"That's right. These nine towers are called the Ninefold Heavenly Towers. His Majesty personally forged them back then to connect White Emperor City to the White Jade Capital."
Jiang Wanwan nodded at Zhu Zhuqing.
"A little inside gossip..."
At this point, Jiang Wanwan wore a gossipy expression and leaned in to whisper mysteriously to Zhu Zhuqing:
"They say these nine towers are one whole. When all nine unite, they form a complete Extreme Dao Emperor Weapon."
"But don't be too surprised. His Majesty can see through the myriad manifestations of existence at a glance and reshape all things in the world, so forging an Extreme Dao Emperor Weapon isn't difficult for him!"
"Extreme Dao Emperor Weapon..."
Zhu Zhuqing murmured the unfamiliar term, though she did not understand exactly what it meant...
But just from Jiang Wanwan's expression and pride, Zhu Zhuqing knew that an Extreme Dao Emperor Weapon was absolutely no ordinary thing!
"All right, that's enough gossip. Let's go."
By then, Jiang Wanwan had already taken Zhu Zhuqing by the hand and headed toward the central tower that reached into the heavens.
The closer they came, the more insignificant Zhu Zhuqing felt.
The presence emanating from the tower nearly brought the Soul Power within her to a standstill, even making it difficult to breathe.
"Is this what a higher world is like?"
Zhu Zhuqing was indescribably shaken, but more than that, she felt excitement-how strong would she have the chance to become here?
Three months later, when she temporarily returned to the Douluo Continent...
While Zhu Zhuqing was lost in anticipation, the two had already reached the foot of the central tower.
There stood a bronze gate a hundred zhang tall, carved with images of the sun, moon, stars, mountains, and rivers. It was tightly shut.
Jiang Wanwan stepped forward and took out a white jade token.
The next second, the bronze gate opened soundlessly.
They entered the tower.
The first thing Zhu Zhuqing saw was an open hall a hundred zhang tall, surrounded by spiraling galleries that led to different floors.
An enormous orb of light floated in the center of the hall, endless runes flowing within it. It seemed to be the control core of the entire tower.
Dozens of cultivators in clothing of various colors were busy at work. Some operated things in front of the orb, some hurried past carrying jade slips, and others conversed quietly.
Everything was so orderly.
"Wait here. I'll go report in."
Jiang Wanwan had Zhu Zhuqing stand in a corner of the hall, then headed toward a side chamber.
"Mm."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded and stood there somewhat stiffly, looking around with curiosity.
She could feel that every inch of the air here contained dense Spiritual Qi, more than ten times as much as outside.
Just by standing still, the Mystic Moon Goddess Scripture within her began circulating on its own, slowly making gains.
Is this the cultivation environment of a higher world? Zhu Zhuqing marveled inwardly.
About a quarter of an hour later, Jiang Wanwan emerged from the side chamber with a trace of surprise on her face.
"Little girl, you're in luck."
Jiang Wanwan walked up to Zhu Zhuqing and said with a smile, "This time, I'll personally train you."
"Really?"
Zhu Zhuqing brightened at her words.
After spending these past two days together, she already felt close to Jiang Wanwan. The other woman was her only "acquaintance" in this unfamiliar world.
Had she been assigned a completely unfamiliar matron instead, she really would have felt a little apprehensive.
"Don't celebrate too soon."
Jiang Wanwan put on a stern expression. "With me personally training you, the requirements will only be stricter."
"You can't be the least bit careless with the White Jade Capital's rules. If you fail the assessment, even pleading on your behalf won't help."
"I understand!"
Zhu Zhuqing nodded earnestly. "I definitely won't disappoint you, Sister Wanwan."
"Good."
Jiang Wanwan's expression softened. "Come on. I'll first take you to your quarters to settle in, then explain the basic rules before starting your formal instruction... hmm?"
Before Jiang Wanwan finished speaking, she suddenly stopped and looked questioningly at Zhu Zhuqing's stomach.
"Rumble..."
A clear sound came from Zhu Zhuqing's belly.
Zhu Zhuqing's face instantly flushed red.
"I-I haven't eaten anything since yesterday..."
Zhu Zhuqing explained quietly, her head nearly buried against her chest.
Jiang Wanwan froze, then understood.
She had long since reached the stage of abstaining from food and had completely forgotten that Zhu Zhuqing had only just begun cultivating. She had not even opened her Bitter Sea and still needed to eat.
With that thought, Jiang Wanwan looked at Zhu Zhuqing and smiled. "Little girl, I didn't expect your cleavage to have so much potential!"
"Cleavage?" Zhu Zhuqing did not understand.
Jiang Wanwan offered no explanation. "Come on. I'll take you to have something to eat first."
Douluo Continent, Shrek Academy.
Listening to Jiang Wanwan and Zhu Zhuqing's conversation, Ma Hongjun immediately grew curious. "Boss Dai, Little San, Oscar..."
"What do you think they eat in this Heavenly Court?"
Dai Mubai had already returned from the corner, though his face was still somewhat green.
Hearing Ma Hongjun's question, he said thoughtfully, "White Emperor City is so breathtaking, and those nine heaven-reaching towers are even more magnificent."
"The food of people who can live in a place like that must be extraordinary."
"I once saw a banquet at the Star Luo Imperial Palace held for a prince of the Heaven Dou Empire. There were a hundred and eight dishes, including Icefield Mammoth trunk, Deep Sea Demon Whale lips, Flame Earth Dragon heart-tip meat..."
"It's probably something like that."
Ning Rongrong nodded too. After all, their Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect also had an "Eight Treasures Stew," made with Golden-Winged Bird wingtips, Emerald Swan neck meat, Demon Crab roe...
Surely the Heavenly Court's standard of dining could not be lower than the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's?
Listening to Dai Mubai and Ning Rongrong's explanations, Ma Hongjun instinctively swallowed.
"Good heavens, this Heavenly Court is even grander than the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Wouldn't their food be out of this world?"
"I think that's possible..."
Oscar's eyes were full of anticipation.
For a while, everyone chattered away, offering all sorts of guesses.
Shrouding the Heavens World, inside the Ninefold Heavenly Towers.
Jiang Wanwan brought Zhu Zhuqing to the room she would be staying in.
It was an elegantly furnished chamber. Through the window, she could see White Emperor City's sprawling palace complexes, with clouds and mist flowing between the buildings.
"Wait here. Breakfast will be brought over shortly."
Jiang Wanwan motioned for Zhu Zhuqing to sit at the table.
Zhu Zhuqing sat obediently, her hands resting on her knees.
About the time it took to drink a cup of tea later, soft footsteps sounded outside the door.
A maid in a pale blue-green dress entered carrying an exquisite wooden tray. The tray was small, about a foot square, with a white jade cover over it.
The maid respectfully placed the tray on the table, bowed to Jiang Wanwan, and quietly withdrew.
The tray sat on the table, its white jade cover still in place, hiding its contents.
Rather than lifting the cover immediately, Jiang Wanwan looked at Zhu Zhuqing and cautioned her:
"Little girl, don't be greedy in a moment. With your current cultivation, you won't be able to digest it if you eat too much. Understand?"
Zhu Zhuqing froze.
She could not be greedy?
Looking at that tiny tray, she felt even more puzzled.
Just what was inside?
At that moment, Jiang Wanwan had already reached out and gently lifted the white jade cover.
On the tray sat only a palm-sized celadon bowl, a little over half full of plain rice porridge. The porridge was thick, its grains plump and translucent, with wisps of steam rising from it.
Aside from that, there was nothing else.
Zhu Zhuqing was utterly stunned.
Just... this?
A bowl of plain rice porridge? And Sister Wanwan had solemnly warned her not to eat too much?