High Martial Arts: I Awaken a Low-Tier Martial System Chapter 721 - 375: Challenging the Black Tower (Double-Length)

"Alright, thanks for the gift." Zhao Zixuan fluttered her lovely eyes as she spoke.

"If the Celestial Gang Palace Master catches wind of this, he’d beat me to a pulp." Jiang Ye shook his head while responding.

"Haha, no way he would." Zhao Zixuan giggled, hand over her mouth.

"Fine, let’s head out." Jiang Ye stopped talking and soared toward the Black Tower’s location.

Zhao Zixuan gazed at his retreating figure, a trace of uncertainty flickering in her gorgeous eyes.

"Why does it feel like..."

"This fellow seems somewhat changed from earlier?" Zhao Zixuan whispered to herself.

Before, she had been able to vaguely perceive Jiang Ye’s depths.

Yet now, to her, Jiang Ye resembled an endless chasm, brimming with enigma and impossible to fathom.

"Just half a month passed—could he have transformed entirely?"

Zhao Zixuan shook her head inwardly, then flew after him to close the gap.

...

At Black Obsidian City’s heart loomed an enormous black tower piercing sky and land, its scale beyond words.

One might claim.

As Jiang Ye, Zhao Zixuan, and others drew near by flight, the Black Tower filled their sight like a colossal star, overwhelming everything, seemingly just ahead.

Yet actually.

Thousands of miles still separated them from the Black Tower.

"The Black Tower is indeed Black Obsidian City’s ultimate marvel." Jiang Ye marveled silently.

"Every one of the Twelve Ancient Cities possesses a Black Tower." Zhao Zixuan explained: "Legend holds these Black Towers as supreme divine artifacts. Ages ago, they stemmed from a single origin but split into twelve for reasons lost to time."

"Afterward."

"These twelve Black Towers formed the cores, birthing twelve thriving ancient cities—the very Twelve Ancient Cities." Zhao Zixuan elaborated steadily.

Jiang Ye found this theory intriguing—was such a notion widespread?

"That’s precisely why each Black Tower opening shakes the whole Barbaric Dragon Star."

"Inside, the Black Towers’ inner realms connect seamlessly." Zhao Zixuan continued: "City Lords and Elders from all Twelve Ancient Cities witness the events within at the same time."

"Notably."

"Black Obsidian City leads subtly among the Twelve Ancient Cities."

"This likely ties to the Black Tower itself." Zhao Zixuan added.

Jiang Ye gave a light nod.

He was aware the Twelve Ancient Cities bore names of twelve hues.

Such as Black Obsidian City, Red Obsidian City, White Obsidian City, Purple Obsidian City... Of these grand ancient cities, Black Obsidian City linked most intimately with the Black Tower.

Consequently.

Across endless eras, Black Obsidian City claimed supremacy over the Twelve Ancient Cities.

"However."

"Things have turned unusual lately." Zhao Zixuan remarked abruptly.

Jiang Ye felt startled: "Unusual how?"

"Back in the day."

"Black Obsidian City birthed countless mighty prodigies, with extraordinary ones surpassing the tenth layer each Black Tower opening." Zhao Zixuan stated: "Yet these past decades, our city’s best only hit the 9th Layer."

"Meanwhile, other ancient cities."

"White Obsidian City and Purple Obsidian City have seen talents push past the ninth layer." Zhao Zixuan said solemnly: "Purple Obsidian City especially, with a prodigy conquering the thirteenth layer."

Thirteenth layer? Jiang Ye drew in a sharp breath.

He understood the Black Tower’s brutal trials; clearing the 9th Layer qualified one for Huanglong Main Star ascent, a mark of true prowess.

In Black Obsidian City, solely Mo Xin had managed it before.

If the 9th Layer proved so daunting, the 10th was fiercer still.

Thirteenth layer? The trials there must be staggeringly immense.

"He’s called Zi Yaozhi."

"My sister mentioned he might target the fourteenth layer this round." Admiration gleamed in Zhao Zixuan’s eyes: "Only those with prodigious talent can dream of such heights."

"Prodigious Talent?" Jiang Ye’s thoughts raced: "Prodigious Talents challenge the Black Tower too?"

"Naturally."

"Geniuses of that caliber rarely mix with folks like us." Zhao Zixuan spoke with deep respect: "Prodigious Talents stand as heaven-blessed saplings fated for godhood."

"In cultivation, debates, or tower climbs, they outshine us Tao Bone or Extraordinary geniuses."

"The gods nurture them personally." Envy filled Zhao Zixuan’s gaze.

Jiang Ye fell silent.

Prodigious Talents seemed to scorn the commonplace, elevated beyond mortal coils.

Even so.

Zhao Zixuan brimmed with fervent admiration for prodigious talent.

To her, they equaled deities.

"Prodigious Talent births also depend on destiny."

"Black Obsidian City hasn’t birthed one in ages." Zhao Zixuan sighed: "This era, though, Purple Obsidian City and White Obsidian City boast prodigious talents."

Jiang Ye got it.

Since learning Barbaric Dragon Star fell under Huanglong Civilization, he’d anticipated prodigious talents here.

Thus, this revelation didn’t shock him fully.

"Without a prodigious talent in Black Obsidian City and none breaching the Black Tower’s tenth layer," Jiang Ye mused, "wouldn’t the top ancient city spot face challenges?"

"Exactly."

"That’s the special circumstance I meant." Zhao Zixuan gave a wry smile: "As premier of the Twelve Ancient Cities, Black Obsidian City’s lately lacks persuasive feats."

"Should this persist."

"The top position among ancient cities could slip away." Zhao Zixuan shook her head with a sigh.

Jiang Ye pondered deeply.

Evidently, harmony eluded the Twelve Prosperous Ancient Cities; rivalry simmered beneath.

...

Mid-conversation, Jiang Ye and Zhao Zixuan reached the Astral Palace.

"We wait here till the Black Tower activates." Zhao Zixuan noted.

"Mm." Jiang Ye nodded faintly, spotting several known faces.

Dozens already filled the front hall, including Bai Wei, Zhao Feiyu, Zhao Chen from his prior encounter.

"Brother Wang Ye."

"Sister Zixuan."

"Brother Wang Ye, take a seat." The group cleared room, showing Jiang Ye utmost deference.

Post-banquet hall uproar, Jiang Ye’s fame had spread among Black Obsidian City’s core prodigies.

"When does the Black Tower open?" Jiang Ye inquired.

"Any moment now." Zhao Zixuan replied: "Relax, it won’t drag on."

While chatting.

Fresh arrivals streamed in.

"Brother Wang Ye, ages since we met." A golden-armored youth strode forward powerfully, exuding dragon-tiger might and crushing presence.

"Your Highness Mo Xin." Jiang Ye nodded politely.

"Hmm?"

"Half a month on, Brother Wang Ye’s presence feels renewed." Mo Xin exclaimed in astonishment: "Gained another breakthrough?"

"Secluded training these half months brought gains." Jiang Ye grinned.

"Haha, impressive work." Mo Xin boomed a laugh: "Fingers crossed you conquer the Black Tower’s 9th Layer and head to Huanglong Main Star with me."

"Appreciate the encouragement." Jiang Ye smiled gently.

Whispers rippled among the gathered talents, stunned by Mo Xin’s faith in Jiang Ye.

Breaching the Black Tower’s 9th Layer? No small accomplishment.

For a moment, numerous eyes shifted discreetly their way.

Abruptly then.

"Rumble!"

A majestic surge erupted from the Black Tower, like genesis reborn.

A tremendous force followed, blanketing Black Obsidian City instantly.

"The Black Tower opens!"

"Such intense pressure."

"Onward to the Black Tower!" Countless prodigies in the Astral Palace stared at the heaven-spanning monolith.

The Black Tower glowed, spewing thick black fog that shrouded hundreds of miles.

...

"The Black Tower stands ready!"

"All Black Obsidian City dwellers may enter." A booming voice thundered across the world: "Within lies fortune to seize and fate to defy."

"Yet perils mount with each layer climbed!"

"Life, death, chance—all rest on your choice; enter at peril!" The majestic proclamation slowly dissipated.

...

"It’s open at last."

"Time to move."

"Charge the Black Tower!" Hosts of elite prodigies rocketed skyward, streaking to the Black Tower.

"We go too." Zhao Zixuan urged.

"Let’s fly." Jiang Ye blurred into a streak of light, hurtling toward the grand, boundless Black Tower.