Rebirth of the Peak Young Master-Chapter 446: The Pinnacle

"Has the pressure truly ascended to an entirely new realm?"

Although Yang Tian had already anticipated drastic changes in the final five levels, he had not foreseen that the pressure would leap directly from the late Divine Realm to the peak of the Divine Realm just from the thirteenth to the fourteenth floor!

Even so, he immediately drank a soft elixir, his breath surged, breaking through the constraints of the pressure relief system and restoring himself to the same level of pressure as the external environment.

This shift in aura was naturally sensed by the Dragon Clan ancestors beneath the Lingtian Pagoda, leaving them utterly astounded.

"How... how is it possible... that he can break free from the shackles of slaughter and suppression? Does this..."

"Does this imply that when we fought side by side, he..."

Long Quan, the former elder, gazed up from the base of the Lingtian Pagoda at Yang Tian’s rising momentum, his eyes widening in disbelief. Even his words became halting.

The same reaction rippled through the faces of Long Shao, Long Zhu, and others from earlier generations!

Only the elder, Long Hou, managed to nod bitterly and chuckle softly. "It seems we were mistaken. In our past battles together, this child never truly unleashed his full strength—or any strength, for that matter—because he knew even a fraction of it might have overwhelmed us entirely!"

"One-tenth? Not even that?"

Long Quan, Long Xiao, and Long Jun, struck by the elder’s analysis, were left speechless!

They had all been formidable powerhouses a century ago!

Though none dared claim invincibility, each in their generation had stood as unchallenged leaders.

But now, a hundred years later, these once-mighty figures, their martial prowess supposedly honed to perfection, realized not even five of them combined could compel Yang Tian to show power that equaled one-tenth of his true strength!

"Not even one-tenth?"

At this moment, Long Li, another elder, chuckled sincerely and remarked, "Stop fretting. Sons and daughters of the Yangtze River surge ever forward. That is how it should be. As with your own disciples, if they don’t surpass you someday, they are merely wasting air!"

Hearing this, the dragon standing beside him blushed furiously, beads of sweat gathering on his forehead as he hung his head low. He dared not meet the gaze of his elders and teachers.

It was then that Long Hao, one of the older dragons, let out a hearty laugh upon hearing Long Li’s words. "I always thought you didn’t like that kid! This is quite unexpected from you."

"Not like him? Of course I don’t like him! But regardless of my feelings, Wang Tianrui is ultimately my disciple. If that door must be cleaned, it will be by my hand!"

Long Li snorted coldly but then slowly lifted his gaze toward the summit of the Lingtian Tower, where he could see faint lights glowing on the uppermost levels. With a deep sigh, he confessed, "But that child... his talent, strength, and intellect far exceed ours—and perhaps those of even our ancestors! To have such a person in my lineage is a blessing."

"Indeed. If he succeeds, it will be not only your blessing but also China’s fortune."

Long Hao smiled and followed Long Li’s gaze upward. Both their eyes focused on the lights of the fifteenth level as they began to illuminate in succession, and Yang Tian continued his tireless ascent!

...

The fourteenth level: The Peak of Divinity!

The fifteenth level: The Half-step True God!

The sixteenth level: The Beginning of True God!

As Yang Tian stood on the staircase to the seventeenth floor, his ink-and-wash-like aura radiated from his drenched, sweat-laden body. Power surged restlessly through him, and even the black flames within his body flickered chaotically, smothered under the relentless pressure!

For on the seventeenth floor, the killing intent had escalated to the very heart of the True God realm.

Even Yang Tian, with his mastery honed in the late stages of the Primordial Era, found himself at his absolute limit.

"He’s starting!"

"Good! This is the final stage! Victory or defeat—it all ends here!"

"Even Zhou Bingchun of Taishan, despite all the assistance he sought from the Shen Family’s War God, could not climb this final floor!"

"Exactly! That one year where Taishan’s unyielding will transcended the murderous aura, his plans halted above, and no one has reached this tier since!"

"If this boy succeeds, he will undoubtedly carve his name into the annals of the Qing Dynasty’s history!"

As the lights leading to the final floor of the Lingtian Building steadily illuminated, every Dragon Clan elder, old and young alike, held their breath in silent anticipation.

Even Long Hou, his heart pounding uncontrollably, found his palm sweating from the sheer tension. Though unfamiliar with these historical records, he felt as if he himself were ascending the final steps in Yang Tian’s place.

Thump!

Atop the Lingtian Tower, Yang Tian had only just set foot on the first step, yet the oppressive force descending upon him made him feel as though he were bowing before the heavens!

"Unbearable."

Yang Tian let out a wry smile but did not retreat.

Inhaling deeply, as though carrying a lead-filled body, he slowly raised his other leg and placed it heavily on the first step!

BOOM!

The moment both feet landed on the ladder, the killing pressure doubled. It was enough to make Yang Tian’s body sway violently.

But right then, the shadow behind him stretched out an arm. Like lifting Taishan itself, it shielded him against the crushing weight.

Yang Tian exhaled in relief and finally steadied himself.

"If not for the training in Yuanwan Alley and the illusion of the Devil Ancestor, I would have collapsed under this pressure by now!"

Feeling half the pressure lifted by the shadow behind him, Yang Tian composed himself and began climbing step by step.

One step, two steps, three steps, four steps...

With the Devil Ancestor’s shadow supporting him, Yang Tian painstakingly ascended the ladder, though each step felt as arduous as the last—if not more so!

With each move, the supporting shadow’s single hand eventually shifted to both hands. By the time Yang Tian reached the final ten steps, the shadow itself had begun to blur and fade.

"Not good!"

Feeling the trembling of the shadow behind him, Yang Tian’s heart clenched in alarm.

Soon, the shadow collapsed like an evaporating bubble, dispersing into scattered light and darkness.

THUD!

All at once, the full weigh of the shadow’s absence crashed down onto Yang Tian, forcing him to his knees on the steps. At the same moment, blood gushed from his mouth in a vivid spray.

Thump!

On one knee, with a single hand clutching the ground for support.

Yang Tian panted heavily as sweat poured down like rain. Blood dyed his mouth, a stark contrast to his wild, unyielding expression.

Sweat and blood mingled, soaking the steps beneath him. His knees and palms bled profusely, painting the surroundings crimson.

But Yang Tian seemed oblivious to it all. He could only stare blankly at the final ten steps before him, despair clouding his eyes.

Was it... over?

Did he seek to gaze upon the wonders of the heavens in vain?

Wasn’t his resolve solidified long ago to claim the mantle of Devil Ancestor?

Would he now bow to fate?

A voice echoed within Yang Tian’s mind, resounding like a clap of thunder, startling him out of his haze.

Yet, he was truly exhausted.

He didn’t know if the legendary master of the Xixian Sword Formation was truly as extraordinary as he had imagined or whether he could muster the strength for the final ten steps.

In fact, Yang Tian wasn’t even sure if he would collapse, black out, or perish at any moment on these last ten stairs!

Lingering beneath, Long Li sighed deeply, "What a shame!"

"A shame?"

Long Hou hesitated. "Elder, what is shameful?"

"This child has reached his limit!"

Behind him, Long Li sighed again and explained, "This formation inherently targets the spirit. No matter how strong or resilient the climber is, they will inevitably encounter a pressure that far exceeds their capacities at the final stage!"

"But... even so, Yang Tian has always shattered realms and defied boundaries!" Long Hou, still puzzled, argued in response.

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