Get to Know Lin Dong of Yan City

"Sure."

Ever considerate, Lin Dong transferred every Yang Yuan Stone from the Cosmic Bag, then casually tossed the bag, now so empty mice could race through it, to Cao Zhu.

"..."

Cao Zhu clutched the empty Cosmic Bag in silence for a long while.

"Thanks for the cooperation. See you next time."

Lin Dong waved with a smile and stepped without hesitation into the passage leading to the next floor.

"My Leaving Fire Sword! Fifty thousand Yang Yuan Stones!"

"And the twenty thousand Yang Yuan Stones I borrowed from Teacher!"

The instant Lin Dong vanished, two anguished, furious howls echoed through the fifth floor.

Sixth Floor of the Symbol Master Tower.

A solitary graceful figure sat cross-legged at the entrance to the passage. Drenched in fragrant sweat, she seemed to be enduring immense pressure. This icy Jade Person tried to move forward once more, only to be immediately forced back to the ground by that powerful pressure.

"Why are you pushing yourself so hard?"

A familiar voice suddenly sounded behind her.

The graceful figure instinctively breathed a sigh of relief. Turning her head, she looked at the handsome black-clothed youth. "You're a Three Seal Talisman Master. Why are you so slow?"

"I ran into a few enthusiastic friends on the way, so I stayed to chat for a bit."

Lin Dong smiled faintly, then said, "Why rush? The final result of the Tower Battle depends on who can remain on the higher floors longer. Being a few hours late won't make any difference."

"That's true, but... forget it. Zhou Tong is indeed a Three Seal Talisman Master. He has already entered the Seventh Floor. I can go no farther, so the rest is up to you."

Ziyue furrowed her delicate brows and solemnly entrusted the task to Lin Dong.

"Don't worry. Leave everything to me. Cultivate properly here."

Lin Dong casually patted Ziyue's fragrant shoulder. A strand of pure Mental Power immediately rushed into the Jade Person's body, helping her resist the immense mental pressure from the outside.

"Buzz~"

As Lin Dong took a step forward, the mental barrier that had sent Ziyue flying several times actually parted like water, allowing him to pass through with ease.

"This guy is so strong it makes one despair..."

Having witnessed the scene herself, Ziyue's lovely face revealed undisguised shock. Then she slowly closed her beautiful eyes as a powerful mental fluctuation gradually spread outward.

She had remained at the peak of the Two Seal Symbol Master realm for long enough. It was time to use the power here to launch her assault on the Three Seal Talisman Master realm.

Seventh Floor of the Symbol Master Tower.

As one of the tower's upper three floors, the mental pressure gathered here had become almost tangible, like viscous liquid, and the pressure had multiplied severalfold.

Any Symbol Master capable of entering this place was at least at the Three Seal realm.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

Heavy footsteps rang out. An ordinary-looking young man, drenched in sweat and panting heavily, slowly trudged forward one step at a time.

Though the path was not particularly long, the man walked at an extremely slow pace.

He was Zhou Tong, the strongest among the younger generation of the Skyfire City Talisman Master Association. He had entered the Three Seal Talisman Master realm half a year ago. Having just defeated Ziyue, the Eldest Senior Sister of the Yan City Talisman Master Association, he had reached the Seventh Floor.

One had to know that when the seniors from Skyfire City came to challenge the tower last time, their record had only been to endure for eight days on the sixth floor.

Yet Zhou Tong had surpassed those seniors and entered the Seventh Floor. In a while, he even intended to attempt the Eighth Floor.

"Phew, Skyfire City should have this Tower Battle in the bag, right?"

Feeling the strain, Zhou Tong had no choice but to stop and rest briefly.

"Not necessarily."

A steady voice suddenly rang out, startling Zhou Tong into abruptly turning around.

He saw a black-clothed youth with an extraordinary bearing leisurely inspecting the not-too-large Seventh Floor. Smiling, he said, "I can finally feel a bit of pressure. Now this is more like it."

"Who are you, sir? How have I never heard of someone like you in Yan City?" Zhou Tong studied Lin Dong with a grave expression.

Anyone capable of entering the Seventh Floor had to be a Three Seal Talisman Master. But someone stronger than Ziyue, the Eldest Senior Sister of the Yan City Talisman Master Association, could not possibly be unknown.

Zhou Tong had no impression of Lin Dong whatsoever. This was highly unusual. Could Yan Xuan have invited outside help from somewhere?

"It's not too late to get acquainted now. Get to know Lin Dong of Yan City."

Lin Dong dusted off his robe and smiled faintly.

"Lin Dong? I am Zhou of Skyfire City—"

Somewhat simple and honest by nature, Zhou Tong instinctively wanted to introduce himself.

"I know you. Zhou Tong, Senior Disciple Brother of the Yan City Talisman Master Association. But none of that matters anymore."

Lin Dong waved his hand, a brilliant smile appearing on his face. "This is a robbery. Hand over everything valuable on you."

Zhou Tong: "..."

After a moment of silence, Zhou Tong seemed to recover from the absurd demand. He drew in a deep breath. "Lin Dong, are you serious?"

"Of course I'm serious. Hand over the Cosmic Bag, now."

Lin Dong repeated himself solemnly. With a thought, four incomparably sharp longswords shot out from his sleeves, circling and whistling around him like swimming fish.

Zhou Tong froze slightly when he saw the four swords. They belonged to his two junior brothers. The corner of his eye twitched. "All right, it seems you really are serious."

"Enough nonsense. Take my sword!"

A burst of hearty laughter rang out. The four rainbow-glowing swords suddenly expanded in size and slashed down from four directions. Fierce sword qi instantly filled the entire Seventh Floor.

"No choice. I can only fight to the death."

Sensing the mental fluctuation that steadily suppressed his own, Zhou Tong did not lose heart. A trace of resolve flashed through his eyes as his hands rapidly formed seals.

Five minutes later.

"Phew! Phew! Phew!"

Zhou Tong, his clothes torn to tatters, lay limp on the ground, gasping for breath as though he had just gone through a perilous battle.

Struggling, he tore the Cosmic Bag from his waist and hurled it away with all his strength. "N-no more fighting... The Cosmic Bag... is, is yours."

"If you knew it would come to this, why put yourself through all that?"

Lin Dong shook his head, seemingly feeling that it was not worth it for Zhou Tong. He bent down and picked up the Cosmic Bag at his feet, opening it for a look. "Whoa, one hundred thousand Yang Yuan Stones. Brother Zhou, you're much richer than those two foolish junior brothers of yours."

"..."

Zhou Tong silently closed his eyes, apparently unwilling to look at Lin Dong.

"Since Brother Zhou doesn't wish to see me, I'll be leaving."

Lin Dong cheerfully shook the Yang Yuan Stones in his hand, then strode lightly to the mental barrier and crashed into it without pausing.

"Lin Dong! I won't admit defeat. We'll fight again someday."

The instant Lin Dong left, Zhou Tong abruptly sat up and slowly but resolutely entered a cultivation state.

As for trying to enter the Eighth Floor?

Don't joke around. The Seventh Floor had already been faintly near his limit. He had only managed to make it more than halfway through by forcing himself onward with the last breath of resolve in his heart.

That fierce battle had long since knocked that resolve out of him. With his fighting spirit spent, he no longer had any chance—no chance to challenge the mental barrier that was so close before him.