2279 Ascension! On the eighth stone step, a green-robed cultivator stood. His black hair danced and he exuded an indescribable aura. The tens of thousands of inner sect disciples of the academy looked at that figure with conflicted expressions. Some of them had yet to recover from their shock. Some of them revealed looks of admiration. Some of them lowered their heads slightly with ashamed expressions… !! Those who mocked and sneered at him earlier on felt their cheeks burn in shame at the thought of it. Although that figure was only at the eighth stone step of the Dao Heart Stairs, it was as though he had already reached the peak of the immortal Dao, leaving behind the rest of the world as he looked down on all living beings! In reality, it was not everyone’s imagination. None of the tens of thousands of inner sect disciples present had ascended the eighth stone step of the Dao Heart Stairs! 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖 Even if most legacy disciples appeared, they would have to bow down when they saw the figure on the eighth stone step! The strength of one’s Dao Heart had nothing to do with their cultivation realm. However, in the hearts of many cultivators, it was assumed that the higher their cultivation realms, the stronger their Dao Hearts would be. But now, Su Zimo’s appearance had broken the understanding of many cultivators. This was a Grade 1 Heaven Immortal who had just entered the inner sect and ascended the Dao Heart Stairs for the first time… In everyone’s opinion, as long as one was attached to any single Dao, it would be difficult for them to surpass the third stone step of the Dao Heart Stairs, let alone advance further. Right now, all those different identities were condensed on a single person. That person was standing on the eighth stone step! Everyone still felt that everything was surreal. How was that possible? If they had not witnessed it personally, no one would believe it even if many people recounted it. “Su Zimo, oh, Su Zimo.” Elder Zhong shook his head and sighed, lamenting, “I never expected that he would cause such a huge commotion the moment he joined the inner sect.” He had just entered the inner sect and was already standing on the eighth stone step after ascending the Dao Heart Stairs for the first time. This was equivalent to trampling all the inner sect disciples beneath his feet! The shock of Su Zimo ascending the eighth stone step had already surpassed the crippling of Perfected Immortal Jade Toad! Liu Ping was long used to Su Zimo’s methods. In his opinion, even if Su Zimo could reach the ninth stone step, it was only right. As for Princess Scarlet Rainbow, apart from joy, she was also a little disappointed. Initially, she thought that she was already a rare genius. Although she could not compare to Su Zimo, she felt that she was similar and would definitely have a chance to catch up in the future. But now, she suddenly realized that the difference between them seemed to be increasing. Even though their cultivation realms were the same, it was as though she would never be able to catch up to that figure! Fang Qingyun was extremely scheming. Even though Perfected Immortal Jade Toad was crippled, he did not take it to heart and there were not many emotions in his eyes. However, at that moment, there was a hint of gloom in his eyes. He suddenly felt a tremendous threat! Initially, he did not take Su Zimo who had just joined the inner sect and ascended from the lower worlds seriously. To Fang Qingyun, given his capabilities, dealing with Su Zimo was as simple as crushing an ant! Furthermore, the difference in their cultivation realms was so great that Fang Qingyun had never regarded Su Zimo as an opponent. However, when Su Zimo stepped onto the eighth stone step and attracted the gazes of all the inner sect disciples, Fang Qingyun realized that his opponent in the inner sect had appeared! Although this opponent was still very weak right now, he would definitely become a strong foe one day! “He…” Right then, a woman’s voice sounded from the side. Fang Qingyun glanced sideways and saw Yan Bingying staring fixedly at the figure on the eighth stone step. Her eyes were dazed as she murmured softly, “What has he experienced? How can he have such a powerful Dao Heart…” Fang Qingyun was extremely familiar with that gaze. There was a hint of curiosity and admiration in that gaze—it was the same way Yan Bingying once looked at him! Fang Qingyun’s expression darkened instantly with killing intent. Initially, he merely wanted to teach Su Zimo a lesson. However, at that moment, his killing intent was triggered! Yan Bingying was the number one fairy of the inner sect and she was interested in him—that was a fact he had long known. However, he did not express anything explicitly. Yet, the fact that he did not express anything did not mean that others could lay their hands on Yan Bingying! Right then, on the sacrificial platform, Old Xuan who guarded the secret pavilions suddenly turned around and looked at Fang Qingyun expressionlessly. There was no emotion in that gaze. However, at that moment, Fang Qingyun broke out in cold sweat as though he was splashed with a basin of cold water from head to toe and his heart trembled! In that instant, Old Xuan’s gaze seemed to have seen through him from head to toe. All his thoughts, secrets and even the killing intent that rose in his heart earlier on could not be hidden from Old Xuan’s eyes! Fang Qingyun lowered his head hurriedly and avoided Old Xuan’s gaze. The gloominess on his face vanished as he composed himself and panted slightly. ... At that moment, he felt as though he had just walked through the gates of hell! “Senior Brother Qingyun, what’s wrong?” Yan Bingying noticed Fang Qingyun’s abnormality and asked. “It’s fine.” Fang Qingyun said vaguely. Yan Bingying asked again, “Senior Brother Qingyun, how long do you think Su Zimo can last on the eighth stone step?” “I’m not sure.” Fang Qingyun replied distractedly in frustration. As though she did not notice Fang Qingyun’s change, Yan Bingying continued, “Senior Brother Qingyun, we were indeed the ones in the wrong for underestimating this junior brother previously just because of his background.” Fang Qingyun harrumphed coldly and did not reply. Yan Bingying seemed to have thought of something and suddenly said, “Do you think Junior Brother Su can make it to the ninth stone step?” ... “Impossible!” When he heard that, Fang Qingyun spoke instinctively and said resolutely, “The ninth stone step was condensed by the Sect Master of the Academy. It’s called the Wisdom Step.” “Even Senior Brother Yue Hua could not withstand it when he stood on the ninth stone step and fell from the Dao Heart Stairs instantly.” “Who does Su Zimo think he is? How can he withstand the supreme wisdom of the Sect Master?” The moment he said that, the figure on the eighth stone step moved once more. Piak! Su Zimo strode towards the ninth stone step! Many cultivators held their breaths and glared at the figure on the Dao Heart Stairs with widened eyes, not even daring to blink. They were afraid that they might miss the most critical moment in the blink of an eye. Su Zimo seemed to have difficulty advancing from the eighth stone step to the ninth. His feet hovered above the ninth stone step for a long time! The tens of thousands of inner sect disciples felt their hearts skip a beat as well, seemingly at the top of their lungs. All of them looked nervous, as though they were the ones directly involved. 10 breaths. 20 breaths. 15 minutes passed… It was as though he could not take that step further. Just as everyone was about to relax, Su Zimo’s feet landed on the ninth stone step with a bang and he reached the top!