Karin Tower Summit

White clouds stretched across the high sky, and the ivory-colored tower pierced the space between heaven and earth. As the altitude gradually increased, the horizon began to curve.

The air here became thinner, and the temperature started to drop.

Mu Yang climbed upward for over ten kilometers in one go, then hugged a protrusion on the surface of Karin Tower to rest. These outward bumps were spaced about seven to eight meters apart, as if specifically designed for challengers to rest. Of course, not all challengers had the ability to utilize these protrusions; they required a certain level of strength.

"I wonder how this Karin Tower was built; I haven't even reached the top yet."

He looked up, and the endless Karin Tower disappeared into the vast firmament. They were already entering the troposphere. Logically, the oxygen concentration here should have been extremely thin, but Mu Yang was surprised to find that while it had decreased, it was still sufficient to maintain the minimum requirements for life.

"Let's keep going!"

After resting for about ten minutes, Mu Yang gathered his strength and continued to climb higher.

During his challenge of Karin Tower, Mu Yang had not used the Sky Dance Technique, as the purpose of climbing Karin Tower was to train physical endurance. Legend had it that there was a magical spring called Super Holy Water atop Karin Tower, and a single sip could greatly increase one's strength. However, that was merely ordinary spring water; the true increase in strength came from the entire process of challenging Karin Tower.

Even Super Holy Water, which genuinely had the effect of unlocking potential, was a gamble with one's life. Super Holy Water was highly toxic, and one wrong move could lead to death and a true encounter with the King of Hell.

Of course, speaking of Super Holy Water, Mu Yang had a few doubts. In the original story, Son Goku's strength greatly increased after drinking Super Holy Water. It was impossible to know whether it was truly the Super Holy Water that worked, or if the near-death state of Son Goku had activated his Saiyan bloodline.

However, Mu Yang knew that without the boost of bloodline, there were no shortcuts in cultivation; every step had to be taken steadily.

Thus, Mu Yang walked and rested, spending three days on Karin Tower. His dried provisions were running out, yet he still couldn't see the top of the tower. The process was incredibly taxing; anyone lacking mental fortitude would likely have given up long ago.

"When the story began, Son Goku took a day and a night to climb Karin Tower. My strength isn't as great as Son Goku's was then, so it'll definitely take me longer, but I should be getting close."

Mu Yang grasped a protrusion, thinking to himself. He then used his belt to tie a temporary protective cover, ensuring safety measures during his breaks—this wasn't cheating. He hastily took a bite of a steamed bun, then put away the cover and continued climbing.

After another night, just as Mu Yang was running out of supplies and had nearly fallen off Karin Tower several times, a blurry, flattened sphere-shaped black mass finally appeared in his vision.

That was the summit of Karin Tower. Four days, and he had finally reached the top.

The sun was just rising, casting a divine glow on the surrounding clouds and Karin Tower. Mu Yang's spirits immediately lifted. He quickened his pace and darted upwards, squeezing through one of the four entrances below the summit.

"I finally made it up!" Mu Yang panted, exhausted, and collapsed onto the ground after climbing Karin Tower.

After resting for a while, the soreness in his thighs gradually subsided, and Mu Yang had the strength to survey his surroundings. It was a rather spacious area with oval skylights around. Besides the four entrance passages connecting to the tower's core in the center, there were several water vats arranged orderly around the perimeter, along with a bathtub and a small bed for sleeping.

This was where Korin lived.

"Korin isn't here, so he must be upstairs." Seeing no sign of Korin, Mu Yang deduced he was on the second floor and walked towards the second floor via the stairs.

The second floor of Karin Tower was significantly more expansive than the first. The area, over a hundred square meters, had only a stone platform with a water kettle in the center, and no other furnishings. The view was open, with no walls, and only twelve relief-carved stone pillars supporting the upper and lower levels.

Mu Yang noticed a large Crystal Ball floating above the stone platform where the water kettle was placed. This Crystal Ball was over eighty centimeters in diameter, perfectly round and transparent, and seemed to be suspended in mid-air by some magical force.

Mu Yang had never known about this Crystal Ball before, nor did he recall if such a Crystal Ball existed in the original story.

At this moment, the Crystal Ball was motionless, appearing to stabilize the entire Karin Tower.

In summary, the structure of Karin Tower's summit was a flattened spherical building. The lowest level had the smallest area, only about thirty square meters. The middle level was the most spacious, a hundred square meters area where Korin trained martial artists. From the structure, the training ground was only the middle part of the summit; there seemed to be more structures above, but they were hidden.

"Very good, you've climbed this far. You're quite remarkable, young man."

The white-furred Korin stood before Mu Yang, leaning on a cane, having silently bypassed Mu Yang's senses.

"When did he appear?"

Mu Yang hadn't sensed Korin's arrival at all. While inwardly startled, he also observed the other.

As expected of an immortal who had lived for over eight hundred years, his strength was completely imperceptible from his appearance.

"Are you Korin the Immortal?" Mu Yang feigned ignorance of Korin's identity.

Korin washed his face with his paws. "That's right, young man. It's been many years since someone climbed this high. Have you come here for the Super Holy Water?" Seeing Mu Yang nod, Korin narrowed his eyes. "That won't be easy. The Super Holy Water isn't given for free."

Korin turned his stout body and used his cane to prop up the Super Holy Water on the central stone platform. "If you want to drink it, you must snatch it from me."

Just as expected, it was the water-snatching training. Mu Yang was prepared, knowing this was Korin's method of training martial artists.

He then solemnly performed a martial artist's bow, hoping to leave a good impression, and immediately began the snatch.

"Korin the Immortal, I'm starting now."

"Mm." Korin secretly nodded at Mu Yang's courteous behavior. When faced with Mu Yang's pouncing charge, Korin slightly adjusted his posture, cleverly dodging Mu Yang's attack.

"Young man, brute force alone won't suffice. You are a disciple of the Tianxin Style. Surely you haven't forgotten the most basic principles of your style," Korin said, shaking his head. Most martial arts on Earth had originated from Karin Tower. Korin himself had lived for over eight hundred years, and any technique seemed crude in his eyes.

"The Immortal actually knows the Tianxin Style..."

"Heh heh, I know quite a bit. The Tianxin Style was very powerful in the past, but it's a shame what happened later."

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