Soul Emperor Awakening

When he crushed the Token, a ray of light enveloped him and transported him outside the Cloud Ascension Tower. Regardless of whether the challenge was a success or failure, one had to crush the Token to be transported out, not just walk down the stairs.

Once he entered the attack range of those Iron Men, the door leading down had long been closed. Therefore, at most, one could recover some Elemental Power outside their range. Once combat was triggered, it was useless to hide anywhere.

That was why Elder Chen had set the rule that after the Fourth Layer, time was no longer limited, precisely to give challengers time to recover their Elemental Power. If they ran out of Elemental Power, it would be impossible to challenge any higher, no matter how strong they were.

"Look, the top of the Cloud Ascension Tower is lighting up!"

Someone with sharp eyes noticed the change instantly. The crowd looked up, and sure enough, the spire of the Cloud Ascension Tower was flashing with a bright light. Immediately after, Lin Xuan appeared in everyone’s line of sight.

"Elder Chen, I have successfully passed the Seventh Layer’s trial," Lin Xuan said with a calm smile. As his gaze shifted to Huang Ming, he saw the other’s face contort with rage.

"You really passed the Seventh Layer’s trial? But what happened before? How did you suddenly jump from the Fourth Layer to the Seventh Layer?" Elder Chen came over and asked.

"It’s because I entered the Asura trial. That’s why I was sent directly to the Seventh Layer," Lin Xuan answered truthfully. This wasn’t some kind of secret.

"The Asura trial? Is there really such a thing?" Elder Chen frowned, seemingly unconvinced.

’It seems no one has triggered the Asura trial for a long time, at least for seven or eight years. I can only say that not everyone has the strength to defeat the Red Venerable. And even if they did, they’d just continue climbing as soon as the time was up,’ Qing Liuyun remarked to him with a sigh.

’Speaking of which, is there no other way besides defeating the Red Venerable?’ Lin Xuan asked internally.

’Not exactly. At the very least, you have to completely defeat all the guardians on the layers up to and including the Red Venerable’s; otherwise, you can’t enter the Asura trial,’ Qing Liuyun said with a laugh. ’If you don’t pass the Asura trial, you can’t comprehend the Cyan Cloud Step at the top of the tower. That’s a rule I set myself. Think of it as a special kind of reward. Of course, if your Cultivation is high enough to join the ranks of the Core Disciples, you’ll still have a chance to learn it.’

Lin Xuan frowned. ’Those conditions are really harsh. Most people probably just wait until the gate opens and then slip up to the next floor. Who would bother to completely destroy those tough Iron Men?’ Only someone like Lin Xuan, who got addicted to the fight, would go that far.

’So, according to what you’re saying, even if I defeat the Seventh Layer, there’s no reward?’ Lin Xuan asked again.

’You definitely won’t get the Cyan Cloud Step, but if you can defeat the Golden Venerable on the Seventh Layer, you can join the Inner Hall on talent alone. You can consider that a reward,’ Qing Liuyun explained.

’No wonder Elder Chen spoke so decisively. It seems these are the rules set by those at the top.’ He figured that if someone could defeat the Seventh Layer, joining the Inner Hall with that level of strength wouldn’t be an issue. They would have reached the Peak of the Body Refining Stage, so they’d naturally be admitted with ease.

"Does Elder Chen not know about this? You have to defeat the Red Venerable to trigger the condition," Lin Xuan added.

"Defeat the Red Venerable?" Elder Chen was stunned, still finding it hard to believe.

"Hilarious! With your level of Cultivation, you can defeat the Red Venerable?" Huang Ming stepped forward at this moment, pointing at him and sneering. "I bet you’re lying. You must have used some crooked trick, or maybe there was a problem with your entrance. Otherwise, how could you suddenly jump to the Seventh Layer? Then you just stayed up there for a while and claimed to have passed the Seventh Layer? Do you really think the Cloud Ascension Tower is that easy to pass?"

He didn’t believe in Lin Xuan’s strength at all. If even Elder Chen didn’t know about it, it had to be bullshit! If Lin Xuan had ascended layer by layer, he would have been thoroughly convinced.

But a sudden jump to the Seventh Layer was something he couldn’t believe, especially since even Elder Chen had never encountered such a thing. To prove he passed just based on the light flashing from the Cloud Ascension Tower seemed far too sloppy.

Normally, when someone passed, the Cloud Ascension Tower would react by flashing wildly to confirm their success. But in Lin Xuan’s case, he had simply disappeared for half a day and then suddenly reappeared, making people highly suspicious that there was a problem with his specific trial entrance.

Lin Xuan’s expression darkened. ’This Huang Ming is really asking for a beating, opposing me at every turn. Is it necessary to look down on others so much just because you were born into a good family?’

"Then how would you like me to prove it?" Lin Xuan sneered.

"Simple. Fight me! If you can defeat me, it will prove you’re telling the truth!" Huang Ming said coldly, his arms crossed over his sword.

"Fight you?" Lin Xuan was taken aback. He hadn’t expected Huang Ming to make such an idiotic request. He himself could take on an Iron Man at the Peak of the Body Refining Stage, and could even withstand two of them for a short time. Given Huang Ming’s level, it would be an instant kill, especially now that he had broken through to the Eighth Layer of the Body Refining Stage—the same level as Huang Ming.

’These kids are hilarious, but this is also an oversight on Qingcheng Mansion’s part. The Asura trial is indeed different from the regular one, so it’s normal for them to be confused. But don’t worry. As long as you report it to the higher-ups and recite a few lines of the Cyan Cloud Step’s Heart Method, they will absolutely believe you. After all, it’s been a long time since anyone has passed,’ Qing Liuyun said with a helpless laugh. ’So, what do you want to do now?’

Lin Xuan answered Huang Ming with his actions. He looked at him and sneered, "No problem. But what’s in it for me?"

"What’s in it for you?" Huang Ming said coldly. "The prize, the Dragon Blood Pill, was already mine to begin with. If you win, not only will the Dragon Blood Pill be yours, but I’ll also give you a Spirit-Breaking Pill! How about that?"

A Spirit-Breaking Pill!

To the Huang Family, it wasn’t considered particularly precious, but to the others watching, it was priceless. Even the registration fee had pained them for days; a Spirit-Breaking Pill was an Elixir Pill they could never afford.

"I was waiting for you to say that!" Lin Xuan agreed immediately. "Then let’s make that the prize!"

He already had one Spirit-Breaking Pill, but the effect would be even more astonishing with two! The only issue was that the medicinal effect might be a bit too potent. Besides, even if he didn’t use it, he could sell it. The price of a Spirit-Breaking Pill was not low, and he could exchange it for a considerable amount of Solid Essence Pills or the like.

"And if you lose, how about you get the hell out of Qingcheng Mansion? Never join Qingcheng Mansion, ever!" The price Huang Ming proposed was extremely high.

"Huang Ming, he has already passed the trial. He has every right to join Qingcheng Mansion. That’s not something your wager can decide!" Elder Chen frowned. Although he didn’t know much about the Asura trial, Lin Xuan had genuinely passed the Third Layer, and his Willpower was extremely strong. He was a good disciple.

He didn’t want to miss out on such a promising disciple and was suddenly quite displeased with Huang Ming’s wager.

"Don’t worry. Even if you hadn’t said it, I wouldn’t have the face to stay here!" Lin Xuan wasn’t just saying this out of anger. He had truly passed the Seventh Layer. If he really lost to Huang Ming, it would undoubtedly be the same as admitting he was just bragging about passing the Seventh Layer. Even if he stayed in Qingcheng Mansion, his reputation would be ruined.

"Elder Chen, this time it wasn’t me who suggested it; he agreed to it himself," Huang Ming said with a sinister laugh. "How about you act as the referee for this match, Elder Chen?"

Although Elder Chen was displeased, he also wanted to see Lin Xuan’s true strength. If he really passed the Seventh Layer, would he have any reason to fear he couldn’t beat Huang Ming?

"Very well, I will be the referee," Elder Chen finally conceded.

Immediately, everyone spread out, clearing a space to serve as a dueling ring. Meanwhile, the trials in the Cloud Ascension Tower were still ongoing, making this feel like a sort of overtime match.

As Huang Ming and Lin Xuan stood some distance apart, Huang Ming looked at Lin Xuan and laughed sinisterly. "I’ll make you understand that this reward isn’t so easy to take! You want a Spirit-Breaking Pill? You can just get the hell out of Qingcheng Mansion!"

He simply couldn’t stand the sight of Lin Xuan. The Cloud Ascension Tower was just the fuse, perfectly timed to ignite this battle.

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