His goal was always to aim for the top. It wasn't that he was overreaching, but that he wanted to challenge his own limits. If he were content with being mediocre, then of course, the Third Layer would be enough. After all, just passing the assessment was sufficient.
However, to draw significant attention and obtain better resources, the Third Layer wouldn't attract any notice whatsoever.
Of course, he had to act within his limits. The ultimate reason Lin Xuan had such a lofty goal was that he possessed two Magical Treasures: the Wood Carving Clone and Soul Possession!
Possessing these two items would allow his combat prowess to rise dramatically.
"Elder Chen, what if someone were to reach the very top?" Lin Xuan asked, once again dropping a bombshell.
Elder Chen froze, and the people around him were also stunned by his words. 'Does he really not know his own limits? He actually wants to reach the top?'
"Although the Cloud Ascension Tower adapts based on one's own strength, all I can say is that it's extremely difficult... Young man, you mustn't overreach. This is no joke. The slightest carelessness can lead to serious injury, or even death!" Elder Chen said solemnly.
The fact that Lin Xuan could last for five incense sticks meant that, while he might not be comparable to top-tier geniuses, he was still quite good—at least on the same level as Huang Ming. It's difficult to make up for a lack of talent, but it can be compensated for later on. There have been cases of those with low talent eventually becoming supreme powerhouses.
Besides, Lin Xuan's talent wasn't low, just slightly above average. His future potential was immense. Therefore, Elder Chen didn't want to watch Lin Xuan die in the Cloud Ascension Tower because of his arrogance.
"This Lin Yunlong is a bit too arrogant, isn't he? Does he really think he's invincible just because he passed the Illusion Array?"
"Who cares. Forget reaching the top, it'll be impressive enough if he can even pass the Fourth Layer!"
...
A sense of discontent rippled through the crowd. Lin Xuan's arrogant display rubbed them the wrong way. When the gap in Cultivation wasn't too large, they would vent their dissatisfaction. If his Cultivation were so high they could only hope to gaze at his back, they wouldn't dare say such things. They would only watch with anticipation!
Huang Ming's gaze turned cold. "Ignorant! You really think the Cloud Ascension Tower is like the Illusion Array? A real battle requires Martial Techniques and combat experience!" 'I don't even think I have what it takes to challenge the Seventh Layer,' he thought. 'My limit is probably the Fourth Layer.'
"I just wanted to ask what would happen if someone reached the top. I don't recall saying I was going to do it, did I? Am I not even allowed to ask?" Lin Xuan spread his hands helplessly, looking at the crowd with an innocent expression.
The crowd was suddenly speechless. So he was just asking about the situation; they had all misunderstood.
"Ahem, I can only say that reaching the top is extremely difficult... If you really were to do it, you would become eligible for the Core Disciple assessment!" Elder Chen dropped a bombshell.
Core Disciples were a cut above even Inner Hall Disciples; some of them even possessed Seventh-class Talent! To become eligible for the Core Disciple assessment just by reaching the top was a truly massive leap.
But if one failed the assessment, then it would all be for naught.
"Only reaching the top makes you eligible for the Core Disciple assessment?" Lin Xuan said with a frown. "Can't you directly join the Inner Hall?"
"Of course! If you're eligible for the Core Disciple assessment, then as long as you reach the top, you can join the Inner Hall directly without any further tests!" said Elder Chen.
Lin Xuan's eyes lit up. 'This method of joining the Inner Hall is pretty good.' But he knew it couldn't be simple, or the reward wouldn't be so great.
"Then, to this day, how many people have reached this Seventh Layer?" Lin Xuan asked again.
"A few dozen, perhaps. And every single one became an exceptional figure!" Elder Chen thought for a moment, then added, "The number one disciple in the Inner Hall, Ling Tian, passed the Seventh Layer of the Cloud Ascension Tower. He is currently undergoing the Core Disciple assessment. If there are no surprises, he should become a Core Disciple next year."
Ling Tian!
It seemed many people knew this name. A murmur went through the crowd, and their eyes filled with admiration. Clearly, they all revered Ling Tian. They only chose to admire those with true, insurmountable strength. As for Lin Xuan, who had come out of nowhere, they weren't so quick to accept him.
"Alright, enough nonsense. You have four hours at most to pass the Third Layer. There are no time limits after that. Huang Ming and Lin Yunlong, you two go in first," said Elder Chen.
Strength made all the difference, and with it came different treatment. Elder Chen believed Lin Xuan and Huang Ming had the power to challenge the Fourth, or even the Fifth Layer, so he let them enter first to avoid wasting time. The four-hour time limit was set to prevent delays; with nearly a hundred people going in, the assessment would never end if everyone took their time.
Holding his Token, Lin Xuan walked to the entrance. He glanced to the side, his gaze meeting Huang Ming's, and saw a hint of mockery there. Huang Ming clearly thought he would climb higher. After all, the Cloud Ascension Tower was different from the Illusion Array; it required strength, experience, and most importantly, Martial Techniques and a Weapon!
Lin Xuan paid it no mind and stepped through the entrance with his Token. As soon as he stepped in, he felt himself pass through a membrane-like layer. This must be some kind of Restriction. Without the Token, he probably wouldn't have been able to enter.
The moment he entered, a gloomy feeling washed over him. He looked up, and the corners of his mouth curved into a smirk. 'An enhanced version of the Copperman Array, is it...'
Before him stood six Iron Men forged from Profound Iron, several grades higher than the Copperman Array of the Lin Family. They were positioned to cover every angle, completely sealing off any escape routes. The stairs to the next floor were straight ahead. Whether he could get past depended entirely on his ability to force his way through.
Lin Xuan took the Dragon Cloud Rod from his Storage Pouch. It was heavy, but for his current strength, the weight was perfect, and it felt natural in his hands. The red patterns on its surface emanated Dragon Power, and its faint vibrations sounded like the low roar of a dragon.
The Dragon Cloud Rod was forged using Dragon Blood and Dragon Bone. Its power far surpassed that of Profound Iron, reaching the grade of a Treasure Artifact!
Weapons were ranked in ascending order: Mortal Iron, Treasure Artifact, Spiritual Artifact, and Divine Artifact. Each of these was further divided into Lower, Middle, and Upper Grades. This Dragon Cloud Rod was an Upper Grade Treasure Artifact—an absolutely precious item! Besides, how could the Weapon Lin Hua used when he was alive possibly be weak?
Holding the Dragon Cloud Rod, Lin Xuan took a step forward. The six Iron Men immediately whirred to life and charged him. Their speed was comparable to a cultivator at the Fifth Layer of the Body Refining Stage. Given their numbers, anyone below the Sixth Layer of the Body Refining Stage would have a very tough time.
With a low roar, he stomped hard on the ground and leaped high into the air. He poured his condensed Elemental Power into the rod's dragon patterns, causing the red lines to emit a faint crimson glow that coiled around his body like a flood dragon.
As he leaped, the six Iron Men closed in, brandishing their weapons. They were waiting for him to fall, at which point he would be riddled with holes! Generally, leaping into the air was a major taboo in battle—unless, of course, one could fly.
But Lin Xuan wasn't worried. The Dragon Cloud Rod in his hand was already coursing with Qi Force. With a great roar, he aimed at the ground below and smashed down, his entire body seeming to transform into a Giant Dragon plunging earthward.
"Eight Extremes Staff Technique!"
BOOM!
A force of over sixteen hundred pounds slammed down. THUD! The resulting shockwave knocked the six Iron Men back several steps. In that split second, a sharp glint flashed in Lin Xuan's eyes. Pivoting on the balls of his feet, he spun around like a top.
DONG DONG DONG!
The heavy sweep sent all six Iron Men flying. They slammed violently into the walls, each left with a deep dent caved into its chest!
Seizing the opportunity, Lin Xuan executed the Cloud-Walking Step, darting into the passage ahead and charging up to the Second Layer. The moment he was gone, the Iron Men, who had been about to rush forward again, froze in place. The dents in their chests gradually began to mend...
Lin Xuan knew he couldn't destroy these Iron Men unless his Cultivation was exceptionally high. So, after knocking them away, he easily slipped into the passage. It was all so simple.
「Outside the Cloud Ascension Tower.」
"Look! Lin Yunlong and Huang Ming have both entered the Second Layer! That was so fast!"
"Yeah, they're both too fast. I wonder who will reach the Fourth Layer first!"
...
The crowd cried out in amazement. While the others were still struggling on the First Layer, Lin Xuan and Huang Ming had already reached the Second Layer. They weren't even in the same league.
"Not bad," Elder Chen said with a smile. "I hope they can climb even higher." He looked on with great anticipation.