Seeing Lin Xiao’s confusion, Lu Chuyou nodded and said, “Climbing Righteous Mountain has nothing to do with cultivation. There’s an inexplicable pressure within Righteous Mountain. The stronger your cultivation, the greater the pressure. The higher you climb, the more intense it becomes. So far, the highest record was set by the Sect Leader back in the day, at eight thousand zhang.”
“Of course, now the Sect Leader usually cultivates at just over eight thousand zhang.”
Lin Xiao was astonished. Even Dongfang Kaiyuan, the top figure at the Southeast Region Youth Assembly back then, only reached eight thousand zhang? How difficult must it be to reach the peak at ten thousand zhang?
As for Dongfang Kaiyuan now only managing just over eight thousand zhang, that made sense.
The height one could climb had nothing to do with cultivation. The higher the cultivation, the greater the pressure. Managing to climb higher than before, at the same level of strength, already signified tremendous progress.
“Next is the Great Elder at seven thousand zhang, the Second and Third Elders at six thousand zhang, and our generation’s most outstanding Senior Brother Zhan Lan, who reached six thousand five hundred zhang,” Lu Chuyou said with a smile, continuing, “As for me, I can only reach six thousand zhang.”
“Brother Lu’s future achievements will likely be no less than those of the Second and Third Elders,” Lin Xiao praised.
Those who could reach the Martial Emperor realm were geniuses among geniuses. The Second and Third Elders must have been the same in their time.
For Lu Chuyou to reach the same height as them, his future achievements would, at the very least, be above the Martial Emperor level.
“Achieving Martial Emperor isn’t so simple. Some break through from the Ninth Stage Martial Lord in just a dozen years, or, well, use special methods to break through, like your Ling Emperor, who reached the Martial Emperor realm overnight,” Lu Chuyou said. “Others linger at the Half-Step Martial Emperor stage for decades, even a century, before breaking through. Some remain stuck at the Ninth Stage Martial Lord for life, unable to progress further. Whether one can achieve Martial Emperor, no one can say for sure.”
Though he said this, his eyes brimmed with strong confidence.
“Brother Lu is being modest. Surely, Brother Lu doesn’t believe he can’t achieve Martial Emperor, does he?” Lin Xiao countered.
A genius without the confidence to reach the Martial Emperor realm would likely never achieve it in their lifetime.
Lin Xiao could tell that Lu Chuyou was definitely not that kind of person.
“Heh, isn’t the same true for you, Brother Lin Xiao? Your ambitions probably go beyond the Martial Emperor realm, don’t they?” Lu Chuyou countered with a question, then didn’t press the issue further, saying hopefully, “I’m also looking forward to seeing how high Brother Lin Xiao can climb! At least nine thousand zhang, right?”
“Don’t expect too much,” Lin Xiao said, shaking his head.
Though his talent and combat strength at his level were impressive, Righteous Mountain was tied to Righteous Spirit, and he wasn’t sure how much talent he had in that regard.
As they talked, Lin Xiao followed Lu Chuyou to the outskirts of the towering Righteous Mountain.
Looking at the scene before him, Lin Xiao couldn’t help but marvel. Seeing Righteous Mountain up close, it was even more magnificent.
The mountain’s outskirts had no array barriers, but an inexplicable force separated it, with dense Righteous Spirit swirling within, obscuring the view.
“Brother Lin Xiao, this is Righteous Mountain. The Spear Dragon Sect token has an array inscribed in it, allowing entry with the token. You can choose any spot to cultivate,” Lu Chuyou said.
Lin Xiao nodded and followed Lu Chuyou, stepping into the Righteous Spirit.
As soon as he entered, he felt a powerful pressure envelop him, as if it would crush his entire being.
“This pressure, just at the foot of the mountain, is this terrifying? How could anyone climb thousands of zhang?” Lin Xiao thought, shocked.
Seeing Lin Xiao struggle, Lu Chuyou gave a smug smile and said, “Oh, right, before cultivating Righteous Spirit, you can’t climb the mountain, only stay at the base.”
“No wonder!” Lin Xiao muttered. It was because he hadn’t yet cultivated Righteous Spirit. Otherwise, with the pressure he was feeling now, climbing even a few steps would be difficult, let alone thousands of zhang.
Though the pressure in Righteous Mountain was immense, the enveloping Righteous Spirit gave a soothing, calming sensation to the mind.
To see how high he could climb, he would first need to cultivate Righteous Spirit.
“I gained an opportunity related to Righteous Spirit at the Grand Assembly, so I need to go into seclusion for a while. I won’t accompany you, Brother. Cultivate well!” Lu Chuyou said.
After Lin Xiao nodded, Lu Chuyou began walking toward the mountain’s peak, soon disappearing from Lin Xiao’s sight.
Lin Xiao stood at the base, opening the Righteous Spear Technique and beginning to study it.
Though the Righteous Spear Technique was profound, it started with the most basic spear forms.
However, these basic forms incorporated drawing Righteous Spirit into the body, condensing it in the dantian, circulating it through the meridians, and exerting force, essentially using the spear to cultivate Righteous Spirit.
The difficulty was considerable.
The dense Righteous Spirited and pressure within the mountain’s array were well-suited for cultivating this technique, making it easier to unleash the potential of its moves.
This technique seemed almost created for cultivation on Righteous Mountain.
“At the Southeast Region Youth Assembly, I broke through two levels of primal force and one level of spiritual force. Breaking through again soon will be difficult. Perhaps I can use this Righteous Spirit,” Lin Xiao thought, his eyes gleaming with confidence and determination. “Let’s see how long it takes me to cultivate Righteous Spirit!”
With that, Lin Xiao began studying and practicing the Righteous Spear Technique.
Thrust, stab, sweep, strike, entangle, circle, block, seize, lunge, point, deflect, flourish. Starting from the most basic spear forms, he trained step by step.
“How long will it take this kid to cultivate Righteous Spirit?” the Great Elder sighed to Zhong Moyang at a certain spot on Righteous Mountain.
“From nothing to something, most geniuses take one or two years. Those with stronger talent take half a year. The most talented, Zhan Lan, took three months. With Lin Xiao’s talent, two months should be enough,” Zhong Moyang said confidently. “As for mastering the true first move of the Righteous Spear Technique, another three months should do it.”
“The first move of the Righteous Spear Technique takes many disciples years to master. Even Zhan Lan took half a year. If Lin Xiao can do it in three months, that would break the record,” the Great Elder said, his face showing anticipation.
“More than cultivating Righteous Spirit or the spear technique, I’m more curious about how high he can climb on Righteous Mountain. No one has ever reached the peak. Perhaps… he can,” Zhong Moyang said, his eyes glinting with hope.
“The peak?” The Great Elder was momentarily stunned, then shook his head. “Nine thousand zhang, maybe he can reach that. The peak? The chances are almost zero.”
It wasn’t that he doubted Lin Xiao, but he knew how difficult it was to reach the peak of Righteous Mountain. Otherwise, no one would have failed to do so since the Spear Dragon Sect’s founding.
“The chances are slim… but I feel this kid is special. Maybe he can create a miracle. Let’s wait and see,” Zhong Moyang sighed.
