Chapter 81: Qitian Acknowledges Its Master, Surpassing the Task

After learning the origin of the purple flame, Ke Bei’s heart grew cold as ice. Even a mighty warrior of the God of War realm could not withstand a wisp of the Netherworld Purple Flame—how could he hope to resist it? Fortunately, he possessed the profound power of the Nine Yang Divine Skill. Although he did not know why, the blazing internal force of the Nine Yang Divine Skill seemed to offer a slight resistance to the Netherworld Purple Flame.

Though his ability to resist was feeble, without the Nine Yang Divine Skill, Ke Bei would have been reduced to ashes in an instant. Yet the internal force from the first six layers of the Nine Yang Divine Skill was far too weak against the Netherworld Purple Flame. Had he achieved the perfect realm, perhaps he could have lasted long enough for the Tower of Ascension to acknowledge him as its master. Sadly, his Nine Yang Divine Skill had only reached the sixth layer. If he could endure for but another instant, the recognition by the Tower of Ascension would be complete! But in that fleeting moment, Ke Bei could hold out no longer.

“What should I do? What should I do?”

Feeling the dwindling internal force in his palm, reduced to a single thread, Ke Bei grew frantic, desperately circulating the Nine Yang Divine Skill. It recovered quickly, but its restoration was far slower than its consumption.

“One second! Just give me one more second!”

Sensing his internal force draining away, Ke Bei howled with all his strength.

“Am I content? To die so obscurely—I am not!”

“Roar!”

“Hurry! Hurry up!”

His eyes bloodshot, feeling the purple flame about to touch his palm, Ke Bei shouted in madness. He could sense the golden miniature tower at his brow had taken shape; only the final step remained for the recognition to be complete.

Sss—

The last thread of Nine Yang internal force was finally depleted. The Netherworld Purple Flame fell upon Ke Bei’s palm!

“Vitality Cultivation Technique!”

Just as the purple flame descended, a sudden spark of insight flashed through Ke Bei’s mind. The Vitality Cultivation Technique gathered internal force quickly, though this force never accumulated in the dantian; as soon as it arose, it flowed throughout the body, nourishing and strengthening the flesh.

In the instant between life and death, it was too late to continue cultivating the Nine Yang Divine Skill. Ke Bei knew only two techniques—Nine Yang and Vitality Cultivation. Since the Nine Yang was spent, the only thing he could rely on was the Vitality Cultivation Technique!

When life hangs by a thread, one must try anything. Ke Bei refused to die passively; even with a sliver of hope, he would fight with all his might.

Boom!

The Vitality Cultivation Technique ran wild, generating a surge of internal force in his dantian. As soon as it appeared, it rushed throughout his body.

Sss—

As the internal force from the Vitality Cultivation Technique flooded his limbs and was about to begin strengthening his body, the Netherworld Purple Flame finally struck his palm.

Without the protection of internal force, the purple flame pierced through Ke Bei’s palm and surged into his body.

Sss sss—

The wisp of purple flame swiftly traveled along his meridians toward his mind, scorching everything in its path, turning his muscles and meridians into blackened charcoal.

Fortunately, at this moment, Ke Bei’s muscles, bones, and limbs were covered by the internal force of the Vitality Cultivation Technique. Though not robust, it was enough to offer slight resistance against the Netherworld Purple Flame.

Otherwise, Ke Bei would already have been reduced to ashes!

Ke Bei had gambled correctly! The Vitality Cultivation Technique did indeed provide a bit of effect—though minor, it bought him about a second.

A second is fleeting, gone in the blink of an eye. Yet this brief second saved Ke Bei’s life!

Boom!

At the instant the internal force covering his limbs was exhausted, the golden miniature tower at his brow was fully formed. It trembled lightly, and the massive, jet-black Tower of Ascension outside also shuddered.

Immediately, it was as if some connection had formed between the two; fine golden threads shot from Ke Bei’s brow, instantly enveloping his whole body.

In a flash, a golden imprint was deeply engraved in Ke Bei’s soul. The purple flame suddenly became docile, happily coursing through his body. Ke Bei felt no heat; the Netherworld Purple Flame flowed gently through him, a warm aura rippling within.

As the golden imprint formed, Ke Bei was suddenly struck by a realization—as if he was now the master of the entire Tower of Ascension, able to control it at will.

Buzz—

Within the deep blue pool, the purple flames atop the lotus surged upward, instantly shooting toward Ke Bei.

Pop—

Silently, the wisps of purple flame flew straight into the golden miniature tower at Ke Bei’s brow.

The Tower of Ascension had recognized its master!

Ke Bei snapped open his eyes, his fists tightening slightly, his face blurred with the confusion of awakening from a dream.

“The Tower of Ascension… this—is it really mine?”

Standing atop a golden lotus platform, a subtle golden light flickered deep within Ke Bei’s eyes. The scene from the second floor of the Tower of Ascension appeared clearly in his mind.

He ‘saw’ Luo Ling, standing on tiptoe and peering upward, and the others of the Azure Dragon Ranking, frowning quietly before the black stone pillars, studying their strange patterns.

Everything within the Tower of Ascension seemed to be under his control. This absolute sense of mastery filled Ke Bei with exhilaration.

“Ah… but I don’t have the strength to wield the Tower yet.”

Ke Bei stroked the dark tower, shaking his head in disappointment.

After the Tower of Ascension recognized him as its master, information about the tower flooded into his mind. Ke Bei knew that, with his current strength, activating the tower was utterly impossible. Even with all the internal force from the Nine Yang Divine Skill, he could not move it an inch!

The Tower of Ascension was a divine artifact—one at the very pinnacle. To wield it was no easy task. Even a God of War, unless at the peak of that realm, would struggle to drive the tower.

The energy required to move the tower was enormous. The strength of a typical God of War was limited; only those at the summit, their energy vast as the sea, were qualified to wield it.

Ke Bei was still far from that level…

“It’s time to go. The Tower of Ascension must remain here for now. When my strength is sufficient, I’ll take it away.”

Ke Bei gazed deeply at the tower, shook his head helplessly, and sighed. He understood all too well the peril of possessing great treasures. Until he could truly control the Tower of Ascension, he must ensure no one sensed anything amiss. Such a divine artifact would provoke envy even from the highest echelons of humanity.

This secret must be guarded with utmost care!

With these thoughts in mind, Ke Bei looked at the golden staircase leading downward.

“It’s time to go. Luo Ling must be anxious by now.”

As he approached the golden steps leading down, Luo Ling’s cute image, standing on tiptoe and peering upward, floated through Ke Bei’s mind. With a faint smile, he began his descent.

“Congratulations, host, on becoming the master of the Tower of Ascension. The second ring task of the Nine Yang Divine Skill has been completed in excess! The system rewards you with a lottery draw. Would you like to initiate the draw now?”

Just as Ke Bei stepped onto the golden staircase, a crisp voice rang in his mind.

ps: Thanks to 123 Happy Nut, Dao Seeker, Shui Shui, Book Friend 121011805907842, Dripping Leak, Ye Wan’er, Huang Xiaowen, Star Fan 1, Turbulent World (1888) for their generous support, and to the brother Dilapidated Starry Night who said he specifically topped up for me on the mobile Qidian site, as well as the brother Fallen Soul. Apologies to Ye Wan’er for not being able to fulfill the urging votes—the scribe really couldn’t keep up... such a pity, a waste.

Many thanks to all of you for your support. In truth, I don’t receive much of the reward money, but seeing these gifts brings a great sense of recognition and comfort—such a wonderful feeling! Haha... The scribe thanks you all again. If you have the means, toss a yuan or two my way, let me enjoy a bit of happiness, hehe… Actually, just a membership click or a recommendation makes me very happy. Thanks again for your support! I will work hard!