Born as an ant, I was summoned to ascend to immortality.

Chapter 26 Two Hours

"Silence!" Elder Tan shouted, and the arena immediately fell silent.

But he knew that public anger had been aroused, and if it was not handled properly, the situation would be difficult to resolve.

Just then, a streak of azure light swept down from the sky and landed in front of everyone.

This man had a kind face and wore a simple Taoist robe. He had an ancient sword with pine-patterned decoration hanging at his waist. He was Chu Chengyun, the chief disciple of Xuanhong Zhenren.

"Senior Chu!" Jiang Xing was the first to bow.

Chu Chengyun nodded with a smile and turned to Elder Tan: "Senior Brother Tan, what's going on? The third test hasn't even started yet, why are you making such a fuss?"

When Elder Tan saw Chu Chengyun, how could he not know that Chu Chengyun was the one causing trouble behind the scenes?

Jiang Xing was a promising talent that Chu Chengyun had been cultivating for many years, and he was planning to make a name for himself in this major examination. However, Chu Chengyun had not given Jiang Xing a first-class rating in the first two examinations, which displeased him.

Moreover, Chu Chengyun was present when Yu Poluo arrived yesterday, yet he remained silent, only instructing his disciple to make trouble here in the Demon Suppression Realm under the watchful eyes of everyone. This was an attempt to use the power of the masses to suppress him, embarrass him, and make it impossible for him to explain himself to Yu Poluo.

Elder Tan, having served as a deacon for many years, knew that Jiang Xing had not met the standards for a Class A evaluation. Believing he hadn't done anything wrong, he scoffed, "Junior Brother Chu, why ask a question you already know the answer to?"

Chu Chengyun feigned surprise: "What do you mean by that, Senior Brother? When I was inspecting the Demon-Sealing Array just now, I sensed that the energy here was chaotic, so I rushed over. What exactly happened?"

Fan Ru knelt down with a thud: "Uncle-Master Chu, please see the truth! This disciple, Fan Ru, dares to report Elder Tan for favoritism, allowing those who haven't even crossed the Immortal Bridge to directly enter the third trial, thus violating the rules of our sect! I beg you, Uncle-Master, to uphold justice!"

His words were spoken with tears streaming down his face, deeply moving everyone present.

Chu Chengyun frowned slightly and looked at Elder Tan: "Senior Brother Tan, is this true?"

Elder Tan took a deep breath: "This child was recommended by Fellow Daoist Yu Poluo. Fellow Daoist Yu has many dealings with our sect, and this was an exception, which was also tacitly approved by Uncle-Master Xuanhong."

"Oh?" Chu Chengyun stroked his beard and pondered. "Master has his reasons. It's not that I'm trying to make things difficult for you, but with over two hundred eyes watching, if we don't give an explanation, it might discourage these seekers of the Dao."

These words were perfectly worded, both logical and presented as a difficult situation.

Elder Tan gritted his teeth: "Then, in Junior Brother Chu's opinion, what should we do?"

Before Chu Chengyun could speak, Fan Ru raised her voice again, "This disciple believes that he should immediately attempt to cross the Immortal Ascension Bridge! If he succeeds, he will naturally be qualified to participate in the third trial; if he fails, he should be expelled from the mountain!"

Everyone echoed this sentiment.

Chu Chengyun looked at Elder Tan with difficulty, "Senior Brother Tan, you see... it's hard to go against the will of the people."

Elder Tan was furious. How could he not know that Chu Chengyun was plotting something?

Crossing the Immortal Bridge is no ordinary test of spiritual roots; it is a comprehensive test of one's character and perseverance. It can take anywhere from a few hours to several days. By the time Zhou Li returns from crossing the bridge, the Demon Suppression Realm will have already closed. The sect would not reopen the Demon Suppression Realm for the sake of a single disciple.

However, if Zhou Li were to participate in the third test despite the public outrage, he would certainly not be able to gain a foothold in the sect in the future, and no master would be willing to accept him.

Regardless of the reason, Elder Tan will have to break his promise to Yupoluo.

Just as Elder Tan was caught in a dilemma, a calm voice rang out:

"Why go through all that trouble?"

Zhou Li stepped out of the crowd, bowed to Elder Tan and Chu Chengyun, and then turned to face the seekers of the Dao.

Then everyone remembered that the real protagonist of the day hadn't said a word.

"What you all say makes sense. The clan rules cannot be abolished." Zhou Li's tone was calm, as if he were talking about a trivial matter. "Since you want me to cross the bridge, then I will go. It's not a difficult thing."

The room fell silent upon hearing this.

It's not a difficult thing.

Xia Minghui said urgently, "Brother Zhou, you mustn't! Do you know how troublesome the Immortal-Asking Bridge is..."

Zhou Li smiled and said, "It's alright, I'll be right back."

Are you going and coming right back?

A hint of mockery flashed in Chu Chengyun's eyes, but his face showed concern: "Young friend Zhou, you may not know, but the Immortal Ascension Bridge is a test of one's character. The speed is determined by one's will, not by human effort. It's already 9:45 AM, and the third test will end at 1:30 PM. All told, you only have two hours. Subtract one hour for travel, and you only have one hour to cross the bridge... Can you manage?"

All eyes were on Jiang Xing, because he had crossed the Immortal Bridge in just one hour, which was the best result in a hundred years.

Jiang Xing immediately replied modestly, "Senior Chu, since this Fellow Daoist Zhou was recommended by a highly skilled person, he must be capable. He might be able to cross the bridge in an hour."

Chu Chengyun looked troubled and turned to Elder Tan: "Senior Brother Tan, what do you think of this..."

Elder Tan was so angry that his beard and hair stood on end. Even though Zhou Li had crossed the Immortal-Asking Bridge in an hour, the third test was already coming to an end, leaving Zhou Li no time to comprehend the Dao.

Moreover, by then Zhou Li would surely be exhausted. Even if he managed to pass the third test, how could he possibly attain enlightenment again? Wouldn't he still be forced to leave the mountain?

Zhou Li watched all of this quietly, his mind clear as a mirror.

Chu Chengyun had a past grudge against Elder Tan, Fan Ru was a henchman acting under orders, Jiang Xing was pushing Chu Chengyun along, and most of these seekers were just a mob that had been incited.

"Whether it will work or not, we'll find out soon enough." Zhou Li turned to Elder Tan, "Elder Tan, please arrange for a flying boat to take this disciple to the Immortal Inquiry Bridge."

Looking into his calm eyes, Elder Tan felt a sense of peace in his heart for some reason.

He sighed softly, then gritted his teeth and said, "Fine! I'll lend you my magic weapon, the Flying Cloud Shuttle, to shorten your journey by another half an hour. Whether you can make it back in time depends on your luck. Where is Wang Jian?"

A Taoist priest stepped forward in response; he was the same one who had led Zhou Li to the bamboo hut yesterday.

"You will use the Flying Cloud Shuttle to deliver Zhou Li to the Immortal-Asking Bridge!" Elder Tan tossed out a jade token. "Hold this order and proceed without delay!"

"Yes!" Wang Jian bowed and accepted the order.

Chu Chengyun suddenly said, "Wait."

He walked up to Zhou Li and gave him a deep look: "Young friend Zhou, since you are so confident, I will make a bet with you. If you can cross the bridge and return within two hours, I will personally petition my master to make an exception and extend the third test by half an hour."

He paused, his voice turning cold: "But if you don't return within two hours, it will prove that everything you just said was nonsense. At that time, not only will you have to leave the mountain, but I will also report Elder Tan's favoritism to our master, and he will be dealt with according to the sect rules."

These words were extremely ruthless; not only did they want Zhou Li to get out, but they also wanted to use this opportunity to bring down Elder Tan.

Elder Tan's face turned ashen: "Chu Chengyun, don't push your luck!"

Zhou Li bowed to Chu Chengyun and said, "I accept Senior Chu's conditions, but I also have a request."

"speak."

"If the disciple returns on time, there is no need to extend the third test. Senior Chu only needs to apologize to Elder Tan in front of everyone," Zhou Li said calmly. "Elder Tan has worked hard for the sect and should not be slandered like this."

A cold glint flashed in Chu Chengyun's eyes, then he laughed and said, "Fine! If you can really do it, what harm is there in me apologizing?"

He simply did not believe that the Zhou rites could be established.

The bridge to the immortals has a thousand steps, each step a test of one's character. The more anxious you are, the less likely you are to get through it. This young man is either a madman or a fool.

Zhou Li said no more, nodded to Elder Tan and the Xia siblings, and left with Wang Jian.