Chapter 98: Fighting for a Spot

Chapter 98: Chapter 98: Fighting for a Spot

Yi Xiaoyao’s expression turned serious. He listened intently to what the Hall Master would say next.

The Black Robe Hall Master glanced at Yi Xiaoyao and said, "I’ve told you before that the spots to enter the Great Demon Ancient Tomb are limited. Even a top power like our Seven Kills Star Hall only has four."

"Therefore, I will be selecting the four strongest disciples below the Golden Core Realm from the entire Seven Kills Star Hall. Even you will have to earn a spot with your own strength."

Hearing this, Yi Xiaoyao immediately understood the Hall Master’s meaning. Even though the Hall Master valued him greatly, he wouldn’t make an exception and just hand him a spot.

"How can I get one of the spots?" Yi Xiaoyao asked.

The Black Robe Hall Master nodded and continued to explain.

"Starting today, I will open the Cultivation Tower to conduct the trial. This trial will be divided into two rounds."

"First round: reach the ninth layer of the Cultivation Tower within one month. Failure means elimination."

"Those who pass the first round must reach the tenth layer of the Cultivation Tower within the second month. The first four to enter the tenth layer will receive the four spots for the Great Demon Ancient Tomb."

After speaking, the Black Robe Hall Master asked, "Do you understand?"

"I understand," Yi Xiaoyao nodded.

’Just from hearing the Hall Master’s rules, I can already tell that Cultivation Tower must be incredibly difficult to climb,’ Yi Xiaoyao thought.

’Especially the tenth layer. He’s giving us a whole month for it, which just goes to show how astonishingly difficult it must be.’

Seeing not a hint of hesitation on Yi Xiaoyao’s face, the Black Robe Hall Master smiled in satisfaction.

Then, with a flicker in his eyes, the Hall Master said, "You’ve likely guessed how difficult this test will be. However, those rules are only for the other disciples. For you, I will add another layer of difficulty on top of that."

"Huh?" Yi Xiaoyao’s expression changed. With a pained look, he asked, "What is this extra difficulty you’re giving me?"

The Black Robe Hall Master gave a meaningful smile but didn’t answer directly. Instead, he raised an eyebrow and changed the subject.

"In just one short month of training in the Earth Star Forest, you’ve already advanced to the fifth layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm. Such a Cultivation speed is truly far beyond that of an ordinary person," the Black Robe Hall Master praised.

One had to understand, it would take an ordinary person three or four years of Cultivation to reach the fifth layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm.

The contrast was enough to highlight just how extraordinary Yi Xiaoyao was.

Yi Xiaoyao just smiled. He knew the Hall Master had brought this up because it was related to his additional challenge.

Sure enough, the Black Robe Hall Master’s tone shifted as he chuckled, "In the past, you would have been the person with the fastest Cultivation speed I’d ever seen. But now, you only rank second."

Yi Xiaoyao was taken aback. The Hall Master meant he had seen someone with a faster Cultivation speed than him.

’This is shocking. I’m practicing a Supreme Technique like the Devouring Sword God Technique. How could someone possibly cultivate faster than me?’

"Now that the Hall Master mentions it, I’m quite interested in this person," Yi Xiaoyao said.

The Black Robe Hall Master smiled and said, "Since you’re curious, I’ll tell you about her."

"This person received her Immortal Soul inheritance on the same day as you. When I first met her, she was at the ninth layer of the Qi Condensation realm. Now, she has already reached the ninth layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm!"

As he spoke, the Black Robe Hall Master looked at Yi Xiaoyao.

Yi Xiaoyao now understood. ’This person must have received a Ninth Grade Immortal Soul, so she started her Cultivation from the ninth layer of Qi Condensation.’

’Meanwhile, I started from scratch. If we were to really compare, it would be hard to say who was faster.’

Still, for that person’s Cultivation speed to reach such a level was indeed far beyond the grasp of ordinary people, putting her on par with Yi Xiaoyao.

This only piqued Yi Xiaoyao’s interest even more.

"I wonder who that person is. Is it possible for me to meet her?" Yi Xiaoyao asked.

"Since I brought her up, I naturally intend for you to meet her."

The Black Robe Hall Master said, "But meeting her won’t be as easy as you think. Because that is the extra difficulty I’m adding for you."

Yi Xiaoyao pursed his lips. ’I knew it wouldn’t be that simple.’

He then heard the Black Robe Hall Master continue, "That person is currently on the tenth layer of the Cultivation Tower. You must bring her out of the Cultivation Tower to earn your spot for the Great Demon Ancient Tomb."

Yi Xiaoyao frowned in thought. He didn’t seem to hear any "extra difficulty" in the Hall Master’s words.

The Black Robe Hall Master didn’t elaborate, merely revealing a meaningful smile. He said to Yi Xiaoyao, "I’ve said all I need to say. Is there anything else you want to ask?"

Yi Xiaoyao pondered for a moment. He had no more questions about the spots for the Great Demon Ancient Tomb, but another matter came to mind.

"Oh, right. Hall Master, when I was training in the Earth Star Forest, I encountered a large number of Cloud Transformation Sect disciples who were wantonly slaughtering disciples from our Seven Kills Star Hall," Yi Xiaoyao reported.

Hearing this, the Black Robe Hall Master’s brows knitted together. "I am aware," he said.

"You already knew, Hall Master?" Yi Xiaoyao asked, puzzled.

"You need only know that the Seven Kills Star Hall is no pushover." The Hall Master offered no further explanation and simply said, "You may go."

Yi Xiaoyao quickly agreed and took his leave.

Not long after Yi Xiaoyao left, a piece of news spread throughout the Seven Kills Star Hall: The Cultivation Tower was opening to all disciples below the Golden Core Realm. The first three to break into the tenth layer would receive the three spots for the Great Demon Ancient Tomb.

Yi Xiaoyao was the first disciple to hear the original announcement, so when he heard this new version with only three spots, he didn’t think it was a mistake.

He knew that since someone was already occupying the tenth layer of the Cultivation Tower, one spot was already taken. In reality, there were only three spots left to compete for.

Before long, Luo Yi came to find Yi Xiaoyao because of this news.

"Little Junior Brother, did you hear? The Cultivation Tower is open! It’s a good thing I didn’t immediately take that Perfect Golden Core Pill you gave me to break through to the Golden Core Realm, or I wouldn’t be eligible to compete for a spot."

The moment Luo Yi appeared, she made it clear to Yi Xiaoyao that she also intended to enter the Cultivation Tower and compete for a spot in the Great Demon Ancient Tomb.

Yi Xiaoyao paused. ’She’s right,’ he thought. ’It would be a huge shame if she broke through to the Golden Core Realm right now and missed the chance to enter the Great Demon Ancient Tomb.’

"Senior Sister, in that case, let’s go challenge the Cultivation Tower right now," Yi Xiaoyao said with a smile.

Luo Yi’s beautiful eyes widened in surprise. "No way, Little Junior Brother. You’re planning to go to the Cultivation Tower and compete for a spot too?"

Yi Xiaoyao laughed, "What’s the matter, Senior Sister? Do you think I’m not capable enough?"

In truth, Luo Yi’s reaction was normal. Everyone who planned to try their luck at the Cultivation Tower for a spot was, without exception, a cultivator at the peak of the Foundation Establishment Realm.

Even the weakest among them had a Cultivation at the seventh layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm. And even they knew they had almost no chance of snatching a spot from the disciples at the ninth layer of Foundation Establishment.

A disciple like Yi Xiaoyao, with his Cultivation at the fifth layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm, wouldn’t even dare to dream of competing for a spot this time.

Yet Yi Xiaoyao had clearly told Luo Yi he was going to the Cultivation Tower to compete for a spot. No wonder she reacted this way.

"Little Junior Brother, it’s not that I think you’re incapable. It’s just that with your current Cultivation, you really don’t have much of a chance. I’m just worried you’ll be at a disadvantage."

Luo Yi didn’t want to say anything that would discourage Yi Xiaoyao, so she tried to persuade him tactfully.

Yi Xiaoyao smiled, unconcerned. "With Senior Sister here to protect me, how could I possibly be at a disadvantage? Let’s go."

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