Chapter One: Heaven's First Floor

  The massive Bai Xian Rock grew larger in their line of sight, and the two people finally arrived at the foot of this massive rock. It was only then that Shen Shi discovered that on the other side of the giant stone, facing away from the sea, there was a stone staircase carved out, about five feet wide, leading directly to the top of the giant stone.

  Two disciples of the Ling Xiao Sect, dressed in green shirts, stood at the foot of the stone steps. Their expressions were solemn and although they did not appear to have any anger or intimidation, just a glance from afar would give one a faintly oppressive feeling.

  The butcher walking beside Shen Shi also narrowed his eyes slightly at this moment, taking a few more glances at the two Ling Xiao Sect disciples.

  These two Ling Xiao Sect disciples standing at the foot of Bai Xian Rock had an extraordinary air about them, but it was clear that they were not just standing there to show off. All the people who had gathered from all directions were now over a hundred in number at the foot of Bai Xian Rock, and more were still coming continuously from behind. However, everyone was directly blocked by these two Ling Xiao Sect disciples at the stone steps.

  Shen Shi saw clearly that the crowd being stopped didn't show any anger, but instead were polite and greeted them. Some even showed a flattering smile. As for these two Ling Xiao Sect disciples, they were rare in their understanding, their faces unchanged, and quickly walked out of the crowd one by one, each holding a palm-sized Xuan Yu symbol card, and walked to the front of the two Ling Xiao Sect disciples.

  The two Ling Xiao Sect disciples took over one by one, and in their hands, they unknowingly displayed some secret method or divine ability. Every time they picked up a block of Xuan Yu symbol card, the top suddenly transformed into a wisp of white smoke, with vague text images inside. After checking a symbol card to confirm identity, they let a young man pass through.

  As for some of the followers who came with these young people, dozens or even hundreds of people in a large group, it seems that they can only be sent to the foot of Baisan Rock. Except for those boys and girls, no one else can climb up to Baisan Rock.

  At this moment, Butcher, who had been standing at the edge of the crowd, grabbed Shen Shi and handed him a Xuan Yu symbol card that was exactly the same as those held by the young men. He said, "Xiao Shi, this is the 'Cloud Symbol' token bestowed by Ling Xiao Sect, and it's also the only proof of your entry into the sect. I can only see you off up to here."

  Shen Shi silently accepted the block called "Cloud Token" of Xuan Yu symbol, and felt warm, smooth and slippery to the touch. With his eyesight cultivated in Tianyi Building for many years, he almost judged that this Cloud Token was likely made of a second-rate spiritual treasure jade called "Black Soul Jade", not to mention that there were some added restrictive secret methods on it. Just this piece of Black Soul Jade itself, should be worth about ten Spirit Crystals back then in the Tianyi Building in Xilu City, Yinzhou.

  At this moment, Ling Xiao Sect was just used as a token for these new disciples.

  It's indeed worthy of being the top-notch aristocratic family in the world of cultivation, this kind of demeanor and this kind of family background is truly astonishing.

  Taking a deep breath, Shen Shi grasped the Cloud Token tightly in his hand and looked up at Butcher, saying softly: "Uncle, thank you."

  The butcher smiled and didn't say much, just waved his hand, indicating that he should hurry over.

  Shen Shi turned around and walked step by step towards the stone steps.

  The outer circle under the stone steps was already crowded with people, most of whom were relatives and followers who came to see off their children. There were also many young men and women holding their own cloud tokens, with excitement, agitation, and even slight panting on their faces, walking towards the stone steps.

  Looking up from the ground, this stone ladder rises flatly to the top of a towering boulder, majestic in its momentum. In the eyes of many, this may indeed be a stairway to heaven, a path to immortality.

  Shen Shi grasped the Cloud Token tightly and made his way through the crowd. Occasionally, someone would glance over at him, and upon seeing the Cloud Token in his hand, they would automatically make way for him. At the same time, their eyes would also reveal complex and varied emotions - some were envious, some were wary, while others were purely curious and inquiring.

  He finally approached the stone steps, and by this time, the adults who had come to see him off were already scarce. The young men and women who walked out of the crowd spontaneously formed two teams, advancing in order to accept the inspection of the two Ling Xiao Sect disciples. In addition, there were also a few adults who seemed to be still uneasy, holding their children aside and reminding them of something.

  This time, a thousand miles apart, the immortals and mortals are separated, it can't be said that there is no chance of meeting again, but in the end, they will still have to part ways for a long time. Those adults are fine, just carefully reminding each other, while some young people who were held back, especially one or two 12-13 year old girls, looked like they had already reddened their eyes.

  Shen Shi glanced casually in that direction, and his heart suddenly thought of his father again. However, he had been calm and self-controlled since childhood, so there was no sign of losing composure. But as his gaze swept over a certain place, Shen Shi suddenly froze.

  In a corner not far away, a father with a rugged face was talking to a twelve-year-old boy, after finishing his last words, he pushed the boy up the mountain with a hopeful face.

  Then he saw Shen Shi standing beside him with an unbelievable expression.

  Old Hou, a street vendor in the Tianmen area of Yun Cheng, stared blankly for a moment, seemingly disbelieving his eyes. He glared at Shen Shi again, taking another close look before confirming his suspicions. Suddenly, a surge of anger erupted on his face, and he took a step forward, as if ready to pounce and beat the insolent whelp who dared to scheme against him half to death.

  Shen Shi was startled, his heart crying out in distress. He never could have imagined that things would coincide so perfectly, and that he would actually run into this person again on top of Bai Xian Rock. This was just too unlucky!

  At the moment of urgency, the two Ling Xiao Sect disciples standing under the stone steps in front seemed to have noticed something, and suddenly let out a cold hum, their voices not loud, but in the ears of the crowd leaning nearby, it was like a burst of thunder, rumbling and roaring.

  Lao Hou was the first to bear the brunt, and his ears were filled with a cacophony of sounds. He couldn't help but take a step back, and his heart was suddenly filled with fear. How dare he be presumptuous? He hastily nodded and bowed to the two Ling Xiao Sect disciples on the other side, smiling incessantly as he retreated.

  Shen Shi let out a sigh of relief in his heart, thinking that it was fortunate he hadn't been caught by this rough man and subjected to physical punishment. If that had happened, with no skills to defend himself, wouldn't he have lost face in front of all these fellow disciples and onlookers? Even if he managed to join the Ling Xiao Sect later, it would be hard for him to hold his head high again.

  Just then he suddenly saw the old Hou, although he had retreated back, but was pulling his son who looked quite similar to him, saying something in a low voice, and occasionally looking up at this side. After being said a few words, his son holding the cloud token showed a face full of resentment and disgust, staring at himself from afar.

  Shen Shi rolled his eyes, turned his head away, and let out a silent, inexplicable sigh. He thought to himself that he hadn't even entered the Ling Xiao Sect yet, but it seemed like he had already made an enemy among his fellow disciples...

  The team of young men continued to move forward quietly and slowly, from the beginning to now, all those who held the cloud token and climbed up to the Baisen Rock had passed through the examination of the two Lingxiao Sect disciples, and then stepped along the stone steps, step by step towards the top of the giant rock.

  Shen Shi stood in the crowd, looking around to his left and right. All he saw were young boys and girls around him, almost all of whom were twelve or thirteen years old. Occasionally, he would catch sight of one or two who were noticeably taller than the other youngsters, but they too had faces full of childishness, seeming to be only slightly older in terms of height rather than age.

  In general, after the human race created the True Way of Cultivation in the Hongmeng world, it has developed for tens of thousands of years and formed a complete system that is widely recognized. One of the most well-known cognitions is that the physical quality of humans is indeed far inferior to that of other ethnic groups. Although the heaven and earth create spiritual crystals that allow humans to absorb spiritual energy and cultivate, ordinary children's bodies still cannot withstand it. At least they have to wait until they are twelve years old before they can start practicing the most basic exercises, trying to absorb spiritual energy from the spiritual crystal into their body.

  At this time, almost all of his peers were around him, and it was clear that Ling Xiao Sect had opened its doors to recruit disciples.

  With a steady mind, the procession had already walked quite a distance. Unbeknownst to him, Shen Shi had arrived at the stone steps before he knew it. As the girl in front of him handed over the cloud token and passed through effortlessly after a brief moment, she stepped onto the stone steps with excitement. As Shen Shi took one step forward, he faced the Ling Xiao Sect disciple standing below the right side of the stone steps.

  He was a young man in his early twenties, with a gentle face and a warm expression. However, as he drew closer to this person, the oppressive feeling that had been there before suddenly intensified greatly, making Shen Shi feel like he was having trouble breathing.

  However, after the man glanced at Shen Shi, he seemed to have felt something and smiled slightly. The inexplicable pressure suddenly eased, and Shen Shi suddenly felt refreshed. At this point, he naturally understood the reason behind it, and hurriedly thanked the Ling Xiao Sect disciple with a smile: "Thank you."

  As he spoke, he handed over the cloud token in his hand.

  That Ling Xiao Sect disciple took the cloud token and asked casually: "What's your name?"

  "Shen Shi."

  The Ling Xiao Sect disciple nodded slightly, seemingly just going through the motions. He applied a bit of force to his hand, but no one saw him make any movements. On Shen Shi's cloud token, a white mist suddenly appeared, and within it flashed an image of a head and two characters - it was indeed Shen Shi's likeness and name.

  This was the first time Shen Shi had seen such a strange and exotic treasure up close, and for a moment he was extremely curious, staring at it without blinking, while secretly wondering when his name and portrait had been inlaid into the cloud symbol, and who had done it.

  The Ling Xiao Sect disciple's gaze swept over the portrait, then looked at Shen Shi's appearance again, nodded after confirming, and said: "Not bad, you can go."

  After finishing, his arm shook a few times, and the white mist instantly dispersed with the wind, transforming back into the warm, smooth Cloud Symbol Xuan Jade, which he handed back to Shen Shi.

  Shen Shi reverently accepted it, not forgetting to thank him first, then walked past the Ling Xiao Sect disciple, lifted his foot and stepped onto the first layer of the Heavenly Ascent Stone Stair.

  Climbed over a dozen stone steps, turned back to take a look, only to see that the crowd below had become much smaller. Looking far away, the sea breeze blew in, clothes fluttering and dancing, waves crashing, only to see the horizon, the sky was vast and high, the future path was broad and endless, as if it were already underfoot.

  "Hey, what's your name?"

  Suddenly, a voice that didn't sound too friendly came from behind, and Shen Shi was taken aback. He turned his head to see a young man with a face similar to Old Hou's, standing behind him with an aggressive attitude, staring at him with hostility and asking.