Immortal Taoist

Wu Dao nodded, his face showing a smile, while Luo Mei and Luo Hao laughed, both commenting on the next step.

 

"Well, now that we've sorted out the gifts, how about we focus on our preparations? The thing I dislike is to be unprepared" Luo Mei said, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

 

Luo Hao clapped his hands together, his usual attitude returning. "Right! Let's make sure we're all ready. Wu Dao, you and I can spar a bit more later. Meng Lin, do you need any help with your preparations?"

 

Meng Lin shook her head. "I have everything I need for now. The gifts you all gave me will be of great help."

 

Luo Hao grinned and reached into his robe, taking out a small storage bag "Here! There are four communication talismans with our energy signature including senior sister Liu, feel free to use it when you want to talk to us"

 

Meng Lin accepted the bag with an understanding look"Thank you, Senior Brother Luo Hao" 

 

Luo Mei glanced around at the group. "We'll meet again in three days" 

 

Everyone agreed, and they began to disperse, each going to their respective places to continue their preparations. Meng Lin felt a sense of curiosity about the All Heaven Pagoda, however she felt it was wiser to go back to her villa.

 

***

Back in her villa, Meng Lin sat down in the middle of her bed, a storage bag in her hand, it was the one Luo Hao gave to her.

 

Inside it was not only the communication talismans, but multiple different talismans that each worked with varying levels of strength.

 

Meng Lin then took out the jade box from Luo Mei, from inside she took out a High Grade Scale Strengthening Pill and examined it. The pill radiated a faint glow, with a swirl in aura.

 

Swallowing the pill, Meng Lin felt a surge of energy coursing through her body. The pill's effects manifested quickly as her qi became agitated, passively gathering around her arms, Into a dense qi that took the shape of a clear white armor.

 

"So this is Armor, it's incredible," Meng Lin said, looking at her armored hand that radiated with a faint dangerous aura, her armor was formed from the usage of her main cultivation Method, the Elemental Convergence Method.

 

"With this, I don't have to utilize the fifth layer of the Black Tortoise Essence Art" Meng Lin mused as she remembered how unsightly she looked after using the cultivation method, she even felt that this armor was slightly stronger than her monstrous form.

 

She realized that she had underestimated high-grade pills, just one scale-strengthening pill was able to unlock her Armor, and it covered both her arms, she felt that eating the other two pills could cause her to cover most if not all her body with the armor.

 

And she didn't delay further. Meng Lin quickly consumed the second pill, feeling the rush of energy amplifying her Qi once more. Her entire body started to radiate, and the clear white armor extended from her arms to her chest, forming a protective shield around most of her torso.

 

She took a deep breath and swallowed the third pill. This time, the armor appeared over her legs before quickly stopping, forming an incomplete set of Armor around her body.

 

What she found intriguing was her robe, the Immortal Lotus Robe, it was as if stimulated by the armor, syncing with the qi flow and enhancing its protective properties. The robe shimmered, reflecting the light from her armor, and seemed to mold itself perfectly around the new protective layer.

 

Meng Lin took a moment to appreciate the transformation. Her body felt both powerful and dangerous. The combination of the Elemental Convergence Method and the high-grade pills had significantly enhanced her abilities.

 

She stood up and took a few steps, feeling the armor's weight and flexibility. It was surprisingly light and didn't restrict her movements at all. She practiced a few moves from the Celestial Moonlit Sword Art and still felt each movement fluid and precise. The armor was not restrictive at all. 

 

Meng Lin's eyes gleamed. Then, with renewed confidence she retracted the armor and began to meditate, focusing on clearing her mind.

 

After five hours Meng Lin opened her eyes and felt a deep sense of clarity and purpose. Her qi flowed more smoothly than ever before, harmonizing perfectly with her aura.

 

"I think it's time," Meng Lin whispered to herself. She stood up, her mind prepared for the challenge ahead. With a final check of her belongings, she left her villa and made her way to the 12 Pagodas.

 

As she approached the towering structures, she felt scrutinizing gazes of the Spiritual Imprints, each gaze slightly different from before, she walked to the All Heaven Pagoda which stood taller in contrast with the rest of the other pagodas.

 

The pagoda's exterior was adorned with intricate carvings and glowing runes that pulsed with mystical energy. It radiated an ancient aura and Meng Lin was unfamiliar with it.

 

She took a deep breath and stepped inside. The moment she crossed the threshold, she felt a shift in the atmosphere. Time and space seemed to have warped, and she found herself within an ethereal realm.

 

Before her stood a long, straight staircase that ascended endlessly into the heavens. Each step glowed faintly as if imbued with celestial energy. 

 

Meng Lin felt a strange sensation and looked down at herself, realizing her body was not present—only her soul had entered this realm. Her form was incorporeal and see-through.

 

She almost panicked as she felt a weakness that she had never felt before, furthermore, she couldn't feel her cultivation, it was as if she was reduced to a mere mortal.

 

She wondered about the mechanism of this pagoda, but she didn't stop to think before she took her first step.

 

Boom!!

 

Meng Lin felt a sudden tightness in her chest as her soul flickered, she felt an immense pressure descend on her, as if the weight of a mountain was bearing down on her. 

 

"Hah..."

 

Taking deep breaths and steadying herself, Meng Lin took another step, feeling the weight increase. 

 

"Hm" Meng Lin suddenly noticed something amidst the weight that was crushing on her soul, it had increased, her soul, the power in it had increased.

 

'So these steps temper the soul, it's perfect for Soul Wondering Realm cultivators', the benefits would be immense for those who could endure this trial.

 

Each step would strengthen her soul, enhancing her cultivation base with each step. With this realization, Meng Lin's determination solidified. 

 

She took another step, feeling the crushing pressure but also the subtle strengthening of her soul.

 

Step by step, Meng Lin ascended the staircase. Each step brought a new wave of pressure, each more intense than the last. By the twentieth step, she felt as if her very essence was being compressed. The pain was excruciating, but with each step, she could also feel her soul becoming more resilient, more powerful.

 

At the twenty-fifth step, her vision blurred, and her soul flickered dangerously, on the verge of collapse. She paused, gathering every ounce of her willpower. 

 

Her breathing was ragged and she felt disoriented, The qi around her pulsed as if responding to her struggle. She closed her eyes, focusing on the goal in her heart, 'to be free and unfettered'. Slowly, she took more steps.

 

Step!

 

Step!!

 

Step!!!

 

By the thirtieth step, Meng Lin's soul felt like it was being torn apart. The pressure was immense, she couldn't breathe, and it felt suffocating. But she refused to give in. She gritted her teeth, her body trembling with effort, her resolve hardened and her steps continued.

 

Boom

 

Boom!

 

Boom!!

 

Boom!!?

 

On the thirty-fifth step, Meng Lin heard a soul-shattering noise, looking down she could barely see the steps ahead, however, she knew her soul had a small crack, and her eyes were filled with exhaustion and overwhelming pressure. 

 

She had reached her limit but Meng Lin knew she didn't want to stop. She forced herself to take another step.

 

Crack!

 

Her body felt like it was being crushed by the entire world. Her soul flickered erratically as cracks spread all over her body.

 

She didn't know what would happen if her soul broke here but she refused to yield, now her sole goal was one more step.

 

A final burst of willpower took over her conscious and her mind was pushed to its absolute limits, her soul flickered dangerously as she raised her leg.

 

Boom!

 

She took a step, shaking from the pressure, her eyes gave way to cloudiness, her breaths stuck in her throat, not even able to gasp at the weight pressing down on her, it was immense, but she only had one thought in her head.

 

'I.. made it...' Meng Lin collapsed to her knees, her soul cracking more but still intact. She had reached a limit, but she had also pushed herself beyond it, a wide smile formed on her lips before she succumbed to darkness. 

 

****

 

Meng Lin's consciousness gradually returned, her soul feeling oddly rejuvenated despite the immense shock she had been through. She found herself lying on a smooth, glowing surface, an endless staircase still towering above her. 

 

The cracks in her soul had mended, replaced with an almost imperceptible strength, a thick resistance that she could sense but not yet fully comprehend.

 

She stood up slowly, taking a moment to gather her bearings, she realized that she was still on the steps, however, she didn't feel any pressure anymore.

 

Her surroundings had shifted subtly; the light was softer, the pressure nonexistent. A figure materialized in the air—a middle-aged lady with an old robe.

 

"Although you are weak, I admire your resilience," the lady spoke, her voice cold and apathetic. "You have passed the 36th step and so you will be rewarded accordingly" 

 

Meng Lin bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Senior. May I ask who you are?"

 

The middle-aged lady's gaze remained cold as she scrutinized Meng Lin. "I am but a spiritual imprint of the Star Sovereign Soul," she responded, her tone devoid of warmth.

 

Meng Lin's curiosity was piqued. "What did you mean by reward, what kind of reward?"

 

The lady's eyes gleamed cold. "That is for me to decide"

 

the woman raised her hand, where a small manual appeared, "As you have shown remarkable tenacity, I bestow upon you a technique of my own 'Stellar Soul Shield." This manual will teach you how to harness the power of your soul to create an incorporeal shield around your soul."

 

Meng Lin's eyes widened. 'Soul defense', she had completely not taken any precautions against soul attacks, she only now realized that.

 

She couldn't help but feel a sense of curiosity about this woman, she had been able to completely see through her weak point. "Thank you, Senior."

 

The spiritual imprint of the Star Sovereign Soul nodded. "Hm, this technique is closely connected to the power of your will and resilient, don't disappoint us."

 

With those words, the figure began to fade, leaving Meng Lin alone on the 36th step.