Chapter 1303 - 1303: Gained a Huge Advantage

Fourth penalty completed.

Liu Zixuan stood up, his whole body feeling like soft mud.

However, after checking his body, he discovered something rather surprising.

His realm hadn't fallen as the strange gatekeeper had said; it was still stable at the Life and Death Realm.

The strange martial artist glanced at Liu Zixuan and saw this situation, asking suspiciously: "What multiple realms are you in?"

Liu Zixuan nodded in bewilderment: "Does multiple realms have something to do with this?"

"If it's merely multiple realms, it's naturally unrelated to the penalty. But your bloodline..." The strange martial artist stepped forward and carefully examined Liu Zixuan: "No wonder, no wonder you didn't drop realms. You're from that clan."

"Senior, I don't know which clan you're referring to when you speak of 'that clan'?"

Starting from the tenth level, each gatekeeper spoke of that clan but never explained it clearly, leaving Liu Zixuan with a complete sense of curiosity.

The strange gatekeeper waved his hand: "If you have the strength to reach the top level, the one there will tell you what that clan is. But now, it's your lucky break, boy!"

Several black lines appeared on Liu Zixuan's forehead, and he said with a bitter smile: "Having just experienced a penalty worse than death, you make it sound like I'm taking advantage of you."

"Isn't it an advantage?"

The strange gatekeeper glanced at Liu Zixuan with a look of what seemed both envy and disdain: "Others undergo penalties and their realm drops; the ones before you fell from the Life and Death Realm to the Innate Emperor Realm Third Heaven. But you not only didn't drop, you refined your meridians and dantian. For others, it's torment and suffering, but for you, it's greatly beneficial, making your realm more stable."

Liu Zixuan grinned: "So, am I supposed to go through several more such trials?"

"If you wish, I can make it happen." The strange gatekeeper grumbled irritably.

Liu Zixuan waved his hand: "Once is enough for such refining!"

"Alright, cherish your second chance. If you don't succeed, you'll have to leave the tower." The strange gatekeeper snapped his fingers, and the five cabinet doors opened again.

It's still the same five identical beauties, without any changes.

This time, Liu Zixuan learned from experience; when he walked over, he didn't stare at them intently.

Instead, after his gaze swept over them, he closed his eyes.

Staring at something gives the brain incorrect information, so this time he memorized the appearance of the beauties and let his brain analyze it.

With eyes closed, the images of the five beauties completely appeared in his mind.

Immediately, his brain began operating at a rapid pace.

A moment later, Liu Zixuan suddenly paused, discovering a rather unique spot.

It was the gaze of these beauties.

One should know that a living being's eyes are always full of spirit, whereas copies would only replicate the original's gaze at that instant, never having the same expression changes as the original.

This was definitely the best way to distinguish copies from the original!

With this thought, Liu Zixuan abruptly opened his eyes.

Inner strength was infused into his fingers as he approached the beauties, seemingly casually lifting his hand to scratch his head, but actually probing their expression changes!

With a wave of his hand, his inner strength transformed into a breeze and blew directly at the beauties.

With eyes wide open, he quickly noted the differences.

The third beauty's gaze slightly shifted, and though it was just a moment, Liu Zixuan caught it.

He lifted his hand abruptly: "She's real; the other four are copies!"

"Congratulations, you answered correctly!"

The strange martial artist smiled slightly, walking over to Liu Zixuan's side: "It seems the recent refining has already had its effect."

Liu Zixuan didn't feel it initially, but after hearing this, he pondered and indeed found it to be true.

Although the penalty earlier left him in a miserable state, as his meridians and dantian slowly calmed, his heart indeed became more tranquil.

Moreover, he noticed that when mobilizing his inner strength just now, it seemed much smoother.

More importantly, whereas originally using inner strength to create a breeze required one percent of his inner strength, now he only used one-fifth of one percent. His inner strength's consumption was reduced by five times!

It seems the refining did indeed bring a significant advantage!

With a slight smile: "Thank you."

"This level wasn't very difficult; it merely tested your state of mind. The next fourteenth, fifteenth, and sixteenth levels will require you to fight your way through." The strange gatekeeper said.

"Fight?" Liu Zixuan scratched his head, feeling like he hadn't truly exerted his full power since entering.

"Yes, it's fight." The strange gatekeeper smiled meaningfully: "However, fighting also requires skill and method; it's not about using brute force."

"Thank you for the reminder, senior." Liu Zixuan said with a smile, clasping his hands together.

"Don't rush to thank me yet. I'm telling you this because I want you to help me with a favor."

"Please, senior; if I can do it, I will." Liu Zixuan said sincerely.

The strange gatekeeper smiled slightly: "If you reach the top level, help me deliver a message to the one there."

"What message?"

"Tell him that the favor I owe him is repaid." The strange gatekeeper paused: "That's all!"

"Alright, if I have the chance to reach the top level, I'll surely convey this message to him."

Liu Zixuan understood; delivering this message was definitely not a task given only to him, but one the gatekeeper had likely told every martial artist who reached this point.

However, since the stranger had asked and told Liu Zixuan some matters beforehand, naturally he should help with the favor.

The Golden Whip in the gatekeeper's hand froze slightly, then was tossed into the air, suddenly forming golden steps: "This is the way to the next level; good luck."

"Hmm."

Liu Zixuan nodded, leaped onto the steps, and headed straight for the fourteenth level.

As the steps gradually disappeared, they transformed back into the Golden Whip in the gatekeeper's hand.

The gatekeeper paused with the Golden Whip, dispersing the four copies except for the real beauty. Looking at the petrified beauty, the gatekeeper's face revealed a distinctive expression: "Hold on a bit longer, I'll take you out of here. We'll find a way to save you."

...

Fourteenth level.

Just as Liu Zixuan entered, he felt a strong pressure, within which carried traces of familiar array patterns.

He raised his eyebrow: "Liu Zixuan challenges the fourteenth level, requesting the gatekeeper to show themselves!"

"If you wish to see me, first break through my Four Spirits Array!"

An elderly voice appeared in the void, and immediately the surroundings began to change.

From a pavilion-like appearance, it suddenly transformed into a primitive chaos land...