Chapter 52: The Asking Immortal Tower Opens, the Trial Begins

At this moment, Liu Qianru held a bottle of Medicinal Pills in her hand. It was exactly what Zhou Chen had quietly left on the table, filled with high-quality Beauty-Enhancing pills.

"This guy is actually quite thoughtful."

Liu Qianru was lost in thought for a long time before turning back to the courtyard with a faint smile she hadn't even noticed.

She was completely unaware that at another corner of the Wenxian Sect, Ye Chen happened to pass by several places she frequently visited, yet he failed to bump into anyone.

Returning to his independent courtyard, Zhou Chen immediately entered the Guiyi Secret Realm and sat cross-legged.

[Ding! Detected that the Host has successfully intercepted the Opportunity of the Child of Destiny Ye Chen — Earth Rank Low Grade Spirit Gathering Pill! Triggering Ten-Thousand-Fold Return! Obtained Heaven Rank Low Grade Spirit Gathering Pill!]

A perfectly round, milky-white pill with wisps of spiritual rhythm lingering on its surface instantly appeared in Zhou Chen's palm!

The moment this pill appeared, the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi within the Secret Realm seemed to be guided by an invisible force, slowly converging and transforming into visible ribbons of Qi that spiraled around the pill!

As expected of a Heaven Rank Low Grade Spirit Gathering Pill!

The aura emitted by this pill was more than a hundred times stronger than the Earth Rank Spirit Gathering Pill bestowed by Liu Qianru!

Not only was the Spiritual Qi extremely pure, it even contained a hint of Dao Charm!

Without the slightest hesitation, Zhou Chen tilted his head and swallowed it!

The pill entered his stomach like a meteorite plunging into the deep sea!

"Boom—!"

Medicinal power far exceeding that of an ordinary Spirit Gathering Pill instantly exploded within his Dantian!

This surge of energy was violent yet pure, directly impacting Zhou Chen's Meridians!

The "Tai Chu Chaos Sutra" operated spontaneously; black and white Dao Patterns flowed as it frantically refined and absorbed this medicinal power!

"Rumble—!!!!"

Muffled sounds echoed in Zhou Chen's ears from within his body.

Countless amounts of pure spiritual power were continuously absorbed and refined!

Crack… Crackle…

The Realm barrier between Nascent Soul Six Layer and the seventh layer of Foundation Establishment was gradually demolished under the wash of this medicinal power!

The moment the barrier was broken, the majestic spiritual power instantly found an outlet, and Zhou Chen's aura rose rapidly!

Finally, the surrounding Spiritual Qi came to a steady halt!

Zhou Chen slowly opened his eyes, a brilliant light flowing within them!

With the support of the ninth-grade Dao Foundation, his spiritual power flowed like mercury, and a sense of powerful strength filled every cell of his body!

As his cultivation broke through, the black and white Dao Patterns formed by the "Tai Chu Chaos Sutra" inside Zhou Chen's body became clearer and more solid; subtle, mysterious silver starlight even faintly appeared upon them, like stars in the sky.

"Whew…" He exhaled a long breath of turbid Qi. The white mist shot out like an arrow, actually carrying a slight sound of an air explosion.

"Foundation Establishment Seventh Layer…" Zhou Chen clenched his fists, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"Dog Ye Chen, I've taken your Opportunity. I hope you can endure the grand show that's coming next."

In the early morning, the main peak square of the Wenxian Sect was already bustling with noise.

The massive Asking Immortal Tower stood in the center of the square, built entirely of unknown grayish-white giant stones. Its surface was covered in ancient, weathered runes, emitting a majestic, vast, and slightly eerie aura.

The tower's body seemed to connect to another dimension; merely gazing at it filled one's heart with a sense of insignificance and awe.

This was not only the selection for Core Disciples but also a biennial grand event for the Wenxian Sect.

The gazes of countless Outer Sect Disciples, Inner Sect Disciples, deacons, and Elders were focused here. The air seemed to grow scorching under the intense atmosphere.

On the high platform, Liu Qingtian sat high in the primary seat, with Li Hu and the other Elders seated on both sides.

The trace of a smile at the corner of Li Hu's mouth could not hide his complacency; he clearly held high hopes for Ye Chen, who possessed astonishing potential.

Liu Qingtian's gaze was sharp as he scanned the Disciples below who were about to participate in the trial. When he saw Zhou Chen, a trace of indiscernible relief and expectation flashed in his eyes.

At this time, Zhou Chen's aura was steady, and the cultivation level he displayed on the surface was the fourth layer of Foundation Establishment.

"The hour has arrived!" The Presiding Elder's voice was loud and clear, drowning out the clamor of the crowd.

"Those participating in the Core Disciple trial, step forward to receive your Identity Jade Plaques!"

Hundreds of outstanding Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators, including Zhou Chen and Ye Chen, stepped forward one after another.

Zhou Chen and Ye Chen's gazes collided in the crowd.

Ye Chen's pupils constricted slightly.

He could clearly sense that in just a few short months, Zhou Chen's aura had undergone a world-shaking change!

It was a deep, condensed sense of pressure, like a dormant ancient Vicious Beast, far beyond what it had been before!

"Foundation Establishment Fourth Layer?! How could he be so fast?!" Waves of shock surged in Ye Chen's heart, and a chill spread down his spine.

Furthermore, Ye Chen's keen intuition was screaming a warning — this person was extremely dangerous! He was likely far more than he appeared on the surface.

He had gone through many encounters, cultivated bitterly day and night, and had the guidance of his Ring Spirit Master.

More importantly, a few days before the Asking Immortal Tower opened, Li Hu felt his cultivation was too low and bestowed upon him an Earth Rank Low Grade Essence Condensing Pill, which allowed him to barely break through to the third layer of Foundation Establishment.

But Zhou Chen… this speed simply defied logic! A strong sense of crisis and a surge of inexplicable, stifling anger welled up in his heart.

"It's him again! On what basis?!" Ye Chen wished he could tear Zhou Chen into ten thousand pieces.

Especially in the other's eyes, he saw a playful and cold scrutiny.

Zhou Chen's gaze was calm and rippleless, ignoring Ye Chen's emotional fluctuations as if he were looking at a dead man.

"As expected, he's at the third layer of Foundation Establishment, just a step away from the fourth. It seems that having his opportunities for the Essence Condensing Pill and Spirit Gathering Pill intercepted had quite an impact on him. Ye Chen's combat power cannot be underestimated, and with the Ring Spirit protecting him, I probably can't kill him for now…"

Zhou Chen sneered inwardly and calmly accepted his Identity Jade Plaque.

Ye Chen suppressed the turmoil in his heart, took his jade plaque, and forcibly pushed down all his hatred and unwillingness.

"Inside the Asking Immortal Tower, Zhou Chen, I will surely repay all the humiliation a hundredfold!"

Ye Chen vowed ruthlessly in his heart.

The Elder spoke again, his voice striking everyone's heart like a great bell.

"The Core Disciple trial rules remain unchanged! The Identity Jade Plaques have a built-in Restriction; they cannot be damaged by others. You may also crush them when facing a life-or-death crisis to trigger a teleportation light shield to save your life and exit the tower, which will also be considered a forfeiture! The space inside the tower is an independent Small World, infinitely vast, and divided into six layers. The higher the layer, the stronger the guardian Monsters and the greater the opportunities, but the danger also increases dramatically. Points will be calculated based on hunting Monsters, obtaining Heaven And Earth Treasures, and the layers reached! The higher the final ranking, the more generous the rewards! The top ten will be promoted to Core Disciples and receive special opportunities!"

"Remember, opportunities and danger coexist. Act according to your capabilities!"

"Open the tower—!"

Following the Elder's command, a surge of pure spiritual power was injected into the Asking Immortal Tower.

The massive stone gates at the bottom of the Asking Immortal Tower swung open with a boom, and a surge of energy mixed with ancient, primitive, and bloody scents, yet containing pure spiritual power, gushed out.

The Disciples participating in the trial instantly turned into streaks of light and were transported into the Asking Immortal Tower!