Published: February 24, 2025
Lai Chang looked at the indifferent expressions of the crowd and did not blame them. In his opinion, if any of these disciples could truly reach the 108th level, that would be unbelievable!
Lai Chang coughed lightly and looked up at the towering Supreme Mustard Seed Time-Space Pagoda, saying, “This pagoda increases gravity by double with each level climbed.”
The crowd of disciples spoke in unison, “We understand, Master.”
“Good.” Just as Lai Chang was about to announce the start of the climb, Tan Yun, who had been silent, suddenly asked, “May I ask, Lord Steward, why is there a time limit of three hours for climbing the pagoda?”
Lai Chang answered truthfully, “Firstly, it is to prevent disciples from stalling during their climb and wasting the time of others trying to reach the 99th level.”
“Secondly, since the establishment of this pagoda fifty thousand years ago, anyone unable to reach the 99th level within three hours will be considered eliminated; this is the rule.”
Upon hearing this, Tan Yun continued, “If someone reaches the 99th level and wishes to push for higher levels, wouldn’t three hours be a bit short?”
Lai Chang explained, “Naturally, if someone reaches the 99th level and wants to continue, according to the rules, each level provides an additional hour of grace period.”
“Of course, during this hour, the climber will still be subject to the gravity of the respective level; it doesn’t mean they can recover their strength.”
Tan Yun sighed in relief, “Thank you, Lord Steward, for informing me. I understand now.”
“Hmm.” Lai Chang called out, “If there are no objections from others, I hereby announce the start of the climb!”
No sooner had he finished speaking than the disciples rose and dashed towards the first level of the pagoda.
No one among the top two hundred on the Hidden Dragon Rankings moved with steady steps towards the Supreme Mustard Seed Time-Space Pagoda, which was three hundred feet away.
Only Tan Yun remained in place, gazing at the pagoda's exterior.
Looking up through the thin mist and clouds, he could faintly see that the towering pagoda, reaching a height of a thousand feet, only had doors from the 99th to the 108th levels.
Below the 99th level, there were no doors, only the edges of each level, indicating that the walls from levels 1 to 98 were solid.
Starting from the first level of the pagoda, the steps spiraled up like an ancient dragon, winding around the walls, extending up to the 99th level.
The unique and elegant architectural style, when viewed from the sky, appeared as if a giant dragon was embedded within the pagoda.
Shen Qingfeng watched Tan Yun with concern, saying, “You little brat, if your body can’t handle it, just take a break and don’t climb.”
“I’m fine,” Tan Yun replied with a slight smile, glancing at the two frozen severed arms on the ground.
Then, borrowing a Qiankun Ring from Shen Qingfeng, he placed the severed arms inside, and with a thought, the Qiankun Ring flew into his embrace.
Tan Yun walked slowly towards the Supreme Mustard Seed Time-Space Pagoda.
He wasn’t in a hurry to ascend, as the gravity increased by double with each level. Why not take his time to recover his strength under lower gravity? He only needed to reach the 99th level within three hours!
As Tan Yun stepped onto the first step, he felt an invisible pressure of gravity descend.
His body remained as steady as Mount Tai, and he ascended the steps at a leisurely pace.
An hour later, as night fell, Tan Yun reached the 16th level of the pagoda.
At that moment, over seven hundred disciples, ranked below the top two hundred on the Dan Dao Battle Rankings, were sweating profusely as they struggled to climb the stairs between the 66th and 75th levels.
A disciple on the stairs leading to the 72nd level gasped for breath, shaking all over, his leg bones creaking. He had no doubt that under 72 times the gravity, if he took another step, his legs would break!
“Ah... I can’t do it anymore...” This person’s features twisted, his cheeks flushed, and as he awkwardly moved his body, he stumbled into empty air, landing on a Flying Sword, which wobblingly carried him down to the training ground.