The Tower’s Second Trial
"There are such powerful figures in Nine Stars City?!"
Gu Yunxi's face lit up with surprise as she processed Jiang Wanshang's account.
If the Heavenly Star Emperor, a pinnacle Pathseeker, treated this mysterious figure with such deference, didn't that mean the person's strength was at least at the Eminence level?
"But it's a pity," Jiang Wanshang sighed, her tone tinged with regret. "The person vanished by tearing space. Nobody knows where they went."
Gu Yunxi smirked, her eyes gleaming mischievously. "Why? Did the legendary figure capture your heart, Miss Jiang? You did say they don't seem much older than us!"
"You little brat!" Jiang Wanshang's face flushed bright red. Embarrassed and flustered, she retaliated with playful aggression.
Gu Yunxi, not one to back down, laughed and fought back, the two trading lighthearted blows.
After a while, the girls composed themselves and left Drunken Moon Pavilion, their minds on one destination: the owner's shop.
The allure of mysterious goods and games that could enhance cultivation was too tempting to ignore.
Before long, they reached the familiar alley. Unlike their last visit, the shop's owner wasn't outside.
Undeterred, they entered the alley and arrived at Origin Mall.
To their surprise, both Luo Chuan and his enigmatic assistant, Yao Ziyan, were deeply immersed in the Tower of Trial, their helmets firmly in place.
Gu Yunxi was about to call out to Yao Ziyan, but Jiang Wanshang stopped her.
"Wait, let's see how far they've gotten first."
Having overheard others address Yao Ziyan as "Sister Ziyan," Jiang Wanshang decided to follow suit.
Gu Yunxi's curiosity only grew, and she nodded enthusiastically. Both girls were eager to glimpse the mysterious boss and his stunning, otherworldly assistant in action.
Soon, their eyes widened in amazement as they saw Yao Ziyan's screen.
"Is this the second level of the Tower of Trial?!" Gu Yunxi exclaimed. "The opponent is the Golden-Crowned Snake from the Nine Stars Mountains!"
The Golden-Crowned Snake was a terrifying serpent-like monster that could grow to several meters in length when fully matured. Its strength was said to rival that of seasoned Origin Mastery.
What made these creatures even more fearsome was their tendency to appear in groups—dozens at a time! Their signature feature was the golden crown on their foreheads, which also happened to be their sole weak point.
On the screen, Yao Ziyan was surrounded by over a dozen Golden-Crowned Snakes, their glistening crowns shimmering ominously.
"There's no way she can beat them... right?!" Gu Yunxi muttered, her disbelief growing.
In the Tower of Trial, although the Golden-Crowned Snakes' strength was slightly suppressed, they were still far more formidable than typical monsters.
Unaware of Yao Ziyan's true identity and strength, the girls assumed she had little chance of succeeding.
But the scene unfolding before them shattered their expectations.
Yao Ziyan's weapon of choice was a snow-white blade that shimmered with an icy aura. Holding the elegant weapon in her hand, she exuded confidence.
Despite being encircled by the snakes, there wasn't a trace of fear on her face. Her calm demeanor suggested a mastery of battle strategies.
It wasn't long before the snakes displayed their intelligence.
They divided their roles seamlessly: some launched attacks, others provided support, while the rest focused on defense.
Their movements were precise and calculated. They struck swiftly, retreated immediately, and never left themselves vulnerable.
It was clear they intended to wear her down through attrition.
Yao Ziyan understood their plan all too well.
If this continued, she would eventually lose. Even her true strength as an Eminence wouldn't guarantee victory against such a methodical onslaught.
Realizing the stakes, Yao Ziyan made her decision.
Rather than wait for the enemy to press its advantage, she chose to seize the initiative.
Her blade gleamed, and she launched herself forward, her movements decisive and swift.
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