Chapter 606: Black Tower

"You five, close your five senses and sit on this cloud now," Dongyang Bo said to Qin Sang and the others as he stood up and suddenly summoned a purple cloud.

Qin Sang and the others were momentarily stunned. They exchanged glances, not daring to defy Dongyang Bo's command or ask further questions. They flew onto the purple cloud and willingly sealed their five senses.

The entire world plunged into darkness for them, leaving them completely unaware of their surroundings.

Chen Yan glanced at them, then remarked blandly, "Fellow Daoist Dongyang, you are truly cautious, not even trusting your own disciples?"

"It's not a matter of trust; it's simply a precaution."

Dongyang Bo raised a hand in guidance, and the purple cloud, carrying the five individuals, followed him automatically.

"The entrance to this secret passage constantly shifts its location on Tian Mountain. This time it was at the bottom of the lake; next time it might appear under an ancient tree. Only I know how to find it.

"However, the exit of the secret passage remains constant.

"I certainly don't want to be ambushed and killed outside the next time I emerge from the passage.

"That old fellow, Scarlet Hair, has coveted this secret passage for a long time. When the previous sect master of the Pure Yang Sect and my master were alive, they openly vied for this passage and the key in my possession. Fortunately, this passage doesn't lead to the core; it merely saves the trouble of breaking certain formations. Otherwise, I, an unworthy descendant, would have lost it long ago.

"That old one is morally ambiguous. If these five were to accidentally reveal information after leaving, and the news got out, leading to them being captured and subjected to soul-searching in the Pure Yang Cavern, it wouldn't be surprising.

"It's truly for their own good that they know nothing."

Chen Yan calmly stated, "Fellow Daoist, by your logic, will I also have to seal my five senses when we exit the passage later for you to feel secure?"

Dongyang Bo smiled at her words and shook his head slightly. "If Miss Chen Yan doesn't know the way out, how could she feel at ease? How could I impose such a hardship? You and your master are not cultivators from my Little Cold Domain; your presence here is merely an accident. Given your and your master's power and origins, after you rescue your master, there should be nothing in the Little Cold Domain that you'd want to stay for, correct? Miss Chen Yan, you've resided temporarily on Shaohua Mountain for two hundred years, and I have never treated you poorly. I've not only collected cultivation resources for you but also helped you search for your esteemed master. What reason would you have to betray me?"

Chen Yan was silent for a moment before saying, "After leaving Ziwei Palace, I will make an oath on my inner demons never to reveal anything about this secret passage to anyone, including my master."

"That would be for the best!"

Dongyang Bo nodded, then, taking the purple cloud with him, swept deeper into the secret passage.

Chen Yan quickly followed suit.

The journey was unobstructed. They encountered no impeding restrictions or battles, and the five individuals on the purple cloud remained steadily seated, carried along in flight.

The secret passage had been thoroughly cleaned long ago; not even a single piece of debris remained.

After many twists and turns, a wall constructed from green bricks suddenly appeared, completely blocking the path ahead in the secret passage.

Dongyang Bo glanced at Chen Yan, then, in front of her, cast several incantations that sank into the wall. Immediately, the wall rippled like water, shimmering faintly and becoming almost transparent, transforming into a wall of water.

Beyond the water wall stood a dilapidated grand hall, currently silent and deserted.

Chen Yan and Dongyang Bo passed through the water wall and emerged into the grand hall. When they turned back, the water wall had vanished, replaced by a green brick wall whose mottled surface clearly showed its age.

The brick wall appeared unremarkable; no one would have guessed it concealed a secret passage.

Outside the grand hall.

Thick clouds obscured the sun, limiting visibility to their immediate surroundings.

Their current location appeared to be the peak of Tian Mountain, deep within the sea of clouds. Yet, the surroundings were remarkably calm, with no traces of turbulence overhead.

This was vastly different from other areas of Ziwei Palace.

Nearby stood buildings identical to the grand hall they had just exited, arranged in neat rows. Ancient palaces stretched out in succession. In such a place, it would be even more improbable for anyone to notice an anomaly in a single wall.

Deep within the sea of clouds, faint, shadowy outlines created a mysterious scene.

Dongyang Bo and Chen Yan showed no curiosity about the surroundings. After a brief observation, they continued their ascent with a clear destination in mind.

Some areas were too dangerous even for them to venture into, forcing them to take detours.

The higher they ascended, the grander the palaces became. Though their magnificent decorations had withered, the structures themselves remained, testament to their former splendor.

"We've arrived!"

Dongyang Bo raised a hand and pointed forward.

Deep within the thick clouds, a pool came into view. The pavilions and corridors that should have graced its edges were severely damaged, with rubble scattered everywhere, a truly disheartening sight.

Opposite the pool, a towering, small pagoda stood.

This pagoda, a hundred zhang tall, was entirely dark black. A dark mist seemed to emanate from its surface, appearing so eerie it felt as if it could absorb one's gaze.

At the four corners of the black pagoda, four exceptionally thick iron chains extended from its peak to the ground, seemingly intended to secure it. These chains were heavily rusted and weathered by time, bearing incomprehensible runes etched upon their surface.

No ancient halls surrounded the black pagoda; it stood in isolation.

Upon seeing the black pagoda, Chen Yan's eyes, which had always been as tranquil as an ancient well, now welled with intense excitement.

Dongyang Bo and Chen Yan instantly flew across the pool, landing before the door at the pagoda's base.

Chen Yan walked forward alone, slowly reaching out to caress the door and feel the coldness emanating from it. Then she lifted her head, her gaze sweeping past the pagoda's many layers to its very summit.

Dongyang Bo observed Chen Yan's actions, and after a moment, began to speak.

"Miss Chen Yan, you can now see the formidable power of the restrictions on this door, can't you? I didn't deceive you, did I?

"The higher you ascend, the stronger the restrictions become with each layer.

"Your master is an anomaly. Currently, even combining the Little Cold Domain and the Heaven-Treading Alliance, there are no Grand Cultivators at the late Nascent Soul stage. Only he possesses the strength to ascend this pagoda alone.

"Even if we were to cleverly use the Five Elements Beast Seal, we would still need at least two Nascent Soul cultivators to have a chance of opening that door. Therefore, to enter and rescue him, you must break through to the Nascent Soul stage.

"Surely you don't blame me now for pressuring you back then, do you?"

As he spoke, Dongyang Bo's gaze seemed to casually sweep over Qin Sang, a strange smile playing on his lips.

Qin Sang remained cross-legged on the purple cloud, his five senses still sealed, completely unaware of their conversation.

Chen Yan, sensing the veiled meaning in Dongyang Bo's words, suddenly turned, her face darkening. She stared at him and said, "I take responsibility for my own actions! The choices I've made are mine, and I won't, nor should I, blame others for them. What exactly are you trying to imply?"

"It's good that Miss Chen Yan doesn't blame me. I merely feared that if you couldn't resolve your inner conflict and it became a heart demon, then it would be my fault... I spoke out of turn."

Dongyang Bo chuckled, then said no more. With a flick of his finger, he sent out a stream of True Essence that dispersed the purple cloud and forcibly unsealed the five senses of Qin Sang and the others.

Qin Sang and the four others fell to the ground. As their five senses returned, they immediately steadied themselves and eagerly looked around.

Both the ancient halls within the misty sea and the black pagoda before them held an immense allure.