Rise from a Low-class Family to Martial Artist

”To clear the Heaven-Reaching Pagoda, the conditions are excessively harsh; one must have reached the peak of Martial Arts Mountain. How many have done so in the entire Flame Dynasty?”

”You think the royal family’s Heaven-Reaching Pagoda is prepared for everyone? Even the most basic Martial Arts Mountain requires a genius to enter the top ten thousand. This Heaven-Reaching Pagoda is prepared for Innate Powerhouses.”

In the tavern, martial artists expressed their opinions freely. Some speculated on how generous the rewards would be, while others guessed at the difficulty of the challenge. Each had different views, but one point was universally agreed upon.

The royal family’s Heaven-Reaching Pagoda is not prepared for ordinary martial artists, nor even for genius martial artists, but for those elite celestial prides.

The number of martial artists who have been atop Martial Arts Mountain first, in the past century averages about one every four months. Under the age of a hundred, except for the first dozen or so years, there are practically fewer than three hundred.

”Almost three hundred?”

Lin Chen listened to the estimates from martial artists in the tavern, and his face showed a look of surprise. Beside him, Yin Yue softly spoke: ”Except for a few instances, like your generation and the one before you, many generations’ first atop Martial Arts Mountain were just about to turn twenty. They dropped from the charts within months, and the next person succeeded them. Each first usually stayed for about three months, though occasionally there would be stronger batches prolonging the duration.”

Upon hearing Yin Yue’s explanation, Lin Chen realized... those who can enter the top ten are already the elite celestial prides of each sect. Though there are differences between them, they’re not vastly incomparable—the ranking largely depends on the length of time spent training.

A few months older, additional months of training, one’s strength would slightly increase, and thus, one’s rank could improve by a position.

The process feels routine, the first place stepping down, the second place climbs up, and the subsequent rankings inch forward...

There are few who, like me, surge directly from the back.

With over two hundred people in mind, the Heaven-Reaching List records the top hundred; the chance of listing is not low.

”Actually, there are about two hundred who have a chance to clear the pagoda. But let’s not forget some who peaked on Martial Arts Mountain have perished, yet for these two hundred slots, there will likely be fierce competition.”

”How so?”

In the tavern, an elder stroking his beard shared his perspective: ”Those who peak on Martial Arts Mountain are indeed absolute geniuses, but quite a few celestial prides hadn’t reached the peak yet caught up or even surpassed later during their training journey. The royal family has provided these powerhouses a chance: defeat the previous peak of the same realm, and one can take their place, gaining the qualification to clear the pagoda.”

”So rather than say the royal family is giving slots to those who peak on Martial Arts Mountain, it’s more like selecting the strongest martial artist from each of the Innate Sixth Realm’s tiers.”

Martial Arts Mountain peak first, within a century...

”Let me take the most recent example, Qin Mu from the Creation Sect has just stepped down from first on Martial Arts Mountain, currently at Innate First Realm...”

”Qin Mu?”

In the private room on the second floor, Lin Chen froze upon hearing the elder’s words.

”Did you think the most recent was you?”

Seeing Lin Chen stunned, Yin Yue chuckled: ”You’ve been down from Martial Arts Mountain for months now, and first place on Martial Arts Mountain has already changed twice. Actually, even more unfortunate are those from your generation ranking behind you; they had a chance to peak, but were forced out by you.”

Listening to Yin Yue, the first name that flashed in Lin Chen’s mind was Zeng Xi.

If I hadn’t appeared suddenly, upon Sima Kong stepping down from the peak, Zeng Xi should have been next.

Thinking how Zeng Xi was forced out, and still didn’t resent me for it, Lin Chen held Zeng Xi in even higher regard.

”Now Qin Mu is at the Innate First Realm but certainly not at the Peak of Innate First Realm. If someone wants his pagoda slot, they will surely challenge him, yet succeeding against Qin Mu doesn’t guarantee qualification. There might be other martial artists challenging him unless they possess undefeatable prowess in the same realm; otherwise, this slot can’t be safeguarded.”

The elder’s words enlightened many, realizing the truth upon deeper consideration.

”What if Qin Mu is unbeatable at Innate First Realm? Don’t forget ahead of him, Canglan Sect’s Lin Chen was once unbeatable at Innate First Realm.”

”Do you think Martial Arts Mountain produces many celestial prides like Lin Chen? Over dozens of generations, one may not emerge.”

The elder sneered softly: ”And even Lin Chen now is only at Innate Second Realm, far from being unbeatable at Innate Second Realm, unlikely able to keep that slot.”

”Your earlier words seem reasonable, but the last statement I can’t agree with.”

In the hall below, a middle-aged martial artist wore a look of doubt as he spoke: ”If I were one of those celestial prides who peaked on Martial Arts Mountain, I could completely refuse challenges. These peak Martial Arts Mountain geniuses all hail from super sects. As long as they stay within the sect, who would dare to challenge them?”

The middle-aged man’s words made many martial artists in the hall nod in agreement. As long as one doesn’t feel capable of being unbeatable in the same realm, just hide away or stay within the sect. With the backing of the sect, it seems none with any sense would dare approach for a challenge.

”What you can imagine, do you think the royal family can’t?”

The elder’s face bore a contemptuous sneer: ”The first time clearing the Heaven-Reaching Pagoda will be publicly announced. All who possess the Martial Arts Seal will receive notification. Those wishing to challenge can intercept at the pagoda; defeat the challenger, and they can seize the pagoda qualification from them.”