Chapter 582

The Tower of Heaven Square.

As Lin Chen entered the tower, Zhao Wu, who had previously vanished, reappeared.

Clearly, someone had informed him of the situation.

Among the many martial artists present, there were also disciples of the Blood Moon Sect.

This time, Zhao Wu did not conceal his form—he appeared in his true identity. For him, he had hidden his identity earlier because he lacked absolute confidence in defeating He Chuanqiao.

He had already entered the Primordial Fifth Realm, while He Chuanqiao was still one step away from it. If he had unexpectedly lost the challenge, given the hostile relationship between the two sects, the Creation Gate disciples would have loudly publicized the incident.

If a Primordial Fifth Realm cultivator like himself failed to defeat He Chuanqiao, a Primordial Fourth Realm cultivator, not only would he himself be humiliated, but his sect would suffer the same disgrace.

That was why he had concealed his identity earlier—the Tower of Heaven only records the top one hundred; those who fail their challenges do not appear on the jade tablet at all.

Zhao Wu reappeared because, shortly after he left, a junior disciple emerged from the Martial Dao Seal and informed him that Lin Chen had entered the Tower of Heaven.

Zhao Wu knew quite a bit about Lin Chen of the Canglan Sect—he, as a sect elder, was fully aware of his own sect’s secret alliance with the Bahuang Sect against the Canglan Sect.

Since they were enemies, it was natural to understand the martial artists of the Canglan Sect. Although Lin Chen was merely a disciple of the Canglan Sect, he had reached the Primordial Fourth Realm in a short time, and his sect had taken great notice of him.

“Even if you are a genius, I do not believe you can defeat me.”

Zhao Wu’s eyes held disdain—he had deliberately blocked He Chuanqiao, and in his view, Lin Chen’s entry into the Tower of Heaven at this moment was also meant to block him.

But he had blocked He Chuanqiao out of confidence in his own strength. Where did Lin Chen get the confidence to think he, a Primordial Fourth Realm cultivator, could cross realms and defeat him?

“It seems some people can no longer sit still,” He Chuanqiao said coolly upon seeing Zhao Wu appear.

“A defeated underling dares to speak? Do you truly believe Lin Chen can defeat me?”

Zhao Wu and He Chuanqiao locked gazes, both their eyes brimming with clear hostility.

For He Chuanqiao, he did not believe he was inferior to Zhao Wu. Zhao Wu had merely entered the Primordial Fifth Realm earlier due to the unique characteristics of the Blood Moon Sect’s cultivation method compared to his own sect’s.

The Blood Moon Sect’s method allows its disciples to advance faster from Primordial Fourth to Fifth Realm, as they can use the Blood Moon to compensate for spiritual soul deficiencies. But after reaching mid-Primordial Fifth Realm, this speed declines, and by the time they attempt to break through to the Primordial Sixth Realm, their progress becomes slower than that of his own sect’s method.

“It seems you lack the courage to challenge me yourself, so you sent Lin Chen of the Canglan Sect. The young master of the mighty Creation Gate, reduced to sending a proxy—how truly pitiful.”

Zhao Wu’s words dripped with humiliation. Many Creation Gate disciples beside He Chuanqiao wore expressions of fury—insulting the young master was an insult to the entire Creation Gate.

“Why the rush, Brother Zhao? Why not wait until Lin Chen emerges?”

Jiang Chen spoke from the side. He found Zhao Wu’s aggressive posture distasteful, and as a disciple of the Thousand Mechanisms Sect, he had no need to care about Zhao Wu’s attitude.

In terms of strength, the Thousand Mechanisms Sect firmly overshadowed the Blood Moon Sect.

Hearing Jiang Chen speak, Zhao Wu let out a cold snort and did not retaliate. He could humiliate He Chuanqiao because the two sects were already enemies, but he still feared the Thousand Mechanisms Sect behind Jiang Chen.

The Thousand Mechanisms Sect was not only powerful but also controlled most of the alchemists and forgers in the Yan Imperial Court—even the Blood Moon Sect purchased vast quantities of resources annually from the Thousand Mechanisms Sect’s merchant guild.

“Then let us wait and see.”

……

……

Inside the Tower of Heaven.

As Lin Chen stepped back into the tower and looked around, the previous chaos of mist had vanished, replaced before him by a fighting platform.

A platform built of stacked blue stone, appearing remarkably crude.

At one side of the platform stood a jade tablet, but only one name appeared upon it.

【Tower of Heaven Rank #100: Zhao Wu (Primordial Fifth Realm)】

【After the challenger prepares, place their hand imprint upon the jade tablet.】

The familiar voice sounded again, and Lin Chen felt an inexplicable sense of warmth—he had heard this voice a hundred thousand times, ever since the Martial Dao Mountain, and after decades apart, he truly missed it.

Following the voice’s instruction, Lin Chen pressed his hand against the jade tablet. Instantly, another line of characters appeared.

【Challenger: Lin Chen (Primordial Fourth Realm)】

The jade tablet glowed, and the next moment Lin Chen was teleported onto the platform. A few breaths later, a figure appeared across from him.

This challenge format was identical to that of the Martial Dao Mountain. Lin Chen was thoroughly familiar with it—he launched himself forward the instant the opponent appeared, delivering a punch.

Blood Moon Sect cultivators could summon the Blood Moon, which enhanced their strength under its glow. He did not need He Chuanqiao to remind him—he already knew this, as it was common knowledge among all martial artists in the Yan Imperial Court.

To fight a Blood Moon Sect cultivator, never allow them the chance to summon the Blood Moon.

Lin Chen acted precisely as such—under his fist, Zhao Wu’s projection was blasted backward. Even a Primordial Fifth Realm powerhouse could not withstand the force of this punch.

With his Immortal Body now at the Fourth Level, combined with his internal Primordial energy, every punch he threw warped the surrounding space.

One punch, two punches, three punches…

After three punches, Zhao Wu’s figure vanished entirely from the platform.

【Challenge Successful. Rank Upgraded. Entered the List at #100.】

Zhao Wu’s figure disappeared. Lin Chen was teleported back outside the platform, and the solemn voice sounded once more.

The jade tablet refreshed its names.

【Tower of Heaven Rank #99: Su Feng (Primordial Fifth Realm)】

Seeing the new name appear, Lin Chen did not hesitate—he immediately pressed his hand imprint down.

This battle against Zhao Wu was not even warm-up for him. By now, ordinary Primordial Fifth Realm cultivators could no longer pose him much trouble.

……

……

Outside the Tower of Heaven.

Zhao Wu and He Chuanqiao still locked eyes in silent confrontation, when suddenly, a cry erupted from the crowd.

“It changed!”

“There’s a change!”

Shhh!

In an instant, Zhao Wu, He Chuanqiao, Jiang Chen, and others all turned to the stone tablet. When they saw Zhao Wu’s name vanish, replaced by Lin Chen’s, the entire crowd fell silent.

“Hahahaha! The shortest stay on the Tower of Heaven List I’ve ever seen—probably didn’t even last a hundred breaths!”

After a long pause, He Chuanqiao burst into loud laughter, his mirth unmistakably sweet.

Although Zhao Wu had displaced him from his rank, he was no stranger to being pushed down—it meant nothing.

But Zhao Wu had just challenged him, only to be ousted by Lin Chen in under a hundred breaths, setting the record for the fastest rise and fall on the Tower of Heaven List—this would be endlessly recounted.

Lin Chen had done the most satisfying thing imaginable!

While He Chuanqiao laughed with unbridled delight, Zhao Wu’s face darkened to the point of dripping water. He understood exactly what He Chuanqiao was thinking—he had targeted He Chuanqiao precisely because of their feud.

All the previous strong names on the list, even when challenged afterward, did not immediately re-enter the tower unless there was a personal grudge—but such timing was far too coincidental.