Chapter 871: Chapter 893: The Secret of Death Tower Land
Zhang Lijuan didn’t immediately answer Chu Lin but slowly took out her long sword, as thin as a cicada’s wing, from her Storage Ring and said, "Do you know what this sword is? Do you know why I entered the Death Tower Land?"
"I don’t know, you’ll have to tell me, of course. If you consider it a secret that you don’t want to share, I won’t force you. But I know you’ve endured a lot to achieve what you have today," Chu Linfeng said seriously, without the previous slick and flippant attitude.
"The Death Tower Land is indeed a very dangerous place. If we’re talking about the most mysterious and dangerous place in the Netherworld, it would be the Death Tower Land. Entering there is like gambling with life. If one can come out alive, their strength will be greatly enhanced or they might acquire something incredibly heaven-defying," Zhang Lijuan said.
Chu Linfeng listened quietly, knowing that the more he understood about the Death Tower Land, the better it would be for him. He had already decided to enter it by himself this time. If he went in with Zhang Lijuan, he wasn’t sure what might happen between them. Some things are uncontrollable, and if he ended up hurting her, it would be another emotional debt he’d carry.
"I entered the Death Tower Land with my father. We were helpless at the time. Our family suffered persecution from our enemies, my mother died, and it was my father who fled with me to the Death Tower Land to save our lives. But my father soon died due to severe injuries a few days after entering, leaving behind just the under-ten-year-old me. Can you imagine what that was like?"
"You must have felt helpless and saddened. Who were your enemies? Maybe I could slay them and avenge you?" Chu Linfeng offered. He knew Zhang Lijuan was very distraught at that moment, and sharing these secrets must be incredibly difficult for her.
"It’s kind of you to say that, showing you’re not hopeless. When I came out of the Death Tower Land, I killed all my enemies, over three hundred people died overnight. No one knew who the killer was since I left no trace behind.
Actually, there are many people living inside the Death Tower Land, living quite well. Some even marry and have children there. To outsiders, it’s a dangerous place, but to those inside, it’s like a paradise. If not for the hatred, I might not be here."
Chu Linfeng listened and grew more confused. How did the Death Tower Land, a place he’d never heard of, become a paradise? "Didn’t you say it was dangerous inside? How did it turn into a paradise?"
"That’s one of the secrets of the Death Tower Land. Upon entering, the environment is extremely harsh, with flying sand and stone, and chilling winds everywhere. Many people perish in such conditions. It’s like entering a giant Illusion Realm with no way out.
However, beyond this danger lies another world with beautiful landscapes and three great towers, giving the Death Tower Land its name," Zhang Lijuan explained.
Chu Linfeng grew increasingly intrigued, knowing these three towers must hold something extraordinary. Perhaps the Immortal Realm expert’s soul mentioned by Sword Spirit lies within them.
"Are these towers eerie? Are there many rare treasures inside? I remember Xiang Shaolong obtained his Clone Martial Skill from there. How did he manage to leave?" Chu Linfeng inquired.
"Haha, Xiang Shaolong only got the simplest martial skill. Truly profound and powerful skills are inside the third tower, but no one can get close to it because of an invisible force blocking the way. Trying to force entry means certain death.
Xiang Shaolong only acquired something from the Third Layer of the first tower. The Death Tower Land towers have seven layers; the top three are accessible, but there’s a Restriction on the Fourth Layer that needs breaking to gain entry.
Xiang Shaolong lacks the power to break through the Fourth Layer. On the Third Layer is an inspiring line: ’The higher the layer, the more precious the contents.’ To obtain higher items, one must break through layer by layer, leaving many to stay.
Moreover, leaving the Death Tower Land is nearly impossible. Hardly anyone has managed it. How Xiang Shaolong got out, I’m not sure. My master helped me out, though the path was equally perilous. I was severely injured and took half a month to recover.
Lin Feng, if you’re planning to go to the Death Tower Land, think it through. Once you’re in, you might remain trapped. I do believe you’ll make it out one day if you master the tower’s martial arts, but nobody knows how long that takes. As far as I know, some have been inside for tens of thousands of years.
Their skills are astonishingly high. But they’re so obsessed with martial arts that they’d ignore the weak, though you can’t offend them; you’d be the one to suffer," Zhang Lijuan cautioned.
Chu Linfeng developed a general impression of the Death Tower Land: a treacherous landscape precedes the three towers, where one can enhance their strength.
The towers store martial skills and treasures, each layer being different, the higher the layer, the better the items. The first two towers are accessible, but the third is guarded by a powerful Barrier, breakable only to enter.
Additionally, entry is easy, exit is hard. The Death Tower Land functions like an Illusion Realm, needing an escape method, which doesn’t worry Chu Linfeng. With Sword Spirit as the Array strategist, it’s almost a non-issue. Also, he has Chu Tong, whose expertise in Illusion Realms will help them leave.
Therefore, breaking the Barrier of the third tower is crucial to possibly obtain what he desires, though he doesn’t know what that is.
"Thank you, Lijuan. After you become Human King, you’ll have many responsibilities. I don’t think you should accompany me to the Death Tower Land. I believe I can manage alone," Chu Linfeng said.
Zhang Lijuan was slightly taken aback. Chu Linfeng’s words felt a bit cold. It was clear he intended to draw a line between them, perhaps because she had outright rejected his proposals.
"You really don’t need my help? Only I know the exit route from the Death Tower Land. If you get stuck for hundreds or even thousands of years, have you considered how your women and friends might feel? They’d be terribly worried," Zhang Lijuan said.
"I’ve thought it through. I have to leave the Netherworld eventually. I don’t want to get entangled with you. If we went into the Death Tower Land together, I’m certain I’d do something inappropriate to you, so I’d better go alone. Just help ensure their safety," Chu Linfeng replied.
Zhang Lijuan couldn’t insist further, as she couldn’t shamelessly say she’d follow. Although worried about Chu Linfeng, she could only let him go alone. "Be careful. Many experts are in the Death Tower Land; do not provoke them, or you’ll be in danger. Many are stronger than Xiang Shaolong," she warned.
"I understand. It’s getting late; you should rest. I’ll have the Lord of Netherworld and the Netherworld Lord visit the Royal City. You needn’t worry. You just need to provide the exact location of the Death Tower Land to me," Chu Linfeng stated.
"The Death Tower Land entrance is at the southern end of the Nether Race territory, in a desert with a large stone stele inscribed at the entrance. Back then, my father and I took three days and nights to fly there, which worsened my father’s injuries. With your speed, you’ll reach it in just a few hours.
Wait, do you mean you’re heading to the Death Tower Land right now?" Zhang Lijuan suddenly realized.
"No, I need to speak with the Netherworld Lord and Lord of Netherworld about your matters before leaving. Ruoxi and Feifei are safe under your care. Lijuan, if I could stay in the Netherworld, you’d definitely be my woman. You’re one of the rare women who moved me, but I must return. I have an important mission I can’t shirk," Chu Linfeng said.
"Lin Feng, you’re a remarkable man. Becoming your woman is the dream of many. How I wish the same, but the pain of separation is unbearable, so please don’t blame me," Zhang Lijuan said with a tinge of heartbreak.
"Lijuan, if one day I find a way for you all to leave, I’ll come back for you. Don’t tell Feifei and the others about my departure to avoid worrying them, promise me!" Chu Linfeng said, then swiftly descended back into the house.
He didn’t dare stay outside any longer, fearing he might inadvertently pull Zhang Lijuan into his arms, unsure of the consequences that might follow.
Zhang Lijuan’s heart was also conflicted; she had finally met someone she liked, yet they couldn’t be together. Like Kong Feifei and Princess Yiyi, she longed to be with the man she loved, even if briefly. However, her unique status and the need for avenging her master made her unable to indulge in such sentiments; she would be leaving soon after.
Meanwhile, Chu Linfeng left quietly after leaving a letter on the table. He needed to inform the Lord of Netherworld and the Netherworld Lord about Zhang Lijuan’s succession as Human King. Otherwise, he’d worry about misunderstandings due to her gender during his absence.
