This time, Xin Ci chose to comprehend advanced true meanings as before, while Nie Li was not idle, opting to study a mural inscribed with intermediate true meanings.
However, midway, Nie Li discovered that Xin Ci's comprehension was far stronger than he had imagined.
As the eldest disciple of the Ming Emperor, his talent and comprehension were already outstanding among the younger generation in Ming Guang City.
Yet, Xin Ci's speed in practicing true meanings was on par with his own.
No, it should be said that he was not as good as Xin Ci. This was because he was comprehending intermediate true meanings, while Xin Ci was studying advanced true meanings.
The difficulty levels were completely different.
Nie Li let out a wry smile inwardly, grumbling, "Master, why did you let such a monstrous talent in? Isn't this meant to discourage me?"
Despite his wry smile, Nie Li knew to focus on himself and diligently comprehend his intermediate true meanings.
Meanwhile, Xin Ci was comprehending an advanced true meaning called Void Condensing Sword Art.
Void Condensing Sword Art was a profound sword technique with extremely high cultivation difficulty, requiring mastery of sword intent as a prerequisite.
Upon successful cultivation, one could materialize sword qi, forging swords in the void comparable in strength to true artifacts, even without them.
The time they spent comprehending and practicing was roughly the same; both were just one step away from mastering their respective true meanings.
At this moment, Shi Kai, Jin Huan, and others who had successfully reached the fourth level of the Sacred Dragon Tower also arrived.
"Hahaha, Nie Li, Xin Ci, I've caught up to you!"
As soon as he arrived on the fourth level, Shi Kai couldn't help but burst into laughter.
He had initially thought he was only slightly behind, not significantly trailing Nie Li and Xin Ci.
However, upon looking around, Shi Kai was instantly dejected.
The fourth level of the Sacred Dragon Tower was empty. The moment he entered, Nie Li and Xin Ci had both successfully mastered their true meanings and proceeded to the fifth level.
Left alone on the fourth level, Shi Kai was beside himself with frustration!
"Damn it, couldn't you have waited for me?"
In the eyes of the outside world, what was originally a fierce competition among the ten great Imperial Disciples had now become a duel between Nie Li and Xin Ci.
Nie Li and Xin Ci were also the fastest to reach the fifth level of the Sacred Dragon Tower.
From the fifth level onwards, the trial tested soul pressure resistance.
As the Ming Emperor's most favored eldest disciple, Nie Li's soul power was naturally formidable.
His soul cultivation realm even surpassed the True Origin realm, reaching the level of Six-star Soul Realm.
Although the soul pressure on the fifth level was not weak, it was only controlled to be below the Six-star Soul Realm.
For individuals like Shi Kai, progress would be extremely difficult under such immense soul pressure.
Nie Li had initially assumed that after reaching the fifth level, no one would be able to keep pace with him.
However, to his surprise, even in this soul environment, Xin Ci beside him could still move with ease.
Could it be that this guy's soul cultivation realm was even higher than his?
Nie Li believed the fifth level would be his domain, unaware that Xin Ci felt the same.
In terms of True Origin realm, he was the lowest among these Imperial Disciples.
But in terms of soul power, there were likely only Ming Emperor Shen Wei and Dao Yuan Ming in Ming Guang City who could surpass him.
At Seven-star Soul Realm, he found the fifth level of the Sacred Dragon Tower completely unobstructed.
With a spatial distortion, Xin Ci stepped into the sixth level of the Sacred Dragon Tower ahead of Nie Li.
Nie Li followed closely behind.
However, on the sixth level, the soul pressure approached the peak of the Seven-star Soul Realm.
Nie Li's movements began to slow, his brows furrowed, and fine beads of sweat dotted his forehead.
It was evident that even he could only barely resist the soul pressure on this level.
In contrast, Xin Ci maintained a good state, seemingly without any effort.
Watching the figure gradually pull away, Nie Li sighed, "Just how strong is this guy's soul power? Does it have no limit?"
As Xin Ci effortlessly entered the seventh level of the Sacred Dragon Tower, the people outside erupted in astonishment.
"That Xin Ci actually entered the seventh level, and he's the first one to reach this level among everyone!"
"No way, it's been nearly ten years since anyone in Ming Guang City could enter the seventh level of the Sacred Dragon Tower, and now such a genius has appeared, and he's from the East Continent!"
"Isn't the East Continent a barren land with scarce spiritual energy? Yet it has produced both Senior Dao Sovereign and this genius named Xin Ci."
Shi Huang's mouth gaped in surprise, and he then looked at Dao Yuan Ming, "Old gambler, where did you find this prodigy?"
"Didn't I tell you this kid is from the East Continent like me?" Dao Yuan Ming rolled his eyes.
However, Shi Huang clearly didn't believe him, "Who are you kidding? For a place like the East Continent to produce a Holy Emperor like you is already a miracle, how could there be another young prodigy with soul power reaching Seven-star?!"
"Old gambler, don't try to fool me, tell me the truth."
Ming Emperor also chimed in with a look of great interest.
Ever since Xin Ci, in his second personality state, had broken through the triple defensive formation he had set up last time,
He had paid particular attention to the young man brought by Dao Yuan Ming.
Whether it was his method of breaking formations or his powerful soul force comparable to the Seven-star Soul Realm.
Shen Wei knew very well that the abilities Xin Ci displayed had nothing to do with the techniques Dao Yuan Ming specialized in.
Therefore, he concluded that Xin Ci couldn't possibly be just a simple student of Dao Yuan Ming.
"You wouldn't have lured a genius from the Pilgrimage True Realm over here, would you? Let me tell you beforehand, if anyone from the Holy Lands or noble families in the Pilgrimage True Realm comes looking, I'll hand you over first!"
Shen Wei suddenly thought of something and said with a serious expression.
"What nonsense are you thinking? Do I look like someone who deliberately causes trouble?"
At his words, the other Holy Emperors and those around them revealed looks of disdain.
They clearly knew how much trouble this old gambler had caused the Ming Emperor.
Much of Shen Wei's fortune had been scammed away by him.
Thinking that the esteemed Ming Emperor had befriended such a problematic Dao Sovereign, those around him couldn't help but shake their heads in resignation.
"By the way, Shen Wei, I recall that the trial content on the seventh level of the Sacred Dragon Tower should be a battle against your clone, right?" Dao Yuan Ming asked.
Shen Wei nodded, not denying it.
The Ming Emperor's clone!
Upon hearing this, the surrounding crowd looked on in shock.
They all turned their gaze towards the projection screen of the Sacred Dragon Tower.
They were eager to see the outcome of Xin Ci facing the Ming Emperor in his youth.
The seventh level of the Sacred Dragon Tower.
The moment Xin Ci entered, he opened his eyes to a vast, empty space.
About ten meters opposite him stood a young man in his early twenties, whose appearance was that of the Ming Emperor in his youth.
The trial on the seventh level was to contend against the Ming Emperor during his peak King Realm!
A flicker of surprise flashed in Xin Ci's eyes. Before him stood the clone of the most formidable Holy Emperor, as he was known.
He had to face this challenge with utmost seriousness.
Mu Qingqing, having read the original work, naturally knew how powerful the Ming Emperor Shen Wei was; few could defeat him among those of the same cultivation level.
Moreover, Xin Ci's current cultivation realm was one star lower than this Ming Emperor clone.