Best Young Master

On the second day, many were still testing their physical strength and Divine Soul power, but Ye Fan didn’t go to watch, instead choosing to start seclusion cultivation in the cave attributed to him.

"I say, don’t go into seclusion yet. There’s bound to be a good show today. Yesterday was just a test of physical and Divine Soul power, but today someone’s sure to test their comprehensive strength. Don’t you want to know the results?" Hu Fei tried to pull Ye Fan along to join in the fun.

"No need, Hu Fei. Listen to me, no matter how strong others are, it’s theirs, not ours. Instead of envying a fish near the abyss, it’s better to retreat and weave a net. Steadfast cultivation is the key!"

Ye Fan truly wished for his friends to grow stronger. In an era where various geniuses and demons were rising, the future cultivation world would surely be filled with blood and strife. To survive in such chaos, strength was paramount.

This is a world where strength reigns supreme; only with great strength can one earn respect and the hope of survival. Otherwise, one is destined to be eliminated by this world.

"I’ll play for one more day, and tomorrow I’ll cultivate."

Hu Fei grinned cheekily, but his heart felt warm.

Because he knew Ye Fan meant well for him.

In this generation’s consciousness, many are not inferior to him in terms of strength or influence. To stand out, one must put in more effort than others.

"Suit yourself!"

Ye Fan went directly into seclusion, ignoring external happenings. Seeing so many geniuses filled him with a strong sense of crisis.

Such is the Immortal Academy, and the Imperial Academy is likely similar, perhaps even stronger.

After all, Imperial Academy recruits strong people from either the Di Clan or Holy Lands; at worst, direct lineage disciples from ancient, long-standing Gu Families.

In comparison to these people, he does not hold an advantage. He must redouble his efforts, using time to make up for his shortcomings.

One year later, the Immortal Academy and Imperial Academy will hold a so-called friendship meeting. In reality, it’s just a competition between the two academies’ disciples.

To call it a sparring match sounds better, but it’s more like the two major academies competing in secret to see whose disciples are superior, and a fight to the death is very likely.

By then, Ling Batian, the strongest heir of the Ling Family, and Qing Lian, sister of Qing Zi, will surely come looking for him.

While he is advancing, others are not idle either, so he has no time to waste. He must work hard to improve his realm and strength within this year.

Although Ye Fan did not go to watch at the Life and Death Tower, he could imagine it would certainly not be empty; many wanted to test their strength.

And indeed, except for a few indifferent people, both new and previous generations of disciples had come to the Life and Death Tower!

The Life and Death Tower stands in the center of the Ancient City at a large plaza, with the tower right in the middle, nine floors high and exuding ancient charm.

Before entering the Life and Death Tower, no one knew what perils lay within, and all were waiting.

Judging by the Heaven and Earth Bridge and Lake of Reincarnation, the Life and Death Tower wouldn’t lead to actual death. Passing through was considered passing, and if not, they wouldn’t end up dead inside. They would surely be teleported out.

"Doesn’t anyone want to try? Then I’ll see how this Life and Death Tower pushes me to the brink of death!" A young genius strode into the Life and Death Tower.

Under watchful eyes, the first floor soon lit up, emitting a faint glow; it was unclear if it meant the test had commenced or it was already passed.

A quarter of an hour later, the second floor also lit up, indicating he passed the first floor.

The entire tower has only one portal on the first floor, with no windows on the nine floors, and some strange creatures carved on it.

Hardly anyone could recognize what creatures were depicted, attributing them to what Xuan Beasts might look like after mutation.

If Ye Fan were present, he could certainly identify some of them, for there were carvings of legendary Divine Beasts and mutant beasts from Ancient Times, like the Five-clawed Golden Dragon, Taotie, Qiongqi, Pixiu, and Yazi.

With continuous exclamations from the crowd, four floors of the Life and Death Tower lit up, and the person still hadn’t emerged, astounding everyone!

You must know, the Life and Death Tower tests comprehensive combat power, not just simple Divine Soul or physical strength, so reaching this level is already impressive.

Bang!

As people discussed, a figure was ejected from the Life and Death Tower, revealed as the young genius who entered earlier. He was now in shambles, almost perishing.

Upon landing, he said nothing, sitting cross-legged on the ground to operate and heal, ignoring all questions.

"I’ll give it a try!"

Seeing no answers, a young man with sword-shaped brows and starry eyes stood up and walked straight into the Life and Death Tower, the door closing automatically.

An hour later, five layers of the Life and Death Tower lit up, and he was eventually ejected, exclaiming in terror with four words: "A thin line between life and death!"

Wow!

The crowd erupted in astonishment!

His strength was considered above average among the crowd, yet he only made it to the sixth layer before being kicked out.

The Life and Death Tower was too abnormal. People couldn’t help but complain internally; some who were eager to try backed off.

They wanted to test their strength but were unwilling to get injured, fearing that it would delay their cultivation and be counterproductive!

However, there were also some people who thought they should test their overall strength.

Hu Fei and Shi Ye, along with others, entered the test only to find themselves besieged by a group of strong people whose powers were quite similar to their own.

There were only two ways to pass the test: either quickly kill these people or endure until the time ran out, when they would disappear automatically.

Hu Fei managed to reach the fourth level before he couldn’t hold on any longer and nearly got killed in the Life and Death Tower, while Shi Ye persisted until the sixth level—his terrifying physical strength combined with the ancestral Stone Staff granted him a formidable presence that could disperse entire armies.

Jin Changgeng and the Ancient Saint both reached the fifth level and couldn’t help but curse the person who designed the Life and Death Tower as a pervert. Facing scores of strong people with similar strength on their own, getting through it felt like seeing a ghost!

"I seriously suspect that the Void Sky Illusion Realm of special training is likely just a replica of the Life and Death Tower, albeit a failed one."

"Makes sense, I strongly agree with your opinion. The two are very similar; the difference is one involves Xuan Beast and Demon Clan, while the other involves humans."

Jin Changgeng and Gu Hao, each supporting the other, gritted their teeth as they speculated.

The path to becoming a Great Emperor is paved with bones; whether it’s the Demon Clan or Human Race, collisions are unavoidable on this path, not something you wish or do not wish to see, but rather certainty.

"If one among us can prove Dao and succeed, we can rely on that person to take care of our descendants. I believe for ten thousand years, no one would dare offend our heirs!"

Hu Fei, not yet married, was already planning for his descendants, saying while putting his arm around Shi Ye’s shoulder.

"Speaking of which, bandit, what kind of woman do you plan to find as a wife?" Shi Ye asked with a smile.

"Why even ask? Of course, I’m looking for a top-grade beauty! I think the Holy Maiden of the Holy Land or Fairy from a long-established Gu Families, and Princess from an ancient Dynasty are all good choices."

Hu Fei ticked off options on his fingers one by one, causing faces to darken for Jin Changgeng and Gu Hao beside him.

Because Hu Fei considered both the Holy Maiden of the Treasure Pavilion and the Ancient Sacred Land as options.

After their testing, Qi Tianlin also arrived. Now wherever he went, many people surrounded him as if he were the bright moon among stars.

He proved his prowess with his strength in both the Heaven and Earth Bridge of Divine Soul Test and the Lake of Reincarnation in Physical Body Test, proving he was still the top disciple of the new batch.

At this moment, under the anticipation of the crowd, Qi Tianlin entered the Life and Death Tower, preparing to test his overall strength. No matter what, he aimed to create a miracle and completely eliminate the influence Ye Fan had left on him.

As time passed, the Life and Death Tower lit up layer by layer, illuminating seven levels, indicating he had passed through seven stages.

"Too disheartening!"

The onlookers couldn’t help but inwardly complain; being around such a demon made it hard to feel accomplished, as no matter how outstanding they were, Qi Tianlin overshadowed them, preventing them from standing out.

Nonetheless—

Being considered by the Immortal Academy still showed their resilience. Although feeling defeated, they grew stronger and did not lose heart.

At this moment, many secretly vowed to cultivate vigorously and aim for a day when they could surprise everyone.

Having just arrived at the Immortal Secret Realm, the crowd formed a competitive environment of ’you chase, I pursue,’ making Elder Lan Yingfei secretly breathe a sigh of relief as he observed in the shadows.

In such an environment, falling behind meant losing more resources and being inferior to others, which these prodigies could not accept.

Due to these reasons, without the need for Immortal Academy teachers or elders to urge them, they put their all into cultivation. Moreover, this place was very conducive to cultivation, with progress described as rapid.

Boom!

The eighth level finally lit up, and those who had tested knew all too well what this meant, shocking everyone, as passing the eighth level was incredibly daunting.

By Qi Tianlin’s current strength, not even disciples from previous sessions could rival him, causing them great discomfort.

"Look at him, and then think about us back then; it’s truly embarrassing!" Some older disciples who returned with contribution points shook their heads.

"Can he pass the ninth level?"

People eagerly awaited, and at this point, no one doubted Qi Tianlin’s status as the top of the new batch, whether it was the Heaven and Earth Bridge of Divine Soul Test or the Lake of Reincarnation in Physical Body Test, including the comprehensive Life and Death Tower test, Qi Tianlin showcased frightening strength.

He was only in the Mid-stage Divine Realm and had just recently entered it, yet was estimated to be able to challenge Late-stage and even Peak Divine Realm strong people.

Someone of his prowess, even placed in a long-established family clan, would be considered at elder level; yet he was only about twenty years old, making some older generation strong people feel incredible.

While people speculated, the entire Life and Death Tower suddenly shook violently, emanating a powerful aura that made the crowd’s hearts quiver.

Shortly after, a figure was ejected, with Qi Tianlin emerging from the Life and Death Tower covered in blood, his aura weak, nearly dying inside.

"Hiss~"

The crowd gasped!

In their eyes, even Qi Tianlin suffering such serious injuries meant that passing the ninth level of the Life and Death Tower was indeed very difficult!

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