Chapter 745: The Challenge Platform
"In the vast Great Thousand World, where countless paths clash and compete, the journey of cultivation is a long and arduous one. How does one reach the pinnacle? Through relentless challenge and competition!"
Xiao Ze read the golden inscription at the base of the Challenge Leaderboard aloud, his tone thoughtful.
"It seems the only way to leave this space is to step onto the Challenge Platform and see what it holds for us," he said.
Qing Yanjing nodded in agreement. Since entering the Yaoguang Palace, they had been directly transported here. The surrounding space felt sealed, as though no force could break through it.
Even with Qing Yanjing's considerable strength, she doubted her ability to forcibly shatter the confinement. Clearly, the Challenge Platform was the only clue to their predicament.
"Let me go first this time, Xiao Ze," Qing Yanjing said, turning to him with determination. "The techniques my clan gave me for this journey should give me an edge if the Challenge Platform holds any surprises."
Xiao Ze hesitated briefly before nodding. "Alright, but be cautious."
He knew the resources of the Futuo Ancient Clan were vast. Qing Yanjing likely possessed life saving measures capable of resisting even a Heavenly Supreme.
Qing Yanjing ascended lightly onto the first level of the Challenge Platform. As golden light shimmered around her, a spiritual figure began to take form.
"It starts at a Tier 4 Sovereign?" Xiao Ze mused. "It seems the minimum challenge level is mid tier Sovereign Realm."
For Qing Yanjing, a Tier 4 Sovereign was trivial. She flicked her fingers, summoning a small crystal of spiritual energy that pierced through the spiritual figure, shattering it instantly.
As the defeated figure dissolved, its dispersed spiritual energy didn't fade. Instead, it drifted toward Qing Yanjing, who absorbed and refined it effortlessly.
"It even grants rewards," Xiao Ze murmured in surprise. "If this platform existed in the ancient Yaoguang Palace, they must have had strict rules for its use. Perhaps one could only challenge it after a breakthrough or upon achieving a significant merit."
Without such restrictions, frequent challenges would render the platform's competitive spirit meaningless.
Qing Yanjing's pace was swift, and she soon reached the 11th level. By then, the spiritual figures had risen to the strength of a Tier 5 Sovereign, though they still posed no threat to her.
Meanwhile, Xiao Ze turned his attention to the leaderboard. It listed 99 names, with only Earthly Supremes unrestricted in ranking. For Sovereign level challengers, there appeared to be limits on how many could make the list.
Judging by the pattern of each 10 levels representing a one tier increase in difficulty, anyone who ranked here had to be among the top geniuses of their realm. Some were even capable of fighting across ranks.
Soon, Qing Yanjing reached the 60th level, where the spiritual figures finally rose to the strength of a Lower Earthly Supreme.
Though her momentum slowed slightly, she continued her ascent, undeterred. For Xiao Ze, this was expected. Qing Yanjing had only recently advanced to Upper Earthly Supreme, but her talents and resources made her a force to be reckoned with.
He glanced toward the uppermost levels of the leaderboard, pondering aloud. "If the 89th level is perfection level Earthly Supreme, does that mean the 90th and above touch on the Heavenly Supreme realm?"
The thought sent a shiver down his spine. "This platform might rival even the grand libraries of ancient palaces in cultivating powerful forces. It's no wonder the Yaoguang Palace was so formidable."
Xiao Ze's gaze lingered on the top name: Luo Qingfeng – Perfection level Earthly Supreme, Level 92. He couldn't help but speculate if Luo Qingfeng had reached the threshold of the Heavenly Supreme realm.
Testing the Limits
After defeating a Lower Earthly Supreme on the 70th level, Qing Yanjing paused to replenish her energy with supreme spiritual liquid. She knew the next challenges would be much harder, as the spiritual figures would now match Upper Earthly Supremes.
Upon stepping onto the 71st level, Qing Yanjing immediately summoned countless spiritual seals, weaving a grandmaster level formation. From previous battles, she had learned that the platform gave challengers ample time to prepare before their opponents attacked.
This feature made the platform accessible to more than just pure spiritual cultivators. Formation masters and other specialized practitioners could also participate.
Using her formation as an anchor, Qing Yanjing managed to overcome the spiritual figure, though with some effort. She took longer breaks between levels, and by the 76th level, she was visibly strained.
Seeing this, Xiao Ze advised, "Use everything you have, except your ultimate trump cards. The spiritual energy rewards here are far too valuable to waste. They could save you years of cultivation."
Qing Yanjing nodded solemnly. Raising her hand, she summoned the Pagoda of Requiem, a signature artifact of her Futuo Clan.
With the pagoda hovering above her, she unleashed its suppressive power. Combining it with her formation, she trapped the spiritual figure and crushed it with the pagoda's overwhelming might.
This strategy proved effective, and Qing Yanjing soon reached the 80th level, where she faced her toughest opponent yet: an Upper Earthly Supreme.
Despite her deep resources and formidable techniques, the pressure was immense. She had only recently advanced to Upper Earthly Supreme herself, making this fight a significant challenge.
Even so, her determination burned brightly. "I want to see my limits!" she declared, steadying herself as she prepared to ascend to the 81st level.
Xiao Ze watched with a mixture of tension and anticipation. "If she can defeat a perfection level Earthly Supreme on the 81st level, the rewards could save her years of cultivation. It's all up to her now."
(Chapter End)
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