The ULTIMATE EXPERIENCE SYSTEM
Chapter 96: First Steps into the Upper Realm

Chapter 96: First Steps into the Upper Realm

A brilliant flash of light swallowed Chen Yu and his companions as the Ascension Gate closed behind them with a thunderous boom. Reality twisted. Gravity shifted. When their senses returned, they were standing on a vast floating platform made of obsidian-like stone, suspended among drifting islands under a sky filled with swirling auroras and distant stars unlike any sky they had ever known.

Cold, thin air bit at their skin. The world here felt sharper—each breath carrying the weight of countless powerful beings. Mana density was so high it made the very air feel like liquid energy pressing against their chests.

Hui’s crimson eyes widened as she stretched her arms, feeling the primal energy flowing freely through every fiber of her being. "This... this is how the upper realm feels? It’s like the world itself breathes power."

Vornark’s feline pupils glowed with hungry excitement, his nose flaring as he caught unfamiliar scents. "I can feel it too... it’s invigorating. Even the weakest here would crush entire cities below."

Nyzelia flicked a strand of silver hair behind her pointed ear. "And yet, this also means we’re prey now—until we prove we’re predators."

Chen Yu nodded slowly, eyes fixed on the horizon, where colossal spires of floating mountains pierced clouds glowing with purple lightning. He felt the oppressive aura of this realm pressing on him like an ocean. "We’ve arrived at the proving grounds of the heavens. Don’t let your guard down, not even for a second."

As they stood together, enormous floating platforms drifted around them, each carrying groups of other ascenders from countless lower realms—beastfolk roaring defiance, demonic figures cloaked in shadows, human cultivators radiating killing intent. Some groups glanced at Chen Yu’s team with curiosity, others with naked hostility, eyes flickering with the desire to test the newcomers.

A shimmering rune flared above them, casting beams of light across the platform. A voice rang out—ethereal, neither male nor female, yet carrying infinite authority. "Welcome, ascenders. Ahead lies the Trials of Recognition. Prove yourselves worthy to step upon the sacred lands of the upper realm. Or fall here, forgotten."

A massive staircase of floating stone steps appeared before each group, stretching into the clouds. Faint, ghostly images of fierce beasts and monstrous warriors shimmered between the steps—guardians of the trial.

Chen Yu turned to his team. "This is it. The first trial of many. Stay sharp. Stay together. And remember—no one here will give us mercy."

Roman stepped forward, his armor humming with holy power. "Then let us give none either."

Gu Chaewon took a deep breath, her eyes calm and determined. "We have come this far. We will not falter now."

Azrael cracked his neck, dark aura swirling around him. "Let them come. I have waited centuries for a worthy challenge."

With unified resolve, Chen Yu and his companions stepped onto the staircase. Immediately, illusions solidified into monstrous guardians lunging at them—winged serpents with obsidian scales, knights of spectral fire, and shadow beasts oozing malice.

Chen Yu’s blade flashed with void energy, cleaving a serpent in two. Hui danced through enemies, each motion a blur of deadly precision. Roman’s shield held firm as flames and claws crashed against it, his sword striking back with divine fury. Nyzelia’s spells split the air with crackling light, freezing, burning, and tearing foes apart.

Gu Chaewon stood her ground, casting shimmering shields and holy healing light on her comrades. Vornark transformed into a massive white tiger, his claws raking spectral knights into dust. Ling Ling’s necromantic powers raised fallen phantoms to fight beside them, dark tendrils lashing out like living whips.

Azrael, towering above them all, roared with demonic might—his strikes blowing apart creatures with waves of dark energy that warped the very air.

The staircase shook under the fury of their combined powers. Each step taken was earned in blood and unbreakable resolve.

Between clashes, Chen Yu felt countless eyes upon them. Far above, in the floating halls of the Celestial Sky Sect, elders observed through scrying orbs, their expressions ranging from intrigue to cold calculation.

"That human..." one elder muttered, eyes narrowing at Chen Yu’s seamless coordination of his team. "He’s more than a simple ascender."

"They’re cohesive—unlike most rabble arriving here," another added, fingers tapping the armrest of his jade throne. "If they survive the trials, they’ll disrupt the balance among the sects."

"We cannot allow them to fall into rival hands," a masked figure said softly. "We must secure them first."

Meanwhile, lightning storms split the skies overhead. The team reached the final hundred steps, their bodies bloodied yet spirits unbroken. A colossal war golem formed of meteorite steel loomed before them, its eyes glowing like molten suns. Cracks of thunder rumbled as the golem’s feet landed heavily on the floating steps.

Chen Yu met its gaze, void energy gathering around him like a storm. "Together—one last push!"

The golem swung a titanic blade down at them with a roar of grinding stone. Roman intercepted it, shield raised, but the sheer force cracked the barrier of light around them. Hui flashed in, slashing the golem’s wrist with claws wreathed in dark flames. Vornark leaped, teeth bared, biting deep into its shoulder.

Nyzelia unleashed a tempest of frozen lances, each shard exploding into brilliant blue light on impact. Ling Ling called skeletal giants from the shadows to grab the golem’s legs, slowing it down.

Azrael’s fists crashed into the golem’s chest, black energy spreading spiderweb cracks through the armor. Gu Chaewon healed wounds and blessed her allies with radiant auras of strength, her voice calm amid the chaos.

Chen Yu soared above them all, blade raised high, void energy surging like a black sun. He dove with unstoppable force, cleaving the golem’s head clean off. It fell with an earth-shaking crash that echoed across the entire trial ground.

Breathing heavily, their team stood victorious at the summit of the staircase.

Above, the ethereal voice spoke again, colder than before: "Trial completed. Step forward and claim your right."

A bridge of silver light extended from the last step to a gateway of obsidian stone, swirling with cosmic energy. Chen Yu led the team across, each step echoing like thunder.

The moment they crossed the gate, the world shifted. They found themselves in a floating plaza of jade and gold, waterfalls of starlight pouring from the sky. Hundreds of other platforms surrounded them, each team that survived standing under the watchful eyes of sect elders perched upon floating thrones.

A voice carried across the space: "Ascenders! You now stand upon the threshold of the Celestial Sky Sect. Prove your worth, and the heavens themselves may bow to you. Fail... and vanish into oblivion."

The elders’ eyes bore into each survivor. Some elders whispered among themselves, others sneered, but many stared intently at Chen Yu and his companions.

One elderly figure with a beard flowing like silver mist leaned forward on his throne. "They are different," he murmured. "A human, demon, and beastfolk fighting side by side—this unity alone makes them dangerous. And valuable."

A pale woman cloaked in flowing ice-blue robes raised a slender hand. "I shall extend an offer first. Bring them to my Frozen Cloud Sect."

"No," a brawny man with eyes like molten gold rumbled from his seat. "They will come to my Thunder God Hall. Their strength will only truly blossom in the storm."

Arguments broke out among the gathered elders, each sect vying for the newcomers. Projections of each team hovered in the air, their performances during the trial displayed like vivid illusions for all to see.

Chen Yu’s team shone brightest of all—each move coordinated with perfect timing, each clash executed with lethal efficiency. The unity of their diverse races had impressed even the most jaded of the upper realm’s elite.

Amid the chaos, Chen Yu raised his head, eyes unwavering as he met the gaze of the elders above. "We are not pawns to be divided," he said, his voice clear and strong. "If you want us, you will have to prove your worth, too."

Gasps and murmurs swept through the elders, who were unused to such boldness from mere ascenders.

Hui smirked beside him. "That’s our Chen."

Far above, stars blazed brighter for a fleeting moment—as if the heavens themselves were watching with interest.