Apotheosis

'This Libby should be the strongest warrior in the Land of Sword Grief…' Zen thought to himself.

His gaze swept across the names on the Ranking Stone. "I have a question."

"What is it?"

"I can answer your question!"

"Go ahead!"

The veterans were entirely hospitable, each with their own axe to grind.

"Can I challenge the warriors on the second floor?" Zen asked flatly.

The several hundred people on the first floor were shocked silent upon hearing the question.

'What's wrong with him?' many of them wondered.

How dare he challenge the warriors on the second floor?

Over 1, 100 people resided the entire Land of Sword Grief, and there were only about 200 people on the second floor. The strength of those who had reached the second floor was leaps and bounds beyond that of the first-floor cultivators.

"According to the rules, you're not permitted to challenge anyone on the second floor," Abdul explained as he walked up to the Ranking Stone, pointing to a name on the list. "He is the only one qualified to do so."

The name read Cleon. He was number one on the first floor.

Excitement flashed across Elvinia's eyes upon seeing Cleon's name. He was Jean's eldest son and Chance's brother—the guy who had been utterly defeated by Zen as a cultivator at the Chaotic Source Realm.

"I see." Zen nodded slowly, pointing to the first name on the second floor. "That is to say, if I want to challenge someone on the third floor, I'd have to defeat the number one warrior on the second floor, right?"

Apart from the disciples of the Oneness Sky Palace who had just arrived along with Zen, everyone else fell silent.

Most of them stared at Zen like he was an idiot.

"Is he insane?"

"How dare he even mention challenging someone on the third floor? Who does he think he is?"

"I've been in the Land of Sword Grief for a long time. This is the first time I've seen a newcomer be this cocky."

Completing the cultivation in the Chaotic Source Realm involved an extremely long process. The gap between the early, middle, and late stages of cultivation was undeniably wide—the three flo

rankings. Rarely did anyone challenge veterans, even those of the lower ranks.

"I believe so."

Chance's expression looked unreadable. "How stupid can a newcomer be to challenge you right off the bat?"

Throwing a nonchalant glance at Chance, Cleon answered, "I don't know if there is any such newcomer. I only know that a disciple from the Land of Sword Grief was defeated by a disciple of the Oneness Sky Palace who hadn't reached the Chaotic Source Realm."

What his brother said made Chance look grim. "That was an accident. That guy's Other Shore Token…"

"Don't look down upon any enemy," Cleon interrupted him. "If I were you, I'd have been pulled down from the first place ages ago."

Chance's defeat by Zen's hands still brought him great shame. Because Jean had covered up the fact, only a few people were aware of it.

"Come on, let's go back to the Land of Sword Grief," Cleon said, his eyes looking sharp and his mouth curling. "I'm rather curious about how talented this new guy is and why he dares to challenge me."

Once they left the Dragon City, they headed straight for the Land of Sword Grief.

For an hour, Zen had waited on the first floor. News of the newcomer challenging Cleon spread quickly. More and more onlookers gathered around.

Some disciples who were already out rushed back, and even those practicing in seclusion wanted to see who the arrogant new arrival was.