Sky-reaching Tower's first floor.
Xu Nian was now looking at the three-star Battle General Level bear-shaped Demon Beast standing opposite him with a light smile.
The first challenge of the Sky-reaching Tower was to kill a Divine Beast Bloodline Demon Beast that was two levels higher in Cultivation than oneself.
This test might be difficult for others, but for someone like Xu Nian, who took on challenges above his level as if they were a daily routine, it was no challenge at all.
"Human, was it you who awakened me from my slumber? I am so hungry, you'll make a good meal to satisfy my hunger," the Demon Beast uttered a proud laugh, its eyes naked with desire as drool nearly dripped to the ground.
"Eat me? You seem hardly up to the task," Xu Nian said with a cold, mocking sneer.
"Arrogant human, how dare you insult me, the king? I am the Earth Demon Tyrant Bear King, descendant of the Divine Beast Split Earth Tyrant Bear. Do you believe I can tear you apart?" the giant bear roared furiously.
"Clamor, I don't have time to waste with you," Xu Nian huffed coldly.
Instantly, he used the Illusion Fascinate Trace technique and appeared right in front of the giant bear.
The bear was startled; it had not expected this human to be so fast and hurriedly swung its massive paws toward Xu Nian.
A trace of disdain flashed across Xu Nian's eyes.
Executing the Dragon King Fist, Earth Shattering.
A terrifying illusion of a giant dragon appeared behind him.
Then, Xu Nian threw a punch, striking the giant bear squarely in the chest.
"No..." the bear issued a roar of disbelief.
But before its cry had faded,
"Boom!" a loud sound echoed.
Its body exploded, turning into countless pieces of flesh.
With one punch, he had slain a three-star Battle General Level Divine Beast Bloodline Demon Beast.
Had someone seen this, they would have been astounded without a doubt.
At this moment, the level of Body Cultivation Xu Nian revealed was that of a One-star Body General Level expert.
During the three days he had secluded himself, Xu Nian had focused entirely on Body Cultivation.
Sure enough, as expected, he had broken through to the Battle General realm in Body Cultivation.
Having slain the giant bear, Xu Nian walked directly toward the second floor of the Sky-reaching Tower.
Currently, outside the Sky-reaching Tower, quite a crowd had gathered.
Attempting the Tower was a rare spectacle in the Artifact Refining Sect, and the news of Xu Nian challenging the Tower spread quickly throughout the Sect.
Not only did many elite disciples come to watch, but even Inner Sect Disciples and Outer Disciples joined the audience.
Some Elders, out of curiosity, also gathered around.
"Hey, how long do you think it will take Xu Nian to get through the first floor of the Tower?" someone in the crowd asked.
"At least a day, I reckon. The first floor is said to have a powerful Divine Beast Bloodline Demon Beast, not an easy opponent," someone else hypothesized.
"I beg to differ. Xu Nian's strength is not weak, I guess he'll need five hours. That's one hour less than what Brother Bai Feng took to get through," another spectactor chimed in.
"How can he compare to Brother Bai Feng? It's uncertain if he can get through at all," Nangong Qing couldn't help but sneer.
Upon hearing that Xu Nian was attempting the Tower, he had come here with the sole purpose of watching Xu Nian die inside the tower.
Hearing his words, the surrounding crowd fell silent.
They all knew about the strife between Xu Nian and Nangong Qing.
"Look quickly, the Formation for the second floor is lit up, he's gone up to the second level!"
Just then, an exclamatory shout erupted among the crowd.
Everyone looked towards the Sky-reaching Tower, only to see the formation on its second level light up.
"How is that possible? He just entered the Sky-reaching Tower, not even two hours have passed, how could he have reached the second level?" Everyone's faces showed surprise as they involuntarily turned to look at Nangong Qing.
"No... it can't be." Nangong Qing's face turned ashen.
He had just claimed that Xu Nian could not possibly overcome the second level, yet now he was instantly proven wrong.
Not only had Xu Nian surpassed the second level, but he had also broken the record set by Brother Bai Feng, and by a wide margin.
Those around were all filled with admiration, finding Xu Nian to be too defying of the heavens.
Yann Xi and Yann Hong stood amid the crowd, their faces also full of surprise.
Although they both believed that Xu Nian would have no problems getting through the first level, they hadn't expected him to be so quick.
"This kid has certainly given me a big surprise," said the Elder who guarded the tower, smiling as he looked at the illuminated formation on the second level.
"I'm surprised too. It seems his strength is even stronger than we imagined," the Artifact Refining Sect Master said with a smile.
The tower guardian nodded and then continued, "However, the second level is not that easy. It's not something that can be overcome by strength alone."
The Artifact Refining Sect Master nodded slightly, clearly agreeing with that sentiment.
On the second level of the Sky-reaching Tower.
Xu Nian, looking at the figure sitting cross-legged in the center of the tower, also revealed an expression of astonishment.
At this moment, in the center of the tower, there sat a youth.
This youth, both in appearance and temperament, was exactly like Xu Nian.
The only difference was that, while Xu Nian wore a black academy robe, this youth wore a white one.
"You've finally arrived, I've been waiting for you for a long time," said the youth in the white academy robe with a smile that carried a chill.
"Who are you?" Xu Nian asked, perplexed.
"I am you, and you are me. Who do you say I am?" the white-robed Xu Nian replied with a cold laugh.
Xu Nian was taken aback, his brow furrowing slightly.
"Are you my shadow?" he realized something and spoke out.
"True to my original nature, quite clever indeed. Yes, I am your shadow. Under normal circumstances, I would never have appeared, but with the aid of this Great Formation, I can manifest my true self. Moreover, if I defeat you, I can take your place and become the real Xu Nian," said the white-robed Xu Nian with an excited expression.
After hearing this, Xu Nian finally understood what was happening.
In other words, this white-robed Xu Nian was his shadow, possessing everything he had.
And to get past this challenge, he must defeat his own shadow.
If he were defeated by his shadow, then he would be consumed by it as well.
"What a wondrous formation, no wonder many are stuck on the second level. It's easy to defeat an enemy, but very difficult to defeat oneself," Xu Nian commended inwardly.
"You have the leisure to study the formation when you should be more concerned about whether you can survive," the white-robed Xu Nian sneered, then his figure turned into a residual image and disappeared from the spot.
When he reappeared, he was already in front of Xu Nian.
"Uh? Illusion Fascinate Trace? You can even use Combat Skills?" Xu Nian was startled and hastily prepared to defend.
"Hmph, what I know isn't just Combat Skills. Die, Collapse Thunder!" the white-robed Xu Nian bellowed, hurling a punch straight at Xu Nian.
Xu Nian's eyes instantly focused, and he quickly mobilized his Gang Qi to use the Collapse Thunder Fist Technique.
The two forces collided, releasing a thunderous roar of terror.
Both Xu Nian and the white-robed Xu Nian were knocked back dozens of steps before they managed to stabilize their forms.
Their clash was evenly matched.
"To think you've even mastered comprehension to the same degree," Xu Nian muttered to himself, his expression becoming solemn once again.