Follow the path of Dao from infancy Chapter 1848 Chapter 490: True King Seed
Previously on Follow the path of Dao from infancy...
"Evidently, most of the True King positions this time will emerge from these ten great clans. The Heavenly Emperor Clan boasts nine people who surpassed a hundred levels. Indeed, they live up to their rank as the foremost clan in the True Realm, supported by vast heritage!"
From the peak of the Heaven Tower, the Star Empress and the Immortal Immortal Emperor observed the participants from various clans slowly stepping out of the tower. Earlier, they had fretted over the possibility that the ten selected True Kings might fail to pass a hundred floors, or that only a scant few would succeed. Yet now, those fears appeared entirely needless.
"Surpassing a hundred floors bestows the power to endure briefly in the Quasi-Emperor Realm, guaranteeing they won't fall in an instant on the battlefield—unless they face a peak Quasi-Emperor Realm foe."
The Star Empress whispered softly.
"The inheriting Emperor's Son from the Emperor Clan has climbed to 125 floors. From what I observe, he wields unique techniques that the Reincarnation All Heavens Tower fails to replicate, staking his very life in the trial. He could very well rival those in the Quasi-Emperor Realm."
The Immortal Immortal Emperor remarked, his scrutinizing eyes gleaming with approval. The showings of these key clan heirs exceeded his anticipations, filling him with delight.
"Maybe the Heavenly Dao perceives an impending threat and has bestowed ample blessings upon them."
The Star Empress's gaze shimmered faintly. At their exalted stage, they could sense the Heavenly Dao Power suffusing the True Realm, even if its sway over them remained subdued.
"Di Mingyuan, who has grasped three Dao Emperor Level Skills, has practiced for under ten thousand years and attained peak Immortal King Realm. Grant him three more thousand years, and stepping into the Quasi-Emperor Realm ought to come easily."
The Immortal Immortal Emperor stated.
"In this True King selection, whoever leads the Ten Thousand Clans—the Heavenly Emperor Clan surely won't let the supreme command slip away. Even should he break through to Quasi-Emperor during this cultivation phase, he must hold back and advance only amid the fray."
The Star Empress declared.
This round, the True Kings will claim the core assets of the True Realm's Ten Thousand Races, lead the Ten Thousand Clans, and above all, earn renown and authority among them. Though the Emperor's codes bar favoritism or leveraging command for clan profit, even a subtle tilt can yield boundless gains for the lineage.
Hence, battles for these slots become fiercely contested must-wins for the great clans.
"It looks like we need to elevate the prior assessment criteria a touch, to heap some strain on these youths."
The Immortal Immortal Emperor suggested.
"Indeed."
The Star Empress agreed with a nod.
Before long, the Heaven Tower fell quiet once more; all entrants had emerged.
Murmurs and hushed talks buzzed about, as people swapped tales of their feats. Those who had tackled mere levels matching their own realm shifted restlessly, a touch of doubt gnawing at them.
"The preliminary assessment concludes."
The Immortal Immortal Emperor announced, his tone grave and measured, "We grade cultivation aptitude in five tiers!"
"Fifth Class goes to those who conquered 1-5 levels aligned with their realm!"
"Fourth Class for conquering 6-10 levels aligned with their realm!"
"Third Class for conquering 11-15 levels aligned with their realm!"
"Second Class for conquering 16-20 levels aligned with their realm!"
"First Class for exceeding 20 levels beyond their realm!"
His declaration drew gasps from the crowd, with shocked stares flying between them.
The Heaven Tower proves so grueling, yet merely clearing levels equal to one's realm nets only a Fourth Class rank?!
Third Class demands battling above one's realm, no less!
Second Class calls for vanquishing the very next realm!
First Class stuns even more, requiring a leap across two full realms!
Everyone knows that realm-crossing at the Immortal King stage borders on impossible. Dominating peers in the same realm already crowns one an elite.
After all, Immortal King Realm experts are typically youthful prodigies, with nary a slacker or average soul among them.
"As stated earlier, the standouts here will be groomed as core prospects, mentored by me and the Star, and granted prime resource shares from the True Realm Ten Thousand Races!"
The Immortal Immortal Emperor intoned steadily, "The threshold? You must hit Second Class!"
A wave of astonishment rippled through; the bar stood shockingly steep, demanding Second Class for any mentorship—which meant wielding cross-realm might!
"Second Class achievers earn sessions with me and the Star every decade, plus basic cultivation aids from the Ten Thousand Races."
"First Class achievers gain yearly sessions and lavish cultivation aids from the Ten Thousand Races!"
Fists tightened across the throng, eyes blazing with fervor. The rewards dazzled, but the hurdles loomed impossibly tall!
"Yearly mentorship from an Immortal Emperor would be pure heaven."
Only a rare handful boasted First Class aptitude, their gazes alight with thrill. Such a rating marked them as pinnacles in their clans. Yet with Immortal Emperors so scarce, few enjoyed personal instruction from one, leaving their insights forever constrained.
The Immortal Immortal Emperor's eyes roamed the assembly, spotting those serene figures amid the masses; their poise drew an inner nod of approval from him. Truly, those beyond First Class exuded unshakable calm.
"Beyond First Class lies yet another rank: Extraordinary, the mark of True King Seeds!"
The Immortal Immortal Emperor's voice boomed deep and commanding, echoing across the Abyss.
The prior clamor died in an instant; eyes bulged in stunned silence.
This Heaven Tower ordeal tested limits and forged anew; snagging First Class already defied belief—topping it felt like fantasy!
In the midst of the gathering, Luo Ningshuang and Su Wanyi shared a knowing look, both aware their ratings would hit Extraordinary, securing spots as True King Seeds!
"Extraordinary demands surpassing 20 levels above one's realm!"
The Immortal Immortal Emperor proclaimed in a resonant, unyielding tone, "Defying three realms in dire straits!"