Chapter Seventy-Six: This Is No Genius, This Is a Monster!

The Ice Spirit Tower was actually quite spacious inside, and Chen Xiang now stood at the entrance to the sixth floor. The entryway to the seventh floor lay at the far end of the sixth, positioned directly opposite him. The distance between them spanned some two or three thousand meters, a testament to the vastness of the Ice Spirit Tower.

Though the pressure of the sixth floor had lessened considerably after his spiritual sense strengthened, it still left him struggling to catch his breath. Yet this was inconsequential; if one was to act, it ought to be done flawlessly, and if one was to make an impression, it should be the full performance.

Having tasted the sweetness of success, everything else seemed trivial. “If there’s a benefit to be had, I won’t let it slip by. That’s just my style,” Chen Xiang murmured to himself. With that resolve, he moved forward, unhesitatingly inching toward the entrance of the seventh floor.

Outside the Ice Spirit Tower, the onlookers stood numbed, gazing at the single snow-white identity token floating before the sixth floor. Only one such token was present, with a gap below the fifth floor; the second, third, and fourth floors were crowded with countless tokens. Yet none paid attention to those below. They had been staring upward for over an hour, but boredom had not touched them; they simply watched it stand out among the rest.

“Who is this young man? Can someone tell me—am I dreaming?”

“It’s been more than an hour already, and he’s still inside. Could the spiritual sense suppression of the sixth floor be a lie?”

“I don’t think so. I tried passing through myself earlier, and barely managed the third floor. I suppose he’s just that strong.”

“He’s already achieved unprecedented success! It’s said that the pressure on the sixth floor is akin to the mid-stage of the Transformation realm, and he’s merely a youth at the peak of the Golden Core stage!”

“I heard the Grand Elder of the Hidden Frost Sect, when he became the sect leader, was tested by the Ice Spirit Tower. He entered the sixth floor and stayed there three hours before stepping onto the seventh, where he endured only two breaths before being forced out. Back then, the sect leader was at the early Transformation stage!”

“Grand Elder? Do you mean the renowned alchemist, Elder Yao Xuzi?”

“So this youth could be comparable to the current Grand Elder of the Hidden Frost Sect?”

The crowd spoke in awe and speculation, all deeply impressed by Chen Xiang. They assumed he would surely join the Hidden Frost Sect, and naturally compared him to its members.

The sect leader was tense, his hands unconsciously clenched. “A genius! A true genius! With such powerful spiritual sense, if he were to study alchemy, the Hidden Frost Sect would surely secure its place among the top powers of the Wind Origin Continent!” The sect leader murmured with excitement, heedless of the elders’ quarrels, simply voicing his own intentions.

The Third Elder and the old man, too, were dumbstruck; hearing the leader’s words, they were not surprised.

The Third Elder understood the sect leader’s concerns and sighed, saying to the old man, “Ah, Yao Xuzi, I won’t compete with you for this youth. I’ve served as an elder of the Hidden Frost Sect for a thousand years, always wishing to see it grow stronger. I just hope you’ll do your utmost for our sect.”

The old man sighed and smiled, “You certainly let go cleanly. But with such pressure, how can I bear it myself?” Though he said this, his face could not hide his joy; gaining such a disciple made him happier than anything.

He heard the comparisons between himself and Chen Xiang, but paid them no mind. The truth was, even now, he could only remain on the seventh floor of the Ice Spirit Tower for a dozen breaths; if he were at the Golden Core stage, the sixth floor would be out of reach, and the fifth uncertain.

If he could take Chen Xiang as his disciple, it would not only be about passing on his legacy, but also contributing to the prosperity of the sect.

After another quarter of an hour, Yao Xuzi grew concerned and said to the sect leader, “Sect leader, Chu Liuxiang has fully proven his talent, but the spiritual pressure of the sixth floor is no joke. Please open the Ice Spirit Tower and bring him out.”

The sect leader glanced at him with a half-smile, “What’s this? He’s not even a member yet, and you’re already worried for your disciple?”

Yao Xuzi’s face flushed as he replied with a smile, “I’m just concerned—if he pushes himself too hard, he might ruin himself!”

“Haha, I understand, I understand!” The sect leader laughed, then turned to the male disciple in charge of the Tower. “Changfeng, open the door! I want to see what kind of youth can accomplish such a miraculous feat!”

Changfeng, terrified, answered respectfully, “Yes, sect leader! Right away!” But before he could take more than a few steps, the crowd erupted with incredulous cries.

“What did I just see? Am I hallucinating?”

“Impossible! How can this be?”

“The token moved—he’s entered the seventh floor!”

“Good heavens, this isn’t a genius, it’s a monster!”

Changfeng felt a knot in his heart, a foreboding sense of dread. He looked up sharply, and if his eyes did not deceive him, the snow-white identity token he had once touched was now floating before the seventh floor.

He gulped, throat dry, unable to speak.

Elders and sect leader were stunned, unable to believe their eyes. Especially Yao Xuzi—he had just worried Chen Xiang might overreach himself on the sixth floor and harm his spiritual foundation, yet in the next moment, the youth had stepped onto the very limit Yao Xuzi himself could reach: the seventh floor!

This could no longer be called genius—it was monstrous.

At that moment, Yao Xuzi felt a sense of shame, as if he had no right to teach such an extraordinary talent.

“The seventh floor! Who is he?” The Hidden Frost Sect leader stared blankly, unable to utter any words of praise.

He himself could only reach the seventh floor, and he was a cultivator at the ninth stage of Transformation. Chu Liuxiang was just at the peak of the Golden Core—what an immense gap!

“Quick, go report to the Ancestor. This youth’s future is no longer ours to decide!” The sect leader suddenly ordered, turning to a senior elder at the pinnacle of the Nascent Soul stage.

The elder was startled, quickly agreed, and flew toward the depths of the sect.

Then the sect leader turned back to Yao Xuzi, apologetically saying, “Grand Elder, we must report to the Ancestor before making any decisions. If the Ancestor does not permit this youth to become your disciple, please don’t take offense.”

A trace of bitterness flashed across Yao Xuzi’s face as he sighed, “Sect leader, it’s not your fault. It’s just that this youth is too extraordinary. The Ancestor’s decision is for the good of the sect. Besides, perhaps the Ancestor will want him to learn alchemy from the Second Elder. That means I still have a chance!”

“Indeed, that means I have a chance as well!” The Third Elder chimed in.

Yao Xuzi snorted, turned away and ignored him.

A spark of hope rekindled in the Third Elder’s heart; he dearly wished his teachings would be passed on.

“To be continued…”