Unrivaled Martial Emperor

With every step he ascended, more black fog merged with Chen Fan, and the illusions grew stronger.

One after another, illusions struck his mind, pulling at his consciousness, trying to drag him in completely.

"No one can stop me!"

"If I can't even overcome illusions, how can I become an indomitable, unrivaled expert?"

His will condensed like a blade.

He moved forward with difficulty as the black fog grew increasingly thick. The illusion's effect on him and his mind intensified.

Even though his will was sharp like a blade, the layers of illusions gradually blurred his consciousness.

As his memories faded, the illusions felt increasingly real until he even lost awareness of his own body.

Buzz.

An invisible force stirred in his mind.

"Hmm? The power of the Bodhi Ancient Tree!"

Chen Fan suddenly regained clarity; his memories returned, and the illusions lost their grip.

He hadn't actively drawn on the Bodhi Ancient Tree's power, but just as he was about to succumb, it shielded its master, restoring his awareness.

I could use the Bodhi Ancient Tree to block these illusions, but then I would lose the opportunity to gain experience. The Heavenly Staircase of Will is not only a test but also a way to temper one's willpower, making it even stronger and impervious to attacks in the future.Chen Fan thought.

The Bodhi Ancient Tree was no different from a cheat. If he chose to rely on it, no illusion could touch his mind, and he could pass the trial with ease.

But he didn't want to rely on that power.

Not only could it alert the immortal sect if anything seemed off, but Chen Fan also saw this as a chance to temper his will and grow stronger.

Without hesitation, he withdrew the Bodhi Ancient Tree's protection.

The illusions struck again. Layer after layer engulfed him as his consciousness began to sink. His will became a blade, slashing through the haze as he struggled forward.

Become stronger! I want to become stronger!

Mere illusions can't stop me from moving forward!

Who am I? I am Chen Fan! I am Chen Fan!

Slash, slash, slash! Kill, kill, kill!

It's fake! It's all fake, all of it is fake!

He roared inwardly, tearing through the illusions, breaking the prison of darkness that gripped his mind.

Now, it wasn't just the illusions pressing in: it felt like his entire consciousness was locked in a cage of absolute darkness. There was no light, only darkness.

He could use the Bodhi Ancient Tree to burst out of this cage of darkness, but he did not do so.

"Break, break, break!"

His blade of will kept swinging and slashing, attacking the cage of darkness, seeking another ray of light.

......

The outside world:

Countless gazes were fixed on the figures on the Heavenly Staircase of Will.

A peerless monster like Chen Fan, who was a household name on the Tianwu Continent, was naturally the focus of the crowd.

Thirtieth step.

Fortieth step.

Fiftieth step.

Sixtieth step.

Watching him slowly ascend, many people's eyes flashed with brilliant light.

"Chen Fan has reached the sixtieth step. Amazing."

"The tempering of will takes time. The older one is, the more one experiences. And that gives them a clear edge at this stage. Look at those leading the climb. Most are close to the five-hundred-year mark. In the last five hundred years or so, they've endured countless trials like failures, pains, successes, joy, and sorrows. Their wills have been forged through it all, making them strong enough to outpace most others on the Heavenly Staircase of Will."

"Yes, one needs time and experience to temper their will. The people at the forefront have experienced life and death, and great terrors. Their wills are as firm as rocks. The illusions barely shake them."

"If I remember correctly, Chen Fan's cultivation journey hasn't even lasted a hundred and fifty years, right? That makes him one of the youngest here—yet his will is so strong. It's surprising."

Whispers filled the crowd.

Chen Fan was a household name across the Tianwu Continent, his fame rivaling Invincible Legendary realm powerhouses. Naturally, every eye was on his progress up the staircase.

"He's stepped onto the sixty-sixth step."

"Hmm? Chen Fan's not moving anymore."

"Look, the black fog has shrouded his head."

"My god... with everyone watching, is this where Chen Fan falls?"

All eyes were locked on his unmoving figure.

Chen Fan stood on the sixty-sixth step like a statue, unmoving.

Meanwhile, the black fog gradually shrouded Chen Fan's head, a sign of him completely falling into the illusion.

All of a sudden, countless people exclaimed in shock.

Even the Featherlight Immortal Envoy furrowed his brow at the sight.

Of all the participants, Chen Fan was among the few he held in high regard.

He was young and had monstrous talent. Even in the Heavenly Realm, he would be considered a rare talent. With proper guidance, he might one day attain the rank of Immortal King.

If he were to fall at the sixty-sixth step, it would be a crushing disappointment.

The people focusing on Chen Fan narrowed their gazes.

Some worried, and some rejoiced.

Beishan Hong, unable to hide his excitement, finally smiled. Seeing Chen Fan on the verge of failure, he shouted hoarsely, cursing loudly, "Fail! Fail!"

Currently, Chen Fan's consciousness was trapped in a prison of darkness. His body felt nonexistent. Only the blade forged from his will remained, slashing wildly, desperate to break the cage.

As the black fog crept further, just about to completely cover his head—his eyes, seconds from being swallowed by darkness—something shifted. A faint gleam returned to them.

Then, Chen Fan continued climbing upward.

Within the prison of darkness, the blade of his will struck again and again. A crack appeared. Light bled through.

He slashed continuously, and the gap grew increasingly wide.

The tempering made his will stronger. His blade of will became sharper as it tried to cut through the prison and rend all illusions so that he could continue walking up.

The Featherlight Immortal Envoy's frown faded, and a faint smile touched his lips.

"Hmm? He almost succumbed to it, but broke through the illusions? This kind of last-minute breakthrough is very rare."

He had truly believed Chen Fan would fall into the illusion, but instead, the boy shattered it and kept climbing.