A Step Away from Victory

After some deliberation, Jiang Wanshang chose a Mystic-grade sword and raised her cultivation level to the fifth rank of Mortal Awakening.

Dealing with gray wolves that hadn't even unlocked their spiritual wisdom didn't require excessive power. If she couldn't handle them with her current setup, she felt her years at Soaring Cloud Academy had been wasted.

Besides, the first floor of the Tower of Trials had cultivation restrictions. In simple mode, the maximum allowed cultivation level was the peak of Mortal Awakening.

There was, however, another critical reason for her choices: the items in the game's store were outrageously expensive!

A Yellow-grade weapon cost one spirit crystal. A Mystic-grade weapon? Ten spirit crystals. An Earth-grade weapon? One hundred spirit crystals. Each level increased the price tenfold!

Although Jiang Wanshang was wealthy, she wasn't reckless. Spending so many spirit crystals on an untested game felt foolish, even to her.

Thankfully, adjusting cultivation to levels lower than one's original strength was free.

As someone already at the third rank of Soul Dominion, Jiang Wanshang adjusted her power to the fifth rank of Mortal Awakening and began the challenge.

Gripping the sword tightly, she braced herself.

"Oooh!"

The familiar howl of a wolf echoed through the air, instantly sharpening her focus.

"They're here!"

Taking a deep breath, her eyes gleamed with determination as a giant wolf emerged, charging straight toward her.

She dodged swiftly, her left arm supporting her body on the ground while her right arm, driven by her core, swung the sword.

A cold glint swept across the wolf's underbelly. Jiang Wanshang could feel the resistance as her blade sliced through flesh.

The wolf let out a pained whimper before collapsing.

But there was no time to relax. She knew this was just the beginning.

Moments later, three more wolves appeared in her line of sight.

"Bring it on!"

Fueled by anger after countless deaths in this same scene, Jiang Wanshang charged forward.

Her movements were swift and agile, weaving through the wolves' attacks like a phantom. With each strike of her sword, new wounds marred the wolves' bodies.

In just over a dozen breaths, the final wolf fell to the ground with a dull thud.

Panting, Jiang Wanshang smiled as her flushed cheeks showed a mixture of exhaustion and triumph.

"The simple mode of the first floor of the Tower of Trials has been cleared. Would you like to challenge the normal mode?"

The message appeared before her.

Excitement surged through her veins. Without hesitation, she nodded.

"Challenge!"

---

Meanwhile, Bu Lige was in the thick of battle, his body covered in wounds. A massive wolf stood before him, its fierce eyes locked onto his.

Four other wolf corpses lay scattered around them.

The giant wolf wasn't in great shape either. Its body was riddled with injuries, and one of its legs was completely crippled.

"Die already!"

Bu Lige roared and charged, his eyes blazing with determination. He had lost count of how many times he had fallen here. Now, only one enemy remained. Victory was within reach!

Lost in the intensity of the fight, he didn't notice the system's warning.

Just as his blade was about to deliver the final blow, his vision blurred, and he suddenly found himself back in the starting area.

Staring at the now-familiar space, Bu Lige's expression shifted from confusion to devastation and finally to fury.

"The daily game time limit has been reached! The game is now ending!"

"WHAT?!"

Realization struck him like a hammer. He had been one step—just one step—from clearing the first floor!

His anguished cry echoed through the room:

"NOOO! Just one more! I almost had it!"