At noon, Dragon Gate City was bustling with activity.
On the enormous nine hundred and ninety-nine-step heavenly ladder that ascended straight into the sky, over ten thousand people were already climbing at the same time.
As time passed, the differences between the various levels of Star Card Masters on the Dragon Gate Heavenly Ladder began to widen.
Under the peculiar force’s pressure from the ladder, Bronze levels were generally scattered between tens to two hundred steps, while Silver levels mostly reached three to four hundred steps.
And Gold levels had commonly surpassed five hundred steps!
“I can’t hold on anymore, this is too exhausting…”
“Ah!…”
“I can’t go on, Old Feng, I’ll go ahead…”
One after another, Bronze-level Star Card Masters fell off the ladder, wrapped in dragon-shaped glimmers of light and landed smoothly back on the ground.
“The Star Power in my body has indeed improved. Damn it, if I could have pushed another twenty or thirty steps, I might have broken through to Bronze High Stage!” A young man who had just landed on the ground looked up at the high ladder with great regret.
It wasn’t just this young man. The Star Card Masters around who had fallen back to the ground all felt the same way.
Previously, on the heavenly ladder, they had only thought about pushing forward with all their strength. Now that they were back on the ground, a slight sense revealed that their cultivation had indeed progressed.
“There’s only one chance. Those who’ve fallen, move to the side. Don’t block others…” The Dragon Sect disciples maintaining order at Dragon Ascending Square kept calling out continuously.
These people could only withdraw to the side and continue observing the situation in the sky.
Besides maintaining order, many Dragon Sect disciples specifically kept an eye on those performing outstandingly on the ladder.
Their tasks were simple: focus on those excelling on the heavenly ladder.
Whether breaking through four hundred steps for Silver levels or seven hundred steps for Gold levels, they were the best of their levels and worth trying to contact and recruit.
A newly risen King-level force with high growth potential was quite attractive to many solo Star Card Masters without a guild or power.
At this moment, Su Yuan had also reached the five hundredth step on the Dragon Gate Heavenly Ladder!
The pressure on the ladder increased as one climbed higher. Even Gold levels had to use a combination of physical strength and Star Power to progress against the pressure.
“Huff, huff…”
Huang Xiang held his knees with both hands, gasping for breath, his sweat pouring down from his chin and arms.
“I… I’m near my limit. Don’t mind me, you guys… go ahead.”
Five hundred steps, indeed, was near the limit for the Silver High Stage Huang Xiang.
So far, only two Silver levels had reached five hundred steps ahead, sitting at steps 522 and 538, respectively.
At that moment, those two were also sweating profusely, with Star Power surging over them as they activated some enhancement skill.
Although the Star Power was suppressed by the ladder, they could still use enhancement skills, but the effect was significantly weakened.
Clearly, it was thanks to these enhancement skills that the two managed to get to five hundred to thirty steps.
However, using enhancement skills on the ladder, which constantly drained physical and Star Power to combat pressure, meant they were on their final sprint!
At this moment, both of them could barely take another step, likely reaching their limit within twenty steps.
Su Yuan, seeing Huang Xiang say this, knew he was putting pressure on Huang Xiang by staying there and said, “Alright, we’ll wait for you up there.”
Huang Xiang managed a tough smile, “I’ll… do my best!”
Su Yuan nodded and continued forward.
“Good… luck!”
Luo Bingtong, expressionless, waved a fist to cheer for Huang Xiang before following closely behind Su Yuan.
“Su Yuan is one thing, but even Bing Tong is just as monstrous.”
Watching Su Yuan and Luo Bingtong walk forward without looking tired, Huang Xiang couldn’t help but shake his head with a wry smile.
Huang Xiang took several deep breaths, determination flashing in his eyes.
“Though it might be slower, I’ll catch up with all my might.”
With that thought, he lifted his heavy, trembling right foot and took another step forward!
…
“Six hundred and sixty-six steps! The first to reach six hundred and sixty-six steps!”
At Dragon Ascending Square, Star Card Masters who had been eliminated early suddenly shouted in excitement.
“Who is it?”
“Let me see… It seems to be Wei Yong, the Hall Master of the Tiger Power Hall from the White Elephant Sect, a veteran expert at Gold High Stage.”
“Yes, it’s him. He’s been leading the first echelon from the start and is now the first to reach six hundred and sixty-six steps. Incredible!”
“I wonder if he can reach nine hundred and ninety-nine steps.”
“As far as I know, Wei Yong has specialized in physical cultivation. His Star Power isn’t weak either. With strong resistance, he seems to have a good chance.”
“…”
The Dragon Gate Heavenly Ladder had various checkpoints. A hundred steps typically eliminated half of the Bronze-level Star Card Masters.