The Guardian Spirit knew, or rather, its purpose was to guide those who came to this place to follow the rules and eventually see if they could enter the Illusion Realm.
As to what was inside the Illusion Realm, or what its master’s purpose was, it had absolutely no idea.
"Do you know about the situation inside the Nine Layers of the Illusion Realm?" Qin Chen asked, thinking of Mon Tianran and Little Strange.
"That was set up by the master. I am merely the Guardian Spirit of the Ghost Tower, so naturally, I do not know."
"But if you can enter the Illusion Realm, maybe you will be able to grasp the situation within those Nine Layers." The Guardian Spirit said.
"The Illusion Realm again?" Qin Chen’s eyes narrowed.
This made him even more curious about the Illusion Realm.
Whether it was the great opportunity mentioned by the Guardian Spirit or finding out about Mon Tianran and Little Strange, both required him to break into the Illusion Realm.
"You said earlier that I am the first person to come here in two hundred and fifteen years. So, historically, how many people have actually been to the Illusion Realm?" Qin Chen asked curiously.
Two hundred and fifteen years was about the time when turmoil subsided within the Forest Demon Hall, so no one had come here since.
"Not a single one." The Guardian Spirit said.
Qin Chen was stunned after hearing this.
To break into this place, one must first pass through the Nine Layers of the Illusion Realm!
Without the Little Void Breaking Technique, he didn’t even know if he could have made it here.
The Nine Layers of the Illusion Realm were probably enough to filter out more than 90% of people.
historically, not a single person had gone to the Illusion Realm.
This was proof enough of how difficult it was to reach the Illusion Realm.
"The Underground Ghost Tower has been established for thousands of years, and during that time, a total of 10,004 Heavenly Prides have broken in here and met me."
"The first challenge alone eliminates half of them."
"And even if they can pass the first challenge, the second and third challenges will lead them to failure."
"Entering the Illusion Realm is not an easy feat." The Guardian Spirit said.
"It’s that difficult?"
Qin Chen raised his eyebrows.
In thousands of years, not one of the 10,004 Heavenly Prides who had passed the Nine Layers of the Illusion Realm had entered the Illusion Realm. It was unbelievable.
Could he be the exception?
What exactly was the purpose of such stringent requirements?
"What are these challenges you speak of?" Qin Chen asked.
"The challenges are in three parts."
"The first part involves Conception, the second is a test of Strength and Mental State, and the third is Comprehension."
"Each part you pass will grant a reward."
"The master never shortchanges anyone." The Guardian Spirit said.
Conception, Strength and Mental State, Comprehension!
Qin Chen pondered what these critical words of the three challenges really meant.
If he had to choose his most confident one, it would naturally be the third challenge.
With an increase of fiftyfold comprehension, that was truly terrifying.
But as for Conception, Strength and Mental State before that, Qin Chen didn’t yet know what kind of challenges they would present.
"So, this Ghost Tower is divided into three layers? And the fourth layer is the Illusion Realm?" Qin Chen asked.
"No." The Guardian Spirit shook its head.
"Normally, the Ghost Tower has three layers, each corresponding to the three challenges."
"But your test will have five layers." The Guardian Spirit said.
"Why?" Qin Chen was astonished.
Why did it turn from three layers to five for him?
"Because you cultivate Telekinesis, Martial Arts, and your Physical Body all simultaneously."
"So during the second challenge, of Strength and Mental State, the Ghost Tower will set tests for each one of these aspects for you." The Guardian Spirit said.
Qin Chen was taken aback, then he let out a wry laugh.
"More challenges isn’t entirely a bad thing because the more tests there are, the greater the rewards will be." The Guardian Spirit said.
Qin Chen nodded, then asked, "After completing the tower, I can go straight out, right?"
"If you want to leave now, I could take you out." The Guardian Spirit said.
"In that case, there’s nothing more to say. Let’s start challenging the tower."
Qin Chen took a deep breath and said.
He couldn’t wait to find out what the challenges of the Underground Ghost Tower were, what rewards he would gain, and what sort of place the Illusion Realm was.
"Then I will now open the doors to the first layer of the Ghost Tower for you." The Guardian Spirit nodded.
The Guardian Spirit floated in front of the Ghost Tower, seemed to cast a spell, and then the doors to the first layer of the Ghost Tower opened.
After the doors opened, Qin Chen looked into the first layer – it was pitch black, and he couldn’t see anything.
Qin Chen frowned slightly and walked straight in.
However, as soon as Qin Chen entered, he discovered that he still couldn’t see anything around him.
"What is the challenge?" Qin Chen turned his head and asked the Guardian Spirit.
"Each layer’s challenge needs one thousand Demon Crystals to activate."
"Demon Crystals are a source of energy." The Guardian Spirit said.
"So that’s the use of Demon Crystals."
Qin Chen then remembered that he had obtained so many Demon Crystals.
He knew those Demon Crystals wouldn’t be without purpose.
"What about the Large Demon Crystals? What are they for?"
Qin Chen remembered the two Large Demon Crystals he had obtained.
Surprisingly, upon hearing his question, the Guardian Spirit shook its head.
"Though I do not know, I believe since the master allowed these Large Demon Crystals to exist, they must serve some purpose." The Guardian Spirit said.
"Alright." Qin Chen nodded helplessly.
Following the Guardian Spirit’s instruction, Qin Chen inserted a thousand Demon Crystals into a recess in the wall of the first layer.
According to the Guardian Spirit, his challenges would span five layers.
And Qin Chen happened to have exactly five thousand Demon Crystals on him.
The number was just right.
As soon as Qin Chen placed a thousand Demon Crystals into the wall recess, he saw the lanterns around the first layer, previously extinguished and dusty, all light up.
Though the darkness was driven away, the numerous dim lanterns still seemed quite eerie.
"The first layer challenge, the Conception challenge, begins now."
The Guardian Spirit said beside Qin Chen.
Qin Chen immediately focused.
Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!
Several sounds like whispers of wind arose.
Qin Chen saw four ’himself’s appear in front of him.
They looked exactly like him, but these four ’Qin Chens’ were like spirits, not real people.
Qin Chen watched the figures intently, then his eyes flashed with a sharp light as if he had discovered something.
"Sharp Needle Telekinesis, Bloodthirst, Lightning, Soft Water Martial Aura."
"These four ’me’s’ each correspond to my Four Great Realms!" Qin Chen’s expression shifted slightly.