Soon, led by Yang Zi, Li Xuan saw a massive challenge platform. Around the platform stood ten colossal pillars.
"Young Master Li Xuan, this is our Mountain Sea City's Heavenly Pride Ranking. Those who make it onto the list have fought their way up with real strength. Their power varies according to their rank. For you, this is an excellent opportunity to hone your skills," Yang Zi said.
Li Xuan nodded slightly. As soon as he saw the ten pillars, he felt immense pressure. If not for his Indomitable Bloodline, he would not have been able to maintain such a calm demeanor. This surprised Yang Zi, as this place was a haven for the strong.
"Here, you only need to challenge according to your own strength. If you win, you gain the corresponding rank. If you are outmatched, you can concede. Otherwise, your life may be in danger. Of course, the Spirit Stones collected for each challenge vary based on the rank," Yang Zi explained.
Li Xuan blinked in surprise but soon understood. Without Spirit Stones, he himself would probably be too lazy to accept challenges from others.
"Miss Yang Zi, if one makes it onto the list, besides receiving Spirit Stones from challengers, what else can they get?" Li Xuan asked after some thought.
Yang Zi smiled slightly and replied, "I almost forgot to tell you. Here, anyone on the list receives corresponding cultivation resources. The top ten can even enter our Mountain Sea City's sacred cultivation grounds."
Li Xuan gazed at the ten giant pillars. It seemed the beings atop these pillars were the top ten powerhouses.
"Miss Yang Zi, I'm going," Li Xuan said, retracting his gaze.
Yang Zi nodded slightly and then added, "Young Master, be careful. I suggest you start by challenging from the hundredth place. After all, those on the list are truly powerful. And in this chaotic land, one cannot hold their position without some serious skills."
Li Xuan nodded slightly and then strode towards the challenge platform.
*Buzz.*
As Li Xuan stepped onto the platform, a humming sound echoed. Immediately, a light screen appeared before him.
"Challenger, choose your target rank," an old man slowly materialized. After nodding to Yang Zi, he looked at Li Xuan and spoke.
Li Xuan glanced at the ranks on the light screen and then pressed his finger on the hundredth position.
"Challenging the hundredth rank costs five million high-grade Spirit Stones," the old man announced.
Li Xuan felt speechless. The hundredth rank alone cost five million high-grade Spirit Stones. Nevertheless, he directly produced five million high-grade Spirit Stones and stood to the side, waiting.
*Boom!*
After collecting the Spirit Stones, the old man waved his hand, and a figure was teleported over.
Li Xuan took a look and his eyes widened in surprise.
Life and Death Realm intermediate stage!
The hundredth rank was already at the Life and Death Realm intermediate stage!
"Attack," the man said, looking at Li Xuan with an emotionless expression, like a wooden post.
Li Xuan said nothing more. He moved swiftly and threw a punch.
*Bang!*
In the next moment, the man was sent flying.
"Challenger wins," the old man announced, a hint of surprise in his eyes. With a Life and Death Realm beginner stage cultivation, he had sent flying someone a whole realm higher with a single punch. Though the man had underestimated his opponent, his strength was undeniable.
The old man glanced at Yang Zi, then his gaze softened as he looked at Li Xuan. "Will you continue challenging, or shall you retain your rank?"
Li Xuan pondered for a moment and then cupped his hands. "What is the cost to continue challenging?"
The old man looked at Li Xuan with a peculiar expression, then at Yang Zi, and then chuckled. "Moving upwards, it's an additional one million high-grade Spirit Stones per rank. Of course, this excludes the top ten."
Damn it!
Li Xuan was utterly speechless. While it seemed like just a million more each time, challenging up to the fiftieth rank would cost hundreds of millions. He wondered who invented such a Spirit Stone-draining challenge.
"Can I skip ranks when challenging?" Li Xuan asked after thinking.
The old man smiled and nodded. "Naturally. For Miss Yang Zi's sake, I would advise you to challenge around the eightieth rank."
Li Xuan contemplated for a moment and then nodded slightly. "What is the cost?"
The old man narrowed his eyes. "Twenty-five million high-grade Spirit Stones."
Li Xuan sighed helplessly and then waved his hand, sending a spatial ring towards the old man. The old man took it, glanced inside, nodded, and then waved his hand.
"Ling Nan," the newcomer said, looking at Li Xuan with no change in his expression.
Li Xuan clasped his fists. "Li Xuan."
As Li Xuan finished speaking, Ling Nan's figure vanished from the spot. Immediately, a gust of wind slammed towards Li Xuan's face.
"Damn it!" Li Xuan muttered inwardly. He immediately activated his physical defense and threw a punch.
*Bang!*
With a deafening crash, both Li Xuan and Ling Nan were forced back three steps. Ling Nan looked at Li Xuan with surprise and then, with a thought, a long spear appeared in his hand.
Li Xuan also summoned his immortal sword. In their previous clash, Li Xuan realized that Ling Nan's physical strength, while not equal to his, was not far off. The inhabitants of this chaotic land were indeed powerful.
More importantly, Ling Nan was only at the peak of the Life and Death Realm. Yet, to be ranked eightieth, there was no doubt about his strength.
Soon, sword and spear intertwined in a fierce battle.
"Miss, do you think he can win?" The old man had appeared beside Yang Zi and was watching the fight on the platform.
Yang Zi smiled slightly. "Sword cultivators are not to be judged by ordinary means."
The old man paused for a moment, then smiled. "It seems Miss holds him in high regard."
Yang Zi brushed a strand of hair from her ear, her gaze never leaving the challenge platform.
*Clang.*
With a sword's hum, Ling Nan was forced to retreat rapidly. However fast he moved, the immortal sword maintained a distance of five inches. In the next instant, Ling Nan reached the edge of the platform.
"I concede!"
Ling Nan could feel the terrifying sword intent emanating from the immortal sword. Furthermore, he was already at the edge of the platform. If he chose to resist, he knew he might perish on the spot.
"Admitted," Li Xuan said, moving his mind. The immortal sword stopped.
As the sword intent dissipated, Ling Nan was unaware that his forehead was covered in fine sweat. With a complex look at Li Xuan, Ling Nan waved his hand, and a spatial ring flew towards Li Xuan. Then, Ling Nan vanished.
Li Xuan, curious, accepted the spatial ring and looked inside. It contained twenty-five million high-grade Spirit Stones.
"Uh, we seem to have forgotten to tell him that besides the hundredth rank, winning against other heavenly prides grants corresponding Spirit Stones," Yang Zi said, suddenly realizing with a wry smile.
The old man also let out a wry smile and then teleported onto the platform.
"What?" Li Xuan exclaimed in disbelief after hearing the old man's explanation.
"Please forgive me, Young Master. I assumed Miss Yang Zi had already informed you, so I did not remind you. And Miss Yang Zi assumed I would explain everything to you, so she didn't mention it. This oversight is mine," the old man said with a wry smile.
Li Xuan looked helplessly at Yang Zi, who was standing nearby with an innocent expression. Then, he turned to the old man. "Esteemed elder, can I still challenge the ninety-ninth rank now?"
The old man was stunned, recognizing the implication in Li Xuan's words. He shook his head. "That is naturally not possible."
Li Xuan felt a pang of heartache. That was tens of millions of high-grade Spirit Stones.