The fifth level.

Ou Yangming finally set foot on the fifth level but was rather excited because he was a level away from reaching the top, where he would complete the Testimony Path.

However, just as he placed his other foot on the fifth level, his face suddenly changed.

He could easily pass the fourth level without obstruction because his mental power was enough to overcome the restriction.

It was just like how Ou Yangming, who was only at Yin Grade Class One, could not have completed the first three levels by only depending on his own power. On the other hand, Ni Xueshu, who was at the peak of Yang Grade, or even Ni Jingtong the Supreme Great Ancestor, could pass those levels effortlessly.

That said, it was a rare sight, so it had never happened before.

The fifth level was different because it no longer tested one's mental power and potential, but one's spiritual will.

Therefore, Ou Yangming immediately felt a strong and irresistible weariness when he officially entered the fifth level.

The intense fatigue felt as though he had struggled between life and death for three days and three nights such that he did not have the opportunity to sit and rest at all.

It was fine if the feeling was able to make one pass out quickly, but on the contrary, Ou Yangming was extra conscious instead of feeling like wanting to faint.

He could feel the slightest change in his body, where the strong sleepiness quickly spread to every corner of his body, which really frightened him.

Ou Yangming took a deep breath and fixed his gaze on the flight of stairs in front of him. After going through the first few levels, he understood that he must not linger about during situations as such. Ou Yangming had to complete the steps as fast as he could to arrive at the next platform, or he would not withstand the exhaustion if it became stronger.

By taking difficult steps, Ou Yangming made his way up.

Although the gravity that was imposed on his body was not as exaggerated as it was during the third level, he rather withstood the unbearable pressure than staying a second longer on the fifth level.

Ou Yangming made an extremely wise choice because the longer he stayed on the fifth level, the more intense the weariness was, to the extent that he would collapse.

He charged forward while he still had remaining energy, and arrived roughly halfway after a brief moment. Nonetheless, it was then when he halted because he could not take even half a step forward anymore.

Ou Yangming came to a shocking realization that his endurance was already at its maximum.

It was a rather realistic feeling where the sleepiness from his bones had spread to every corner of his body. It was difficult for him to progress forward earlier, but it had become an issue for him to even stand still at that moment.

"Cough…"

Ou Yangming let out a few coughs, each time feeling like he was going to fall.

He vaguely realized that the lethargy was not really released from his body, but from his mind. Nevertheless, it was the exact reason he could not deal with it.

Ou Yangming could only passively receive the tiredness but had no way to resist it.

Besides, it was an exceptionally fearsome process to watch his body being worn away by the feeling, and it resulted in an unimaginable pressure on his mind and body. The pressure slowly turned into despair such that he could not resist it anymore.

Finally, Ou Yangming staggered and fell butt first to the ground.

Under the enormous pressure, the 16-year-old finally could not take it anymore.

The clear-headed feeling after having just fought the exhaustion was slowly fading away, and Ou Yangming's eyelids were struggling.

He knew once he completely shut his eyes, it would mean that he had given up on resisting, and could no longer continue on the Testimony Path. That being said, the pressure inflicted on his mental state was not something bearable for a teenager.

Ou Yangming did not feel guilty because he had given his all to make it this far.

However, a voice suddenly rang in his ears from deep in his heart.

In the beginning, it was an extremely soft voice that sounded similar to a chirp, but as Ou Yangming slowly closed his eyes, the voice became louder and finally echoed like thunder in his mind.

"Brother Ou, think about why you've come."

※※※※

"Ah, he can't walk past it…"

At the top of the tower, the six powerful cultivators lamented at the same time when they saw the luster that flashed.

Over the thousand years, there was something common in the martial artist who had attempted the fifth level on the Testimony Path.

Unless the martial artists crossed the fifth level in one breath, once they sat down, they would not stand up again.

In particular, these powerhouses who had passed the fifth level would turn pale at the mention of the pressure on one's mind due to the fatigue. If they had attempted it again, even Ni Jingtong dared not claim that he could complete it.

Hence, after seeing the change in the luster, which proved that Ou Yangming had fallen down on the fifth level, the elders only had one thought in their mind.

This was the end of the Testimony Path.

Ni Xueshu expressed slowly, "Great Ancestor, Ou Yangming failed to arrive at the sixth level, but since he made it to the fifth, it proves that he's indeed qualified to enter the forbidden area. That's… Enough."

"Ah, what a pity…" Ni Jingtong nodded and responded in regret.

"It's truly a pity." Another elder at the peak of Yang Grade agreed. "If the young fella is at least ten years older than he is now, perhaps he'll really pass the fifth level."

The fifth level tested one's mental stress and endurance.

Those with stronger endurance and ability to resist pressure could easily complete it.

Nonetheless, it was incredibly difficult for one to meet those requirements. Normally, a person would have to be steeled through worldly affairs and experience the ups and downs in life to have unshakable willpower.

Ni Xueshu and the other elders were already in Yang Grade Class One or Yin Grade Class Four when they walked the Testimony Path. Additionally, their body condition, age, and experience were already at the peak.

Only then could they be exceptionally strong-willed, and could overcome all difficulties to make it through the fifth level in one vigor.

While Ou Yangming was a rare genius, he was really too young. How could someone his age have experienced the fickleness of life? How could he have found a thought of his own where he would go on regardless of the cost?

In actuality, the fact that Ou Yangming had come this far, stepped on the fifth level's platform, and completed over half of the flight was praiseworthy as it was completely out of their expectations.

Nobody could outrage their conscience to reprimand him for the result he had achieved.

After all, the results of the countless geniuses in the Ni family over a thousand years proved how mighty Ou Yangming was.

He made it through half of the fifth level's flight of stairs, so how were his willpower and age less than satisfactory?

Ni Jingtong pondered silently as though he was hoping for something.

After a long time, Ni Xueshu asked carefully, "Great Ancestor, it has been quite long, and a considerable amount of resources are needed to maintain the Testimony Path. Since Ou Yangming is already qualified to enter the Chaos Cave, should we stop the formation?"

Ni Jingtong was stunned. He shook his head and could not help but laugh. "Heh, looks like I held out extravagant hope. It's true, how could a young child like him make it through the fifth level?"

"Great Ancestor, he might not be able to do it now, but we can give him another chance after ten years," Ni Xueshu replied with a smile.

The other four Ni family elders hesitated for a while before they nodded.

Even though Ou Yangming was not a Ni family disciple, and theoretically could not receive such a treatment, the clan would be struck by lightning if they did not find ways to rope in a talented person like him.

Ni Jingtong laughed and said, "Go ahead and do it, I'll take respon… Hey, wh-what's that?"

The other elders trembled as they turned to look and suddenly stood up as they were dumbfounded.

※※※※

Ni Xueming suddenly sighed below the tower. "He's done."

"What?" Ni Yinghong asked in shock.

Ni Xueming explained, "Look at the change in the luster, it shows that Ou Yangming has fallen on the fifth level."

The initially dazzling luster at the entrance had become so dim that it was faintly visible.

"What's the big deal about falling down? He can get up again!" Ni Yinghong knew that it was not as simple as that, but she pouted her lips because she did not want to concede.

Nevertheless, Ni Wangyang shook his head and said helplessly, "Yinghong, you have no idea. Once someone falls down on the fifth level, one will pass out. Unless he leaves the Testimony Path, he'll never wake up again."

Ni Yinghong was stunned. For some reason, her gut was twisting.

"Younger Sister, though Brother Ou didn't complete it, he made it to the fifth level. He's qualified to enter the forbidden area, so it was worthwhile," Ni Yunhong quickly comforted her.

Ni Yinghong forced a smile and remarked, "Ah, the young fella did a great job."

"It wasn't just a great job, it was terrifying!" Ni Xueming sighed. "Being in Yin Grade Class One, he completed the first three levels, and finished the fourth without any pressure. Hehe, he'll be preoccupied in the future."

"Yes, our clan won't let go of a talented person like him." Ni Wangyang grinned. "Perhaps we'll be a family in the future."

At the spur of the moment, Ni Yinghong's voice was heard, but it was shaking.

"Grandfather Xueming, Twelfth Uncle, is it true that one can't get up anymore after falling down on the fifth level?"

"That's right. Let's wait, Great Ancestor and the other elders will close the Testimony Path at any time now," Ni Wangyang answered first.

"But look…"

Everyone else was stupefied when they turned to look. The dim light had somehow lit up again like the red sun in the morning; it was filled with the hope of rising again.