After Jiang Yuan’s performance, it took a full stick of incense time for the second person to step up for the assessment.
Having focused his mental energy, he hesitated for a full three minutes in front of the stone platter but didn’t choose any.
As the subsequent participants took their turns, they, too, carefully selected their choices in front of the stone platter, but the results were disappointing.
Most of them failed to choose a single one, with only a few selecting one or two, and very few managing to pick more than four.
Compared to Jiang Yuan’s performance earlier, there was a world of difference.
Initially, nearly a hundred people had passed the first stage of the assessment, but after the second round, only ten remained.
These ten individuals were brought in front of a grand tower.
This tower stood over ten yards tall and had five levels.
The elderly man pointed at the tower and introduced it to the group and said, “This tower is called the Trial Tower, specifically designed for challenge assessments.”
“The Trial Tower is divided into five levels, each with a different checkpoint, and each checkpoint is filled with illusion formations that create illusory opponents.”
“The opponents on the first level are at the Second Stage of the Elemental Condensation Realm.”
“On the second level, they’re at the Third Stage.”
“The third level has opponents at the Fourth Stage.”
“The fourth level has Fifth Stage opponents.”
“The fifth level features opponents at the Sixth Stage.”
“As long as you defeat the illusory opponents, you’ll pass the checkpoint and move on to the next one.”
“The less time you take to pass a checkpoint, the stronger your abilities are considered.”
After a brief pause, the elderly man continued, “Whether you can enter the Ranking List depends on the time you take to pass the second checkpoint.”
“The last member of the Ranking List passed the second checkpoint in the time it takes for one stick of incense to burn.”
“As long as you take less time than that within one incense stick’s duration, you can make it onto the Ranking List.”
After explaining the rules, the elderly man activated the Trial Tower directly.
The gate to the first level of the Trial Tower opened, and a bright light shone forth.
“All the opponents in the Trial Tower are illusions. Even if you get injured or die inside, it won’t affect your physical self so feel free to challenge.”
After this statement, the elderly man took out ten bamboo sticks. “The order of entry for the third stage of the assessment will be determined by drawing lots.”
Everyone stepped forward and randomly chose a bamboo stick.
Jiang Yuan’s luck was not great, and he drew the last place.
The first to draw a stick was Liu Haonan, the one who had lifted 15,000 catties in the strength assessment.
Liu Haonan was a Third Stage Elemental Condensation Realm martial artist with a strong focus on strength. He had numerous scars all over his body due to his years of external training including three fierce scars on his face, making him look ferocious.
“Liu Haonan and Lin Wu are no ordinary individuals. How long do you think they will need to pass the second checkpoint?”
“Both of them are at the Third Stage of the Elemental Condensation Realm, so I estimate they can both complete it within the time of one incense stick.”
“I agree. Their strength has already reached the level to enter the Ranking List.”
After discussing, they prepared to tackle the challenges of the Trial Tower.
Amidst the discussions of the crowd, Liu Haonan entered the treasure tower.
As he went in, it took just a few minutes.
A few minutes later, the first level of the tower finally lit up, indicating that Liu Haonan had successfully passed the first level and entered the second.
However, shortly after entering the second level, he was eliminated.
“Failure to pass the second level, it’s regrettable, and you cannot enter the Ranking List!” announced the elder, surprising everyone present.
Liu Haonan was considered a formidable expert in their eyes. The fact that he didn’t make it to the Ranking List was hard to believe.
“If even Liu Haonan couldn’t make it to the Ranking List, the difficulty of entering it is truly daunting!”
“I thought Liu Haonan would surely make it to the Ranking List, but I didn’t expect him to fall so far short!”
“If he couldn’t do it, then do we even have a chance?”
At that moment, people were sighing about the challenge of making it to the Ranking List. Those who were yet to undergo the assessment had almost lost their confidence.
Liu Haonan, too, appeared dejected and deeply affected.
The next participants in line had not even passed the first level, making Liu Haonan’s performance the best so far.
“This is impossible; the competition for the Ranking List is too intense. We simply can’t make it in!” someone commented.
“We have no hope, let’s see if Lin Wu has a chance to break through,” another said.
“While Liu Haonan may not have made it, Lin Wu should be fine. After all, he’s the Lin family’s genius, and there’s a significant gap between him and Liu Haonan,” another person remarked.
Amidst the expectations of the crowd, it was finally Lin Wu’s turn to enter.
Lin Wu entered the treasure tower and successfully passed the first level within just three minutes and progressed to the second level.
He spent much more time on the second level than Liu Haonan which indicates a fierce battle.
Unfortunately, he couldn’t make it past the third level. After persevering for the duration of one stick of incense, he was transported back from the second level.
“Failure to pass the second level, it’s regrettable, and you cannot enter the Ranking List!” announced the elder when the final results were revealed, leaving everyone deeply disappointed.
“Did I… did I see that right? Even Lin Wu couldn’t break through!”
“I can’t believe it. The requirements for entering the Ranking List are incredibly high!”
“Unbelievable. What kind of individuals make it to the Ranking List?”
At that moment, all present were in disbelief.
They had assumed that Lin Wu would pass the second level within the time of one incense stick but to their surprise, he failed to do so.
“Damn it!” Lin Wu clenched his fists in frustration.
The enemies in the second level were at the Third Stage of the Elemental Condensation Realm. Under normal circumstances, he would have easily defeated them.
However, his previous battle in the first level had drained a significant amount of his energy and stamina, leaving him too weakened to succeed in the second level.
“It’s over, there’s no point in continuing the assessment.”
The disappointment and frustration were palpable as the participants contemplated their performances.
“Yes, indeed. Even Lin Wu couldn’t make it to the Ranking List. Our group definitely won’t have anyone making it!”
“I’m forfeiting too!”
Surprisingly, three of the remaining participants chose to give up on the assessment. They had a clear understanding of their own capabilities and knew that there was no chance of them making it to the Ranking List, especially considering that Lin Wu, who was stronger than them, had also failed to do so.
“Is no one else planning to continue the assessment?” The elder’s gaze swept over the three who had given up, filled with disappointment.
“I will take the assessment,” at that moment, an emotionless voice rang out.
All eyes turned to the disinterested-looking man who spoke, and there was no doubt that it was Jiang Yuan.
From the beginning to the end, he maintained a calm and indifferent demeanor as if he wasn’t here for the assessment but rather just passing the time.
“Oh, I forgot about this guy!”
“Even Lin Wu failed! Does he really plan to try?”
“Lin Wu is the strongest in overall abilities, and this guy, no matter how strong he is, can’t be better than Lin Wu, right?”
“I’m one hundred percent sure he won’t be able to make it to the Ranking List!”
For a moment, everyone watched Jiang Yuan with skepticism. Even though he had demonstrated remarkable strength in the previous assessments, they still didn’t believe he could make it to the Ranking List.
The reason was simple: if Lin Wu, an agile martial artist, couldn’t make it, they didn’t think Jiang Yuan could either. At least that was their perception.
