"I once read ancient texts at the Sky Eagle Chamber of Commerce, which recorded information about the World Tree. In ancient times, the World Tree still existed between heaven and earth and was said to connect multiple realms. However, this tree is actually a Tree of Death, and any living being that approaches it will be drained dry. The absorbing effect of the stairway here stems from this ability of the World Tree," Xi Ying quickly explained.

"The World Tree has such an ability? But the bark and the segment of the trunk I obtained are not like that," Yuan Ming frowned and asked, confused.

"That's because the bark and trunk you got have already lost their vitality. This stairway was originally a dead object, but someone used a Forbidden to activate its vitality," Xi Ying pointed out the key to the problem sharply.

Hearing this, Yuan Ming nodded slowly, suddenly enlightened.

He remembered that as the bark of the World Tree in the upper world expanded on his Undying Tree, its root absorption ability also grew stronger, apparently for the same reason.

"I see, to isolate the absorbing force of the World Tree, can using another piece of World Tree bark work?" Yuan Ming suddenly thought of something and asked.

Xi Ying nodded slightly in affirmation. "Indeed, this is a unique method that only you can use."

With a thought, the Undying Tree in Yuan Ming's Dantian was summoned, and it began to tremble violently.

His legs gradually became covered with a faint azure light, and under its shroud, his once fleshy legs gradually took on the form of the World Tree.

At the moment this transformation was completed, Yuan Ming felt a sudden lightness underfoot, and the terrifying suction that had almost drained him just moments ago had diminished by more than ninety percent.

He was overjoyed, but the sudden change made him a bit unsteady, causing his body to stumble and almost fall. Fortunately, he reacted swiftly and braced his stance.

"Indeed, the World Tree can isolate the suction of these stairs," Yuan Ming thought to himself with delight. Without further hesitation, he fully energized his legs and accelerated his climb.

By now, Yuan Ming was no longer bound by the suction of the stairway, and the immense spatial pressure, under the power of his Undying Body, became insignificant.

His climbing speed increased suddenly. Though he could not move as effortlessly as Su Wu below, he was far beyond comparison with others, quickly widening the gap between him and Wu Yu and others.

The spectators below were all astonished. Master Tantai was full of surprise and then smiled wryly, saying, "That Wan Tianren has such hidden reserves; we lost justifiably..."

The trio of Long Hou also showed incredulous expressions, exchanging glances amongst themselves.

Sima Changqin, who was treating Tie Xuan, Shen Xiu, and the tall, big black Demon, also had a look of seriousness flash across his eyes.

The number of Yuan Ming's hidden tricks far exceeded his expectations, likely making him a formidable opponent.

Wu Yu looked at Yuan Ming's back complexly, starting to genuinely regret his earlier calculations.

While below, Su Wu's gaze was tightly fixed on Yuan Ming's legs, now transformed into the shape of the World Tree, with a flash of cold light in his eyes. He accelerated again, quickly catching up.

As the stairs got higher, the surrounding spatial pressure also increased significantly.

Yuan Ming had to fully engage his Undying Body, with his blood nearly boiling, emitting a pinkish mist around him.

He maintained an astonishing speed and was the first to ascend to the nine hundredth step.

At that moment, the old man with a green beard appeared in front of Yuan Ming, smiled, and said, "You have reached the nine hundred steps. For this level's reward, you can specifically request what you want."

"Request specifically? Does that mean I can ask for anything?" Yuan Ming asked.

The old man with a green beard nodded and smiled, "Almost. The wealth of the Three Realms Immortal Boat's collection is beyond your imagination. As long as you can name it, it's basically here. At worst, a similar substitute can be found."

His heart stirred as Yuan Ming tentatively asked, "Then if I ask for control of this Three Realms Immortal Boat?"

The old man's expression did not change in the slightest. He replied blandly, "That reward is only available after reaching the top."

Yuan Ming felt some disappointment at the words, but he understood that this was to be expected.

He no longer teased the old man with a green beard and said seriously, "I want the Abyss Nether Stone."

Hearing this request, the previously imperturbable old man with a green beard finally showed a look of surprise.

He gave Yuan Ming a deep look, then nodded and disappeared.

A few breaths later, the old man with a green beard reappeared and waved his sleeve.

A piece of azure light shot out, within which floated a palm-sized, oval stone, suspended in front of Yuan Ming.

It was a strange stone, entirely jet-black and covered with holes on its surface, emitting a profound coldness.

Wreaths of black mist traversed between all the holes on the stone surface, as if it had life.

"Indeed, it is the Abyss Nether Stone!" Yuan Ming felt a surge of joy and reached out to take the strange stone.

In the next moment, a strong chill penetrated through his Undying Body's hand and seeped into his bones.

The feeling was unusual, not truly bone-chilling, yet it made him shiver involuntarily.

Yuan Ming didn't linger further. After thanking the old man with a green beard, he stored it within the Stealing Heaven Tripod Space.

This Abyss Nether Stone was both the initial and most crucial purpose of him entering this Three Realms Immortal Boat space and wading through these troubled waters.

Inside the Stealing Heaven Tripod Space, Xi Ying had long been waiting.

After obtaining that precious Abyss Nether Stone, she immediately flew to the top of the majestic altar, gently activating the complex array at its peak, carefully inserting the Abyss Nether Stone into the corresponding groove.

Suddenly, light flowed on the altar like a reversing star river, dazzling and brilliant.

In the Stealing Heaven Tripod Space, earth-shaking changes occurred as if new life force had been injected, making it more lively and agile.

That White Jade Lotus Platform now emitted a soft and lustrous glow, and countless Desire Power light spots appeared around once more, like stars in the night sky, flickering with mysterious light.

Yuan Ming's main soul had long been waiting here. Seeing this scene, he unhesitatingly flew up and sat lightly on the White Jade Lotus Platform.

Those Desire Power light spots flocked to him, as if drawn by an invisible force.

Voices calling out resounded chaotically in Yuan Ming's ears, transforming into those exclusive titles for him.

"Master Yuan Ming..."

"Lord Nether Moon God..."

"My Lord..."

Yuan Ming was extremely excited. Through these Desire Powers, he finally restored contact with his believers.

He carefully distinguished these Desire Power light spots, finding that most were from overseas believers.

The Yunhuang Continent was too far away, and only a few people's Desire Power could be transmitted, but it was enough to comfort him.

At least, he finally reconnected with the Yunhuang Continent.

However, the situation was urgent at the moment, and Yuan Ming didn't have much time to communicate with the Yunhuang Continent believers to understand the situation there.

He attempted to use the Desire Power as an anchor to open a space channel to transmit items to his believers, but unfortunately, he failed.

"It seems that to fully restore the functions of the Stealing Heaven Tripod, it's necessary to find the Love Inquiry Heart Jade and Earth Element Stone." Yuan Ming thought to himself.

He quickly refocused, not staying here longer.

He understood that behind him, Su Wu was swiftly catching up, already surpassing the 600th level.

Yuan Ming didn't dare to relax or rest at all, needing to continue climbing with full force towards the summit of the stairs.

Thus, Yuan Ming once again urged his Undying Body, accelerating his climbing speed.

His figure dashed across the stairs, leaving behind trails of afterimages.

Now, there was only one thought in his heart, and that was to reach the summit as soon as possible.

However, when Yuan Ming crossed over the nine hundred steps, the pressure of the surrounding space instantly multiplied, as if invisible mountains were heavily pressing down on him, and the suction force from the stairs also significantly increased.

But the power of Yuan Ming's Undying Body was inherently formidable; after his legs transformed into the World Tree, they isolated ninety percent of the stair's suction, and he could still hold on.

Meanwhile, the anomalies in the sky became increasingly intense.

The void above seemed to be frantically stirred by invisible giant hands, forming countless turbulences and vortices.

In the roaring wind, dense Wind Blades poured down like a violent storm, slicing every inch of space, and sharp wind glows carved out cracks in the void as if trying to tear the whole world apart.

Accompanying the roaring wind was a deafening thunderclap.

Purple, cyan, gold, and silver hues of electric lights interwoven into a net, transforming into lightning-like Thunder Spears, frantically shooting downward.

The air was filled with a scorching scent as if the entire world was shrouded in a blanket of thunder and fire.

Then, a downpour of red rain with a strong corrosive aura descended from the sky.

This red rain splashed down like fresh blood, creating white smoke as it hit the stairs. The acrid smell spread in the air, causing a wave of discomfort.

Yuan Ming slightly furrowed his brows, noticing that the current trial differed from before.

Previously, the attacks in midair were of a single attribute, but now multiple attacks descended simultaneously.

He took a deep breath and fully activated the Primordial Dao Seal. Under his control, the Seven-Colored Vortex spun rapidly, unleashing an unparalleled suction force that absorbed all the attacks in the sky.

Yet as he continued ascending, reaching the 950th level, the wind and rain intensified again, with thunder endlessly rumbling, and all attacks becoming increasingly frenzied and powerful.

Even though Yuan Ming fully operated the Primordial Dao Seal, he gradually couldn't completely absorb these attacks.

Occasionally, Wind Blades, thunder, and red rain penetrated the Seven-Colored Vortex and fell on him, piercing blood holes and dissolving flesh in the attacks, exposing white bones.

Yuan Ming, however, was unfazed by this.

Relying on the incredibly strong recovery ability of his Undying Body, he resisted these offensive moves, persistently climbing upwards, though his speed had slowed significantly.

As if no matter how many challenges and obstacles lay ahead, nothing could stop his advancing steps.