Ascension Log

Ten days passed in silence.

Kai Lin spent them beneath the withered pine, unmoving, like a sword still sheathed in rust. His cultivation remained at Qi Formation – 2nd Layer, yet his presence grew heavier by the day.

The sign-ins had changed.

Each new day brought him closer to something vast and ancient within the seal — something waiting to awaken.

On the tenth morning, the sect bell tolled nine times.

Boom. Boom. Boom…

Across the entire Cloud Veil Sect, outer and inner disciples alike turned their gazes skyward.

The Celestial Steps Platform had opened.

A floating island hovered above the northern cliffs, encased in shimmering formations. A wide staircase of translucent light extended from the ground to the platform — the Heaven's Ladder.

Dozens of figures began ascending. Some wore the crisp white robes of the inner sect, while others still bore the green sashes of the outer ring.

At the base of the ladder, a massive jade stele stood tall, inscribed with glowing names:

Heaven's Ladder Ranking:

1. Yun Feiyu – Core Formation, 6th Layer

2. Bai Mei – Foundation Establishment, 9th Layer

3. Li Shen – Foundation Establishment, 8th Layer

4. Song Qing – Foundation Establishment, 8th Layer

5. Lan Xue – Foundation Establishment, 6th Layer

…

A faint stir passed through the watching crowd.

Li Shen stood beside the stele, arms crossed, eye still hidden behind that black cloth.

"He's here," he murmured.

A ripple passed through the crowd as Kai Lin stepped onto the base of the Heaven's Ladder.

Gasps echoed around him.

"That's the outer sect disciple…"

"The one who killed Jian Yuze…"

"Why is someone at Qi Formation even here?"

Kai Lin said nothing.

He placed a foot on the first step.

Ding—

Sign-In Point Detected: Celestial Steps Platform

Initial Sign-In Bonus: +1,000 Merit Points

Reward Unlocked: [Heaven-Severing Manual – Fragment I]

Description: Incomplete portion of a lost killing art. Only those with blood on their hands may comprehend it.

Progress: 0.2%

He paused. That name — Heaven-Severing Manual.

The system wasn't just gathering power.

It was restoring something.

Something made for war.

Higher up, Lan Xue turned slightly.

She watched Kai Lin climb, silent and calm, step after step.

Song Qing sneered. "This trash again? I heard he was bold, but he dares enter the Trials with such a weak realm?"

Li Shen didn't respond.

His uncovered eye gleamed faintly.

"He's not here to survive," Li Shen said. "He's here to kill."

At the top of the platform, the Trial Overseer, an elderly cultivator with blazing gold eyes, raised his hand.

"All chosen disciples have gathered."

His voice echoed like thunder across the sky.

"You have entered the Heaven's Ladder Trials — the path to inner sect recognition. You will face three rounds. Those who fail may return. Those who die… will not be remembered."

He turned his gaze to Kai Lin.

"You. What is your cultivation?"

Kai Lin raised his head slowly. "Qi Formation. Second Layer."

Laughter rang out from behind him. Even some inner sect disciples couldn't suppress their smirks.

But the Overseer's gaze didn't change.

He only said, "Then may your will be stronger than your realm."

With a clap of his hands, the glowing runes beneath the platform flared.

Round One: Spirit Platform Arena – 108 Combat Rings

Defeat your opponent. Advance.

The surface split into 108 floating rings, each the size of a courtyard. Disciples were transported one by one.

When Kai Lin landed, he was standing across from a sneering youth with silver hair and a snake tattoo coiled around his neck.

"Qi Formation?" the man spat. "They're letting trash into the trials now?"

Kai Lin didn't respond.

He drew his saber slowly.

No stance. No words.

Just a promise.