CHAPTER 40: haste makes waste

Zhao Hao stood on the 332nd step of the Ladder, his back bent under an immense weight, as if Mount Tai itself were pressing down on him. Struggling to move, he could hardly breathe under the tremendous pressure. No sound escaped his lips.

Level: Tier 9 Warrior realm

Experience: 980,000/990,000

Looking at his attributes, Zhao Hao took a deep breath. One more step, and he could brave the wind and waves once more.

"Ugh..."

Zhao Hao opened his mouth wide, then let out a long roar, stepping forward with reckless abandon. The immense force suppressed him, causing his muscles to bulge and bones to show.

This step was extremely difficult.

"Qi Pill, consume!"

"Qi Blood Pill, consume!"

"Strength Booster, use!"

"Solid Talisman, use!"

Zhao Hao roared internally, using every elixir and talisman he'd gained from climbing the ladder. If his strength was insufficient, he'd take medicine, use props—anything to take this step.

"Boom!"

With the blessings of various pills and spells, Zhao Hao planted his foot firmly on the 333rd step, breaking through the barrier.

[Ding!]

[Congratulations, you have gained 20,000 experience points.]

[Congratulations, you have obtained 1 Divine Dragon War Spirit (soul).]

[Congratulations, you have acquired the advanced yellow-rank combat technique 'Mountain Shattering Palm'.]

[Congratulations, you have leveled up to War Spirit Realm, Tier 1.]

After overcoming this significant hurdle, Zhao Hao felt both uplifted and overjoyed. His damaged body instantly healed, his strength surged, and his cultivation advanced to the War Spirit Realm.

The difference between the War Spirit Realm and the Warrior Realm was vast. Zhao Hao looked up the long ladder ahead, his determination growing stronger. He believed the War Spirit Realm would be the shortest period in his cultivation journey. Soon, he would become a powerful warlord.

For most cultivators, the War Spirit Realm could take anywhere from ten to a hundred years to complete, depending on their talent. However, Zhao Hao was determined to break through in a single day. Entering the War Spirit Realm today, he aimed to leave it behind just as quickly.

"Boom!"

The flames of war ignited within Zhao Hao. Fueled by numerous pills and spells, he activated the Nine Suns Divine Art and surged up the ladder two steps at a time: "Ding! Ding!"

The reward notifications echoed.

Feeling elated, Zhao Hao continued, leaping three steps: "Ding! Ding! Ding!"

Then four steps: "Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding!"

And five: "Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding!"

Though the ladder appeared to be just steps, each one felt like scaling a mountain. Zhao Hao's progress astonished the cultivators watching from afar. They gaped in shock, some nearly speechless, others exclaiming in disbelief.

"Huh~"

Zhao Hao's body burst into flames as he aimed to leap six steps in one go.

"Young man, you are too reckless!" A majestic voice rang out above as the heroic souls within the Ladder intervened.

Six massive pressures descended upon him.

"Boom!"

Zhao Hao failed to jump and fell heavily, his nose smashing against the ladder, bleeding.

"Hahaha! Humility? Respect for old relics? I have none!" Zhao Hao laughed heartily, wiped his nosebleed, and continued his wild ascent.

"Ding..."

"Ding..."

"Ding..."

[Congratulations, you have leveled up to War Spirit Realm, Tier 2.]

[Congratulations, you have leveled up to War Spirit Realm, Tier 3.]

[Congratulations, you have leveled up to War Spirit Realm, Tier 4.]

Each step earned experience, and no matter how much was needed to level up, he steadily accumulated it.

[Obtained 1 divine Dragon War Spirit (soul).]

[Obtained 2 Divine Dragon War Spirits (souls).]

[Obtained 3 Divine Dragon War Spirits (souls).]

[Obtained 2 Divine Dragon War Spirits (souls).]

As Zhao Hao reached the middle section of the Ladder, the battle spirits became increasingly powerful.

"This kid is insane!"

From the Ladder, the ancient heroic souls voiced their awe. Watching Zhao Hao's relentless ascent, the distant cultivators were filled with shock and admiration. They had been told that climbing ten steps was a mark of genius. Zhao Hao had climbed hundreds.

Fortunately, there were no concepts like 'cheat codes' or '666' in this world. Otherwise, the onlookers would have shouted, "He's cheating!" and "666, 666, 666..."

Soon, Zhao Hao neared the end of the middle section. Having climbed over 300 steps, he had amassed numerous treasures and over a thousand war spirits. Without pausing, he continued with all his strength, reaching the 666th step of the Ladder.

[Ding!]

[Congratulations, you have gained 40,000 experience points.]

[Congratulations, you have obtained 1 Divine Dragon War Frenzy (soul).]

[Congratulations, you have acquired the low-grade profound-rank combat technique 'Eight Extremes Collapse'.]

From the 666th step onward, the war spirits evolved into war frenzies.

Zhao Hao's heart raced. With a thousand indomitable war spirits, he could confront Li Tianba's army head-on. A hundred thousand iron troops? He would send them a sea of corpses. A million masters? He'd overwhelm them with a mountain of bodies.

Now, profound-rank treasures appeared. On Carved Dragon Island, such items were rare. Zhao Hao anticipated even greater treasures at the top. But after stepping onto the 666th step, he felt an unprecedented pressure. Moving was impossible, even leaning forward felt like being pushed by a mountain.

"Boom!"

Zhao Hao pressed forward desperately, the immense pressure crashing down like a tsunami. Unable to withstand it, he tumbled down the ladder.

[Ding!]

[You lost 40,000 experience points.]

[You lost 1 Divine Dragon War Frenzy (soul).]

[You lost the low-grade profound-rank combat technique 'Eight Extremes Collapse'.]

[You lost 30,000 experience points.]

[You lost 5 Dragon War Spirits (souls).]

[You lost the high-grade yellow-rank pill 'Nine Turns gall bladder Pill'.]

[You lost the 'Death Lock', an intermediate yellow weapon.]

[You lost 28,000 experience points.]

[You lost 26,000 experience points.]

[You lost...

...

[Ding! Level downgraded to War Spirit Realm, Tier 3.]

[Ding! Level downgraded to War Spirit Realm, Tier 2.]

...

[Ding! Level downgraded to Warrior Realm, Tier 6.]

Zhao Hao tumbled down more than three hundred steps, losing all the experience points and treasures he'd gained.