Xiao Jietian finished his bath, donned his clothes, and gradually let his body fade from sight. In the blink of an eye, he appeared at the main seat of the palace hall.
"Hall Master!"
The people present immediately rose, voices echoing throughout the hall.
This hall was the exclusive meeting chamber of Boundless Heaven Hall, a vast space dominated by a colossal long table.
On Xiao Jietian's left, the main seats were occupied by Xiao Ding, Hai Bodong, Yun Yun, Ya Fei, Old Shui, Old Mo, Xiao Li, Qing Lin, and Medusa. On his right sat his father Xiao Zhan, Miteer Tengshan, the three elders of the Xiao Family, the three elders of Mitel, and several other elder-level figures.
"I've gathered you all today to discuss something important," Xiao Jietian said, holding a cyan, tower-shaped object in his hand. This was the Boundless Heaven Tower, a legendary item that could be disassembled—though he had chosen to leave the Dou Sheng layer intact. He briefly explained its function and significance.
"This is the Boundless Heaven Tower…"
Murmurs of awe filled the room. The cultivation potential within this tower was immense.
"Hall Master, I suggest access be limited to the Inner Hall," Xiao Ding spoke first. "This way, it strengthens the Inner Hall's appeal."
"Agreed," others echoed. Public access could destabilise things, even with the tower's benefits.
The meeting continued with contributions from everyone, finalising rules. Mission points—earned by completing tasks for Boundless Heaven Hall or through significant contributions by outsiders—would grant access to the tower.
Xiao Jietian entrusted Xiao Ding, Hai Bodong, and Yun Yun to refine the details.
Once the meeting concluded, Xiao Jietian made his way to the open space before the five peaks. Using his control over the ground, he fashioned a plaza of bluestone.
He tossed the tower onto the ground. It expanded rapidly, finally forming a colossal eight-story structure over a hundred meters tall. With a deep rumble, it settled firmly at the plaza's centre.
"Is this the Boundless Heaven Tower? Can we enter now?" Yun Yun asked, gazing at the magnificent structure.
"You may enter," Xiao Jietian replied. "One reward per attempt. Exit at Dou Zhe level, and your energy stone will match that level. The higher your perseverance, the stronger the energy stone. They also come in high, medium, and low grades, so push your limits."
The others nodded, restless to test their strength, and began walking towards the tower.
Xiao Jietian also entered. The tower automatically assigned him to the appropriate level based on his realm. The Boundless Heaven Tower possessed a slight degree of sentience—it could detect hidden cultivation.
Inside, his vision shifted instantly.
"Respected trial participant, welcome to the fifth floor of the Boundless Heaven Tower."
The mechanical voice was neutral, neither male nor female. The floors corresponded to cultivation levels: Dou Zhi and Dou Zhe on the first, Dou Shi on the second… up to Dou Sheng on the ninth.
The scene transformed. Xiao Jietian stood in a barren space, devoid of life.
"Trial participant, are you ready?"
"I am ready," Xiao Jietian responded firmly.
Three black whirlpools appeared before him, marked High, Medium, Low.
"Select your difficulty. You have only one chance. The trial environment is random."
Low: opponents one star below you.Medium: same cultivation.High: up to two stars above, at the peak of your realm.
Xiao Jietian stepped into the High trial.
The scene shifted again. He now stood on a massive arena suspended above a sea of magma.
"Roar!"
A titanic pair of hands erupted from the magma, gripping the arena's edges. A monster formed from flowing magma and stone emerged, a peak nine-star Dou Wang.
A beam of light locked onto Xiao Jietian, sealing his Thunder God's Wrath—all realm-enhancing secret techniques were blocked. He would rely solely on skill and raw strength.
"Let's see what you're made of."
A golden-red long halberd appeared in his hands. He charged.
The magma monster roared, pounding its chest, swinging a molten fist.
Boom!
The halberd met the fist. Both retreated three steps.
"Something's off," Xiao Jietian muttered.
The stone beast struck again, a scorching punch rushing towards him. Xiao Jietian activated Void Piercer Art, vanishing and reappearing behind it. He unleashed a Dou Qi blade at its back.
The monster's magma shifted defensively, nullifying the strike. In retaliation, it swung a backhand; Xiao Jietian braced with his halberd, absorbing the impact and being pushed back.
They exchanged blows more than a dozen times. When they separated, Xiao Jietian's robes were scorched, but the monster's magma had dimmed, scarred with slashes.
It roared, summoning magma pillars that restored it instantly.
"I underestimated you… far stronger than an ordinary peak Dou Wang."
Xiao Jietian steadied himself, halberd at the ready, face solemn.
He inhaled deeply. Four-coloured energy pulsed along his weapon. With a swing, a giant crescent moon shot forth.
"Moon Slash!"
The monster countered, hammering a magma fist into the crescent. Boom! Shockwaves radiated across the arena, pushing both combatants back.
Gritting his teeth, Xiao Jietian stabilised mid-air. Lightning danced across his halberd, forming a mystical array in the sky.
"Judgment of Heavenly Punishment!"
A colossal halberd materialised from the pattern. Space itself seemed to distort.
The stone monster sensed the attack, unable to evade. It crossed its arms defensively, magma surging into its mouth, forming a gigantic energy sphere.
"Fall!"