Chapter 198

Runsheng saw Grandpa Shan, whose face was calm and reserved. This was the first time since he could remember that Runsheng had seen such an expression on his grandpa's face, as his grandpa had always been hot-tempered and quick to show his emotions.

Tan Wenbin saw his father, Tan Yunlong. If one were to isolate that face from the high tower, it would be perfectly suited for a tombstone. Zooming out, the scene revealed his weeping mother in the rain, his own helpless self, his father's colleagues in police uniforms, and the bureau chief offering final condolences to the family.

Lin Shuyou saw his grandfather, whose face, painted with the Guanjiangshou makeup, no longer exuded menace but rather a sense of desolation and stillness.

Zhao Yi saw Old Man Tian, lifeless and still, much like he had been after he became disabled, lying motionless on the bed and staring at the ceiling when he was first brought home. It was only after repeated persuasion, convincing him to continue helping with herbal medicine preparation, that hope and vitality returned to him.

"Heh..." A smile curled at the corner of Zhao Yi's mouth. "To think I'd see you here. When I get back and tell Old Tian about this, the old geezer will surely be rolling with joy in his bed."

A Yuan saw a white old ape with an open head, its contents boiling, foamy white, and steaming. The old ape's eyes were dull, as if it had long accepted its fate.

Yu Miaomiao saw an elderly woman who commanded respect without needing to show anger. Her position in the Yu family was equivalent to Liu Yumei's in the Liu family—the matriarch of the household. But as she watched, the grandmother's face grew fur, her eyes became round, and long whiskers sprouted around her lips. A hint of confusion also appeared in Yu Miaomiao's eyes. She couldn't tell who she was seeing because she couldn't tell who she herself was.

Li Zhuiyuan saw a face, but it was just a face. This face seemed to be trying very hard to change into a specific appearance, but it never succeeded. Last time, in A Li's dream, Li Zhuiyuan couldn't see the face of the black-robed person. He had initially thought the person intentionally concealed their true appearance, but it seemed he had misunderstood. It wasn't an act of profound mystery; rather, the person couldn't perceive a human aspect from him.

Yin Meng saw her grandfather, who then quickly disappeared. Her heart immediately flustered. Her grandfather was the person she revered most, but this filial devotion had long been worn away by years of meticulous care, ten years without fail. After her grandfather's face vanished, it transformed into a unique face. This face lacked human vitality, like a clay sculpture. In Fengdu, his statues and paintings were everywhere. Since she was old enough to understand, Yin Meng's grandfather had repeatedly told her that her ancestor was Yin Changsheng and that his blood flowed within her. And when the face of Yin Changsheng's divine statue was projected, the bell on the high tower rang again.

"Buzz!"

The face retracted, no longer visible. Everyone's gaze, except for Li Zhuiyuan's, paused momentarily before quickly returning to normal. Everyone felt extreme apprehension, and the atmosphere was intensely oppressive. It was difficult to imagine how terrifying it would be to contend with such an entity. No spells, no formations, not even words were needed... It simply stood there, and one's consciousness and emotions would automatically be drawn to it.

Suddenly, despite no sunlight reaching this place, the eaves of the pavilion began to shimmer, casting light onto the dining table, where it started to flow. Though silent, the message was clear: "Please take your seats."

It had been noticed early on that this wave felt heavily rule-bound, which meant certain fixed procedures had to be followed. Everyone understood this clearly. Only Li Zhuiyuan specifically glanced at Yin Meng. The young man suspected that this might not be a fixed procedure at all, but rather the unique role of the Yin family, as they moved through the world, being triggered once again. The ancestral legacy provided descendants with better opportunities to "eat," a concept the Yin family thoroughly embodied, truly treating it as their livelihood.

Yu Miaomiao and A Yuan were the first to enter the pavilion. Although there was no head seat, she naturally chose to sit facing the white path they had arrived from. Runsheng and Tan Wenbin sat down next to them, respectively. Their physical condition was the best, serving as a kind of protective isolation. After everyone sat down, one chair remained empty.

Zhao Yi sat beside Li Zhuiyuan, pointed to the wine glass in front of him, and chuckled, "Care for a drink, brother?" Directly above the wine glass, aligned with an opening, beads of water dripped at intervals, allowing the liquid to be replenished even as the heat below the table caused constant evaporation. It was quite ingenious.

Li Zhuiyuan shook his head. "Still in the brain development stage. Can't drink alcohol."

Zhao Yi's lips twitched as he thought, "Your brain needs more developing?" However, he was just talking; he wouldn't actually dare to drink the wine here. As for the dishes on the table, they looked appealing in color and aroma, but they had been sitting there for who knew how many years—truly zombie meat. No one picked up their chopsticks or glasses. Everyone sat quietly, waiting for this procedure to conclude.

Runsheng kept swallowing.

Li Zhuiyuan said, "Brother Runsheng, eat if you want to." The hosts probably wouldn't poison the food, though, of course, the food itself... didn't need any poison added.

Runsheng was very surprised and delighted, smiling as he picked up his chopsticks and began to serve himself. Under Yu Miaomiao's and A Yuan's wide-eyed gazes, he put the delicacies into his mouth and chewed with enjoyment. When eating these dishes, he didn't need to light incense. In the past, when Runsheng attended fasts with Li Sanjiang, he would be seated in a corner after the meal began. Li Sanjiang would instruct the host to provide him with some dishes and a small bucket of rice. This was not only because Runsheng had particular eating habits but also because his appetite was immense. If he were to eat freely at the main table, those dining with him would certainly not get enough food. But for this meal today, no one was competing with him; it was all his.

After devouring the dishes in front of him, Runsheng stood up to reach for food further away. Tan Wenbin wanted to pass the dishes in front of him to Runsheng. He tried to pick them up by hand, but found that all the bowls and plates on the table were fixed to the stone surface. This wasn't how they were originally designed; rather, they had been left untouched for so long that they had adhered to the table. Tan Wenbin could only pick up his chopsticks and help Runsheng serve himself. A Yuan also stood up to help Runsheng. Although their positions were at odds and they would eventually clash to the death, it did not diminish his admiration for Runsheng.

Yu Miaomiao asked, "Can you eat this?"

A Yuan shook his head.

Yu Miaomiao: "What about him?"

A Yuan shook his head again.

Yin Meng whispered, "It's rare to see Runsheng eat so happily. This is just for this one meal."

Tan Wenbin: "It's not that hard."

Yin Meng asked curiously, "You can make it?"

Tan Wenbin nodded. "First, find a chicken old enough to be a great-grandmother, then a duck old enough to be a great-grandfather, and then turn them into dishes."

Initially, no one knew how long this seating procedure would last, but gradually, they saw a countdown. This was because Runsheng was almost finished eating all the dishes on the table. With no food left, the meal would surely have to end. As Runsheng was clearly finishing up, the others at the dining table occasionally cast their gaze towards the high tower. That face had not reappeared.

Finally, Runsheng finished eating. He gently patted his stomach with his hand. The feeling of being full purely from dishes, without needing any staple food, was truly satisfying.

Just then, a section in the middle of the stone table first indented, then slowly rose, revealing three identical tokens. Each token bore a mark identical to those previously seen on the palms of the three individuals. Yu Miaomiao's eyes gleamed, as if she had been waiting for a long time. A Yuan stood up to help her retrieve one, but as soon as his hand touched a token, it ignited. He quickly withdrew his hand, and the flame extinguished. Yu Miaomiao had to reach for it herself. This time, the token did not catch fire. It seemed that only those who had previously received an invitation were eligible to take these tokens now. Li Zhuiyuan and Zhao Yi each took one as well. The moment they took the tokens, a sense of resonance with the high tower immediately formed within their hearts. Holding it allowed entry into the tower.

Yu Miaomiao, impatient, rose from her seat and walked directly toward the high tower, with A Yuan following closely behind. Zhao Yi and Li Zhuiyuan, however, were not in a hurry and remained seated. Li Zhuiyuan held the token, his eyes thoughtful. Zhao Yi, meanwhile, toyed with his token, flicking it up and catching it repeatedly. Their eyes met casually, and both understood the other's thoughts. Even at this stage, the rules maintained a strong presence. This made it difficult not to ponder deeply the true purpose of this wave.

Zhao Yi: "I'm starting to wonder what our purpose is in coming here on this wave." Zhao Yi emphasized the word "purpose," deliberately avoiding "goal" or "meaning." "Purpose" here implied more of a tool, an item placed where it was needed.

Li Zhuiyuan: "What was the purpose of those who died while vying for the first fragment of jade..."

Zhao Yi: "Their deaths exchanged for the opportunity to open the door and begin the feast."

Li Zhuiyuan: "...that's our purpose too."

"Ha!" Zhao Yi nodded vigorously several times. "That's exactly it."

In previous "River Walking" expeditions, the sense of rules wasn't strong, and everyone had to actively search for and distinguish clues themselves. This time, the rules were like a constructed canal, and they were the flowing water, compelled to move only in the planned direction. Their freedom was greatly diminished, and this seemed to portend an irreversible final outcome. Those who died in the first round while competing for the jade fragments became expendable material, but who could guarantee that the victors who obtained invitations in the first round wouldn't be another kind of expendable material?

Li Zhuiyuan: "So, it's three invitations, a choice of one." This was the aesthetic of the Heavenly Dao; it never set up inescapable death traps. No matter when, it would still give you a chance to struggle, even if only superficially. If it was a choice of one out of three, the two of them had enough trust to certainly push the "silly girl" out.

Zhao Yi: "What if it's a choice of two out of three?"

Li Zhuiyuan: "If it's two out of three, it depends on whether there are external factors interfering." As he said this, Li Zhuiyuan looked towards the high tower. Barring any surprises, the conditions for interference should exist within the high tower.

Zhao Yi: "What if there are no external factors interfering?"

Li Zhuiyuan said candidly, "I would take care of her first, then you."

Zhao Yi: "What if there are external factors interfering?"

Li Zhuiyuan said frankly, "I would find a way to team up with her and take care of you first, because you have a brain."

Zhao Yi chuckled, "Given that premise, shouldn't she cooperate with me to deal with you first?"

Li Zhuiyuan: "She probably doesn't have that kind of brain."

Zhao Yi nodded, convinced.

"Hey, what are you two still waiting for?" Yu Miaomiao called out from in front of the high tower.

Li Zhuiyuan and Zhao Yi exited the pavilion and walked towards the high tower. The others followed. On the large door of the high tower were three ancient bronze mirrors, which reflected three eerie glows downwards onto the ground. Yu Miaomiao held her token, placed it in one of the eerie glows, and waved her other hand, urging them on. Li Zhuiyuan and Zhao Yi also took out their tokens, letting them bathe in the eerie glow.

"Click..." The tower door opened. Only those holding a token could enter; otherwise, terrifying restrictions would be triggered.

Yu Miaomiao was the first to walk in. Her eagerness indicated her grasp of the inside information and clues about this place. The Yu family clearly had a deeper understanding of this place, which wasn't surprising, as an ancestor had served as a teacher here. However, Yu Miaomiao had previously said she could share clues about this place. After emerging from the swirling black water and traversing the long white path, Li Zhuiyuan hadn't brought up the matter with her. Part of the reason she later pretended to be asleep was also due to this. She didn't want to say, and would put it off if she could. Li Zhuiyuan also didn't want to ask, because the answer might not be true, and even if she genuinely wanted to tell the truth, it might not be "true" in a meaningful sense. If the Yu family had truly mastered the correct secrets of this place, Yu Zangsheng wouldn't have fallen into such a predicament. Information that wasn't guaranteed to be true could be listened to in leisure, to see if anything useful could be sifted out. But here, at such a crucial moment, there was no need to accept such misleading information.

However, if he didn't ask, why didn't Zhao Yi ask either? He had seen Yu Zangsheng, but Zhao Yi had not. Li Zhuiyuan glanced at Zhao Yi beside him from the corner of his eye. The young man understood: precisely because he hadn't asked, Zhao Yi also felt there was no need to ask. He was using himself as a ladder. With a mountain ahead, one climbs high to see far. He truly still possessed a hint of Zhao Wuyang's style.

After Li Zhuiyuan and Zhao Yi entered the tower door, it immediately closed, leaving everyone else outside. The light on the first floor was dim, provided by everlasting lamps. Zhao Yi: "What kind of style is this? Outside, it's all jadeite and white jade, dazzlingly bright, yet here, in the innermost, most central location, they're lighting lamps."

The first floor was empty, but murals adorned the surrounding walls. Unlike the individual stone slab carvings seen earlier on the white path, these murals had clear continuity. Yu Miaomiao didn't linger here and went straight to the second floor. What an arrogant girl. She likely already knew the information in these murals, but this wasn't a stair-climbing race where the fastest one won. Even information from parents should be verified when necessary.

As soon as Yu Miaomiao reached the second floor, a chime of bells echoed from the stairwell. Li Zhuiyuan and Zhao Yi remained unfazed. They would be going up eventually anyway, so for now, they quickly moved along the walls, reviewing the murals.

The first chapter of the mural depicted a goddess ascending to heaven. However, this image was not beautiful; instead, it was bloody and cruel. Her fresh blood flowed downwards, dripping from her toes, and continued to run along the ground. The traces of this blood flow, especially the V-shape, reminded Li Zhuiyuan of a Lijiang tourist map he had seen; it should be the First Bend of the Yangtze River. Therefore, the meaning of this image bore similarities to the transformation of Kua Fu's body after his death while chasing the sun. If the goddess's blood turned into rivers, then what about her shedding flesh and other parts? Observing the fragmented flesh, tinged with a unique green luminescence, detaching from the goddess's body in the painting—could that be the jadeite found here? Li Zhuiyuan didn't believe in the goddess's ascension. But he could understand that this first painting was likely meant to explain the origin of this secret realm.

The next few paintings held little significance, documenting the arrival of unknown individuals and the gradual appearance of man-made structures in the area. Li Zhuiyuan and Zhao Yi quickly skipped past them because the buildings depicted in the paintings were different from what they had seen upon their arrival. Clearly, the current architecture and layout here must have been thoroughly finalized by someone later on, rendering the preceding designs unnecessary to examine. This quick scan allowed them to skip directly over one-third of the content.

Finally, in one painting, the preliminary forms of steps and three stone gates appeared, with many laborers working on them. From this point on, the art style changed, becoming more detailed and realistic. Clearly, the artist himself understood that the previous depictions were of myths and legends. An academy was established here, attracting more and more people to study and interact, as well as to receive homage from feudal lords and nobles. What followed was the history of the academy's development and the finalization of the architectural layout here.

Another third of the murals passed, and the art style changed again. Everyone here knelt in worship as green river water poured down from the sky, completely filling and submerging the area. No one struggled, no one resisted. Although the figures in the painting weren't detailed enough to show expressions, a sense of excitement and longing could still be discerned from the collective depiction.

The next murals depicted the internal structure of the high tower. Its doors and windows were wide open, and from the second floor upwards, many people could be seen drinking, feasting, and engaging in lively conversation. Upon seeing this, Zhao Yi and Li Zhuiyuan instinctively raised their eyes and looked upwards. It seemed there were many others inside the high tower, not just the one who had appeared earlier. They clearly couldn't be so lively now... but they should still be here.

In the next painting, a group of people appeared in front of the tower. The number was unknown; the perspective was first-person, standing among the crowd, looking at the high tower ahead.

Zhao Yi: "I originally thought it would depict eight or nine people. That would be more interesting."

Li Zhuiyuan shook his head. "You really want to be the Fated One?"

Zhao Yi: "Tsk, I like that title."

In the final third of the murals, from the artist's perspective, what was depicted was actually the future. In short, a group of people would arrive here, enter the high tower, and begin ascending the floors. As they went, each of them would be joined by another person. Because the figures here were depicted using two different painting styles, it was clear to distinguish between the "Fated Ones" and the original inhabitants of the tower who were seen feasting and drinking. After entering the tower, the Fated Ones would ascend floor by floor. As they went, each would be accompanied by one of the original inhabitants who had been reveling in the tower.

Zhao Yi: "Does this mean we need to find a companion?"

Li Zhuiyuan: "Mhm, the external interfering conditions have arrived."

The meaning in the painting was subtle yet clear. Zhao Yi smiled. If this was the case, then his current disadvantage would no longer be a disadvantage.

The second-to-last painting showed two overlapping figures, bathed in a special ray of dawn light, striking the bell. In the last painting, above the scroll, a pure white, crystalline hand appeared, seemingly beckoning, and above it, a true celestial gate and immortal palace emerged. Below the scroll, the dark figures within the high tower, in the kneeling corpse pit, within all the jadeite, and even the singing girls and dancing women on the white path, all lifted off the ground and collectively soared towards the immortal palace. This dense scene of collective ascension had an eerie sense of horror.

Li Zhuiyuan pointed to the scene in the second-to-last painting where the bell was being struck on the top floor of the high tower. The bell-strikers were two overlapping figures, but it was discernible that one was a Fated One and the other an original inhabitant of the tower.

Zhao Yi: "Only one side can survive. Two out of three."

Li Zhuiyuan: "Mhm."

Zhao Yi then pointed to "that group of people" in the previous painting. "Since the number is deliberately unspecified, it proves that a group of people comes here periodically, and everyone wants to strike that bell. Look at this painting again: after the bell is successfully struck, they are enveloped in an ethereal glow. This is a great opportunity, an immortal fortune."

Li Zhuiyuan: "Immortal fortune."

Zhao Yi: "That means the final victor, even if they can't achieve full daylight ascension, will gain immense benefits."

Li Zhuiyuan: "Perhaps."

Zhao Yi: "Why do you seem unenthusiastic? Is it because you think you're going to lose me?"

Li Zhuiyuan didn't speak, but pointed to the stairs, indicating it was time to go up to the second floor. As the two ascended the stairs, Zhao Yi asked, "Whose face was that that appeared on the top floor earlier?" Then, he answered himself, "Was it the person who formally established this place?"

Li Zhuiyuan: "Probably." However, the black-robed figure in A Li's dream explicitly stated that he had a grudge against a certain Dragon King of the Qin and Liu families. Based on this, and considering the construction era of this place, there seemed to be a discrepancy. The Qin and Liu families had a long history, but to have had a conflict with the person who built this place... the timeline seemed too strained. Perhaps only the true first-generation Dragon Kings of the Qin and Liu families could barely fit that timeframe.

Li Zhuiyuan's thoughts were numerous and chaotic. Primarily, this place wasn't static. Even after its structure was finalized, people continuously entered, and Yu Zangsheng was a typical example. Including themselves now, they had been forcibly pushed here by the river. Too many people had entered, which would undoubtedly have a continuous impact on this place.

Zhao Yi: "Hey, you're keeping secrets from me."

Li Zhuiyuan: "Mhm, we're competitors now, aren't we?"

Zhao Yi clutched his fragile heart dramatically and exclaimed mournfully, "Alright, alright!"

Li Zhuiyuan: "You also deliberately misled me just now when you were talking."

Zhao Yi: "It doesn't matter if I do that; you wouldn't be misled by me anyway."

The two arrived on the second floor. There were tables laden with fine wine and delicious food, but none of the boisterousness of lively banquets. Everyone sat quietly in their places. They wore various clothes, were of different ages, and were all dead. They had died peacefully, with smiles on their lips. In front of each person hung a bell. When Li Zhuiyuan and Zhao Yi stepped onto the second floor, all the bells chimed.

"Whoosh," Zhao Yi whistled and chuckled. "It seems everyone is quite pleased with us and willing to follow us." The chiming of the bells indicated a willingness to be chosen, a form of acknowledgement.

Li Zhuiyuan and Zhao Yi carefully examined the bells. The bells had a unique design, with a circle of upward-facing grooves on the outside. This was actually a special restriction targeting this high tower. The high tower was suppressing everyone here. This was easy to understand: the unique environment here allowed corpses to be perfectly preserved, completely unaffected by the erosion of time. And those who could enter this high tower were all practitioners of Xuanmen arts. If the bodies of these individuals were left unsuppressed for such a long time, problems would inevitably arise. The purpose of these bells was also very simple; almost anyone with a basic understanding of formations could discern it. One only needed to drip their own blood into the bell's groove, filling it, and the tower's suppression on the corpse corresponding to that bell would be temporarily lifted. It was like a small blood sacrifice ritual, much like the folk custom of brothers swearing an oath by dripping blood into wine and drinking together. If one were to touch the corpses here without dripping blood into the bells, they would suffer the same suppression from the high tower. Rules: the high tower was also strict with its rules.

Li Zhuiyuan and Zhao Yi merely walked through the crowd here, observing without making any selections. Even if they were to choose, they wouldn't do so on the second floor. Immediately, the two went up to the third floor. The third floor had the same layout as the second, but with half as many people. When the two ascended, all the bells still chimed collectively. It seemed they remained very popular here. The fourth floor had half as many people again, and still all the bells chimed. The fifth, sixth, seventh, and even up to the eighth floor were the same. As they ascended the floors, the number of corpses decreased, but the aura of pressure emanating from them grew increasingly potent. Logically, since they were dead and suppressed by the high tower, no aura should be emanating from them. Therefore, this pressure was inherent, suggesting that they had either accomplished many remarkable feats or were truly exceptional individuals, capable of exuding an imposing presence even in death.

Li Zhuiyuan: "Have you seen any of your relatives?"

Zhao Yi looked as if he had heard something utterly absurd, pointing at his own nose as he retorted: "How can you even ask me that question? Whose family has more relatives than yours!"

In the Xuanmen world, the most influential families were naturally the Dragon King families. A family frequently producing Dragon Kings also implied more outstanding individuals within the same generation of that family. These individuals must have visited many places in their lifetime. Naturally, the more dangerous and mysterious a place, the higher the probability of finding their corpses there. Historically, the Jiujiang Zhao family had only produced one Dragon King, Zhao Wuyang. Although the Zhao family had not declined, the absence of subsequent Dragon Kings indicated that this was a testament to Zhao Wuyang's individual greatness rather than the collective stature of the entire Jiujiang Zhao family, a clear disparity. In contrast, the Qin and Liu families were orthodox Dragon King lineages. Though their current generation was sparse, in terms of ancestral heritage, they truly feared no one. Moreover, by Li Zhuiyuan's generation, holding the legacy of two Dragon King lineages meant that the relatives of both families could be utilized as one. Although Li Zhuiyuan's surname was Li and Liu Yumei hadn't made him change it, once he entered the lineage, the ancestors of both families became equivalent to Li Zhuiyuan's ancestors, as the relationship of inheritance was inherently deeper, more important, and more valued than blood ties.

Li Zhuiyuan: "I'm not lying to you. I haven't seen any of my relatives here. My ancestors weren't very interested in becoming immortals."

Zhao Yi: "I'm not lying to you either. I haven't seen any of my relatives here. My ancestors were probably quite interested in becoming immortals, but they didn't have the ability to break into this place."

When they were about to ascend to the ninth floor, Zhao Yi motioned for Li Zhuiyuan to stop first. "Wait a moment. I'll go up alone first."

"Alright." Li Zhuiyuan stopped.

The higher the floor, the higher the corresponding demands, and the more anxious Zhao Yi felt. This was a test of his own mettle. He worried that if he and the young man went up to the ninth floor together, and all the bells continued to chime, for whom would they be chiming? He hoped they weren't chiming for him, making him foolishly happy and self-satisfied.

Zhao Yi ascended to the ninth floor, and all the bells chimed. Upon hearing the sound, Li Zhuiyuan also walked onto the ninth floor, and all the bells chimed again. Zhao Yi had a smile on his face.

Li Zhuiyuan: "You could actually be a bit more confident."

Zhao Yi: "Before I met you, I was always very confident."

Next, they went up to the tenth floor. As before, Zhao Yi went up first, while Li Zhuiyuan waited on the stairs. On the tenth floor, only nine people remained, each in an individual armchair. The moment Zhao Yi stepped up, he felt an immense pressure, and beads of sweat began to form on his forehead. The bells chimed. This time, out of the nine bells, only two rang. Li Zhuiyuan walked up the stairs, and all nine bells chimed.

Zhao Yi: "See? The difference is clear."

Li Zhuiyuan didn't speak.

Zhao Yi: "I think I'll have to choose on this tenth floor. There's definitely no chance for me higher up."

Li Zhuiyuan still didn't speak.

Zhao Yi walked over. "But that doesn't stop me from going upstairs with you to take a look."

The twelfth floor held the great bell, so only the eleventh floor remained with people. Li Zhuiyuan and Zhao Yi walked up together. Yu Miaomiao was also here, holding a talisman paper in her left hand and incense in her right. On this floor, there were only three people, each on a raised platform, occupying three sides of the room, excluding the staircase entrance. An old man with white hair, clad in a purple Daoist robe, had a whisk resting on his knee, exuding an immortal aura. A middle-aged woman in a black long dress held a precious sword, emanating a sharp, keen presence. The third individual had the hair of a crane and the face of a child, making it impossible to determine their exact age. They lay on their side on a platform, left hand supporting their head, right hand holding an open book. Their eyes were closed, and the pages of the book were blank.

The people downstairs, though dead, still retained their imposing presence. But the three here gave a much stronger, more peculiar impression: though dead, they seemed alive. When Li Zhuiyuan and Zhao Yi ascended, none of the three bells chimed. However, there was no need to feel disheartened, as it was the same for Yu Miaomiao. If they had chimed, she wouldn't have needed to perform the ritualistic worship here.

The talisman paper burned to ash, and the clear incense quickly ignited and instantly dispersed. Yu Miaomiao performed the Yu family's formal bow to the three figures: "Junior Yu Miaomiao, a River Walker from the Luoyang Yu family, respectfully requests the seniors to assist me in obtaining this immortal fortune!" No sooner had she spoken than a bell chimed. It was the black-clad, sword-wielding woman. The precious sword seemed to sense something, slightly unsheathing and emitting a soft hum. Yu Miaomiao's face lit up with joy, and she bowed again to the woman. "Thank you, senior. Your great kindness, this junior will never forget!" Having spoken, Yu Miaomiao pricked her fingertip with a fingernail and dripped blood into the bell. As the bell's groove gradually filled with blood, the high tower's suppressive aura on the woman slowly dissipated. Finally, the bell detached and fell into Yu Miaomiao's hand. As she gently waved it, the black-clad woman rose from her platform and stepped down.

Yu Miaomiao walked ahead, with the black-clad woman following behind. As she approached, Li Zhuiyuan and Zhao Yi felt their exposed skin sting slightly. It was noteworthy that this was merely her state without open eyes, still within the high tower's environment. A gentle current of air emanated from within the high tower, blowing only upon Yu Miaomiao, stirring her hair, seemingly guiding her and indicating that she could now descend.

Yu Miaomiao stopped in front of Li Zhuiyuan and Zhao Yi, first addressing Zhao Yi: "See if the name of your Jiujiang Zhao family can summon anyone." Then she looked at Li Zhuiyuan disdainfully. "This is not a place for you."

Li Zhuiyuan nodded. Yu Zangsheng had once angrily called her an idiot for not even figuring out her opponent's identity until now. She wasn't faking it. Just as she had forgotten to first secure a jade fragment for safety, she genuinely hadn't strongly doubted the young man's background. Li Zhuiyuan indeed disliked introducing himself to living people, but normally, after a brief interaction, one could discern clues from each other's methods. For example, Zhao Yi next to him had figured it out back then.

Yu Miaomiao, holding the bell, descended the stairs with the black-clad woman. Her last words were: "Hurry up, don't keep me waiting downstairs."

Zhao Yi couldn't help but let out a laugh. "How does she manage to be so consistently confident?"

Li Zhuiyuan: "It's good. That way, she can always be happy."

At this moment, because one bell had already been removed, the everlasting lamps on this floor seemed to dim slightly, and this trend slowly continued. This was likely a nudge from the high tower, indicating they needed to hurry.

Li Zhuiyuan asked Zhao Yi, "Do you want to bow to them?"

Zhao Yi shook his head. "Forget it, no need to bother. I'll go back downstairs for my happy choice of two." Zhao Yi waved his hand and walked downstairs.

Li Zhuiyuan's gaze lingered on the scholar and the old man. He was making a choice, and it was a very difficult one. His peripheral vision caught the everlasting lamps. What a pity, there wasn't much time left.

Zhao Yi stood on the tenth floor. A man and a woman sat on the two chairs in front of him. Earlier, these two were the ones whose bells had chimed for him. Zhao Yi rubbed his chin. "A choice of two out of three? One remains out of three... doesn't that mean I'm dead for sure?" The Yu family girl was strong, both before and after her injuries. Furthermore, she had brought down a helper from the eleventh floor. But Zhao Yi felt he still had a chance to contend with her. The problem was, there was still the young man upstairs. He genuinely lacked the confidence to compete with that young man for that slim chance of survival. "A slim chance... a slim chance..." The "life-and-death gate" furrow on Zhao Yi's forehead began to squirm rapidly. He didn't want to die; he wanted to live. He had hastily joined this wave precisely to prolong his life. The contents of the first-floor murals rapidly cycled through his mind, especially the final one-third portion. He looked conflicted. "Is there another, stranger truth? What kind of 'mettle' is being tested by the ringing of these bells?"

Zhao Yi opened his hands, then clenched them into fists. Then he raised one finger, but when he tried to raise a second, he couldn't. Because this idea, to him, had only a ten percent chance of being true. In fact, it was less than ten percent, but he couldn't chop his pinky into pieces to represent it more accurately. "If that's the case, then it's absolutely insane, no different from gambling." Zhao Yi shook his head, then re-evaluated from a different angle the probability of him inviting one of these two down and ultimately defeating both the Yu family girl