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墨書 Inktalez
On the Illusion Platform, some people continue to move forward, while others are lost in the illusions, blissfully unaware of their situation. In the end, they are expelled from the Illusion Platform and lose their qualification to continue the assessment. Many others are still struggling, their faces reflecting a mix of joy and anger.
Ren Pingsheng steadily advances on the Illusion Platform, having experienced a life of indulgence and despair, tasting both joy and sorrow. He has held power over the world and possessed wealth rivaling nations. He has also faced poverty and lived by begging. He has achieved high honors in examinations, reaching positions of great authority, yet he has also failed repeatedly, leading a life of mediocrity.
One could say he has tasted all the flavors of life—sour, sweet, bitter, and spicy. He feels as if he has been polished anew, settling into a state of calmness. Like an ordinary person, he lacks a powerful aura or sharp edges. However, everyone believes that the terrifying energy hidden within his tranquility is like a dormant volcano that could erupt at any moment, sweeping everything away.
"What will this test be?" Ren Pingsheng wonders, unaware of which step he is currently on, his gaze calm as he contemplates the upcoming challenge.
Suddenly distracted, Ren Pingsheng snaps back to reality and senses a disturbance in the air around him. Looking around, he sees many people engaged in battle. Each movement they make seems to change the colors of heaven and earth, stirring up winds and clouds. The powerful techniques on display leave him dizzy; these are undoubtedly top-tier warriors.
"Kill!" Someone suddenly spots Ren Pingsheng and rushes toward him without hesitation. The fierce gaze sends chills down his spine. He feels cold all over, unable to muster even a shred of strength. Yet he refuses to resign himself to defeat, continuously shouting and struggling within his mind.
"Ah!" A surge of overwhelming energy bursts forth from him, shattering all restraints. His eyes flash like lightning as he gazes at the approaching formidable opponent without a hint of fear. With a gentle wave of his hand, the world turns upside down; rivers flow backward, and everything before him turns to dust.
Those once-mighty warriors appear as insignificant ants before him, their faces filled with terror and devoid of any ability to resist.
"Ah, when did I acquire such terrifying power?" Ren Pingsheng stares blankly at his hands, momentarily unable to accept it. These very hands have brought ruin to so many powerful beings he once envied.
"Haha... does this mean I am the strongest in this world? No one surpasses me; no one is more powerful than I am." He inexplicably bursts into laughter. His hands wave again and again; mountains collapse, rivers dry up, blood flows like rivers. Wherever he goes seems like an apocalypse; those who try to resist raise not even a ripple.
"This is what it feels like to be powerful; this is what I have always pursued. It is truly wonderful." Ren Pingsheng, enchanted with laughter, realizes that his lifelong pursuit has finally been achieved—he has become the strongest. Everything must either submit or be destroyed.
"But why do I feel a pang of heartache? Am I really going to mourn for these dead ants? I am the strongest; why should I care about their lives or deaths?" As he surveys the battlefield littered with corpses, confusion washes over him.
"No... that's not right; I remember now—I was once an ant too. To become strong, I struggled through countless hardships and trials. But I would never engage in such wanton slaughter; that is not me, nor is it my pursuit or my strength."
Ren Pingsheng's eyes gradually regain clarity; the madness on his face disappears, replaced by calmness. He sighs softly: "No matter how powerful one becomes, everything is ultimately illusory. This is not the power I seek; dissipate!"
This illusion nearly led him astray. The feeling of being unmatched in heaven and earth—the sensation of standing at the pinnacle—was intoxicating. His inner pursuit had always been to become an unparalleled warrior. He became entranced but ultimately regained his senses because he is human—not a demon seeking to destroy everything with sheer power.
"Have I come this far already?" Ren Pingsheng glances back and realizes he is currently standing on the thirtieth step. Behind him are many others still advancing steadily. Looking ahead reveals only a few individuals remaining; some even sit on the steps, unwilling to move forward any longer.
Because of the three Illusion Platforms, basically everyone who can enter the top thirty is just a step away from making it onto the Bronze List. Their choice cannot be said to be wrong.
Ren Pingsheng personally witnessed a disciple standing on the same stone steps as him suddenly burst into wild laughter and then was directly dismissed by the Illusion Platform. This meant he had failed. The position he had just occupied was among the top fifteen. If he hadn't gotten lost in the illusion, he would surely have been one of those on the Bronze List.
Naturally, Ren Pingsheng would not stop like those others. To him, this was not a danger but a trial. He continued to move forward at a steady pace. Many others were doing the same, all wanting to challenge themselves. If they retreated at these difficulties, how would they face even more perilous situations in the future? At that time, it wouldn't just be about losing qualifications; it could mean losing their lives.
“Time is up; the Illusion Platform assessment is over!” All the disciples immersed in the illusion were brought back to reality. Some looked dazed, while others wore silly smiles, taking a while to react.
“Very well, this concludes the second round of assessments for the Bronze List. Originally, there were nine hundred and twenty disciples; after eliminating one hundred who were eliminated midway, eight hundred and twenty persisted until the end. Unfortunately, only the top one hundred will be selected this time. The list will be released shortly.” The elder on stage looked at the disciples who had made it to the end with a look of satisfaction.
In less than five minutes, a list was released. It contained the names of one hundred disciples. Although this was not yet the final ranking, it was basically set.
Disciples who were confident they made it onto the list stood calmly aside. Those with hope stretched their necks long, hoping to find their names above. Those who were destined to have no hope felt dejected while scanning the list for familiar faces.
“Oh, ranked sixty-two; that's not bad.” Seeing his name, Ren Pingsheng's face flashed with surprise. If ranked solely based on their performance in the illusion, there were still sixty-one people above him. Those individuals had stepped on more stone steps than he had.
“There are indeed many impressive people; I need to keep working hard.” He murmured softly. However, he forgot that everyone participating this time had at least high-level warrior cultivation; ninety percent of those on the list were perfected realm warriors. With his mid-level warrior cultivation, being ranked at this position had already astonished many.
“Brother Feng also made it onto the list.” Seeing Feng Yi ranked ninety-fourth, Ren Pingsheng smiled; it seemed many had gained something this time. Compared to previous lists, there were many newcomers and fewer old faces. Although it wasn't completely settled yet, changes likely wouldn't be too significant.
“The assessment for the next round will be announced tomorrow. I hope you all rest well today.” The elder on stage looked at the disciples who were either happy or dejected, a hint of an inscrutable smile flashing across his face.
“Ren Brother, congratulations!” A beautiful figure suddenly appeared before him, speaking cheerfully. It was Chu Yanran, whom he had seen before, still dressed in purple and stunningly beautiful.
“Well, what a coincidence. This ranking is merely luck. You made it onto the list as well.” Ren Pingsheng looked at her in surprise but still responded with a smile.
“Eighty-seven; that's far behind you. Besides, my cultivation is higher than yours; I might as well not have made it onto the list!” Chu Yanran lightly bit her lip and glanced at him with some dissatisfaction, which added to her charm.
“Ahem... If those failed disciples hear you say that, I fear many will come looking for you to settle scores.”
“Hmph! Who dares?” She raised her small face like a proud little peacock and huffed dismissively.
"Well, um... I've had a long day, so I'm heading back first." Ren Pingsheng inadvertently noticed that many people were paying attention to this side. No, to be precise, they were focused on Chu Yanran, which made him feel somewhat helpless. A beautiful woman is always a stunning sight, attracting everything in the surroundings.
"Ah, oh. I'll come find you to hang out when I have time, Ren Brother, you better welcome me!" Chu Yanran said with a smile, her eyes sparkling.
"Uh... okay!" Looking at the envious and jealous gazes from the surroundings, he replied and hurriedly turned to leave. He was genuinely worried that if he walked too slowly, someone might not be able to resist taking action against him.
Just as he returned to the Western Courtyard, Ren Pingsheng hadn't even had a moment to catch his breath before being surrounded by disciples of the Azure Wind Sword Sect. One by one, they excitedly congratulated him; the ranking had been released, and the names of the top one hundred disciples had already spread.
Ren Pingsheng's name ranked twelfth, which left many who knew him in disbelief. They thought it was someone playing a joke. However, after confirming it, they could only accept the shock.
Not only them, but all disciples who saw the ranking felt this way. A disciple with Mid-Level Warrior cultivation actually achieved such a high ranking; it was absolutely sensational. Many sighed that another extraordinary genius was about to rise. Even the higher-ups were paying attention.
Fortunately, he wasn't the only one who made it into the ranking this time. Lan Shaoqiu and Feng Yi also entered the ranking, with Lan Shaoqiu impressively placing thirtieth as a Perfect Realm Warrior.
Thus, Ren Pingsheng easily shook off their entanglement and sighed in relief once he returned to his room. He felt that this day had truly been exhausting; even after battling for three days in Chu King's Secret Realm, he hadn't felt this tired.
"At least it's all over now. I wonder what tomorrow's assessment will be like," he thought absently as he glanced at the darkening sky.
This time's Illusion Platform assessment took four hours, and it was now dinner time. Many disciples on the ranking were thinking about tomorrow's assessment content just like Ren Pingsheng. According to convention, after three rounds of assessment, the Bronze Ranking would be determined.
Therefore, tomorrow's assessment was crucial. It related not only to rankings but also to rewards.
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