Soul Emperor Awakening

Lin Xuan arrived at the Cyan Cloud Tower. He didn’t have much time left, and he knew that to succeed in his challenge, he had to raise his cultivation by at least one level—to the Fourth Layer of the Spirit Refining Stage.

’If I could use the statues, forget Chen Yun; even Ling Tian would be instantly defeated. But those are only for silencing people permanently. I can’t use them here.’

"You have about thirty days left. Which layer do you want to cultivate on, and for how long?" the Time Steward of the Cyan Cloud Tower asked, glancing up at him.

"The lowest layer, for fifteen days," Lin Xuan said.

The Cyan Cloud Tower was divided into eight layers. The first seven layers calculated time normally, while time on the Eighth Layer was consumed at double the rate. This meant that with thirty days remaining, one could stay on the Eighth Layer for a maximum of fifteen days.

But that wasn’t the main point. The Eighth Layer was like Hell on earth, requiring incredible absorption capabilities and immense Willpower to endure for any length of time. Generally, lasting ten days there was considered Heaven-Defying. To stay for fifteen days was simply inhuman.

This applied to cultivators at the Spirit Refining Stage Level. Those at the Essence Pill Stage Level were an exception. After all, the Essence Pill Stage was far stronger than the Spirit Refining Stage, so they could stay down there much longer. Still, even they couldn’t stay for too long—a month at the absolute most.

The fact that Lin Xuan, at only the Third Layer of the Spirit Refining Stage, wanted to stay there for fifteen days shocked the Steward, making him wonder if he had misheard.

"Are you sure you want to stay on the lowest layer for fifteen days?" the Steward asked doubtfully.

"Yes. I’ll stay for the full fifteen days before coming out," Lin Xuan said, his tone resolute.

"Young man, don’t be so overconfident. According to the records, the lowest you’ve ever gone is the Third Layer, and only for a short time. You’ve never even been to the Eighth Layer. Confidence is good, but being blindly arrogant isn’t. You can go down and give it a try, but come back up if you can’t handle it." After finishing the paperwork, the Steward handed the token back.

Normally, stating a time was a way of booking a room for that duration, letting others know when it would be free. The Eighth Layer, however, was an exception. Since it was a large, communal chamber and few people ever stayed there for long, no reservation was needed.

Lin Xuan didn’t say anything more. He took the token and prepared to go down.

"Eighth Layer. Fifteen days." At that moment, someone tossed a token forward and called out the same duration.

Lin Xuan turned to look. The person standing before him, who had just called out that number, was none other than the top-ranked disciple, Ling Tian! He must have overheard Lin Xuan’s conversation and was now declaring the same number of days. This was undoubtedly a veiled challenge.

"Another fifteen days..." The Steward glanced between them but said nothing more. After completing the procedures, he handed the Identity Token back. ’Let them do as they please. If they can’t take it, someone will be there to pull them out.’

The Eighth Layer was guarded around the clock in case anything went wrong. The disciples who cultivated here could potentially become future Elders, so security was naturally tight.

"Senior Brother Ling is also choosing fifteen days?" Lin Xuan asked.

"I usually choose ten days. Since you mentioned fifteen, I decided I’d like to see what that feels like," Ling Tian said with a faint smile. "Why don’t we make a little wager? See which of us can last until the end?"

"Is there even a need to compete?" Lin Xuan shrugged. "My time will be up, so I have to leave. The most I can stay is fifteen days anyway."

With that, he ignored Ling Tian and turned to head downstairs. His words sounded ordinary, but they carried a hidden meaning: if not for the time limit, he could have stayed much longer. It wasn’t a question of who could endure for fifteen days!

Ling Tian froze for a moment, then shook his head. ’Interesting. Let’s just see how long you can last... Even Core Disciples can only handle about fifteen days. You think you can?’

Core Disciples were typically at the Eighth or Ninth Layer of the Spirit Refining Stage, with some even having reached the Essence Pill Stage. However, most who surpassed the Essence Pill Stage didn’t cultivate here anymore, having moved on to better cultivation sites. The Cyan Cloud Tower was most suitable for cultivators at the Spirit Refining Stage Level, as they received the greatest benefits here.

This was why even Qing Yiyi came here to cultivate.

As he descended, Lin Xuan felt the Elemental Power grow more violent with each layer. Soon, he reached the Eighth Layer of the Cyan Cloud Tower. Its structure was completely different from the floors above; it was just one massive chamber. A Steward at the Essence Pill Stage stood guard before the great door. With his high cultivation, there was no concern about him being unable to endure the conditions.

"Tokens," the Steward said curtly.

Lin Xuan and Ling Tian both handed over their Identity Tokens. After a quick inspection, a flash of surprise crossed the Steward’s eyes. "Fifteen days..." He promptly handed them back without another word and, with astonishing power, slowly pushed the massive door open.

The door had barely opened a crack when a frenzied wave of Elemental Power rushed forth. In an instant, Lin Xuan felt this wild energy invade his body, rampaging through his meridians as if trying to make them burst. Its ferocity was more than ten times greater than that of the layers above!

’If the Elemental Power leaking out is this terrifying, it must be even more horrifying inside.’

He was long prepared for this, however. He quickly adjusted the Elemental Power within him, completely suppressing the bit of wild energy that had entered. It then began to circulate obediently through his body before being absorbed.

Lin Xuan stepped inside. The moment he did, a terrifying torrent of Elemental Power washed over him, flooding his entire body. In the blink of an eye, a vast illusion appeared before him. He saw a massive Blood Pool filled with countless skeletons. Bubbles constantly rose to the surface, and the scent of blood seemed to fill the entire Cultivation Chamber.

Skeletons even began to climb out of the Blood Pool, shambling slowly toward him in a gory and sinister display.

’An illusion...?’

Lin Xuan’s mind became a clear, empty space as he swiftly cast aside all distracting thoughts. When he blinked again, the illusions had vanished. All that remained was an ordinary Cultivation Chamber, though this one was built from red stone. Along with the violent Elemental Power, it carried a thick, bloody killing intent.

’No wonder Senior Qing Liuyun said to prepare Mystery Heart Grass. The illusions on the Eighth Layer of the Cyan Cloud Tower are truly powerful. Without formidable Willpower, it’s impossible to resist them.’

Lin Xuan had broken through the illusion with no trouble at all. After he began his training as a Pattern Master, his control over his Spiritual Power had grown much stronger. His Spiritual Power had been strong before, but he didn’t know how to properly use it. If he were to challenge the Illusion Array now, lasting for five incense sticks would be nothing; he could probably last for six or seven with ease.

He had dispelled the illusion in a mere moment, causing the expressions of both the Guard and Ling Tian outside the door to change slightly. He had adapted far too quickly. According to the information on his token, this was Lin Xuan’s first time here!

"So, this is the Eighth Layer of the Cyan Cloud Tower. And I’ll be here for fifteen days." A smile curled Lin Xuan’s lips. ’This might just be exciting enough.’

It was impossible to reach greater heights without putting in the blood and sweat.