Ch612 - The Heaven-Piercing Tower

Two months later, the group arrived at Heaven-Piercing City.

Heaven-Piercing City was a major city within the Imperial Domain, and it was renowned for its Heaven-Piercing Tower. As a result, it was a bustling metropolis with a high influx of travelers. Many cultivators from all three races—human, demon, and ancient—would visit when they encountered a plateau in their training or, like Liu Mufeng and his companions, when they sought to advance to a new, major realm but found no suitable opportunity, they too would come to Heaven-Piercing Tower to try their luck.

The tower’s name was well-deserved, as its many floors rose into the clouds like a staircase, disappearing into the sky. When standing at the base of the tower, it was impossible to see the top, even with the aid of soul power or cultivation techniques.

Despite its grand reputation, the exterior of Heaven-Piercing Tower was rather unassuming, painted a dull black that gave it an ordinary appearance. Every door of every floor was tightly locked, and only those with a transmission identity medallion could enter. There was no other way up save by the medallion.

Guards from Heaven-Piercing City stood watch at the entrance to the tower, along with a host of cultivators who collected high-grade immortal crystals. Every person who wanted to enter the tower had to hand over 100 high-grade immortal crystals upon arrival. A hundred high-grade spirit crystals might not sound like a lot, but it was quite a sum when one considered that a single high-grade level-10 medicinal pill only cost ninety high-grade immortal crystals. The entry fee was more expensive than a level-10 medicinal pill.

Every day, countless cultivators applied to enter the Heaven-Piercing Tower, so a long line of applicants formed outside the tower before dawn. Five cultivators sold the tokens, but with five lines and each containing at least two hundred people, the resulting crowds were immense, with people packed tightly together, creating a cacophony of voices.

Everyone in line excitedly discussed matters pertaining to the Heaven-Piercing Tower. Some said it was a sacred relic, and that anyone who reached the ninety-ninth floor could bind it to themselves. Others countered that there was no ninety-ninth floor, or else why would no one ever reach it?

The Liu family arrived fairly early, but given how many people were already in line, they could only join near the middle.

“Mufeng, is what they’re saying true? If we reach the ninety-ninth floor, can we contract to own this tower?” Jiang Xu looked at his husband with curiosity.

“There are indeed records in some of the ancient texts that say so, but as for whether it’s true or not, there’s no way to verify.” Upon mentioning this, Liu Mufeng frowned. The credibility of this fact was about seventy percent, but reaching the ninety-ninth floor was easier said than done.

“Is it because no one has been able to reach the ninety-ninth floor that we can’t verify?”

“Correct.” Liu Mufeng nodded and responded with a smile.

“So we can only wait for someone to reach the ninety-ninth floor before we can confirm whether it’s true or not?” Jiang Xu looked at his husband, feeling a little helpless.

“Mm-hmm, theoretically speaking, yes.” Liu Mufeng nodded in agreement.

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“Why can’t we converse?” Jiang Xu understood why killing and fighting were prohibited; that was to maintain order within the tower. However, forbidding conversation seemed a bit inhumane.

“Speaking or using any form of communication is prohibited. They’re afraid it might affect others’ ability to focus. Remember these three rules, and if you break any of them, you’ll be teleported out, and the immortal crystals you’ve spent will be gone.” Liu Mufeng explained, looking at his son, wife, and five beast pets.

“En, I understand. No talking, no transmitting messages, no fighting, no killing.” Jiang Xu nodded, comprehending the rules.

“Good heavens, there’s so much dogshit. What if I meet my Father’s killer inside the tower?” Jin Xiao, still slumped over Liu Mufeng’s shoulder, said gloomily.

“That’s up to the cultivator. If they don’t want to waste their immortal crystals, then they’ll have no choice but to ignore their enemy.” With a shrug, Xiaoxiao explained, “If it were me, I’d avoid confronting my enemy at all costs. I certainly wouldn’t want to waste my immortal crystals.”

“Such cases have occurred before. There was a time when two enemies, both with grudges against each other, were teleported into the Heaven-Piercing Tower at the same time. In the end, they couldn’t hold back their anger and fought within the tower, after which they were promptly teleported out. Once they were sent back into the city, they immediately went to the arena and injured each other severely. Finally, they went to the same place in the city to heal, and on the same day, they once again entered the Heaven-Piercing Tower. This time, as if they hadn’t seen each other, neither moved a muscle.” Liu Mufeng chuckled at this.

“So that’s how it is—it sounds interesting.” Jiang Xu smiled at his lover’s tale.

“Oh, it’s all because of those immortal crystals, a hundred high-grade ones, just like that. What a waste!” Xiaoxiao seemed quite displeased.Some people just didn’t know how lucky they were.Didn’t they realize that many couldn’t afford to pay for the crystals to enter the Heaven-Piercing Tower?

“Mm-hmm, Xiaoxiao is right. They were told not to fight, yet they still did. Serves them right.” Jiang Xu nodded in agreement.

“How long are we going to be stuck in there? If we can’t speak for a hundred, two hundred years, I’m afraid I’ll go mad from boredom.” The thought depressed Jin Xiao.

“Right? No speaking, no transmitting. It’s going to be so boring.” Xiaoxiao drooped her head at the thought.

“How long you guys are able to stay in the Heaven-Piercing Tower will depend on how many levels I can ascend. If my comprehension is lacking, I might be teleported out after only three or five days. Conversely, if my understanding is sufficient, I could potentially stay inside for a hundred years or more. So, I really can’t answer how long we’ll be able to stay.” Liu Mufeng looked helplessly at his two beast pets and explained.

“No need to wonder, it’s definitely going to take a long time. Boss’s comprehension has always been top-notch.” Xiaoxiao sighed.

Their Boss had a photographic memory, and regardless of the book, he only had to read it once and then could recite it word for word, applying the knowledge to real life with ease. Both his memory and comprehension were incredibly impressive.

“Indeed, considering Mufeng’s abilities, even if he doesn’t reach the ninety-ninth level, reaching the seventies or eighties won’t be a problem.” Bai Hu nodded in agreement.

“The seventies or eighties? That would still take years.” Pangpang blinked curiously.

“I’m not sure, but that’s likely the case,” Liu Mufeng shook his head, unsure of the exact number of years. The time it took to comprehend each level differed based on the individual, so it was impossible to determine exactly how long it would take.

Sighing, Jin Xiao turned to Liu Mufeng, “I’m beginning to regret becoming your beast pet. Should I follow Jiang Xu instead?” He glanced at Liu Mufeng, his tone weary. He knew his Master’s comprehension couldn’t possibly be lacking, given his personality.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xu froze momentarily, then grabbed Jin Xiao’s tail and lifted him up. “You damned snake, what did you just say? What do you mean by that? How do you know my comprehension is bad?”

Watching the flustered young man, Liu Mufeng shook his head and chuckled.

“I didn’t say anything, you said it yourself.” Jin Xiao squirmed out of Jiang Xu’s grip and delightedly flicked his tongue in victory before slithering back into Liu Mufeng’s sleeve.

“You! You’re such a damn nuisance!” Jiang Xu stomped his foot, livid.

“All right, enough, it’s our turn now.” Liu Mufeng grabbed his wife’s hand, laughing as he tried to console him.

“Oh.” Jiang Xu nodded and sighed. He knew his comprehension was indeed lesser than Liu Mufeng’s, but being belittled by Jin Xiao still left him feeling depressed.

After waiting in line for two hours, Liu Mufeng finally purchased four identity medallions. The family of four gathered on the side, and Liu Mufeng handed the medallions to his wife, Son, and Son-in-Law.

“After we enter, the beasts will stay by their Masters’ side. However, those with different identity medallions may be separated at any time. In other words, once we enter, the four of us will be split apart.” Liu Mufeng explained to the other three.

“En.” The other three nodded in understanding.

“Xuanxuan, why don’t we form a Master-servant Contract? That way, we won’t be separated,” Xiaoyue suggested, looking at Liu Xuan.

“Quit messing around. Who forms a Master-servant Contract with their spouse?” Liu Xuan replied helplessly, looking at his wife.

“But I don’t want to be separated from you.” Xiaoyue worried about his husband. Mufeng andXiaoXu each had two beasts accompanying them, but Xuanxuan only had one.

“Relax, there’s no killing allowed inside the tower. I’ll be fine. Besides, I’ve already purchased your identity medallion; do you want to waste these hundred high-grade immortal crystals?” Liu Xuan responded helplessly, still looking at his wife.

“Oh!” Xiaoyue nodded glumly, but he didn’t say anything else.

“There’s nothing to worry about. The Heaven-Piercing Tower is very safe. However, we might not all be able to exit at the same time, so let’s agree to meet at the Fushan Inn near the end of the street if that’s the case, so no one gets lost.” Liu Mufeng pondered briefly before continuing.

“En, got it.” The other three nodded in agreement.

“Okay, remember what I said. Let’s enter the tower. Simply inject your immortalqiinto the identity medallion, and you’ll be teleported inside.” Liu Mufeng looked at the other three and, still worried, repeated himself.

“Got it.” They nodded, expressing their agreement.

Xiaoyue jumped off Liu Xuan’s shoulder and transformed into human form. The Liu family looked at each other, then activated the identity medallions they held in their hands simultaneously. Four violet beams of light enveloped them, and their figures disappeared on the spot.