Follow the path of Dao from infancy Chapter 1901 Chapter 510: Ten Thousand Clans Await, Reverse Order Challenge

In a swift manner, the concluding leadership trial reached its end.

Participants emerged bit by bit from the illusory domain, as Li Hao leisurely lifted his eyelids. Only moments prior, he had been pursuing the Great Dream Master, teaming up with the Great Dream Nine Abysses to defeat the Ancient Demon. Following the Ancient Demon's defeat, soon afterward, the illusion realm dissolved.

"Leadership evaluations cover casualties, enemy eliminations, battle length..."

Li Hao's gaze shimmered. Though he lacked experience commanding troops in combat, the insights he gained in his youth still offered him solid grasp of warfare tactics.

Having journeyed through this ordeal, faced the challenges, and reaped substantial benefits, during this specific test, losses in the Great Dream Nine Abysses were minimal for him. He probably achieved at least a passing mark.

"With all four trials completed, I'm curious about my total standing?"

"To vie for True King, you must place in the top twenty across every one of the four exams, which knocks out eighty candidates outright!"

Surrounding him, the assembly's stares grew intense; numerous individuals who faltered in prior stages now harbored regrets, realizing their shot at advancing had vanished.

The Star Empress wasted no time building tension and promptly revealed the ultimate picks.

The list of top twenty materialized overhead, prompting the throng to scan the heavens for their own entries.

Li Hao spotted his position at number four, his eyes glinting; considering his earlier showings, this spot aligned with his forecasts. Evidently, his command abilities hadn't held him back.

Moments later, his view shifted downward, locating Shi Miao's name at the twentieth slot.

Right on the edge.

"That was a narrow escape..."

Li Hao exhaled in relief. Previously, Shi Miao had plummeted low in the good and evil assessment, but she barely clawed her way into the top twenty now—a tough feat, akin to botching one trial while excelling fiercely in the remaining three.

"My name's missing..."

"Ninth? Hmph!"

Within the multitude, various voices groaned. The final spark of optimism in their gazes dimmed away.

The golden-armored Divine Venerable wore a frosty look, noting his rank trailed Li Hao's. Fury ignited in his stare, though he kept it in check.

Before, Li Hao's fighting prowess had astonishingly outranked his own, a fact he deemed unbelievable, despite not unleashing full strength. Yet... that fellow was merely at Seventh Level of Immortal King Realm!

"Junior Sister barely avoided the bottom in the good and evil trial; something must have interfered. Perhaps the Master, or..."

The Divine Venerable glanced at Li Hao, envy seeping into his eyes. Though he held no romantic feelings for Shi Miao, as a sect mate and his Junior Sister, she remained the Master's favorite pupil. He had once held admiration for her, but she had given her affections elsewhere, ignoring her Senior Brother's presence, which fueled his resentment.

"I didn't qualify..."

Su Wanyi examined the roster, finding her name absent, her complexion ashen. Yet, based on her past results, this outcome fell within her anticipations; still, having it declared hit her with real letdown.

"I placed 19th; apart from almost tanking like Shi Miao in the good and evil exam, I was on the verge of missing 20th, but I scraped through!"

Luo Ningshuang brimmed with delight and thrill, astonished that amid countless heirs from major powers and reincarnated Quasi-Emperors, she had secured a spot in the ultimate contest!

Even if just a shot at it, landing in the top twenty was without doubt a massive achievement!

And should she fall short, she could still catch an eye and get chosen as an aide!

Her battle strength hadn't cracked the top forty, yet leading forces was her strength; in the good and evil plus Tao Heart trials, her scores sat at middling levels. Solely in leadership had she both vanquished the Ancient Demon and resolved its lingering problems at the least expense.

"Can't wait to see what the ultimate True King showdown will entail? Likely actual strength clashes!"

Luo Ningshuang pondered inwardly.

Immortal Kings from other prominent groups hunted for their names too, while many clan elders noticed their absence from the top twenty, letting out resigned sighs.

Facing off against scions of the top ten clans and a horde of reborn Quasi-Emperors proved exceedingly tough!

With one exception... that Seventh Level Immortal King Realm cultivator.

Li Hao's fourth-place entry made many's eyelids spasm; they had toiled endlessly at Immortal King Realm's peak for ages, only to be eclipsed by one short of that peak.

Not only did that individual advance, but he claimed fourth, practically guaranteeing a True King berth!

"Very well, for this ultimate selection..."

The Star Empress declared, silencing the buzzing chatter, yet her brows knit suddenly, a sharp chill flashing in her eyes.

All present caught her shift in demeanor, sparking widespread intrigue; whatever moved an Emperor to such feeling had to be monumental.

"Ancient Demons are gnawing at the Heavenly Source throughout the True Realm. The Ten Thousand Clans are mobilizing already. This concluding True King pick was set for Heavenly Dao lottery bouts. But now, we're switching to a different approach: a lower rank upward challenge battle!"

The Star Empress proclaimed icily, "At present, the top ten stand as provisional True Kings. Each gets three chances to challenge higher!"

"Challenges limited to the very next spot above, no leaping over ranks!"

"Success in a challenge resets your attempts, counting as no loss, allowing further assaults!"

"Failure means waiting for a shift from above before deploying your next try. Without that, it's your fixed position."

"Time presses, so challenges may run concurrently. Ten arenas await, linked to the domains of the Ten Thousand Clans. The whole True Realm's myriad races will witness your displays. Give it everything!"

Hearing the Star Empress's declaration, the assembly went still and exchanged stunned glances, taken aback by the straightforward yet savage nature of the final round.

A climb-from-below duel system, where sufficient might lets you battle to the top, potentially claiming the number one throne!