Lan Xing.
Zhang Xiaohu and Liang Zifan, two special individuals, stood before the [Ascension Tower].
They were also members of the Ice Sword Mercenary Group, and naturally attracted significant attention.
This group of people were all hugely popular celebrities on Lan Xing.
Numerous films, television series, novels, and plays were based on their lives.
For instance, "Template: Zhang Xiaohu, the Underdog's Comeback," "Reborn as Zhang Xiaohu, I Surpass Li Qingyun to Win the Championship"…
However, while others had already ascended to immortality, these two had not.
Their cultivation had now reached the required level, and they needed to inherit the Dao fruits of the Nine Heavens Flame Emperor and the Nine Tribulations Thunder Emperor.
They were currently at the peak of the Mahayana stage, and what they needed to do was defeat the already immortal Nine Heavens Flame Emperor and Nine Tribulations Thunder Emperor at their current realm.
This was not an easy task, as they had to attempt beating the seventh layer of the Mahayana stage multiple times.
The combat power of these大佬 who achieved immortal emperor status, at the immortal level, was incomparable to those ordinary eighth-realm Sky-Slaying tribesmen.
They could, of course, choose to forge their own Dao fruits, but they wanted to become them.
"When I first met you, I admired you greatly. As I grew stronger, I wanted to become you."
This was not something to be ashamed of, and Chu Yang would not interfere with their choices.
The arrogance of geniuses lay in their desire not to follow the paths paved by their predecessors.
But they lacked this arrogance; in fact, Zhang Xiaohu still didn't consider himself a genius.
It was only through the title [Heaven Rewards Diligence] that his aptitude had seen some improvement.
On this special day, Chu Yang had also come along.
"I respect each of your choices. Have you fought them before this?"
Liang Zifan and Zhang Xiaohu exchanged glances, then nodded with shame.
Liang Zifan said, "We've fought over a dozen times, but we couldn't win. Now that our strength has improved, we'll try again."
"Do you feel any pressure?"
"A little… perhaps?"
The answers from both lacked confidence. There was pressure, especially after everyone else had successfully ascended. The enemies they fought had also become increasingly stronger, and without having achieved immortality themselves, they could only watch.
Chu Yang smiled and said, "Keep a clear mind. Inside the [Ascension Tower], you have advantages. One is that you can withstand many failures, and the other is that you are living beings, while they are merely combat projections of immortal emperors. Humans can defeat AI. Their attack patterns will definitely follow certain rules. As long as you understand their combat trajectories, you will still have many ways to cope."
"Thank you, Immortal Brother, for your guidance!"
"How about I broadcast your attempts live, allowing you to ascend in front of everyone? This is a treatment even Li Qingyun and the others didn't have!"
Zhang Xiaohu's face flushed slightly. Would it be embarrassing if he kept failing?
But Liang Zifan's eyes lit up. As the last noble of the flamboyant style, he was definitely one to seek the spotlight.
As for failing or not, what did it matter? Having the camera was a good thing!
"I unconditionally agree, Immortal Brother!"
Chu Yang glanced at him and said, "Be serious. Don't think that losing battles inside without losing your life removes the urgency. In battles of this caliber, willpower is also a crucial factor!"
"I understand!"
Zhang Xiaohu also straightened his chest: "I understand too!"
With a quick agreement, as it was currently the refresh period for [Doomsday Reemerged], the large screen would directly serve as their livestreaming room.
This immediately amplified their prestige.
This news instantly appeared in everyone's minds. Chu Yang was now the Human Emperor of all cultivators on Lan Xing; he could broadcast any message without needing the internet.
"Today, Zhang Xiaohu and Liang Zifan will challenge the eighth level of the [Ascension Tower], preparing to inherit the Dao fruits of the Nine Heavens Flame Emperor and the Nine Tribulations Thunder Emperor respectively. Their combat footage will be broadcast live, and we hope their battles will be of assistance to everyone."
This immediately roused everyone from their sleepiness.
After watching [Doomsday Reemerged] for so long, they were experiencing a bit of aesthetic fatigue.
Little White Bear, who was teaching Liu Jing how to use a phone at home, immediately brightened up. He patted Liu Jing on the shoulder and said, "We're watching the livestream today!"
"Huh? Watching what livestream?"
"Zhang Xiaohu and Liang Zifan are ascending today!"
Liu Jing was immediately startled. In the past few days, he had been absorbing Lan Xing's culture. Through various channels, he had seen the stories of Zhang Xiaohu's rise and greatly admired him.
Now that their ascension was being broadcast live, his heart was naturally filled with excitement.
Initially, he had felt a bit unconvinced. His aptitude was clearly on the same level as Wang Teng and the others. However, after analyzing from multiple perspectives, he realized that in battles at the same level, he couldn't even compare to Zhang Xiaohu.
Then, Little White Bear took him to the [Cultivation Technique Pavilion]. The higher the aptitude, the higher the cultivation techniques one could obtain. He acquired an immortal-level cultivation technique.
It truly didn't require comprehension; he just opened it, and it automatically cultivated successfully.
This made him sigh: "So, this is where the difference lies…"
Everyone began to pay attention to this livestream. Those who were closer had already arrived at the Immortal Cultivation Era Plaza.
Chu Yang arrived at the top floor of the Ascension Tower.
He watched with the four Immortal Emperors.
"Seniors, do you think the path these two have chosen is suitable?"
The Immortal Emperors also offered their opinions.
"What is suitable or unsuitable? As long as their willpower is firm enough, what's the difference between walking one's own path and walking another's?"
"How could anyone who achieved the position of Immortal Emperor be weak?"
"If Emperor Yan and Emperor Lei knew their Dao was being inherited, they would be overjoyed. Unlike us unfilial disciples, who actually scorned them!"
In the screen, Zhang Xiaohu and Liang Zifan appeared simultaneously.
Before them stood the already immortalized Nine Heavens Flame Emperor and Nine Tribulations Thunder Emperor.
Although their auras were indeed immortal-level, they were still combat projections, without their own will.
Li Qingyun, Wang Teng, and others also sat before their televisions, watching the battles of these two.
Zhang Xiaohu and Liang Zifan, to inherit the Dao fruits of those two Immortal Emperors, could only obtain them within the [Ascension Tower]. They couldn't use their own thunder tribulations to deal with the Sky-Slaying tribesmen.
Having a rare two-day holiday, everyone came to witness the ascension journey of these two companions.
"Who do you think will succeed first?"
Shen Yingxue said without hesitation, "It'll definitely be my Brother Hu!"
Luo Xiaowei timidly took out a top-grade spirit stone: "I'll bet a top-grade spirit stone, it'll be Zifan!"
"I bet on Zifan!" Qin Xiaoxiao immediately followed.
Shen Yingxue's eyes widened, and she said unhappily, "Superficial! Do you only look at aptitude? I'll bet two top-grade spirit stones, it's definitely Brother Hu!"
"Good heavens, betting so big? Then I'll also bet two spirit stones on Xiaohu!"
"…"