Liu Xiuer had a strong premonition that he and Han Mo shared a master-disciple connection and that Han Mo would eventually be taken in by Hao Ren.
However, his intuition also told him that Han Mo had to ascend to the forty-ninth Heavenly Stair and complete the "Defy Heaven and Change Fate" trial before Hao Ren would consider him.
How could that be possible?
Liu Xiuer had himself climbed to the tenth Heavenly Stair and understood the terrifying power of the "Breath of the Dao" better than anyone.
A mortal body, without external aid, could at most reach the ninth Heavenly Stair.
Han Mo had now unprecedentedly reached the tenth Heavenly Stair, completing a "supernatural breakthrough."
To ascend any higher was absolutely impossible!
Well, perhaps not entirely absolute. The monkey had already climbed further. Not only had it climbed by itself, but it had also brought Yun Zhaozhao along.
After its "Spiritual Intelligence Stone Monkey" bloodline awakened to the third stage, the monkey had become incredibly powerful. It was already halfway beyond mortal, entering the ranks of divine beasts.
Relying on its extraordinary talent, the monkey had brought Yun Zhaozhao to the fifteenth Heavenly Stair and was even aiming for higher ones.
But the monkey was the monkey; it was incomparable to ordinary people!
Liu Xiuer still believed that Han Mo reaching the tenth Heavenly Stair was his limit and that he had no chance of going further.
I must secure this talent for my Master!
Liu Xiuer felt a inexplicable sense of mission!
My Master will be so happy if I do this!
As my Master's foremost disciple, I am truly dedicated and conscientious. Give myself a clap!
Liu Xiuer felt incredibly pleased with himself.
Inside the cave.
A system prompt sounded in Hao Ren's mind.
[Ding! Your foremost disciple "Liu Xiuer" has submitted a request to you, wishing for you to accept "Han Mo" as a disciple?]
Hao Ren
彡(—＿—；)彡
Speechless!
That Liu Xiuer, meddling where he shouldn't!
He had no intention of taking on any disciples!
Hao Ren wasn't surprised at all that Han Mo could ascend to the tenth Heavenly Stair.
It was a "Mortal Cultivating Immortality" novel, after all. Their willpower was absolutely top-notch, but he didn't want a disciple!
Unless Han Mo could obtain the little green bottle…
Just as Hao Ren was about to refuse, someone beat him to it.
"Senior Brother, as I am now, I am not yet worthy of becoming Master's disciple!"
Han Mo!
The person speaking was Han Mo!
Han Mo gritted his teeth, struggling to resist the gale-force winds. Every word he spoke felt like he was expending his last ounce of strength.
"Senior Brother, only after I ascend to the forty-ninth Heavenly Stair will I be qualified to become Master's disciple!"
Determined!
Resolute!
Never give up!
Seeing Han Mo's persistent struggle, Liu Xiuer's emotions surged, a warmth rushing to his heart, and his eyes welled up.
"Junior Brother Han, you, you… you can do it. I believe in you. Keep going!"
Originally, Liu Xiuer had wanted to persuade Han Mo to give up.
A mere mortal had absolutely no chance of reaching the forty-ninth Heavenly Stair.
However, upon meeting Han Mo's determined gaze, the "persuasion" he was about to utter wouldn't come out. Thousands of words turned into a simple "Keep going!"
Han Mo managed a forced smile, and in a low, hoarse voice, said,
"Thank you!"
After speaking, he turned and, without hesitation, continued his ascent of the Heavenly Stair!
Holy cow!
To strive for the impossible!
This spirit is truly admirable!
This is how we cultivators should be!
Everyone watching offered Han Mo looks of admiration.
Meanwhile, Hao Ren, inside the cave, was also greatly moved.
This Han Mo…
Hmm, if he could truly ascend to the forty-ninth Heavenly Stair, it wouldn't be entirely out of the question to consider him as a disciple!
Hao Ren's "hermitage heart" wavered for the first time under Han Mo's persistence.
The twelfth floor…
The thirteenth floor…
The fourteenth floor…
The fifteenth floor…
Slowly, Han Mo actually reached the fifteenth floor.
A miracle!
It was an absolute miracle!
Everyone cheered for Han Mo.
This was not due to any other factors, but purely out of admiration for Han Mo's "persistence"!
Han Mo was worthy of everyone's respect and cheers.
Every step he took involved enduring countless hardships and difficulties.
The gale-force winds formed by the "Breath of the Dao" grew increasingly fierce, and Han Mo's body was covered in countless scratches, large and small.
He could be blown away by the winds at any moment.
Yet, in this arduous environment, Han Mo persevered, upholding his "conviction."
"Ji ji ji…"
The monkey's eyes gleamed as it watched Han Mo, who had also reached the fifteenth Heavenly Stair.
Its chirps were filled with admiration.
Not bad, not bad at all. You're a good fellow!
Speaking of which, a good fellow like you, why would you want to foolishly pledge allegiance to that despicable, shameless, vulgar, and filthy fellow?
The monkey still "resented" Hao Ren!
If there was ever a chance, it would definitely pin Hao Ren to the ground and grind him, grind him, grind him as if the devil's steps…
Han Mo seemed to understand the meaning behind the little spiritual monkey king's chirps.
He, who had been looking down, suddenly raised his head, his eyes sharp, his gaze almost palpable, and glared fiercely at the little spiritual monkey king.
"Even though you are Master's pet, you cannot slander Master like this. This is the first and last time. If you dare to speak recklessly again, I will not let you off!"
The little spiritual monkey king was immediately enraged upon hearing this.
"Ji ji ji…"
You fellow, how impolite!
The monkey wanted to retort, but Han Mo paid it no mind, walking directly past it and resolutely attempting to ascend to the sixteenth Heavenly Stair.
Ignored?
How excessive!
The monkey was furious and decided to teach this little guy a lesson, when a gentle voice rang out.
"Little Ling, stop fooling around!"
In the little spiritual monkey king's arms, Yun Zhaozhao looked somewhat weak.
She was merely a mortal, without any acquired spiritual treasures or the protection of "fortune's power." By rights, she shouldn't have been able to reach the fifteenth Heavenly Stair.
All the way here, it was the monkey protecting Yun Zhaozhao, helping her resist most of the "Breath of the Dao."
At the fifteenth Heavenly Stair, the "Breath of the Dao" was too strong, and the gale-force winds howled fiercely.
Even with the little spiritual monkey king's protection, Yun Zhaozhao was starting to struggle.
Originally, the little spiritual monkey king had planned to continue ascending with Yun Zhaozhao, but unfortunately, the "Breath of the Dao" on the sixteenth floor was something Yun Zhaozhao simply couldn't withstand.
Ascending was impossible.
The monkey was unwilling to abandon Yun Zhaozhao.
Therefore, they were delayed at the fifteenth Heavenly Stair.
Yun Zhaozhao smiled gently and said to the little spiritual monkey king,
"Little Ling, this is a rare opportunity. You don't need to worry about me. Continue your ascent by yourself!"
"Ji ji ji…"
The monkey shook its head, indicating its unwillingness.
It would rather give up this opportunity than abandon Yun Zhaozhao.
"Little Ling!"
"Ji ji ji…"
Yun Zhaozhao was deeply touched. She and the little spiritual monkey king gazed at each other tenderly.
Dog food!
They were showering everyone with dog food!
The onlookers expressed their dissatisfaction. They had come to watch the ascent of the Heavenly Stair, not to be force-fed dog food!
Just then, a sudden change occurred!
Yun Zhaozhao suddenly pushed the little spiritual monkey king away and then voluntarily jumped off the Heavenly Stair.
"Little Ling, keep going!"