Chapter 168 Ch-168: Treasure Pagoda(5)
Upon crossing the threshold of the tower, Wang Ming was promptly transported to an alternate space. As he cast his curious gaze around, he discovered that the entire environment enveloping him was bathed in an ethereal white hue. The floors, the sky overhead, and even the enclosing walls were all resplendently white, shrouded in a mist that lent an otherworldly quality to the surroundings. The expansiveness of the area was noteworthy, seemingly capable of accommodating well beyond a thousand individuals simultaneously.
"Hmm? Seems like the tower is suppressing my cultivation," Wang mumbled quietly, sensing an unexpected force infiltrating his body. It made him a bit uneasy, but he didn't resist much, understanding that it was a necessary requirement to proceed with the challenge. His cultivation slowly descended from the Golden Core Realm to the Core Formation Realm, then further to the Foundation Realm, ultimately reaching the 1st Stage of the Qi-Gathering Realm.
"System, can you prevent the suppression?" Wang Ming asked curiously.
[System Message: The system can indeed do such a thing but won't do it to maintain the fairness of this trial.]
'Cheapskate,' Wang Ming thought to himself, not overly bothered by the suppression.
[Ding Dong]
[You have received 5 Spirit Replenishing Pills.]
Wang Ming's expression turned peculiar as he saw five pills materialize, capable of instantly alleviating his fatigue. His face reflected a mix of surprise and confusion; it was the first time the system had given him something for free and without him asking for it
"Was it because I called it a cheapskate, or is there something else? There's no way it would give me something for free," Wang Ming pondered momentarily, but he set those thoughts aside to focus on the ongoing challenge.
Buzz.
Wang Ming turned his gaze towards the distance upon hearing a faint buzzing sound. As he focused on that spot, he noticed ripples continuously forming, accompanied by a palpable energy. After the ripples subsided, a white light shot out from the affected area.
Wang Ming shielded his eyes from the glow, and as it faded away, he witnessed the emergence of an old man. This elder had a long white beard, matching hair, and was adorned in tones of white. The old man yawned and extended his hand in a somewhat comical manner. Opening his eyes, he looked at Wang Ming with a mix of excitement and surprise.
"I did not expect someone so young to be able to summon me. It has been a thousand years since someone summoned me," the old man remarked, his face adorned with a polite smile.
"Who are you, old man?" Wang Ming asked curiously as the old man continued to stare at him.
"Who I am,?it does not matter. You can consider me the master of this tower, or the one who conducts the trial," the old man said in a humble voice, momentarily startling Wang Ming.
"What do you mean you haven't been summoned for more than thousands of years? Weren't you here to conduct trials for others?" Wang Ming inquired, puzzled.
"Hmph, they are not talented or have enough potential to summon me. However, I can see immense potential within you, and that was the trigger for my summon. I will personally oversee your trial," the old man declared with an excited smile on his face. It had been a long time since he last conducted a trial. Wang Ming wanted to ask more questions, but he kept quiet when he saw the man signaling him to remain silent.
"Alright, now listen up. When you're ready, a Qi-Gathering Realm beast will appear, and you have to defeat it. As you progress through each floor, the number of beasts and their cultivation will increase. Every time you kill a beast, you'll feel the suppression on your cultivation decrease," the old man explained, eyeing Wang Ming, who nodded in understanding.
"Alright, get ready," the old man said, and Wang Ming turned his attention to the teleportation circle. A ferocious-looking beast at the 3rd Stage of the Qi-Gathering Realm materialized and charged at Wang Ming.
"Heavenly Sword Art - First Form - Flickering Strikes," Wang Ming whispered under his breath. In an instant, he disappeared from his original spot, leaving the old man wide-eyed in surprise. Wang Ming's movements were so swift that the old man couldn't follow them. In the next second, he witnessed the head of the beast falling from the sky.
"What a profound Sword Technique! I've never seen this kind of technique in my life. I didn't even see him moving at all; he vanished from the spot," the old man exclaimed, his eyes widening in disbelief.
After Wang Ming was done with the beasts, a staircase appeared. He turned to the dazed old man and asked, "Can I go to the next floor?"
"Oh, yes, you can," the old man replied, snapping out of his daze. He watched as Wang Ming climbed the stairs, following suit.
2nd Floor
Here, about ten Qi-Gathering Realm beasts awaited, and the old man observed Wang Ming intently, trying to discern his movements.
"How fast and powerful is this technique? What rank could it be? Could it be a heaven-rank technique?" The old man blinked, and then he witnessed ten heads dropping from the sky.
Observing the old man still in a daze, Wang Ming decided not to bother him and proceeded toward the staircase. When the old man finally snapped out of it, he clicked his tongue in mild annoyance and followed Wang Ming.
3rd Floor
"Oh, the suppression has been alleviated a little, and I've returned to the Foundation Realm," Wang Ming muttered. He glanced at the next set of beasts, now at the Foundation Realm, but he dispatched them effortlessly without breaking a sweat.
4th floor... 9th floor... 15th floor... 20th floor
Wang Ming ascended to the 20th floor effortlessly, vanquishing beasts along the way. The oppressive feeling disappeared, and he regained his true cultivation.
The old man, trailing behind him, wore a serious expression, his eyes slightly red as he stared at Wang Ming the whole time. However, he failed to witness Wang Ming execute his sword technique.
'Damn, even in the upper heavens, I have not seen such a technique in my entire life. Could this be an Immortal Rank Technique? I am a sword cultivator myself, but I've never witnessed such a profound technique in my entire life,' the old man muttered under his breath, astounded by the unparalleled lethality of Wang Ming's technique.
"Well, let's see, now the real challenge starts," the old man thought as he resumed observing Wang Ming's movements.
"Hmm, a Golden Core Realm beast, huh?" Wang Ming smirked upon seeing the formidable creature in front of him. Effortlessly, he dispatched the Golden Core Realm beast with his technique, maintaining the momentum as he continued to climb the floors.
21st floor... 24th floor... 27th floor... 29th floor
31st Floor
This time, several Golden Core Realm beasts and one Pure Core Realm beast awaited Wang Ming. Unfazed, he tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword and unleashed his technique. The old man watched with bloodshot eyes as if trying to drill holes into Wang Ming.
Swosh
Wang Ming disappeared, and the heads of the beasts fell from the sky.
'Heavens, what kind of formidable technique is this? I'm not sure even the genius disciples can survive it. Is this really an immortal rank technique?' The old man harbored doubts, wondering about the nature of Wang Ming's extraordinary skill. A sudden thought emerged in his mind, but he vehemently shook his head in denial.
Wang Ming continued to effortlessly slaughter the beasts that charged at him, ascending the floors without breaking a sweat.
34th floor... 39th floor... 45th floor... 49th floor
Finally, with a swing of his sword, he severed the head of a beast, completing the first half of the treasure pagoda as if taking a stroll in the park. Ready to ascend to the 51st floor, Wang Ming showed no signs of exhaustion.
'What kind of monster is he? He's not even sweating. Could he be the illegitimate offspring of some powerful sword master from the upper heavens?' the old man wondered, swallowing a mouthful of saliva.
"Y-Young man, can you tell me the rank of this technique of yours?" the old man asked, his voice trembling with shock. Wang Ming looked back at him, sensing no ill intent, and also consulted the system.
"Ancient Rank," Wang Ming replied, causing the old man's eyes to constrict in disbelief.
"A-Ancient Rank?" the old man stuttered.
'Heavens, even in the upper heavens, Ancient rank techniques are rare. Now I've just seen someone in the lower realm wielding such a high-ranked technique,' the old man thought. He was sure if someone else were here, they would covet the technique, but he wasn't like those shameless individuals.
"Are you a sword cultivator?" the old man asked, noticing the powerful sword intent emanating from Wang Ming's body at such a young age, seeking confirmation.
"No, I am a Dual Cultivator and started cultivating just a few weeks ago," Wang Ming replied, causing the old man's body to tremble in shock and utter disbelief. He quickly checked Wang Ming's body and was even more astonished.
'What kind of monstrous talent is this? He really cultivated for only a few weeks and claims to be a Dual Cultivator,' the old man thought in disbelief. Even in the upper heavens, someone with such progress in such a short time could be considered a monstrous talent. While the old man was lost in thought, Wang Ming proceeded to the 51st floor.
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