High Martial Arts: I Awaken a Low-Tier Martial System Chapter 723 - 376: Zi Yaozhi, Wang Ye Actually...? (Double Chapter)

"Are you planning to challenge the Fourteenth Layer too?" A peculiar gleam sparked in the Purple Armor Youth’s eyes.

"Why?" White Stream’s gaze stayed serene like an ancient well without ripples: "Do you intend to attempt it as well?"

"Haha."

"The Fourteenth Layer—who wouldn’t want to take a shot at it?" Madness gleamed in the Purple Armor Youth’s eyes: "Legends say reaching the Fourteenth Layer of the Black Tower brings tremendous rewards."

Their exchange wasn’t hidden on purpose; all those gathered near the Black Tower heard every word clearly.

This talk stirred up a massive stir in the crowd.

"His Highness White Stream and His Highness Purple Maple—they’re both aiming for the Fourteenth Layer too?"

"That’s insanely bold."

"With Zi Yaozhi joining in, three top geniuses will tackle the Fourteenth Layer this round."

"Will any pull it off?" Numerous geniuses buzzed with heated discussion.

Jiang Ye couldn’t help but feel intrigued.

He turned to Mo Xin at his side: "Does hitting the Fourteenth Layer truly offer huge benefits?"

"Absolutely." Mo Xin gave a slight nod.

"It goes beyond just the Black Tower’s prizes."

"Word is, reaching the Fourteenth Layer and heading to Huanglong Main Star grants the [Third-class General Order]!" Burning longing filled Mo Xin’s eyes.

"Third-class General Order?" Jiang Ye blinked in surprise.

It seemed like a mark of high status and authority.

"The Fourteenth Layer’s difficulty defies imagination."

"Usually, only those with exceptional Talent can make it there." Mo Xin shook his head: "White Stream and Purple Maple are powerful, yet their odds of reaching the Fourteenth Layer remain slim."

"That said."

"Purple Obsidian City has another genius still on the way—he might actually conquer the Fourteenth Layer." Mo Xin added.

"Zi Yaozhi?" Jiang Ye inquired.

"Exactly." Mo Xin grinned: "Does Brother Jiang Ye know of him too?"

Jiang Ye nodded, ready to respond, when a sudden hunch hit him: "He’s arrived."

Boom!

The moment he spoke, a fearsome aura exploded outward, raging across the area like a blazing solar flare.

A searing heat wave swiftly blanketed the skies above the entire Black Tower.

Right after, a purple-gold figure materialized, striding through the air.

"Buzz~"

With one step from this purple-gold figure, an invisible ripple burst from his feet, shattering the surrounding void in successive layers.

As he advanced, the whole world felt squeezed by unseen colossal hands.

Everyone there, save for powerhouses like White Stream and Purple Maple, shuddered under overwhelming pressure.

"Your Highness Zi Yaozhi."

"Your Highness." Geniuses from Purple Obsidian City, Purple Maple included, bowed deeply with utmost respect.

The very same geniuses.

Hailing from Purple Obsidian City, they knew Zi Yaozhi’s might all too well.

That’s why, even as elites, they showed him greater reverence than geniuses from other ancient cities.

"So that’s Zi Yaozhi?" Jiang Ye narrowed his eyes.

A fearsome rival!

An opponent like none before!

Alarm bells rang in Jiang Ye’s mind; he sensed a dire threat emanating from him.

This was over the top.

Even against foes from higher Realms, Jiang Ye stayed composed.

Yet now, facing someone at his own level, he felt a lethal danger.

No doubt!

Jiang Ye could see Zi Yaozhi’s Realm was merely Seventh Break.

"If I fought this guy."

"My odds of winning... fall below fifty percent." With countless inheritances under his belt, Jiang Ye’s judgment was sharp.

From that first look at Zi Yaozhi.

Jiang Ye’s thoughts had already simulated countless scenarios; in a real clash, he might not prevail.

Naturally, the main gap stemmed from their Great Realm difference.

"This fellow’s like me."

"He’s grasped multiple Basic Mysteries too." Jiang Ye mused inwardly: "Just how many, though?"

Three? Four? Maybe five?

All conceivable.

"A secondary civilization truly teems with hidden dragons."

"Even as a mere subsidiary planet, freaks like this emerge." Jiang Ye sighed deep down: "Never get complacent; stay vigilant and careful."

Without realizing it.

Jiang Ye’s discernment and wisdom had quietly surged.

At times, truly knowing one’s limits reveals profound insight.

...

Moments passed swiftly.

Increasing numbers plunged into the black mist.

Yet those entering afterward all restrained their auras completely.

The reason was simple!

High above, a purple-gold silhouette dominated all with crushing presence.

Even titans like Bai Xi and Zi Feng had to lower their heads before him.

"That’s Zi Yaozhi for you."

"His power crushes all resistance," Mo Xin said, a trace of helplessness in his gaze. Proud as he was, he acknowledged Zi Yaozhi’s supremacy.

Right then.

Inside the black mist, the count hit ten thousand.

"Boom!" The Black Tower quaked, vast radiance flooding the black mist like an activating teleportation array, instantly wrapping up the thousands of prodigies within.

Whoosh!

In the blink of an eye, all ten thousand prodigies in the mist vanished, whisked straight into the Black Tower.

The Black Tower trial kicks off for real!

...

High above the Black Tower, in some mysterious void.

Several hazy figures appeared, each radiating grandeur and immense auras.

Were Zhao Zixuan and Zhao Zishuang present, they’d instantly spot their ancestor, the Black Obsidian Deity, among them.

"The trial is underway."

"Will any of these youths reach the fourteenth layer?"

"Zi Yaozhi, Bai Xi, Zi Feng—these three stand as this generation’s brightest stars."

"Should they hit the fourteenth layer and claim the [Third-class General Order], Barbaric Dragon Star could climb the Huanglong Hundred Stars ranks."

"Sadly, beyond Zi Yaozhi, the other two probably won’t." The majestic figures chatted.

They were the City Lords of twelve grand ancient cities.

Every one a god-tier being.

Past Black Tower openings might not have drawn such focus from them.

This time, though, it tied to Barbaric Dragon Star’s standing in the Huanglong Hundred Stars, so these City Lords watched intently.

"Barbaric Dragon Star remains a backwater world after all." The Black Obsidian City Lord sighed, "Producing a Huanglong General talent is achievement enough."

The other City Lords nodded solemnly.

Barbaric Dragon Star lay too far off the map.

Its position in the Huanglong Hundred Stars ranked low.

"Black Obsidian," a purple-robed City Lord suddenly remarked, "Will anyone from your Black Obsidian City breach the tenth layer this go?"

Silence fell abruptly.

All City Lords turned toward Black Obsidian’s direction.

"What’re you staring at?"

"I can’t predict the future." The Black Obsidian City Lord replied evenly, "The challenge just started—how could I know?"

They shared looks, faces showing varied emotions.

Such guesses weren’t unexpected.

Black Obsidian City hadn’t seen a genius hit the Black Tower’s tenth layer in ages.

To outsiders, mere chance.

But gods saw deeper: it linked to fortune... Peerless geniuses rose with an ancient city’s fortune.

Fortune!

Crucial beyond measure to gods.

Fortune’s flow dictated an ancient city’s fate.

Black Obsidian City’s recent flops signaled waning fortune.

Maybe Black Obsidian City no longer deserved leading the ancient cities... Most City Lords thought so.

After all, one thread pulls the whole web.

A fading city at the helm could drag down all Barbaric Dragon Star’s fortune.

"Alas."

"Will my Black Obsidian City truly lose its spot as head of ancient cities?" The Black Obsidian City Lord lamented silently. He knew it full well.

Yet as City Lord, he shouldered billions’ destiny.

Pressure he must endure.

"Mo Xin."

"May he shatter the tenth layer this time." A spark of hope flickered in the Black Obsidian City Lord.

...

Back in Black Obsidian City.

In a lofty pavilion, Black Obsidian City’s thirty-six elders assembled.

"This round hinges on Mo Xin."

"Zhao Zishuang’s solid, but tops out at ninth layer."

"We count on Mo Xin to break the tenth."

"If Mo Xin conquers the tenth layer, Black Obsidian City can cling to its lead among ancient cities." The thirty-six elders fixed their gazes on the Black Tower, watching raptly.

Yet.

One elder, dual blades at his side and wild aura rolling off him, eyed a certain spot.

"Wang Ye."

"How’s this kid faring?" Zhao Tiangang peered toward the Black Tower.

Abruptly.

"Hmm?"

"This kid actually...?" Zhao Tiangang’s eyes flashed bright, then widened in shock.