Lin Xuan steadily walked out of the Illusion Array. The journey out had been incredibly difficult, but he had forced himself to endure it. He didn't want to pass out inside; he wanted to walk out under his own power to prove he could keep going.
He had done it. He had endured for five full incense sticks, becoming number one in the Inner Hall! Indeed, the longest anyone in the Inner Hall had ever lasted was five incense sticks. Lin Xuan had reached the record.
But this was only the Inner Hall. True Core Disciples could persist for even longer. For now, however, Lin Xuan was only aiming for the Inner Hall. One always had to become an Inner Hall Disciple before they could become a Core Disciple.
"Elder Chen?" Lin Xuan said, looking at their dumbfounded expressions. He was rather unfazed. 'What others find shocking is only to be expected for me.'
"What?" Elder Chen finally snapped out of his daze, his eyes still wide with shock. "Five incense sticks... You really lasted for five full incense sticks! That puts you on par with Liu Yun, the best in the Inner Hall! Your Willpower is simply astonishing."
Huang Ming's gaze was filled with venom. This time, Lin Xuan had completely outshone him. His stunning performance left Huang Ming in the dust. The jeers and taunts from before now felt like an invisible hand, slapping him hard across the face.
"Is that so? In that case, I wonder if Elder Chen could communicate with the Inner Hall on my behalf?" Lin Xuan asked with a faint smile.
"Of course. Based on this achievement alone, I guarantee I'll recommend you to the Inner Hall. But you should be prepared for the standards they'll set," Elder Chen said meaningfully. "However, there is still one final test. If you can pass it with outstanding results, the requirements might be lowered, and your chances of success will increase significantly."
"Then I'll be in your debt, Elder Chen," Lin Xuan said gratefully.
"By the way, how did you manage to walk out of the Illusion Array? I know how difficult that is." As the one controlling the array, Elder Chen knew its effects. It was impressive enough just to remain conscious toward the end, let alone walk out on one's own.
"No particular reason. I know my limits. If I had stayed in any longer, I would have passed out, and I didn't want that to happen." Lin Xuan's answer was simple and blunt, but it was also a subtle jab at everyone else. They had all been carried out unconscious; he had walked out.
"An honest answer. Does that mean you never let your guard down?" Elder Chen smiled in satisfaction. The more he looked at Lin Xuan, the more he liked what he saw. He would receive significant credit for recommending such an outstanding disciple.
"Rest for a while. We will begin the final trial shortly!" Elder Chen's expression turned serious as he swept his gaze over the crowd and announced sternly.
Then, Lin Xuan's gaze shifted to Huang Ming. He smiled faintly. "How are you feeling, Brother Huang? Were my earlier words just empty boasts?"
These words had certainly offended Huang Ming, but Lin Xuan wasn't afraid of that. After being so openly mocked, failing to strike back would have been far too spineless.
Huang Ming's face flushed red. He could only manage a cold snort, unable to utter a single word in rebuttal. He had nothing to say.
"Go investigate this Lin Yunlong for me. Find out where he came from!" Huang Ming muttered to a subordinate beside him. He then looked up and glared at Lin Xuan, his eyes filled with venom.
Lin Xuan saw this. 'He's going to have me investigated,' he thought, though it was exactly what he expected. 'When you act this conspicuously, people will look into you even if you don't provoke anyone. Of course, they won't find anything. I've always stayed in the most remote corner of the family estate and rarely ventured out. Who would know anything about me?'
'Even if the Lin Family themselves investigated, they wouldn't uncover anything. Everyone knows Lin Xuan is blind. No one would connect the powerful Lin Yunlong to him, nor would they believe the Lin Family even had such a formidable figure.'
The trial had been mentally exhausting, so Lin Xuan meditated to recover. An Hour later, he had to get up and prepare for the final test. Only by passing every trial could he become an official disciple of Qingcheng Mansion!
If Lin Xuan failed this last trial, the recommendation would be worthless.
Led by Elder Chen, they arrived before a massive tower. As they drew near, an intense pressure washed over them, weighing down the many disciples participating in the trial. It felt as if they were facing not a tower, but a powerful expert!
The tower had five entrances, all leading to its summit. Aside from the oppressive aura, it looked rather plain and unremarkable.
"The final trial is to climb this tower!" Elder Chen explained. "This is the Cloud Ascension Tower. It has seven layers in total. To pass, you must reach at least the Third Layer!"
"You all still have your Tokens, right? If you don't, then get lost!" Elder Chen swept his gaze over the crowd. "In this trial, this Token is critically important to you. In fact, if you want to live, you'd better guard it with your life!"
"Only five people may enter the Cloud Ascension Tower at a time. Whether you can reach the summit depends on your own ability. But I'll be frank, with your current strength, reaching the top will be incredibly difficult. You are free to try, though," Elder Chen continued. "Every layer is filled with deadly traps. The slightest misstep can lead to severe injury, or even death! Therefore, when you can no longer hold on, you must crush your Token. That is the only way to be teleported out."
After Elder Chen's explanation, everyone finally understood the Token's importance. It was essentially a life-saving talisman. However, hearing that entering the Cloud Ascension Tower was a life-and-death matter, a shiver went through the crowd. 'Isn't this a bit too harsh?' they thought.
Lin Xuan took out his Token. The intricate patterns on its surface were evidence of the Array inscribed within it. Crushing it would teleport him out. 'In that case, the two Primordial Stones were worth it,' he thought. 'At least, for those who made it this far. For those eliminated early, it was just a waste.'
After three trials—or more accurately, two, since the talent test barely counted—fewer than a hundred people remained. From an initial pool of over a thousand, the group had been whittled down to less than one-tenth of its original size.
Who knew how many would be left after this final trial? Judging by the previous two, reaching the Third Layer of the Cloud Ascension Tower would be anything but simple. It could only be more difficult.
"Let me give you all a little incentive," Elder Chen announced, taking out a small vial. "The Third Layer is the standard to pass, but anyone who reaches the Fourth Layer will receive an additional reward. This is a Dragon Blood Pill. Consuming it will greatly enhance your Physique and even allow your attacks to carry a hint of Dragon Power! I don't need to elaborate on its value. Whether you can obtain it is up to you. There is only one, and it will go to the first person who clears the Fourth Layer."
Lin Xuan's eyes lit up. He desperately needed that reward. It would be of immense benefit to him, allowing him to close the gap between himself and the other geniuses.
No matter how powerful the soul within the Soul Pearl was, he couldn't unleash its full potential without a strong enough Physique and Cultivation.
'The Fourth Layer, huh…' Lin Xuan looked up at the Cloud Ascension Tower, his gaze lingering on its summit. 'I wonder what I'd get for reaching the very top?' he mused with interest.
His goal wasn't the Fourth Layer. It was the Seventh Layer!