Cultivation Online

Chapter 2263  Stairway to Heavenʼs Final Trial

Feng Yuxiang shuddered just from recalling her unfortunate encounter with Bai Xutao.

”You should know that I donʼt value my companions for their usefulness,” Yuan continued. ”But if you want to keep walking this dangerous path with me—one still full of unknowns—youʼll need the strength to do so. Of course, I wonʼt abandon you for being too weak or having trouble catching up, but if it comes down to your safety… I will leave you behind in a secure place until everything is over.”

”After all, as your master, your companion, and your friend, itʼs my responsibility to ensure your safety. Thereʼs a reason Iʼm not traveling with Meixiu and the others right now, no matter how much I want to and how much I miss them. I canʼt put their lives at risk just to satisfy my own selfish desires.”

”You donʼt have to say any more, Yuan. Weʼll do our best not to disappoint you,” said Lan Yingying. ”Unfortunately, I donʼt know where to start.”

”I cultivate mostly through devouring other beasts, but I have never been to the Ninth Heaven…”

Yuan smiled and said, ”Donʼt worry, I never intended to let you do this alone.”

He turned to face Xiao Hua and said, ”Xiao Hua, I would like you to take care of Yingying just as you had taken care of me when I first came to the Nine Heavens. Since her cultivation is the weakest, Iʼll feel more at ease with you by her side.”

Xiao Hua calmly nodded, ”Iʼll do my best.”

”What about me?” Feng Yuxiang asked, pointing at herself. ”Honestly, I donʼt mind traveling alone. Iʼm used to it, after all.”

”That may be the case, but I think itʼd be better to have someone with you,” Yuan said to her before turning to look at Yingzi.

”What do you think, Yingzi? Can you go with her for some time? Itʼll be much more entertaining than being here.”

While Yingzi wasnʼt any stronger than Feng Yuxiang, it was still better than traveling alone.

”I donʼt mind, but I wonʼt be able to protect her if anything she cannot handle happens,” she calmly replied. ”If we were in the Primal Expanse, it would be a different story, but in this world, my options are limited.”

”I am aware, but youʼre not much weaker than her.”

Some time later, Lingyue spoke up.

”Um… what about me, Brother Yuan?”

”You…” Yuan paused for a moment before answering. ”Honestly, Iʼm not sure.”

”Youʼre only my servant because of Xiao Hua. I never intended to pull you into my problems. So tell me—what do you want? Whatever it is, Iʼll try my best to grant it, even if you want to walk your own path.”

Lingyue shook her head and said, ”As I already said, I wonʼt know what to do if I am not by your side, so I will continue to follow you. No matter where you go or how dangerous it may be, I still wish to follow you… at least until I have my own purpose.”

Yuan silently rubbed his eyes for a brief moment before sighing, ”If thatʼs what you want.”

”It is!” she confirmed.

Yuan nodded before continuing, ”With that being said, I am not going to treat you differently because of your circumstances. If you want to follow me, youʼre also going to need sufficient strength.”

”I understand.”

”Now the question is, which group should you follow…” Yuan pondered out loud.

”She can follow us,” Xiao Hua suddenly spoke out loud. ”If the dumb pigeon gets into any trouble, she wonʼt be able to handle more than herself, so sheʼll be safer with us—with me.”

”What?! How dare you look down on me!” Feng Yuxiang clenched her hands into fists and angrily stared at Xiao Hua.

Xiao Hua shrugged. ”Iʼm only stating the truth.”

”At your current level, you can handle ordinary third-level God Ascension cultivators at best—maybe fourth-level if we factor in your Supreme Seal. The Ninth Heaven is no playground. Countless powerhouses roam this realm, some even capable of matching my father. In this era, even I, a ninth-level God Ascension cultivator, cannot move freely without restraint.”

Unable to rebuke, Feng Yuxiang could only grit her teeth in frustration.

”Then itʼs decided. Lingyue and Yingying will go with Xiao Hua, and the two of you will be together.”

Some time later, Xiao Hua and the others prepared to leave the Stairway to Heaven.

”I promise Iʼll at least enter God Ascension by the time you finish your trial, Young Master!” Feng Yuxiang declared with teary eyes, looking like she was about to be separated from her lover.

”Iʼll aim to reach the Immortal Realm!” Lan Yingying spoke with determination.

”And Iʼll become a Cultivation God,” Xiao Hua confidently declared.

Yuan responded with a smile, ”Youʼre making it sound like we wonʼt see each other for decades. Itʼll only be a few years.”

After saying their goodbyes, Xiao Hua and the others left the Stairway to Heaven and entered the Ninth Heaven.

Meanwhile, Yuan returned to the platform and prepared for the final trial.

”I am ready to begin the final trial,” he declared with a resolute face.

In the very next moment, Yuan felt his consciousness rapidly slipping away into the void.

When he opened his eyes again, Yuan found himself in a familiar scene, and standing before him was a familiar face.

”Tian Yang, the cultivation world isnʼt all fun and games. Itʼs a vicious path that could easily lead to your death even when youʼre not at fault, and itʼs a world that weʼll be stepping into soon,” said the young girl.

ʼMeng Lili…?ʼ

Yuan immediately recognized her.

Not only did he recognize her, but he also recognized the words sheʼd just spoken, as it was part of Tian Yangʼs memories that heʼd already recovered.

ʼThis trial must be related to Tian Yang… but…ʼ

Yuan quickly realized that he couldnʼt move his body or speak out loud, almost as if he were only a spectator, watching everything from Tian Yangʼs body, just like when he first regained this piece of memory.