Even though the number of slots for the Tower Climbing Ceremony has increased, for many disciples with weaker cultivation, it has actually become more troublesome.
Because to compete, one must rely on strength, and naturally, those with higher cultivation have the advantage.
In the past, passing a specific test might have allowed someone to get through by luck, but now the slots can only be obtained through competition, making strength far more important.
Many people sighed over this, such as Zhao Zhi.
Although Zhao Zhi had been diligently training ever since receiving the martial arts manual gifted by Ling Xiao, and his cultivation had now broken through to the peak of the second stage of the Mortal Realm, this level of cultivation was still not considered high.
Getting into the top fifty would likely be extremely difficult.
The Moon Flower Sect’s inner sect currently had around two hundred disciples, of whom about one hundred were martial artists at the first stage of the Mortal Realm.
The rest hadn’t been fully accounted for, so Zhao Zhi wasn’t clear on his exact ranking. He could only push himself to the limit of his current strength, hoping to seize a slot if possible.
Dai Yuling’s cultivation was similar to Zhao Zhi’s, but due to her unique cultivation method, she had reached the early third stage of the Mortal Realm.
Both of them were barely qualified to compete for a slot.
However, when Ling Xiao handed them each a high-quality treasure-grade defensive artifact, their confidence surged significantly.
For martial artists of the same level, possessing an artifact would greatly enhance their strength.
Defensive artifacts, in particular, could play a critical role at key moments.
Looking at the high-quality treasure-grade defensive artifact in his hand, Zhao Zhi excitedly said, “Brother Ling, I can’t thank you enough. I, Zhao Zhi, owe you my life. When I inherit the throne, I’ll ensure your family’s safety.”
That was all he could do, as his aptitude couldn’t compare to Ling Xiao’s. Talking about saving or helping Ling Xiao would be somewhat insincere, but as the most favored prince of the Northern Han Kingdom, he could easily protect the Divine Sword Sect in the secular world.
“By the way, Brother Ling, did you get this artifact from the Divine Armory Hall?”
Despite Ling Xiao still being an outer sect disciple, how could Zhao Zhi not know the terrifying extent of his strength?
Although Wu Yang and Qin Wu didn’t widely spread what happened at the Sha Family Fortress upon their return, only reporting to Meng Yuan, Zhao Zhi could sense that Ling Xiao’s aura had changed.
Thus, he now addressed Ling Xiao as “Brother.”
In the sect, strength dictated respect.
Aside from the fixed titles of master and disciple, terms like senior brother or sister were determined by cultivation level, serving as a form of motivation.
“The Divine Armory Hall?”
Ling Xiao was momentarily stunned. He genuinely didn’t know the Moon Flower Sect had such a place.
“No way, Brother Ling! The Divine Armory Hall has plenty of good treasures. You earned so many sect points last time—don’t tell me you exchanged them all for martial arts manuals?” Zhao Zhi asked in surprise.
“Not quite. I was in a rush to leave the sect for training, so I haven’t used them yet,” Ling Xiao said, stroking his chin, thinking he really needed to visit this Divine Armory Hall.
Artifacts weren’t just weapons or armor.
They also included special items for aiding cultivation or combat, such as secret technique scrolls, which were considered a type of artifact.
Having witnessed the power of secret technique scrolls and various auxiliary and attack artifacts recently, Ling Xiao decided that since he had plenty of points and no need for more martial arts manuals, he might as well exchange them for a few artifacts.
That way, his combat strength at the same cultivation level would increase significantly.
After all, anything could happen during the Tower Climbing Ceremony, and an extra layer of security meant a greater chance of success.
“Thanks for the reminder, Junior Brother Zhao. I’ll head to the Divine Armory Hall now.”
After parting with Zhao Zhi, Ling Xiao secretly delivered the last high-quality treasure-grade defensive artifact to Shangguan Lei, ensuring no one would notice.
Then, after confirming the location of the Divine Armory Hall, he quickly made his way there.
The Divine Armory Hall was similar in nature to the Array Hall and the Medicine Hall, being one of the Moon Flower Sect’s more important departments.
However, while the heads of the Array Hall and Medicine Hall were peak ninth-stage Mortal Realm martial artists, the head of the Divine Armory Hall was a true Heavenly Venerate.
And this head was an old acquaintance of Ling Xiao’s—Golden Light Heavenly Venerate, Cold Hao’s master.
“Hahaha, little guy, we meet again, eh?” Golden Light Heavenly Venerate greeted Ling Xiao warmly. Though Ling Xiao had declined to become his disciple, he wasn’t petty about it.
“So, the Heavenly Venerate is the head of the Divine Armory Hall!” Ling Xiao said, bowing respectfully. He had a very good impression of Golden Light Heavenly Venerate.
He then explained his purpose for coming.
“You want auxiliary artifacts? No problem, take your pick. The first one, regardless of grade, is half price. The rest get a twenty percent discount!” Golden Light Heavenly Venerate said with a smile.
“Heavenly Venerate, please be clear. Last time I earned great merit for the sect, so all exchanges for pills, martial arts manuals, and artifacts were already at a twenty percent discount. Your discounts would apply on top of that, right?” Ling Xiao said with a grin.
“Of course, I’m aware of that. But since the Moon Maiden has taken a liking to you, you’re a hope for the Moon Flower Sect’s future. I have only one request: within your ability, help Cold Hao out a bit,” Golden Light Heavenly Venerate said, explaining his preferential treatment.
“With you putting it like that, how could I refuse?” Helping Cold Hao was a small effort, yet it gained him the support of a powerful figure like Golden Light Heavenly Venerate. Even without the discounts, Ling Xiao would have agreed. He calculated this deal quite clearly.
“In that case, come with me. Though you said you want auxiliary artifacts, I suggest you take a look at everything. In fact, even weapons of the same type can have completely different attributes and effects,” Golden Light Heavenly Venerate said as he led Ling Xiao into the Divine Armory Hall. “I know you have two treasure-grade swords, likely of rare quality, but both your Ice Dragon Sword and Snowfall Sword are ice and snow-attributed. I think you should choose some swords that match your attributes better to fully unleash your potential.”
His words reminded Ling Xiao.
The *Twelve Golden Lotus Technique* encompassed the power of twelve celestial phenomena.
Yet his Ice Dragon Sword and Snowfall Sword were both ice and snow-attributed, which clearly didn’t fully align.
He currently needed swords with wind, thunder, rain, and lightning attributes to better harness the power of the celestial phenomena.
Of course, if he could gather all twelve celestial phenomena, that would be even better.
“I understand. Thank you for the reminder, Heavenly Venerate,” Ling Xiao said, nodding, his mind made up.
Upon entering the Divine Armory Hall, the first area was for trading divine weapons. The counters displayed an array of divine weapons with various shapes and attributes.
