Sprint! (Seeking reads, seeking collections)

The next morning, Lan Yu arrived at Dean Xiao's office.

"Please, come in."

After knocking and hearing Dean Xiao's voice from within, Lan Yu pushed the door open and entered.

Upon seeing that it was Lan Yu, a gentle smile immediately appeared on Dean Xiao's face.

"Not bad. Sit down first." Dean Xiao gestured for Lan Yu to take a seat, his eyes filled with approval.

Lan Yu didn't stand on ceremony and sat directly on the leather sofa nearby.

"Is there something you needed to see me about?" Dean Xiao asked.

"Dean Xiao, I would like to enter the Three-Step Tower to cultivate," Lan Yu said, getting straight to the point.

Hearing this, Dean Xiao looked slightly surprised, then realized, "It seems you are ready. I will go apply for you now; you should be able to enter the Three-Step Tower by this afternoon."

"Thank you, Dean." Lan Yu nodded.

Breaking through to the Advanced level inside the Three-Step Tower would undoubtedly be of great benefit.

Dean Xiao laughed heartily, "You earned this yourself, no need to thank me. Besides, you have made such a significant contribution by helping the Judgment Court root out the Black Vatican members hiding in the Magic City; by rights, the school should be rewarding you further..."

"As it happens, I have a Concentration Bracelet here, so I'll give it to you."

As he spoke, Dean Xiao waved his hand, and a bracelet that looked no different from ordinary jade appeared on his desk.

Lan Yu immediately stood up, walked to the desk, and reached out to pick up the bracelet.

The bracelet felt warm and smooth to the touch, with exquisite craftsmanship that made one want to handle it.

"With you looking after that child Ding Yumian, Dean Fu and I can rest easy," Dean Xiao added.

"Remember to go directly to the Pearl Mage Tower after your breakthrough; I have already spoken to the awakener there, Guo Liyu."

"So the Dean had already figured it out," Lan Yu couldn't help but say.

It made sense; in front of a Forbidden Mage with three elements, it was no surprise that his cultivation level could be seen through.

Dean Xiao smiled and said, "I will notify you once everything is arranged."

"Understood." Lan Yu nodded, "Dean, I'll take my leave then."

The smile on Dean Xiao's face never faded; even as Lan Yu left, he maintained that same kind expression.

"The younger generation is truly formidable..."

After leaving the Dean's office, Lan Yu went to wait for the good news from Dean Xiao.

After lunch, Lan Yu had intended to return to his apartment for a nap, but the good news from Dean Xiao had already arrived.

The Three-Step Tower was located on the main campus, and it was one of the vital resources constantly contested by the seniors, serving as one of the pillars that allowed Pearl Academy to rank as the second-best institution in the country.

The entire Three-Step Tower was shaped like an equilateral triangle, its exterior appearing as if it were constructed from some kind of silver metal.

Standing in the middle of the main campus, it was particularly eye-catching.

"Dean." The two men guarding the entrance of the Three-Step Tower greeted him very respectfully upon seeing Dean Xiao.

"I have already had people show you the permit; you two lead this student inside," Dean Xiao said.

One of the guards led Lan Yu into the Three-Step Tower, and the senior also explained the general situation of the tower to Lan Yu.

It wasn't until they reached the stairs that the senior stepped back.

Looking at the steps, Lan Yu walked straight up.

By the time he reached the equilateral triangular platform on the first floor, which was the size of a basketball court, Lan Yu felt no particular discomfort other than some consumption of his magic energy.

The first-floor platform offered a cultivation speed twenty times faster than usual. Lan Yu decisively entered meditation here to adjust his state, preparing to sprint for the second floor.

He only had one Nebula Magic Tool on him, which had been a gift from Ding Yumian.

It was said that this Nebula Magic Tool was a twentieth-birthday gift given to Ding Yumian by Dean Fu.

Upon learning that Lan Yu intended to use the Three-Step Tower to attempt an Advanced breakthrough, Ding Yumian had given this Nebula Magic Tool to him.

The Nebula Magic Tool itself provided a three-fold increase in cultivation speed, which, when multiplied by the first floor of the Three-Step Tower, resulted in a sixty-fold cultivation speed.

However, Lan Yu would not be satisfied with the small first floor; he began his charge toward the second floor.

The pressure while sprinting to the second floor was greater than the first, but Lan Yu still made it up in one breath.

With this, his Light Element nebula's cultivation speed reached one hundred and twenty times the normal rate.

Taking the Nine-Grade Purple Ganoderma from his Summoning Element storage space, Lan Yu did not hesitate to put it into his mouth, chewing it up before swallowing it.

The next second, a strange energy began from his abdomen, flowing through his limbs and bones.

Nourished by this energy, Lan Yu's cultivation aptitude was not only improved from its original foundation, but his physique was also slowly being refined.

Lan Yu could feel that his Light Element nebula barrier had already developed fine cracks.

Although the Nine-Grade Purple Ganoderma could not be considered a celestial treasure, it had the effect of strengthening the foundation and increasing internal energy.

After cultivating on the second platform for two full days, his Light Element barrier was covered in countless cracks, and the Nine-Grade Purple Ganoderma had been completely refined by him.

However, most of the medicinal power had essentially been absorbed by his body.

"Very well, time to charge the third level!"

After adjusting his state, Lan Yu began his assault on the third level.

He would not turn back until he broke through to the Advanced level!

The cultivation time within the Three-Step Tower was limited; Lan Yu had already used three days, leaving him with four more.

These four days were enough for him to reach the Advanced level.

Furthermore, the cultivation speed within a single level of the Three-Step Tower would gradually diminish over time.

Although using the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum on the second level could help him break through to the Advanced Light Element in one go, Lan Yu considered such gains to be minimal.

With every step upward, Lan Yu felt the pressure increase, especially mentally.

He gritted his teeth and continued to push upward.

Fortunately, his mental strength was currently at the third realm, so sprinting to the third level of the Three-Step Tower was only slightly difficult for him.

Finally, he arrived at the third level, looking slightly disheveled, but faring much better than Mo Fan, who had crawled to the third level like a half-dead old man.

Now, with a full two-hundred-and-forty-fold cultivation speed, this was enough!

Adjusting his state, Lan Yu took out the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum.

He first consumed the stamen of the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, then ate the petals one by one.

He then entered a state of meditation to break through the Advanced level bottleneck.

Time flowed slowly, and Lan Yu's body began to undergo changes.

A layer of golden radiance began to emanate from his body, and he lay sprawled out on the platform of the third level, his limbs visibly twice their original size, while the sound of cracking bones echoed continuously from his body.

Crack—

A sound like shattering glass rang out, and the golden radiance on Lan Yu's body grew even more intense; he now looked like a little man made of light.

Advanced Light Element, achieved!