"Still trying to escape?" Yuan Ming's mind moved, activating the Primordial Dao Seal within him.

Immediately, a seven-colored vortex suddenly emerged like a blooming lotus, enveloping the surrounding area of over ten feet.

This seven-colored vortex spun rapidly, as if it was a giant beast devouring the heavens and earth, shattering the spiritual energy in this region and transforming it into nothingness.

On the stairway below, a blurry figure slowly appeared, holding the Ancient Zither tightly—it was Sima Changqin.

Yuan Ming flipped his palm, transforming it into a sharp claw, suddenly reaching towards the bottom and grasping the Ancient Zither in Sima Changqin's hands, and then fiercely pulling it away.

Sima Changqin tried his best to reclaim it, but against Yuan Ming's unparalleled strength, the Ancient Zither was snatched away instantly.

With the departure of the Ancient Zither, Sima Changqin's body gradually turned from illusory to real, reappearing before everyone.

Yet before he could cast a spell, Yuan Ming's blurred right leg kicked out like lightning, accurately striking his abdomen.

Sima Changqin only felt a great force surge over him, causing his body to fly backward. In mid-air, he was enveloped by the spirit light emerging from the steps and transmitted back below the stairway.

Yuan Ming then swiftly laid several sealing spells on the Ancient Zither, unceremoniously storing it in the Stealing Heaven Tripod.

Sima Changqin landed, his face ashen, his eyes filled with anger and resentment.

On this stairway, his abilities couldn't be fully exerted. Under normal circumstances, how could he be defeated so easily?

Moreover, at this moment, he couldn't sense the Ancient Zither's presence, which was his Innate Spiritual Treasure, vital for survival.

"Fellow Daoist Wan, you've won; no need to take away my Spiritual Treasure. This was a gift from Ancestor Bing Lan, please return it!" Sima Changqin suppressed his anger, trying to stay calm, yet his words subtly revealed a threat.

Hearing this, Yuan Ming's lips curved into a playful smile, saying, "Oh? This Zither was indeed gifted by Ancestor Bing Lan, no wonder it's so extraordinary. To avoid unpleasant incidents, I'll keep this treasure for a while. If Qin Demon wants it back, just exchange it for a hundred pieces of Sixth-level Spiritual Wood as a custody fee."

Sima Changqin's face grew darker.

As a Guardian, when had he suffered such humiliation? However, being below the stairway now, unable to fight Yuan Ming, he had to endure his anger.

Yuan Ming ignored him, turned his gaze to other Dharma Phase Cultivators on the steps, and said, "Anyone else wishing to challenge Wan, feel free to strike."

Jin Chen and others dared not respond, remaining silent.

They knew "Wan Tianren" was formidable, and now that Qin Demon was defeated by him, challenging him further would be futile.

Yuan Ming's gaze swept across them before finally landing on the silent Wu Yu.

"Our Ten Thousand Demon Country harbors no enmity towards Fellow Daoist Wan," Wu Yu sighed and added.

Only then did Yuan Ming withdraw his gaze, turning around to continue ascending.

Wu Yu and others from Ten Thousand Demon Country, along with Jin Chen and Gu Chuanting, followed suit, yet dared not approach too closely, fearing to anger this powerful Body Cultivator.

On the subsequent path, no one started a fight again.

Everyone silently faced their own trials, praying deep down to pass this barrier smoothly.

Meanwhile, Yuan Ming marched forward resolutely, heading towards the top of the stairway.

...

As the group climbed higher, the challenges increased exponentially in difficulty, with a mix of magical attacks appearing in mid-air, causing great distress to everyone, with defeated participants dropping out frequently.

Among them, Jin Chen, whose strength was weakest and had only recently broken through to the Dharma Phase, was the first to be defeated.

Following immediately was Xuan Ye, whose cultivation was less than the Five Great Demon Kings.

Next were Gu Chuanting, the Black Bear King, and the Green Snake King, retreating one by one. Before long, only a few persisted on the steps.

When the group arduously reached the 510th step, the Electric Roc King gasped heavily, struggling against the thunder and flames pouring down from above.

The surrounding spatial power was like invisible giant hands binding her tightly, while her feet's suction power continuously devoured her demonic power and qi blood.

"It seems I can only reach here," the Electric Roc King sighed gently in her heart.

She felt her power quickly draining away, and if she persisted further, she might harm herself.

Thus she gave up resisting, relaxed her strength, allowing the spatial force to press her down onto the hard steps.

Before being completely enveloped by the green spirit light, she desperately looked forward, where Wu Yu and the Giant Tree King were struggling to climb, while Yuan Ming led from afar, unstoppable.

In the next moment, the Electric Roc King was completely swallowed by the green light, teleporting back below the stairway.

As soon as she landed, the Green Snake King hurried forward to help her stand.

However, the Electric Roc King pushed away his hand coldly, struggling to rise by herself.

The Green Snake King stood awkwardly, unsure whether to advance or retreat in that moment.

At this moment, Di Huo stepped forward, holding a Jade Spirit Rejuvenation Pill with both hands, respectfully offering it to the Electric Roc King: "Lord Electric Roc King, please use the pill."

The Electric Roc King glanced at the elixir in Di Huo's hand and asked casually, "Have all of you taken it?"

The Green Snake King swiftly explained, "Xuan Ye hasn't used it, as his recovery power is strong, and he doesn't prefer elixirs. But both Chu Hong and I have taken it, and its effects are indeed good."

Electric Roc King nodded, retrieved two Level 5 Spiritual Grasses and tossed them to Di Huo as a reward, then accepted the elixir and swallowed it.

She sat cross-legged and began healing, as the atmosphere around her gradually became serene.

Di Huo stowed away the Spiritual Grass and retreated to the side, not daring to disturb either the Electric Roc King or the Green Snake King.

At this moment, though there were fewer figures on the steps, the air was still filled with an intense and solemn atmosphere.

Below the steps, the crowd silently watched those still climbing, each with varied expressions, their thoughts unknown.

...

Yuan Ming paid no attention to what was behind him, steadfastly climbing upwards, each step firm and forceful, progressing with swift speed as if like the wind before soon reaching the six hundredth step.

At this moment, the elder with the green beard appeared again, suspended in the void like a carefree cloud or wild crane.

He spoke leisurely, his voice carrying a sense of ancientness and majesty: "You have successfully reached the six hundredth step. Do you have any idea about your reward this time?"

With those words, green light flickered in front of him, as numerous spiritual materials appeared like stars.

Among these spiritual materials, some were black and shiny like ink, exuding a metallic sheen, others were brilliantly colorful as if ignited by hot flames, some bore tortoise shell patterns appearing ancient and mysterious, and others emanated eerie red glows like ghostly fires in the dark night.

Ten to nine of these Yuan Ming couldn't name, but each emitted astonishing spiritual power fluctuations and power of Dao, showcasing their extraordinary nature.

Yuan Ming gazed at these spiritual materials, a hint of joy flashed in his eyes, secretly marveling in his heart.

These are all seventh-level spiritual materials!

Seventh-level spiritual materials are considered top-tier in the Cultivation World, containing the power of Dao, and are rare materials for refining Dao Treasures, capable of sparking fierce competition among high-level cultivators when outside.

"This one isn't here either. Where exactly is the Abyss Nether Stone?" he frowned slightly.

Despite feeling somewhat disappointed, Yuan Ming quickly settled his emotions.

In the next moment, he pointed at one of the spiritual materials, speaking to the elder with the green beard: "It will be this one."

What he pointed to was a three-foot-long round wooden stake.

This wooden stake was entirely black, glowing with a polished sheen, its surface adorned with layers of dark golden dragon scale-shaped patterns, appearing both mysterious and majestic.

The elder with the green beard looked at the item Yuan Ming pointed to, nodding slightly: "Are you certain you want this Black Gold Dao Wood?"

Yuan Ming nodded affirmatively: "Certain."

Though limited by his cultivation, unable to refine Dao Treasures, this seventh-level spiritual wood had a special use for him, intending to feed it to the World Tree to spur the growth of the Ten Thousand Wood Origin.

Upon hearing this, the elder with the green beard said no more, waving his sleeve as the round black wooden stake floated out, slowly flying towards Yuan Ming.

Yuan Ming reached out to catch the Black Gold Dao Wood, inspecting it closely, feeling a surge of joy within.

He sensed the tremendous spiritual power contained within this spiritual wood, knowing undeniably he had made the right choice.

Yuan Ming didn't continue climbing upwards but chose to sit cross-legged right there, planning to take a short rest.

He closed his eyes and, with a thought, sent the Black Gold Dao Wood into his body.

In his dantian, the roots of the Undying Tree quickly coiled around the Black Gold Dao Wood, began devouring frantically, absorbing spiritual wood essence rapidly, then transferring it to the World Tree.

As a seventh-level spiritual wood, the wood attribute spiritual power in the Black Gold Dao Wood was indeed vast.

As the abundant spiritual power continuously flooded into the World Tree, it again surged with vibrant vitality, and within moments, more than a dozen strands of Ten Thousand Wood Origin were condensed one after another.

The trunk of the Undying Tree also evolved once again, becoming sturdier and more robust, while the space occupied by the World Tree continued to expand, now taking up about fifty percent of the space.

Witnessing this, a gleam of happiness passed through Yuan Ming's heart.

So many Ten Thousand Wood Origins, once fully absorbed, could significantly enhance his physical body and mana.

However, this place wasn't suitable for peaceful cultivation due to the multitude of people, so he manipulated the Undying Tree's roots to embed into the Shura Palace, beginning quiet cultivation there.

Inside Shura Palace, a heap of Spirit Stones and several blood-red pills lay scattered on the ground.

These pills were Blood Origin Pills refined using the Shura Blood Devouring Map, containing extremely pure mana.

The roots of the Undying Tree enveloped these Spirit Stones and Blood Origin Pills, starting rapid recovery of mana and Qi Blood Power.