Daoling's eyes turned cold. These people were truly detestable, causing trouble again and again. But he had no time to deal with them now—with a flicker, he vanished.
A dozen men lay howling on the ground. Jian Xiaoxiao was shocked. What opportunity had he gained in just a month to grow so powerful that his strength was beyond her reckoning?
The crowd stood frozen, scalps tingling. What kind of might was that? A single punch had sent over a dozen men flying, and several had even exploded on the spot.
The power of that fist was terrifying!
Wu Hongsheng was nearly scared to death, feeling as if he'd faced the Martial Emperor. His legs trembled, and he dared not pursue—Daoling's might was too fearsome, like watching a supreme being unleash wrath.
The nine-story Spirit Pagoda stood tall, surrounded by bustling crowds in Qingzhou City's liveliest district. Elders in the void discussed runes, but the atmosphere felt strange.
"Strange... The runes are growing weaker, as if fading," an elder emerged from the void, his aura terrifying, frowning in confusion.
"I sense it too—the runes are vanishing, and the pagoda's aura is weakening," another fearsome figure appeared, absorbing starlight, their eyes shining with astonishment.
Powerhouses who had meditated here for years awoke,惊疑不定 (anxious and uncertain). This was unprecedented, infuriating them—many were at critical stages of comprehension when the runes began to fade.
The pagoda's runes were immensely profound, driving even veteran experts to frustration. Daoling had only grasped皮毛（a mere trifle）, but legend said mastering them would unleash world-destroying might.
A group of powerhouses hovered in the void, staring at the pagoda with growing shock. A catastrophe was unfolding: the runes were disappearing!
"Impossible! I just fled from Fire State, and their pagoda remains intact. Why is this one changing?" a powerhouse who had crossed the void exclaimed in disbelief.
The Spirit Pagoda was ancient, never showing such changes—a reality they struggled to accept.
"Heavens! The pagoda's energy is weakening. What's happening?"
"Even the first floor's energy is gone. What's wrong with the Spirit Pagoda? Why is there no pressure?"
People poured out, faces perplexed as discussions roared, shaking the clouds above. This was too bizarre.
A powerhouse sent their clan's mightiest to investigate, and the news left everyone stunned: the golden passage on the ninth floor had vanished!
"Report! Great news, Elder Patriarch—the ninth floor's rule pressure has dissipated!" A vigorous youth rode a sword into the sky, shouting with狂喜 (ecstasy).
"What?" The old monsters nearly died of shock, eyes bulging. What did this portend?
The ninth floor held惊天 (earth-shattering) inheritances. It was said the Martial Emperor had gained a heaven-defying inheritance there, but accessing it was near-impossible due to the crushing rules. Now that the rules were gone, anyone could attempt to claim the inheritances!
Those inheritances were of astounding origin, and everyone coveted them. This should be cause for celebration.
Powerhouses grinned, ready to seal the news and monopolize the ninth floor's inheritance halls.
"Report! Disaster, Elder Patriarch—the tenth floor's golden passage has vanished!" The three-eyed being approached, face filled with dread. The tenth floor's passage gone? If the ninth floor had inheritances, what lay in the tenth?
"Seal the Spirit Pagoda now!" A fearsome figure appeared above the pagoda, thunder roaring from the vertical eye in their forehead, where suns, moons, and stars swirled.
Powerhouses gathered, all大惊失色 (greatly alarmed). Though they didn't know what the tenth floor held, ancient records hinted at peerless treasures buried there.
Had someone stolen the tenth floor's treasure, causing the ninth floor's rules to dissipate?
They couldn't take the risk. With the news not yet spread, they ordered a total blockade—the fewer who knew, the greater their advantage.
"Thank goodness," Daoling stood afar, heart pounding as he saw powerhouses rushing toward the pagoda, likely to seal the space. Chaos was about to erupt.
He knew the secret wouldn't stay hidden long, soon triggering widespread turmoil. With few inheritance halls left on the ninth floor, bloody battles for them were inevitable.
"Hmph, what's there to be grateful for?" Jian Xiaoxiao, clad in golden armor, her snow-white skin glowing, approached with a cold snort.
"Are you annoying? Why keep following me?" Daoling tensed. She knew he'd been to the ninth floor. "Do you have a crush on me?" he blurted boldly.
Jian Xiaoxiao's rosy lips twitched, and her golden greatsword vibrated wildly. "Little thief, speak nonsense again, and I'll tear your mouth apart!"
"Such a fiery temper—you'll never get married," Daoling teased, aiming to distract her. If the truth came out, disaster would strike.
"Despicable wretch!" Jian Xiaoxiao trembled, knuckles cracking, but she was clever enough to avoid bickering. Instead, she smiled rarely: "You went to the ninth floor, and now the pagoda has changed. This is your doing."
"Don't make baseless accusations," Daoling's face darkened, his heart racing. This woman was powerful, and he needed to escape.
"I say it is. If I shout now, many will want to 'invite' you for tea," Jian Xiaoxiao said mischievously, golden light shimmering around her, sword qi occasionally flashing in her eyes—her ancient technique was unfathomable.
"You're just mad I didn't share the Life Essence Liquid. Now you're slandering me," Daoling fretted, fearing she'd actually shout.
Jian Xiaoxiao seethed—how dare he mention that! They'd been allies against the three-eyed being, only for him and the purple-haired youth to flee with the treasure.
Baring her white teeth, she smiled: "I'm proud of my patience. Staying on the ninth floor a month let me uncover this secret."
"Should I give a little shout?" She twirled a lock of hair, glancing at a fearsome shadow in the void, lowering her voice deliberately.
Daoling sighed deeply, wearing a heartbroken expression, as if he'd lost a treasure.
Jian Xiaoxiao grew wary. "What's wrong?" she asked.
"Don't mention it. Wanna know what I encountered on the ninth floor?" Daoling winked, gesturing to a nearby alley.
Curious about the pagoda's异变 (abnormality), Jian Xiaoxiao followed.
"I met a terrifying expert!" Daoling said gravely, making up stories. "The ninth floor's rules emanated from his body."
" Impossible," Jian Xiaoxiao frowned, shaking her head. "Don't lie to me. Spill the truth."
"True! But he was sealed," Daoling hurried to add.
"Sealed by what?" she pressed.
"No idea," Daoling shrugged. Jian Xiaoxiao nearly exploded, but he continued: "I freed him, and he gave me three drops of golden Life Essence Liquid!"
"Golden?!" Jian Xiaoxiao's eyes narrowed, excitement shimmering. "Show me!"
"Since we've shared adversity, I'll give you one drop," Daoling said grandly.
Jian Xiaoxiao's long lashes trembled as she watched him take out a jade bottle. Snatching it, she opened it—divine aura surged, making her heart quiver.
"Is this... divine liquid?" She gaped at the golden drop, sensing sacred waves and a golden river of boundless life force within.
As she rejoiced, a sharp pain struck the back of her head. Her eyes rolled up, and she collapsed unconscious.