Chapter 102 - 101: Spirit Fighting Tower

’Am I seeing things?’

Xie Lin was stunned. His name had just reached first place, but before he could even enjoy it, it was gone.

To be precise, it didn’t disappear.

SWISH!

Xie Lin’s name dropped down one line on the Battle Merit Stele.

From first place, it fell to second.

"This! What’s going on!"

Xie Lin looked as if he had seen a ghost.

He was certain.

No second Golden Student had entered the Sect Affairs Hall.

Even if one had, an ordinary Golden Student would find it difficult to surpass him, a top figure in the Golden Area.

At the same time, BZZZ!

A name appeared at the top of the Battle Merit Stele.

1st Place: Luo Tian, Silver Student, 6,345 Contribution Points.

WHOOSH!

In front of the Sect Affairs Hall, after a moment of dead silence, the crowd of students erupted into an uproar.

"Over six thousand Contribution Points!"

"A Silver Student took first place? Are you kidding me!"

Everyone found it hard to believe.

"Luo Tian? First place?"

Yang Xi and a few other Silver Students stared at the name at the top, their faces filled with shock.

That name.

It was blinding, making their eyes sting.

Just then, Luo Tian walked out of the Sect Affairs Hall. He glanced at the first-place position on the Battle Merit Stele and nodded slightly, not at all surprised.

After all, he had obtained the Demon Cores of two Spirit Level Demon Beasts.

Such a battle record was completely unheard of among anyone below the rank of Sunshine Student!

"Luo Tian! Did you cheat? How could you be in first place!"

Yang Xi berated him.

He, a top figure of the Silver Area, had only managed to fight his way to 26th place. How could Luo Tian, a Silver rookie, possibly claim the top spot?

At that moment, all the students’ eyes fell on Luo Tian in unison.

Yang Xi’s accusation was what everyone was wondering.

After all, since the Battle Merit Stele was created, a Silver Student had never truly taken the top spot.

Luo Tian’s terrifying record of over six thousand points left everyone else in the dust.

The crowd had two theories.

First, there was a problem with the Battle Merit Stele itself.

Second, Luo Tian had cheated.

"What’s wrong with me being first? Is it any of your business?"

Luo Tian said, displeased.

’When other people get first place, it’s well-deserved and they’re admired. But when I get first place, it means I cheated?’

Luo Tian couldn’t be bothered to deal with them and walked straight away.

"To cheat so openly and still talk back! Come with me to the Law Enforcement Hall and confess!"

Yang Xi’s expression darkened.

The eight Qi Veins in his body erupted, his Cultivation close to the Ninth Layer, releasing a powerful aura.

WHOOSH! CRACK!

Yang Xi formed a claw with one hand, a layer of sharp, pale-gold True Qi swirling around it as he lunged for Luo Tian from behind.

The nearby students looked on with pity.

As a top figure in the Silver Area, Yang Xi’s combat power was close to the Ninth Layer of Meridian Opening. Dealing with a Silver rookie would be a piece of cake.

"How absurd!"

Luo Tian flicked a finger, and a streak of icy-blue Star Trace Sword Light collided with Yang Xi’s sharp claw.

HISS!

Yang Xi grunted and stumbled back, a bloody gash left on his wrist.

’He actually injured me...’

Yang Xi was furious and found it unacceptable.

’That claw attack used seventy percent of my power, yet I actually lost out against a kid at the Sixth Layer.’

"Insolent!"

Just as Yang Xi was about to attack with his full strength, a thunderous shout echoed out.

From within the Sect Affairs Hall, an Elder walked out, radiating a mountain-like pressure that bore down on Yang Xi.

Yang Xi’s body trembled. He said in a panic, "Elder! That Luo Tian openly cheated..."

"There is no need to question Luo Tian’s battle record!" the Elder stated indifferently.

Hearing this, all the students present were deeply shaken.

’An Elder has spoken. Who would dare to question him?’

"He... he really is first place?"

Xie Lin’s face was full of shock. He felt aggrieved, but he had no choice but to accept reality.

"A Silver rookie at the Sixth Layer of Meridian Opening actually took first place?"

Yang Xi’s expression was grim.

Today, he had lost both the fight and his face.

"Hmph! I don’t care what tricks you used. Just wait until I become a Golden Student..."

Yang Xi clenched his fists, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

Luo Tian, looking as calm as a cloud, left the Sect Affairs Hall.

His battle merit only placed him temporarily in first.

After the Beast Tide ended and the Battle Merit Stele’s final tally was calculated, the top ten—especially first place—would receive extra rewards.

「In the following day or two.」

The news that a "Silver rookie" had taken first place on the Battle Merit Stele, suppressing all the Golden Students, spread throughout the Sun Chasing Holy Mansion.

On Sunrise Peak, students from every circle—the Bronze Area, the Silver Area, the Golden Area—were in an uproar.

Many students didn’t believe it and ran to the Sect Affairs Hall to confirm for themselves.

On the Battle Merit Stele, the glaring first-place name left one skeptic after another dumbfounded.

Many people came to Luo Tian’s residence to congratulate him.

This included Chen Haofei, Mu Yuyan, the Bronze Area’s top figure Cao Yang, and others.

There were also some Silver Students he didn’t know who came, drawn by his reputation.

With great difficulty, Luo Tian finally sent the visitors away.

"Brother Luo, if your first place holds, you’ll have broken a record in the Sun Chasing Holy Mansion," Chen Haofei said with a sigh of admiration.

"It’s just an empty title. It’s not as practical as being promoted to a Golden Student," Luo Tian said plainly.

"You’re going to try for Golden Student?"

Chen Haofei was dumbfounded.

’He’s only been in the Holy Mansion for a little over a month. Most new students haven’t even been promoted to Silver, yet Luo Tian is already trying for Golden Student?’

...

「The next day.」

Luo Tian and Chen Haofei went together to one of the Sun Chasing Holy Mansion’s most important locations, the Spirit Fighting Tower.

The Spirit Fighting Tower was a magnificent ancient tower that stood ten stories tall.

This tower was built by the founder of the Holy Mansion and was a landmark of the Sun Chasing Holy Mansion.

Passing the Fourth-Layer made one a Silver Student.

Passing the Sixth-Layer made one a Golden Student.

Passing the Eighth-Layer was a prerequisite to becoming a Sunshine Student.

As for the ninth and tenth layers, they existed only in legends.

"So many people."

When Luo Tian and his companion arrived, a large number of students had already gathered near the Spirit Fighting Tower.

Some were preparing to challenge the tower, while others were just there to watch the excitement.

"Brother Luo, the Spirit Fighting Tower is quite miraculous. It’s filled with numerous Ancient Arrays, and when you successfully clear a layer for the first time, you receive a baptism of Fighting Spirit Qi," Chen Haofei explained.

He had challenged the Spirit Fighting Tower before and knew some of the rules.

Ordinary students could challenge the Spirit Fighting Tower a maximum of three times per month.

Furthermore, the Spirit Fighting Tower could only accommodate three people challenging it at the same time.

Luo Tian looked up.

On the Spirit Fighting Tower, arrays on the Third-Layer, Fourth-Layer, and Sixth-Layer were all lit up.

Obviously, three people were challenging it simultaneously.

BZZZ! THUD!

On the fourth layer of the Spirit Fighting Tower, a flash of brilliant light appeared, and a battered and injured youth was thrown out.

"Failed."

This injured youth was a Bronze Student at the Peak of Sixth Layer.

"Heh! Trying to clear the Fourth-Layer without a Seventh Layer of Meridian Opening Cultivation is just wishful thinking," someone nearby sneered.

Just then, the entrance to the Spirit Fighting Tower opened, allowing one person to enter.

"Senior Luo, you go first."

A few students looked at Luo Tian, their gazes slightly fawning.

Over the past two days, by holding the top spot on the Battle Merit Stele, Luo Tian had become somewhat famous in the Sun Chasing Holy Mansion.

"Brother Chen, you go first."

Luo Tian wasn’t in a hurry and gave Chen Haofei a push.

There were many people challenging the tower right now, and it wouldn’t be easy for a Bronze Student like Chen Haofei to get a turn.

"Alright."

Chen Haofei didn’t refuse and entered the Spirit Fighting Tower.

Luo Tian watched with interest as Chen Haofei began his challenge.

With his Sixth Layer of Meridian Opening Cultivation, Chen Haofei passed the first and second layers smoothly.

The Third-Layer corresponded to the combat power of the Sixth Layer of Meridian Opening.

Chen Haofei struggled for a moment before successfully passing.

The Fourth-Layer corresponded to the Seventh Layer of Meridian Opening, and passing it would make one a Silver Student.

BZZZ! THUD!

Chen Haofei only lasted a few breaths before he was thrown out by the array’s brilliant light.

"So difficult."

Chen Haofei gave a wry smile. The Seventh Layer of Meridian Opening was a huge watershed.

THUD!

Right after Chen Haofei, another student was eliminated.

The entrance to the Spirit Fighting Tower opened.

This time, two people could enter.

Just as Luo Tian was about to go in, someone announced, "Senior Yang Xi is here."

The students in front of the Spirit Fighting Tower all wore fawning expressions and greeted him one after another.

"Mm."

Yang Xi nodded slightly. As a top figure in the Silver Area, his fame and influence were greater than Luo Tian’s.

As he walked, fluctuations from nine Qi Veins emanated from Yang Xi’s body.

"Ninth Layer of Meridian Opening!"

"Senior Yang Xi has advanced to the Ninth Layer?"

The students exclaimed in surprise.

Several Silver Students were both shocked and envious.

By advancing to the Ninth Layer of Meridian Opening, he now had a chance to pass the Sixth-Layer and become a Golden Student.

’He came too?’

Yang Xi’s gaze sharpened as he looked at Luo Tian by the entrance.

Two days ago, in front of the Battle Merit Stele, provoked by Luo Tian, Yang Xi had been filled with frustration and anger. After returning, he had actually broken through to the Ninth Layer of Meridian Opening in one go!

He hadn’t expected to see Luo Tian here at the Spirit Fighting Tower today, about to challenge it himself.

’Good. You can witness the process of me becoming a Golden Student.’

Yang Xi revealed a cold smile, full of confidence.

SWOOSH! SWOOSH!

Luo Tian and Yang Xi entered the Spirit Fighting Tower, one after the other.

「Spirit Fighting Tower, First Layer.」

The moment Luo Tian stepped inside, he was enveloped by a shimmering white Array Light Ring.

The Array Light Ring covered an area several dozen meters across.

BZZZ!

Within the Array Light Ring, a human Martial Artist with a body of spiritual light materialized.

’So this is a ’Fighting Spirit’?’

Luo Tian showed a hint of interest.

WHOOSH! BANG!

This Spiritual Martial Artist, equivalent to the Fourth Layer of Meridian Opening, executed a Body Technique and a Fist Martial Skill as it charged at Luo Tian.

’Its Attack, speed, and Defense are all considered strong among those at the Fourth Layer of Meridian Opening.’

Luo Tian swept his Spiritual Sense over it and came to a conclusion.

POW! CRACK!

Luo Tian struck out with a palm, shattering the Spiritual Martial Artist with the physical strength of his Divine Vein Body alone.

WHOOSH!

The disintegrated Spiritual Martial Artist turned into specks of spiritual light and mist that merged into Luo Tian’s body.

’This is the Fighting Spirit Qi?’

Luo Tian felt a cool, sharp stream of power surge into him, refining his body and Qi Veins.

The residual Demon Evil Qi in his body from consuming the Jade Spirit Blood was cleansed.

’How wonderful!’

Luo Tian felt that his Qi Vein’s True Qi and his Spiritual Power had both received a faint baptism.

Of course, this was only the first layer, so the Fighting Spirit Qi that descended was very thin.

The higher the layer, the stronger the Fighting Spirit Qi obtained from clearing it.

SWOOSH!

Yang Xi also entered the first layer, standing in another Array Light Ring.

POW! SSSHH!

Yang Xi swiped a claw from a distance. A golden claw mark flashed past, tearing the opposing Spiritual Martial Artist to shreds.

He had cleared the first layer before, so no Fighting Spirit Qi descended for him.

After the kill, Yang Xi glanced at Luo Tian before immediately heading up the nearby stairs to the Second-Layer without pausing.

After absorbing the Fighting Spirit Qi, Luo Tian stepped onto the Second-Layer.

The moment Luo Tian set foot on the Second-Layer, he heard a cry of "Annihilate!"

Yang Xi once again swiped a claw from a distance, instantly killing the Second-Layer’s Fighting Spirit, which was at the Fifth Layer of Meridian Opening.

As for Luo Tian, he was just beginning his fight, standing within the Second-Layer’s Array Light Ring.

"Heh, first on the battle merit list? Is that all you’ve got?" Yang Xi said with a faint smile.

Then, he stepped onto the Third-Layer.

Meanwhile, outside the Spirit Fighting Tower, the crowd of students looked on in amazement.

BZZZ! SWOOSH! SWOOSH! SWOOSH!

After Yang Xi went in, the Spirit Fighting Tower lit up layer by layer, with almost no pause.

Only a few breaths had passed.

Yang Xi had cleared three layers in one go, instantly killing his opponents throughout the entire process.

"As expected of a top figure in the Silver Area!"

"Now that Yang Xi has advanced to the Ninth Layer of Meridian Opening, it’s only a matter of time before he becomes a Golden Student."

The crowd praised him.

Some students were already calculating in their minds how to get on the good side of this newly promoted Golden Student when he came out.