Inferno Tower

"Timothy, man, you died a brutal death!"

"Timothy, even though you were a lousy cultivator, a bit of an oddball, and handsome was pretty much your only redeeming feature, I can't believe you died so young."

"Let's not be sad, everyone. Timothy was a hero, a brave soul who represented our Sect in challenging Goddess Sylvia. Tell me, which other Demonic Sect would dare to openly challenge Goddess Sylvia, even going as far as sending a declaration of war? Only our Doomed Soul Sect!"

"That's right, only our Doomed Soul Sect has the guts to do that. Doomed Soul Sect is the best in the world! Doomed Soul Sect will rise to greatness again!"

"Doomed Soul Sect is number one in the world!"

"I have no regrets joining Doomed Soul Sect in this life!"

Just as Timothy returned to the hidden mountain stronghold of the Doomed Soul Sect, fortified with various protective spells and illusions, he was greeted by a wave of fervent cheers.

"Uh..."

Timothy was speechless, already accustomed to the severe brainwashing of the people in the Sect.

Meanwhile, Sect Leader Morvran suddenly stepped forward, his face creased and sorrowful: "Alas, all other Demonic Sects are cowards. Only we dare to wage war against Goddess Sylvia."

"Our Doomed Soul Sect will surely become the leader among Demonic Sects."

"I too am saddened by Timothy's death, but this sorrow will transform into motivation, fueling the growth of our Doomed Soul Sect!"

"Not only that, I heard that even Goddess Sylvia trembled in fear after Timothy was killed, worried that one day the Doomed Soul Sect might storm the Sky Sanctuary."

"Now, even seeing the declaration of war, she dares not engage us in battle. This time, our Doomed Soul Sect has truly triumphed!"

It was a passionate speech.

"Even Goddess Sylvia got scared?"

"This is our Doomed Soul Sect, truly powerful! Doomed Soul Sect will definitely become the top Demonic Sect! Brother Timothy did not die in vain!"

Timothy: "..."

He didn't even know where to start with his retorts.

If Goddess Sylvia really showed up here, she could probably wipe out the entire Doomed Soul Sect with a wave of her hand, let alone be afraid of them.

"Right, Doomed Soul Sect is that strong..."

"Huh? Timothy, how did you come back?"

Just as he was boasting, Sect Leader Morvran's face froze.

As he stared in utter shock, Timothy slowly walked in from the mountain gate.

Instantly, all eyes turned to him, and upon seeing Timothy, everyone was stunned.

"Wasn't Timothy dead?"

"Has... has Timothy come back to life?"

Even Morvran couldn't believe what he was seeing.

Although Elder Gregory Ford hadn't seen Timothy die with his own eyes, Timothy had gone into the Sky Sanctuary with a declaration of war for Goddess Sylvia.

Doing something like that should have been a certain death.

He couldn't fathom how Timothy could have possibly returned alive.

"You, you personally delivered the declaration of war to Goddess Sylvia, how did you come back?"

Morvran's aged face was full of astonishment.

Timothy had anticipated this reaction and casually shrugged, his expression nonchalant: "Yeah, I did deliver the letter to Goddess Sylvia before coming back."

"I stared right at Goddess Sylvia and told her: 'Look me in the eye, punk, I'm here on behalf of the Doomed Soul Sect to challenge you. If you don't want to die, just read this and then send me back.'"

"Who would have thought, Goddess Sylvia was completely terrified by the mere mention of the Doomed Soul Sect behind me. Her expression changed dramatically, and she trembled with fear."

"In the end, not only did she let me go, but she even clung to me, personally escorting me down the mountain."

"..."

In an instant, the entire Doomed Soul Sect fell silent.

Morvran's face froze completely, shocked to the point of speechlessness: "You... is all of this true?"

"Of course." Timothy replied nonchalantly.

[You have caused a mental shock to the leader of the Mystic Core Demonic Sect]

[You have caused a mental shock to the elders of the Demonic Sects]

[Reward received: Ten Panaceas, capable of regenerating flesh from bone, healing severe injuries]

[Reward received: Rare-level magical artifact, Binding Immortal Rope]

[Reward received: Spell, Thunderclap Slash]

"What's going on?" Timothy asked the system.

[Ding, host has completed the Conquer the Goddess mission, unlocking the first function of this system: Rewards can be obtained by causing mental shocks to others.]

While these rewards weren't as grand as a newbie's welcome pack, they were still precious and perfectly suited for Timothy's current level of cultivation.

As the Sect members, already brainwashed to hold the Doomed Soul Sect in the highest regard, recovered from their shock, they erupted into frenzied cheers.

"Timothy is alive and he even managed to insult Goddess Sylvia!"

"This is our Doomed Soul Sect, where even someone like Timothy, who lacks any cultivation talent, can perform such earth-shattering feats!"

Timothy: "..."

He felt somewhat offended.

Before he had the system, he might have let it slide, but not anymore.

Ignoring the noisy disciples, Timothy headed straight for the Inferno Tower.

The Inferno Tower, rumored to be a treasure passed down by the ancient leaders of the Doomed Soul Sect, contained endless flames.

It had ten levels, each with increasingly intense heat.

Even Sect Leader Morvran could only reach the sixth level.

But now, Timothy seemed to enter without a care.

"Boom!"

Instantly, fierce flames attacked him like a ferocious beast, seemingly ready to devour him.

In a blink, Timothy's body was scorched black, appearing on the verge of collapse.

But just as another wave of intense heat surged towards him, a brilliant golden light suddenly radiated from Timothy.

The Ancient Saintly Body was one of the most precious saintly bodies from ancient times.

Its mysteries and strength had not been fully explored even to this day.

After all, those possessing the Ancient Saintly Body were exceedingly rare, with no one but the original supreme deity from ten thousand years ago having it.

Naturally, no one knew one of the most important secrets of the Ancient Saintly Body—the ability to absorb.

As long as he wasn't killed in one hit, Timothy could easily gain corresponding attributes thanks to the Ancient Saintly Body.

[Exposed to fire, fire resistance +46]

In an instant, the once overwhelming flames now seemed like child's play to Timothy, posing no threat at all.

Meanwhile, a stream of energy suddenly gathered from Timothy's dantian like a vortex, turning into tiny golden particles and concentrating in one spot.

Aura Initiation, achieved!

"How is this possible? Isn't Brother Timothy unable to cultivate? Even just the first level of the Inferno Tower is deadly to disciples who have fully mastered Aura Initiation!"

Outside the Inferno Tower, the disciples of the Doomed Soul Sect were all stunned.

[You have caused a mental shock to the disciples of the Demonic Sect, reward received: 10 bottles of Fire Resistance Potion]

"Nice stuff."

Timothy didn't hesitate to throw all ten bottles of Fire Resistance Potion into his mouth, enjoying them like jelly beans.

Feeling the spiritual energy inside him soaring, Timothy smiled slightly and looked up towards the higher levels of the Inferno Tower.