Soul Emperor Awakening

The Gate of Life and Death exists to screen for Floor Masters. When the tower first opened, it's certain that not a single member of the Demon Race entered. So, how were Floor Masters chosen back then? The selection must have been made through the Gate of Life and Death. It's the most simple and brutal method.

'As for why no one at the Reincarnation Level has appeared,' Lin Xuan mused, 'it's probably not because the Demon Race lacks talent, but rather because once a Floor Master was in place, no one from the Demon Race bothered coming here anymore. There's no point unless you can successfully obtain a Reincarnation Level qualification. Even with that qualification, the most you can do is force a challenge against the Floor Master. You can't just become the Floor Master directly, which makes it all rather pointless.'

It's generally used when there's no Floor Master, for instance, if the Floor Master is killed, promoted, or fails to return for an extended period, causing their position to be forfeit.

A Floor Master cannot be away for more than half a year, or their authority is immediately revoked. If they return after three months, they must face three consecutive challenges. It's an incredibly brutal form of competition. Ultimately, there can be no relaxing unless you leave the tower forever. Otherwise, the challenges will never stop!

With great privilege comes great responsibility, so no Floor Master dares to be away for too long. As for a Floor Master with no backing, they would be ambushed the moment they stepped outside. For example, if Lin Xuan were to leave, he would surely be surrounded. It's not just because he provoked the Black Dragon Race; the main reason is that the position of Floor Master of the Fourth Layer is ripe for the taking!

The difficulty of the Gate of Life and Death on the Fourth Layer is much lower than on the Fifth Layer. Participating is simple: just walk in after a gate opens. If you succeed and obtain a qualification, you won't lose a single bit of Energy. If you fail, however, you lose half!

For example, if you have five emblems, you'd be left with two and a half after losing half. It's a huge loss. On top of being severely injured, you also lose your emblems. It's a terrible deal.

"Well? Do you have the guts to participate?" Mo Qianji sneered. "The qualification I spoke of is right here. If you can't obtain a Celestial Level qualification, you won't even have a chance to challenge me. It's not that I look down on you, but you need the proper qualifications first. Don't think you're so strong just because you're the Floor Master of the Fourth Layer. That Xiong Ba could only ever reach the Earth Level at best. Celestial Level? Do you think he was capable of that? He was just a stupid bear!"

He truly had a venomous tongue. Being from the Demon Snake Race was one thing, but his words were just as toxic. He really lived up to his reputation.

"Brother, I want to participate!" Liu Yue'Er suddenly declared. She didn't want to just watch from the sidelines; she wanted to enter the Gate of Life and Death as well.

Lin Xuan was taken aback for a moment, but he ultimately nodded. "Go on, then. I'll wait for you here." He hadn't refused. He knew Liu Yue'Er would have listened if he had, but he chose not to.

'As the next Dragon King of the Golden Dragon Race, if she can't even pass this, then there's no hope for her.' But he believed Liu Yue'Er would succeed. As for what level she would reach, that would depend on her own abilities.

"Okay, I'm going in then!" Gratitude filled Liu Yue'Er's beautiful eyes. She was deeply thankful for Lin Xuan's trust and felt she had truly put her faith in the right person.

Just as Liu Yue'Er walked over, a gate became available. Without a backward glance, she strode inside. THUD! The heavy door slammed shut.

Mo Qianji said nothing, simply sitting quietly to the side, waiting. He understood why Lin Xuan hadn't gone in with her—so he could immediately take Liu Yue'Er for treatment if she emerged seriously injured. Besides, Mo Qianji was optimistic about her chances. The talent of the Golden Dragon Race was immense. He couldn't guarantee Celestial Level, but reaching Earth Level would be effortless for her.

But if she only reached Earth Level, it would be rather meaningless.

Time flew by after Liu Yue'Er entered. The time it takes to burn one incense stick passed, then two... Members of the Demon Race were frequently ejected from the other gates, some having only reached Demon Level, others Earth Level. Some doors even opened to reveal nothing inside. Yet, the door Liu Yue'Er had entered remained firmly shut.

Mo Qianji's eyes lit up at this. 'If she holds on this long, does that mean she'll be able to obtain a Celestial Level qualification?'

Lin Xuan kept his eyes closed, continuing his meditation as if he were completely unconcerned.

"Two Hours have already passed! If nothing goes wrong, she'll definitely get a Celestial Level qualification!" Mo Qianji was thrilled. He felt he would soon become the Floor Master. Even if he had to face Liu Yue'Er, he was not afraid.

Normally, those who emerge within the first Hour only achieve Demon Level. Those who come out during the second Hour are at the Earth Level. Anyone who lasts longer than two Hours is very likely to earn a Celestial Level qualification, though it could also be Earth Level. It all depends on an individual's speed and strength.

Finally, during the fourth Hour, the great door Liu Yue'Er was behind swung open. Lin Xuan, who had been meditating with his eyes closed, snapped them open and stared intently at the entrance.

Liu Yue'Er emerged from within. Her small frame was covered in wounds, with faint golden blood trickling from her cuts. Yet, a smile touched her lips, proof that she had not only given her all, but had also succeeded.

A flash of golden light flared and swiftly merged into her arm. Instantly, the character for "Celestial" appeared. She had achieved a Celestial Level qualification!

Yes, she had successfully obtained a Celestial Level qualification! An excited glint appeared in Mo Qianji's Snake Eyes. A genuine Celestial Level qualification! His dream of becoming the Floor Master of the Fifth Layer was now within reach!

"How are you?" Lin Xuan had appeared at Liu Yue'Er's side in an instant, reaching out to support her.

"I'll be fine with a little rest. Brother, it was really intense in there. You have to be careful!" Liu Yue'Er's wounds were mostly superficial. As a member of the Golden Dragon Race, her physique was naturally robust, and Lin Xuan's heart eased upon seeing her.

He had kept his eyes closed, but he had been deeply worried about Yue'Er. Seeing that she was alright now, he could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

"You rest here, then. I'll be right back," Lin Xuan said with a calm smile. He turned and walked into the gate, and with a heavy THUD, his own journey through the Gate of Life and Death began.

"Whatever qualification he gets is irrelevant to me. All that matters is that you've obtained a Celestial Level qualification. Once this round of selections is over, it will be time for our battle!" Mo Qianji stared at Liu Yue'Er as if she were a precious treasure.

"Don't worry," Liu Yue'Er said as she sat down to meditate, her gaze shifting to the door Lin Xuan had disappeared through. "You don't stand a chance."

"What? No chance?" Mo Qianji's gaze turned cold. "You don't want to fight me? Or do you have no confidence in yourself?"

"No," Liu Yue'Er said with a calm, confident smile. "It's because the position of Floor Master already belongs to my brother."