Into the Tower of Trials
Old Bai and Ji Wuhui finished their instant noodles down to the last drop, savoring the spiritual energy surging within their bodies. They let out contented belches, their satisfaction clear.
"Well, how was it?" Luo Chuan asked at the perfect moment.
Ji Wuhui took a deep breath and replied earnestly, "The items in your store are truly extraordinary! Just as described, my sensitivity to the world's spiritual aura has increased tenfold!"
"Everything in the store is worth the price," Luo Chuan responded flatly.
Worth the price? Ji Wuhui and Old Bai both silently thought. No, it's beyond worth the price.
"Thank you, Boss, for your good fortune!" Old Bai said with heartfelt sincerity.
Luo Chuan glanced at him knowingly. He understood what Old Bai meant—after all, it was the life-restoring elixir sold at Origin Mall that had allowed Bai Lao to regain his vitality. With his life force replenished, Bai Lao had managed to break through and achieve ninth grade Pathseeker.
"This was your own opportunity; it has nothing to do with me," Luo Chuan said, shaking his head.
Old Bai smiled wryly. The boss's demeanor remained as aloof as ever.
---
"Huh? Your Majesty?"
A voice of surprise broke the moment.
Ji Wuhui and Old 6 turned toward the door, where Bu Shiyi and Jiang Shengjun stood, staring in disbelief.
Seeing Ji Wuhui, their shock was evident. Even the Emperor himself had come to this shop? The boss's influence was even more remarkable than they had imagined!
"Good morning, Your Majesty," the siblings said in unison after a brief pause to collect themselves.
Ji Wuhui's expression flickered for a moment before settling into a calm smile. As the Emperor of the Star Empire, he was a master of controlling his emotions.
"The young lord of Left Prime Minister's family, and the children of the Southern Protector—why are you at the shop so early?"
The three exchanged glances before Bu Lige stepped forward to answer.
"Your Majesty, three hours in the Tower of Trials is equivalent to a full day of training. Surely you've heard of this?"
Ji Wuhui nodded. Old Bai had already explained the shop's unique features.
"And since there are only ten machines in the store, we come early to make sure we get a turn," Bu Lige added.
Ji Wuhui nodded again, understanding their reasoning. "If that's the case, I should see for myself whether this Tower of Trials is as miraculous as you claim."
---
"Old Bai?"
Hearing Ji Wuhui's call, the three turned their attention to Old Bai, their expressions filled with confusion.
After all, the man standing before them was unrecognizable compared to the elderly figure they had known. His once-white hair was now jet black, and he looked decades younger.
"Don't tell me you don't recognize me?" Old Bai said with a familiar smile.
The tone and face were unmistakably his.
"Old Bai, how do you look so young?" Jiang Shengjun blurted out in disbelief.
"I was fortunate enough to advance to ninth grade Pathseeker yesterday," Bai Lao replied with a smile.
"Ninth grade Pathseeker?! You broke through yesterday?!" the three exclaimed, understanding at last the cause of yesterday's celestial phenomenon.
While this news was already spreading among the major factions, it hadn't yet reached the common cultivators of Nine Stars City.
Old Bai nodded. "It was thanks to the elixir sold in the shop, which replenished my life force and allowed me to make the breakthrough in one fell swoop."
The three turned to Luo Chuan, who remained indifferent as always.
The boss is truly incredible!
"Congratulations, Old Bai!" they said sincerely.
---
Ji Wuhui and Old Bai soon put on their helmets and entered the Tower of Trials.
---
The moment Ji Wuhui entered, he found himself in a pitch-black space. His spiritual power was gone, leaving him momentarily disoriented.
"What's going on?" he murmured, a flicker of panic crossing his mind. But when he realized he could still sense his physical body and the environment outside, he calmed down.
"So, this is the starting space?" Ji Wuhui muttered, looking around at the void. It felt as though he were surrounded by infinite nothingness.
A menu appeared before him, offering the option to create an account. Ji Wuhui wasted no time and selected it.
Suddenly, within the void, two structures materialized. One was a miniature tower, while the other was a circular platform.
Ji Wuhui blinked in confusion.
"What's happening? Old Bai didn't mention this!"
Meanwhile, in another part of the starting space, Old Bai was equally stunned.
"This wasn't here before!" he exclaimed.
The newly appeared platform was something neither of them had expected, adding yet another layer of mystery to the Tower of Trials.
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