Chapter 275: Standing Equal with the Holy Lord! A Descending… Powerhouse?

The Master of the Tower of Ascension!

Meng Changqing took a deep breath.

He hadn’t expected that reaching the hundredth floor came with such a tremendous reward!

Owning a Saint Artifact — the pinnacle of artifacts!

Even if this Saint Artifact was purely for support, it was still… a Saint Artifact!

The fact that even the Holy Lands coveted it spoke volumes about its immense value.

“This first headmaster of the Black-White Academy had such a magnanimous spirit. To let such a Saint Artifact be pursued by all rather than keeping it within the academy…” Meng Changqing muttered to himself.

“There’s a rumor,” Feng Qingcang suddenly spoke mysteriously, “that the Saint Artifact couldn’t even be fully controlled by the first headmaster. Frustrated, they decided to open it to the public. Whoever could take it, could keep it!”

“…” Meng Changqing was left speechless.

“Why is the Tower of Ascension considered the best support Saint Artifact?” he asked again.

“That, I don’t know for sure,” Feng Qingcang admitted. “But it must be extraordinary. Otherwise, why would the Holy Lands send their strongest Holy-Lord-level disciples every time it opens?

“Throughout history, the Holy Lands have always held the top rankings in the tower. No one else has surpassed them.

“However, nearly two centuries ago, there was an exception. Someone reached the ninety-seventh floor and stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the Holy Lands’ top talent of that time, who is now the current Holy Lord of the Zhengyi Holy Land.”

Hearing this, Meng Changqing’s heart stirred.

Two centuries ago?

Combining this with what he knew, it was likely… the Sect Master!

“Who was this person?” Meng Changqing asked.

“I don’t remember exactly, but I think they also came from the Southern Region,” Feng Qingcang replied after some thought.

At that time, he hadn’t personally witnessed the events, so he wasn’t clear on the details.

Moreover, the opening of the Tower of Ascension had no fixed schedule — it could be centuries apart, decades, or even just a few years.

Meng Changqing nodded slightly.

It must be them.

At the same time, his eyes gleamed with thought.

To be able to stand on equal footing with the young Holy Lord of the Zhengyi Holy Land back then… no wonder the Sect Master once referred to them as the most outstanding disciple the sect had ever produced.

But what had happened afterward?

How did they end up in such a state?

“Listening Rain Tower,” Meng Changqing remembered what the Grand Elder had said.

“If you’re ready, go to Listening Rain Tower. You’ll find everything you want to know there.”

In Central Province, the intelligence capabilities of Listening Rain Tower were second only to Wanxiang Pavilion. Its power was also deep and unfathomable.

Meng Changqing’s plan was to first go to the Black-White Academy to improve his strength, and then… head to Listening Rain Tower!

“Thank you, Patriarch Feng, for sharing this. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have known about the Tower of Ascension,” Meng Changqing said with a smile.

“You’re too polite. You would have learned about it at the Black-White Academy anyway. I just happened to mention it earlier,” Feng Qingcang said, waving his hand. “This news only came recently from the Black-White Academy, so it’s understandable you weren’t aware.”

Meng Changqing suddenly realized.

No wonder the Grand Elder hadn’t mentioned it. Ut had only just been announced.

“Three years, huh.” Meng Changqing narrowed his eyes.

He was determined to enter the Tower of Ascension. A Saint Artifact… If he could obtain it, the benefits to his cultivation would be unimaginable!

Moreover, it contained miraculous items capable of restoring spiritual roots.

Not only for his aunt, but also for Senior Brother Yun Bujue, who could return to the path of cultivation.

Three years seemed like ample time.

But it depended on the help of Joyful Meditation.

The Marquis Realm was already the seventh realm of cultivation!

The difficulty of progress was unimaginable. Even for prodigies with top-tier spiritual roots, it would take seventy to eighty years to complete.

Although Meng Changqing had perfect spiritual roots, three years was still a very tight timeframe.

But with Joyful Meditation, it would be no problem — effortless, even!

In truth, Meng Changqing’s cultivation progress had been astonishingly fast.

How long had it been? Three years?

From the Vein Tempering Realm, he had risen step by step to the Marquis Realm.

Those who had started alongside him as outer disciples might still be stuck in the Vein Tempering Realm.

“I wonder how far Chief Meng can go in the future.” Feng Qingcang smiled.

“I’ll do my best.” Meng Changqing answered humbly, though his eyes burned with determination.

That was… ambition!

“The Tower of Ascension will be the center of attention. This time, I won’t miss it.” Feng Qingcang didn’t notice Meng Changqing’s gaze, as his own eyes were filled with resolve.

Whether he could reach the Royal Path Realm and elevate his clan to the ranks of the top ancient clans depended on the opportunities within the Tower of Ascension.

After chatting for a while longer, the banquet ended.

—

The next day, Meng Changqing bid farewell to Feng Qingcang and resumed his journey.

A piercing cry echoed as the Qingyu Phoenix spread its wings and soared into the sky.

“What a remarkable person,” Feng Qingcang muttered as he watched him leave, sighing once again.

Last night, as he replayed the battle in his mind, he realized more and more just how terrifyingly formidable Meng Changqing was at such a young age.

“Three years from now, in the Tower of Ascension, this one will undoubtedly shine again.” Feng Qingcang’s tone carried a hint of anticipation.

Then he turned and flew in the opposite direction.

“Patriarch, where are you going?” a clansman asked.

“The lowest-ranked guy is about to emerge from seclusion. I need to knock him off the rankings.” Feng Qingcang’s voice echoed faintly.

In the Heavenly Rankings, each spot was exclusive.

If defeated, one didn’t simply drop in rank but was instead kicked out entirely.

To regain a position, the loser had to challenge someone and win to reclaim a spot.

“Patriarch is mighty!” The clansmen were instantly overjoyed.

If successful, their clan could remain on the rankings, though with fewer resources.

On the broad back of the phoenix, Meng Changqing sat cross-legged, lightly tapping his forehead.

Last night, he had been so preoccupied with the Tower of Ascension that he’d forgotten to add Feng Qingcang as a friend.

He was still very interested in the secret technique Feng Qingcang had used to suddenly appear behind him during their fight.

Yesterday’s battle had also made him aware of his current shortcomings.

First, his mental cultivation.

Second, his speed and agility.

He needed to address these weaknesses quickly. Otherwise, they could lead to significant disadvantages.

“The Black-White Academy is an academic institution. There should be many experts of various kinds there,” Meng Changqing thought with anticipation.

Suddenly, the heavens trembled, and a crack appeared in the sky!

Endless demonic energy poured out, and simultaneously, a figure plummeted, their aura feeble.

As fate would have it, they fell right onto Meng Changqing’s phoenix.

“Run!” The figure landed on the phoenix’s back, raising her beautiful but exhausted eyes.

Her voice carried an unmistakable urgency.