"Sima Changqin's target isn't the Three Realms Immortal Boat, so I'm not too worried. But Wu Yu, the Queen of the Ten Thousand Demon Country, cannot be underestimated. She voluntarily told me the intelligence about the Three Realms Immortal Boat, she must have deeper plans," Yuan Ming's split soul pondered for a moment and said.

"As long as you know. This woman's mind is deep, don't be fooled by her beauty. When it's time to act, be decisive, don't hesitate at all," Xi Ying coldly snorted and reminded.

"Don't worry, I am not the kind of person who would pity beauty. During the climb, I will never let anyone stand in my way," Yuan Ming chuckled dryly and replied.

While they were talking, a group of Level 5 Demon Race and Returning to Void Realm cultivators had already stepped onto the seemingly ordinary but perilous staircase. Their figures gradually faded into the distance on the stairs, while Yuan Ming stood quietly in place, gazing deeply, his heart already prepared to face all challenges.

Wulu and Nan Shangfeng mingled in the crowd and stepped onto the seemingly mundane steps.

"Buzz"

A deep buzzing sound suddenly echoed in their ears, as if some ancient power had been triggered.

They instantly felt as if they were at the bottom of a ten-thousand-foot-deep ocean, the space around them seemed solidified, pressing against their bodies.

At the same time, immense pressure surged from all directions, as if to forcefully pin them to this step.

Both of them sternly performed spells, and their mana burst forth like a tide, a spirit light glowing on their bodies, forming a protective shield that offset much of the pressure on them.

However, before they could catch their breath, a strange suction force suddenly emerged from the wooden steps under their feet, continuously devouring their mana.

Wulu and Nan Shangfeng's mana operation was instantly thrown off balance, and the spirit light flickered on the surface of their bodies.

Although both were Returning to Void Stage cultivators with profound mana, at this moment they had to give it their all to withstand the suction from below and the pressure from outside.

After some effort, they finally adjusted their mana flow within and took another step onto the second-level stair.

In an instant, the external pressure and the suction from below intensified, as if invisible shackles were binding their bodies.

Wulu and Nan Shangfeng had to stop again and readjust their state.

In the ensuing time, they discovered that with each step they took, the pressure and suction increased by a margin, making it increasingly difficult to cope.

Initially, they could advance to the next level within a few breaths, but the higher they went, the longer it took.

Sometimes they couldn't even take a step within thirty minutes.

Looking up at the hundreds of steps above, they couldn't help but feel a sense of powerlessness from the depths of their hearts, as if an insurmountable mountain was in front of them.

Below, the Dharma manifestation cultivators observed all this, gradually deducing some details about the trial. They began contemplating strategies, trying to find ways to counter this pressure and suction.

At this moment, Yuan Ming was utilizing the Eyes of Golden Flame, closely observing the situation of Wulu and Nan Shangfeng.

Soon, he noticed the issue Xi Ying had pointed out.

It turned out that the suction from the steps not only targeted mana but also absorbed the Qi Blood Power and Soul Power of the climbers.

Moreover, the steps' absorption varied for each climber.

For those with abundant Qi Blood, the steps absorbed more, while for those cultivators with weaker physical bodies, the steps absorbed less.

This difference surprised Yuan Ming and made him even more vigilant.

"It seems these steps are quite intelligent. But it's not impossible to deal with," Yuan Ming's eyes flickered, and a strategy slowly formed in his mind.

"Oh? Then I'll await and see," Xi Ying said lightly.

"Not to mention me, Xi Ying, your perception outside the Stealing Heaven Tripod is unusually sharp. Moreover, I can hardly sense your Soul Power fluctuation. What realm has your Soul Cultivation reached? Could it be..." Yuan Ming suddenly changed the topic, inquiring about Xi Ying's Soul Cultivation Realm.

Xi Ying heard and smiled calmly, saying, "You're right, not long ago, I made a breakthrough in Soul Cultivation and reached the Life Witch Realm."

Yuan Ming was both surprised and delighted to hear this.

He knew well how powerful the Soul Cultivation of the Life Witch Realm was; not only did it greatly enhance calculation abilities, but it also allowed one to peer into fate to some extent. One could even cultivate the Yin Moon Body, a state of intangibility that made him extremely envious.

"No wonder you have the confidence to stay by Sima Changqin's side. Tell me, what does it feel like to be a Life Witch? I've heard that upon reaching the Life Witch Realm, one can somewhat foresee fate, is that true? Also, I've heard that a Life Witch can merge the Divine Soul and physical body to cultivate into the intangible Yin Moon Body; can you let me witness this?" Yuan Ming curiously asked several long-held questions.

Xi Ying smiled while answering Yuan Ming's questions, then formed seals with her hands. Her body quickly turned into a phantom state, soon completely disappearing from Yuan Ming's perception.

At this moment, no matter how hard Yuan Ming tried to sense, he couldn't detect Xi Ying's presence.

"Is this the Yin Moon Body? It is indeed incredibly mysterious. No wonder you were able to approach invisibly outside the tower, and I was completely unaware. Moreover, the abilities of this Yin Moon Body seem to far exceed mere invisibility; otherwise, it wouldn't possess such powerful effects," Yuan Ming's tone was filled with astonishment and curiosity.

The invisibility ability of the Yin Moon Body left him utterly shocked, a capability almost on par with the Heavenly Escape Stone Talisman in Wulu's possession, making it impossible for anyone to perceive its true location.

Xi Ying nodded slightly and explained, "The Yin Moon Body is indeed extraordinarily marvelous. Besides invisibility, it can also shield its own providence, causing others to naturally ignore its existence. This is the fundamental reason why the Yin Moon Body is difficult to detect."

"Shielding heaven's secret? So that's how it is, this ability is truly defying the heavens," Yuan Ming suddenly understood.

In the time that followed, while observing the progression of Wulu and others up the ranks, Yuan Ming also inquired Xi Ying about the other abilities of the Life Witch. Xi Ying patiently answered each question, revealing a profound understanding of the path of the Life Witch.

Besides powerful divination and invisibility abilities, the Life Witch also comprehends the mysteries of the Three Souls and Seven Spirits, possessing an exceptional healing ability regarding the Divine Soul. As long as the soul hasn't completely scattered, the Life Witch can revive it.

Back then, when Xia Jie guided Yuan Ming, it was with the intention that when Yuan Ming reached the Life Witch Realm in the future, he could use this ability to assist in healing.

"Aside from these basic abilities, after advancing to Life Witch, have you awakened any other unique Divine Skills?" Yuan Ming thought of something and asked again.

Xi Ying remained silent for a moment, then shook his head and pointed outside, saying, "We'll discuss this later; look, Wulu and the others have reached a crucial moment in their trial."

Seeing Xi Ying unwilling to elaborate, Yuan Ming did not pursue the question further and turned his attention to the people on the stairs.

At this moment, Wulu and the other pioneers had already climbed to a considerable height.

The originally neck-and-neck team began to diverge under the dual test of pressure and suction.

The fastest climbers were nearing the 200th-level steps, while the slowest were only at the seventy or eight-level.

Wulu and Nan Shangfeng were at a middle level, neither rushing ahead nor falling behind.

Regardless of their speed, the climbers appeared fatigued, with many even swaying as if they might collapse at any moment.

This arduous test was a challenge not only of their strength but also of their willpower and determination.

Soon, the first to be defeated finally appeared.

This was a devil cultivator from the Ten Thousand Demon Country, whose true form was a Level 5 green snake.

When he stepped onto the 130th level, he could no longer withstand the powerful pressure and suction, collapsing heavily onto the stairs, unable to move further.

Jie Cha on the altar above waved his hand expressionlessly, and a green spirit light flashed, teleporting the Level 5 green snake to the ground below the stairs.

Not all the Level 5 demon clan from the Ten Thousand Demon Country participated in the trial. Those familiar with the defeated person immediately rushed forward to support him to the side.

At this time, a figure walked over, it was Di Huo.

He held a white jade box in his hand, offering it to the Level 5 Snake Demon and said, "Brother She Li, you look seriously injured. Please take this Jade Spirit Rejuvenation Pill; it will help with your injuries."

The jade box opened, revealing a red and white elixir that emitted a peculiar medicinal fragrance.

"If I recall correctly, this is a healing pill newly developed by the Fire Wolf Clan, not only recovering demonic power quickly but also having miraculous effects on recovering Qi Blood Power. It's indeed very suitable for you," said another Green Snake Clan devil cultivator supporting She Li, his eyes lighting up.

She Li looked at the elixir, tempted, but still waved his hand in refusal, "Brother Di Huo, this elixir is so precious, I can't accept it."

The intricate relationships between various clans in the Ten Thousand Demon Country meant that there wasn't a deep friendship between the Green Snake Clan and the Fire Wolf Clan, so he naturally wouldn't readily accept Di Huo's elixir.

Di Huo smiled, "Brother She Li, you misunderstood. This Jade Spirit Rejuvenation Pill was refined by me personally; it's not some precious item. I took it out merely to regain some of my costs."

She Li understood and asked, "May I ask how many Spirit Stones Brother Di Huo is asking for?"

"In the Silver Mountain Range, treasures abound. Brother She Li must have collected quite a few. I intend to exchange this elixir for some Spirit Grass to continue alchemy. One Jade Spirit Rejuvenation Pill for two Level 5 Spiritual Grass, or ten Fourth-level Spiritual Grass," Di Huo replied.

This price was quite reasonable. Without another word, She Li took out two Level 5 Spiritual Grass to exchange for the Jade Spirit Rejuvenation Pill and consumed it.

As the elixir entered his body, strands of red light emanated from his body, and his pale complexion noticeably improved.

This exchange among the Three Demons did not cause much of a stir. Although their voices were not loud, they were enough for the nearby demon clan to hear clearly.

Many Level 5 demon clan members who hadn't participated in the trial showed interest in the Jade Spirit Rejuvenation Pill, eagerly offering Spirit Grass to exchange for the elixir for future use.

Meanwhile, Wu Yu, the Green Snake King, and others remained indifferent to all this, their eyes continually fixed on the stairway, focusing on those Returning Void Cultivators still arduously climbing.