"What is the Sky-reaching Tower?" Xu Nian asked, puzzled.
"The Sky-reaching Tower is a forbidden tower of our Artifact Refining Sect," Yann Xi said gravely. "It has five levels, each more perilous than the last. As far as I know, no one has ever successfully reached the top."
"Eh? No one has succeeded? Then how did the past Sect Masters succeed?" Xu Nian asked, confused.
The Artifact Refining Sect Master laughed and said, "That's because the method I told you is a special one. Other past Sect Masters, including myself, have been elected by the Elder Council."
Xu Nian was speechless.
So even the Artifact Refining Sect Master himself had never reached the top of the Sky-reaching Tower.
"When is the next election?" Xu Nian asked.
"Each Sect Master serves for thirty years. You can wait another ten years, or there's another scenario—my death," the Artifact Refining Sect Master said with a laugh.
Xu Nian had a grim expression.
That meant if he wanted to be the Sect Master of the Artifact Refining Sect within the remaining two and a half months, he had to conquer the Sky-reaching Tower?
The Artifact Refining Sect Master looked at Xu Nian with a smile, his expression meaningful.
Xu Nian wanted to curse. The Artifact Refining Sect Master seemed amiable.
But in reality, he was an old fox.
Luckily, he wasn't harboring any malicious intentions.
"I have high hopes for you. I'm looking forward to seeing your performance, haha!" The Artifact Refining Sect Master, with his hands behind his back, laughed heartily as he walked away.
Only three steps later, he vanished from Xu Nian's sight.
Xu Nian looked in the direction where the Artifact Refining Sect Master had disappeared, feeling helpless.
"Do you really want to challenge the Sky-reaching Tower?" Yann Xi asked with a frown.
Xu Nian nodded. "I have no other choice."
Yann Xi fell silent and said no more.
Xu Nian's purpose for coming to the Artifact Refining Sect was something she had already heard from Yann Hong.
Concerning this matter, she could not say much, but she admired Xu Nian deeply for everything he had done.
Next, under Yann Xi's guidance, Xu Nian got the keys to his residence.
To his surprise, his residence was right next to Yann Xi's.
During the walk, Xu Nian learned much about the Sky-reaching Tower from Yann Xi.
The Sky-reaching Tower, it was said, was left by an Immortal—a Pagoda that tested not only artifact refining.
It also included talent, strength, comprehension, and temperament, among others; each level was extremely dangerous.
Throughout the thousands of years of the Artifact Refining Sect's history, the highest anyone had ever reached was the fifth level.
As for the fifth level, no one had ever accessed it.
After bidding farewell to Yann Xi, Xu Nian locked himself in his manor.
For the next three days, Yann Xi did not see Xu Nian leave his yard.
Only on the morning of the fourth day did Xu Nian finally open his yard gate.
Leaving the household, Xu Nian headed straight for the Sky-reaching Tower.
Xu Nian's actions naturally drew much attention.
Since the recent disturbance with Nangong Qing, most of the Artifact Refining Sect disciples had come to recognize Xu Nian.
"Is he really going to challenge the Sky-reaching Tower?"
"It looks like it. But isn't he too bold? Doesn't he fear death?"
"Yeah, of those who attempt the Sky-reaching Tower, it's not bad if even two out of ten survive. I wonder how many levels that guy can clear."
"He might reach the second level at most, maybe even quit after the first."
The surrounding crowd burst into whispering.
They were clearly not optimistic about Xu Nian's challenge of the Sky-reaching Tower.
Xu Nian ignored the crowd's discussion; he had arrived in front of the Sky-reaching Tower.
"Kid, go back. This place isn't for you," said an old man guarding the tower.
The old man was quietly sweeping the floor, not even looking up as he spoke.
"Elder, I am here to challenge the Sky-reaching Tower," Xu Nian said respectfully.
He found his Spiritual Sense couldn't penetrate the cultivation of the old man in front, which meant one thing: the man was a Saint.
Hearing Xu Nian's words, the old man finally paused his sweeping and inspected Xu Nian.
"Spirit Body Dual Cultivation? Both are at the Battle General Level," the elder revealed a hint of surprise.
Xu Nian was unfazed by this.
His Dual Cultivation of Spirit and Body might fool a Marquis, but not a Saint.
"Hmm, go on in!" the old man looked at Xu Nian for a full minute before speaking.
"Thank you, Elder," Xu Nian said respectfully, then pushed open the grand doors of the Sky-reaching Tower and entered.
"He really went in!" The observing disciples were visibly shocked.
Although they had guessed as much, they were still immensely surprised when they saw Xu Nian walk inside.
"It's been three years since that kid Bai Feng emerged from the Sky-reaching Tower dejected, and no one else has dared to attempt it since," the elder said, watching the slowly closing doors, unable to help but remark with emotion.
A breeze blew by, and the figure of the Artifact Refining Sect Master appeared in front of the old man.
"He's a promising seed. Why didn't you wait and let him mature for another two years? Wouldn't his chances then be greater?" the elder didn't turn to look at the Artifact Refining Sect Master, but he knew of his arrival.
"He can't wait, and neither can I," the Artifact Refining Sect Master said with a smile, his hands still behind his back.
The elder shook his head helplessly, "I hope we don't ruin another talent."
The Artifact Refining Sect Master chuckled, "Do you really think so little of him?"
The elder didn't respond, but his posture spoke volumes.
The Artifact Refining Sect Master laughed again and said, "I actually think he'll be the one to reach the top. I did a divination for myself a month ago."
"What did the divination reveal?" asked the elder indifferently.
"The divination showed that within three months, I'd be swimming in the sea as fish and soaring in the sky as an eagle," the Artifact Refining Sect Master said with a grin.
"With your divination skills, you haven't gotten it right in twenty years!" the elder scoffed.
The Artifact Refining Sect Master wasn't offended and continued smiling, "Three days ago, I divined for this young man again."
The elder asked sarcastically, "Did you divine that he'd reach the top?"
"No!" The Artifact Refining Sect Master replied with a grin.
The elder chuckled dismissively and resumed sweeping.
"That divination - I couldn't figure out anything, and even coughed up a bit of blood," the Artifact Refining Sect Master's smile suddenly faded, his eyes turning extremely serious.
The broom in the old man's hands snapped.
He stood shocked, as if struck by lightning.
Finally, he couldn't help but look toward the direction of the first floor of the Sky-reaching Tower.
If anyone had been paying close attention, they would have noticed the old man's hands trembling.
A Saint coughing blood, angering the heavens!
So, this young man really might reach the top after all.