Chapter 289: The Charming Gentleman, Fu Xue's Heart Moves

「Even the 90th floor has been passed... 」

Outside the Heavenly Dao Tower, Fu Yue and Fu Xue exchanged a glance; both women's eyes showed surprise.

Since the appearance of the Heavenly Dao Tower, cultivators from Lan Xing at the Five Realms and above have basically all come to challenge it.

No Five Realms cultivator has ever managed to pass the 90th floor.

Even their father, when he was at the Five Realms, couldn't clear this floor.

This floor is too terrifying; one has to deal with a full 256 'selves'.

And there are only 18 minutes left.

Inside the Heavenly Dao Tower, you cannot use any other powerful weapons; you only have an ordinary fifth-rank long sword.

Under these various restrictions, the 90th floor has directly become an insurmountable great mountain.

The crucial point is that, in the preceding 89 floors, each layer is harder than the last; by the time one reaches the 90th floor, even the most talented have exhausted their means.

Otherwise, one couldn't even reach the 90th floor.

The Heavenly Dao Tower's simulation of you becomes extraordinarily comprehensive.

How strong you are determines how strong the simulated 'self' is.

Thus the 90th floor becomes as difficult as climbing to heaven.

「Above the 90th floor, each level's difficulty doubles; I don't know if he can make it to the ninety-ninth floor. 」

Fu Yue's face showed anticipation.

Fu Xue shook her head slightly: 'The means available at the Five Realms are a bit lacking; he might not be able to do it.'

「Don't forget, he still has a trump card. 」

Fu Yue reminded.

Fu Xue knew she was referring to Lu Xun's ability to immobilize others.

If Lu Xun doesn't play this card, there might still be a chance.

But the difficulty of the 90th floor is so great that Fu Xue feels Lu Xun has very likely already used up that trump card.

So, she still feels somewhat uncertain.

「He's about to set a record! 」

「No, he has already set a record! 」

「He's on the 91st floor—goodness, he won't go straight for the 99th, will he? 」

「The 99th floor? Unless he's the Son of God, it's impossible! 」

In the hall, cultivators from all over the world were also discussing this matter.

Lu Xun was still pressing upward.

After reaching the 90th floor, each level's difficulty becomes extraordinarily abnormal, almost not meant for humans to break through.

Among the faceless people on this floor, the faceless people's strength has already reached that of an ordinary Six Realms cultivator.

On the 91st floor, there are a full nine ordinary Six Realms faceless people, plus two 'selves'.

The 92nd floor doubles directly, consisting of eighteen ordinary Six Realms faceless people and four 'selves'.

The 93rd floor has twenty-seven ordinary Six Realms faceless people and eight 'selves'.

This is meant for Five Realms cultivators to break through!

As a result, so many Six Realms cultivators have come.

Not to mention the Five Realms; even if you throw some Six Realms cultivators who have merely ground their way up through time onto the 90th floor, they'd probably have to kneel.

This shows how terrifying it is beyond the 90th floor.

These nine floors are far more difficult than the combined difficulty of the previous ninety floors.

Only a genius monstrous to the extreme could possibly get through them.

For Lu Xun, these Six Realms faceless people are actually the easiest to deal with.

The difficulty lies in the 'selves'.

Above the 90th floor, each level has a 'self'.

This 'self' also follows the doubling rule, and the base number is directly set to 2.

Even Lu Xun, in order to pass the 90th floor, had no choice but to employ destroyer-level sword intent.

Otherwise, he couldn't have slaughtered so many 'selves' within a dozen-odd minutes.

This means that the 'selves' above the 90th floor all possess destroyer-level sword intent.

Moreover, whenever you use a new means to pass a level, the next trial of the Heavenly Dao Tower will simulate it for you.

However, besides sword intent, Lu Xun's true qi quality is also extraordinarily heaven-defying, which is also one of his trump cards.

Because Lu Xun broke through several tens of layers' limits on each floor, directly resulting in his true qi quality, when he was at the twelfth layer of the Four Realms, being comparable to that of a Six Realms cultivator.

Now Lu Xun is at the twenty-eighth layer of the Five Realms.

His true qi quality is already comparable to the Seven Realms.

No, ordinary Seven Realms cultivators simply cannot match his true qi quality.

The cultivation of the Seven Realms mainly focuses on the Heaven-Earth Dharma Aspect, with the improvement of true qi quality being secondary.

As for true qi, the higher you go, the harder it gets.

Although during cultivation, by drawing on the power of Heaven and Earth, one can also further refine true qi.

But since it's not the main focus, Lu Xun's true qi quality should already surpass that of most Seven Realms cultivators.

Like Fu Yue, in the early stage of the Seven Realms, her true qi quality cannot compare to Lu Xun's.

True qi is the foundation.

With the same martial techniques and true intent, when executed with stronger true qi, the power naturally differs.

Besides, Lu Xun's Myriad Calamities Formless Sword has reached the tenth stage.

The Eye Aperture Divine Ability like the Chaotic Eye he possesses for observation and prediction, the Heavenly Dao Tower can only simulate its effects, cannot fully simulate it completely.

This also gives Lu Xun room to exert.

It can be said that even before the Heavenly Dao Tower, Lu Xun can be called unfathomable!

So, Lu Xun continues to press onward upward.

Soon, he reached the 96th floor.

This floor requires facing 54 ordinary Six Realms cultivators, plus 64 'selves'.

Lu Xun began to focus on his True Qi and martial technique, passing through with superior True Qi and martial technique.

"96th floor..."

"True Lord, why is this person so powerful?"

Outside the Heavenly Dao Tower, the onlookers stared in astonishment.

96th floor.

This number is too terrifying.

On the current Ranking List, no one in any realm has cleared the 90th floor.

Let alone the 96th floor.

"There are still 3 floors."

In the eyes of Fu Yue and Fu Xue, anticipation inevitably appeared.

If Lu Xun can clear these last three floors, he will be able to summit the Heavenly Dao Tower and accomplish an unprecedented feat.

According to their knowledge, since the Heavenly Dao Tower appeared, no Fifth Realm cultivator has ever summited it.

In fact, not even Six Realms or Seven Realms cultivators have ever summited it.

Even their father only summited the Heavenly Dao Tower when he was in the Eighth Realm.

The stronger one's strength and the more means one has, the easier it is to press forward.

"Shaluke, if you can clear the 80th floor this time, you can rank first and trample all Eastern geniuses underfoot!"

Outside the Heavenly Dao Tower, another flying vessel arrived.

This flying vessel resembles a golden giant bird in form, its whole body covered in gold, shining brightly and dazzling.

Many White Elephant State cultivators were aboard the vessel.

Among these cultivators, a White Elephant cultivator with a high nasal bridge was surrounded by the others like stars around the moon.

He is called Shaluke, a heaven-defying genius of the White Elephant State in recent years.

A year ago, when Shaluke was at the Ninth Layer of the Fifth Realm, he had already reached the 79th floor, ranking tenth in the Fifth Realm.

This year, Shaluke trained diligently, drawing gains from the Star Ancient Road, and in one go broke through to the peak of the Fifth Realm.

He even has confidence to break through into the Six Realms.

But Shaluke deliberately suppressed the breakthrough, and after adjusting his condition to optimal, he intends to challenge the Heavenly Dao Tower again.

He wants to clear the 80th floor and trample all Fifth Realm geniuses worldwide underfoot.

What Shaluke most wants to trample are still Eastern geniuses.

Because among the top ten of the Fifth Realm, Easterners occupy five spots, and those five positions are especially high.

Of the top three, two are taken by Easterners, and only third place is a Western mage.

That is a mage who practices dual cultivation of magic and martial arts.

Here, 'martial' does not refer to the martial way, but to body cultivators and warriors like Aodebiao, only practiced through magic.

Shaluke is not particularly convinced by the East.

Although the White Elephant State has a large population, since the advent of the high-martial era, its gap with the East has only widened.

As the No. 1 genius of the White Elephant State, he naturally wants to win honor for his state.

"Brahma above, 80th floor! I can definitely do it!"

Shaluke is full of confidence.

On the recent Ranking List, the top rank in the Fifth Realm has consistently been the 79th floor.

For many years, no one has cleared the 80th floor.

Those who previously cleared it have long since ceased to be Fifth Realm cultivators.

So, as long as he clears the 80th floor, he can easily become first.

At least how long this first place can last, Shaluke does not care.

Even if it lasts only a day, that is still a day.

After completing registration, amidst a throng of White Elephant cultivators, Shaluke strode confidently into the waiting hall.

"Wow~"

They had just entered the hall when they heard exclamations from inside.

"What's going on?"

"Great God Brahma, how is this possible!"

These White Elephant cultivators looked over curiously, and their eyes widened instantly.

"97?!?!?!?"

Shaluke's expression instantly went blank.

He blinked hard, then rubbed his eyes desperately.

This was him doubting whether he had seen wrong.

How could a Fifth Realm peak cultivator possibly be mistaken?

It shows how great his shock was.

Only those who have cleared the Heavenly Dao Tower know the true value of this number.

"It definitely isn't the fifth realm!"

After taking a deep breath, Shaluke said in a low voice.

"Hmm, Shaluke, don't worry, he's definitely a cultivator of the sixth or seventh realm; how could the fifth realm possibly be this strong?"

The other White Elephant cultivators all offered comfort.

Under their comfort, Shaluke calmed down.

What about the 97th floor?

He admitted, this genius is above him.

But as long as the opponent isn't of the fifth realm, he poses no threat to him.

As long as he can clear the 80th floor, he remains the top of the fifth realm!

By then, his name, Shaluke, will shock the whole world.

Fame and fortune are right before his eyes!

After letting go of his worries, Shaluke and the other White Elephant cultivators found a spot to sit down and waited inside.

"There are still two layers; this person is clearly aiming to summit the Heavenly Dao Tower. I, in the name of Shiva, bet he definitely won't pass the 99th floor!"

"The 99th floor? I bet he can't even pass the 98th."

"Hiss..."

"Wow~"

Next to Shaluke, the White Elephant cultivators were happily betting when Lu Xun cleared the 98th floor.

"He's impressive, but there's still the 99th floor; he won't make it."

The White Elephant cultivator who had just bet that Lu Xun wouldn't pass the 98th floor immediately changed his tune.

"The final layer."

99th floor.

Lu Xun looked ahead at the numerous opponents.

This floor has as many as 81 faceless Six Realm beings, plus 512 "selves".

Among them, the strongest of the 81 faceless Six Realm beings has already reached the peak of the Six Realm.

There are also 2 Nine Layer Six Realm, 3 Eight Layer Six Realm, 4 Seven Layer Six Realm...

These faceless beings are of ordinary Six Realm standard; in terms of means they still differ from true Six Realm cultivators, let alone compared to geniuses.

But their numbers here still make them tough to deal with.

Plus another 512 "selves".

Even the top geniuses of Lan Xing have so far had no one clear this in the fifth realm.

In recent years, among fifth-realm geniuses, not a single one has managed to clear the 80th floor.

After the difficulty increased, the time limit was further relaxed, with a maximum of half an hour.

Within 30 minutes, defeating all opponents allows one to pass the Heavenly Dao Tower.

"Come on!"

After the protective rosy light arrived, Lu Xun took a deep breath and boldly rushed out.

By now, he has revealed all the trump cards he needed to show.

True qi, true intent, martial techniques, etc., have all been fully revealed.

Even chaotic power was used at the 98th floor, though only secretly to execute martial techniques.

No way.

Above the 90th floor, it's too much of a bug.

Even though Lu Xun is unfathomable, he has now reached his limit.

Of course, if we really talk about it, he still has many unused methods.

For example, the internal dharma appearance in the Divine Treasury, that demon core, and his magic cultivation.

However, the demon core and magic cultivation cannot be used; even if used, their combat power would not be as explosive as Lu Xun's martial way cultivation.

Although the demonic power inside the demon core is at the level of a Seventh Boundary Great Demon King, Lu Xun has no corresponding means and can only smash people with that demonic power.

The internal dharma appearance, however, is an absolute trump card; once unleashed, it can surely sweep away all opponents.

But Lu Xun worries that the Heavenly Dao Tower would judge it as seventh realm, in which case it would be wasted.

For a period of time, it's better not to expose this internal dharma appearance.

So, Lu Xun still has two cards left unused.

Babala's Binding Spell.

And the Left Hand of God.

Lu Xun has already used the Phoenix True Flame.

As for the Southern Ming Separation Fire, since it is not his innate spirit fire, Lu Xun dares not use it rashly, to avoid being judged by the Heavenly Dao Tower as using external force, which would cause his tower challenge to fail.

"Do-mi-ka-wa bi-bi-ne ba @#￥&（*&~"

As soon as the Binding Spell was cast, its effect was immediate.

Even though the "selves" simulated by the Heavenly Dao Tower are nearly equal in strength to Lu Xun, he still quickly cuts them down.

He did not choose to use the Left Hand of God.

The Binding Spell combined with sword qi is enough to solve the problem.

These opponents also lack trump cards like talismans or powerful armor; once immobilized, a single sweep of sword qi finishes them off.

In this process, one needs to constantly dodge attacks from the other faceless people and from "oneself," so it still takes some time.

"What the Heavenly Dao Tower simulates is indeed the power and effect, not the Chaotic Power itself."

In the battle, Lu Xun made a discovery.

His Chaotic Power was used rather covertly, and the Heavenly Dao Tower did not simulate it.

But the Heavenly Dao Tower simulated the power and effect when Lu Xun used Chaotic Power.

"Oneself" became stronger.

Fortunately, there is the Immobilization Spell.

We're already on the 99th floor; the Heavenly Dao Tower no longer has a chance to simulate the Immobilization Spell.

"Oh dear, brother! He's already been at it for twenty-something minutes; he's about to timeout, no luck!"

"Unless he is a White Elephant folk descended from the elephant-headed god, without the blessing of Great God Shiva, he absolutely cannot pass this level!"

"You guys who reek of curry all over, can you please be quiet?"

That group of White Elephant folk provoked everyone's anger.

The number of people outside kept increasing.

Originally, there weren't many people here.

But Lu Xun's time to challenge the Heavenly Dao Tower this time was a bit long, and his results were too spectacular; after some cultivators received the news, they specifically came over to watch the spectacle.

The cultivators who could come here all had quite respectable cultivation levels.

"Ay gu ya, how can there be such a formidable person?"

"Oh mo na, such a genius must be one of us Koreans!"

After a few Koreans entered, upon seeing the ranking, they immediately automatically categorized the challenger as Korean.

"Phew!"

Inside the Heavenly Dao Tower, Lu Xun finally killed off the last opponent.

He glanced at the countdown; there were still several minutes left until the 30‑minute mark.

"Passed!"

Lu Xun let out a long breath.

This level is indeed difficult, but once the Immobilization Spell, this big trump card, is unleashed, there isn't much suspense left.

To use the Immobilization Spell, Lu Xun also has to persist until the final level; otherwise, if he used it earlier, his troubles would be great.

At that moment.

A large amount of seven‑colored rosy clouds appeared, enveloping Lu Xun.

"This is... a Heavenly Dao Blessing?"

Lu Xun knew this was the Heavenly Dao Blessing obtained after clearing the 99th floor.

The Heavenly Dao Blessing has many uses, such as dispelling confusion, purifying the heart and dispelling demons, increasing comprehension and luck, etc.

If a cultivator at the peak of the Five Realms obtains the Heavenly Dao Blessing, their chance of breaking through to the Six Realms will greatly increase.

To other cultivators, this Heavenly Dao Blessing can be called a supreme treasure.

But for Lu Xun, it means little, since he does not need to cultivate himself.

"99th floor!"

"Really succeeded!"

"Allah~"

"Oh God~"

"Wow..."

"Oh my goodness, we have witnessed a miracle!"

Just as Lu Xun killed the last opponent, the hall instantly erupted.

Easterners naturally need not be said; they were all cheering there.

Even some foreigners joined in the cheering.

Those who have summited the Heavenly Dao Tower are exceedingly few.

So few that ordinary cultivators don't even know about it.

Now, however, they have personally witnessed one; it can be said they have witnessed a miracle.

This naturally made them rejoice without end.

"Shabash (God)! He really made it through!"

That group of White Elephant folk stared dumbfounded.

"He actually summited."

Fu Xue stared blankly at the numbers on the stone tablet, feeling somewhat incredulous.

Lu Xun had just broken through to the Five Realms, yet he managed to clear the Heavenly Dao Tower.

Even though she had been mentally prepared, Fu Xue was still deeply shocked.

Fu Yue beside her also had a look of deep surprise in her beautiful eyes.

"Sister, do you still remember what you used to say?"

After glancing at Fu Xue, she suddenly thought of something and couldn't help but want to tease her younger sister.

"Words spoken in childhood?"

Fu Xue had said so many things before; how could she know which sentence Fu Yue was referring to?

However, upon seeing the Heavenly Dao Tower before her and Lu Xun's recent act of clearing it, Fu Xue suddenly remembered.

That was after their father cleared the Heavenly Dao Tower,

Fu Xue objected, saying she would definitely also pass the Heavenly Dao Tower in the future.

If she couldn't pass, she would definitely also have to find an ideal husband who could pass the Heavenly Dao Tower.

At that time, their father had already been led by the will of his previous life.

After Fu Xue discovered her father had become another person, she could not accept it from the heart and deliberately opposed him in many matters.

From then on, rumors spread in the Fu Family that Fu Xue's future ideal husband must be a peerless evildoer capable of breaking through the Heavenly Dao Tower.

Not breaking through the Heavenly Dao Tower means no qualification to be a son-in-law of the Fu Family.

What Fu Yue mentioned was probably this matter.

"Sister, why are you bringing this up?"

Fu Xue didn't know what she had thought of; her expression involuntarily became unnatural, and a hint of shyness crept up at the corner of her eye.

"How do you know which matter I'm talking about?"

Fu Yue blinked her eyes.

Perhaps it's because Fu Xue is too cold; occasionally she likes to deliberately tease Fu Xue.

"Oh dear, sister, you're just like Aunt..."

Fu Xue muttered.

Fu Yue stopped teasing her, but Fu Xue's thoughts became complicated.

Initially, she naturally regarded Lu Xun merely as a genius student.

She had always wanted to be Lu Xun's mentor, not just for Fu Yue's sake, but also for deeper reasons.

For example, after Fu Xue grew up and wanted to join the Heavenly Dao Council, one assessment criterion was Heavenly Dao contribution.

That is, the contribution made to Lan Xing.

Otherwise, what's the use of merely being strong without contributing to Lan Xing?

Cultivating genius students requires little investment, yet the returns can be good.

The stronger this student becomes in the future, the more Heavenly Dao contribution the mentor gains.

Although compared to other methods, the total Heavenly Dao contribution obtained is actually not large, it doesn't require much time investment and can still expand one's influence.

Thus, many above the Six Realms voluntarily become mentors.

After Fu Xue had been stuck at the peak of the Six Realms for a long time, she also fixed her gaze on Lu Xun out of this consideration.

As Lu Xun grew, Fu Xue discovered she had found a treasure.

But that was all.

What truly changed her mindset was those several months spent together with Lu Xun on the Ancient Star Road.

During that time, Fu Xue had never been alone with a man for such a long period.

Human hearts are made of flesh.

Moreover, Lu Xun is truly outstanding; during those months Fu Xue's attitude toward him underwent a noticeable change.

But this change remained limited to "fondness," without further sublimation.

Until encountering an evil spirit and being affected by its illusion, a new change began.

In that incredibly realistic illusion, Fu Xue married Lu Xun, had children, and did everything.

The illusion was ultimately just an illusion.

With Fu Xue's martial will, upon waking she saw through it and turned it into a mere dream.

It had no impact on her subsequent events.

However, that illusion ultimately opened a gap deep in her heart.

Immediately afterward, everyone encountered the Ancient God.

At the moment Lu Xun was left alone, the gap opened by the illusion was burst open.

In the following months, Fu Xue trained diligently every day, with a single thought: to rescue Lu Xun.

She did not think of anything else, nor did she mention considering love factors.

She simply wanted to rescue Lu Xun; if one year wasn't enough, then ten, a hundred, a thousand years.

After Lu Xun returned, Fu Xue felt relieved, and her attitude toward him underwent another subtle change.

Then came the Yao Xing invasion; the Yao Xing's clone captured Lu Xun.

It can be said that during this period Lu Xun faced repeated setbacks, each time causing Fu Xue's heart to rise and fall.

Even these were not enough to shake Fu Xue's resolve to follow the Dao.

Even if she realized her intense fondness for Lu Xun, her steadfast will would not let this fondness easily elevate into something else.

Until now, Lu Xun had passed through the Heavenly Dao Tower; under Fu Yue's teasing, she recalled those earlier words.

Various factors accumulated; when the phrase "ideal husband" appeared in Fu Xue's mind, it unexpectedly overlapped with Lu Xun's image.

"He's out!"

"Wow, why is he an Easterner?"

At this moment, Lu Xun walked out of the Heavenly Dao Tower.

Everyone involuntarily looked over.

Fu Xue's gaze likewise turned that way.

Lu Xun actually hasn't changed much compared to before.

But at this moment, Lu Xun, having just passed the Heavenly Dao Tower, is bathed in divine light, appearing to everyone like a deity descending to the mortal realm!

Fu Xue gazed at him, feeling his whole body radiating light—so dazzling one couldn't look away.

And just as she was lost in thought, Lu Xun suddenly turned his head; his gaze, brilliant as stars, struck straight into her eyes.

Their four eyes met.

He lifted the corner of his mouth, drawing a faint, almost imperceptible smile.

Just this smile—

Fu Xue's heartbeat suddenly accelerated, "thump-thump!" as if a mischievous little deer was rampaging inside her chest, impossible to suppress.