Chapter 2063: Sycophant Lan Fokong

Ye Tianxue's aptitude was extraordinary; she likely possessed an ice-attributed spiritual physique. Generally, for the same divine ability, a cultivator with superior aptitude could unleash greater power.

The Long family sent envoys to congratulate Taiyang Sect, primarily aiming to propose that Taiyang Sect become an affiliated power of the Myriad Spirit Sect. Although the Long family had two Integration Realm cultivators, this was not enough to subdue Taiyang Sect.

True Immortal Taiyang cultivated from the Nascent Soul stage to the Void Refinement stage in under five thousand years, which is an incredibly fast cultivation speed. This indicates True Immortal Taiyang's significant potential.

If Taiyang Sect could become an affiliated power of the Myriad Spirit Sect, it would greatly benefit Taiyang Sect's future development. This would also count as a meritorious deed for Long Qingyang.

True Immortal Taiyang was an Integration Realm cultivator, and subduing someone of that realm was no easy feat. With the addition of the genius Ye Tianxue, Taiyang Sect's rise was unstoppable. To bring Taiyang Sect under their control, a higher price would be required.

Ye Tianxue did not continue the challenge. She flew out of the Qianyang Pagoda and landed on the ground.

She was drenched in sweat, her face pale, clearly showing signs of excessive spiritual energy depletion. Continuous battles with dozens of fifth-tier demonic beasts had severely drained her spiritual power.

"Fairy Ye truly lives up to her reputation as Senior Zhao's disciple. To possess such divine abilities at such a young age, her future is boundless. I just told Fellow Daoist Chen that Fairy Ye is no ordinary person, and I was right," said a thin, bamboo-like elder in a green robe with a chuckle. The elder's cheeks were gaunt, yet his complexion was ruddy. Dressed in a green Daoist robe and holding a green whisk, he exuded an air of immortality.

This was Lan Fukong, the patriarch of the Lan family from Yunhang Mountain, a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator.

"Fellow Daoist Lan, you're too modest," Ye Tianxue said, her tone somewhat cool, seemingly unwilling to prolong the conversation with Lan Fukong. "My challenge is complete. If Fellow Daoist Lan is interested, you may proceed with yours."

"Other fellow cultivators may proceed with their challenges independently," True Immortal Taiyang stated gravely, his voice echoing across the entire Golden Stone Plaza. "The process of each cultivator's challenge will be made public, to prevent anyone from accusing this old man of cheating."

"Alright, I'll go first."

Lu Shisan was the first to respond, leaping towards the Qianyang Pagoda.

The thirty-seventh floor lit up with a dazzling red light, revealing an opening through which Lu Shisan flew inside.

The moment Lu Shisan appeared in the hall, a golden light flashed in the void, and a Golden-Eyed Four-Armed Ape emerged. The Golden-Eyed Four-Armed Ape unleashed a golden, hazy sound wave, directly targeting Lu Shisan.

Lu Shisan flipped his right hand, a shimmering red long saber appearing in his grasp. He then slashed at the Golden-Eyed Four-Armed Ape through the air. A piercing saber hum resonated as a crimson saber aura swept out, striking the opponent. With a thunderous roar, the golden sound wave was shattered by the crimson saber aura. The saber aura struck the Golden-Eyed Four-Armed Ape, producing a dull thud and leaving only a shallow wound.

The Golden-Eyed Four-Armed Ape and Lu Shisan engaged in fierce combat, observed closely by the assembled cultivators. Given Lu Shisan's strength, the Golden-Eyed Four-Armed Ape was naturally no match for him. Before long, a heaven-piercing saber energy sliced the Golden-Eyed Four-Armed Ape in two.

Lu Shisan proceeded to the thirty-eighth floor, where a Golden-Winged Fiery Centipede quickly appeared. Lu Shisan swung his saber at it, unleashing hundreds of fierce crimson saber energies that struck the Golden-Winged Fiery Centipede repeatedly, producing a series of dull thuds.

Time passed, and Lu Shisan advanced with unstoppable momentum. In less than fifteen minutes, he had reached the fortieth floor.

Other Nascent Soul cultivators gradually began their challenges. While the floors they started on differed, the demonic beasts they encountered were the same.

Long Yunxin and Long Yunzhen challenged the pagoda together, drawing considerable attention from many cultivators. Major powers all possessed treasures similar to the Qianyang Pagoda, primarily used to train their juniors and enhance their combat experience. Generally, a solo challenge was less difficult, while a multi-person challenge was more challenging.

"Fellow Daoist Long and Fairy Long are actually challenging together. It seems they are quite confident," Lan Fukong commented, smiling. "I believe they will definitely achieve a good ranking."

The moment Long Yunxin and Long Yunzhen appeared in the golden hall of the thirty-seventh floor, two golden lights flashed in the void, and two Golden-Eyed Four-Armed Apes suddenly materialized. They charged at Long Yunxin and Long Yunzhen from left and right. Long Yunxin showed no fear, his body radiating spiritual light. He punched one of the Golden-Eyed Four-Armed Apes with his right fist. Long Yunzhen, meanwhile, released a green lightning eagle with a wingspan of over ten zhang. The green lightning eagle flapped its wings gently, unleashing countless green electrical arcs that surged towards the other Golden-Eyed Four-Armed Ape.

The two Golden-Eyed Four-Armed Apes were naturally no match for Long Yunxin and Long Yunzhen. Long Yunxin transformed into a humanoid beast, his arms moving to unleash a flurry of dense fist shadows that repeatedly pounded one of the Golden-Eyed Four-Armed Apes. The green giant eagle flapped its wings, circling erratically high in the air. A massive green thundercloud suddenly appeared overhead, churning like boiling water. Green lightning orbs descended one after another, striking the other Golden-Eyed Four-Armed Ape.

A dazzling spiritual light engulfed both Golden-Eyed Four-Armed Apes. As the light dispersed, they vanished. A golden light appeared beneath Long Yunxin and Long Yunzhen's feet, sweeping them up to the thirty-eighth floor.

This time, their opponents were a Golden-Winged Fiery Centipede, an emerald-green venomous scorpion, and a golden python over a hundred zhang long.

Meanwhile, Lu Shisan had reached the fiftieth floor, where his opponent was a fifth-tier, high-grade Golden Thunder Eagle.

Lu Shisan's face was pale, and there was a clear bloodstain on his left shoulder, indicating an injury. He took out a light blue pill, swallowed it, and his pale complexion quickly regained its color.

Lu Shisan unleashed his Fiery Flood Dragon Saber, slashing at the void. Thousands of dazzling crimson saber energies swept out, blocking the Golden Thunder Eagle's path. The Golden Thunder Eagle flapped its wings, countless golden electrical arcs surging around its body, and then abruptly vanished. Lu Shisan seemed to sense something, but before he could react, a dazzling golden lightning burst above his head, and the Golden Thunder Eagle reappeared. The Golden Thunder Eagle flapped its wings, unleashing countless golden electrical arcs that engulfed Lu Shisan.

The fiftieth floor radiated a dazzling red light, and Lu Shisan flew out of it, slowly descending to the ground. Lu Shisan's body was scorched, emitting a burnt smell, and his face showed utter unwillingness. Had he faced the Golden Thunder Eagle from the start, even if he couldn't defeat it, he wouldn't have been in such a sorry state. However, his spiritual energy was severely depleted, leading to such a swift defeat. This demonstrated Ye Tianxue's true capability. Both she and Lu Shisan encountered the exact same demonic beasts with identical divine abilities, yet Lu Shisan, even with his Fiery Flood Dragon Saber, was defeated.

"Fellow Daoist Lu, don't be discouraged," Lan Fukong said with a chuckle, his tone laced with flattery. "Reaching the fiftieth floor is already remarkable. This old man estimates he could only pass the forty-fifth floor. With time, you will become even stronger."

Lu Shisan nodded in acknowledgment.

The Lan family had no Void Refinement cultivators, and Lan Fukong was their highest-cultivated member. He was notoriously known as a sycophant, praising anyone he met and never holding grudges. As the saying goes, "Flattery wears down nothing." Lan Fukong excelled at ingratiating himself with others, and since the Lan family controlled no significant cultivation resources, others had no reason to oppose him.