Chapter 27: The First Level of the Dragon-Seeking Tower

Unlike the True Martial Pavilion, which focuses solely on technique, the Dragon-Seeking Tower tests one’s overall combat prowess.

The Dragon-Seeking Tower has three levels. To clear even the first level requires a truly elite individual among those at the peak of the Transformation Sea realm. Because of this, very few people attempt the tower. After all, within Yongning County, there are not many who have reached the peak of the Transformation Sea realm, and even fewer are qualified to challenge the tower; most who try simply end up being crushed.

Yet today, Su Xin, only at the Lesser Transformation Sea stage, entered the Dragon-Seeking Tower.

...

The first level of the Dragon-Seeking Tower is a vast, open space. At the far end of this clearing, a man dressed in grey walked slowly toward him.

"A Lesser Transformation Sea cultivator, coming to challenge the Dragon-Seeking Tower... is this confidence, or ignorance?" The grey-clad man stared at Su Xin, instantly seeing through his cultivation level.

"Whether it is ignorance or not, you shall find out, senior," Su Xin replied, already drawing his sword.

Though he had never challenged the tower before, he had heard that each level had only one gatekeeper. Defeating this guardian meant passing.

The grey-clad man said nothing more; with a flick of his wrist, he produced a pitch-black spear. Suddenly...

*Thump! Thump! Thump!*

With three rapid strides, the grey-clad man was already before Su Xin. The black spear in his hand darted out like a viper... *Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!* It blossomed into a flurry of spear flowers, thrusting at Su Xin from treacherous and tricky angles.

For a moment, Su Xin was surrounded by a dense web of spear shadows.

Facing the incoming spear, Su Xin immediately channeled over fifty percent of his bloodline power. His sword transformed into mountains and seas, whipping up layers of artistic conception, making him feel as though he were standing amidst a surging ocean.

*Clang! Clang! Clang!*

A continuous series of impacts rang out. In an instant, the two had clashed dozens of times.

"So strong!" Su Xin couldn't help but marvel once they truly began to fight.

"Whether it is strength, speed, or spear technique, he has reached the absolute limit of the Transformation Sea realm. This is essentially the peak combat power for this realm. No wonder so many peak Transformation Sea experts cannot clear the first level of this tower!" Su Xin muttered.

To defeat this man, who had reached the absolute peak in every aspect, one would need to exceed the boundaries of the Transformation Sea realm in at least one area.

For instance, in terms of strength, those rare individuals with awakened bloodlines who reach the peak of the Transformation Sea realm can unleash power far beyond that level, allowing them to pass easily. Others have had unique encounters or practiced powerful techniques—like Duan Yunfeng, the beggar youth Su Xin met in Dongyang City. Though only at the Full Transformation Sea stage, he could effortlessly kill Pang Tieyun, who was at the same level, with a single strike because his cultivation technique was incredibly unique.

Similarly, if one’s speed or technique exceeded the peak of the Transformation Sea realm by a significant margin, they could naturally pass.

For Su Xin, his greatest advantage was his technique.

*Hum, hum...*

Su Xin struck out with his sword, every move perfectly timed. He stood like a towering mountain; no matter how wildly his opponent attacked, he remained unmoved. The grey-clad man’s spear technique had reached its zenith, yet he could not shake Su Xin in the slightest.

"No wonder you dared to challenge the Dragon-Seeking Tower; you do have some skill," the grey-clad man praised. "However, if you wish to truly clear this level, defense alone is useless."

"Hmph!"

Su Xin let out a cold snort, and his sword style shifted instantly.

*As fierce as thunder and fire...*

He transitioned from the defensive "Mountain-Sea Scroll" to the "Thunder-Fire Scroll." The sword in his hand became incredibly aggressive and terrifying. Each sword shadow he unleashed was savage and violent, carrying with it a potent artistic conception.

"The artistic conception has perfectly merged with the sword to form Sword Intent?" A flicker of surprise crossed the grey-clad man's eyes.

Merely grasping a trace of artistic conception and applying it to combat is just the threshold. But to have it perfectly fused with a weapon, forming a unique Sword Intent or Blade Intent, is a much higher level of mastery.

Su Xin’s comprehension of artistic conception was clearly exceptional. Combined with the "North Heaven Sword Technique," recognized as the finest in the Tianyan Dynasty, his thunder-fire sword shadows surged forward, one after another, leaving no room to breathe. The grey-clad man was forced to retreat, step by step.

Suddenly, Su Xin’s sword stance changed again.

"Shadow Scroll, First Form... Dark Light!"

*Whoosh!*

A sword light ignited, looking like the only remaining sliver of brightness in the world. The speed was unimaginably fast. The grey-clad man saw the light and recognized the move, but he was far too slow to defend against it.

*Screech!*

The sword light grazed the grey-clad man, leaving behind a clear mark, though no blood flowed; the mark vanished as quickly as it had appeared. The grey-clad man ceased his movements and stepped back, while the stone door leading to the second level swung open.

"I passed!" A wave of joy washed over Su Xin.

It was just as he had expected. Rumor had it that an ordinary peak Transformation Sea expert could clear the first level easily if they had mastered a sliver of artistic conception. Although Su Xin only used fifty percent of his bloodline power, limiting his strength to that of a Full Transformation Sea cultivator, his mastery of artistic conception—fusing it into Sword Intent—and his superior technique, combined with the North Heaven Sword Technique, meant his combat power was slightly higher than those who had only mastered a sliver of artistic conception.

Naturally, he had cleared the first level with relative ease.

"Whew!"

Exhaling, Su Xin climbed the stairs to the second level. The gatekeeper was the same grey-clad man.

"To clear the first level at the Lesser Transformation Sea stage... you have a limitless future!" the man said, looking at Su Xin with appreciation.

"I ask for your guidance, senior," Su Xin said, remaining humble.

*Whoosh!*

The grey-clad man attacked again, wielding the same black spear. But this time, his explosive strength, speed, and technique clearly transcended the Transformation Sea realm, reaching the threshold of the Void-Breaking realm. The very moment the spear thrust out, it carried a hint of artistic intent. Its momentum was at least ten times stronger than on the first level.

Su Xin dared not use the Thunder-Fire Scroll to clash directly. He could only do his utmost to employ the Mountain-Sea Scroll, resisting the terrifying spear thrusts as best he could. The Mountain-Sea Scroll’s defensive capabilities were remarkable, allowing him to use Sword Intent to dissipate the force layer by layer. Even though his opponent’s power far exceeded his own, Su Xin managed to hold on.

Relying on the defensive sword technique, Su Xin lasted a considerable amount of time, but was eventually defeated.

"Too strong!"

"The opponent is the same, but the grey-clad man on the second level is at least ten times stronger than on the first!"

"I can pass the first level easily, but here, even if I pushed my bloodline power to the limit, I would only last a bit longer. To actually defeat him... I would need a major breakthrough in my sword technique or artistic comprehension, or to advance my cultivation to the Great Transformation Sea stage."

Once he reached the Great Transformation Sea stage, even at fifty percent bloodline power, his strength and speed would rival the peak of the Transformation Sea. Combined with his technique, passing the second level would not be difficult.

Upon exiting the tower, a man was waiting for him—Yuan Qing, the supervisor of the Red Dragon Tower. Under Yuan Qing’s guidance, Su Xin arrived at a tea room and removed his bamboo hat.

"Just as I thought," Yuan Qing said with a smile. "I received word from the lord within the tower that a sword-wielding Lesser Transformation Sea cultivator had cleared the first level, and I guessed it was you."

"The lord?" Su Xin’s expression shifted.

Yuan Qing was the supervisor of the Red Dragon Tower in Yongning County and a powerful Void-Breaking realm expert in his own right. Who could possibly be qualified to be called "lord" by him?

"What, you don't know the identity of that person?" Yuan Qing asked.

"I truly do not," Su Xin replied.

"Haha," Yuan Qing laughed, then explained, "Su Xin, you should know that the Red Dragon Tower monitors the world, spanning the thirty-six states. The existence of the Dragon-Seeking Tower and the True Martial Pavilion is meant to recruit talent. These trials are universally recognized, and no one questions their integrity."

"Why is that?"

"Because both are incredibly strict. The True Martial Pavilion uses battle puppets, but the Dragon-Seeking Tower uses top-tier experts from our headquarters as gatekeepers."

"Top experts from headquarters?" Su Xin was stunned.

"Yes. The one you fought is a top expert from the headquarters. Of course, it isn't his physical body, but rather a sliver of consciousness left in a battle puppet, which he controls to fight you." Yuan Qing continued, "And it’s not just this tower in Yongning County; the gatekeeper in countless towers across the entire Cloud State and surrounding regions is controlled by this single individual."

"As for his strength..." Yuan Qing smiled, then added, "Beyond the Void-Breaking realm!"

Su Xin gasped. Beyond the Void-Breaking realm was the Nirvana realm.

The Nirvana realm represented the absolute pinnacle of power in the Tianyan Dynasty. If any family or faction produced a Nirvana realm expert, they would rise to become a major power. The Su family had once been a top-tier clan because of a Nirvana realm ancestor, but after that ancestor fell, the family declined.

"The one I fought in the tower was a Nirvana realm expert?" Su Xin was dumbfounded. No wonder no one dared to question the results.

"That lord was quite impressed by you. He mentioned he would personally go to the Tianyan Palace to recommend you."

"The threshold for being specially recruited by the Tianyan Palace is extremely high, but at the Lesser Transformation Sea stage, you cleared the first level, which meets the requirements perfectly. With his personal recommendation, there should be no surprises. Before long, you will be a member of the Tianyan Palace." Yuan Qing smiled, his tone very friendly. He knew the value of being a member of the Tianyan Palace. If Su Xin didn't die prematurely, he would inevitably become a prominent figure in the dynasty, if not a Nirvana realm expert, then at least a top-tier Void-Breaking expert.

Su Xin was ecstatic. He had only reached the Lesser Transformation Sea stage; why did he challenge the tower? It wasn't for fame or fortune, but for a special recruitment spot in the Tianyan Palace!

"If I can get recruited, the assassination attempts I’ve faced will become impossible, and my family will be safe!" Su Xin clenched his fists.

Members of the Tianyan Palace were treasures of the dynasty. Sending assassins after one? If caught, no matter who it was or what powerful family stood behind them—even if they had a Nirvana realm ancestor—they would be wiped out. The Situ family was a top-tier dynasty clan with a Nirvana realm ancestor, but they would never dare touch a member of the Tianyan Palace. Consequently, the family of such a member would also be under the dynasty's protection. The Situ family wouldn't dare move against the Su family, and the Pang family would be even less of a threat.

"Supervisor Yuan Qing, may I ask the name of that lord?" Su Xin asked.

"Name?" Yuan Qing laughed bitterly. "I am but a county-level supervisor; I have no qualification to know his name. He only contacted me because of his duties. Without that, I wouldn't even have the right to speak to him. As for you, don't worry. Once you reach the Tianyan Palace and grow stronger, you will naturally have the chance to meet him."

Su Xin nodded. The expert who fought him had no connection to him, yet he was willing to recommend him based on talent alone. This was a favor, and Su Xin would remember it.

"Su Xin, you can go back and wait for news. Once the recruiter from the Tianyan Palace arrives, I will notify you immediately."

"Very well." Su Xin nodded, then added, "Oh, Supervisor Yuan, I need some pills to assist with cultivation..."

"That is simple." Yuan Qing smiled.

Soon, Su Xin left the Red Dragon Tower with a hundred first-grade Transformation Sea Pills. On his way back to the Su estate, his mood was light.

"My family is currently surrounded by crisis," he thought. "The Pang family is determined to destroy us, even sending assassins. With the intense fighting lately, a final showdown is inevitable! And the Situ family is hiding behind them, holding back only because they fear our hidden cards. But who knows how long that will last?"

"However... if I successfully enter the Tianyan Palace, all these crises will vanish!"

As he was deep in thought, he heard—

"Whoa! Whoa!"

"Make way! Don't block the road!"

Horses galloped down the street, causing pedestrians to scramble.

"Galloping in the city?" Su Xin frowned. This was the busy center of the county; unless it was a matter of life and death, no one would dare ride like this. As the horse approached, he saw a rider covered in blood, looking desperate and disheveled.

"Ye Luo?" Su Xin was shocked.

"Young Master!" Ye Luo spotted Su Xin and brought the horse to a halt.

"What happened?" Su Xin asked.

"It’s the Second Elder! He was ambushed by three peak Transformation Sea experts from the Pang family at Dark Water Alley in the East City. He won’t be able to hold on much longer!" Ye Luo cried out in urgency.

"What did you say?" Su Xin’s expression changed instantly!