Meeting with Mr. Xu

With each step forward, a pressure like Mount Tai pressing down gathered from all around.

One step, two steps, three steps...

Chen Shuo's legs had already begun to tremble, sweat pouring down like rain. His body was bending under the mountain-like pressure.

Despite this, Chen Shuo still gritted his teeth and persevered, his eyes fixed firmly ahead at this moment.

No matter how difficult the path, he would face the challenge head-on.

It was this unshakeable determination that allowed him to take the fourth step.

"Boom!"

A thunderous roar struck deep into Chen Shuo's soul. This fourth step was no longer just a physical burden, but more a torment from within his spirit.

This was beyond Chen Shuo's expectations; he had never imagined that a Demon Hunter of the Legendary Realm would possess such power.

Not only could they manipulate the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, but they could also induce changes in the world around them.

This pressure, like great mountains pressing down, came from the changes in the spiritual energy of heaven and earth.

Taking another step upward, Chen Shuo's form was already swaying, the mental assault far surpassing ordinary physical torture.

If physical torture was a lake, then mental torture was an ocean.

Waves of mental attacks crashed over him like a tempest, each one causing Chen Shuo's spirit to tremble.

After several attempts to endure, Chen Shuo had reached his limit.

Another violent assault hit, and Chen Shuo felt a sweet taste in his throat.

"Puff!"

A mist of blood sprayed out, tracing an arc in the sky. At this moment, Chen Shuo finally couldn't hold on any longer.

He fell to one knee, his face ashen. This was the limit of his body. If he hadn't already reached the level of Demon Saint, with a physical strength far beyond the ordinary, he would have likely turned to ash under this powerful pressure long ago.

Chen Shuo revealed a bitter smile, wiping away the blood from the corner of his mouth with his hand. After a few dry coughs, he felt as if his lungs were about to explode.

The reason for his struggle was not just that he wasn't using his power to resist, but more importantly, he had to divide his attention to suppress his power from automatically defending him.

It was the combination of these two factors that made Chen Shuo suffer so much.

"Retreat. If you continue like this, you'll only turn to dust. Considering you're the son-in-law of the Su Family, I'll pretend I didn't see you. This is already a concession on my part."

Just as Chen Shuo was trying to stand up again, a deep and resonant voice came from all directions.

Chen Shuo knew this was Elder Xu's voice. He also understood that such defenses on the staircase were meant to discourage him from proceeding.

In this regard, Elder Xu wasn't as devoid of humanity as rumors suggested. This realization gave Chen Shuo a bit more confidence.

He believed that if he could successfully climb up, there would be hope for negotiation.

At least for now, the other party was aware of his identity. In the past, they would have surely killed him outright.

But even now, when he had almost lost the ability to resist, the other party still hadn't struck.

This indicated their attitude, and it was this small detail that gradually strengthened Chen Shuo's resolve.

Ignoring the other's words, Chen Shuo struggled to his feet on his own. With each upward movement, Chen Shuo could feel as if mountains were falling from the sky.

Each impact bent his back a little more.

But Chen Shuo didn't give up. For every inch he bent, he forced himself to straighten up twice as much.

Blood trickled steadily from the corner of Chen Shuo's mouth, soaking his clothes and wetting the steps.

"Why bother? Doing this will only lead to your demise."

The voice sounded again, this time with a hint of pity.

"I've made my choice, so I won't turn back!"

Chen Shuo roared out, and though weak, at this moment his voice was powerful and resolute.

This was his belief, this was his persistence.

Driven by his immense willpower, Chen Shuo once again stepped forward. One step, two steps...

With each step forward, Chen Shuo's expression twisted more, the powerful pressure further distorting his form.

"Give up, there won't be a good outcome..."

"Give up, you won't suffer if you give up..."

"Give up, the way back is always easier..."

Voices urging him to give up filled Chen Shuo's ears like demonic whispers, frantically surrounding him.

Chen Shuo clenched his teeth, his hands tightly fisted, nails digging into his flesh. Even as his skin split and flesh tore, Chen Shuo didn't loosen his grip one bit.

Once he had decided on something, no one could change it. No matter how many voices, how much persuasion, at this moment they all became things that strengthened Chen Shuo's resolve.

With his blood surging, Chen Shuo pressed forward relying solely on willpower.

Although each step made Chen Shuo's body struggle under the burden, even causing him to fall repeatedly, he never gave up or retreated.

After an unknown amount of time, Chen Shuo no longer had his handsome and dashing appearance. All that remained was a body covered in blood, clothes stained a brownish-purple red.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say he looked like a beggar from the outside world.

His sunken, darkened eyes stared blankly at the last step ahead. What should have been just twenty steps had taken him nearly two hours.

Finally, finally, it was the crucial moment of victory. As long as he took this last step, then... then everything would be successful.

Lying on the ground, Chen Shuo had lost all physical sensation and even the ability to move his body.

"Just one step, one step..."

Chen Shuo mumbled, his eyes unfocused. Even in this state, he still managed to take that final step through sheer force of will.

"A little bit, just a little bit more..."

Chen Shuo persevered, gritting his teeth. Blood oozed from the corner of his mouth. At this point, he couldn't see anything clearly, his vision obscured by blood and sweat.

Just as his foot touched down, his overstrained body finally gave out.

His vision went black, his body tilted, and he fell straight down.

Just as his face was about to hit the ground, a figure appeared where he was falling and caught him.

"Ah, this is fate!"

"Drip, drip, drip..."

After an unknown amount of time, Chen Shuo regained consciousness to the sound of dripping. Although his body felt heavy, he tried to sit up immediately.

The tearing pain throughout his body prevented him from moving even a little. After sucking in a cold breath, he was finally able to slowly open his heavy eyelids.

When he saw his surroundings again, he was a bit dazed.

He wasn't in the Su Family residence, but in his own room.

Right beside his bed, Su Xiyan was sleeping quietly, her head resting on the edge.

"What's going on? I... wasn't I at the Su Family house? How did I..." Chen Shuo tried hard to recall what had happened, but no matter how he tried to remember, his mind was blank. All he could recall was the scene of him struggling to climb those steps.