(There was an error in the previous chapter; the ninth place on the Cangxuan Ranking was Ding Xuan, not Jiang Guoqing, and Jiang Yousheng is not dead. This has been corrected.)
The top ten on the Cangxuan Ranking represent a qualitative leap.
At the same time, each of the top ten is a top figure among the younger generation of their respective forces, or at least a leading figure among the younger generation of the top forces on the surface.
Ding Xuan was no exception.
He is a direct disciple of the Cangxuan Academy and is also recognized as the most talented student in the academy, even Jiang Yousheng cannot compare to him.
"Why haven't I seen this person before?" Fang Qiong asked, puzzled.
During their journey, they met almost all the top figures from various academies, except for Ding Xuan, who was known as the number one Cangxuan Academy, who remained elusive.
Qi Wu shook his head and said, "I don't know, but don't even try to guess. I've seen Ding Xuan a few times in several secret realms before, and we've even fought each other."
"How did the game go?" Xiao Hei asked.
"If I woke up early, I would win more often than I would lose. But in recent decades, I've become no match for him anymore." Qi Wu frowned and said, "It's only in the last few decades that Ding Xuan's reputation has gradually risen. He has not only become the number one young person in the Cangxuan Academy, but he has also climbed to ninth place on the Cangxuan Ranking."
"I don't know what happened to him before... but after his fame rose, I couldn't understand him anymore, as if he had become a different person."
Ye Qiubai asked doubtfully, "Could it be possession?"
Qi Wu shook his head. "That's impossible. The dean of the Cangxuan Academy personally tested it back then."
"No matter what, there's no use thinking about it now." Ye Qiubai looked up at the God Ascension Platform floating in mid-air and said, "Let's figure out a way to get up there first; we've already fallen quite far behind."
Just as they were speaking.
Ding Xuan, who was temporarily ranked first, moved up another level and arrived at the forty-eighth level.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
At the same time, they stepped onto the first step.
However, they were all slightly taken aback when they stepped onto the first floor.
This staircase was different from usual; it wasn't imbued with some kind of suppressing force or oppressive power to prevent them from climbing upwards.
On the contrary, there was absolutely no pressure whatsoever.
Strangely, as soon as one steps up this one step, the surrounding Spiritual Qi and Immortal Qi vanish, leaving only wisps of divine Divine Qi!
However, even without the oppressive aura restricting them, their feet were bound by the thread-like Divine Qi as they tried to proceed to the second level, making it impossible for them to step onto the second level no matter what they did.
What is the reason for this?
Just as they were wondering...
Hao Tian had already climbed to the eighth step, suddenly moved. He easily stepped onto the ninth step without any Divine Qi restraining him.
He then turned to Ye Qiubai and the others, saying, "Master, if we want to continue upwards, we must refine the Divine Qi of this level and replace the Immortal Qi within our bodies with it."
Upon hearing this, everyone suddenly understood.
In other words, there are no threats here, only opportunities.
It's for them to breathe.
"No wonder this place is called the God Ascension Platform; it turns out it's just for breathing." Xiao Shitou pouted.
"But if this rule is followed, wouldn't the people of the Divine Realm have a natural advantage?" Mu Fusheng frowned and said, "They don't need to breathe anymore; their bodies are already filled with Divine Qi. Does that mean that once they arrive, they can directly step onto the God Ascension Platform?"
Qi Wu shrugged and said, "It seems that's the case. Then we can only be thankful that there are no people from the Divine Miracle Academy here, otherwise it would be no surprise that the Divine Miracle Academy is number one."
"There should still be other students at the Divine Miracle Academy. Let's hurry."
After saying this, everyone sat cross-legged on the ground and absorbed the Divine Qi into their bodies to slowly replace the Immortal Qi.
However, this was all too familiar to Ye Qiubai and the others, since they had already gone through the process of taking a breath once before, and it was something they were very adept at.
Of course, Fang Qiong had never experienced this, since he was originally from the Immortal Realm.
Therefore, apart from Fang Qiong, Jiu Bailu, and the Gu Sheng Saint.
Ye Qiubai and his group quickly completed the transformation of the Divine Qi on the first level and proceeded to the second level.
Of course, Xiao Hei stood below without moving. He was a pure body cultivator and didn't need to breathe, just like Qi Wu.
Their speed was extremely fast compared to the others.
Of course, with each level you ascend, the concentration of Divine Qi increases, and the transformation process takes longer.
After spending a full three days...
Ye Qiubai took the lead, even surpassing Ding Xuan, and reached the eighty-first floor.
This is also thanks to Ye Qiubai's more solid foundation than anyone else's.
Therefore, this situation is more advantageous for Ye Qiubai.
Shi Sheng and Xiao Shitou were also quite fast, and they reached the seventy-second floor.
Fang Qiong and Jiu Bailu walked one after the other.
The Gu Sheng lagged behind the two of them.
As for Mu Fusheng, he seemed rather ordinary, lagging behind Ding Xuan by two levels.
However, those who know Mu Fusheng understand that this kid is just pretending.
"You guys are really freaks..." Below, Qi Wu, standing next to Xiao Hei, couldn't help but sigh, "You've caught up even after falling so far behind. If nothing unexpected happens, your Azure Firmament Academy will win the championship in this Six Realms Academy Exchange."
"This time, the value of the achievement is much higher than before. Your Mortal Realm is truly about to rise."
Xiao Hei remained expressionless; this situation was not surprising to him at all.
In other words, it would be strange for him if he couldn't win first place.
Above the God Ascension Platform.
Ding Xuan seemed to have stopped, and the Divine Qi around him was no longer swirling; the Divine Qi of this layer had already been transformed.
Seeing this, Mu Fusheng frowned slightly. When he arrived at the steps where Ding Xuan was located at the speed he had planned, he asked, "Waiting for someone?"
Ding Xuan nodded.
"If we don't keep pushing forward, aren't we afraid of losing our ranking?"
Ding Xuan looked at Mu Fusheng and said calmly, "Even if I continue to climb with all my might, I have no chance of winning first place."
"So what are you trying to say?" Mu Fusheng frowned.
Ding Xuan looked at him and said calmly, "You're from the Azure Firmament Academy, right? It seems you've had a fortuitous encounter at the Azure Firmament Academy?"
Mu Fusheng did not answer, but continued upwards.
However, his brows furrowed.
Years of cautious intuition told him that although his words sounded innocuous, just a simple greeting.
However, this made Mu Fusheng feel a sense of crisis.
The questions seemed to be quite similar to those asked by the people from the Divine Miracle Academy.
But... why would someone from the Cangxuan Academy ask such a question? Is it simply out of curiosity?
Considering what Qi Wu said before, Ding Xuan seemed like a completely different person over the past few decades.
Mu Fusheng listed this person as a dangerous individual.
Another incense stick's worth of time passed in this manner.
Two figures suddenly appeared below the God Ascension Platform.
Qi Wu frowned and said in a deep voice, "This is bad, it's people from the Divine Miracle Academy."
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P. S.: Five chapters today.