Chapter 543: A Leisurely Stroll

However, even the True Words spoken by these great figures had no effect on Li Qiye. His Dao Heart was as firm as a monolith. Despite the reverberations from the True Words of these Saint Venerables and Saint Emperors, he remained as tranquil as an ancient well, completely unperturbed.

“How shameless.” Lan Yunzhu scoffed when she saw the many great figures of the Ghost Race using the step count as a chance to unleash their True Words in an attempt to shake Li Qiye’s mind.

Li Qiye, completely unaffected, smiled and said, “Let them do as they please. In a moment, they’ll understand that these petty tricks of theirs are completely useless.”

By the twenty-fifth step, the Ghost Insect Demon Child could no longer hold on. His face flushed red from the immense pressure of the pool. In the end, he gritted his teeth and forced out one more step. But after a total of twenty-six steps, he could not advance any further. He had no choice but to give up and retreat from the pool.

“Twenty-six steps is already incredible. The Elder Ancestor of the Kiri Tree Ghost Race vanished after just twenty steps.” Seeing the Ghost Insect Demon Child retreat safely after twenty-six steps, many of the great figures from the Ghost Race acknowledged his accomplishment.

Meanwhile, Saint Child Ju Que continued to advance. Countless pairs of eyes from the Ghost Race were now fixed upon him. Many began to hold their breath, all wanting to see just how many steps he could take.

“Saint Child Ju Que is going farther than the Ghost Insect Demon Child. Could it be that he’s carrying an Immortal Emperor True Artifact?” Lan Yunzhu couldn’t help but ask, seeing that the Ghost Insect Demon Child had already retreated while Saint Child Ju Que was still advancing.

Li Qiye looked at Saint Child Ju Que and shook his head. “No, that’s not an Immortal Emperor True Artifact. The reason he can go farther is because the item he carries has an affinity with the First Evil Tomb.”

“The Heaven-defying Treasure that Giant Sky Immortal Emperor obtained in Fengdu City!” Hearing Li Qiye’s words, Lan Yunzhu immediately thought of an item, an item that had always been spoken of in legends.

Li Qiye nodded gently. “Correct. It’s the item Giant Sky Immortal Emperor obtained from the Ghost River in Fengdu City. A pity that Saint Child Ju Que hasn’t been able to fathom its profound mysteries.”

The fact that Giant Sky Immortal Emperor had obtained a Heaven-defying Treasure from the Ghost River in Fengdu City was common knowledge. Later generations went to the Ghost River, half of them enticed by the tale of his deed.

“Thirty—” Just then, Saint Child Ju Que finally took his thirtieth step. By reaching this point, he could already be considered on par with the Bishui Empress of the Charm Spirit Clan.

At this moment, Saint Child Ju Que was sweating profusely, large beads of sweat rolling down his face. But he gritted his teeth, drew upon his full potential, and arduously took another step.

“Thirty-one—” Seeing Saint Child Ju Que arduously take another step, the voices of countless Ghost Race experts exploded like thunder. Their True Words reverberated as the Ghost Race experts both cheered for Saint Child Ju Que and attempted to intimidate Li Qiye, hoping to shatter his focus.

“Thirty-two—” Finally, Saint Child Ju Que took his thirty-second step. At this point, he could no longer take another. If he tried to force it, he feared he would vanish just like the Elder Ancestor of the Kiri Tree Ghost Race.

“A pity. He still failed to grasp even a sliver of the pool’s mysteries. Even with the help of an Emperor Artifact to force his way forward, there’s a limit,” the onlooking Bishui Empress said, gently shaking her head after seeing Saint Child Ju Que take thirty-two steps.

In the end, Saint Child Ju Que retreated safely from the pool. As he emerged, many cultivators from the Ghost Race broke into cheers.

“Saint Child Ju Que managed thirty-two steps. Such an achievement already surpasses that of ordinary Elder Ancestors. He is young and promising, a truly formidable member of the younger generation,” an Emperor from the Ghost Race said with admiration.

“This time, Saint Child Ju Que is guaranteed to win. Even an ordinary Elder Ancestor could probably only manage thirty or forty steps. Heh, I don’t believe that Li fellow can be stronger than an ordinary Elder Ancestor and make it to thirty steps.” At this moment, many Ghost Race cultivators finally felt at ease, especially those from the Great Teaching Territories that supported and followed the Ju Que Holy Land.

As far as they were concerned, victory was in their grasp. Li Qiye was bound to lose. They simply didn’t believe he could take thirty steps. Even Great Sect Ancestors would find it difficult to reach thirty steps, let alone Li Qiye.

At this time, Saint Child Ju Que retreated. The Ghost Insect Demon Child hurried to congratulate him, “Brother Ju Que, that’s amazing! You actually managed six more steps than me.”

“Not at all, I was just lucky,” Saint Child Ju Que replied humbly.

In the past, the two of them had been rivals, but now they had joined forces. This was not surprising. If they wanted to contend with a world-defying genius like Emperor’s Throne, they had to stand together!

“Brother Ju Que, your stunning talent truly leaves me in awe. Both the Ju Que Holy Land and the Insect Emperor Dynasty are known for producing one generation of talent after another. My husband himself often praises you and Brother Ghost Insect, calling you paragons of this age. Seeing you today, I can see your reputation is well-deserved. It has been a true eye-opener.” The Shen Ran Phoenix Lady’s praise was endless, her bearing enchanting.

Praise from the Shen Ran Phoenix Lady was one thing, but praise from Emperor’s Throne was something else entirely. It immediately brought great honor to Saint Child Ju Que and the Ghost Insect Demon Child. Even though the words didn’t come directly from Emperor’s Throne’s mouth, even though they were only relayed by the Shen Ran Phoenix Lady, it was still a matter of great glory for them.

“Not at all, not at all. Brother Emperor’s Throne is far too generous,” Saint Child Ju Que and the Ghost Insect Demon Child said hurriedly. Though their words were modest, they were inwardly delighted.

“What’s this? The winner hasn’t even been decided and you’re already celebrating? Do you really think you’ve won already?” Li Qiye couldn’t help but laugh when he saw Saint Child Ju Que and the others acting as if victory was already in their grasp.

In response to Li Qiye’s provocation, the expressions of Saint Child Ju Que and the Ghost Insect Demon Child turned cold. But the Shen Ran Phoenix Lady spoke first, her voice icy. “Li Qiye, don’t be so arrogant. There is always a heaven beyond the heavens, and always someone greater. Brother Ju Que and Brother Ghost Insect are extraordinary geniuses of our Ghost Race. By walking thirty steps, they can be compared to Great Sages. Their achievement is one that few among the younger generation can match. I’m afraid you are no exception!”

The Shen Ran Phoenix Lady had spoken first, and her words made Saint Child Ju Que and the Ghost Insect Demon Child feel extremely pleased and honored! They unconsciously developed a much better impression of both her and Emperor’s Throne.

The Shen Ran Phoenix Lady was truly remarkable. Her methods were astonishing; one could say she was a masterful manipulator. This move was all to win over allies for Emperor’s Throne!

‘There is always a heaven beyond the heavens, and always someone greater?’ Li Qiye laughed. “There’s some truth to that. But for me, even if there is someone greater, it certainly isn’t any of you!”

“Arrogant fool,” the Shen Ran Phoenix Lady said coldly. “The facts are laid out before you. It’s not too late to admit defeat to Brother Ju Que and the others…”

“Admit defeat my ass.” Li Qiye rudely cut off the Shen Ran Phoenix Lady. “Bragging to me about thirty-two steps? You really think you’re invincible? Fine. Since you’re all so determined to see me make a fool of myself, let’s see who’s the real fool here. An achievement like that? I could do it with my eyes closed.” As soon as he finished speaking, he actually did close his eyes and walk toward the pool.

“One, two, three, four…” As soon as Li Qiye stepped into the pool, Lan Yunzhu immediately began to count for him. But Li Qiye was moving so fast, she could barely keep up with the count.

“Look—” Seeing Li Qiye walk into the pool with his eyes closed, everyone immediately opened their Celestial Eyes, wanting to see how many steps he could take. But he moved so incredibly fast that by the time many had just opened their Celestial Eyes, Lan Yunzhu was already counting to thirty.

“Impossible—” Li Qiye had taken thirty steps in an instant. Everyone from the Ghost Race was stunned.

But by the time many of them recovered from their shock, Li Qiye was already back in the blink of an eye. It was as if he had never taken a trip into the pool at all. Or rather, his trip into the pool was nothing more than a leisurely stroll—an easy walk in, an easy walk out, as if nothing had happened.

“Sixty steps!” Lan Yunzhu finally announced the number, stunned for a moment herself. Li Qiye had moved far too quickly; she couldn’t even keep up with her counting. If it weren’t for the fact that Saint Child Ju Que and the Ghost Insect Demon Child had struggled so much, and if it weren’t for the fact that they had only managed twenty or thirty steps even with Emperor Artifacts, Lan Yunzhu would have suspected the pool was just an ordinary body of water, seeing how easily Li Qiye had walked through it.

In an instant, the entire scene fell deathly silent. Everyone was dumbfounded. If others hadn’t already walked through it before, seeing Li Qiye’s effortless stroll would have made people suspect that this was just an ordinary pool of water.

However, those who had walked it understood that this was no ordinary pool. This pool was a world unto itself with every step. Even if a Great Sect Ancestor or a legendary expert could manage sixty steps, it would be impossible for them to do it as effortlessly as Li Qiye.

But Li Qiye had done it so easily, so quickly. Sixty steps, finished in the blink of an eye.

At this moment, the entire scene fell quiet. The Ghost Race, in particular, was completely dumbfounded. They were utterly stupefied. For a moment, not a single member of the Ghost Race present knew how to react.

Before this, Saint Child Ju Que had taken thirty-two steps, and the Ghost Race had been certain that victory was his. Even Great Sect Ancestors couldn’t do much better, so his achievement was already incredible.

But now, Li Qiye had effortlessly walked sixty steps. With his actions, Li Qiye had viciously slapped the entire Ghost Race across the face. At this moment, many of the older ghosts didn’t know where to hide their faces from the shame. The Ju Que Holy Land and the Insect Emperor Dynasty, in particular, had lost all prestige.

Even the Ju Que Holy Land had thought their successor was guaranteed to win this time, that the key to the First Evil Tomb would belong to no one but them. However, they never expected that in the blink of an eye, Li Qiye would viciously slap them across the face.

Even the Old Undyings hiding in the shadows, who had not revealed themselves, felt their hearts sink. Even if they were to personally make the attempt, they might not be able to walk those sixty steps.

And even if they could manage sixty steps, they certainly couldn’t do it so effortlessly. To walk as easily as Li Qiye, like a leisurely stroll, completing sixty steps in the blink of an eye and returning completely unscathed—this was simply too heaven-defying.