King of Ten Thousand Years

The Second-Layer of the Spirit Fighting Tower.

PSHFFT!

Luo Tian pointed a single finger. A streak of Star Trace Sword Qi flashed past, shattering the Fighting Spirit of the Fifth Layer of Meridian Opening.

Immediately, a cool, sharp, mysterious power surged into his body, cleansing his Qi Veins and physical form.

’The Fighting Spirit Qi on the Second-Layer is much stronger.’

Luo Tian felt the True Qi in his Qi Veins showing signs of further refinement.

The Fighting Spirit Qi was truly wondrous.

Although it couldn’t directly raise one’s Cultivation, it could refine one’s Essence, Qi, and Spirit, and solidify one’s foundation.

No wonder Master Lin had emphasized that he should challenge the Spirit Fighting Tower before advancing to the Seventh Layer; it wasn’t just for washing away the Demon Evil Qi.

At an unhurried pace, Luo Tian stepped onto the Third-Layer.

Almost at the same time, Yang Xi’s figure vanished from the Third-Layer with a WHOOSH, and he stepped onto the Fourth-Layer.

Luo Tian paid it no mind. ’I just need to climb my own tower. As long as I become a Golden Student in the end, speed doesn’t matter.’

SHIING!

With another streak of Star Trace Sword Qi, Luo Tian annihilated a Fighting Spirit comparable to the Sixth Layer of Meridian Opening.

’Huh!’

This time, Luo Tian noticed something.

The Fighting Spirit seemed to possess a degree of intelligence; sensing the threat of Luo Tian’s attack, it tried to dodge.

WHOOSH!

On the Third-Layer, an even denser Fighting Spirit Qi surged into Luo Tian’s body.

...

Outside the Spirit Fighting Tower.

The students all looked up, their eyes shining with focus.

Yang Xi’s speed in climbing the tower was astonishingly fast.

He had reached the Fourth-Layer in a single breath before his pace finally slowed.

Starting from the Fourth-Layer of the Spirit Fighting Tower, the difficulty increased dramatically.

Inside an Array Light Ring on the Fourth-Layer.

Yang Xi was hunting a Spiritual Martial Artist comparable to the Seventh Layer of Meridian Opening.

The Spiritual Martial Artist was extremely cunning, using an impressive Body Technique to maneuver and evade.

Moreover, the Spiritual Martial Artist was wearing a suit of Spirit Light Armor, equivalent to a Low Grade Defense Treasure.

PSHFFT!

Even after Yang Xi crippled one of its arms, the Spiritual Martial Artist desperately held on, continuing to skirmish.

’To think I’d run into a Fighting Spirit skilled in Body Technique and equipped with a Low Grade Treasure Artifact.’

Yang Xi looked displeased.

Although he would eventually crush it and win, it would delay his progress and drain his energy.

From the Fourth-Layer of the Spirit Fighting Tower onward, the Fighting Spirits not only had greatly increased intelligence, but they were also granted specific skills and even Treasure Artifacts.

Just then, Luo Tian leisurely stepped onto the Fourth-Layer, appearing in another Array Light Ring.

BZZZT!

A Fighting Spirit wielding a Treasure Artifact greatsword appeared before Luo Tian.

This Fighting Spirit specialized in Attack. Its Great Sword swung out, sending waves of sword energy surging toward Luo Tian.

’Its attack power is nearly at the Eighth Layer of Meridian Opening.’

Luo Tian’s expression changed slightly. This Fighting Spirit had higher intelligence, and its Defense and Body Technique were above average for its level. It had no obvious weaknesses.

PSHFFT!

The Star Trace Sword Qi that Luo Tian casually sent out was actually countered head-on by the Fighting Spirit, though it was injured in the process.

’Once you pass the Fourth-Layer, you can become a Silver Student. The difficulty really is immense.’

’I can’t let this kid catch up to me.’

Yang Xi’s expression darkened.

WHOOSH-BOOM! PSHFFT PSHFFT!

He activated all nine of his Qi Veins, slashing out a sharp, golden claw mark that descended in layers, annihilating the Fighting Spirit before him.

’Done! Two more levels to go.’

With a flicker of his body, Yang Xi shot into the Fifth-Layer.

CLANG!

Luo Tian drew his [Wind and Snow Sword] and unleashed several sharp, icy streaks of Star Trace Sword Qi, effortlessly reaping the Fighting Spirit before him.

WHOOSH!

A massive surge of Fighting Spirit Qi flooded into his body.

Luo Tian’s body trembled slightly. This surge of Fighting Spirit Qi was several times stronger than the previous ones.

Clearly, starting from the Fourth-Layer, while the difficulty increased, the quality of the Fighting Spirit Qi gained from passing the level also saw a qualitative leap.

WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH!

Under the cleansing of this Fighting Spirit Qi, the Demon Evil Qi in Luo Tian’s body was almost completely swept away.

Not only that,

Luo Tian felt the True Qi in his Qi Veins reach an ultimate state of purity, becoming incomparably refined and sharp.

Faintly, the membrane of his seventh energy meridian began to tremble.

If Luo Tian wished, he could break through his seventh energy meridian at any time and advance to the Seventh Layer of Meridian Opening.

After absorbing this massive amount of Fighting Spirit Qi,

Luo Tian stepped onto the Fifth-Layer.

This time, he faced a Fighting Spirit of the Eighth Layer of Meridian Opening.

BZZZT!

Inside the Array Light Ring, a burly Fighting Spirit appeared, exuding a powerful, oppressive aura.

It was a Body Refining Fighting Spirit!

POW!

Luo Tian had just steadied himself when the Fighting Spirit closed in like a cannonball, throwing a punch that erupted with terrifying, heart-stopping power.

How tyrannical was the physique and strength of a Body Refining Martial Artist at the Eighth Layer of Meridian Opening!

At first, Luo Tian was almost forced onto the defensive. Fortunately, his [Cloud Traveling Step] was exquisitely profound and nearing the Great Achievement Realm, allowing him to quickly turn the tables.

TING! PSHFFT! PSHFFT!

His [Wind and Snow Sword] left a series of bloody gashes on the Body Refining Fighting Spirit’s body.

If it had been an ordinary Eighth Layer of Meridian Opening opponent, he would have killed it long ago. But the Body Refining Fighting Spirit’s physique and defense were formidable, and it stubbornly resisted.

In another light ring on the Fifth-Layer.

Yang Xi was also dealing with a Body Refining Fighting Spirit, his True Qi erupting at full power as he fought with real fire.

Unlike Luo Tian, he didn’t have a Low Grade Elite Treasure Artifact. It took him considerable effort to successfully kill the Body Refining Fighting Spirit of the Eighth Layer of Meridian Opening.

’The Sixth-Layer!’

Yang Xi’s heart soared. He regulated his slightly ragged breathing and stepped toward the Sixth-Layer.

Chasing Stars and Catching the Moon!

Luo Tian activated his Divine Vein. The [Wind and Snow Sword] in his hand swung out, creating three successively stronger streaks of Star Trace Sword Light, drastically increasing his attack power.

PSHFFT! PSHFFT! PSHFFT!

Several bloody holes were pierced into the Body Refining Fighting Spirit of the Eighth Layer of Meridian Opening, and its body collapsed.

WHOOSH!

A surging wave of Fighting Spirit Qi shot into Luo Tian’s body.

In that instant,

the Demon Evil Qi in Luo Tian’s body was completely cleansed.

Even more astonishingly,

the quality and quantity of the True Qi in his Qi Veins reached their absolute peak, triggering a drastic change.

CRACK!

The membrane of his seventh energy meridian was stretched to its breaking point and ruptured! True Qi surged in like a bolt of lightning.

BOOM!

Luo Tian’s body jolted. He never expected to advance to the Seventh Layer of Meridian Opening at this critical moment.

It caught him completely off guard.

WHOOSH!

Luo Tian immediately sat down cross-legged, guiding his True Qi to open up his seventh energy meridian.

This was an unexpected development.

His Cultivation was already at the Peak of the Sixth Layer, and he could have broken through to the Seventh Layer of Meridian Opening at any time.

But Luo Tian had overlooked one factor.

This was his first time challenging the Spirit Fighting Tower, and he had cleared five layers in one go.

This led to him receiving a baptism of a massive amount of Fighting Spirit Qi in a short period.

On top of that, Luo Tian’s Cultivation had not yet broken through to the Seventh Layer, yet the Fifth-Layer corresponded to the Eighth Layer of Meridian Opening.

As a result, his True Qi was refined to its absolute limit, reaching a quality equivalent to—or even slightly surpassing—the Eighth Layer of Meridian Opening, causing it to spontaneously rush into his seventh energy meridian.

In the Martial Arts Realm,

this situation was an extremely rare Passive Promotion.

The principle behind it, to put it colloquially, was similar to how a man’s vital essence overflows when it becomes too full.

...

Outside the Spirit Fighting Tower.

A crowd of students all looked up to watch.

”Senior Yang Xi has reached the Sixth-Layer! He might become a Golden Student!”

Many students wore looks of anticipation.

At the Sun Chasing Holy Mansion,

the birth of every Golden Student was an arduous affair.

And right now,

they might be able to witness the birth of a new Golden Student.

Faintly, the crowd could hear the sounds of intense fighting from the Sixth-Layer, making their blood boil with excitement.

In contrast,

the Fifth-Layer where Luo Tian was located was silent.

After a moment,

Luo Tian was still on the Fifth-Layer.

”Heh, looks like that’s as far as Luo Tian can go. The Fifth-Layer pits you against a powerhouse among the Eighth Layer of Meridian Opening,” a Silver Student chuckled.

”He must be struggling desperately on the Fifth-Layer, right?”

”Number one on the Battle Merit Stele? I bet that ranking is full of hot air.”

A few students sneered.

From the moment they started climbing,

Yang Xi’s momentum had steadily suppressed Luo Tian’s.

Now,

the difference in their abilities was obvious!

BZZZT-WHOOSH!

Suddenly, on the higher Seventh-Layer of the Spirit Fighting Tower,

a flash of brilliant light spat out a Golden Student—it was Xie Lin.

”Senior Xie Lin.”

The students present greeted him respectfully.

The Spirit Fighting Tower could accommodate three challengers at a time.

This third person was none other than Xie Lin.

”Senior Xie Lin is so amazing. He often goes to the Sixth-Layer and Seventh-Layer to hone his Martial Skills.”

Some students expressed their heartfelt admiration.

Passing the Sixth-Layer of the Spirit Fighting Tower made one a Golden Student.

On the Seventh-Layer, one supposedly faced a Half-step Spirit Sea Realm Fighting Spirit, yet Xie Lin often went to these two floors to temper his Martial Skills.

”Who is challenging the Sixth-Layer?” Xie Lin asked.

”Reporting to Senior! It’s Yang Xi. He has broken through to the Ninth Layer of Meridian Opening,” several students replied.

”Challenging the Sixth-Layer right after breaking through to the Ninth Layer of Meridian Opening? Isn’t this Yang Xi a bit too impatient?”

Xie Lin frowned slightly.

Yang Xi had always been his subordinate.

Just then,

a handsome and slender Silver Student arrived before the Spirit Fighting Tower.

”Nangong Yu.”

All the students turned their gazes toward him.

Nangong Yu was also quite famous in the Silver Area.

On one hand, it was due to his profound background and powerful talent.

On the other hand, he was so handsome that it was hard not to notice him.

”Nangong Yu broke through to the Eighth Layer of Meridian Opening! His Cultivation speed is divine!” a Silver Student exclaimed in a low voice.

In fact,

it was because of Luo Tian’s Jade Spirit Blood that Nangong Yu had been able to take that step into the Eighth Layer of Meridian Opening so much faster.

WHOOSH!

Nangong Yu exuded a powerful aura as he flashed into the Spirit Fighting Tower.

’His True Qi is condensed and stable. He doesn’t look like someone who just broke through to the Eighth Layer.’

Xie Lin’s expression showed a hint of surprise.

’Perhaps this is a unique aspect of the Nangong Family’s Cultivation Technique.’

BZZZT-WHOOSH! WHOOSH!

After Nangong Yu entered the Spirit Fighting Tower, the levels began to light up one by one.

His speed was in no way inferior to Yang Xi’s.

It wasn’t until the Fourth-Layer that Nangong Yu’s pace slowed slightly.

Soon,

Nangong Yu broke through to the Fifth-Layer and began an intense battle with a Body Refining Fighting Spirit of the Eighth Layer of Meridian Opening.

’Him?’

In the midst of his battle, Nangong Yu saw Luo Tian sitting cross-legged not far away.

WHOOSH... POP!

Luo Tian guided the True Qi in his body, surging through his seventh energy meridian until it gradually stabilized.

Because it was a ”Passive Promotion,” his True Qi was of exceptionally high quality and his foundation was profound. He had opened more than twenty percent of his seventh energy meridian in one go.

WHOOSH!

Luo Tian finally stood up. Any further delay and he would be ejected by the Spirit Fighting Tower’s Array.

At the same time,

BANG! BANG! POW-CRACK!

Nangong Yu’s powerful assault battered the Body Refining Fighting Spirit of the Eighth Layer of Meridian Opening until it disintegrated. A stream of Fighting Spirit Qi surged into his body.

”You go ahead.”

Nangong Yu used the Fighting Spirit Qi to cleanse the residual Demon Evil Qi from the Jade Spirit Blood within him.

”Okay.”

Luo Tian said nothing more and stepped onto the Sixth-Layer.

A few breaths later,

Nangong Yu also stepped onto the Sixth-Layer.

BZZZT! BZZZT!

On the Sixth-Layer of the Spirit Fighting Tower, after Yang Xi had entered, two more Array Light Rings appeared one after the other.

”Huh?!”

The students outside the tower cried out in astonishment.

When the second Array Light Ring lit up on the Sixth-Layer, they thought it was Nangong Yu.

But then,

a third Array Light Ring lit up as well.

”Luo Tian actually made it to the Sixth-Layer too?”

”All three of them reached the Sixth-Layer?”

The students’ faces lit up with excitement.

Three people, all vying to become Golden Students at the same time.

A situation like this was a rare sight!

”Senior Xie, in your opinion, what are the chances of these three being promoted to Golden Student?”

A group of students asked for his opinion.

As a big shot in the Golden Area who honed his skills year-round on the Sixth and Seventh Layers, Xie Lin’s judgment was bound to be accurate.

”Yang Xi just broke through to the Ninth Layer. He has a forty to fifty percent chance,” Xie Lin said calmly.

”Nangong Yu... hmm, he has a twenty to thirty percent chance,” Xie Lin mused.

Nangong Yu actually had a thirty percent chance?

The students present were a little shocked.

Generally speaking, it was nearly impossible for someone at the Eighth Layer of Meridian Opening to challenge the Sixth-Layer of the Spirit Fighting Tower.

Even if you were a powerful Eighth Layer of Meridian Opening cultivator, just being able to contend with the Ninth Layer was already astonishing.

But passing the Sixth-Layer required defeating an opponent at the Ninth Layer of Meridian Opening. Merely contending with one wasn’t enough!

”What about Luo Tian? What are his chances?” a few students jeered with a laugh.

”Luo Tian?”

Xie Lin was so amused he couldn’t help but laugh.

”It would be a commendable feat if he can last for ten breaths.”

Xie Lin wasn’t looking down on Luo Tian; he was just stating his honest, relatively objective opinion.