I Can See Your Combat Power
Chapter 1881 - 312: Trial of Heart by the Three Sects

Chapter 1881: Chapter 312: Trial of Heart by the Three Sects

Is it the importance of the environment, or the innate nature that matters more? This debate has lasted for a thousand years, with both sides having their valid points.

If the environment is crucial, then how many heirs from noble families would be overshadowed by heroes who rose from humble beginnings?

Yet if innate nature is key, why are most of the world’s exceptional martial artists from prestigious and sacred places?

True wisdom is never about extreme absolutes, but rather about adapting according to place, time, and situation, striking the perfect balance at the right time and place to offer a solution.

Saints have no names, and great warriors have no illustrious achievements, just so.

The number of people below the Heart-testing Cloud Ladder increased, but fewer went up to test, as countless failures had already disheartened all the wandering martial artists.

Even though a man named Yang Fan had already reached the top, they did not believe it was due to his strength.

Thus, when disciples from the Yulin Pavilion, Wuji Mansion, and Qiyao Temple arrived together at the Sect Head’s abode ruins, they didn’t even need to queue; they began testing directly under the guidance of the sect masters.

Under the amused gazes of the wandering martial artists, Lu Miaomiao from the Yulin Pavilion stepped up seamlessly, standing steadily on the first step of the Cloud Ladder.

Standing on the Cloud Stairway, the aloof youth tapped his foot to test the sturdiness of the cloud step and rose up again.

Two steps, two stairs.

The disciples of the three sects remained calm, while the wandering martial artists trapped below the Cloud Ladder were in an uproar.

The Cloud Ladder was indeed the Cloud Ladder, no matter what light-body and breath-enhancing techniques were used, it shouldn’t have been possible to stand so firmly upon it. How did these sect disciples achieve this?

Just when everyone’s curiosity was piqued, Lu Miaomiao fell from above, frowning, with a thoughtful expression.

Though he was only at the Mortal Realm, the sect would never overlook movement techniques. The youth lightly landed, standing before his fellow disciples from the Yulin Pavilion.

"After the ninth step, the span of the cloud steps increases, and the cloud essence gradually thins inside each step; by the nineteenth step, the span between cloud steps exceeds my leaping limit. Just as I wondered if the cloud step beneath my feet could support my leap, I felt nothing underfoot and landed without choice."

As the young man spoke, all the Yulin Pavilion disciples listened intently, and even those from Wuji Mansion and Qiyao Temple came closer.

Though the wandering martial artists felt that they belonged to a different world than these sect disciples, they wouldn’t miss an opportunity to gain some advantage unless swords chased them away.

Thus, what Lu Miaomiao said was heard not only by the disciples of the three sects but also by many wandering martial artists at the ruins.

And the same words, when heard by different listeners, bore entirely different significances.

In the eyes of the lesser-experienced wandering martial artists, the stern-faced young man before them seemed like an immortal. If such a person could only reach the nineteenth step, then wasn’t this test clearly meant to be difficult?

But the disciples of the three sects had different ideas after hearing Lu Miaomiao’s words.

"If Senior Brother Lu, with his unparalleled movement techniques, thinks the leap is too far, then getting past the Cloud Ladder might not be about leaping."

A young man from Qiyao Temple walked out, one side of his lips curved up in a sinister smile: "Senior Brother just said that doubt caused you to fall from the cloud step, so in my opinion, crossing this Cloud Ladder is only related to belief. As Zen once said, ’With faith, comes miracles; without it, comes oblivion.’ Let me take a walk up there."

Having said this, the youth from Qiyao Temple ascended, his previously arrogant smile completely retracted, as if his eyes focused only on the Cloud Ladder.

Stepping onto the first step, striding onto the second, after a few steps, he entered the clouds and vanished from sight.

After the Qiyao Temple disciple disappeared, Lu Shaolin turned to Lei Hong, bowing with a smile: "Brother Hong, that young man is extraordinary. Which family is he from?"

"Master praises us; the one who just ascended is the direct great-grandson of Taibai Master, Lei Yaoqian."

Lei Hong smiled: "That lad has a nimble mind and exceptional comprehenssion. Others may take half a year or a year to grasp thunder techniques, but he can learn them in a little over half a month. Yet he has a jumpy nature and is unwilling to delve deeply into cultivation; he superficially understands all the seven thunder techniques but masters none and always ranks at the bottom in inner-sect competitions. Perhaps only when he can settle his heart will he achieve something."

"Which youth isn’t a little querulous? Just from a few words of Lu Miaomiao, he could understand the essence of the Cloud Ladder. If he has a sudden insight, this boy has limitless potential."

Lu Shaolin chuckled, and Lei Hong waved repeatedly, but his pride was unmistakable on his face.

Although in terms of combat power, Lei Yaoqian might not rank among the disciples, compared purely on talent and perception, he truly felt that no one in Yulin Pavilion could compare with this cheeky child of his.

This time Qiyao Temple came to Xiling mainly for Lei Yaoqian, hoping this young man could understand through the Heart-testing Cloud Ladder.

An unparalleled talent is indeed worth being proud of, but without the steadfastness and belief to endure loneliness, even great talent can’t be realized.

Lei Hong looked up, his eyes like thunder rolling, piercing through the clouds to watch Lei Yaoqian, who had already stepped onto the thirty-step ladder, thinking silently.

Originally, he thought once Lei Yaoqian grasped the essence of the Cloud Ladder, even if he couldn’t directly pass it, he could at least make it to the end, but he didn’t expect Lei Yaoqian fell right after reaching the thirty-sixth step.

Because he went slightly farther than Lu Miaomiao and his movement skills were not as refined, the paragon from Qiyao Temple landed a bit awkwardly.

"After the thirty-sixth step, the Cloud Ladder appears intermittently; a little hesitation, and I fell!"

Lei Yaoqian spread his hands and shrugged, casually saying to the disciples of the three sects: "It seems that the overly clever can never cross the Cloud Ladder in this life, just because I hesitated slightly without seeing the way ahead, the Cloud Ladder wouldn’t carry me. Who would have imagined Yang Fan might have got in through connections?"

"Watch your words!"

Upon hearing the reckless words, Lei Hong’s face immediately darkened, reprimanding: "On the first day of the Heart-testing Cloud Ladder, Yang Fan reached the top using only one opportunity. You lag behind, yet instead of reflecting on your shortcomings, you slander others, simply preposterous!"

"Master thinks I’m no better than that bumpkin!?"

Lei Yaoqian stomped and shouted furiously: "(艹皿艹) Today, I’ll make it through this Heart-testing Cloud Ladder not for anything else, just to go up and see what kind of fool saw the clouds ahead vanish yet leaped unwaveringly!"

The Heart-testing Cloud Ladder is ultimately not just a sect-exclusive game. After witnesses like the two disciples from Yulin Pavilion and Qiyao Temple, the wandering martial artists also realized that this Cloud Ladder tests not martial prowess but mind and character.

Though they didn’t understand what mind and character truly meant, it seemed that if you believe the Cloud Ladder can carry you, it truly can?

With such a simple understanding, many wandering martial artists ascended during the time Lei Yaoqian was bragging, and they indeed managed to step onto the Cloud Ladder.