Chapter Twenty-Seven: A Different Staircase

For a moment, the atmosphere grew a bit awkward, but Su Daji secretly rejoiced in her heart: having her subordinates quarrel made them easier to manage. She also understood that Chen Hongxu’s actions were meant to assert authority, so she did not intervene. However, the lethal strike exchanged between Chen Fan and another left her somewhat astonished. Though it contained an element of surprise, it carried an air of profound mystery. Moreover, Chen Hongxu’s casual pinch seemed to radiate a faint aura of martial spirit, a sensation she could not ignore.

Now that the purpose was achieved, if Su Daji did not step forward to smooth things over, her status would be threatened. Setting aside the danger of actual fighting breaking out, mutual destruction would only bring headaches.

With a delicate smile, Su Daji placed a hand over her heart and approached, feigning fear. She bent slightly to lean her weight on Chen Hongxu, subtly entwining her arm with his to show closeness.

Naturally, Chen Hongxu would not allow her such familiarity. They were hardly acquainted, and he silently wished she wouldn’t pretend to be so intimate. He moved his foot slightly and raised his index finger in a gentle shake.

Su Daji bit her lip, wearing an expression of grievance, but Chen Hongxu ignored her entirely. Fan Caobao, on the other hand, laughed boisterously.

Having been polished in social graces and accustomed to the disdain of millions, Su Daji was unfazed by such minor matters. Her cheeks flushed only faintly—whether genuine or feigned, one could never tell.

She exhaled softly, choosing not to dwell on the incident. Neither of the two men before her were seduced by her charms: one bore the legacy of the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, endowed with the fiery golden eyes, an undeniable fact; the other was the reincarnation of a Valkyrie, not someone to provoke lightly.

Casting a glance at the awkward scene caused by her embarrassment, she cursed the scoundrels behind her inwardly. Outwardly, she assumed a solemn demeanor and said, “Actually, Jia Shan means no harm. He only fears others will imitate him and hesitate to ascend. Once everyone has scouted ahead, they can sit back and reap the rewards.”

Jia Shan, evidently the middle-aged man swiftly dispatched by Chen Fan and the other, was clearly cautious. Chen Hongxu sneered. “All of you are experts of your ranks. If my friend at the fourth rank can just wait and benefit without effort, then you all deserve your fate. Enough nonsense. Since we’re gathered here, everyone wants to ascend. Let’s set some rules.”

His commanding tone nearly overwhelmed Su Daji, who felt a dizzying rush. Gathering her composure, she smiled and said, “No rules. On the count of three, everyone steps forward together, one step at a time.”

Chen Hongxu and Fan Caobao were dumbfounded. Was this really how the leader intended to proceed?

Seeming to understand their thoughts, Su Daji shrugged helplessly and explained, “There are no records of this place. No one knows what dangers await. Let’s not take others for fools. If we’re going up, we all go together.”

Chen Hongxu was speechless—not because it was particularly wise, but because her tone resembled someone at a karaoke bar urging others to join in when one refuses, suggesting with a teasing grin, “Are you harboring ill intentions if you don’t join in?”

With no further objections, Su Daji finally breathed a sigh of relief. Holding the position of head honcho wasn’t as easy as it seemed.

The group discussed briefly which spots required caution, with the fifty-third step naturally being the focal point.

With focused minds, they began the ascent, wary and cautious. No one was willing to gamble with their lives. Chen Hongxu leapt alongside them onto the first step. Holding his breath, he surveyed the crowd. Seeing no unusual expressions, he relaxed and silently signaled to Fan Caobao that all was well.

Standing on the step, Chen Hongxu noticed it wasn’t as smooth and precise as it appeared from below. The uneven texture underfoot made him wonder if there were carved runes beneath.

Lowering his gaze to the step, its mist-like formation gave it a hazy appearance. Narrowing his eyes, he scrutinized carefully. Besides the carvings beneath his feet, he could discern nothing more.

Judging by the others’ expressions, no one else seemed aware of the inscriptions beneath.

Chen Hongxu looked at Fan Caobao with a puzzled glance. Fan Caobao, equally baffled, sent back an even more bewildered look.

“Looks like I’m the only one who can sense this. What could it be?” Chen Hongxu shook his head to suppress his curiosity. At Su Daji’s count of one, two, three, he sprang onto the second step.

His landing was identical to the first step—intentional. He focused on the tactile feedback beneath him and found it markedly different from the first level. Each step seemed to bear unique engravings.

Half his attention remained on Chen Hongxu, for if anyone here could understand the steps, it would be him—and no one else.

Noticing Chen Hongxu’s strange expression, Su Daji cautiously inquired, “Something wrong?”

Chen Hongxu glanced at her and shook his head. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to share; rather, what he sensed was invisible to the others and therefore useless to mention.

Su Daji didn’t believe him. She speculated he had discovered some advantage, her feelings a mix of envy and jealousy, prompting her to watch Chen Hongxu even more closely. Mimicking him, she closed her eyes and wiggled her feet, hoping to sense the mystery beneath.

Destined to gain nothing, destined to remain perplexed, Su Daji pondered for a moment but abandoned her efforts. Yet she no longer gave Chen Hongxu the leisure to study the steps in detail, hastening the group onward.

Chen Hongxu found her petty jealousy amusing. Though she urged everyone onward without pause after each leap, she was merely a titular leader. Her commands were not strictly enforced, so brief halts and bickering at each level allowed Chen Hongxu to keep feeling the carved markings.

After more than ten minutes of halting progress, they reached the fifty-second step, roughly halfway up. Here, the group hesitated. After all, someone had recently died on the step above.

Everyone braced themselves, determined not to move without understanding the cause.

Suddenly, a startled cry pierced the air, sending hearts pounding. The ambient spiritual energy grew chaotic, and the group was on high alert.

Moments passed without incident, but the one who cried out looked pale and shaken, pointing behind with a trembling finger. “The steps… the steps… are gone!”

Until then, everyone had focused forward, neglecting to observe what lay behind. Apart from the silent fourth-rank man watching Chen Hongxu and Fan Caobao, no one was there. With no threat behind, they only now realized that steps one through fifty-one had vanished.

Unlike the others, Chen Hongxu remained composed. Having sensed something odd about the steps earlier, he closed his eyes to feel the surroundings. The steps were still present—just invisible.

Eyes closed, he examined the environment. “Hmm,” he murmured softly, drawing little attention. Meanwhile, the group was in disarray.

The man who first noticed the vanishing steps clearly regretted his discovery. Ignoring warnings, he swore he would not play any deceitful tricks and, unwilling to linger, leapt into the air, intending to glide down and leave.

But his hope was futile. As he rose, an invisible barrier suddenly manifested—a shimmering membrane etched with countless runes. It enveloped him and exploded him into a mist of blood, though none could see or feel it.

Frowning, Chen Hongxu carefully studied the rune power. Many resembled the carvings he had felt beneath his feet.

If those remaining still did not realize this was the legendary Forbidden Air Domain, then their skills had been in vain. Such a sophisticated anti-aircraft barrier should exist only in myth, yet here it was, before their very eyes.

Fortunately, as long as they remained on the steps, no harm came to them. As the group scratched their heads, pondering how to break the deadlock, Chen Hongxu—who had been watching coldly—leapt up and stepped onto the fifty-third stair.

Hidden Sage 27 | Full text available for free | Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Unusual Staircase — Updated!