387 Ascending the Tower, Spirit Wandering
The former site of the Directorate of Astronomy, the First Tower Under Heaven.
Everyone looked at the door leading into the tower. Outside the door sat a mythical beast.
From a distance, it looked like a handsome horse, but on closer look, they realised it had the body of a mule, the head of a horse, the tail of a donkey and the hooves of an ox.
"To ride a thousand miles a day is a horse, to ride ten thousand miles a day is a marvel. This white marvel mythical beast is the mount of Wenchang Dijun," Li Fansong explained.
Fei Xuan and Zitong walked forward at the same time and pressed their hands on the forehead of the white marvel mythical beast. At the same time, they exerted their Great Dragon and Elephant Strength and the eyes of the white marvel mythical beast suddenly lit up. Then, it slowly moved to one side. The tower door suddenly opened and a long sword flew out, aiming straight for the group.
At the same time, the entire First Tower Under Heaven shook on its foundation, looking as if it was going to topple over any time.
Xie Xuan leaped up and stepped just outside the door. He plunged his long sword into the ground, then sat down cross-legged, pressing downwards with both his hands. "Settle."
The entire tower instantly became quiet.
Qi Tianchen chuckled. "If it wasn’t because Mister Xie Xuan doesn’t care for a false reputation, otherwise Luo Qingyang wouldn't be the only one sitting at the top of the Ultimate Experts List."
"State Preceptor must be kidding," Xie Xuan said in a deep voice. "If it wasn’t because the State Preceptor’s skills were greatly reduced, otherwise I wouldn’t have the chance to make a move. The rest of you, I can’t hold this for long either. Go quickly and return soon."
"Let’s go." Xiao Se walked forward and Lei Wujie hurried to follow right behind him. But, Li Fansong stood in place, looking somewhat at a loss.
"Do you think your shifu, I, am spending so much energy to suppress this tower just for the sake of doing good deeds for other people? Some people are about to take one step into Spirit Wandering, why are you still hesitating there?" Xie Xuan said wryly.
Li Fansong hurriedly responded, and followed after Lei Wujie and Xiao Se.
"Wait," Qi Tianchen suddenly called out to stop them.
"Does State Preceptor have further instructions?" Xiao Se turned his head and asked.
Qi Tianchen walked forward and took a small package from Zitong's back. Zitong hurriedly grabbed onto the package and said anxiously, "Shifu, you said this was mine."
"Silly boy, if I didn’t tell you that, would you have been willing to help shifu carry it all the way? Don't worry, I’ll buy more for you." Qi Tianchen rubbed Zitong's head.
Zitong pursed his mouth, and after hesitating for a while, he reluctantly passed the package over.
Qi Tianchen opened the package, took out a sweet pancake, and gave it to Zitong. "If you’re so stingy, how are you going to be a celestial master in the future?"
"I don't want to be a celestial master." Zitong curled his lips.
"Well, I don't want to be the State Preceptor either." Qi Tianchen took out another sweet pancake and gave it to Fei Xuan. He took out another one and kept it for himself before handing the package to Xiao Se. "I don’t know how many days it’ll take before you come down the tower. It’s rare for this tower to open up, so don’t go hungry on the road."
Xiao Se probably didn't expect the State Preceptor to call him back so solemnly just for this and he didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He accepted the package and threw it at Lei Wujie before he turned around and walked into the tower.
Seeing the three of them walking into the tower, Qi Tianchen also walked to Xie Xuan's side, swept away the dust on the floor with his horsetail whisk, and sat down cross-legged.
"How many floors do you think they can reach?" Xie Xuan asked.
"Back then, I was able to reach the second floor, so naturally, they won’t have a problem with that. As for the third floor, that will depend on their good fortune." Qi Tianchen brushed off the sweet pancake in his hand and prepared to eat it.
"State Preceptor," Xie Xuan suddenly called him.
"What is it?" Qi Tianchen asked.
"Why do all three of you have a sweet pancake but I don’t?" Xie Xuan asked seriously.
Qi Tianchen looked at the sweet pancake in his hand, and then glanced over at Zitong. Zitong immediately took a big bite out of his sweet pancake and turned his back to him.
"Fei Xuan is a good boy." Qi Tianchen smiled and looked at Fei Xuan.
Fei Xuan nodded, then spread his hands. "But I’ve already finished eating mine."
Qi Tianchen sighed heavily, then reluctantly split the sweet pancake in his hand into halves. He handed one half to Xie Xuan. "Mister, please help yourself."
Xie Xuan accepted the sweet pancake and said softly, "State Preceptor, your half has the sweet filling inside."
"That’s life, ah. Something that looks very fair is not fair inside. This fight for the throne is the same," Qi Tianchen said while taking a bite of his sweet pancake.
"State Preceptor’s words are very profound." Xie Xuan also took a bite from his sweet pancake. "That’s what I’d definitely say, if this was the first time I'm meeting the State Preceptor."
Inside the First Tower Under Heaven.
They entered the first door, but another door stood in their way.
Although it’s called a door, it was actually just a large plaque.
On the plaque was written two words - Heavenly Revelations.
Central Shu, Tang Clan.
"Unrivaled City has gathered a large number of men, and they’re heading towards Snow Moon City. The present citymaster of Unrivaled City has opened the Unrivaled Sword Casket and entered the Ultimate Experts List. Apparently, he’s just a young man. In addition, those five old men who haven’t left their homes in a long time have also come along. They’ve amassed a large force this time, but according to rumours, Snow Moon City only has one citymaster left guarding the city. People in the martial world have already decided that the number one in the martial world is about to change," Tang Qisha said.
Tang Lianyue stood in the courtyard and shook his head. "They have underestimated Snow Moon City. Snow Moon City has a deep foundation, deeper than its three citymasters."
"The older generation of Snow Moon City’s martial experts would have died back then, during the Demonic Cult’s Eastern Incursion. Otherwise, they’ve gone wandering around the world, ignoring matters of the martial world. Would any of them come and help?" Tang Qisha asked.
"I don't know about them, but there is a sect that will definitely send their people to help," Tang Lianyue said slowly.
"Who?" Tang Qisha refuted. "Lei Clan Fort? I heard that Lei Hong has secluded himself to train his sword and hasn't appeared for a long time. Or do you mean the old-established Wen Clan? Given their relationship with Baili Dongjun, they will indeed lend a hand. "
"Neither. I was talking about the Tang Clan," Tang Lianyue said slowly.
Tang Qisha was stunned. "At a time like this, are we still siding with Snow Moon City? It’s just Lei Clan Fort… this time we forged a blood feud with Lei Clan Fort. No one will allow either to stand on the same side as the other."
"The number one under Heaven can be anyone else, but it cannot be Unrivaled City. There’s no longer any possibility of peace between us and Lei Clan Fort, but some disputes just have to be left for the future." Tang Lianyue turned around and asked suddenly, "Are your preparations ready?"
A young man in black stood behind him, seeming to have been waiting for a long time. He nodded and said, "Just waiting for Teacher to give the order."
"The moon looks good tonight. Set off, then," Tang Lianyue said mildly.
"Obeying Teacher’s command with respect." The young man bowed his head and responded, then turned around swiftly. For a moment, a bronze token at his waist flashed faintly in the moonlight.
There seemed to be a tortoise carved on it, but there was also a long snake coiled around the tortoise.