While Joe Di was setting up the protective array outside the Providence River Barrier, the Ascension Tower outside Allclan Sanctuary had already become famous.
This Ascension Tower was a true artifact for seeking the Dao, not merely a tool for competition. Cultivators entering it could not only question their hearts, but also their own Dao, even sense what was missing in their path, allowing them to perfect their Dao and take another step forward.
Many cultivators forgot to keep climbing, ended up staying on the first floor for too long, and were directly teleported out, resulting in a score that was too low.
Those cultivators who were carelessly teleported out were naturally unwilling to give up; they all turned back to the Ascension Tower, trying to enter again. However, no matter how strong they were, as long as they had entered once, or if their cultivation exceeded the Third Step, the tower would block them from entering.
Talented cultivators from minor clans began to shine. Many small clans who had never entered the Providence Gate before were now trembling with excitement.
At the same time, news that the Ascension Tower was selecting entrants for the Providence Gate had already spread to nearly every corner where cultivators dwelled.
Many cultivators who couldn't make it in time were almost driven mad with regret, while those who could rushed desperately toward Allclan Sanctuary. Missing this opportunity meant a lifetime of regret. Who hadn't heard of the Providence Gate? For ordinary cultivators from small clans, and even marginal members of major clans, it was nothing but a legend. Now, as long as one had the strength, that legend could become reality—how could they not be excited?
Millions of cultivators gathered in Allclan Sanctuary, which was already considered a huge number. Yet, due to Joe Di's selection method, in just three days, tens of millions of cultivators surged toward Allclan Sanctuary, all vying for one of the more than eight hundred slots.
From the Frontier Human Realm, nearly all Third Step cultivators—and even some Second Step ones—had come to Allclan Sanctuary to climb the Ascension Tower.
Three days quickly passed, and all cultivators inside the Ascension Tower were teleported out. The massive array display outside the tower now showed the finalized list of entrants.
Among the top 830 cultivators, the Divine Clan ranked first with nearly a hundred members. Besides the Divine Clan, the Redlin Clan, Cloud Clan, Blood Clan, and other major clans also led the rankings.
The Human Clan secured thirty-one slots. Although this number was decent, their rankings were unimpressive, mostly falling between 400th and 800th place.
The reason the Human Clan could claim so many spots was that nearly all cultivators from the Frontier Human Realm who came were main combatants. The Human Clan had few Fourth Step cultivators, so when facing powerful opponents, they could only rely on Third Step cultivators sacrificing themselves. Over time, this resulted in many exceptionally strong Third Step cultivators.
Allclan Sanctuary was still filled with joy. Compared to the Human Clan, there were even more small clans who had almost never had a chance to show themselves, and this time each had won one or two slots.
Though the number of slots was small, for those minor clans, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. As long as a single strong cultivator emerged, the clan could rise and at least survive in this universe.
"Because the Providence Gate is about to open, cultivators who were supposed to receive entry tokens at the Human Quarter should proceed directly to the Providence River Barrier. All geniuses ranked in the top 830 on the array screen may collect your Providence Gate entry token. Please remember, all entry tokens for the Providence Gate are non-transferable and cannot be sold. Otherwise, bear the consequences." As the Ascension Tower closed, Henry Yi was the first to land on the Duel Platform and announced loudly.
Originally, Joe Di intended to require all those who won slots in the Ascension Tower to collect their tokens at the Human Quarter to boost the Human Clan's prestige. But after setting up the protective array outside the Providence Gate, he changed his mind.
Now that he was here, having people collect tokens at the Human Quarter did indeed increase the Human Clan's prestige. But once he left, this would only add pressure to the Human Clan.
Upon hearing Henry Yi's words, both those who had won slots and those who hadn't all surged toward the Providence River Barrier.
According to the schedule, the Providence Gate was about to open.
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The Providence River Barrier had long since disappeared, replaced by a vast plaza. At the far end of the plaza was a circular disk shaped like two fish, with Dao resonance swirling atop it—precisely the entrance Joe Di had set up not long ago.
Some latecomers, especially cultivators from remote minor clans, felt uneasy despite winning a slot. Their names and clan were displayed on the array screen in front of the Ascension Tower, but there was no other information.
Moreover, the names on the array display quickly vanished, meaning if those in power denied your slot, you could only accept your fate.
Leon Yan was one such case. He had won 321st place in the Ascension Tower selection.
To be honest, that was a high ranking. For someone from the Genesis Clan—a clan so insignificant that even placing in the top 800 would be a miracle—321st place was a shock.
Upon hearing Henry Yi’s announcement, he was among the first to rush toward the Providence River Barrier. However, just as he left the plaza outside Allclan Sanctuary, two men blocked his path. Both had pitch-black faces, as if cast from the same mold, but Leon Yan could tell that one of them was a Fourth Step cultivator.
"Are you Leon Yan?" asked the black-faced cultivator at the Fourth Step.
Leon Yan gratefully cupped his fists. "Yes, I am Leon Yan. Greetings to both fellow Daoists."
The cultivator nodded. "You’re from the Genesis Clan, right? My brother and I are from the Coldmoon Clan."
Hearing 'Coldmoon Clan,' Leon Yan felt chills down his spine. Compared to the Coldmoon Clan, the Genesis Clan was as small as could be. The Coldmoon Clan’s top expert, Lucas Ling, though only at the early Saint stage, had close ties with the Redlin Clan’s patriarch. Offending a major clan like Coldmoon would mean the Genesis Clan faced extinction.
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"I hope you’ll let us use your slot. Of course, you won’t be shortchanged. If you’re unwilling, just pretend I never asked. By the way, I’m Lucas Zhen, and this is my brother Felix Zhen." Lucas Zhen's tone was very calm, as if he truly wouldn’t mind if Leon Yan refused.
Leon Yan, however, sensed waves of chilling murderous intent. He was certain that if he refused, even if he survived for now, the Genesis Clan would be doomed. He hadn’t come here to see his clan destroyed, but to improve its future. Besides, even if he refused, he’d be in trouble now.
"Senior, it’s not that I don’t want to lend it. Senior Henry Yi said the slots are non-transferable; everyone must go in personally, and..."
Before Leon Yan could finish, Lucas Zhen waved him off, "If you’re willing, just extract your essence blood and imprint it with your Dao, then infuse a trace of your soul. That’s all you need to do. Well, not quite—you’ll also need to come with us. If anything goes wrong, you’ll step up and explain that you handed your slot to my brother of your own accord."
To Lucas Zhen, as a Fourth Step Edict Saint, he couldn’t replicate Joe Di’s Ascension Tower, but he knew all its tricks. At worst, it was about memory, essence blood, and Dao imprint, with a touch of soul aura.
As long as his brother obtained Leon Yan’s Dao imprint infused with soul and essence blood, there was more than an eighty percent chance they could get away with it. If it failed, they’d just say Leon Yan had handed it over voluntarily and give up the slot.
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Billions of miles away from the Providence Gate, a man with a face as pale as paper paused his cultivation. He looked up toward the Providence Gate. After more than ten breaths, he finally spoke slowly, "The Providence Gate is opening. It’s time. I wonder if those old fellows will come as well. I doubt they’ll pass up the chance to reach the Saint level this time..."
He stopped, then after a long pause, sighed, "The Seventh Step... Sainthood..."
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