At the outset, advancing in rank required only a modest number of stars, but as one climbed higher, the number needed became almost ludicrously large. Take, for example, the leap from the Eighth Layer to the Ninth Layer, which demanded a staggering two hundred stars—a feat beyond the reach of most trial challengers. Losing a battle meant losing a star from one's tally, further complicating the ascent.
Consequently, less skilled trial challengers often found themselves trapped at a certain rank, unable to advance or fall back, a true reflection of their combat prowess. Even those who consistently won battles faced difficulties reaching the upper echelons if their fights dragged on too long. The scarcity of high-level opponents meant they were frequently matched against those of lower rank.
When a high-level challenger faced off against a lower-level one, a victory wouldn't even yield a full star. Given the disparity in strength, the system wouldn't award a complete star, opting instead to dispense mere star fragments. The greater the gap in rank, the fewer fragments awarded; conversely, the smaller the gap, the more fragments one could earn.
But should a high-level contender suffer defeat at the hands of a lower-level adversary, the loss was severe—multiple stars, perhaps even a dozen, could be forfeited, precipitating a sharp decline in rank.
At present, the upper ranks were sparsely populated. Aside from Chen Guo, the highest anyone had achieved was the Outer Aura Fifth Layer. Therefore, Chen Guo stood alone in his ability to ascend to the Ninth Layer in just a few hours.
Chen Guo's miraculous rise was due to the brevity of his battles. Often, his opponents would withdraw before the countdown concluded, or they would be swiftly vanquished by a single move as soon as it did. There was no real struggle—it was akin to a heavyweight overpowering a lightweight, the Great Monad dominating the Sanxiao.
Such invincibility was a lonely, hollow existence.
In the Dueling Sword Mode, Chen Guo emerged as an unparalleled force, a veritable Dugu Qiubai—slaying gods and Buddhas in his path, an unstoppable and invincible warrior. No one could stand as his equal.
And so, he was the first to attain the Ninth Layer.
After reaching the Ninth Layer, Chen Guo found himself in a rut—his rank wouldn't budge. He often struggled to even find an opponent, and on the rare occasions he did, the star shards he earned from a victory were pitifully few.
It was akin to having a five-dollar coupon for a Lamborghini; a nice gesture, but hardly enough to make a dent in the cost. Dreaming of using such a coupon to get a Lamborghini for free? Maybe in another life!
"It looks like the caliber of my opponents just isn't cutting it. I need a few high-rank challengers. I'm so far ahead that no one is even close to my level, which is why I'm stuck at the Ninth Layer!"
"I guess I'll have to wait for everyone else to catch up before I can find a match... No matter how strong I am, it's pointless without a worthy challenger."
"I'll have to occupy myself with something else for now."
Chen Guo understood the reason all too well. A sigh escaped him; without a worthy opponent, life felt as desolate as a snow-covered wasteland.
Usually reserved, Chen Guo found himself compelled to speak out on the World Channel.
"Listen up, everyone. I'm stuck at the Ninth Layer and can't advance because the next highest rank is only at the Outer Aura Fifth Layer. Even defeating them doesn't give me the stars I need to level up. Let's step it up, people! I'm in a rush to ascend to sword excellent!"
"I'm off to take care of other matters. I'll be waiting for you all at the top. Keep pushing!"
Chen Guo's statement left trial challengers around the globe dumbfounded. While they were all diligently dueling, struggling to climb the ranks, Chen Guo was held back for lack of a worthy adversary!
Was he blaming them?
What an outrageous claim!
His Versailles-like proclamation was enough to make anyone seethe with frustration!
"Sorry, boss, I'm the one holding you back!"
"Sorry, boss, I'm the one holding you back!"
"Sorry, boss, I'm the one holding you back!"
The responses echoed clearly across the World Channel.
They couldn't even accuse Chen Guo of showing off, because everything he said was painfully true—it was indeed their shortcomings that were keeping him from advancing.
The once orderly formation on the World Channel was swiftly disrupted by the interjections of several legendary figures.
Lei Kun chimed in, "Hold your horses, Boss Guangcheng. Give me a couple of hours. In two hours, I'll be ready to give you a run for your money! I might not be on par with you, but sparring is definitely on the table!"
Avril chimed in, "It's been ages, Boss Guangcheng. How about we duke it out in Dueling Sword Mode? Hang tight for me—I've really missed our days of fighting shoulder to shoulder!"
Blues added, "Boss Guangcheng, I just need two hours. I'll come to challenge you then! I believe I've cracked your Flying Thunder God Art, and I'm about to bring you the surprise of a lifetime!"
Lin Dong laughed, "I'll be your punching bag later, Boss Guangcheng, and help boost your rank. Leave the Heavenly Astral statues to us—we've got them covered!"
These legends, having once fought alongside Chen Guo and being his close friends, enthusiastically engaged with him.
Their familiar banter took the ordinary trial challengers by surprise, prompting a flurry of speculation.
"Lei Kun, Blues... they sound like they're tight with Boss Guangcheng!"
"They hold Boss Guangcheng in high regard. He's well-connected indeed, earning the awe even of legends!"
"We're out of our league to assist Boss Guangcheng. It's up to the legends now! Looks like the Heavenly Astral statues are beyond us. We'll have to set our sights on the earthly spirit statues instead."
Amidst the trial challengers' amazement, the World Channel buzzed with activity.
In the thick of Dueling Sword Mode, countless challengers engaged in fierce combat. Though only a few hours had passed since its inception, many had significantly honed their combat skills—after all, they possessed a keener battle intellect than monsters, making for more effective training.
Yet, as Lei Kun had mentioned, their ranks were climbing slowly. It would take at least two hours for the legends backing Chen Guo to catch up to his level.
Chen Guo was a legend among legends, with even his peers trailing behind him, left to eat his dust.
Seizing the moment, Chen Guo embarked on a quest to find the Fire Feather Stone.
Due to his overwhelming strength, he found himself trapped at the Ninth Layer, unable to claim the title of Blue Star Emperor.
But time waits for no one. Another prerequisite for leveling up his village was to upgrade his house, and this was the perfect chance to do so.
After all, the key to upgrading his house lay in possessing the Fire Feather Stone!