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Chapter 40: Entering the Illusionary Spirit Tower

Chapter 40: Entering the Illusionary Spirit Tower . . .

When people spoke of Lin Tiancheng's prowess in the Earth Rank, it wasn't in reference to his innate talent. In fact, Lin Tiancheng had participated in the advancement test for the fourth time, making him one of the few who had not yet advanced to the Heaven Rank, a source of considerable shame for him. Others knew better than to mention this in his presence, as it was a sensitive topic that could trigger his anger.

Ye Yuan's casual words, however, found the chink in Lin Tiancheng's armor. The senior apprentice brother's face underwent a visible change as he glared fiercely at Ye Yuan, accusing him of disrespecting his senior. Without hesitation, Lin Tiancheng gathered his essence energy and launched a palm strike toward Ye Yuan.

A resounding smash echoed, but it was Lin Tiancheng who was sent flying backward, struggling to regain his balance as he rolled on the ground. Bewildered, he demanded to know who had ambushed him, only to realize that the surrounding onlookers were regarding him with strange expressions.

It was then that Huyan Yong's stern voice cut through the air, causing Lin Tiancheng to involuntarily shudder. Facing the imposing teacher, Lin Tiancheng, gripped by fear, regretted his rash actions. Scolding Huyan Yong as a "bastard" was tantamount to courting disaster. Huyan Yong, being the test host, held immense influence, and crossing him could jeopardize Lin Tiancheng's future rank advancements.

"Sorry, Teacher Huyan. I didn't know it was you," Lin Tiancheng hastily apologized, beads of cold sweat forming on his forehead.

Expressionless, Huyan Yong admonished him, "The Illusionary Spirit Tower is the place for advancement tests. Taking action without my permission can disrupt other students' tests. Can you handle that responsibility?"

"Teacher Huyan, I . . . He . . . deliberately provoked me with words to incite my reaction!" Lin Tiancheng shifted the blame to Ye Yuan, not daring to incur Huyan Yong's displeasure.

"Senior Apprentice Brother Lin, do not falsely accuse good people. I was clearly extending good wishes for your test success, yet somehow, I seem to have provoked you into attacking me. Could it be that Senior Apprentice Brother Lin came here to participate in the Illusionary Spirit Tower's test but has no intention of advancing?" Ye Yuan feigned perplexity, wearing an exaggerated expression that left others skeptical.

Although Ye Yuan did wish Lin Tiancheng well in his test, the theatrics accompanying his words cast doubt on his sincerity. Unfortunately, Lin Tiancheng was oblivious to the fact that Ye Yuan had been invited by Huyan Yong for the test.

Despite the altercation being initiated by Lin Tiancheng, even if he was justified, Huyan Yong could not openly side with him.

"I witnessed the entire incident. From start to finish, you were the one mocking others. Do you think I, as the examiner, am easily deceived?" Huyan Yong's voice grew colder.

"N-no, I . . ."

"Remain here and do not move! Considering this is your first infraction, I will overlook it. However, any further violation of the rules, and I will revoke your assessment rights!"

Silenced and chastened, Lin Tiancheng moved aside to await further instructions.

After a brief wait, a gathering of around fifty students occurred. Huyan Yong reappeared, addressing the assembled students, "Now that everyone is present, I will soon lift the restrictions. The Illusionary Spirit Tower will automatically transport you to the corresponding test site based on your cultivation level. While many of you have undergone the advancement test previously, some of you are first-timers. Allow me to provide a brief overview."

Huyan Yong succinctly explained the key aspects of the Illusionary Spirit Tower, particularly for the benefit of Ye Yuan and Lu-er. Most participants had undergone the test before, except for the two newcomers.

Feeling the intricate layers of restrictions on the Illusionary Spirit Tower, Ye Yuan couldn't help but commend, "So, it's a 32-restriction Spirit Artifact. The Tranquil Cloud Sect indeed possesses remarkable capabilities."

To Ye Yuan, a 32-restriction Spirit Artifact held little significance. However, while its rank might not be lofty, the Illusionary Spirit Tower possessed unique characteristics that made it well-suited for the students' advancement testing.

Evidently crafted with a specific purpose, the Illusionary Spirit Tower seemed tailor-made by the Tranquil Cloud Sect for assessing students' ranks. It comprised five distinct regions: Entry Advancement, Yellow Rank Advancement, Black Rank Advancement, Earth Rank Advancement, and Heaven Rank Advancement.

Each of the first four regions corresponded to the respective student rankings at the Dan Wu Academy. Advancing through the Entry Advancement led to the Yellow Rank, and so forth. The Heaven Rank Advancement served as the Tranquil Cloud Sect's criterion for determining if Heaven rank students were qualified to join the sect, essentially functioning as a test for becoming outer-sect disciples.

The difficulty of the tests increased progressively across the five regions. By the Black Rank Advancement test, the challenges became notably formidable. Despite Lin Tiancheng's considerable talent, the Earth Rank Advancement test proved excessively challenging, leading to his repeated failures—a situation shared by numerous Earth Rank students.

As for the Heaven Rank Advancement test...

"I truly hope that one of you will be deemed qualified to participate in that test during your time at the Dan Wu Academy," Huyan Yong expressed to the students.

However, Huyan Yong's words elicited minimal reaction, indicating that the students were well aware of the daunting nature of the test. The emphasis on being 'qualified' rather than 'passing' implied that none of the present students would have the opportunity to attempt the test before graduating from the academy at the age of twenty. The test's difficulty was indeed a formidable hurdle.

Most of the students present were undertaking the Black Rank Advancement test—a crucial step for a Black Rank to ascend to the Earth Rank. A few were engaging in the Yellow Rank Advancement test and the Earth Rank Advancement test. Notably, Lu-er was the sole participant in the Entry Advancement test.

"The first time you enter the Illusionary Spirit Tower, you can partake in multiple rank advancement tests until you either fall in battle or voluntarily withdraw. Upon passing a test, you'll automatically proceed to the next one. There, you can decide whether to undergo the subsequent test or not. The Illusionary Spirit Tower will record the rank advancement test at which you were defeated. When you re-enter the tower, you'll resume from that rank. Now, enter the Illusionary Spirit Tower!" Huyan Yong's final remarks were clearly directed at Ye Yuan.

Approaching the Illusionary Spirit Tower's gate, Huyan Yong gestured with a half arc in front of him, releasing faint black essence energy into the structure. The gate opened gradually.

The students participating in the test filed in systematically, and upon entering the gate, they disappeared, evidently transported to their respective destinations by the Illusionary Spirit Tower.

When Lin Tiancheng's turn arrived, he shot a venomous glare at Ye Yuan and issued a parting threat, "If you can't advance to the Earth Rank, you will forever be trash! You're fortunate today with Teacher Huyan's assistance. Don't let me catch sight of you in the academy again, or you're dead!"

Unfazed by Lin Tiancheng's warning, Ye Yuan chuckled and turned to Lu-er, saying, "Lu-er, let's go in too."