Advance the future and become a martial saint on earth!

Chapter 172 Breaking the Three Limits, Purple Ribbon Immortal Robe, So What? When you see me, you must lower your head!

Jiangyin Prefectural Courtyard: Five Records!
It is divided into bow, horse, soldier, warrior, and god.

Archery Hunt!

Tame and control beasts!

A battle of skills and techniques!
Martial arts cultivation!

Cultivation of the Divine Soul!

The first three are skills; in addition, one must participate in spring and autumn hunts, or don armor and weapons, and win the first place in a tournament to be ranked.

However, it is extremely simple to determine the superiority or inferiority of martial arts and spiritual cultivation.

Just like the two Daoist steles, the 'Martial Stele' and the 'Divine Stele', that stand at the entrance of the Jiangyin Prefectural Courtyard are used to test and select whether candidates are qualified to become students of the Prefectural Courtyard.

Inside the mansion
There are also two magnificent buildings, "Dengwu Tower" and "Dengshen Tower".

Its purpose is to imprint the martial arts afterimages of many students in the academy.

Legend has it that every student who enters the "Ascending Martial Arts Tower" or "Ascending Divine Tower" will compete here with the sages of the past and present who have left their mark on the students.

The deeper one's foundation and the higher one's potential, the greater the impact one can generate!
At the same time, one can also obtain the divine essence left behind by the past generations, which will greatly benefit oneself!

The one who goes the furthest is the top-ranked person, who occupies the top spot in the prefecture and is qualified to represent the prefecture in the 'Prefectural Official Examination'!
This is why so many talented individuals flock to the Imperial Academy.

This is because it is the foundation of the rule that the Great Xuan Dynasty has laid in various prefectures for more than nine hundred years. It was established to select 'prefectural officials' and 'kings, dukes and ministers' and to gather up the heroes and warriors of the world.

The hidden benefits are numerous.

So logically speaking, as long as you are outstanding enough and enter the academy, your chances of achieving great things in this life will be greatly increased!

Within the various prefectures, the Jiangyin Prefectural Court has not produced any outstanding talents for decades.

But looking across the entire prefecture, those who can secure a place are by no means mediocre!

Even if one cannot surpass the past geniuses of the prefecture and can only dominate the present generation, one must still be a talent who surpasses the county and prefecture levels. At least one must break through the three limits; otherwise, it is simply not enough!

Take, for example, Chen Zhi, the current leader of the martial arts world, who comes from the fishing industry.

If we go back a few decades, they might not be considered top-tier, but in the modern era, they are absolutely number one.

But when he saw Gao Ye walk calmly and confidently into the 'Dengwu Tower'.

In just half a day, the pillar of light shot up nine zhang (approximately 33 meters), causing a huge commotion and breaking his own record. Chen Zhi's expression immediately turned somewhat ugly.
"He can actually make the Martial Arts Tower reflect the martial arts aura of nine zhang?"

Chen Zhi murmured to himself. Even though he already held this young nobleman from a noble family in extremely high regard, seeing this scene in person still made him feel a bit suffocated.

"Chen Zhi's record was broken overnight?"

"How is that possible? Didn't Chief Chen break through the Purple Ribbon Immortal Robe and transcend the Three Limits a year ago?!"

"Breaking through the three limitations, achieving perfect physical body, the martial arts aura shines brightly!"

"Who is this arrogant young man, whose entire being is filled with wild energy?"

"How could he actually surpass Chen Zhi and add another foot to his record?"

"Even though they are both subject to the three restrictions, there are still differences!"

"It's been a long time since I've heard of anyone who can climb nine zhang (approximately 33 meters) to the top of the Martial Arts Tower. In the Jiangyin Prefecture, they must be among the most prominent figures throughout history."

Some were impressed but didn't understand, but were drawn by the martial arts atmosphere reflected in the Martial Arts Tower, which attracted the attention of the students. Upon seeing this scene, a few waves were stirred up.

As those with knowledge of the background explained, information about 'Gao Ye' was gradually disseminated.
Those 'veteran students' who had been in the academy for a year or two, or even were nearing graduation, and who knew the academy was full of hidden talents and intrigues, were even more astonished:

"He's only been here a day, yet he's already surpassed the top scholar in the academy, breaking the three-limit ranking?"

"He's not going to become the 'Number One in the Imperial Academy,' is he?!"

The saying that Jiangyin Prefecture has the top five candidates in the "Five Examinations" actually originated from the fact that there were only five seats in a prefecture during the "Prefectural Official Examination".

Logically speaking...

If no outstanding individual emerges to surpass their contemporaries, then the top spot is usually taken by a student from a prestigious family with both exceptional family background and top-tier cultivation.

It can be said that these five people form an alliance of interests.

They firmly control the position of "top performer in the five examinations," preventing newcomers from having the opportunity to take their place. They also choose to stick together during the "prefectural official examination," hoping to obtain the title of "prefectural official."

But
With Gao Ye's forceful entry into the prefectural city, everything was disrupted.

However, young masters like Chen Zhi received the news from the beginning and knew that this 'young nobleman' was probably coming to the manor to compete with them, the pride of the family, for opportunities.

But as the saying goes, even a powerful dragon can't suppress a local snake!
I thought he would lie low for a while and then win the top prize, so he could take the prefectural examination in the spring.

Unexpectedly, he was so impatient.

On his very first day at the academy, he used the essence of the 'rebirth' bestowed by the Martial Saint to walk step by step to the front of the Martial Arts Tower in full view of everyone, making quite a grand entrance!

He seemed determined to make a name for himself today, as if he wanted everyone to know.

But of all people he could have chosen, he had to pick his own piece of the pie!

Chen Zhi was so angry he wanted to grind his teeth.

His ability to become the champion of the Martial Arts Tower does not necessarily mean that his martial arts skills are the best in the prefecture.

It's just that the other four people occupied other seats, hoping to get help in the future 'prefectural examination'. So everyone got a seat and didn't compete with him.

The examination for prefectural officials is a competition against other prefectures. All participants are hidden talents, and it often involves 'boundary gates'. The slightest mistake can lead to extreme danger!
Without the help of classmates, it was extremely difficult and arduous.

Therefore, although the students of the prefecture and the academy are in a competitive relationship, if one of them sits in the position of the top student in the prefecture, the relationship will actually ease up a lot. At least on the surface, they will inevitably address each other as brothers.

"Brother Chen, this 'dragon crossing the river' is incredibly powerful!"

"It seems he doesn't want to play along with us; he's going to take a different approach."

"Can you control him?"

Beside Chen Zhi, whose expression was changing.

The eldest son from the Chai family, dressed in white robes, was enveloped in divine thoughts, with occasional specks of Taoist magic radiating from his entire body.

Xu Nian, the eldest son of Chai Xing, is said to specialize in cultivating the Divine Soul. He has been studying it since childhood and has reached the peak of 'Divine Soul Thoughts' in more than ten years.

In the academy where cultivation techniques are scarce, he is undoubtedly the number one master in the Divine Soul Realm.

Of the five top leaders in Jiangyin Prefecture, two are from prominent families.

The other three.
Last year's champions were first in the Great Hunt, first in Beast Taming, and first in Arena Fighting!

These competitions, which involve skill and technique, are all, without exception, the esteemed successors of overseas schools!
among them.

Two people did not show up.

But Zhou Tong, the current founding disciple of 'Three Fist Mountain,' one of the six high mountains, and the 'Little Fist Saint' who had won first place in the armored and armed arena, only glanced at Chen Zhi beside him:
“A year ago, you broke through the three limits and were able to grow to eight feet tall. No matter how powerful Gao Ye is, he is still so much younger than you.”

“He can break through nine zhang (approximately 33 meters), and if you go now, you might not be any worse than him.”

"There are only a few seats available. If he wants to leave us all in the dust and subdue us, he doesn't have that ability for now."

"But what if you can't win against him?"

"It's possible that the position of 'prefectural official' is truly out of your reach."

Zhou Tong crossed his arms, his eyes indifferent, which made Chen Zhi hesitate.
"But the gentlemen of all trades only recently met with this young lord. If I were to confront him, my family would be in trouble."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Tong, the heir of Three Fists Mountain, scoffed:
"Chen Zhi, you are cultivating yourself."

"Let alone the fishing industry, if Gao Ye were to block my path, what harm would it do to kill him?"

"Looking back and forth is a great taboo for a warrior!"

"Or rather, if you're willing to be the first to be eliminated."

"Then I have no objection to you handing over the qualification to compete for the title of prefectural official."

Upon hearing this, Chen Zhi's face turned pale and then red, but he did not refute it; he only looked helpless.

“It’s not that I’m hesitating.” “You gave me the top spot on the Martial Arts Tower because you knew I had no chance of reaching the top.”

"And it's not just me; most of the contemporary figures have basically had no chance to reach the top or seize the opportunity."

"This kid can rise to a martial arts aura of nine zhang. Even after a whole year of training, I can't guarantee that I can suppress him."

"After all, after nine zhang (approximately 33 meters), it's a completely different scene."

Zhou Tong frowned:
"Back then, in the Dengwu Tower, your martial arts aura was eight zhang and eight chi high, almost nine chi high. You were only one step away from nine zhang. Was it really that exaggerated?"

Chen Zhi sighed:
"not like this."

"After entering the Martial Arts Tower, the world turns upside down, like a mayfly climbing a staircase."

"And the martial ranks are as many as a hundred, each of which leaves behind martial remnants that come to obstruct and hinder you."

"The first fifty questions are nothing but clay chickens and earthen dogs. I was not afraid of them in the slightest. I moved swiftly and broke them with a flick of my finger."

"But after fifty rounds, I started to take things seriously, because I saw the hidden talents among the senior students of the academy over the past three years. However, I was not afraid. I took one step at a time, steadily and surely, and handled things with ease."

"It wasn't until after the eightieth step that I saw your presence among them. I crossed eight steps in succession, being cautious and careful, but in the end, I was no match for you."

"And at the very end."

"I once gazed upon the scene nine zhang beyond."

Chen Zhi took a deep breath, his eyes filled with bitterness:
"I saw in it the shadows of the sages who left their mark on government offices throughout history."

"So this young man, having just broken through his life limit, has already reached that place and is facing the sages directly. That is truly remarkable."

Zhou Tong was taken aback.

"But you're right, how can we hand over the title of prefectural official to someone else!"

"If he really wants to pick the weakest one and take the top spot, I can't let him."

"But if he wants to monopolize the five passes, suppress us, and make us bow down to him and beg for a seat from him, ha."

"Then I, Chen Zhi, will be his first testing ground, to see if he has the ability!"

Chen Zhi closed his eyes briefly, and when he opened them again, a purple hue flickered in his eyes.

Then, donning his immortal robes, he took a deep breath and stepped forward. Before Gao Ye had even emerged from the 'Ascending Martial Tower,' he followed closely behind, unwilling to be outdone!
Half an hour later!

Whoosh!
Once again, the Dengwu Tower reflects the spirit of martial arts, stretching for nine zhang (approximately 33 meters) in length, comparable to the one left by Gao Ye before, and equally impressive!

This immediately sparked a flurry of discussion among those who witnessed it:

"Is Chen Zhi, the champion of Dengwu Tower, unwilling to back down after his record was broken, going to fight this young lord to the death?"

"A year later, he climbed two more steps! It seems he's reached his limit."

"But I wonder, both of them are in the Martial Arts Tower, reflecting the martial arts aura of the Nine-Zhang Sect. However, there is only one position for the champion of the Martial Arts Tower. How should we determine who is stronger between these two?"

The senior students watched the spectacle with amusement, while newcomers like Ye Ningzhi and Cai Ling'er witnessed the fierce competition within the academy.

One wrong move and you're out of a position!
The onlookers secretly clicked their tongues in amazement.

However, at this time...
A wave of unrest, a wave of up!
Just as Gao Ye shone nine zhang high, breaking the record, Chen Zhi, not to be outdone, advanced at the same pace. The two fought fiercely, determined to vie for the position of master of the Martial Arts Tower.
Ji Xiu walked out of the meditation room and walked all the way to the front of Dengwu Tower.

Hearing the commotion just now, he couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, wondering how it had come so coincidentally.

When someone saw this prodigy, whose achievements were so high that even before he broke through the 'Purple Ribbon Immortal Robe,' he was completely overshadowed, they immediately recognized him:
"Ji Xiu? What's he doing here too?"

"Two individuals who have broken through the three limits are vying for the main position of 'Ascending the Martial Tower.' Those who haven't broken through the three limits probably don't even have the qualifications to participate."

"Alas, this child comes from a poor background, yet he has achieved so much; he can be considered a prodigy."

"But unfortunately, compared to Gao Ye, who comes from a noble family and can break through the three limits as easily as eating and drinking with the help of his family's resources, even though his Dao Stele has greater potential, he is still quite inferior in comparison."

While someone is quietly making calculations.

Ji Xiu remained calm and followed closely behind, striding into the 'Dengwu Tower'.

Seeing his actions, no one thought he could replace those two martial arts auras that rose left and right, stretching for nine zhang. They just secretly placed their bets, guessing how many levels this 'Ji Fusheng' could break through.

Some people believe that once you pass fifty, you can rise five zhang (approximately 10 meters) in height.

Some believe that reaching eighty years old reflects the grandeur of the Eight-Foot Martial Arts and allows one to witness the contemporary leaders of the Imperial Academy!

Whoosh whoosh whoosh.
While everyone stared and speculated...
As Ji Xiu stepped in, a martial arts aura rose from the ground and soared up in an instant!

Ten paths, each ten feet long!
Thirty paths, three zhang each!

Fifty, sixty, seventy.
Looking at the magnificent martial arts aura that rises up and shines brightly in the center, it seems to be cutting through thorns and brambles, unstoppable and unstoppable, showing no signs of exhaustion or withering.

The students of the academy began to breathe heavily.

Even Xu Nian and Zhou Tong, the two leaders of the academy who were on par with Chen Zhi and whom Gao Ye wanted to challenge, were surprised to see this scene:
"This Ji Xiu is actually quite capable?"

"It seems that the rumors circulating outside are not entirely unfounded."

The expressions on everyone's faces were different.

until----

That beam of light shone nine zhang!
With a 'bang,' it seemed as if some kind of shackles or fetters exploded in everyone's minds.

He actually did it!?
But how could that be!

With a body that has not yet broken through the three limits, he stands shoulder to shoulder with those who have reached the three limits, reaching the ninetyth level of martial arts, reflecting the grandeur of martial arts at nine feet, and standing shoulder to shoulder with the sages!
This made Dengwu Tower lively.

One that shines nine feet high is the leader, the chief.

So, the three
How do you calculate it?!

Just as everyone was marveling at this...

Originally, they envisioned reaching the ninetyth level, reflecting the martial arts aura of nine zhang, as an extremely remarkable achievement.

Having reached this level, Ji Xiu should have stopped there.

However.
Gao Ye clutched his chest, looking somewhat weak, as he walked out of Dengwu Tower.

Behind him, Chen Zhi pursed his lips, also deep in thought, occasionally turning back to glance at the tall building behind him, his eyes filled with resentment.

The two of them walked out one after the other.

That originally centered martial arts atmosphere
With a 'whoosh', after pausing for a while, it rose again!

One, two, three!
One foot, two feet, three feet.
Until nine feet and nine inches away!

It has just completely dimmed!

The two were so startled by the silence that they turned around at the same time.

Seeing this scene, and recalling her own recent experience, her pupils trembled violently, and she even lost her voice:
"Who is this? Who is climbing the tower!"

"How did he do that?"

Gao Ye was shocked. He hadn't expected that there were such hidden talents in the manor. Could it be that they deliberately made a move to suppress him because he was too arrogant?

Chen Zhi's expression changed dramatically!
but
He was thinking more about the scene inside Dengwu Tower.

Ascend the Martial Tower, climb to the ninety steps, and reach the ninth zhang (approximately 33
They are facing the ancient sages who have broken the purple ribbon fairy robes in the past!
To be able to shatter their afterimages head-on, how high must this person's potential and foundation be!?
The limit of this Martial Arts Tower is probably only nine zhang and nine chi (approximately 33 meters), right?

Legend has it that those who reach the summit will see the view at the end as they trample over the remains of past sages and worthies.

That was the true gift hidden and buried within Dengwu Tower!

However, compared to rewards.

What Chen Zhi was even more curious about was what exactly existed at the end of those ninety-nine martial ranks!
The first fifty steps are for ordinary students.

The first eighty steps are filled with hidden talents and powerful figures.

The first ninety steps, and you'll be the leader of our time!
Ninety steps later, the sages of the past!

So, what's at the end of this staircase?
(End of this chapter)