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墨書 Inktalez
A new day begins, with the bright morning sun casting its brilliance everywhere. The flowers, grass, trees, and all creatures have awakened. It is another bustling day!
In the central square of the Outer Court of the Great Chu Academy, tens of thousands of disciples have gathered. Among them are those who have made it onto the rankings as well as those who were previously eliminated. They all wait with some confusion for the elders to explain the reason.
Not long ago, the elders summoned all disciples to the central square, just like when the competition for the Bronze Ranking began, insisting that no one could be absent.
"Well, I’m sure many of you are puzzled! The reason for gathering all of you here is actually related to the upcoming assessment, which concerns every one of you." At this point, the elder on stage suddenly paused, creating suspense and making the disciples below anxious. This was especially true for those who had already been eliminated; they were unwilling to accept such an ending and hoped for a miracle.
"The content of the fourth assessment is a challenge—a month-long challenge. Those who have been eliminated can challenge any of the top one hundred disciples on the rankings. As long as you defeat any one of them, you can take their place."
"What?" "How is that possible?" "This is unfair!" Over thirteen thousand disciples below immediately erupted in protest. The content of this assessment caught many off guard.
Especially those who had entered the rankings but had lower cultivation levels found it hard to accept. It was clear that this was meant to push them out. It should be noted that among those eliminated were not only high-level cultivators but also several perfected realm warriors. They were simply not their opponents.
"Don't worry. After all, you entered the rankings based on your own strength; we won’t let you suffer losses. There are rules for eliminated disciples wishing to challenge. First, they can only challenge warriors of the same rank or one rank higher. Of course, they can also challenge warriors of a lower rank, but they must have the consent of the challenged. Second, during this month, each challenged disciple must accept ten challenges—one every three days—and can freely choose their challengers. Third, challengers must pay one hundred points to the challenged for each match, regardless of winning or losing. Fourth, these rules still apply to those who succeed in challenges or lose their spots."
These rules eased some people's worries; many feared endless challenges that would wear them down. A single mistake could lead to a loss in competition, which would be devastating.
Of course, some still looked worried; among the top one hundred on the rankings, ninety were perfected realm warriors, and among the remaining ten, one was a mid-level warrior while nine were high-level warriors. They had just entered the rankings, and even if challengers were of the same rank, it still caused them great concern.
Ren Pingsheng smiled; challenging only those of the same rank posed no threat to him at all. Even against higher-ranked opponents, he felt no fear. What he considered now was which challenges he would accept; he wouldn’t even think about challenges from those of the same rank—at least he wanted them to be one rank higher.
While he contemplated this, he didn’t realize that many eyes were focused on him. Especially among mid-level warrior disciples, there were cheers of excitement because Ren Pingsheng’s presence gave them a chance to enter the Bronze Ranking.
Even some low-level warriors planned to take advantage of this opportunity since they could challenge higher-ranked warriors as well; theoretically, this gave them a chance too.
Some high-level warrior disciples also turned their attention toward him; they were considering how Ren Pingsheng would respond to their challenges. Challengers could refuse challenges from higher-ranked warriors, which was a headache for them.
"After this round of challenges concludes, we will finalize the list for the Bronze Ranking. Following that, there will be a task assigned for you to complete; upon completion, you can choose any martial arts techniques at the Xuan level—whether high-level or top-level." The elder on stage announced another tempting piece of information.
"Hiss..." Below came sounds of gasps. High-level or top-level martial arts techniques—after all, even those on the Bronze Ranking wouldn’t necessarily have access to all top-level techniques. Some might master Xuan level top-tier skills while others might grasp Xuan level top-tier martial arts techniques; however, no one had all top-tier techniques.
This was because there was a rule at the academy: exchanging for the first Xuan level top-tier manual required thirty thousand points. To exchange for a second volume required ten times that amount; for a third volume, it required a hundred times more points. Therefore, acquiring three types of top-tier manuals would cost three hundred thirty thousand points—a number that felt utterly despairing.
Even the first place in the Bronze Ranking only earns one hundred and twenty thousand points in a year. However, no one stays in the Bronze Ranking for more than two years. This is because their cultivation as Perfect Realm Warriors either allows them to break through quickly or they are defeated by others.
"The situation is as follows: starting today, for the next thirty days, those who are eliminated can issue challenge letters," announced the Elder, and immediately cheers erupted from below.
The next month would be the most lively and tense period. Not only was it about the ranking in the Bronze Ranking, but also about future missions and Top Tier secrets.
Those with points immediately began issuing challenge letters to their desired targets. Those without points hurried off to earn some. At this moment, the enthusiasm of the Academy disciples was unprecedentedly ignited.
"Ren Pingsheng, here is my challenge letter. As a warrior of the same rank, you wouldn't be cowardly enough to refuse, would you?" a Mid-Level Warrior provocatively taunted.
"Ren Pingsheng, here is my challenge letter. Although my cultivation is one level higher than yours, I’ve heard that you are quite powerful. Are you not going to show off a bit more?" a High-Level Warrior tempted.
"Ren Pingsheng, here is my challenge letter. Although my cultivation is lower than yours, you might not necessarily win against me," a Beginner Warrior confidently declared.
"Uh..." Ren Pingsheng took the challenge letters with a frustrated expression. "These guys all think I'm an easy target. But there's no rush; I'll go back and think it over."
On his way back, he received many more challenge letters. Unable to refuse them all, he accepted them.
In his room, Ren Pingsheng looked at the dozens of challenge letters and couldn't help but curl his lips. Half of them were challenges from Mid-Level Warriors, while the other half were from Beginner Warriors, and another portion came from High-Level Warriors.
Not only did he receive so many challenge letters, but other disciples on the Ranking faced similar situations as well. Except for those with particularly strong abilities. For example, the top ten in the Bronze Ranking were somewhat quieter in comparison.
"Great! The battles will start tomorrow! This month is likely to be quite fulfilling," Ren Pingsheng casually picked up a challenge letter and made his decision. Although he had to accept at least ten challenges, there was no upper limit. This meant that as long as one had strength, they could even accept challenges every day.
Early in the morning, many disciples gathered at the entrance of the Western Courtyard where Azure Wind Sword Sect was located, all waiting for something.
"Creak..." The sound of the door opening immediately attracted their attention. Ren Pingsheng glanced at them and casually took out a challenge letter.
"Which one of you is Zhao Jie? I accept your challenge. If you're here, let's start right now!"
"Ah! It's me! It's me!" A high-level disciple dressed in a blue robe exclaimed in surprise. Looking at those around him, he wore a proud expression.
He had initially approached it with a sense of luck and didn't expect to actually be selected. He suddenly felt as if happiness had struck him; in his view, Ren Pingsheng of Mid-Level Warrior cultivation could not possibly be his opponent.
"Haha, I have to say you are quite arrogant. But it’s your arrogance that has made this possible for me. Your ranking will now be mine," Zhao Jie stepped forward confidently and declared.
"Enough with the nonsense, draw your sword quickly, I have limited time." Facing his relaxed demeanor, Ren Pingsheng felt speechless.
"Hmph, let you see the power of a High-Level Warrior." He snorted angrily, drawing his sword like the wind and launching an attack.
Ren Pingsheng also drew his sword, but took a defensive stance, countering Zhao Jie's moves. No matter how Zhao Jie's attacks came like a raging storm or a furious sea, he remained as steady as a rock, unmoving. To outsiders, it appeared that Ren Pingsheng was completely suppressed by Zhao Jie, struggling to defend himself.
"Damn it, Zhao Jie got the upper hand this time. I thought he had some impressive skills when he dared to accept the challenge from a High-Level Warrior, but it turns out he is so inadequate." Those who had submitted challenge letters but were not selected all wore expressions of regret, thinking about how the person on stage dominating the fight was not themselves.
"Whether it's Artistic Conception or Sword Momentum, they can be integrated into the sword individually. However, trying to combine them both at the same time is still fraught with difficulties," Ren Pingsheng pondered while battling.
He had this idea long ago. At that time, he felt that whether integrating Sword Momentum or Artistic Conception into the sword would greatly enhance its power. He wondered if it was possible to merge the two together; wouldn't that make it even more powerful? Perhaps even the most ordinary sword techniques could become Profound Level high-tier or even more formidable sword skills.
This time he planned to take advantage of this month of battle to carefully contemplate and see if he could figure something out. This was also why he was so eager to accept challenges.
"Well, that's still not right; perhaps Golden Realm and Sword Momentum are easier to work with." He immediately abandoned Wind Realm. This was because Golden Realm shared some commonalities with his Sword Momentum; both possessed endless sharpness and invincible cutting power.
He tried his best to mobilize Golden Realm and Sword Momentum, gathering them onto his law sword and slowly merging them. Unfortunately, every time he reached a critical moment, he failed.
"It seems I'm still inexperienced; I need to experiment more. There was one time before when I almost succeeded." Ren Pingsheng wasn't discouraged at all; he fused Sword Momentum with one strike and then Golden Realm with the next, continuously switching back and forth. When he felt ready, he merged them together and struck out with one blow.
Although he had not succeeded even once yet, he delighted in experimenting. With a month left, he could take his time to try things out. As long as he was headed in the right direction, success would eventually come. What he lacked the least was patience.
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