Chapter 348: Shenlong Tower Trial Begins, Various Factions Appear

The trial day of the Shenlong Tower is an annual grand event.

The hundreds‑of‑meters‑tall Shenlong Tower descended from the sky and landed on the central plaza of Shenlong University.

The Shenlong Tower is tall and majestic, its body dazzlingly radiant, emitting a faint glow.

The tower radiates massive energy, spreading outward like waves, layer upon layer, inspiring solemn reverence.

Facing the Shenlong Tower, even an Elite Professional of over 80 levels feels humbled.

It is well known that the Shenlong Empire has three Divine Towers: the Demon‑Slaying Tower, the Shenlong Tower, and the Trial Tower.

These three Divine Towers are vital to the Shenlong Empire, being indispensable Mythological Class treasures.

Jiang Chen has seen two of them, but the Demon‑Slaying Tower remains unseen.

This mysterious tower spends most of its time hidden within Nine Fortress; to see it with one's own eyes, one must go to Nine Fortress.

The vast majority of people can only ever see the Shenlong Tower and the Trial Tower in their lifetimes, and the Shenlong Tower opens to the public only once a year, issuing 500 tickets.

These tickets are entirely controlled by Shenlong University, more precisely, by Li Xueru personally.

Even the Empire has no authority to intervene.

The 500 tickets are divided into five portions, with 100 of them auctioned by Shenlong University.

Another 100 are awarded through various trials and missions within the university as rewards.

The three Top Academies—Dragon Race, Creation, and Flame Emperor—can receive 100 tickets, and the university's 18 independent academies also have 100 slots.

The final 100 tickets are handled by the military.

A month ago, the academies held a series of contests, with fierce competition.

Only the most outstanding group could obtain these tickets; they are the elite among geniuses.

Those who finally receive tickets are all top Heavenly Pride.

When the Shenlong Tower descended, the area several hundred meters outside the tower was filled with people.

Without a ticket, one cannot enter the Shenlong Tower and can only watch from the outer perimeter.

Guided by several academy instructors, a group walked over.

They are the personnel dispatched by Shenlong University, exactly 400 in number.

Each exudes a powerful aura, with proud smiles on their faces.

Regardless of profession, those qualified to enter the Shenlong Tower are the most outstanding.

They stand there, enjoying the admiring gazes of the crowd.

It is a symbol of status, and also a manifestation of strength.

Dong dong dong!

A regimented footstep sound arrives as a squad walks in.

Their steps are uniformly synchronized; each footfall produces a single sound.

Everyone in the squad wears a solemn expression, with an imposing aura.

"It's the military's squad."

Someone lets out a low shout, and everyone performs a salute of attention.

Shenlong Army, the Empire's strongest force.

They guard the front line, blocking the Abyss Demon's assault, true heroes.

The hundred‑person team stops beside the academy's squad; the academy and military teams stand side by side, clearly distinct.

Although the military side has only a hundred men, their aura is massive, nearly overwhelming the academy side.

At this moment the Shenlong Tower has not officially opened; they are still waiting.

"For this trial, I wonder who will ultimately claim the champion."

"Based on past records, most champions are taken by people from the three Top Academies; this time is likely no exception."

"It's hard to say; the military has also taken many championships."

"The military's delegates this time are strong, with three having undergone Profession Ascension."

"The university side is no slouch either, with three having experienced Profession Ascension."

A few members of the squad have an aura distinct from the rest, very special.

Although they stand among the crowd, they shine like stars.

Experienced people know that after undergoing Profession Ascension, an unusual aura appears on one's body.

To professionals, this aura is a radiant brilliance that can be recognized at a glance.

In the distance, Lu Qingyu, Feng Xiu, and Han Li stand together.

Lu Qingyu looks at the squad before the Shenlong Tower, envy in her eyes, "Feng Xiu, has your brother also come?"

Feng Xiu points to a person in the army, "He's right there."

Feng Xiu comes from a military family; although he is now at Shenlong University, he will eventually return to the army.

Within his family, among this generation, Feng Xiu is the youngest.

His brother, a few years older, joined the army long ago, earned considerable Military Merit, and is now an 8‑star Second Lieutenant.

Following Feng Xiu's direction, Lu Qingyu and Han Li see a soldier bearing a Long Sword on his back.

His appearance bears some resemblance to Feng Xiu, his aura identical, and his stance exactly the same.

On him rises an unusual aura, dazzling like starlight.

Mid‑level Mythic Profession.

Lu Qingyu's gaze is somewhat envious, but also full of confidence.

She is a Heavenly Pride.

Only upon reaching Shenlong University did she realize how many geniuses exist in the world, and that she herself is nothing special.

At first there was inevitably some disappointment, but it eased quickly.

I am an Elemental Mage, a Rare Profession.

As long as one can achieve Profession Ascension, one can also become a Mythic Tier Profession.

Perhaps still not as good as a Mid-level Mythic Profession, but in the end it depends on who can go farther.

"I, Miss, won't lose to anyone!"

Lu Qingyu clenched her fist and said something in her heart.

Lu Qingyu suddenly thought of Jiang Chen.

She then added half a sentence, "That guy is an exception!"

Han Li's expression was slightly odd, "Feng Xiu, your profession and your brother's seem a bit different, huh."

Feng Xiu said, "It's the same; my brother and I were both Divine Swordmasters, a Rare Profession."

"Our family's Bloodline is special; during the second Job Change, it automatically promotes one to Holy Light Swordmaster."

"If luck is sufficient and Profession Ascension is triggered again, one can be promoted to Holy Word Swordmaster."

A hint of surprise appeared on Han Li's cool little face, "There is actually such a Bloodline."

Feng Xiu nodded, "Yes, that's how it is."

Lu Qingyu asked, "So, does that mean everyone in your family is already a Mythic Tier Profession?"

Feng Xiu let out a helpless laugh, "Of course not; most of our family awaken to ordinary Swordmaster professions, and few awaken as Divine Swordmasters."

In Feng Xiu's family, if one awakens an ordinary Swordmaster profession, even with Bloodline aid, at most one becomes a Holy Swordmaster during the second Job Change.

From an ordinary profession to a Rare Profession.

Only Divine Swordmasters like Feng Xiu can become a Mythic-level Profession with certainty.

Sometimes Profession Ascension occurs, leaping from a Rare Profession to a Mid-level Mythic Profession.

A trace of envy in Han Li's eyes, "So, you have a great chance of becoming a Mid-level Mythic Profession in the future."

Feng Xiu nodded, "There is some possibility, but not a great one; Profession Ascension is too difficult."

Lu Qingyu whispered, "I wonder how Jiang Chen is doing; by my calculation he should be about ready for a Job Change, I wonder if he can achieve Profession Ascension."

Feng Xiu said, "He has already become a Divine General; Profession Ascension is probably no longer important to him."

Looking across the entire Empire, Divine Generals are few, far rarer than Mid-level Mythic Professionals.

There are many Profession Ascension achievers each year, but Divine Generals appear only once every few years, sometimes even a decade.

Thinking that all his classmates have become such great figures as Divine Generals.

While he is only at level 28 now...

Lu Qingyu felt a tickle in her throat, as if she wanted to grab Jiang Chen and bite him a few times.

Han Li suddenly looked ahead, "Jiang Chen."

The few of them looked toward the voice.

They saw Jiang Chen slowly approaching from not far away.

His body radiated dazzling light; like everyone else he had completed Profession Ascension, but his light was like a scorching sun.

Just one person, he eclipsed everyone's light.

At that moment, everyone's gaze focused on Jiang Chen.

Jiang Chen arrived with brilliance, the Purple Badge on his shoulder shining brightly.

Swish!

All the soldiers simultaneously saluted Jiang Chen!

"Welcome, Divine General!"

The soldiers shouted in unison, their voices soaring to the heavens.

Their eyes were filled with zeal and worship.

A Divine General is the soldiers' greatest aspiration.

Including Feng Xiu's brother, when they looked at Jiang Chen, their eyes also held zeal.

Jiang Chen nodded at them, then continued toward Shenlong Tower.

Shenlong Tower was surrounded by layers of energy outside, surging like ocean waves.

They actively cleared to both sides, creating a passage for Jiang Chen.

Everyone watched with eyes wide as Jiang Chen entered Shenlong Tower.

No one dared to utter a single word.

Just the status of a Divine General is not something they can discuss.

If anyone dares to babble, the hundred soldiers present will definitely attack them as a group.

After Jiang Chen entered Shenlong Tower, the tower's light burst forth.

Li Xueru's voice, bearing terrifying pressure, resonated from within Shenlong Tower.