Chapter 24: Storming the Illusion Demon Tower, Can I Reach the Rankings?

"To have made the rankings only a few days after joining the sect, and to be within the top thousand at that... that is truly impressive."

Li Wudao clicked his tongue in slight astonishment. It was not just the girl’s ranking that surprised him, but the meteoric rise of her cultivation. If he recalled correctly, she had only just reached the early stage of the Blood-Moving Realm on the day she entered the sect. In just half a month, she had broken through four minor realms in succession!

Is this the demeanor of a Great Emperor? It’s terrifying! Such a speed of advancement made even Li Wudao, a cheater, feel a sense of shame. He hadn't been slacking off lately; he had consumed hundreds of medicinal pills, yet he had only just reached the peak of the Blood-Moving Realm. Of course, the slow progress of his Sacred Physique played a part; otherwise, he might have kept pace.

Just as he was lost in thought, two inner disciples approached. They seemed to recognize him, their tones filled with surprise.

"Wait, isn't this Brother Li, who is ranked second?"
"It really is Brother Li!"

Hearing this, Li Wudao turned to look. He had some impression of the two. One was Qiu Zishi, ranked tenth, and the other was Wang Zhao, ranked eighth.

"Are you two also here to challenge the Phantom Demon Tower?" Li Wudao struck up a conversation.

"Brother Li is right. In fact, this is already our second time here today," Qiu Zishi said with a smile.

"Oh? I wonder which floor you reached, Brother Qiu? Did you make the rankings?" Li Wudao’s eyes flashed.

[Name: Qiu Zishi]
[Age: 17]
[Realm: Mid-stage Blood-Moving Realm]
[Talent: Profound Grade, Medium]
[Special Physique: Wood Spirit Body]
[Luck: Heaven Grade, High]
[Evaluation: Possesses a Wood Spirit Body. If he achieves some success in wood-attribute techniques, he is a humble person worth befriending.]

Li Wudao nodded inwardly. Although this person's base talent was average, he possessed a spirit body; if he chose the right path, he could achieve something in the future. Moreover, he seemed to have good character; it might be worth investing in him when the opportunity arose.

"It’s embarrassing to say, but after a fierce battle lasting the time it takes to burn an incense stick, I managed to clear the seventh floor by luck," Qiu Zishi said, scratching his head. He then added with a touch of awkwardness, "Brother Li might not know this, but the Xuantian Ranking is not easy to climb. I am far behind the geniuses on the list."

"Indeed. There is not a single mediocre person on the Xuantian Ranking; one has to admit defeat when it's due," Wang Zhao agreed earnestly.

He and Qiu Zishi were at a similar realm and had comparable combat strength, both having cleared the seventh floor, though he had come out a little earlier. Previously, he had thought that becoming an inner disciple meant he was a dragon among men. But after challenging the Phantom Demon Tower, he realized there was always someone better, and a sky beyond the sky. His prideful strength hadn't even been enough to make the list.

Li Wudao’s gaze fell upon the young man.

[Name: Wang Zhao]
[Age: 17]
[Realm: Mid-stage Blood-Moving Realm]
[Talent: Profound Grade, High]
[Special Physique: Fire Spirit Body]
[Luck: Yellow Grade, Medium]
[Evaluation: Strong-willed and hates evil with a passion. There is a great tribulation in his fate; if he overcomes it, his future path will be smooth.]
[Recent Events: Failed to clear the Phantom Demon Tower, state of mind damaged, doubting life.]

"Another spirit body..." Li Wudao’s eyes widened. How could a casual chat result in meeting two people with special physiques? One was a Wood Spirit Body, the other a Fire Spirit Body—a perfect wood-fire combination. However, this youngster’s luck seemed to have a problem. It was only Yellow Grade, Medium? And what did the system mean by the specifically noted "great tribulation"?

Li Wudao couldn't figure it out, so he simply stopped thinking about it. In short, both men were excellent targets for investment.

"I am curious, how is the ranking for the Xuantian Ranking determined? What is the basis for making the list?" Li Wudao asked.

Disciples under the age of thirty all had the opportunity to challenge the tower, but only three had made the list in the last hundred years. Logically, disciples with higher realms should clear more floors, but Jiang Churan, with only the strength of the Blood-Moving Realm, had not only made the list but was ranked 999th. This was clearly problematic.

"Haha, we had the same question at first..." Qiu Zishi explained enthusiastically. "The way it works is that challengers must hold an identity token. Once they enter, the Tower Spirit closely monitors their movements to ensure safety and record their results. After the challenge ends, the Tower Spirit compares the challenger with those already on the list, evaluating them based on various factors. If they surpass the existing records, they squeeze onto the list, and it is announced to the entire sect as a sign of glory!"

"There are four main criteria: age, realm, floors cleared, and time taken. Lower age gives a higher score, higher realm gives a higher score, more floors give a higher score, and less time gives a higher score." Qiu Zishi sighed softly. "To put it plainly, this Xuantian Ranking is a potential ranking. Those who make it are true geniuses; it is a means for the sect to screen for prodigies."

Li Wudao understood. No wonder Jiang Churan was able to make the list so quickly. In terms of talent and potential, it was likely that no one in the history of the Xuantian Sect could surpass her. After all, she was a future Empress; invincibility within her own realm and fighting across levels were routine for her—it was perfectly normal.

"I wonder if I can make the Xuantian Ranking with my current strength?" Li Wudao felt a sense of anticipation. Originally, he had only come to challenge the tower for fun, but now, a strange sense of competitiveness had arisen. He wondered, compared to the young future Empress, who was stronger?

"Excuse me, I'm going to challenge the tower now," Li Wudao said, bidding the two farewell and walking toward the Phantom Demon Tower.

"Good luck, Brother Li!" Qiu Zishi cheered. After the youth entered the tower, he teased, "Old Wang, how many floors do you think Brother Li can clear?"

"Brother Li has extraordinary aptitude and superb comprehension. He is definitely stronger than us. I feel the eighth floor shouldn't be a problem, and he might have a chance at the ninth, though that will likely be difficult," Wang Zhao analyzed, stroking his chin.

Although they were at the tail end of the top ten inner disciples when they joined, their combat power was likely higher. Both he and Qiu Zishi came from decent backgrounds, had studied arts before becoming apprentices, and were already at the early stage of the Blood-Moving Realm before entering the sect; they had only just entered the mid-stage. Li Wudao was a year younger, so even if his talent was high, his strength shouldn't exceed the peak of the Blood-Moving Realm, right?

"The ninth floor..." Qiu Zishi paused and said softly, "I always feel that Brother Li has an unfathomable aura. Perhaps..."

"Perhaps what?" Wang Zhao raised an eyebrow.

"Nothing." Qiu Zishi shook his head.

The two didn't choose to challenge the tower again but stood their ground, eyes fixed on the entrance, waiting for Li Wudao to emerge.

"Tell me... do you think Brother Li can make the rankings?" Qiu Zishi asked suddenly.

Wang Zhao was silent for a while before saying slowly, "With Brother Li's aptitude, he might have a chance in the future, but definitely not now. His foundation is too shallow; he cannot yet contend with the geniuses of the past."

After that, both fell silent, lost in their own thoughts. When they first came, they had looked at the Xuantian Ranking, though they only stopped at Wu Shaotian. In a hundred years, only two people from the sect had made the list—how difficult it was. Moreover, Wu Shaotian was the Young Sect Master; both his age and realm were far beyond theirs, so it was understandable he made it. If Li Wudao, who had just joined the sect a few days ago, could squeeze onto the Xuantian Ranking, it would be simply absurd.

However, if they had known that just yesterday, Jiang Churan had not only squeezed onto the list but was ranked even higher than the Young Sect Master, how wonderful would their expressions have been?

...

Meanwhile, at Piaomiao Peak, Xia Gucheng lay on a wicker chair, looking toward the Phantom Demon Tower.

"Calculating the time, that kid should have started the challenge. With the Pure Yang Sacred Physique initially awakened and his mastery of the Imperial Sword Technique, clearing the eleventh floor should be quite simple," the old man mused, taking a sip of wine.

With Li Wudao’s strength, it shouldn't be difficult to defeat an early-stage True Origin Realm practitioner by crossing two minor realms. Perhaps, with some effort, he might even clear the twelfth floor?