Chapter 136: Chapter 129: The Ascenders’ Challenges
Guan Tong looked at the dazzling array of challenges. The Rule Stage had started less than half an hour ago, yet the number of challenges already created was in the six digits.
He browsed a few challenges and felt the creators were being reckless. Many of them were far too general—practically anyone could participate. The lack of restrictions would undoubtedly lead to cutthroat competition.
"Since this isn’t a survival-type rule, I guess a lot of people are just being casual."
With no danger to their lives, some people felt it didn’t matter if they failed, so they weren’t taking it as seriously.
But Guan Tong wanted to win more rewards to increase his Psychic Power limit in this challenge, so he couldn’t afford to be casual.
To clear this challenge, the first step was to create a challenge where he was guaranteed to take first place. That would give him a fundamental safety net.
With that safety net in place, he would have the confidence to go after first place in other people’s challenges.
’So, what kind of challenge can I create to guarantee I take first place and secure a baseline for passing this Rule Stage?’
Guan Tong thought for a moment, then had an idea.
He summoned his Shadow and had it extend out as a Shadow Line.
It extended for over two hundred kilometers before it stopped.
Then, Guan Tong began to create his challenge.
*Challenge: Move Two Hundred Kilometers in the Fastest Time*
After the challenge was created, he activated his ability.
"Body Shifting."
In an instant, he swapped places with the Shadow Line two hundred kilometers away, appearing on a plain while the Shadow Line returned to the small courtyard on Mingdao Mountain.
’Using Body Shifting to travel from Mingdao Mountain to a plain two hundred kilometers away... that process took less than 0.1 seconds, didn’t it? If anyone can beat that, I’ll have to admit I’m outmatched and gladly hand over first place...’
Guan Tong didn’t think anyone could complete this challenge faster than him.
His "Body Shifting" ability was one of a kind. He couldn’t rule out the possibility that others had Instant Teleportation items or abilities, but teleporting two hundred meters was an entirely different concept from teleporting two hundred kilometers.
Ten seconds later, he activated his Body Shifting ability again, swapping places to return to Mingdao Mountain and recalling his Shadow.
And just like that, the challenge he’d created was complete and added to the official list.
Others would be able to see it, perhaps by it showing up randomly in their feed, or by searching for keywords like "distance" and "speed."
He figured not many people would try to take on his challenge, though...
"Alright, now that I’ve created my own challenge, it’s time to check out the others." Guan Tong began to browse the list intently. ’To the creators of the challenges I’ve set my sights on, I can only apologize in advance.’
...
’Create a challenge based on your own abilities and items, one that favors you as much as possible, to ensure you take first place and clear the Rule Stage...’
Wang Yan, who was living in the security bureau dormitory, had an idea after reading the latest official recommendations.
She opened the panel and created her own challenge.
*Challenge: Convert the Highest Volume of Water to Oil by the End of the Rule Stage*
Her exclusive Psychic Power item was the [Oil Transfer Pot], which could turn any liquid into oil, so naturally, she designed her challenge around it.
Wang Yan didn’t know if anyone else had similar items or abilities, but she had resolved to focus solely on her own challenge for the next two weeks. She would ignore everyone else and make sure she cleared the Rule Stage.
In the past, she might not have been so serious. But now, for her daughter’s sake, she had to persevere and do her best to clear every single Rule Stage.
...
’What kind of challenge should I create?’
In the academy dormitory, Xu Xiaotian sat on his bed, thinking about his Instant Noodles Items.
’What challenge could I win first place in worldwide with my items? Hmm... a challenge for the most instant noodle flavors?’
After getting tired of eating just one flavor, Xu Xiaotian had successfully experimented with developing more.
He could now generate all sorts of noodle flavors, from Braised Beef to Seafood Shrimp to Pickled Cabbage—as long as he had eaten it before, he could create it with his Psychic Power.
But on second thought, he realized that wouldn’t work.
The challenge was too ordinary. Any decent chef could probably whip up dozens of Instant Noodles flavors a day without needing any special items or abilities, easily snatching first place from him.
After thinking it over and over, Xu Xiaotian’s eyes finally lit up. He had an idea.
In the four months since he enrolled in August, he had been continuously developing his items. In addition to creating noodles that increased movement speed, he had also developed noodles that could heal minor external injuries.
These effects were completely unique—no other Instant Noodles had them. This gave him a flash of inspiration.
’That’s it! I can create a challenge based on the special effects of my Psychic Power Instant Noodles... A challenge to treat the most patients with external injuries using Instant Noodles during the Rule Stage! Heh heh, there’s no way anyone else will have a challenge like that.’
...
「Soloma Empire, on Eden Island.」
On a vast lawn, four women—his teammates and wives—surrounded Adam, who was lying on the ground, and fed him fruits like cherries and grapes.
"Adam, have you thought about what challenge to create?"
Adam, still lying on the ground with his eyes half-closed, smiled and said, "How about a challenge for who has the most wives?"
The four women chuckled, but then all shook their heads in disapproval.
One of them said, "Don’t be ridiculous, Adam. You’re forgetting there are some unique countries in the world, places that still have chieftain systems. I’ve heard it’s normal for a chief to have a dozen or so wives, and some even have more than a hundred."
"That’s a good point."
"Adam, you should just design a challenge around your ability," another woman suggested. "I’m sure your ability is unique in all the world. No one could possibly take first place from you."
The other three women also nodded upon hearing this. They all knew that Adam’s ability was extremely special, and it was hard to imagine anyone having a similar one.
"Taking first place in the challenge you create is merely the baseline." A deep, steady male voice suddenly spoke from nearby.
They looked over to see a middle-aged, gray-haired, green-eyed man approaching, leaning on a cane.
The four women immediately shot to their feet in surprise, bowing their heads respectfully. "Your Majesty."
This man was the King of the Soloma Empire, a ruler whose word was absolute law in his country.
In stark contrast to the women’s cautious reverence before the King, Adam remained lounging lazily. He merely lifted a hand in a casual wave. "Your Majesty. Here to catch some sun, too?"
"I hardly have the time for such leisurely pursuits," the King said, looking down at Adam. "As I was saying, during this Rule Stage, you are to take first place in as many challenges as you can."
"That sounds exhausting."
"This is not the time for you to be capricious. According to the Senate’s projections, the more first-place finishes one has when the Rule Stage ends, the greater the chance of receiving an additional reward. You need that reward."
The King paused, then added, "Someone is currently selling intelligence related to the Rule Stage on a website. The Senate has already dispatched someone to purchase it. You will be notified once the information has been obtained."
"Yeah, yeah, I get it. So, can you leave now? To be honest, you’re kind of getting in the way of me and my wives sunbathing," Adam said with a look of utmost sincerity.
The faces of the women beside him turned pale. In the entire Soloma Empire, Adam was likely the only person who dared to speak to the King that way.
"Hmph..."
The King, however, didn’t lose his temper. He simply gave a cold snort, turned, and walked away, leaning on his cane.
As soon as he left, the four women let out a collective sigh of relief.
"Adam, you’re the only one who could get away with that. If it had been anyone else, His Majesty would have probably ordered their execution by now..."
Adam just gave a casual laugh, unconcerned.
Just then, one of the four women received a message on her phone. She opened it, and her eyes widened in surprise.
"Adam, you’ll definitely be interested in this. Lucifer’s challenge has been revealed—and he’s the one who announced it himself."
"Oh? I’m guessing the challenge that violent maniac created has something to do with violence."
"You’re right. He actually created a... ’Kill the Most Ascenders During the Rule Stage’ challenge! He even announced it publicly online, daring people to compete with him for first place. The guy’s insane..."
The other three women also looked horrified.
"How can someone be so twisted? Does he really get that much pleasure from killing people?"
"...If he keeps this up, he’ll bring about his own ruin sooner or later," Adam sighed softly. "What a shame."
...
「Qingmei Base.」
Chen Na was in her room, sitting on a spacious sofa with her knees hugged to her chest. The room was large and comfortable, equipped with all sorts of appliances, but she felt very lonely here.
During the seventh Rule Stage, she had gone on a mission for the first time with a squad of others. Five had set out; only four returned.
The battle between her squad and the Official Team Gu Fei had mentioned had given her nightmares, but she was slowly growing accustomed to it.
She felt she wasn’t a child anymore. After passing that selection and joining the organization, others no longer treated her like a child either.
And meeting her mother a few days ago had only strengthened her resolve to grow up as quickly as possible.
Only then could she quickly finish what needed to be done, repay her debt to the organization, and leave this place to be reunited with her mother.
"I’m going to create a challenge I’m guaranteed to win," Chen Na whispered. "Using my Perception Ability..."
...
「Tulip Federation.」
In an arena-like space, the man known as Alpha Wolf was fighting multiple wild beasts.
Lions, wolves, tigers, bears... As he fought these powerful animals, the corresponding tattoos on his body would periodically grow darker and more vivid.
This was a trait of his "Beastification Ability." The better he knew and understood a beast, the greater the enhancement he received when transforming, and the lower the Psychic Power cost.
"Lord Alpha Wolf." Someone entered the arena to inform him. "The person you’ve been watching, Lucifer, has publicly announced his challenge online."
"Hmm?"
Alpha Wolf struck down a cheetah, then turned and walked to the edge of the arena to question the messenger.
"What’s the challenge?"
He was indeed paying close attention to Lucifer. It was on Holy Grail Island that Lucifer had defeated him, directly causing the utter failure of Wolf Pack Operation and leaving the Tulip Federation without a single top-ten placement.
One could only imagine the amount of doubt he had faced as Alpha Wolf after that tournament. He couldn’t get over it himself and had sworn revenge on Lucifer.
"To see who kills the most Ascenders by the end of the Rule Stage," the subordinate reported succinctly.
Alpha Wolf froze for a second, then let out a cold laugh. "Interesting. A killing contest? It looks like I have no choice but to steal first place in that challenge from him."
The subordinate continued, "Also, the council has made a decision. They will provide their full support to ensure you, Lord Alpha Wolf, achieve as many world-first victories as possible. They plan to publicize these achievements after the Rule Stage ends to demonstrate the comprehensive power of our Tulip Federation to the world."
