Chapter 58: Entering the Demon Suppression Tower
The royal martial arts library has a total of nine floors, unlike the typical sects where skills are simply laid out for anyone to pick.
Here, even the most mundane techniques are sealed and protected.
There are only two ways to obtain them.
One, enter the martial arts library, stand in front of the technique you desire, and if you can resonate with it, the seal will automatically lift.
This is the simplest way for royal members to gain skills and divine powers.
However, the downside is that each person can only comprehend once a month. If you like two divine powers at the same time, you’ll have to wait until next month to try again.
Moreover, the time for comprehension is limited. Often, a royal may need to spend several consecutive months trying to grasp the same technique or divine power to finally obtain it.
The second method is much more straightforward and brutal, but also harder than the first.
That is to challenge the Demon Suppression Tower!
The Demon Suppression Tower has always been situated in the center of the martial arts library.
It consists of nine levels, and with each ascending level, the available techniques become increasingly advanced.
The most important aspect is that once you clear the Demon Suppression Tower, you can freely choose whichever martial arts you wish to practice.
The nine-story Demon Suppression Tower corresponds with the nine-story martial arts library.
However, compared to the second method, the royal family tends to favor the first.
Although they can’t enjoy freedom of martial arts, at least they can practice in peace.
If they attempt to conquer the Demon Suppression Tower, most would see it as nothing short of self-harm.
Except for someone like Qin Chen, a cultivation fanatic, most princes and princesses prefer the comfort of stable practice.
“Choose to comprehend or challenge the tower.”
Just as Qin Bei and his friends arrived at the entrance of the martial arts library, a lazy old man holding a wine jug and lounging on a rocking chair spoke up.
“Old Wine Man, I choose to challenge the tower.”
Qin Chen, rarely showing emotion, respectfully addressed the elderly figure.
“Hmm? You again. Have you healed from your injuries?”
“Just a minor scrape. A few days were enough to recover,” Qin Chen replied.
Old Jiu glanced at him and casually replied, “Alright, take the jade slip and head inside.”
…
“Tsk tsk, Brother Qin Chen is truly a cultivation addict. I thought he’d need at least a month to recover from his last injury, but here he is after less than seven days—what a lunatic!”
“But he has already cleared four floors. I wonder if he can take on the fifth this time.”
“Based on last time’s experience, there’s a solid chance. If he beats it, he’ll set the record for the fastest clear of the fifth floor.”
“This record has stood unchanged for a century, right? Is there really hope?”
The crowd buzzed with chatter. Qin Chen was quite well-known within royal circles.
Most regarded him as their benchmark.
“Prince Bei, I’ll head in first.”
Qin Chen ignored the others and only spoke to Qin Bei.
Qin Bei merely smiled and nodded in response.
The brief exchange left everyone present in shock.
Logically, both should be on opposing sides, given their prominence among royalty, yet such harmony was completely unexpected.
But how could they possibly comprehend the thoughts of a genius?
…
Though Qin Bei had only seen Qin Chen a few times before, he was extremely familiar with his name.
Whether during marriage alliances, provocations from the Holy Demon Dynasty, or even during idle conversations among ministers,
it seemed Qin Chen’s name was forever circling around him.
And as he had recently risen to prominence, many began comparing him to Qin Chen.
Even as his own light grew brighter, to most, Qin Chen’s radiance shone far more brightly than his own.
Qin Bei had previously ignored this, feeling he had no chance; now the Demon Suppression Tower was his opportunity to break that shackle.
“Old Jiu, I also choose to challenge the tower.”
Qin Xuan stepped forward, declaring.
Old Jiu took a sip from his bottle and eyed Qin Xuan.
Then he coolly stated, “Those under twelve aren’t allowed to enter the tower; you might want to wait another two years.”
“I already have practical experience! My father says I can enter the tower!”
Qin Xuan insisted firmly.
“Fine, take this, drip some blood on it, and here’s one for you too.”
Old Jiu didn’t bother arguing further, tossing out two jade slips that landed before Qin Xuan and Qin Bei respectively.
Clearly, Old Jiu was already aware that Qin Bei intended to challenge the tower as well.
“Just do your best during your first challenge; don’t overdo it. If you get hurt, call upon the spirit master immediately—he’ll safely get you out.”
As usual, Old Jiu imparted advice to the two first-timers.
“Thanks for the reminder, Old Jiu.”
After expressing gratitude, Qin Bei and Qin Xuan strode towards the Demon Suppression Tower.
“Prince Bei, remember our deal! You absolutely must clear the fourth floor, or you’ll need to return the hundred thousand spirit stones to me!”
Princess Ling Er called out loudly from behind.
Everyone around turned to look at her, thinking she was being a bit too ambitious.
The fourth floor?
Has anyone ever cleared the fourth floor on their first attempt?
“Ling Er, do you think it’s alright to broker deals in front of me?”
Old Jiu chided gently, his gaze betraying a sense of indulgence.
“Master, can’t you just pretend you didn’t see anything?”
Princess Ling Er playfully kneaded Old Jiu’s shoulders.
The surrounding princes and princesses looked on with envy.
At that moment, a voice echoed from within the Demon Suppression Tower.
“Prince Qin Chen, second level of the Nascent Soul Realm, coning challenge number one begins!”
As the announcement resounded, the princes observing outside were momentarily taken aback.
Just a few days prior, Qin Chen had only been at the eighth level of the Golden Core Realm, yet he had managed to break through.
“No wonder he healed so quickly; it was due to a breakthrough!”
“Too ruthless! After being injured like that, he managed to make a breakthrough.”
“Tsk tsk, he truly is a cultivation maniac.”
A few more announcements followed, all of them detailing princes and princesses who chose to challenge the tower.
Soon enough, they also heard the names of Qin Bei and his companion.
“Prince Qin Bei, fifth level of Foundation Establishment Realm, begins his first tower challenge.”
“Prince Qin Xuan, second level of Foundation Establishment Realm, begins his first tower challenge.”
…
“I didn’t realize before how fast Prince Bei was cultivating, right? It’s barely been three months, and he’s risen from the Body Tempering Realm to the fifth level of Foundation Establishment Realm.”
“This is the result of great accumulation; after all, it’s twenty years of groundwork. However, sustaining that speed moving forward might be unlikely.”
“Even so, I remain optimistic about Prince Bei’s chances; I believe he can reach the third floor.”
“That’s uncertain. It’s his first time in the tower with no experience whatsoever. Besides, anyone who can reach the third floor would typically have mastered multiple martial arts, and Prince Bei seems to have only one divine power.”
“Are you saying just one divine power? Did you even possess one while in Foundation Establishment Realm?”
“Ah… well, this… no…”
…
“Master, what do you think of Prince Bei? Do you think he can clear the fourth floor? My Liuxu Body Movement depends on him.”
“I don’t know if he can clear it, but I do know he’ll definitely clear it before you do.”
Old Jiu replied nonchalantly.
“Hmph~ No more wine brewing for you!”
Princess Ling Er felt slighted and angrily turned her gaze away.
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