The talent staircase consisted of three levels in total.
According to Elder Ruyi’s earlier explanation.
The first level of the talent staircase was the easiest.
The second level of the talent staircase would become exceedingly difficult, even capable of costing one their life.
Thus, the normal sequence was to step first onto the first level of the talent staircase.
Only if one could stand upon the first level for the duration of two incense sticks.
Would one qualify to challenge the second level staircase. Otherwise, direct entry to the second level was not permitted.
This rule had been set by Elder Ruyi himself, his original intent being for everyone’s benefit.
Initially, many had rubbed their fists and wiped their palms, eager to challenge the second level.
Yet unexpectedly, the first level had barred everyone without exception.
Over time, the second level became a forbidden ground, a place people could only imagine, yet none dared touch, none even qualified to touch.
Just now, though Yu Ting had successfully inscribed her name upon the first level of the talent staircase.
She had stood there for only a little more than one incense stick’s time. Though she surpassed Lü Jie, she was far from reaching two incense sticks.
Even someone as formidable as Yu Ting lacked the qualification to challenge the second level staircase. And indeed, she dared not attempt it.
Yet Chu Feng had directly bypassed the first level staircase and leapt onto the second level.
Such conduct not only violated the rule set by Elder Ruyi but also committed a grave taboo, tantamount to seeking death.
Yuan Shu not only shouted loudly but also began laying out a formation, intending to use it to forcibly drag Chu Feng down from the second level staircase.
“Do not disturb him.”
But before Yuan Shu could act, a voice suddenly halted him.
It was Elder Ruyi.
“Senior, you!!!”
Yuan Shu was somewhat dazed. He worried for Chu Feng’s safety yet dared not defy Elder Ruyi.
But upon second thought, something was amiss.
It was plainly Elder Ruyi who had decreed that direct ascent to the second level talent staircase was forbidden.
Yet now, it was also Elder Ruyi who stopped Yuan Shu from intervening with Chu Feng?
Could it be that Chu Feng was truly so powerful that he could challenge the second level talent staircase without first undergoing the tempering of the first level?
Considering Chu Feng’s previous displays, and then recalling the evaluation from his master.
Yuan Shu suddenly felt that while others might not achieve such a feat, Chu Feng perhaps truly could.
After all, he was the sort who could forcibly refine even that realm ghost talisman insect.
He had never been like the others to begin with.
Thus, Yuan Shu ceased overthinking and simply stared fixedly at Chu Feng.
Only then did he notice that upon the second level staircase, a layer of hot air had already begun to emerge.
Seeing that hot air, the crowd erupted in immediate uproar.
Nearly everyone present had challenged the first level talent staircase themselves, and they had watched others do so on multiple occasions.
Yet no matter who stood upon it, enduring whatever trials and tempering, the talent staircase showed no change whatsoever.
This was the first time they had seen the talent staircase undergo any alteration.
Moreover, that hot air seemed simple on the surface but was in truth most unusual.
People could not observe it closely. If they did, they would feel their hearts grow restless, their minds clouded. That sensation was as if madness might strike at any moment, or even deviation into demonic possession.
“What a terrifying thing.”
“Yet Chu Feng can actually stand upon it?”
After discovering the dreadfulness of that hot air, people could not imagine what Chu Feng, enveloped by it upon the staircase, was enduring.
“Chu Feng is not merely standing there. He remains utterly composed.”
Suddenly, someone else spoke up.
And to this, the bystanders could raise no objection.
For the speaker was quite right.
Yu Ting, upon the first level staircase, had been drenched in sweat, her face pale as death.
Yet Chu Feng, standing upon the second level staircase, which was plainly more difficult and which no one to date had dared challenge, showed not the slightest change in expression?
As time ticked by bit by bit, Chu Feng drew ever nearer to the duration of one incense stick, yet he remained utterly composed.
This not only set the assembled juniors abuzz with discussion but also caused Elder Ruyi’s gaze to grow fervent.
Elder Ruyi, who had originally shown no interest in the actions of these juniors, now fixed his eyes unblinkingly upon Chu Feng.
Even he, ever expressionless, now bore the faintest arc of a smile at the corner of his mouth.
…
Outside Ruyi Ancient Fortress.
Everyone’s gazes were fixed upon that banner, the one that had originally borne Lü Jie’s name.
Compared to within the fortress, the people here too chattered animatedly. Even the great figures speculated upon the banner’s changes.
Just who was this Yu Ting, who had supplanted Lü Jie and inscribed her own name upon it.
Was there truly someone even more exceptional than that Chu Feng?
Or could this Yu Ting be Chu Feng himself?
“No need to guess. By this old man’s reckoning, this Yu Ting is none other than Chu Feng.”
“She is likely a woman herself. To avoid drawing notice, she disguised herself as a man and took a false name: this Chu Feng.”
“But upon the talent staircase, one undergoes certain tests of the heart and must state one’s true name.”
“Thus, this Yu Ting’s name has appeared.”
High in the sky, an elder stood atop a bank of white clouds. As he stroked his beard and gazed upon Ruyi Ancient Fortress, his words flowed with utter conviction.
And the guess he voiced was, in fact, one shared by not a few among the crowd.
“It seems that must be the case.”
“This child may have opened that hidden gate by luck alone, but to stand upon the talent staircase, that is the mark of true mettle.”
“Who would have thought our Holy Light Heavenly River hid such a dragon and crouching tiger? Such a junior among us.”
At this moment, others too voiced their agreement.
In particular, the masters of Yue Yang and Chen Guang spoke in praise of Chu Feng.
And the more they praised, the uglier Lü Jie’s expression grew.
“That second banner has changed.”
Yet just as all eyes remained fixed upon the first banner, someone noticed a change upon the second.
Upon that second banner, white flames suddenly rose.
Soon after, those white flames intertwined, as if performing some ritual.
And before long, beneath the weaving of those white flames, two large characters emerged.
Those two characters were none other than the very ones the assembled crowd had mentioned multiple times in short order.
Chu Feng!!!
“Chu Feng?”
Seeing the two characters for Chu Feng, whether elders or juniors, everyone’s expressions grew exceptionally vivid.
Some showed utter disbelief, some wore faces full of shock, others seemed as if frightened.
Who had said Chu Feng was Yu Ting? Who had claimed Chu Feng was Yu Ting’s alias?
At this moment, without a word from anyone, all understood one thing.
Yu Ting and Chu Feng must be two distinct individuals.
And that Yu Ting too was a figure of exceptional talent.
Yet plainly, if one spoke of talent, then Chu Feng, who had discovered the hidden gate, held the greater edge!!!
