NOVPUBXu Zimei did not linger on the second floor either; with another palm strike, the two faceless men turned to ash.
Upon reaching the third floor, Xu Zimei found the pattern was actually the same.
Here were three faceless men, each three small grades higher than the level he had shown.
In the outside world, since the existence of Jiuyou, many people watched Xu Zimei with interest.
The floors of Ascending to Divinity Stairs lit up one by one; although it wasn’t as fast as imagined, the progress was steady.
When the sixth floor lit up, many faces began to show excitement.
With a "whoosh" sound, there was a surge of noise from the crowd.
"Seven floors, he has reached the seventh floor."
Before the crowd’s surprise could continue, the dark golden wall of the eighth floor lit up instantly.
"Eighth floor?"
The surrounding crowd erupted as if exploding; amongst those who had climbed the Stairs of Divinity, none had ever made it to the eighth floor—it was a record-breaking moment.
Even Yue Lun, who was below tending to his wounds, frowned and stared thoughtfully towards the direction of the stairs.
It wasn’t just about the eighth floor, even the seventh floor was inhumanely difficult.
Seven faceless men, each one with a strength seven small grades above his own.
According to Yue Lun’s strength, the enemies on the seventh floor had already reached the level of Saints.
Seven Saints at once were far beyond his ability to contend with, and as for the difficulty of the eighth floor, he didn’t even dare to imagine.
Before Yue Lun’s thoughts could return, someone next to him nearly bit his tongue.
He stuttered, "The, the ninth floor."
Amidst the scrutiny of the crowd, Yue Lun then realized that this person had passed the eighth floor and reached the highest level of Ascending to Divinity Stairs.
His pupils suddenly contracted, and he stared blankly in the direction of the stairs.
"Did that person meet the Divine King?"
......…
Meanwhile, inside Ascending to Divinity Stairs, Xu Zimei easily dealt with the eighth-floor enemies and went straight to the ninth floor.
The enemies of the eighth floor were indeed strong, their number and power growing exponentially; for the average person, passing through there would be extremely challenging.
When Xu Zimei reached the ninth floor, he found it different from the other ominous spaces of the eight floors.
It was more like an ancient hall.
All around the hall, countless statues were placed, some with human faces and beastly bodies, others with monstrous creatures with eight claws.
Some wielded giant axes, seemingly ready to split the firmament in two.
Others twirled a sword flower that dragged half the universe into oblivion.
Besides these lifelike statues, the walls of the hall were inlaid with lapis stone.
These stones, after detailed sculpting, depicted various scenes.
Xu Zimei glanced at them; the images told of a war.
It seemed to narrate the ancient battle of the world’s invasion beyond the Immortal Path Bridge.
At the very front of the hall, a beam of light shot up into the sky, illuminating the entire hall.
Within this beam of light stood a figure.
An old man approaching his sixties, clad in green, with a full head of white hair.
Deep wrinkles and crevices marred his face, making him look as if he were in the twilight of his years, close to death at any moment.
"You have come," said the old man, smiling at Xu Zimei as he walked in step by step.
"Eternal Ancient Divine King?" Xu Zimei tentatively asked.
"Strictly speaking, I am but a remnant soul of the Divine King, you may also call me the Divine King," the old man said with a smile.
"May I know your distinguished name?"
"Xu Zimei," Xu Zimei replied indifferently.
"From the moment you entered, I could tell that the Ascending to Divinity Stairs couldn’t hinder you," the old man spoke.
"Even if a Saint were to enter here, it would be difficult to reach the top, unless they are truly peerless talents or are themselves Divine Kings, for whom the rules here would pose no obstacle."
"You could say that," Xu Zimei replied with a smile.
"I wonder what brings you here," chuckled the old man. "I suppose my inheritance wouldn’t even catch your eye."
"Actually, it’s nothing much, just passing by and seeing these stairs, I was curious to take a look," Xu Zimei said with a smile.
"Where is your true self now?"
"Perhaps in the future, when you cross the bridge of the Immortal Path, you might somehow meet me on the other side of the world," the old man replied with the same smile.
"And when might you head towards the bridge of the Immortal Path?"
"There’s no rush," Xu Zimei shook his head and said, "Could you tell me about the world beyond the other side of the Immortal Path?"
"In fact, this incarnation of mine has no connection to the original self, and I am not clear about his actions in that world," the old man shook his head, speaking regretfully.
"However, I can tell you about that great war from those days."
Xu Zimei nodded slightly; he had plenty of time.
In his speculation, the world the Great Emperors of Yuan Central Continent ascend to after rising, whether it be the Heaven Beyond Heavens or the world beyond the Immortal Path’s other end on the Eternal Ancient Continent,
should all be the same vast universe.
Therefore, before going to the Heaven Beyond Heavens, Xu Zimei must make all necessary preparations.
The old man was not in a hurry, recalling the situation from that era bit by bit.
After the old man finished speaking, Xu Zimei said with some surprise, "Are you saying that, on the current Eternal Ancient Continent, there actually exists the Heaven Beyond Heavens?"
"Yes," the old man nodded and replied.
"Although we managed to slay their main force in that battle, many of their remnants still survived.
About the other world, perhaps you might get clearer answers from them."
"I understand," Xu Zimei nodded.
"Are you planning to leave?" the old man asked with a smile.
"Staying here serves no further purpose," Xu Zimei replied.
"I have been alone here for tens of thousands of years; perhaps you could spar with me a few moves?" the old man suggested with a smile.
"Within the same realm, not using Spiritual Energy, solely relying on moves to determine the victor."
"If you wish to test me, then come," Xu Zimei smiled.
At that moment, the old man’s expression turned serious.
He stood with both feet positioned in the style of Tai Ji and Bagua, slightly bent at the waist, and his right arm withdrew a little bit to the back.
"Guardian," the old man uttered softly.
Without any surge of Spiritual Energy, his figure crossed several tens of meters, arriving directly behind Xu Zimei.
"Guardian Crane," the old man called out again softly, his hand reaching out to grab Xu Zimei’s right arm in a move to subdue him with a capture technique.
However, when his hands clasped Xu Zimei’s arm, it was as though he had grabbed a piece of cold iron, solid and unmoving.
The old man knew that neither of them was using any abilities, with victory based solely on their skills and moves.
"You are not enough," Xu Zimei said with a smile.
He threw a punch straight down, and the old man had an absurd feeling that he could not evade it.
It had been who knows how many years since he had last felt this way.
The old man brought his palms together and bravely met the punch. However, the strength of the punch exceeded his expectations, and his body flew out uncontrollably.
