Chapter 144
C144 – The Vast Heaven Pagoda
Loong Chen inhaled deeply and optimized his condition to its peak.
Then, wearing a serious expression, he spoke.
“Continue.”
“The challenge for the ninth floor begins. Objective: Eliminate the white-robed sword cultivator.”
“The ninth floor’s challenge has been completed. Congratulations to challenger Loong Chen for successfully advancing to the final level of the Tower of Trials.”
Loong Chen found himself deeply perplexed.
Upon hearing the mechanical voice’s message, Loong Chen conveyed his confusion.
What was happening? How did the challenge succeed without him taking any action?
“Hold on, it mentioned that the ninth floor’s objective is to kill the white-robed sword cultivator. Could this white-robed sword cultivator be the person from earlier?”
Loong Chen mused aloud.
“Yes, Master. Your objective on the eighth level was to endure for ten minutes against the white-robed sword cultivator’s attacks. On the ninth floor, the goal is to eliminate him. You’ve already accomplished this by defeating him on the eighth floor. Thus, you’ve successfully met the challenge.”
Just as Loong Chen was grappling with his confusion, a voice suddenly echoed.
Loong Chen quickly raised his head and saw another version of himself materializing in front of him.
However, he was certain it wasn’t a reflection.
“Who are you?” Loong Chen asked cautiously.
“I am the tower spirit of this tower, and you may refer to me as Heave Despise, Master.”
When Loong Chen heard the name Heave Despise, he struggled to hold back his laughter.
This name was undeniably imposing.
“Why do you bear my resemblance? And why do you address me as ‘master’?” Loong Chen suppressed his laughter and inquired about the thoughts he had in mind.
“Master, after successfully ascending the ninth floor, the Vast Heaven Pagoda regards you as its master. Therefore, I am now your servant,” explained Heave Despise.
“Regarding my appearance, I don’t possess a fixed form. You can alter my appearance as you desire.”
Loong Chen finally comprehended after hearing Heave Despise’s explanation.
So, the reward for conquering the ninth floor was the ownership of this tower. However, why did the name of this tower sound so familiar?
Loong Chen contemplated for a moment, and his expression changed.
In the tales of his previous life, the Vast Heaven Pagoda was one of the ten great divine artifacts. It was the accompanying item of the Great Heavenly Emperor, capable of suppressing all malevolence and evil in the world.
While this world differed from Long Chen’s previous one, there were certain parallels.
At the very least, legendary entities existed in this world, making the existence of such a divine artifact plausible.
“Who was the previous master of the Vast Heaven Pagoda?” Loong Chen inquired.
The Heave Despise shook its head.
“Master, the Vast Heaven Pagoda has suffered damage in the past. I am a newly formed pagoda spirit, born within its ruins. Several centuries ago, a man named the Invincible Dragon God brought me here, and I’ve never left this place since.”
“As a result, I lack knowledge about events that occurred before my existence.”
Loong Chen sighed. What a shame. He was genuinely curious to know if the legendary Great Heavenly Emperor had ever truly existed.
If the Great Heavenly Emperor indeed existed, did that mean the ancient gods were real as well?
“You mentioned that the Vast Heaven Pagoda was damaged before. Is it still functional today? Is its sole purpose limited to creating the Tower of Trials?”
Loong Chen posed a crucial question. If the Vast Heaven Pagoda was only useful for the Tower of Trials, it wouldn’t be of much assistance to him.
“Master, the true purpose of the Vast Heaven Pagoda isn’t for training, even though it has suffered damage. Considering the current level and strength of this world, it retains the power to suppress all. Even an Emperor Level warrior cannot break free from its suppression.”
Loong Chen was taken aback. An Emperor Level warrior surpassed the King Level.
If his assumptions were accurate, Daoist priest Qingyun and Loong Ling must be Peak of Emperor Level warriors.
If the Vast Heaven Pagoda could suppress even Emperor Level warriors, it must be incredibly potent.
Just as Loong Chen was quietly thrilled, Heave Despise suddenly changed the subject.
“However, due to the prior damage to the Vast Heaven Pagoda, it can currently only suppress one person. If you use it a second time, those trapped within will be able to escape.”
Loong Chen felt the urge to curse. Couldn’t Heave Despise have just revealed this all at once?
It was truly frustrating.
“Oh well, this can still be considered a life-saving measure,” Loong Chen sighed and consoled himself.
Then, he glanced at the pagoda spirit Heave Despise. When he thought about how this being resembled him and even referred to itself as Heave Despise, Loong Chen shivered involuntarily.
Consequently, he quickly inquired,
“You mentioned I can change your appearance at any time?”
“Yes, Master, you only need to think it, and it shall be done.”
The pagoda spirit Heave Despise nodded. Loong Chen grinned mischievously, and his thoughts shifted.
Suddenly, the pagoda spirit in front of him began to shrink, transforming into an adorable miniature Ke Ji.
“You look much cuter like this. Oh, by the way, you won’t be called Heave Despise from now on. Let’s name you…”
Loong Chen pondered for a moment, and then a brilliant idea popped into his mind.
“Let’s go with ‘Flower.'”
This was the name of a dog he had kept in his previous life.
The appearance of the pagoda spirit in front of him was based on how he had imagined Flower from his past life.
The pagoda spirit remained silent.
He really wanted to say that the name ‘Flower’ was even worse than ‘Heave Despise.’
Loong Chen didn’t ask for the spirit’s opinion and decided on it without further ado.
“Alright, Flower, take me outside.”
“Certainly, Master.”
Flower nodded. Immediately after, Loong Chen felt the surroundings change, and he found himself outside the tower.
Many disciples of the Dragon God Temple were still gathered around the pagoda, all observing Loong Chen with eager anticipation.
The Tower of Trials was now known as the Vast Heaven Pagoda.
The Vast Heaven Pagoda displayed the names of those who successfully completed each level, and these Dragon God Temple disciples had witnessed Loong Chen’s swift passage through the eighth and ninth levels.
In other words, he became the first person to conquer the ninth level of the Vast Heaven Pagoda.
“Congratulations on passing the ninth level,” Zhao Yun said as he approached Loong Chen. He hadn’t left either but stood by, waiting quietly for Loong Chen.
He also aspired to achieve this remarkable feat.
“But I’ll work harder and become the second person to conquer the ninth floor after you.”
Zhao Yun stated firmly, but Loong Chen responded with a smile.
“I’m afraid you won’t get the opportunity.”
“Why is that?”
Zhao Yun furrowed his brow, feeling slighted.
Loong Chen grinned, then gestured with his hand. In the next moment, an astonishing sight unfolded.
The Tower of Trials began to shake violently and then shrank…
Ultimately, it reduced in size to that of a palm and landed in Loong Chen’s hand.
“Because this pagoda shall belong to me from this point onward.”
After uttering those words, Loong Chen departed.
Only those who remained rooted in place could sense the chilling breeze that passed by them.
It took a few minutes for them to regain their composure.
“The Tower of Trials has disappeared!”