While Yuan Ming was silently making his selection, the others were also choosing their desired items, but soon, an urgent question arose among the crowd.

"Fellow Daoist Jie Cha, may I ask, what is the order for selecting rewards based on?" Master Tantai couldn't help but inquire.

"Naturally, it is based on the order of reaching the three hundredth step," Jie Cha replied calmly.

"Haha, everyone, then I won't hold back," Sima Changqin chuckled upon hearing this. He was the first to reach the three hundredth step, thus having the priority pick.

Ultimately, he chose a Spiritual Treasure named the Nine Heavens Phoenix Flute, which bore thirty-five runes and possessed formidable power.

Next was Wu Yu, who selected a Spiritual Treasure of the illusion type.

The Electric Roc King followed, also choosing a powerful Spiritual Treasure.

In everyone's eyes, compared to elixirs or spiritual materials, Spiritual Treasures were naturally more valuable. Even if one didn't need them, they could be exchanged for a huge amount of Spirit Stones.

During the previous climb, although the Dharma Manifestation Cultivators moved at a similar pace, there were still slight differences in speed. Those who ranked behind, watching treasures worth cities get picked by others, couldn't help but feel annoyed, regretting not having sped up before.

However, luckily, there were plenty of treasures on the light screen, so even those at the back could always pick something and not be too disadvantaged.

As the seventh Cultivator to reach the three hundredth step, it was finally Yuan Ming's turn to select a reward.

He had long made up his mind; he slightly raised his hand and, with a firm gaze, pointed to a spot on the light screen, saying, "I'll choose this Ten Thousand-Year Innate Bitter Bamboo."

At this remark, the surrounding Cultivators showed a trace of surprise.

In their eyes, although the Innate Bitter Bamboo was rare, due to its slow growth, its value to them at the Dharma manifestation stage was not as direct and significant as other spiritual materials or elixirs.

However, Jie Cha didn't pay much attention to these discussions. With a wave of his hand, a green Spirit Light emerged from his palm, gracefully tracing a path through the air like a green Spiritual Snake, finally landing in front of Yuan Ming.

The Spirit Light faded, revealing a stone box carved from white jade.

This stone box was simple and elegant, engraved with intricate patterns, emanating a mysterious aura.

Yuan Ming reached out, took the stone box, and gently opened the lid.

Inside lay a two-foot-long, forearm-thick verdant young bamboo segment.

Though small, the bamboo was full and robust, exuding a faint sense of life and vitality. Underneath the bamboo were roots, seemingly containing a boundless force of growth.

"Innate Bitter Bamboo? What kind of spiritual material is this? Why did you choose it with such certainty?" In the Stealing Heaven Tripod, Xi Ying's voice carried a hint of doubt and curiosity.

Yuan Ming chuckled, stored the stone box in the Stealing Heaven Tripod, handed it to Xi Ying, and explained, "This Innate Bitter Bamboo, though not much use to me now, has extraordinary significance for you. Its effect lies in assisting the breakthrough of Dharma manifestation, which is exactly what you need to enhance your chances of breaking through."

Xi Ying took the stone box, a complex look flashing in her eyes.

She could naturally feel the extraordinary nature of this Innate Bitter Bamboo, but she also understood that Yuan Ming's generosity in giving it to her stemmed from deep camaraderie and trust.

"Thank you." Xi Ying lowered her eyes and said softly.

Her voice was calm, but her tone revealed a hint of emotion.

Yuan Ming waved his hand dismissively, saying, "There's no need to be so formal between us. Your Dharma Manifestation Pill still lacks some auxiliary spiritual materials. I've already sent someone to gather them, and once this task is over, they should all be collected. Regarding this Innate Bitter Bamboo, don't rush to use it; I wish to ask Senior Xi Hezi if he could refine it into a Spiritual Treasure, which would give you better assurance in your breakthrough to the Dharma manifestation stage."

Saying this, Yuan Ming suddenly remembered something and continued, "Oh, Xi Ying, how's your Five Elements Child spirit pet doing? I recall it has a talent for cultivating Spirit Grass, perhaps it could help cultivate this Innate Bitter Bamboo?"

"The Five Elements Child is naturally adept at managing the Medicine Garden. Over these years, I've been nurturing him towards becoming a Spirit Plant Master, and he's made considerable progress. I'll ask him later if he can help cultivate this Innate Bitter Bamboo." Xi Ying blinked and said:

"Much appreciated." Yuan Ming nodded and said.

He already had a plan in mind; the Ten Thousand Wood Origin produced by the World Tree continuously had an astonishing effect on cultivating Spirit Plants.

If the Five Elements Child could use this Ten Thousand Wood Origin to cultivate the Innate Bitter Bamboo, it might greatly enhance its growth speed, thereby unleashing greater value.

Meanwhile, the other Dharma manifestation Cultivators, after selecting their rewards, also sat down cross-legged, closing their eyes to rest.

They knew the road ahead would be even more arduous, requiring every bit of time to rest and adjust their state.

An hour passed in the blink of an eye.

At this moment, all the Dharma Phase Cultivators awoke from contemplation and stood up.

In this short hour, everyone did their utmost to restore their Mana and energy.

Yuan Ming, aided by the Undying Tree, although unable to draw from the underground Spirit Vein here, the roots of the Undying Tree could directly draw Spiritual Power from Spirit Stones, allowing Mana to recover faster than anyone else.

As for Qi-Blood and Soul Power, though expended to some extent, they too had long been fully restored under the nurturing in the Stealing Heaven Tripod Space.

As everyone prepared to continue the ascent, Jie Cha's voice suddenly sounded, "Everyone, the upcoming trials will be much more difficult than before, and if you can't sustain, leave the stairs immediately to avoid harming your life."

Master Tantai hurriedly asked upon hearing this, "What do you mean by that, Fellow Daoist Jie Cha?"

Yet Jie Cha did not reply and merely disappeared in a blur, reappearing atop the altar just like before.

The people exchanged glances, a hint of solemnity flashing in their eyes.

But they did not retreat. Instead, they stepped onto the three hundred and first step, and their expressions shifted.

Yuan Ming also stepped onto the new level, and in an instant, a terrifying force suddenly descended upon his shoulders.

This force far surpassed any of the previous levels, and the suction from the staircase beneath his feet had also increased severalfold, seeming as if it would swallow him whole.

However, Yuan Ming showed not a hint of panic. In fact, he appeared somewhat delighted.

He understood that the difficulty of climbing had increased.

If the previous difficulty remained, perhaps everyone could easily reach the top, but now was the true test of strength and perseverance.

He immediately calmed and focused, activating fifty percent of his mana. His entire body glowed with spirit light, isolating the spatial pressure, continuing his steady progress.

At this moment, a thunderous crash echoed from the sky, and countless earth-yellow runes appeared out of thin air. As their brilliance circulated, a raging gale was stirred up.

Following this, countless grains of yellow sand descended from the sky, swept along with the gale, striking the people.

This yellow sand was as hard and sharp as golden iron, with each grain like a sharp blade, constantly slicing through their bodies.

A group of Dharma manifestation cultivators saw this and hastily cast spells to resist.

Yet, Yuan Ming seemed completely unaffected, continuing to stride forward, allowing the yellow sand to strike his body.

Though his body was battered with countless wounds, in the next instant, a flash of blood light swept across his surface, instantly restoring all the injuries as if they never existed.

"This is the Undying Body!"

Many on the stairs exclaimed in surprise when they saw this.

Though they had previously speculated, witnessing Yuan Ming emerge unscathed from the yellow sand filled their hearts with shock.

The trio of Long Hou felt the earth shake within them more profoundly, as they had guessed before that this "Wan Tianren" had already achieved the Undying Body. Now, seeing this, their suspicions were finally confirmed.

Sima Changqin narrowed his eyes, looked at Yuan Ming's back, clasped his hands in congratulation, and smiled, "So, Fellow Daoist Wan has already achieved the Undying Body. Truly commendable."

However, Yuan Ming seemed to have not heard his words, continuing to stride forward, leaving everyone far behind.

In this whirlwind of yellow sand, only Sima Changqin and Wu Yu were unaffected like Yuan Ming.

Behind Sima Changqin, an ancient zither resounded, forming invisible sound waves that kept the wind and sand at bay.

As for Wu Yu, she was shrouded in a layer of white light, transforming into a giant fox shadow, similarly isolating the wind and sand.

She gazed at Yuan Ming's back, her eyes filled with complexity.

Originally, she thought she had a chance to surpass Yuan Ming, but now it seemed, it was becoming increasingly difficult.

She couldn't help but feel some regret; if she had joined forces with Yuan Ming back then, perhaps the situation now would be completely different.

As for Yuan Ming, he seemed utterly oblivious to this, with only one goal in mind, which was to climb to the top of the altar.

He quickened his pace, leaving everyone far behind.

As time passed, the people behind gradually adapted to the onslaught of wind and sand. Using their cultivation and divine skills, they gradually stabilized their figures, starting to catch up with Yuan Ming at the front.

The raging wind and sand seemed to sense their resilience and did not persist for long, gradually dissipating to reveal a clear sky.

Just as everyone thought they could temporarily breathe a sigh of relief, a sudden explosion echoed from mid-air, deafeningly loud.

Following this, countless millstone-sized fireballs rained down from the sky, intensely and violently crashing towards the people below.

These fireballs contained terrifying temperatures, igniting the surrounding air into a sea of sweltering flames even before touching the ground.

Everyone quickly summoned their magic treasures, casting spells to form protective divine powers, defending against this abrupt fiery assault.

Behind Sima Changqin, an ancient zither resounded, spreading invisible sound waves to block the incoming fireballs. Wu Yu was shrouded in a layer of white light, forming a sturdy protective shield that kept the fireballs out.

However, within this fiery onslaught, Yuan Ming appeared particularly composed.

He didn't fully defend like the others but activated the Primordial Dao Seal within his Dantian. He fully understood the weakness of the Undying Body, yet this fiery attack was a rare training opportunity for him.

As he did so, a seven-colored mana vortex appeared above his head, shimmering brightly.

One after another, the gigantic fireballs smashed onto the steps, producing deafening explosions, and the entire staircase was transformed into a sea of fire, its scorching waves engulfing everyone.

Yuan Ming activated the Primordial Dao Seal, and the seven-colored mana vortex spun rapidly, emanating a horrifying force of tearing.

The nearby scorching fire waves hadn't even approached when they were drawn into the mana vortex, shredded and devoured, not causing him the slightest harm, instead enhancing the fire attribute mana within him considerably.