"Simulating opponents and environments of varying difficulties is the core standard by which we evaluate combat readiness.
"Quite a few people have already come to test themselves ahead of time. See that huge light screen in front of the tower?
"It displays the light motes of everyone inside the tower in real time, showing which layer they're on. That guy from the Holy Radiance Race, Keynes Huiyao, made it to the 5th Layer during his last test. He's recognized as the strongest in our batch.
"Pato Tielin of the Maka Race, that silver-armored kid from the Monroe family, and I are all stuck in the later stages of the 4th Layer."
Lorne's tone was tinged with a hint of resignation, but also a longing for the higher layers.
"Reaching the 5th Layer makes you the best?" Li Wen asked, sizing up the colossal tower that radiated an invisible pressure. He could feel the vast energy contained within it.
