Heaven-Piercing Tower, Altar of Sacrifice
"Young Master Li, who exactly were those people just now? Why did they come to arrest you?" Zhuge Xiang interjected, asking Li Zhi.
Judging from his appearance, he was just an ordinary person who had never cultivated, and his only skill was his painting. So why were two Cultivators at the Spell Control Stage here to capture him?
In the entire Spell Control Stage Cultivation World, such a level of cultivation might only be considered average. However, in the secular world, all Cultivator at the Deity Transformation stage are rare experts. Why would two Deity Transformation stage cultivators be mobilized just to capture him? There must be many ulterior motives involved.
Zhuge Xiang's words caused Li Zhi to look troubled, wondering whether he should tell the truth.
After a moment of silence, Li Zhi spoke up, frankly admitting, "Actually, those two people just now... were... my family's servants... My father... my father arranged a marriage for me that I didn't like, so I ran away."
"A household slave? Someone who ran away from an arranged marriage?" Upon hearing Li Zhi's words, Zhuge Xiang was slightly taken aback, then laughed.
So that's how it is. But even the servants have the cultivation level of the Spell Control Stage? It seems that Li Zhi's family must be a prestigious and powerful clan.
"For you, saving me might be just a small favor, but for me, it's a matter of life and death. Thank you so much today," Li Zhi said sincerely, his eyes fixed on Wu Zhao. This was the third time he had thanked him.
Looking at Li Zhi's eyes, and then at Wu Zhao, Zhuge Xiang couldn't help but chuckle inwardly. He had always heard stories of Rescue the Beauty, only to have the rescued woman repay them with her body. But judging from Li Zhi's appearance, it seemed that after being rescued by Wu Zhao, he had developed feelings for Wu Zhao.
Wu Zhao frowned slightly. She could vaguely sense the meaning behind Li Zhi's repeated thanks, but she couldn't refuse someone who was smiling. Besides, he was just thanking her, so Wu Zhao could only superficially agree and reply with a few words.
"By the way, you all come from the Great Qin Empire. Could it be that you're here because of the opening of the Heaven-Piercing Tower?" Li Zhi asked Zhuge Xiang and the others, seemingly having thought of something.
"The Heaven-Piercing Tower?" Zhuge Xiang was somewhat bewildered upon hearing Li Zhi's words.
He genuinely knew nothing about this so-called Heaven-Piercing Tower. Mo Lingna, standing beside him, frowned slightly but remained silent.
"The Heaven-Piercing Tower?" Lu Yuling, who had remained silent until now, showed a slight change in expression. After a moment of contemplation, she said, "Judging by the dates, it is indeed time for the Heaven-Piercing Tower of the Great Tang Dynasty to open. It seems we Luck quite lucky."
"Oh? Lu Yuling, you know about the Heaven-Piercing Tower too? Tell me about it," Zhuge Xiang asked curiously, seeing that Lu Yuling clearly knew about it.
"On the Cultivation Continent, there are numerous countries and countless beings. Whether it is the martial spirit of my Great Qin Empire or the refined literary style of the Great Tang Dynasty, their essence lies in inheritance. Therefore, the Great Qin Empire has the Dragon Phoenix Ranking to select those qualified to enter the Hundred Emperors Tomb's Mausoleum in order to cultivate the next generation of geniuses. This Heaven-Piercing Tower has the same significance in the Great Tang Dynasty."
Lu Yuling had already obtained all of Ice Maiden's Memory, and knew a great deal about the Heaven-Piercing Tower of the Great Tang Dynasty. She told Zhuge Xiang everything about the Heaven-Piercing Tower in detail.
When Ice Maiden accidentally arrived in the Great Tang Dynasty, she actually entered the Heaven-Piercing Tower once.
When one's cultivation reaches the Refining Qi to Spirit Deity Transformation stage, one enters the Qi Refining and Nascent Soul stage, where one's Divine Sense greatly increases, allowing one to gain a basic understanding of space. Thus, one can use one's Divine Sense to create a private storage space for oneself. As one's cultivation continues to improve, this private space will not only become larger but also more open.
For example, Bai Qi and Luo Ba's storage space is like a Minor Thousand Worlds, where a mountain and a group of living things can survive.
But what if one's cultivation reaches the Immortal God Realm? What are the private spaces of those Gods and Buddhas of all Heavens like?
Immortals, having transcended the shackles of the mortal world, are beyond the reach of worldly affairs. The private space of Gods and Buddhas of all Heavens is, in fact, a Minor Thousand Worlds of its own—this is beyond doubt.
But what if Gods and Buddhas of all Heavens perished? If gods and Buddhas did, what would happen to their private spaces, or rather, their Minor Thousand Worlds? Needless to say, those Minor Thousand Worlds would become ownerless, wandering aimlessly in the Void.
The Heaven-Piercing Tower, though its name suggests a tower, is in essence a Minor Thousand Worlds left behind after the fall of immortals and gods...
The Heaven-Piercing Tower, with Ninth Layer, is said to be a path to heaven left by Ancient Times gods for the beings of the Minor Thousand Worlds. Whoever successfully traverses the Heaven-Piercing Tower can enter the Immortal Realm...
Whether the rumors are true remains to be verified, but it is absolutely true that the spiritual energy in the Heaven-Piercing Tower increases with each level. Moreover, what treasures could possibly be hidden within the Minor Thousand Worlds left behind by fallen Ancient Times Immortals? Although many have entered the Heaven-Piercing Tower since the founding of the Great Tang Dynasty, who can guarantee that nothing has been left behind?
"The Heaven-Piercing Tower is a very magical place. Not only is the spiritual energy inside abundant, but reaching a sufficiently high level can also improve the quality of one's treasures. It's as if it's not just us Cultivator who can absorb spiritual energy, but also the Treasure Artifact themselves," Lu Yuling's words were astonishing. It could improve the quality of one's equipment? The Heaven-Piercing Tower was indeed very magical.
"According to..." Li Zhi interjected at this point, "According to the ancient records left by my family, on the Ninth Layer of the Heaven-Piercing Tower, there is an Altar of Sacrifice, with ninety-nine steps. Anyone who can climb up to the top will receive great benefits, and those who can climb all ninety-nine steps of the Altar of Sacrifice will have limitless future achievements."
"I've also heard about this Altar of Sacrifice, and that's why I came Altar of Sacrifice," Wu Zhao said, her delicate face filled with longing and fighting spirit. "Legend has it that the Altar of Sacrifice contains the will of the gods. As long as one can withstand that will and step onto the Altar of Sacrifice, one can Rebirth. Throughout the Great Tang Dynasty, everyone who has stepped onto the Altar of Sacrifice has become a peerless powerhouse who dominates a region."
"The Altar of Sacrifice?" Now, Zhuge Xiang was filled with longing. Altar of Sacrifice gods containing the will of immortals? Walking across it would Rebirth? So, Wu Zhao had traveled thousands of miles to this Great Tang Dynasty just to walk across that Altar of Sacrifice?
"The Altar of Sacrifice..." Upon hearing this name, Lu Yuling's expression also showed a hint of longing.
When Ice Maiden entered the Heaven-Piercing Tower, she actually wanted to visit the Altar of Sacrifice. Unfortunately, when Ice Maiden entered the Heaven-Piercing Tower, it was just before the Heaven-Piercing Tower closed. Before she could find the Altar of Sacrifice, she was forcibly teleported away.
"Miss Wu is right. The Heaven-Piercing Tower opens once every ten years, but in the past hundred years, not many people have been able to reach the Ninth Layer, let alone walk across the Altar of Sacrifice. However, according to records, every Cultivator has walked across the Altar of Sacrifice has unlimited potential for future achievements," Li Zhi nodded and added after hearing Wu Zhao's interjection.
As they spoke, Li Zhi stared intently at Wu Zhao's stunningly beautiful face and said, "Miss Wu is truly knowledgeable. As Cultivator from the Great Qin Empire, you are so familiar with the Heaven-Piercing Tower of my Great Tang Dynasty."
"I only found out by chance," Wu Zhao, feeling somewhat uncomfortable with Li Zhi's advances.
"Since we've stumbled upon the day the Heaven-Piercing Tower is about to open, why don't we go take a look? But we should think twice before going to the Altar of Sacrifice," Lu Yuling said after a moment's thought.
The Mysterious Yin Jade Mine is right there; it won't move or run away. But the Heaven-Piercing Tower only opens once every ten years. If you miss this opportunity, you'll have to wait another ten years. Besides, Ice Maiden never found the Altar of Sacrifice back then and never tried it, which has always been a regret.
"Think twice before acting? Could it be that there's some danger if we haven't crossed that Altar of Sacrifice?" Upon hearing Lu Yuling's words, Zhuge Xiang keenly sensed the meaning behind them.
"Indeed, it is said that the Altar of Sacrifice retains the will of the immortals and gods. Those who can withstand the will of the immortals and gods and walk onto the Altar of Sacrifice will certainly be Rebirth. However, if they fail to walk onto it, the pressure of the will of the immortals and gods will leave an indelible shadow in their hearts, and in the later stages, it may even turn into a terrible Heart Demon."
This time, it was Mo Lingna who spoke up; unexpectedly, she also had such knowledge about the Heaven-Piercing Tower.
The Altar of Sacrifice is located on the Ninth Layer of the Heaven-Piercing Tower. Only one in a thousand people have the ability to climb up it. Each time the tower opens, only a handful of geniuses can reach it. However, not everyone has the courage to walk up the Altar of Sacrifice. Those who succeed will naturally achieve great success, but those who fail may fall into the abyss.
Throughout the Great Tang Dynasty, those who walked the Altar of Sacrifice were indeed renowned and distinguished, but those who did not were as numerous as Altar of Sacrifice crossing a river.
How many brilliant geniuses, young talents renowned throughout the dynasty, perished on the Altar of Sacrifice, leading mediocre and uneventful lives? They were like countless stars in the vast universe.
In short, the Altar of Sacrifice is like the Thunder Lightning Crystal Dragon Palace. Those who pass through it become famous throughout the empire and are highly regarded, but those who fail are reduced to ashes. Many people see those who survive the Heavenly Tribulation living glorious lives, but how many can actually witness the countless who perish and are annihilated?
"The Altar of Sacrifice? I also want to see just how strong the remaining will of those immortals and gods really is..." The danger of the Altar of Sacrifice did not deter Zhuge Xiang; instead, it fueled Zhuge Xiang fighting spirit even more.
Will Rebirth once I get through this? I'll just get through it myself. I've overcome countless crises and near-death experiences along the way; what's a mere Altar of Sacrifice to me? (To be continued...)