a complete step, and there will be no feeling of crowding.

The jade bell rang for the sixth time.

Master Wang asked Baicao Jushi and Lu Ye - you two are still young, don’t you want to give it a try?

Mr. Baicao shook his head hurriedly, saying that he only liked herbs and was not good at fighting with his mind, so it would be embarrassing to go up.

Lu Ye imitated others and said that he was pretty good at refining equipment and it was a fluke that he became a golden elixir. The three levels were harder than the previous one. He couldn't afford to offend the golden elixir master in the second level, so he decided not to join in the fun.

He actually had some doubts in his mind.

Not only is the towering tree intelligent, it also possesses enormous and terrifying spiritual power that can be used by the Nascent Soul cultivators on Futu Island.

I have a lot of secrets, and I came here wearing a vest. I don't want anyone to spy on me and attract attention.

The Nascent Soul Great Perfection might not be able to see through one's own concealment, but what if one adds the spiritual power that the towering tree can mobilize?
If that doesn't work, who knows what the magic weapon that the founder of Futu Island left for Futu Zhenren is good at? What if it is a magic weapon that is good at spying?

Therefore, this time he just stayed as a spectator.

Lu Ye turned his eyes to Master Du Wan, who had a gloomy expression on his face.

The important thing to do in the next three days is to find a way to kill this one-armed man!

dong dong dong.

The bells kept ringing.

During this period, there were occasionally cultivators who gritted their teeth and rushed up the Ladder of Inquiry. Most of them were at the middle to late stages of the Golden Core Realm. They were not at the Great Perfection of the Golden Core Realm, so they thought it would be difficult to pass the second level.

But since I was already here, this was a rare opportunity, and I wanted to prove that my character was no less than others, so I insisted on passing the first level, without expecting anything from the second.

Mr. Wang, Lu Ye and Mr. Baicao stood still and watched the show.

After ten bells rang.

Another cultivator rushed towards the Ladder of Inquiry, but Qingyangzi waved his sleeves and sent him back politely.

"Fellow Daoist, you need to be more decisive next time."

The monk blushed with shame and lowered his head and retreated.

Qing Yangzi glanced at the practitioners on the Ladder of Inquiry again, his mind suddenly became clear, and he smiled.

"Okay, there are a total of 516 fellow Taoists and juniors on the Ladder of Inquiry!"

“I am looking forward to it and hope everyone can pass the first level successfully!”

Lu Ye added in his heart—No way.

If the 600th level were easier to pass, it would not be used as an assessment standard, and the assessment would lose its meaning.

"Eat some melons, eat some melons..." Lu Ye was quite relaxed, "Let's just watch the fun first."

"Once we've seen enough fun, we'll find a way to kill that one-armed monster!"

(End of this chapter)