Started out getting scumbags, but then invested in the invincible Empress.

Chapter 24: Can I make it onto the list after venturing into the Illusionary Demon Tower?

"He's already on the list after only a few days in the sect, and within the top 1000 at that! That's incredible..."

Li Wudao clicked his tongue slightly.

What was surprising was not only the girl's ranking, but also the speed at which her cultivation level soared.

If I remember correctly, the other party had just broken through to the early stage of the Blood Refining Realm on the day they joined the sect.

It's only been half a month, and he's already broken through four minor realms in a row?!

Is this the aura of an emperor? It's terrifying!

Such a breakthrough speed would make even a cheat code like Li Wudao feel ashamed.

He hadn't been slacking off much these days; he had consumed a hundred bottles of pills before finally breaking through to the peak of the Blood Transformation Realm.

Of course, the slow breakthrough of the Holy Body is also part of the reason; otherwise, he should have been able to catch up.

Just as he was feeling sentimental,

Two true disciples walked up to him, seemingly recognizing him, their tone surprised.

"Hey, isn't this Brother Li, who's ranked second?"

"It really is Brother Li!"

Upon hearing this, Li Wudao turned around and looked at the two people, recognizing them somewhat.

One of them is "Qiu Zishi", ranked tenth, and the other is "Wang Zhao", ranked eighth.

"Are you two also here to challenge the Illusionary Demon Tower?"

Li Wudao struck up a conversation with the two men.

"Brother Li is right. This is the second time I've come here today."

Akiko smiled.

"Oh? I wonder which level Brother Qiu has reached, and whether he has made it onto the list?"

A glint flashed in Li Wudao's eyes.

Name: Akiko Minoru

【Age: 17】

[Realm: Mid-stage Blood Transformation Realm]

[Talent: Mid-grade Profound Level]

[Special Constitution: Wood Spirit Body]

[Fortune: Top-tier Heavenly Rank]

[Evaluation: Possesses a wood spirit body; if one achieves some success in cultivating wood-based techniques, and is humble and approachable, one can befriend them.]

Li Wudao nodded secretly.

Although this person's basic talent is average, he possesses a spiritual body. If he chooses the right direction, he can still achieve something in the future.

Moreover, he seems to have a decent character, so it might be worth investing in him if the opportunity arises.

"To my shame, after a fierce battle that lasted for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, I barely managed to get past the seventh level."

Akiko scratched her head.

Then, somewhat embarrassed, he said, "Brother Li, you don't know this, but getting on the Xuan Tian Ranking is not easy. I am far inferior to the geniuses on the list."

"Yes, none of those who make it onto the Xuan Tian Ranking are mediocre. You have to admit it."

Wang Zhao nodded in deep agreement.

He and Akiko were of similar cultivation level and combat strength, and both passed the seventh level, only he came out a little earlier.

Previously, he thought that becoming a true disciple meant he was an exceptional person.

But after he broke through the Illusionary Demon Tower, he realized that there are always people more powerful than him, and there is always something beyond his understanding.

His supposedly impressive skills aren't even enough to get him on the leaderboard.

Li Wudao's gaze fell on the boy.

Name: Wang Zhao

【Age: 17】

[Realm: Mid-stage Blood Transformation Realm]

[Talent: High-grade Profound Level]

[Special Physique: Fire Spirit Physique]

[Qi Luck: Mid-grade Yellow Level]

[Evaluation: Strong-willed and hates evil, destined for a major tribulation, but once overcome, the road ahead will be smooth.]

[Recent events: Failed to conquer the Illusionary Demon Tower, emotionally damaged, questioning the meaning of life]

"Another spirit..."

Li Wudao's eyes widened.

How come we can discover two people with special physical constitutions just by chatting casually?

One is a wood spirit, the other a fire spirit—good heavens, a perfect combination of wood and fire!

However, it seems that this young man's luck has run into some trouble.

It's only a mid-grade Yellow level?

Furthermore, what does the system's specific mention of "the great calamity" mean?

Li Wudao couldn't figure it out, so he simply stopped thinking about it.

In short, these two are good investment targets.

"I wonder how the rankings on this Xuan Tian Ranking are determined, and what the criteria are for being included on the list?"

Li Wudao was very curious.

Disciples under the age of thirty all have the opportunity to challenge the tower, but only three have made it onto the list in the last hundred years.

Logically speaking, disciples with higher cultivation levels should be able to clear more floors of the tower, but Jiang Churan, with her Blood-Moving Realm strength, not only made it onto the list, but ranked 999th.

There is obviously something wrong with this.

"Hehe, we had the same question at first..."

Akiko Minoru explained it with great enthusiasm.

"That's right. Those who attempt to enter the tower need to have an identity token. Once inside, the tower spirit will closely monitor the disciples' movements to ensure their safety and record their performance."

"After the tower challenge ends, the tower spirit will compare the disciples who are already on the list and make a comprehensive judgment based on various factors. If someone wins, they will be added to the list and announced to the entire sect as a sign of glory!"

"There are four main criteria: age, realm, level, and time taken."

"Those who are younger score higher, those who have higher skill levels score higher, those who have reached higher levels score higher, and those who take less time score higher."

Akiko sighed softly as she finished speaking.

"To put it bluntly, the Xuan Tian Ranking is a potential ranking. Those who can make it onto the list are true geniuses. It's just a method used by sects to select outstanding talents."

Li Wudao understood.

No wonder Jiang Churan made it onto the list so quickly.

In terms of talent and potential, no one in the history of the Xuantian Sect can probably surpass him.

As the future empress, she is invincible among those of the same realm and can fight against opponents of higher levels; this is nothing out of the ordinary.

"I wonder if, with my current strength, I am capable of making it onto the Xuan Tian Ranking?"

Li Wudao was somewhat expectant.

He originally just came to try his luck at the tower for fun.

But now, a strange competitive spirit rose in his heart.

I wonder, how does he compare to the young Empress?

"Excuse me, I'm going to challenge the tower now."

Li Wudao bid farewell to the two and headed towards the Illusionary Demon Tower.

"Keep it up, Brother Li!"

Akiko Minoru raised her fist in encouragement.

After the boy entered the tower, he joked, "Old Wang, how many floors do you think Brother Li can get through?"

“Brother Li is exceptionally talented and has outstanding comprehension. He is definitely stronger than us. I feel that the eighth level should be no problem. The ninth level might be possible, but it will probably be quite difficult.”

Wang Zhao stroked his chin and began to analyze the situation seriously.

Although they were ranked last among the top ten disciples when they joined the sect, their combat strength was probably not that high.

Both he and Qiu Zishi came from well-off families and were apprentices with prior skills. They had been cultivating since childhood and were already at the early stage of the Blood Removal Realm before entering the sect. Now they have just barely entered the middle stage.

Li Wudao was a year younger.

Even with exceptional talent, one's strength wouldn't exceed the peak of the Blood Refining Realm, right?

"The ninth floor..."

Qiu Zishi paused for a moment, then said softly, "I always feel that there's an unfathomable aura about Brother Li, perhaps..."

"Maybe what?"

Wang Zhao raised an eyebrow.

"fine."

Akiko shook her head and didn't say anything more.

The two did not choose to break through the tower, but stood still, staring intently at the tower, waiting for Li Wudao to come out.

"Um... do you think Brother Li can make the list?"

Suddenly, Akiko asked.

Wang Zhao remained silent for a while before slowly saying, "With Brother Li's talent, he might have a chance to be on the list in the future, but it's definitely not possible now. His foundation is too shallow, and he is not yet able to compete with the geniuses of past generations."

After saying this, neither of them spoke again, each lost in their own thoughts.

When they first came, they also saw the rankings on the Xuan Tian Ranking, but it only stopped at Wu Shaotian.

In the past century, only two people from the sect have made it onto the list; how difficult that must have been.

Moreover, Wu Shaotian, as the young sect leader, far surpasses them in both age and cultivation level, so it is understandable that he is on the list.

Li Wudao has only been in the sect for a few days. If he can squeeze onto the Xuan Tian Ranking, it would be simply outrageous.

However, if they knew at this time...

Just yesterday, Jiang Churan not only made it onto the list, but she was even ranked ahead of the young sect leader. How interesting must her expression have been?

........

at the same time.

Inside Misty Peak.

Xia Gucheng lay on the rattan chair, his gaze fixed on the direction of the Illusionary Demon Tower.

"Judging by the time, that kid should have already started climbing the tower. With the initial awakening of the Pure Yang Holy Body and mastery of the Royal Sword Technique, passing the eleventh floor should be easy for him."

The old man took a sip of wine and pondered silently.

With Li Wudao's strength, it wouldn't be difficult for him to defeat someone in the early True Essence Realm, even if he were to cross two minor realms.

Maybe, with a little effort, I can even get past the twelfth floor?