After another long half-day, the two finally climbed to the 999th step.

"ah!"

"Finally up! I feel like my legs don't even belong to me anymore!"

Xia Mu followed behind Ye Li.

The moment he came up, he collapsed to the ground.

"call!"

Ye Li was also panting heavily, his chest heaving like a bellows.

However, after going up to the last floor...

The oppressive force that had been pressing down on them suddenly receded like a tide.

At this moment, Ye Li felt completely relaxed.

"The energy should be able to be released now!"

Ye Li gently stroked his dantian, where the energy ball that was originally the size of a fist had been compressed into the size of a marble.

However, this does not mean that his energy has decreased; rather, it is as if his previously impure energy has been refined.

Once this energy is unleashed, its power will be far greater than when it was previously distributed throughout the body.

Ye Li tried to circulate his energy, and with a "boom," a purple-gold energy flame rose up, the flames rising three or four meters higher than before.

Within the flames, silver lightning darted and moved like dragons, crackling and popping intermittently, releasing a chilling aura.

"Now, even without the greatsword, I'm confident I can fight that woman in the fourth level!"

Ye Li pondered to himself.

Suddenly, a loud shout rang out from the palace, "How dare you! This is the abode of the gods; no one is allowed to act recklessly. Take back your energy!"

The sound, like a resounding bell, echoed outside the hall, making Ye Li's eardrums buzz.

As the shout fell, a huge shield crashed down from above the palace like a meteorite.

The shield was entirely black, covered with mysterious runes, and exuded a chilling sense of oppression.

Ye Li was startled and quickly dodged to the side, trying to avoid the huge shield flying towards him.

However, the shield seemed to possess some kind of guidance system.

It actually veered slightly during flight, but still crashed down towards the spot where Ye Li had dodged.

"Bang!"

Ye Li punched the shield.

The power of that punch was astonishing; it sent the shield flying.

At that moment, a figure descended from the sky.

He caught the shield that flew out of the way.

It landed on the ground.

The terrifying impact shattered the ice bricks laid on the ground.

Hearing the noise, Xia Mu quickly jumped up from the ground.

Standing aside, he kept a close eye on the person who appeared.

He was a burly, strong man with a muscle on his arm that was bigger than their heads.

His face was square, and his full beard stood up like steel needles.

He was wearing a striped tank top that showed off his muscular physique.

Using "broad shoulders and a thick waist" to describe this guy seems rather pale and inadequate.

"Wow, this guy is huge!" Xia Mu exclaimed. "Brother Ye, go for it! Take him down! I believe you can do it!"

Ye Li rolled her eyes at Xia Mu and said, "Why don't you go!"

We've already reached the top of the mountain.

When I entered, there was no sign of any checkpoints or similar barriers on the vortex gate.

The enormous creature in front of us is clearly a guard of this palace, responsible for watching over the gate.

Ye Li smiled and said, "It's a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding. We're new here and don't know the rules!"

Just then, the palace doors suddenly opened without warning, and a gentle voice came from inside: "Bron, let them in."

Upon hearing the order, the big guy nodded and replied, "Yes!" Then, he picked up his massive shield and stepped aside to make way.