In a place where no one could see, a massive amount of insights into the Five Elements Dao Laws flooded into Han Xuanji's mind through the System.
He could clearly perceive that among these insights, some interpreted the Laws of Fire with the essence of vitality, while others perceived it with the rhyme of destruction.
Similarly, there were also interpretations of the Laws of Water as an all-encompassing state...
In the insights of a few Prodigies, they had even touched upon the deepest understanding of the Five Elements cycle.
Han Xuanji was in no hurry to digest all twelve insights at once; instead, he stepped onto the ladder's steps, slowly experiencing one insight with each step.
All his focus was currently on comprehending the Five Elements Dao Laws and climbing the ladder. With every step, he actively channeled the Five Elements Dao Laws to merge with the pressure of the ladder's Laws, while simultaneously digesting a Five Elements insight rewarded by the System.
For others, climbing the Five Elements Heavenly Ladder was extremely stressful, and every step forward was difficult. But for Han Xuanji, his steps grew lighter. As he absorbed the first two insights, he felt the pressure around him lessen, and his previously obscure perception of the Five Elements Dao Laws became clear.
"Wait, he seems to be comprehending the Dao!"
An older Disciple cried out in surprise, his eyes filled with disbelief.
Comprehending the Dao!
Comprehending the Dao on the Five Elements Heavenly Ladder!
Everyone present knew exactly what this meant.
Han Xuanji not only was not trapped by the ladder's pressure, but he was also using the ladder's dao rhyme to rapidly comprehend the Dao of the Five Elements.
As soon as these words were spoken, the crowd erupted into a commotion.
"That's impossible, right? Comprehending the Dao on his first time on the ladder? What kind of Prodigy is this?"
"Could we be mistaken? Maybe it's just a coincidence?"
"A coincidence? Why don't you go up there and show me a 'coincidence' like that?"
The surrounding discussions gradually quieted down.
The looks of mockery and doubt were slowly replaced by surprise and disbelief. Many Five Elements Tower Disciples stopped talking and instead watched Han Xuanji's climb in silence; observing such a Prodigy comprehending the Dao was a rare opportunity. The bet between Wang Lin and Hun Hao had already attracted quite a bit of attention. Coupled with the word spreading among the many Five Elements Tower Disciples, many people were drawn over, feeling amazed as they watched Han Xuanji's steady pace.
"Another Prodigy has come to try. I wonder if he'll succeed."
Among the many Five Elements Tower Disciples, many had tried to brave the ladder but couldn't hold on past the first hundred steps. Yet Han Xuanji had now steadily reached the hundredth step, his expression still calm, and even his breathing wasn't the least bit disturbed.
"Yeah, the last person to do it was a Prodigy from a hundred years ago. It's said that person was extraordinary—a real big shot."
"Sigh, the trial left by the Ancestral Master is truly too difficult. We have brought shame to the Ancestral Master."
As everyone discussed, many Elders felt a pang of bitterness.
The Five Elements Tower Master was incredibly powerful, nearly unrivaled in the Eternal True God Realm, but none of their descendants had ever reached such a Realm; they were far too behind.
At this moment, Hun Hao's face gradually turned ugly. The sneer on his lips had long since vanished, replaced by solemnity and unease.
He stared intently at Han Xuanji's figure, thinking to himself:
"How is this possible? How can he step so easily?"
"Could the rumors be false?"
"Does he really have the strength of an S-Rank Prodigy?"
Hun Hao shook his head, still refusing to believe that Han Xuanji could truly clear the entire trial. After all, the Five Elements Heavenly Ladder had over three thousand steps, and the pressure only increased the further one went. Passing the first hundred steps wasn't that difficult; even he had passed three hundred steps.
However, at this rate, Han Xuanji would soon reach two hundred steps...
Hun Hao began to pray that Han Xuanji would slow down under the pressure, but Han Xuanji's pace didn't falter for a moment; instead, it accelerated.
Two hundred, three hundred, four hundred...
"H-How is this possible?"
An Inner Sect Disciple of the Five Elements Tower was the first to break the silence, his voice carrying unmistakable shock and even a slight tremble:
"The last time I braved the ladder, I only reached the three-hundredth step before the pressure of the Laws made my blood boil and even breathing difficult. He's actually reached the five-hundredth step, and so easily?"
A young Disciple rubbed his eyes, thinking he had misseen:
"And look... why is his pace getting faster and faster?"
Normally, the higher one goes on the Five Elements Heavenly Ladder, the greater the pressure, and the climber's steps should become increasingly heavy.
But Han Xuanji was the exact opposite. His first few steps were somewhat slow, but as he continued upward, he became more composed and skilled.
"Yeah! It's too ridiculous! This is no mediocre person who rose through connections as the rumors said; this is clearly a true Prodigy!"
Another Disciple followed suit, his eyes full of shock, even finding such rumors laughable:
"In the entire Five Elements Tower, there aren't many who have reached the five-hundredth step. By that logic, aren't we all trash?"
As Han Xuanji stepped onto the six-hundredth step.
Hun Hao's pupils constricted, and he was completely speechless, staring intently at the figure moving composedly on the ladder, his eyes filled with disbelief. He thought back to the first time he had tried the Five Elements Heavenly Ladder. That was three years ago. He had stepped onto the first step with full confidence, believing that with the foundation of a direct descendant of the Hun Family, even if he couldn't reach the top, he could still achieve a good result.
And the result?
He felt immense pressure at the three-hundredth step, was drenched in sweat by the three-hundred-and-eightieth, and was finally forced to give up at the three-hundred-and-ninetieth step.
That day, he had retreated from the ladder in a pathetic state, dripping with sweat.
And now, Han Xuanji had already surpassed his previous record, and he looked... as if he had no pressure at all. He suddenly remembered the bet he had made with Wang Lin. Naturally, Wang Lin couldn't have been betting that Han Xuanji would reach the top of the ladder and step onto the Five Elements Altar directly.
Instead, the bet was whether Han Xuanji could reach the one-thousand-eight-hundredth step. This was a watershed mark; without exception, anyone who could reach the one-thousand-eight-hundredth step was a Prodigy worthy of praise.
Furthermore, the Five Elements Heavenly Ladder mainly tested one's comprehension of the Five Elements Dao Laws; it didn't mean that was all he had.
The unease in Hun Hao's heart grew stronger, but even so, he still refused to accept the fact that Han Xuanji was stronger than him, muttering to himself in a tone of self-deception:
"It's fake... it's all fake! He must be faking his ease. Once he reaches the thousandth step, he'll definitely be unable to hold on. It must be so!"
Wang Lin stood right beside Hun Hao, seeing the panic on his face clearly. A curve formed at the corner of his mouth, and with a teasing tone, he deliberately raised his voice so those around them could hear:
"Brother Hun Hao, why aren't you speaking? Are you afraid?"
"Or are you feeling unwell? Do you want to go take a rest first?"