76: The Eternal Pride Tower, the Emperor serves as a sparring partner

One day came to an end amidst the liveliness of Zizhu Peak. Ye Guying, using the immense energy from the Saint King Realm Tiger King's flesh, broke through his restraints and firmly stood at the Peak of the King Realm.

Before leaving, he didn't forget to pester Gu Changge for a liang of enlightenment tea, clutching the tea leaves like a protective squirrel.

Mu Chenyu not only solidified his Middle Stage Purple Mansion Realm cultivation but also began to show the advantages of his Saint-Grade Aptitude.

In the following days, Zizhu Peak saw a constant stream of visitors. Li Muran and several other Peak Masters came one after another, bringing their Disciples to partake in the Opportunity.

Disciples from all Peaks made rapid progress under the enhancement of spiritual essence and spiritual items, significantly improving their Aptitude and cultivation.

Xiao Ruobai and Fang Hanyu also took the Opportunity to push their cultivation to the Peak of the Purple Mansion Realm. The fierce power of the War God Body and the sharpness of the Chaos Sword Body became even more refined.

After finally seeing off the last wave of "visiting" Peak Masters, Gu Changge at last found a moment of peace.

He looked at his two Disciples, whose auras were now stable, and with a flick of his finger, a black light shot out.

It was a small, palm-sized dark profound tower, its body intricately carved with dense Imperial Runes. Ancient Dao Rhymes, transcending time and space, flowed between the patterns. This was the "Eternal Heavens Pride Tower" he had obtained from a sign-in a few days prior.

"This tower is named 'Eternal Heavens Pride Tower.' It contains the projections of all Prodigies from the Xuanhuang Great World over the past millions of years."

Gu Changge flicked his finger, and the small tower suddenly ascended, rapidly enlarging in the air above Zizhu Peak, eventually transforming into an exquisite tower ten zhang tall.

The moment the tower gate slowly opened, a vast aura surged forth. Inside was not the narrow space one might imagine, but a boundless and vast world.

Stars revolved in the distance, mountains undulated nearby, and countless light and shadow figures floated between heaven and earth, as if countless astonishing and brilliant figures were practicing Divine Abilities within.

Xiao Ruobai and Fang Hanyu's pupils contracted. They felt their minds completely drawn to the scene inside the tower, and even their breathing unconsciously softened.

"The tower contains its own self-contained space, vast and boundless, and can automatically match suitable opponents based on the challenger's cultivation."

Gu Changge's voice echoed in the wind, carrying a hint of casualness, yet it caused a great shock in the hearts of the two.

"If you are in the Purple Mansion Realm, you might be matched against the Purple Mansion Realm projection of a certain young Great Emperor from millions of years ago. Each opponent is an existence that once shook the past and present; their understanding of the Dao and their application of combat techniques are all at the pinnacle of their respective realms."

These words exploded in their ears like thunder. Xiao Ruobai gripped the Nine Heavens Dragon Soul Halberd slightly tighter, and the Battle Intent in his eyes instantly ignited.

Being able to fight against a young Great Emperor from millions of years ago thrilled him more than slaying Yao Beasts in the Ten Thousand Mountains!

Fang Hanyu also gripped the Primordial Sword, a fervent light flashing in his clear, cold eyes. The Chaos Sword Body seemed to have sensed the true Sword Intent within the tower, and his sword sheath trembled slightly.

"After entering the tower, each challenge is randomly matched. If you win, you accumulate combat experience and temper your Dao Heart. If you lose, you will be sent out by the tower's rules, with no danger to your life."

Gu Changge added.

"You are now at the Peak of the Purple Mansion Realm. Ordinary Yao Beasts can no longer stimulate your potential. You need to temper yourselves through battles with Prodigies. When you can achieve ten consecutive victories in the tower, then consider Breakthrough."

"Disciple understands!"

The two replied in unison, their voices filled with uncontrollable excitement.

Xiao Ruobai took the first step, and the moment his figure entered the tower gate, he was drawn by a soft force and landed on a desolate ancient battlefield.

Before he could stand firm, a golden light streaked across the sky. A young man in crimson-gold armor floated in mid-air, a long spear in his hand radiating Imperial Might. It was the Purple Mansion Realm projection of "Crimson Sky Great Emperor," who had achieved emperorship through the spear Dao millions of years ago.

"Who dares to intrude upon my Crimson Sky Battlefield?!"

The young Great Emperor's voice was like thunder. With a flick of his spear, he thrust it towards Xiao Ruobai. The spear's wind carried a blazing Battle Intent, causing Xiao Ruobai to instinctively grip his long halberd to block.

With a crisp clang, he felt his arm go numb and retreated three steps before steadying himself—this was the power of a young Great Emperor!

Fang Hanyu followed closely, stepping into the tower and finding himself in a forest of swords. A white-robed swordsman stood with his hands behind his back. Though the long sword at his waist was unsheathed, thousands of sword shadows circulated around him. It was the Purple Mansion Realm projection of "Azure Edge Great Emperor," renowned for his fast sword techniques.

"A swordsman should use his heart as his sword."

Before the white-robed swordsman finished speaking, his long sword suddenly unsheathed, and a streak of sword light, like a bolt of silk, shot directly towards Fang Hanyu's face.

Its speed was so great that he could only barely activate his Chaos Sword Qi to defend. The moment the sword light collided, he felt his Sea of Consciousness tremble, and his understanding of Sword Intent suddenly became clearer by several points.

The tower gates slowly closed, and the faint sound of clashing metal could be heard from within the tower.

That was the sound of the two clashing weapons with the Prodigy projections, mixed with the young Great Emperor's low shouts and their battle roars, weaving into an impassioned symphony in the morning light of Zizhu Peak.

Gu Changge looked up at the Eternal Heavens Pride Tower, twirling a spiritual fruit between his fingers, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Little Black Bird flew from his shoulder, landed on the top of the tower, and tilted its head, chirping twice, as if curious about the commotion inside the tower... The night was as dark as ink. The bamboo shadows of Zizhu Peak were shattered into mottled silver by the moonlight. Gu Changge leaned back in his thousand-year-old Purple Bamboo chair, lightly dozing.

The wind at the third watch of the night suddenly paused.

Gu Changge's originally gentle breathing suddenly tightened, and his eyes snapped open.

It was an aura far surpassing anyone in the Azure Profound Sect, heavy as a deep abyss. Although it had been deliberately restrained, it could not escape Gu Changge's perception.

The unique pressure of a Peak Saint-Grade Cultivator was rapidly approaching from the direction of the Xuan Province border. Wherever it passed, even the Spiritual Qi between heaven and earth seemed to be stirred, trembling slightly.

This power, like a silent shadow, was drawing closer to the Azure Profound Sect.

Almost the instant this aura entered the Azure Profound Sect's sphere of influence, the Sect-protecting Grand Array, the "Cosmic Star Array," spontaneously sensed danger, and the Imperial Runes deep within its foundation quietly lit up.

Countless tiny stellar phantoms flickered behind the clouds above the Sect, just a hair's breadth from being fully activated, ready to envelop the entire Azure Profound Sect in a protective barrier like an impregnable fortress.

Gu Changge remained seated in his bamboo chair, only raising his fingertip. A faint wisp of azure light swept silently past, like a spring breeze caressing a lake, instantly pressing back the Grand Array that was just about to awaken.

The stellar phantoms vanished, the Imperial Runes fell silent, as if the previous tremor had been merely an illusion.

A hint of playfulness flashed in his eyes.

A Peak Saint-Grade Cultivator was an existence that could walk sideways in the Xuanhuang Great World. Ordinary Sects would be scrambling to curry favor, yet this person was visiting the Azure Profound Sect late at night. He wondered what their intention was.

In less than half an incense stick's time, a white-robed figure silently stopped in the clouds above the Azure Profound Sect's mountain gate.

The person's long hair fell to his shoulders, and a faint, ethereal Saint Dao halo enveloped his body. In his hand, he held an ancient, unadorned long sword—he was the owner of that Peak Saint-Grade aura.

He looked down at the tranquil Azure Profound Sect below, a hint of scrutiny in his eyes.

Yet, he was completely unaware that he had almost triggered the Sect-protecting Grand Array, powerful enough to trap a Great Emperor, nor did he notice that the array patterns had briefly awakened and then been suppressed.