Chapter 289-291

289. Deal with Xiao Yuchen

As days passed by, following the farcical intervention of the Soul Hook True Person, the core region of Corpse Demon Mountain remained profoundly serene. After all, all who ventured to Corpse Demon Mountain sought to cultivate their skills. There was no need for unnecessary diversions, especially to provoke formidable adversaries.

Suddenly, one day, a Life Wheel abruptly manifested behind Lin Fei. Upon this Life Wheel shone a light symbolizing Divine Ability.

At that very moment, the radiance brilliantly intensified, growing so luminously that the entire Life Wheel appeared to enlarge by a measure. Simultaneously, an overwhelming force spread near the entire Yin Evil Array. Many, affected by this force, opened their eyes. Being suppressed by the might of the Life Wheel was far from pleasant.

Swiftly, Lin Fei opened his eyes as well.

"Your Divine Ability, Black Wind Prison, after a month of diligent cultivation, has finally achieved perfection!"

The voice of the system echoed in Lin Fei's mind.

"System."

Lin Fei summoned the system panel.

Host: Lin Fei

Martial Arts Realm: Early Martial Sovereign

Great Divine Ability: Black Wind Prison: Perfection

Saber Domain: Beginner (Progress 0%)

Indeed, Lin Fei's Black Wind Prison had reached perfection. Furthermore, the subsequent cultivation progress was absent. This indicated that there was no room for even the slightest improvement in Black Wind Prison. Unless he began cultivating a second Divine Ability. And if he wished to enhance his realm and strength, he would have to proceed with a second Divine Ability.

Lin Fei retracted the Life Wheel. He leaped down from the zombie pillar. Given that Black Wind Prison was perfected, there was no further need for the Yin Evil Qi for Lin Fei. Staying atop the zombie pillar became redundant.

As Lin Fei descended from the zombie pillar, suddenly, the lady in red spoke, "Congratulations on perfecting your Divine Ability! If I'm not mistaken, having perfected your first Divine Ability, you're preparing to cultivate a second one, aren't you? Do you have any plans for this second Divine Ability? You must understand, for us, the Martial Sovereigns, if the mere aim is to rapidly enhance strength, then any Divine Ability would suffice. But if one aspires to attain the title of Martial King, then the choice of Divine Ability must be made judiciously."

Lin Fei paused. He turned around, directing his gaze at the lady in red.

"What do you suggest?"

While Lin Fei was unfamiliar with the lady in red, he knew only that she bore the "Bloodline of the Martial King." Her origins and identity were undoubtedly profound.

With a swift motion, the lady in red descended. She cast her gaze around the surroundings, stating calmly, "Corpse Demon Mountain is not a place for conversation. We should depart from here first."

Without hesitation, the lady in red transformed into a streak of light, heading towards the outskirts of Corpse Demon Mountain.

Intrigued by what she might say, Lin Fei likewise became a radiant streak, following closely behind her. Quickly, one after the other, they left the boundaries of Corpse Demon Mountain.

The lady in red landed in an open space, no longer surrounded by the ominous Yin Evil Qi, she seemed to breathe a little easier. With a swish, Lin Fei appeared before her.

Nodding slightly, the lady in red introduced herself, "From the Martial King's lineage, I am Xiao Yuchen."

"Lin Fei."

He simply stated his name, withholding details of his origin. Xiao Yuchen did not press further.

"Sovereign Lin," she began, "I possess a top-tier Great Divine Ability here. It's truly extraordinary. If Sovereign Lin aspires to become a Martial King, this particular Divine Ability will undoubtedly exceed your expectations."

Xiao Yuchen straightforwardly revealed the existence of the Divine Ability - a top-tier Great Divine Ability.

For most ordinary Martial Sovereigns, the allure of such an ability isn't strong. Some might even find it entirely unattractive. Because, to many, they remain Martial Sovereigns all their life. Even when presented with a top-tier Great Divine Ability, they cannot cultivate it.

Most Martial Sovereigns often cultivate Lesser Divine Abilities. Fewer still attempt to cultivate Great Divine Abilities, let alone a top-tier Great Divine Ability. However, for those Martial Sovereigns with ambitions of becoming a Martial King, the allure of such an ability is undeniably immense.

"What sort of Divine Ability is this?" Lin Fei inquired.

"Divine Ability - Gravity Domain," she explained. "In essence, this Divine Ability attempts to emulate the Domain of a Martial Sovereign. However, in its failed emulation, a new Divine Ability was inadvertently created. Upon its activation, this Divine Ability exerts gravitational forces, creating a domain-like sphere. Though not a true domain, within the Gravity Domain's influence, one's adversaries would be subjected to unimaginable gravitational pressure.

No matter their number, all would be suppressed. This Divine Ability is already fearsome in its own right. But for Sovereign Lin, it might be even more fitting. Given that Sovereign Lin possesses the Saber Domain, the combined usage with the Gravity Domain Divine Ability might produce power of an inconceivable magnitude."

Lin Fei's eyes sparkled with interest. Indeed, this Divine Ability was exceptional. He instantly envisioned its synergistic potential with his own Saber Domain. Its power would surge dramatically. This was truly a Divine Ability well-suited for Lin Fei.

"What do you want me to do?" Lin Fei asked directly. It was clear that Xiao Yuchen wouldn't offer such a top-tier Great Divine Ability without a reason. She must want something from Lin Fei.

"It's simple. Accompany me back to the Xiao family and help me pass a level in the Martial King Tower," Xiao Yuchen responded. "If you can clear one level of the Martial King Tower, this Divine Ability will be yours."

"Martial King Tower?" Lin Fei voiced, unfamiliar with the term.

"It's a tower my Xiao family's Martial King spent a thousand years building. The first level of the Martial King Tower only allows a Martial Sovereign who cultivates a single Divine Ability to enter. Once the level is cleared, I can immerse myself in the family's Blood Pool and receive its baptism. This might awaken my Martial King Bloodline once more. The awakening of the Martial King Bloodline is crucial for me, but I lack the power to clear the first level. With your Saber Domain, you should face little difficulty in passing it. Additionally, you only have a single Divine Ability, meeting the requirements of the tower's first level."

Understanding dawned on Lin Fei. It was a transaction. If Lin Fei clears the Martial King Tower, he will obtain the Divine Ability, Gravity Domain.

"But I have a question," Lin Fei interjected. "Such a prized and top-tier Great Divine Ability as Gravity Domain, is the Xiao family fine with you freely passing it on? And why aren't you cultivating this Divine Ability yourself?"

Xiao Yuchen shook her head, explaining, "Gravity Domain is not the Xiao family's Divine Ability. I obtained it during my external adventures. As for not cultivating it, there's no need. I possess the Martial King Bloodline. I simply need to awaken the Divine Abilities within this bloodline and cultivate the nine Divine Abilities step by step. This way, I can achieve the Martial King status. It's a path already paved by my ancestors. If I were to cultivate other Divine Abilities, there's uncertainty in their completion and my path to becoming a Martial King."

Lin Fei fell silent upon hearing her words. This was his first time hearing of the benefits of the Martial King Bloodline. It means methodically inheriting the Divine Abilities within one's bloodline. Once all nine Divine Abilities are perfected, becoming a Martial King is a certainty!

This is as if the Martial King has already paved the way for their descendants. This is the advantage of the Martial King Bloodline - a clear path to achieving Martial King status. Just awaken the Divine Abilities within one's bloodline.

Xiao Yuchen desires to enter the Blood Pool because it can stimulate her bloodline, increasing the chances of awakening it. The Divine Abilities inherited from the bloodline, compared to cultivating one independently, are worlds apart.

To cultivate on one's own and achieve perfection is almost impossible, akin to ascending to the heavens. Inheriting and cultivating the Divine Abilities within one's bloodline makes it significantly easier.

Lin Fei finally understood. He realized why the families of Martial Kings continued to thrive. In contrast, the families of Martial Saints would gradually decline if they lost their Martial Saint. The difference lay in the fact that the descendants of the Martial King could inherit the Martial King Bloodline!

"Deal! I will pass the first level of the Martial King Tower," Lin Fei declared. "In exchange, you will give me the Divine Ability Gravity Domain."

In the end, he decisively agreed. Although the Ancient Origin Sect possessed top-tier Great Divine Abilities, a Divine Ability like Gravity Domain wasn't something one came across casually. Since he had encountered it, he needed to seize the opportunity to obtain it. Besides, Xiao Yuchen's conditions were not particularly strict. Lin Fei believed he should be able to pass the first level of the Martial King Tower.

"Alright, let's head back to the Xiao family as soon as possible," Xiao Yuchen said, showing a hint of eagerness.

Her initial trip to the Corpse Demon Mountain was to refine a treasure using the Yin Evil Qi. Unexpectedly, her most significant gain turned out to be meeting Lin Fei – a Martial Sovereign with the Saber Domain and only one Divine Ability. This was a fortunate encounter that was hard to come by. She believed that her moment of destiny had arrived!

290. Challenging the Martial King Tower

The family of the Martial King, Xiao Family.

After traveling for several hours, Lin Fei and Xiao Yuchen arrived back at the Xiao residence. Being a family descended from a Martial King, the territories and resources they controlled were vast, likely even surpassing those of the Ancient Origin Sect.

In essence, the families of Martial Kings were akin to individual sects. However, while sects mainly recruited disciples from the outside world, the families of Martial Kings were different. They had no disciples, only descendants who carried the bloodline. Thus, the Xiao family held their bloodline descendants in high regard.

It wasn't necessarily true that stronger parents would produce offspring with stronger bloodlines. Achieving the rank of a Martial King was the only way to pass down a heritage bloodline. The descendants with Martial King's bloodlines were entirely a matter of probability. It was quite common for ordinary descendants of the Xiao family to suddenly have children who awakened the bloodline.

The Xiao family's approach was straightforward. They didn't need to recruit outsiders. They encouraged early marriages among their descendants, especially those with no martial talent, to ensure the continuation of the lineage. The number of offspring one had would even be recorded and used as a criterion for resource allocation. The more offspring produced, the more rewards from the Xiao family.

Ordinary mortals, with their limited lifespans, spent most of their years trying to produce as many descendants as possible. Their only task was to have many children.

Over time, almost everyone in the territories controlled by the Xiao family bore the Xiao surname. But even among the Xiao family members, there were differences in status. Those who awakened their bloodlines would see a massive elevation in their social standing, akin to ascending to the heavens in one step.

For those in the Xiao family who had already awakened their bloodlines, marriage was no longer a pressing issue. The most crucial task was to continue cultivating their awakened bloodlines, aiming to achieve the rank of Martial Sovereign, or even Martial King!

As Lin Fei followed behind Xiao Yuchen, they encountered many members of the Xiao family.

"Greetings, Martial Sovereign!"

Being a Martial Sovereign, Xiao Yuchen held a high status within the family. Everyone who met her would bow respectfully.

"Sovereign Lin, would you like to rest first and visit the Martial King Tower tomorrow?" Xiao Yuchen asked Lin Fei.

"We are both Martial Sovereigns. Why would we need to rest?" Lin Fei responded, "Let's head straight to the Martial King Tower. I want to obtain the Gravity Domain as soon as possible."

Lin Fei shook his head. He didn't need any rest. The journey was trivial for any Martial Sovereign.

"Alright, let's head directly to the Martial King Tower," Xiao Yuchen agreed. She led the way, and they flew straight to the tower.

From a distance, Lin Fei could see the tower. It wasn't particularly tall, having only eight levels. However, this eight-story tower was the core of the Xiao family.

Throughout the journey, Lin Fei felt at least ten pairs of eyes observing him. Most of them likely belonged to other Martial Sovereigns, and some were immensely powerful ones at that. Were it not for Xiao Yuchen leading the way, Lin Fei felt sure that a few of them would have confronted him.

Soon, they stood at the base of the Martial King Tower, where few people ventured. Only Martial Sovereigns could approach it.

"Aurora Sovereign, you're back at the Martial King Tower," an elderly man with white hair and a beard commented calmly from outside the tower. "Do you plan to attempt it again? Last time, you failed at the very first level. Now, with two Divine Abilities under your belt, you can only attempt the second level."

Xiao Yuchen replied, "Elder, it's not me who wishes to attempt the tower this time. I've invited a friend to try it. According to our family rules, as long as the criteria are met, we, the family's Martial Sovereigns, can invite another Martial Sovereign to attempt the tower on our behalf."

Elder cast a glance at Lin Fei. With a slight smile, he said, "Of course, as long as he meets the basic criteria. But remember, even if you invite someone else, you can only try each level once."

Xiao Yuchen clenched her teeth and said, "I've made up my mind. I want Sovereign Lin to attempt a level for me."

"Very well. Let your Martial Sovereign friend come forward." Elder nodded.

Xiao Yuchen whispered to Lin Fei, "Sovereign Lin, remember our agreement. If you clear the first level, after I return from the Blood Pool, I'll give you the scripture for the Divine Ability: Gravity Domain."

Lin Fei didn't reply and walked towards Elder. The elder eyed him without any significant change in demeanor and said, "Please release your Life Wheel."

With a "boom," Lin Fei unleashed his Life Wheel. A massive Life Wheel emerged behind him, radiating an immense glow. That glow represented a Divine Ability. He had one Divine Ability.

"Hmm? One Divine Ability, yet such overwhelming pressure." Elder's expression tightened slightly.

The Life Wheel was fundamental to a Martial Sovereign. Its strength was determined by the power of its Divine Ability. The stronger the Divine Ability, the more imposing the Life Wheel.

Lin Fei had only one Divine Ability, but when he released his Life Wheel, four or five of the Martial Sovereigns outside the Martial King Tower felt an oppressive weight, as if a mountain had settled on their backs. Clearly, this was the pressure exerted by Lin Fei's Life Wheel.

For a moment, these Martial Sovereigns were taken aback, their eyes filled with astonishment.

"Who is this man? Only one Divine Ability, but so formidable?"

"He's the Martial Sovereign Aurora invited to attempt the Martial King Tower on her behalf."

"But, Martial Sovereigns at our level are usually not as strong as us. Our Martial Sovereigns are basically top-tier. Who could possibly surpass us from the Martial King lineage?"

"I'm not sure, but if Aurora Sovereign invited him, he must be very strong."

"However, whether he can pass the first level of the Martial King Tower remains to be seen."

"The Martial King Tower is incredibly difficult to overcome."

Many of the Xiao family's Martial Sovereigns concurred, shaking their heads. They were well aware of the challenges the tower posed. Inside the tower lay the Blood Pool. Conquering the tower granted one access to this pool, which increased the chances of awakening the Martial King bloodline.

While the Xiao family would love for everyone to have access to the Blood Pool, establishing such pools wasn't easy. Resources couldn't be distributed evenly. Hence, only the best had the privilege of using the Blood Pool.

As to why the Xiao family allowed their members to invite other Martial Sovereigns to attempt the tower, it was likely tied to their method of nurturing the next generation.

"Alright, with one Divine Ability, you may enter the first level of the Martial King Tower. Remember, if you meet a formidable opponent, concede immediately. Otherwise, you might die," Elder cautioned Lin Fei.

Lin Fei nodded in acknowledgment. He then took a step forward, directly entering the first level of the Martial King Tower.

Elder glanced at Lin Fei and then at Aurora Sovereign. Shaking his head slightly, he remarked, "Aurora Sovereign, you should be very clear. Sovereign Lin's Divine Ability may be powerful, but it's impossible for him to conquer the first level of the Martial King Tower. You're wasting an opportunity."

Facing the Elder's well-intentioned advice, Xiao Yuchen revealed a mysterious smile. "Elder, if I weren't confident, why would I have invited Sovereign Lin to attempt the Martial King Tower? My invitation wasn't because of his Divine Ability."

"Other than his Divine Ability, does Sovereign Lin have another means?"

"Of course. Although our Martial King lineage is strong, there are always bigger fish in the sea. Many Martial Sovereigns outside our family might be on par with, or even surpass us."

Xiao Yuchen exuded unwavering confidence, making Elder and the other Martial Sovereigns even more curious. With only one Divine Ability, what other methods could Lin Fei have that would inspire such confidence in Xiao Yuchen?

291. Devouring Sky Beast

One cannot see the outside from the inside of the Martial King Tower. However, once someone starts the challenge, the situation inside becomes visible from the outside.

At this moment, as Lin Fei stepped into the first level of the Martial King Tower, a formation was activated, revealing everything inside through a special method.

With a "swish", Lin Fei arrived at the first level of the tower. Darkness enveloped him, but it didn't hinder Lin Fei. There seemed to be no movement around him. But then, with a faint "hum", Lin Fei sensed subtle fluctuations of a formation. These fluctuations were fleeting.

Suddenly, a gigantic head appeared before him, its enormous maw open wide and lunging directly at Lin Fei. It seemed to appear out of nowhere.

An exotic beast!

Within the first level of the Martial King Tower lay a terrifying exotic beast that could launch surprise attacks, catching intruders off-guard.

Lin Fei instinctively felt that he shouldn't be swallowed by this creature. If he were, death might be imminent.

The first level of the Martial King Tower wasn't entirely safe. On the contrary, it was perilous. One could only ensure their safety by admitting defeat.

Outside the tower, the sudden appearance of the exotic beast shocked the elder, who exclaimed, "How could it be the Devouring Sky Beast?"

The elder had been guarding the Martial King Tower for hundreds of years and had seen numerous Martial Sovereigns challenge the first level. The tower would manifest various beings – sometimes a Martial Sovereign, sometimes a mere formation, and often times, exotic beasts. But never had he seen the Devouring Sky Beast.

This beast, only mentioned in ancient texts, was known to be inside the first level of the Martial King Tower. Though calling it a creature that could "devour the sky" might be an exaggeration, it was certainly capable of swallowing a mountain. Its strength was formidable. Even a Martial Sovereign with multiple Great Divine Abilities could be swallowed by the beast if they were careless.

Being ingested by this creature would mean certain death. Yet, the Devouring Sky Beast had rarely appeared on the first level of the tower. Why did it appear now?

In fact, not only the elder recognized the Devouring Sky Beast. Other Martial Sovereigns, who had vast experience and knowledge, also identified the creature.

"That's the Devouring Sky Beast, the legendary exotic beast."

"With such a beast, even if he possesses two Great Divine Abilities, it's not certain he'd win. Unless he has a specific Divine Ability to counter it. But what are the chances?"

"Poor Aurora Sovereign, she invested so much to invite a powerful-looking Martial Sovereign. And now they encounter the Devouring Sky Beast. He won't get past the first level of the Martial King Tower."

Upon seeing the Devouring Sky Beast, many Martial Sovereigns shook their heads, believing that Lin Fei had no other choice but to surrender unless he wanted to be swallowed whole by the beast. Such an outcome would surely mean death. Even the always-confident Xiao Yuchen was taken aback upon seeing the beast. She knew Lin Fei possessed the Saber Domain, but could that even stand against the Devouring Sky Beast?

Inside the tower, Lin Fei saw the massive head and even smelt the putrid odor from the beast's mouth. It was too fast. So swift that even invoking a Divine Ability might be too late. The only choice seemed to be surrendering. If he didn't, he risked being swallowed and possibly facing death.

Lin Fei wasn't one to easily risk his life. But surrender? It never crossed his mind.

With a loud roar, the beast lunged, seemingly swallowing Lin Fei whole. However, sensing something amiss, the beast swiftly turned around. To its surprise, Lin Fei was standing right behind it. Considering the incomprehensible speed of the Devouring Sky Beast, there seemed no way for Lin Fei to escape, yet there he was, unharmed.

Lin Fei's eyes, cold as ice, stared down the beast. True, the beast was fast, so fast that he couldn't react in time. Even with his own speed, he couldn't evade its gaping maw. However, he managed to escape thanks to his Saber Domain!

The very moment the beast appeared, Lin activated his Saber Domain. Within its boundaries, Lin Fei was the sovereign. He teleported – an instant movement beyond mere speed. As long as he was within the domain, Lin could teleport to any corner. So, with a blink, he was behind the beast.

"Fire!" With a step, flames engulfed everything. A white aura covered the entire first level of the Martial King Tower.

Saber Domain! Lin Fei's Saber Domain was fully unleashed.

Within the Saber Domain, raging flames burned fiercely. Moreover, an intangible pressure was exerting its force on the Devouring Sky Beast. Though it couldn't completely suppress the beast, Lin Fei's Saber Domain managed to restrain at least half of its strength. This was the terrifying power of Lin Fei's Saber Domain, effectively halving the beast's prowess.

Suddenly, within the confines of the Saber Domain, a gust of wind began to blow. It was a chilling breeze that swept over the Devouring Sky Beast, causing it to let out a mournful howl. It seemed to have sensed some imminent danger and struggled desperately but to no avail. Within Lin Fei's Saber Domain, unless one possesses a force ten or even dozens of times stronger than the Domain itself, there's no breaking free.

Lin Fei hadn't even used his three-in-one sword technique. He merely unleashed the "Black Wind Prison." This Great Divine Ability summoned the "Bone-Eroding Wind." At its perfected realm, the might of the Black Wind Prison had increased manifold.

As the wind swept through, the massive body of the Devouring Sky Beast began to disintegrate at a visible rate, gradually turning to ashes.

Suddenly, the beast vanished. A tremendous force from all directions sliced through Lin Fei's Saber Domain, taking the Devouring Sky Beast with it. The beast hadn't died. For such an exotic beast, losing part of its body wasn't a big deal. It could regenerate.

"You have passed the first level of the Martial King Tower!"

An emotionless, mechanical voice echoed within the tower. Shortly after, Lin Fei was teleported out of the first level.

"The power of the Martial King Tower?" Lin Fei narrowed his eyes slightly. The force that had just cleaved through his Saber Domain was clearly far superior to it. Lin Fei had a growing suspicion. The power didn't seem to be of the Martial Sovereign. It likely belonged to the Martial King Tower itself.

The Martial King Tower was, after all, forged by the Martial King. Naturally, it possesses mysterious powers.

Lin Fei had been transported outside of the Martial King Tower. He looked around and saw various Martial Sovereigns, each with widened eyes and solemn expressions. Their attention was focused on him.

However, Lin Fei paid them no mind. He glanced at Xiao Yuchen and calmly stated, "Aurora Sovereign, I have passed the first level of the Martial King Tower. Now, you can proceed to the blood pool to try and awaken your bloodline."

Upon hearing Lin Fei's words, Xiao Yuchen quickly realized his meaning. "Alright, I'll head to the blood pool right away. Please wait here outside the Martial King Tower, I'll be back soon."

Xiao Yuchen immediately approached the elder guarding the outside of the Martial King Tower and went through some procedures before entering the tower itself. It seemed that the blood pool was located within the Martial King Tower. Lin Fei had not noticed it when he was on the first level, indicating that the tower truly was extraordinary.

With Xiao Yuchen now inside the tower, the elder turned his gaze to Lin Fei, his eyes filled with a hint of astonishment. "If my eyes do not deceive me, the technique Sovereign Lin displayed within the Martial King Tower was the Saber Domain. Only with the Saber Domain can one teleport.

Moreover, Sovereign Lin's Divine Ability is immensely powerful, definitely among the top-tier Great Divine Abilities. A Saber Domain and a top-tier Great Divine Ability... It's no wonder you managed to pass the first level. It's rare for Aurora Sovereign to find such a top-tier Martial Sovereign like you. Truly extraordinary!"

The elder who guarded the Martial King Tower was a figure of considerable stature and discernment. Having seen countless Martial Sovereigns over the years, receiving praise from such an esteemed figure spoke volumes about Lin Fei's recent performance and abilities. It was no wonder the elder was so impressed.

As for the other Martial Sovereigns from the Xiao family, their gazes towards Lin Fei became even more intricate. Many were filled with admiration, perhaps even envy, that Xiao Yuchen had managed to enlist someone like Lin Fei.