CHAPTER 672: SIX HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-TWO CULTIVATION TESTS

"This..."

Upon hearing the old guard’s suggestion to apologize for the second time, Pan Rulong naturally couldn’t refuse as outright as before. But as a person of such pride, to show such a servile attitude now, wouldn’t that make him the laughingstock of others?

"Your Highness, you must consider more for the King and the Chongyun Empire!"

The old guard glanced fearfully in a certain direction. Seeing that the shabbily dressed youth remained indifferent to his words, his mind turned even colder as he advised once more.

"Forget it!"

When Pan Rulong heard the old guard mentioning the King and the Chongyun Empire, the last sliver of dignity in his heart was finally shattered to pieces. Thinking about the terrifying rumors regarding Yun Xiao, he believed that the future of both the Chongyun Empire and his own royal lineage hinged on his very thoughts.

"Lord Yun Xiao, today it was I, Pan Rulong, who was blind and failed to recognize you. I beg you to forgive my insignificant offense and spare me this once!"

Now that he had made his decision, Pan Rulong would not hesitate. His words were quite earnest, yet there was no response from the shabbily dressed youth.

Truth be told, Yun Xiao was not someone who only takes blows without retaliating. Today, if Pan Rulong’s cultivation was slightly weaker, wouldn’t he have been beaten to a severe injury?

Since it was so, there must be a corresponding price to pay. If everyone acted like Pan Rulong, bullying when they could and simply apologizing when defeated, wouldn’t that make villains flourish and the good suffer?

"Yun Xiao, one should bear the consequences of one’s actions. I was wrong today; you may kill or flay me—it’s all up to you. But please, do not let your anger affect the Chongyun Empire because of this!"

Seeing that the youth still did not respond, Pan Rulong was not a fool; he knew that Yun Xiao’s anger had not subsided. With a mixture of fear and determination, he uttered those words.

Bang!

As soon as he finished speaking, without even waiting for Yun Xiao to act, Pan Rulong raised his right palm and viciously struck his own chest. His breath hitched, and he collapsed onto the ground.

"Pfft!"

A mouthful of crimson blood sprayed from Pan Rulong’s mouth, giving off a bloody scent. Witnessing this scene, the onlooking crowd was somewhat moved, commenting inwardly that although this man acted arrogantly, he was indeed staunch and unyielding.

"Forget it!"

Seeing Pan Rulong’s actions, for some reason, the anger in Yun Xiao’s heart dissipated by more than half almost instantly. He felt somewhat disinterested and simply waved his hand, easing the tension of the few people around him.

Truth be told, with Yun Xiao’s current strength, he doesn’t even consider the true top figures of the Hidden Dragon Continent. Let alone an individual in the Spirit Vein Realm Late Stage.

Yun Xiao’s Power of Soul was extremely formidable. If Pan Rulong’s self-inflicted palm strike had contained any deceit, Yun Xiao would definitely not have overlooked the matter so easily. Since Pan Rulong had been so ruthless to himself, let bygones be bygones.

"Sister Mo Qing, do you know if there is anything else we need to do to enter the Boundary Tower?"

This was already the second time Yun Xiao had asked such a question. However, before Mo Qing could answer the previous query, Pan Rulong had interrupted, leading to the subsequent events.

Now, upon hearing Yun Xiao’s query again, no one viewed him as a bumpkin any longer. Besides, even if he were a bumpkin, he was a bumpkin no one dared to provoke. Such is the deterrence brought by strength.

"It seems we need a Boundary Crossing Token, but I don’t know where to get it!"

Mo Qing knew some things, but it was also her first time in Boundary City, so she simply shrugged her shoulders. As for Ling Wan and Little Dragon by her side, they were completely in the dark.

"Lord Yun Xiao, I know where to get the Boundary Crossing Tokens. Would you allow me to guide you there?"

Just as Yun Xiao was pondering his next move, a voice suddenly came. A short middle-aged man quickly appeared, prompting envy and regret among the bystanders.

This was clearly an opportunity to curry favor with a chosen one of heaven, and they had let it slip by. At that moment, everyone watching the short middle-aged man leading the way couldn’t help feeling a mix of enviable jealousy.

Yun Xiao didn’t have so many thoughts. Given that someone was offering to guide them, it would naturally save them a lot of trouble. So, amid the odd gazes of the crowd, they went behind the Sky-reaching Boundary Tower.

The Boundary Tower had a rather large diameter, so as they circled to the back of the tower, Yun Xiao felt as if he had entered another world. A majestic hall stood tall—it seemed to be the place where Boundary Crossing Tokens were issued.

"Lord Yun Xiao, you can obtain a Boundary Crossing Token inside this hall. It’s inappropriate for me to go in!"

The short middle-aged man spoke with ever-increasing respect, but when he saw that the other party didn’t even ask his name before entering the hall, he couldn’t help feeling a bit disappointed.

In fact, it’s only necessary to announce one’s arrival at the token distribution point behind the Boundary Tower. This stout middle-aged man who took it upon himself to guide the way simply wanted Yun Xiao to notice him, right?

However, for such a trivial matter, Yun Xiao wouldn’t care at all because it didn’t even count as a small favor. Even without the stout middle-aged man, asking anyone would have made things instantly clear.

Ignoring the stout middle-aged man’s dejected mood, Yun Xiao led the group into the hall. But as soon as he entered, he felt a peculiar aura sweep over him, and his heart chilled for a moment.

Fortunately, whether it was the Golden Snake Worm or some other items, Yun Xiao had concealed them expertly. The sensors of the hall were ultimately unable to detect these things inside his body.

The hall inside was very spacious. At the highest seat, there sat an elderly man with white beard and hair. His eyes, which had been slightly closed, suddenly opened upon the group’s entrance, emitting two invisible sharp glints, which somewhat contrasted his frail, aged appearance.

"Qi Seeking Realm Middle Stage powerhouse!"

The moment Yun Xiao saw the elder, he sensed something and knew that this was a super-strong practitioner, even more powerful than Xuan Haoran and Nie Wencang.

Above the Spirit Vein Realm is the Earth Rank Third Realm, and within the Qi Seeking Realm, which is the first tier of the Earth Rank, there are also four subdivisions: the Early Stage, Middle Stage, Late Stage, and Peak. The difference between each realm is immense.

This is about the proficiency in controlling Earth Power. Each additional wisp of Earth Power a Qi Seeking Realm Cultivator can harness multiplies their strength manyfold.

Thus, in Yun Xiao’s estimate, if Nie Wencang or Xie Jiupeng were to face this white-haired elder, they probably wouldn’t last three moves before admitting defeat.

"Truly worthy of being the Controller of the Boundary Tower!"

At this moment, Yun Xiao had already realized that this white-haired elder probably didn’t belong to any power or Sect of the Hidden Dragon Continent. Instead, he was more likely a strong practitioner from the Tenglong Continent, sent to guard the Boundary Tower.

"Are you here to challenge the Boundary Tower?"

The elder didn’t seem to care about their astonished gazes, but directly asked. After all these years, he must have asked the same question countless times.

Indeed, the elder’s question was redundant. Since they were here, who wasn’t here to challenge the Boundary Tower? It was just a routine question.

"Come up one at a time. Place your right hand under this Crystal Ball, and then release your Meridian Qi without restraint. Remember, without any suppression!"

Seeing the leader among them, a youth in coarse clothing, nod, the white-haired elder then pointed to a floating crystal clear Crystal Ball next to him.

Yun Xiao didn’t say much. To him, this should be a device to test the level of Meridian Qi. After all, to challenge the Boundary Tower, one must at least be at the Spirit Vein Realm Early Stage.

"Ling Wan, you try it first!"

Yun Xiao patted Ling Wan’s shoulder, and the latter stepped forward a few paces, placing his right palm under the Crystal Ball. He then released the Meridian Qi from his body without any suppression.

Swoosh!

A dazzling light burst out from above the Crystal Ball, illuminating the entire hall. And within those bright lights, Yun Xiao noticed something different.

Ling Wan was a Mixed Element One Qi Body, a rarity even in the Nine-layered Dragon Cloud, so the Meridian Qi he cultivated was very different from that of ordinary Cultivators. That was the main reason he could fight above his level and remain undefeated.

"Eh?"

Just as Yun Xiao nodded secretly, the white-haired elder, who had appeared indifferent, suddenly emitted a sharp glint from his old eyes as if he had discovered something surprising.

"This young man’s Meridian Qi seems quite extraordinary!"

As the host of this hall and guardian of the Boundary Tower, this elder had seen countless Cultivators and numerous young talents throughout the years.

But the Meridian Qi unleashed by Ling Wan was entirely different from those he had seen before. He had reason to believe that with such a special aura, this chubby young man would be much stronger than other Cultivators of the same level.

Of course, the white-haired elder from Tenglong Continent, with only the strength of the Qi Seeking Realm Middle Stage, didn’t know that such a special aura was the legendary Mixed Element Qi. His perception couldn’t compare with Yun Xiao’s, who possessed the memories of the Nine-layered Dragon Cloud.

"It’s enough. This is your Boundary Crossing Token. Keep it safe!"

Moments later, the white-haired elder’s emotional thoughts subsided, and he finally spoke. At the same time, he took out a plain-looking wooden token from his Waist Storage. Judging by the context, this seemed to be the Boundary Crossing Token that allowed entry into the Boundary Tower.

"Keep the Boundary Crossing Token safe. It’s not just your pass to enter the Boundary Tower. In times of danger inside the tower, just crush the token, and you’ll be teleported out immediately. Of course, that also means this trial in the Boundary Tower will be considered a failure."

The white-bearded elder spoke these words fluently, having said them many times before. Upon hearing this, Yun Xiao and his group realized that the Boundary Tower was not all smooth sailing; there were many inherent dangers to face.