Chapter 1308 - 1308: The Seventeenth Floor

While the outside was bustling, Liu Zixuan sipped his tea and asked the old man two questions.

The first question was, who is the owner of this tower.

The second question was, what is the true meaning of the existence of this tower.

Initially, Liu Zixuan felt this tower was an ownerless entity, but the closer he got to the top, the more he felt a vague sensation, like a pair of eyes had been watching him from the start to now.

There was no one else who could do such a thing besides the tower's owner.

As for the meaning of its existence, at the start of his journey, Liu Zixuan felt that this was a tower meant to hone the disciples of the Star Race during Ancient Times.

But the further he ventured, the more he realized it wasn't that simple.

However, as to exactly how it wasn't simple, Liu Zixuan couldn't clearly express it in words.

As for other questions, he knew this old man probably didn't have the capacity to answer them, so he could only try to figure these out first.

Yet, he didn't expect that there would be a condition to getting an answer from him.

Setting down the teacup, Liu Zixuan smirked playfully and said, "At the thirteenth layer, that Gatekeeper's prowess was probably at the Unity Realm. Coming to you, surely you're stronger than him. What do you think a Martial Artist in the Life and Death Realm like me can do for you?"

"I didn't say you had to help me. I just want you to promise me something," the old man chuckled.

"Let's hear it then!"

The old man refilled Liu Zixuan's tea cup, "As far as I know, you've already visited the Thousand Saints Tomb and Hundred Immortals Forest, correct?"

"That's right!" Liu Zixuan nodded.

"In the third small stone tower of the second row in the Thousand Saints Tomb, there's a jade. Once you leave, retrieve that jade, and wait until you're truly powerful, then go to a place called Penglai Island. Deliver that jade to Zither Melody," the old man said solemnly.

Liu Zixuan raised an eyebrow, "Zither Melody? Your wife?"

The old man's expression slightly changed, and after a while, he sighed, "I wouldn't call her a wife."

"But I don't even know where Penglai Island is," Liu Zixuan inquired.

"Once you're stronger, or if you leave this relic this time, you'll naturally come to know!" The old man gazed at Liu Zixuan, "As long as you promise me now, I'll consider you passing this layer. If you accomplish this in the future, I'll bestow upon you a great fortune!"

Liu Zixuan scratched his head, "Whether or not you give me any fortune, what I'm more curious about is, have you said this to every Martial Artist who makes it here?"

"No, you're the first one."

"I'm the first?" Liu Zixuan chuckled, "I don't have an extra nose or an eye compared to others. Plus, there should be others stronger than me, right?"

"Perhaps, but that's not important," the old man shook his head.

"What is important?" Liu Zixuan asked.

"Because you are one of that clan."

Alright then, it's that clan again!

From the beginning until now, these words had almost become Liu Zixuan's Heart Demon.

"To explore what that clan is all about, you should ask the person at the top layer, maybe he'll tell you," the old man said before squinting his eyes, seeming like he didn't want to say more.

Liu Zixuan sat there, finished his tea, and then said, "Are you so sure that I can make it to the final layer?"

"To be honest, as long as your strength is powerful enough, and your mindset is strong as well, a Martial Artist can get to the seventeenth layer, but the final layer depends on the mood of the one at the top. If he wants to see you, you can go without having to break through. If he doesn't want to see you, you won't even be able to step onto the stairs."

The old man paused and then sharply opened his eyes, emitting two rays of light, "He is the true master of this tower!"

Liu Zixuan's heart was stirred hearing this.

Who exactly is the person at the top, making so many Gatekeepers fear and revere him!

But he also obtained an extremely important piece of information.

That is, the person at the top wants to meet Liu Zixuan!

Thinking of this, Liu Zixuan said, "Alright, I'll agree to your condition. If I'm truly able to step onto Penglai Island, I'll definitely deliver the jade to Zither Melody!"

The old man nodded, "The two questions you want to ask, in reality, once you reach the top layer you'll find out. But since you asked, I'll briefly tell you."

"First, the owner of this tower is not the person at the top, but they're intricately connected, so you can consider him the master of the tower as well! As for the identity, it's quite linked to the eyes in your view and those Silver Needle."

Liu Zixuan suddenly understood, in that case, both the person at the top and the true owner of the tower are probably related to Shennong.

After all, whether it's the Blazing Dragon Eye or the Ghost Gate Needle, they are ancient artifacts, and all have substantial ties to Shennong.

The old man looked at Liu Zixuan and laughed, "As for the true purpose of this tower, it's indeed not just to help other disciples train, the real meaning is love."

"Love?" Liu Zixuan scratched his head, "What does this tower have to do with love?"

"Love can be divided into great love and small love. In the chaotic background of Ancient Times, many great powers often abandoned small love to achieve great love. The true master of the tower, nearing his end, established this tower. One reason was to leave something useful for future generations, and the other was to make up for the small love he had lost."

The old man paused, "As for the story within, you can perceive some of it from the seventeenth layer, and what you don't understand, you can ask the person at the top."

"Thank you for your explanation. Now I've come to understand many things." Liu Zixuan cupped his hands and smiled.

"Remember what you've promised me," the old man said, gently waving his withered hand over the chessboard, upon which the pieces seemed to come to life, leaping larger and gradually forming an upward staircase.

Liu Zixuan solemnly nodded, "I will do my utmost to fulfill it."

"Once you succeed, I will certainly give you that fortune," the old man waved his hand, and Liu Zixuan stepped onto the staircase, without having to exert himself to walk, and was carried to the seventeenth layer by numerous chess pieces.

Watching Liu Zixuan's departing back, the old man stroked his goatee, "Being young is truly wonderful!"

...

The seventeenth layer!

It didn't seem like the inside of a pavilion, but rather somewhat resembled an Illusion Realm.

At that moment, he stood in the middle of a great hall, with an exceptionally beautiful woman beside him, dressed in ancient bridal attire.

But it didn't look like a wedding hall here; instead, it seemed like a council hall or a Punishment Hall.

Because around the beautiful woman stood a few brawny men wielding blades.

At this moment, the one sitting deep within the hall spoke, "If you hand over this woman, you can ensure the peace of my tribe. If not, the thousands outside will instantly destroy everything of my tribe!"

Saying this, the figure reminiscent of an Emperor suddenly fixed his gaze on Liu Zixuan, "You decide."