Chapter 778: Inside the Heavenly Tower

Qin Sang glanced in the direction of the Sky Pagoda; the Nascent Soul cultivator of the Wu Clan was still there.

The man named Di explained, "With your cultivation level, Fellow Daoist, you certainly have the strength to venture into the Sky Pagoda alone. However, as you've seen, this senior hasn't indicated when they'll let us proceed, so I estimate we won't have much time. The Sky Pagoda is full of dangers, and since we are all rogue cultivators, fighting alone might not be efficient enough. Therefore, Fellow Daoist Su and I discussed inviting several other rogue cultivators to enter the Sky Pagoda together, aiming to break through as quickly as possible. What do you think, Fellow Daoist Qin?"

Qin Sang's expression subtly changed upon hearing this.

He hadn't planned to gather other helpers before, partly because he couldn't find suitable individuals, and partly because his own strength was just barely sufficient to navigate the Sky Pagoda.

No one could have predicted such an unexpected turn of events.

Joining forces with other rogue cultivators was not a bad option.

Qin Sang noticed that the cultivators on the square were also gathering in twos and threes, evidently sharing the same idea as the man named Di.

“I appreciate your high regard, Fellow Daoists, but I have a question. There are so many powerful cultivators here before the Sky Pagoda; I fear I wouldn't rank among them. Why did you choose me?”

Qin Sang didn't agree immediately; he asked, curious.

The old woman chuckled and said frankly, "Because I personally saw Fellow Daoist Qin arrive alone, I can confirm that you, like us, are a rogue cultivator. Although others may have higher cultivation, their backgrounds are unclear. Some have mysterious origins and hidden agendas, and we don't want to be targeted by schemers. Moreover, our alliance is only to expedite our journey; once we reach our destination, we'll go our separate ways. As long as you can handle the dangers along the way, that's sufficient. If there's an idea to search for treasure together, it won't be too late to discuss it then. That's why when Fellow Daoist Di approached me just now, I recommended you."

The man named Di nodded. "If Fellow Daoist Qin is still concerned, you can go and ask. The few of us also arrived here alone, just a little earlier than you."

As he spoke, the man named Di pointed towards the square, where a man and a woman stood on the periphery, watching them.

A look of delight appeared on the man named Di's face. "It seems Fellow Daoist Wu has convinced that female cultivator. If Fellow Daoist Qin agrees, the five of us will be enough; there's no need to find anyone else."

Qin Sang looked up and saw that the man was also a Wu Clan cultivator, but the woman was human.

This meant the team would consist of three humans and two Wu Clan members, which was quite unusual. Fortunately, their collaboration was only temporary and didn't involve conflicts of interest.

Qin Sang actually had an impression of these individuals.

When he had first arrived, they had all been standing alone on the outskirts.

Qin Sang no longer hesitated and accepted their invitation.

Since they didn't know when they would be able to enter the Sky Pagoda, the five of them gathered for a brief discussion. Qin Sang learned that the female cultivator's surname was Yin, and she also claimed to be a rogue cultivator; no one probed further.

After finalizing their plan, Qin Sang returned to the forest to continue refining the Golden Jade Lock.

Next came the tedious wait. In the interim, some people lost patience and abandoned the Sky Pagoda, heading elsewhere to seek treasures. It was possible to enter the Seven Kills Hall only once every few decades, and spending so many spirit stones to purchase qualification meant that continued waiting could result in a complete loss.

Qin Sang focused on refining his magic item. Not long after, he suddenly heard the man named Di's joyful shout: "Fellow Daoist Qin, quickly! We can go in!"

Qin Sang's face lit up with delight as well. He hastily put away the Golden Jade Locks, his figure flashing repeatedly as he swiftly moved out of the forest. He saw that the old man guarding the Sky Pagoda's entrance was gone, and streaks of light rushed into the gate, eager to be first.

During this time, the Golden Jade Lock was almost completely refined and could barely be used.

"Where is that senior?"

Qin Sang rejoined the others and asked curiously.

The old woman whispered, "That senior just now seemed to receive some signal and entered the Sky Pagoda."

Qin Sang was startled. "So, the Demon Lord and Grand Wu Shaman haven't come out yet?"

"That's right."

The man named Di nodded, his tone serious. "All Fellow Daoists, be agile. If the Nascent Soul battle isn't over yet, make sure you don't get caught in it."

Everyone's expressions were somewhat solemn, but having waited this long, it was impossible to give up now. Their speed didn't falter in the slightest as they charged into the Sky Pagoda's entrance one after another.

As cultivators rushed in one by one, the space at the Sky Pagoda's entrance rippled like water.

Qin Sang swiftly approached the Sky Pagoda, took one look, and then unhesitatingly charged inside. Immediately, a wave of dizziness enveloped them, and darkness consumed them.

Even though they had gathered information and were mentally prepared, witnessing the scene before them still struck them with an inexpressible shock, leaving them stunned and speechless.

He was now in an unknown space, entirely shrouded in endless gloom. It was as if sunlight had never reached here, and the boundless darkness sent chills down one's spine.

In the depths of the darkness, faint blue lights drifted, resembling stars.

These blue lights varied in size and shape.

Some were long and narrow, stretching for several miles.

Many were only the size of a stone, yet glittered like a river of stars.

There were also massive luminous spheres, a hundred zhang in circumference.

A closer look revealed that these blue lights were actually emanating from fragments of various buildings constructed from blue bricks.

Within the narrow blue lights were long corridors, without visible beginning or end, their destinations unknown.

And within those enormous luminous spheres, there was even an entire ancient hall, radiating an ethereal blue light, appearing incredibly mysterious.

All these structures were severely damaged; the smaller luminous spheres were remnants of walls and broken tiles from buildings that had been completely shattered.

All the buildings were eerily silent, drifting quietly in the darkness, devoid of human presence or the breath of living beings, exuding a desolate, apocalyptic sadness.

When these structures were intact, they must have formed an extraordinarily magnificent ancient palace. What lay before them now, however, were shattered fragments in the darkness, like a scattered jigsaw puzzle.

The space within the Sky Pagoda had been shattered, yet for some unknown reason, it hadn't created terrifying spatial cracks or storms.

The space remained stable, but the ancient halls had lost their former glory.

The ancient cultivators were also nowhere to be found.

Beneath Qin Sang's feet was a remnant wall. He dropped down and forcefully thrust his spirit sword towards the wall.

A metallic clang echoed, the remnant wall flashed with blue light, and the Ebony Sword was easily blocked and bounced away, leaving no trace on the wall.

Even the restrictions on the remnant wall were beyond their ability to destroy.

"Fellow Daoist Qin, you're here."

At that moment, the voice of the female cultivator named Yin sounded behind Qin Sang. He turned and flew towards her, looking around. "The other three Fellow Daoists aren't nearby. It seems they were scattered by the vortex at the entrance. Let's send out the signal."

The female cultivator nodded and, together with Qin Sang, sent out their agreed-upon signal.

The other three converged towards them, arriving one after another.

"I've heard about the Sky Pagoda for a long time, but I, Di, was still almost stunned by the sight. How terrible a battle must have been to destroy this place like this?"

The man named Di sighed, and the others, feeling a shared sense of awe, voiced their agreement.

The old woman reminded them, "Time is pressing. Everyone, let's quickly head to the teleportation hall."