Unrivaled Martial Emperor

The door of immortality opened, and the Tianwu Continent residents grew restless.

Though most knew their chances were slim, many still wanted to try.

With enough immortal affinity, they could pass through the gate, enter the Heavenly Realm, and pursue a smoother, longer martial path.

Becoming an immortal would no longer be just a dream.

For the people of the Lower Realm, this was also a rare chance to reach the heavens in one step.

Still, countless others sighed in silence.

Being over five hundred years old or having cultivation below the Manifestation realm left them unqualified for the Immortal Draft Assembly. They had been barred from immortality.

After all, the door of immortality only opened once every thousand years; missing this chance meant no next time.

"The door of immortality..."

With a deep creak, the white jade gate slowly parted. Immortal light poured out, forming auspicious signs, celestial birds, and sage-like figures with otherworldly auras beyond the threshold.

"Are those immortals?"

Many stared in awe, their hearts sinking with inferiority.

As the immortal light surged and wove together, a jade-like staircase emerged, descending from the gate in ninety-nine steps.

Once the door was fully open and the staircase stabilized, the solemn voice of the Featherlight Immortal Envoy echoed across the Tianwu Continent.

"The immortal assembly begins. The Heavenly Staircase of Will is the first trial. It will test your willpower. When you step onto the staircase, you will immediately sink into darkness. Walk through the darkness step by step with calm, and step through the door of immortality to pass the test. The amount of immortal affinity you get will depend on how long you take to clear the test."

The envoy's rumbling voice echoed across the Tianwu Continent, resonating in every ear.

Countless people's hearts trembled slightly.

"Alright, I shan't waste any more time talking nonsense. Those who meet the criteria and wish to join the Immortal Draft Assembly, release your divine will towards the Heavenly Staircase of Will. It shall receive you."

As the Featherlight Immortal Envoy's voice fell, divine wills surged across the land, rushing toward the staircase and triggering radiant bursts of immortal light.

Swish, swish, swish.

Immediately, countless immortal lights descended from the sky, enveloping those deemed qualified and guiding them to the void plaza beneath the heavenly staircase.

Chen Fan, Huang Wuji, and the others followed suit, communicating with the Heavenly Staircase of Will.

Immediately, eight immortal lights descended, lifting them from Peerless Peak and delivering them beneath the Heavenly Staircase of Will.

"Huh? What's going on? I also released my divine will. Why wasn't I accepted?"

"Hmph, you fool. Obviously, it's because you're over the age limit! Think you can cheat the gate of immortality? Be glad they didn't send immortal punishments down to strike you to death."

"What do I do? My cultivation level is too low, only at the fifth-level Manifestation realm. Even if I go, I can't open the door of immortality, and there's even a danger of dying. However, if I don't give it a try, I will never have another chance. I can't accept this..."

"Hmph, how would you know unless you try? Moreover, the Immortal Draft will bring many chances. Even if you fail to open the door of immortality, your cultivation will still rise. The journey alone makes it worth it."

"Instead of dying of old age on the Tianwu Continent and returning to the earth, I would rather die in this Immortal Draft Assembly. At the very least, I won't have any regrets. I'm going!"

Countless people who fulfilled the requirements watched as numerous figures appeared under the Heavenly Staircase of Will, and their faces kept changing.

Some people let out a sigh in the end, and others looked determined, gritting their teeth and releasing their divine will. The immortal light received them.

"Alright, everyone, ascend the heavenly staircase and cross the dragon's gate."

The first candidate stepped onto the staircase. Instantly, black mist rose from the white jade beneath his feet, seeping into him.

He trembled, paused, then pressed onward to the next step.

Simultaneously, the others also took their first step on the staircase. Black fog rose from all their feet and seeped into them.

"Junior Brothers and Sisters, let's go too."

Huang Wuji's gaze was firm and sharp as his words fell. He strode forth, stepping onto the first step.

Boom!

Chen Fan ascended the first step. Faint black fog rose from the white jade step under his feet, seeping into him and rapidly spreading toward his mind.

He felt lightheaded, like he was having a nightmare. Many demon beasts, demonic beings, and jiangshi appeared in his surroundings. All their auras were terrifying, and they rushed at him.

Immediately, he felt stiff, and moving became strenuous.

"Move, keep moving. It's all an illusion. An illusion," he whispered to himself, forcing his will to remain firm.

But his body resisted, stiff as an old man near death, and each step forward felt like dragging mountains behind him.

With each step, a bit more of the black fog seeped out and assimilated with him, affecting his body, will, and soul.

The influence of the illusion was constantly growing stronger.

Chen Fan struggled to move, growing heavier as the black mist took hold, but he steadied his will and forced himself upward.

This scene wasn't limited to the Tianwu Continent. It was playing out across the entire Lower Realm under the control of the Featherlight Immortal Sect, including the Tianxuan, Ziyang, Tianhun, and other continents.

On the Heavenly Staircase of Will:

Everyone was walking painstakingly slow. The higher up they were, the slower they walked.

The black mist thickened with each step, seeping into their bodies, amplifying the illusion. Their limbs grew stiff, joints locking as if turning to stone.

This was a test of their willpower, far beyond the usual trials involving heavenly gravity or brute force.

By the third step, some had already frozen in place.

After standing there for five breaths, the black fog shrouded them entirely. Their eyes became pitch-black, consumed by illusion.

"This is... My god... Already over a thousand have fallen at the third step?"

"According to the Featherlight Immortal Envoy, the staircase tested one's willpower. These people collapsed early because their minds just weren't strong enough."

"Hundreds stopped at the third step... the Immortal Sect's test is ruthless."

"There is no shortage of prodigies of superpowers and super cults among these people. There are even prides of heaven of overlord-class forces."

Countless spectators watched the Heavenly Staircase with grim faces. Seeing so many fail so early, many of them famed across the Tianwu Continent, left everyone shaken.

Their wills may have been weak, but the Immortal Sect's trial was clearly on another level.

Among them, many had notable reputations on the Tianwu Continent, yet they only managed to ascend to the third step. It was simply jaw-dropping.