Chapter 889: The First Guardian
Chapter 888: The First Guardian
"The 0th floor of the Divine Demon Tower is a safe zone in the outer tower area. Basically, most climbers and challengers reside here. As long as you obtain the climber's mark, you can return to the lower levels at any time. However, to reach higher levels, you must pass the corresponding tests."
"Although the tower area is vast, it's not restricted. Strong cultivators can fight as they please, and various major powers are established here."
"If your own cultivation isn't high and you lack sufficient backing, you might be targeted by stronger individuals for treasure and killings!"
... Long Wu explained.
"So that's how it is..." He Yiming nodded in understanding.
In simple terms, the 0th floor is a safe zone where most people choose to reside. When they want to climb the tower, they enter the inner tower for testing. Unless one is confident in their own strength or has powerful backing.
"No wonder so many people gather on the 0th floor. It's not only human cultivators, but also many other races!" He Yiming finally understood something that had puzzled him before.
"If this is your first time entering the Divine Demon Tower and you don't have strong backing, I suggest you don't stay on this level for too long. Learn about the situation and find backing before you start climbing!" Long Wu earnestly advised.
"Yeah, understood! Thank you!" He Yiming genuinely expressed his gratitude.
At that moment...
"Swoosh!" A massive staircase suddenly appeared, leading directly to the vortex of flowing light at the top.
"If you want to proceed to the next level, you can use this Ascension Staircase," the voice from the previous night sounded again.
Without saying a word, many who had passed the test turned and stepped onto the staircase.
"I hope that fate will allow us to meet again!" Long Wu nodded, then slowly walked toward the staircase as well.
He Yiming noticed that most of those who didn't hesitate to step onto the staircase were of different races!
There were demons, dragons, ghosts, and spirits among them!
Clearly, these individuals were all younger generations of their respective races and came to provide assistance. Hence, they didn't have any hesitation.
The remaining individuals were pondering. After some hesitation, they too chose to step onto the staircase.
He Yiming glanced at the task, then contemplated for a moment.
"Third Elder Speed Vegeta!"
"Disciple is here!"
"I command you to stay behind for now. Don't go up. Stay on this 0th floor, gather information, and grasp all known information about the Divine Demon Tower, including the distribution of power. The more detailed, the better!"
"Yes!"
... After arranging everything, He Yiming led the six of them out of the inner tower, returning to the vast space of the outer tower.
After giving some additional instructions, He Yiming let Speed Vegeta lead the team, including Theory Master, to gather information.
He Yiming himself opened the gate to the Upper Realm and stepped through. Once he returned to the Flame Emperor Sect, he looked at the system's task.
"Legendary Sect Mission! Rise of the Flame Emperor Sect! Become the First Sect in Central Province and gain the allegiance of the Nine Domains of Central Province. Task Progress: 4.5%."
"Target 2: Conquer three new territories in the Ten Thousand Demon Realm and establish three new cities. Task Progress: 2/3."
"Target 3: Proceed to the Divine Demon Tower and have at least six disciples obtain the Climber's Title. Task Progress: 6/6."
"... The task remains."
"Leave the Ten Thousand Demon Realm to the players of the third test. The climber's task in the Divine Demon Tower is completed. Only the task of gaining the allegiance of the Nine Domains of Central Province is left..." He Yiming calculated briefly.
With that in mind, since the 0th floor test of the Divine Demon Tower was the Primordial Flood, and the tests of the other True Spirits were likely to be the other four calamities of heaven's will, He Yiming had a staggering idea.
That idea was to increase the progress of Target 3 by a thousandfold!
This way, the rewards from the system task would definitely exceed imagination!
But the premise was to become the top sect in Central Province and gain the allegiance of the Nine Domains of Central Province.
In other words, he needed to win the hearts of the people in Central Province!
"With my current strength, it's too easy to subdue all of Central Province!" But now he needed to gain their loyalty, to solidify their will. Using brute force to suppress them might make a few submit, but it might also stir up resentment among the majority!" He Yiming contemplated, formulating several plans.
It seemed that disciple interaction had some effect, but relying on it alone to complete the task was clearly futile.
He needed to employ other means!
For instance...
Preaching!
Having mastered the Dao of Source Pills, the Dao of Source Arrays, and the Dao of Source Artifacts, simply touching on these topics in his preaching would be enough to convince many cultivators.
Another approach was to establish trade and exchange spiritual materials with the Nine Great Holy Lands. He could even consider collecting spiritual materials and receiving compensation to refine pills, craft artifacts, and set up formations for the Nine Great Holy Lands – a mutually beneficial arrangement.
On this foundation, he could display his strength appropriately and deter the Nine Great Holy Lands when necessary. After all, this was a world of cultivation, and some level of forceful demonstration was needed!
With some further refinements in details...
"Hmm, in this way, the system task should be completed smoothly!" He Yiming secretly thought.
Thus, He Yiming began his preparations.
Almost simultaneously...
Outside the passage to the inner tower.
At this moment, thousands of figures had gathered here, with most emitting powerful auras. Leading them were four incomparably strong existences!
Half-Step Nascent Soul stage!
"That brat He Yiming didn't come up? Damn, it's all thanks to that dragon brat for being too talkative!"
"Hmph, not coming up today doesn't mean he won't come up forever!"
"True, not every lower realm cultivator can achieve Nascent Soul stage in their lifetime! After all, not every lower realm has the Great Secret Realm of Chaotic Star Sea, and even that realm can't be entered anytime!"
... These four Half-Step Nascent Soul experts exchanged a few words, not showing any impatience.
The news of He Yiming entering the Divine Demon Tower to start climbing had quickly reached them due to the many informants throughout the 0th floor. As a result, they formed this formation to wait at the entrance.
He Yiming would undoubtedly pass through here if he climbed up.
Naturally, their intentions were far from benevolent.
Meanwhile, several thousand meters away, hidden in a corner, a red-haired old man with a chilling murderous intent in his eyes stared toward the exit of the inner tower.
"He Yiming, even without evidence, the death of Chih Mo is undoubtedly related to you! I know the strength of Liu Daozi, the Sixth Son, very well. He's definitely not Chih Mo's match! And that damn Mu Xueying, responsible for my son Chih Mo's death, must be involved... You two despicable scoundrels, I won't let you off!" This old man exuded a terrifying aura, but he kept it well-contained, not revealing it to anyone else. Ten days passed in this manner...