In less than fifteen minutes, Xia Lihang emerged from the restriction holding the twelfth-level token of the Divine Warrior Tower.

His breathing was steady, his body uninjured, and he appeared completely at ease.

Hong Guang accepted the token with a satisfied nod and declared, “Xia Lihang has secured a place in the observation area. Next!”

Chu Hao opened his mouth to volunteer, but Zi He had already stepped forward.

“Greetings, Elder Hong. Zi He of the Exterminate Evil Division’s Slaying Guardians wishes to attempt the trial.”

Hong Guang studied Zi He with curiosity.

The Exterminate Evil Division publicly claimed Zi He was a secretly trained genius, yet his true origins remained unknown.

*Ranked third on that list, he must have mastered one of the division’s secret methods. But which?*

Hong Guang waved him in. “Proceed.”

The commotion from Zi He’s ascent paled compared to Xia Lihang’s. Observers detected only fleeting ripples of spiritual power as he cleared each floor.

He took slightly longer than Xia Lihang—just over fifteen minutes—to return with the twelfth-level token.

Achieving this on his first attempt impressed Hong Guang, the martial institute’s chief instructor.

“Your turn, Brother Chu,” Zi He said, moving aside.

Chu Hao chuckled. “You overestimate me, Brother Zi He.”

He entered the restriction. Moments later, the tower’s lights rapidly lit up floor after floor.

In under eight minutes, Chu Hao strolled out clutching the twelfth-level token, calm and unruffled under the crowd’s stunned gazes.

“Elder Hong, this replica tower is amusing. I’d like to challenge the real one someday.”

“Ha!” Hong Guang boomed as he took the token. “Master Condensing Essence, and our institute’s doors will open!”

He summoned four additional restriction entrances before the tower replica.

With the top three having demonstrated their prowess, the process accelerated.

“Five at a time. Enter through separate restrictions—each tower space is isolated.”

The five remaining ninth-level practitioners of the Way of Spiritual Manipulation stepped forward.

Twenty minutes later, all five exited with twelfth-level tokens. Unlike the earlier trio, they bore significant injuries—one looked thoroughly battered.

The roster’s rankings proved meaningful: the top three operated on an entirely different plane.

These five had reached their absolute limit at the twelfth level. The others? The tower simply had no higher floors.

With eight observation area spots claimed, twenty-two remained.

The next group was the turn of cultivators at Ye Lan’s level.

They were close to peak Ninth Level in cultivation, but having not mastered the Spiritual Manipulation Technique, their strength fell slightly short.

Hong Guang observed the five cultivators. When his gaze swept over Ye Lan, his eyebrows twitched slightly.

”
Her aura seems…
unstable?”

Doubt arose in Hong Guang’s heart. He’d seen Ye Lan years earlier during an academy-martial institute exchange.

Back then, the girl had brimmed with spiritual energy and possessed a rock-solid foundation that left a deep impression.

”
After years of cultivation, her stability should’ve improved. Why this regression?”

Ye Lan concealed her unstable aura well. Among the crowd, only Condensing Essence-stage Hong Guang and pupil technique practitioner Zi He noticed anything amiss.

”
A pity…
”

Zi He sighed inwardly.

With the Li Family’s collapse and the Ye Family’s Elder only reaching Tenth Level perfection, their clan stood defenseless against circling predators.

The entire Ye Family possessed nothing worth the Su Family’s attention except this ”
jade beauty”
.

Only through personal sacrifice could she protect her family’s legacy and loved ones.

Before the restriction, Ye Lan took a steadying breath and entered.

Five light beams began ascending, nearly reaching the eighth level together.

Their progress slowed markedly beyond that point.

Young cultivators craned their necks, murmuring as they watched:

”
Will any reach the twelfth level?”

”
Hard to say. Without Spiritual Manipulation Technique, forcing through twelfth level brings severe consequences.”

”
Senior Sister Ye from the academy stands the best chance with her cultivation depth.”

Li Qingwan stared intently at Ye Lan’s light beam, anxiety flickering in her eyes.

When she’d first joined the academy, Ye Lan had helped her extensively due to their families’ past ties.

But recent encounters revealed disturbing changes –
the vibrant energy she’d once admired in Ye Lan had diminished.

Inside the replica Divine Warrior Tower, the five climbers reached the tenth level.

A light beam flashed below as a Wanhuamen disciple at ninth level withdrew.

The crimson stain on his shoulder told observers he’d voluntarily abandoned the climb.

”
Tenth level suffices for next round,”
Hong Guang acknowledged with a nod.

Within fifteen minutes, four remaining beams surged to the eleventh level.

Three beams froze moments later.

Only Ye Lan continued climbing as her peers emerged from the restriction –
pale, trembling, nearly collapsing.

Hong Guang channeled true essence and distributed elixirs to revive them.

Witnessing this, other cultivators shuddered, imagining the eleventh level’s horrors.

Thud.

Ye Lan’s light beam stabilized at eleventh level, signaling her qualification for the observation round with one final step.

”
Senior Sister Ye’s our last hope!”

”
You can do it!”

”
Our academy’s future leader won’t fail!”

Academy disciples cheered excitedly.

Li Qingwan alone stood rigid, silently pleading for Ye Lan to abandon the climb.

Inside the tower’s eleventh level, Ye Lan knelt clutching her pierced waist.

*Cough-hack*

She wiped blood from her lips while staring at the twelfth level stairs, only to vomit more crimson.

Bitter tears streaked her bloodied face.

*This damned twelfth level should’ve been mine!*

The final step yawned like an uncrossable abyss.

For one reckless moment, she considered charging upward –
death seemed preferable to her current humiliation.

Then childish laughter echoed in her mind –
younger siblings needing their protector.

”
Heh…
Pathetic…
”

Ye Lan’s mirthless laugh echoed through the chamber as she swayed upright, retreating down the high tower.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep