Tower Duel Dispute

"Long time no see, Master Yan."

Suddenly, a deep, resonant voice rang out from the direction of the Wuling City Talisman Master Association, followed by a tall, gray-robed elder emerging from the crowd.

"That is the president of the Wuling City Talisman Master Association. Like our teacher, he is a Fourth Seal Rune Master."

Seeing the confusion on Lin Yiqing's face, Zhou Gan whispered an explanation from the side.

With just a distant glance, Lin Yiqing could sense waves of mental energy emanating from the man; his cultivation was in no way inferior to Master Yan's.

"Although Wuling City isn't far from us, they have been coveting our Rune Master Tower for a long time. They are truly ambitious wolves."

Zhou Gan whispered indignantly to Lin Yiqing, clearly counting him as a member of the Yan City Talisman Master Association.

After all, in the eyes of others, since Lin Yiqing could participate in the Tower Duel as a representative of the Yan City Rune Masters, he was likely one of them. Even if he wasn't, he was clearly someone with an extraordinary relationship with the association.

"Since everyone has arrived, let's begin immediately!"

Facing the Wuling City president's pleasantries, Master Yan appeared extremely cold. He scanned his surroundings before speaking directly.

"Hmm?"

Lin Yiqing shifted his gaze away from the Wuling City president, only to notice two youths—one in black and one in white—standing guard beside him. The mental energy pressure radiating from them left Lin Yiqing somewhat surprised.

Such formidable mental energy clearly indicated that both of them had reached the level of Second Seal Rune Masters.

No wonder Master Yan invited me to participate in the Tower Duel; so that's the reason.

Lin Yiqing's thoughts stirred. Wuling City currently had two Second Seal Rune Masters, while Yan City only had Zhou Gan at that level. A one-on-two situation would inevitably lead to defeat, which was why Master Yan had gone to such lengths, even using precious medicinal herbs, to bring him here.

Seeming to notice Lin Yiqing's gaze, the youth in black turned his head, flashed a mocking smile, and raised his right hand to his neck, making a light throat-slitting gesture.

"Bastard, he actually dares to provoke us so blatantly!"

Zhou Gan's face darkened as he cursed under his breath, breathing heavily.

One had to realize that almost everyone present was a Rune Master. Although the black-clad youth's movement was subtle, it was seen clearly by everyone through the feedback of their mental energy.

"It's not yet certain who will be slitting whose throat."

A cold light flickered in Lin Yiqing's eyes as he walked straight behind Master Yan. The duel between them would take place inside the tower shortly.

"Everyone, there are no detailed rules for the Tower Duel. Whoever climbs the highest and persists the longest is the final winner. Also, a word of advice: do not overestimate your abilities and act recklessly!"

After Master Yan finished speaking to the crowd, he led three middle-aged Rune Masters to the front of the tower. He formed a mysterious seal with his hands, and his mental energy surged instantly, condensing into a light seal that shot into the great gate.

"Rumble!"

Accompanied by a harsh, grating sound, the gates of the Rune Master Tower swung open, and a heavy wave of mental pressure instantly poured out.

"Everyone, enter the tower!"

Before Master Yan could finish, the Wuling City team rushed forward, led by the black-clad youth.

"Heh, we'll see who is the one overestimating their abilities."

The black-clad youth from Wuling City sneered before his figure flickered, drifting into the tower.

Seeing this, Lin Yiqing and the others were not to be outdone. They moved like hawks, each displaying their own skills as the Tower Duel officially began.

"Hum."

Passing through a silver-white Mental Energy Barrier, Lin Yiqing instantly felt a faint mental pressure settle upon him, though it had no effect on him whatsoever.

Realizing he could handle it, Lin Yiqing immediately sprinted toward the staircase. He climbed straight to the fifth floor, yet the mental pressure still only had a negligible impact on him.

Seeing this, a strange expression crossed Lin Yiqing's face. Why does this Rune Master Tower feel so weak?

However, upon second thought, he felt relieved. His body had been tempered by the Greater Yin Qi and the Sun Qi, far exceeding the strength of his current cultivation level, so such a performance was not surprising.

Shaking his head, Lin Yiqing stepped into the sixth floor. The moment he entered, he couldn't help but raise an eyebrow; he found Zhou Gan locked in a stalemate with the Black and White Duo.

"Brother Yiqing, come and help me!"

Seeing him arrive, joy appeared on Zhou Gan's face as he shouted loudly.

The mental pressure on the sixth floor was already extremely intense. All three of them were covered in sweat, looking quite disheveled.

To prevent him from advancing, the black-clad youth manipulated a crimson short sword, launching an attack on Zhou Gan. Flashes of sword shadows appeared, looking quite dangerous.

"So it's you! I didn't expect a wet-behind-the-ears brat like you to make it up here!"

Unlike Zhou Gan's joy, the black-clad youth's eyes were filled with jealousy as he looked at Lin Yiqing.

He had always held himself in high regard. At seventeen or eighteen, achieving the level of a Second Seal Rune Master made his talent superior to his peers; he had never even looked up to his own senior brother standing beside him.

He hadn't expected to encounter an even more gifted youth at this Yan City Tower Duel, which only fueled his burning jealousy.

"Brat, if you destroy your own Mud Pill Palace, I might spare your life. Otherwise, this sixth floor will be your graveyard today."

Thinking of this, the black-clad youth's face twisted with malice as he grinned at Lin Yiqing.

"Heh, there really are all kinds of fools in this world!"

At this, the light in Lin Yiqing's eyes turned completely cold. Setting aside the earlier provocation, the fact that the other party was now telling him to destroy his own Mud Pill Palace was simply idiotic.

"What did you say? If you won't, then die!"

The black-clad youth shouted viciously. Instantly, a sharp surge of mental energy blasted toward Lin Yiqing, while the crimson short sword that had been entangling Zhou Gan shifted its angle, turning into a streak of red light that lunged fiercely at him.

"Seeking death!"

Seeing this, Lin Yiqing said no more. With a flick of his sleeve, he shattered the other's spiritual energy. A dark glint flickered in his eyes as the spiritual energy within his Mud Pill Palace surged, instantly manifesting dozens of Spirit-Transforming Needles that shot toward his opponent.

"Hiss!"

The moment the black-clad youth suffered a heavy blow to his mind, a silver streak of light flew from Lin Yiqing's sleeve, descending upon the opponent like a sword strike.

"Roll, roll."

The black-clad youth's head tumbled to the ground. Lin Yiqing then turned to look at the white-clad youth with a playful expression; the latter had witnessed the entire ordeal but had not lifted a finger to intervene.

"You didn't even help him!" Zhou Gan, standing to the side, couldn't help but ask in confusion.

"Why should I? Although we are fellow disciples, it is better for a brainless idiot like him to die. In fact, I should thank you both!"

The white-clad youth looked up at Lin Yiqing and his companion with a smile, and after speaking, he even cupped his hands in a polite salute.

"So that's how it is. You are vying for the position of president of the Wuling City Talisman Master Association."

After a moment of thought, Zhou Gan looked at the other man with a grave expression. He had investigated the backgrounds of both men before the Tower Duel, and the moment the man spoke, he immediately realized the truth.

Although the black-clad youth was arrogant and domineering, his background was quite formidable. If the white-clad youth wanted to seize the presidency, he had to seize the opportunity to kill his rival, and having someone else take the blame would be ideal.

"I will find a pretext for you two, and I hope you will keep this secret for me. How about a mutually beneficial cooperation?"

The white-clad youth did not answer, merely watching them with a smile, looking quite confident in his plan.

Lin Yiqing couldn't be bothered with such petty schemes. He turned and walked straight toward the entrance to the seventh floor; it was nothing more than another scene of stray dogs fighting over scraps.