33: Chapter 33 Golden Tower Soul! 100,000 Life and Mana Points!

On the Void Platform, the Ancient King's phantom silently watched Lin Feng.

Those star-like eyes seemed to see through people's hearts, making Lin Feng feel that all his secrets were exposed.

"First question."

The king's voice echoed in the Void Realm, grand and distant.

"What is power?"

Lin Feng was stunned.

This question... was too broad.

He hesitated for a few seconds, then cautiously replied: "Power is the ability to change the status quo."

"Not enough." The king shook his head. "Think again."

Lin Feng frowned in thought.

He recalled his despair when he awakened his F-Rank Talent, Wang Hao's mockery, and the Blood Wolf Group's pursuit.

"Power is the ability to protect oneself and one's loved ones," he added.

The king still shook his head: "Still not enough."

Lin Feng took a deep breath.

Images flashed through his mind: his helpless appearance when his parents disappeared, and the unwillingness in his heart when Chen Lin left.

"Power is the ability to break the shackles of fate and control one's own life!"

This time, the king was silent.

A few seconds later, he slowly spoke: "Close, but still not the answer."

"Then I ask you—" The king stared at Lin Feng, "If you possessed the power to change the world, what would you use it for?"

Lin Feng didn't hesitate: "I would search for the truth behind my parents' disappearance, protect those around me, and make those who bullied me pay the price."

"And then?" The king pressed, "After you've done all these things, will you still pursue power?"

"Yes." Lin Feng was resolute.

"Why?"

"Because..." Lin Feng looked up, his eyes shining, "I want to see how vast this world truly is. I want to know what lies at the end of the Universe. I want to understand why Earth was digitized."

He spoke faster and faster, as if a floodgate had opened.

"Textbooks say that fifty years ago, the world was digitized, Void Realm rifts appeared in the sky, and Dungeon gates appeared underground. But why? Who did it? What was the purpose?"

"Where do those Void Realm creatures come from? How were the Dungeon worlds formed?"

"I want to know the answers to all of this!"

Lin Feng's voice echoed in the Void Realm.

The king listened quietly, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes.

"So, to you, what is power?" the king finally asked.

Lin Feng pondered for a moment, then gave his answer.

"Power is the courage to explore the unknown, the obsession to pursue truth, and the determination to uphold one's beliefs."

This time, the king smiled.

"Very good."

"First question, passed."

Lin Feng breathed a sigh of relief, his back soaked with cold sweat.

This wasn't a test of strength at all, but a Soul-searching interrogation!

"Second question."

The king's voice rang out again.

"How do you view life and death?"

Lin Feng's heart tightened.

This question was even trickier.

He remembered the seventeen Prodigy phantoms on the ninth floor just now, and their hollow eyes.

"Life and death... are natural laws." Lin Feng carefully chose his words, "Everyone is destined to die."

"Then do you fear death?" the king asked.

"Yes." Lin Feng admitted frankly, "I'm still young, and there are many things I haven't done, so of course I fear death."

"But if it's for something important, would you choose to die?"

Lin Feng fell silent.

He thought of his parents.

If he knew his parents were trapped somewhere and needed him to sacrifice his life to save them, what would he choose?

"I don't know." Lin Feng finally shook his head, "Until that moment comes, I can't say for sure."

"But I know—" He looked up, his gaze firm, "If my death could bring about something more important, like saving my parents, protecting Chen Lin, or uncovering the truth of this world..."

"I would consider it."

The king nodded: "Honest."

"Then, from another perspective—if you needed to sacrifice others to become stronger, would you do it?"

"No." This time Lin Feng answered quickly.

"Why? Didn't you just say that power is very important to you?"

"Power is important, but principles are more important." Lin Feng enunciated each word, "If I resort to any means to become stronger, what's the difference between me and those people from the Blood Wolf Group?"

A hint of a smile flashed in the king's eyes.

"Second question, passed."

Lin Feng wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Only one left.

"Third question, and the most difficult one."

The king's voice became serious.

"If one day, you discover that everything in this world—including the digitized System, Dungeons, Talents, and Physique—is a huge scam."

"What would you do?"

Lin Feng was stunned.

A scam?

What did that mean?

"You mean... the world we live in is fake?" he asked tentatively.

"Not necessarily fake, but perhaps not what you imagine." The king slowly said, "Perhaps the so-called 'Talent Awakening' and 'Dungeon Raids' are just a game for some existence. Perhaps you all struggle to become stronger, only to ultimately serve as a stepping stone for others."

Lin Feng felt a chill down his spine.

If that were true...

"Then I must become even stronger." He gritted his teeth.

"Oh? Why?"

"Because only by becoming stronger will I be qualified to know the truth." Flames burned in Lin Feng's eyes, "If this world truly is a scam, then I will break it! If it's a game, then I will become a player, not a pawn!"

His voice grew louder, carrying an unyielding spirit.

"I want to become strong enough to stand before those who orchestrated this and ask them—'By what right?'"

"By what right do you decide our fate? By what right do you treat Earth as a testing ground? By what right do you make us kill each other?"

The king watched him silently.

On the Void Platform, only Lin Feng's heavy breathing could be heard.

After a long while, the king slowly spoke.

"Third question, passed."

Lin Feng's legs went weak, and he almost collapsed to the ground.

Finally... it was over.

"Young man, your answers satisfy me." The king smiled, "You not only have the determination to become stronger, but also the principles to protect, and the courage to break conventions."

"One in ten thousand possesses all three."

"Therefore, I have decided to bestow upon you the 'King's Gift.'"

The king raised the scepter in his hand and lightly tapped it.

Buzz—

The Void Realm trembled.

A golden light shot from the tip of the scepter and entered Lin Feng's forehead.

Lin Feng felt his mind explode!

Countless pieces of information flooded in.

At the same time, an immeasurably vast power began to transform his body.

[Obtained: golden tower soul (Immortal Grade)]

[Already fused with Soul Core]

[Effect 1: HP Cap +10000]

[Effect 2: mana Cap +10000]

[Effect 3: All Attributes +10]

[Effect 4: Acquired Passive Skill "Tower Soul Protection" (When taking fatal damage, the Tower Soul will automatically resist; cooldown 24 hours)]

[Effect 5: Acquired Growth Ability - Devouring Golden quality Materials and above can increase Tower Soul Rank and unlock new functions]

[Growth Stage: Tower Soul (/100) → Golden Tower (Unactivated) → ???]

[Description: An immortal creation formed from the essence of the Ancient King's life, possessing infinite growth potential]

Lin Feng's eyes widened, looking at this information in disbelief.

One hundred thousand HP?

One hundred thousand mana?

All attributes plus one hundred?

And fatal damage resistance?

This... this was too exaggerated!

His current total HP, including equipment, was only a few hundred.

Now it directly soared to one hundred thousand?!

His mana also changed from 375 points to over one hundred thousand!

All attributes plus one hundred meant his spirit attribute directly became 475 points!

Spell attack became 2375 points!

"This... this..." Lin Feng was so excited he couldn't speak.

The king smiled: "This is just the foundation. The true value of the Tower Soul lies in its growth—it can devour golden quality Materials to evolve, eventually becoming a true 'Immortal Golden Tower.'"

"By then, you will possess the power to change the world."

Lin Feng took several deep breaths, forcing himself to calm down.

"Thank you... thank you." He bowed deeply.

"You deserve it." The king's figure began to become transparent, "Young man, remember your words today."

"Power is the courage to explore the unknown."

"In life and death, uphold your principles."

"The truth must be uncovered by yourself."

"I have left a wisp of my consciousness in the Tower Soul; when you need it, I will guide you."

"Now, it's time for you to leave."

The king's figure completely dissipated.

The Void Platform began to collapse.

The ground beneath Lin Feng's feet split open, and he fell into endless darkness.

...

Outside the Ancient Trial Tower, at the foot of the mountain.

Blood Wolf suddenly opened his eyes.

He felt it—the energy fluctuations of the Dungeon entrance were changing drastically!

"Everyone get up!" he growled.

More than thirty Blood Wolf Group members immediately entered combat readiness.

Skinny Monkey nervously stared at the stone gate on the mountaintop: "Leader, what's wrong?"

"That kid... is coming out." Blood Wolf gripped his scimitar, a fierce glint in his eyes.

No sooner had he spoken—

Boom!!!

The stone gate on the mountaintop erupted with dazzling golden light!

The golden light shot straight into the sky, illuminating the entire night.

All the Explorer Association staff in the camp rushed out, staring dumbfounded at the scene.

"This is... a Dungeon clearance phenomenon?" a staff member murmured.

"The Ancient Trial Tower was cleared?!"

The golden light lasted for a full ten seconds.

Then, it slowly dissipated.

At the same time, the ancient stone gate on the mountaintop—disappeared.

Only an ordinary cave entrance remained, with faint bluestone steps visible inside.

"The... the illusory gate disappeared!" Skinny Monkey shrieked.

Blood Wolf's face was so grim it could drip water.

The Dungeon entrance disappearing meant that this Dungeon would now become a regular Dungeon, accessible to anyone.

It also meant...

"That kid really cleared it." Blood Wolf gritted his teeth.

Everyone grew tense.

They gripped their weapons, staring intently at the cave entrance.

A chilling atmosphere permeated the air.

The Explorer Association staff also sensed something was wrong and quietly retreated, hiding in the camp tents.

Time passed minute by minute.

There was no movement from inside the cave.

"Leader, did he escape through another exit?" Fatty asked in a low voice.

"Impossible." Blood Wolf shook his head, "The Ancient Trial Tower has only one entrance and one exit."

"Then how..."

He didn't finish his sentence.

Inside the cave, footsteps could be heard.

Light and steady.

One step, two steps, three steps...

A figure slowly emerged from the darkness.

Moonlight shone on him.

The white holy light wing cloak gently swayed behind him, its golden patterns shimmering under the moonlight.

His left hand held a massive shield with blood-colored patterns, and at its center was a phantom of a general.

His right hand was empty, but golden specks of light danced at his fingertips.

He wore Glasses of Insight on his face, and the eyes behind the lenses were as calm as water.

Lin Feng.

He walked out of the cave, stood at its mouth, and overlooked the camp below the mountain.

His gaze fell upon the Blood Wolf Group.

The two sides faced each other from a hundred meters apart.

The air seemed to freeze.

"It's him..." Skinny Monkey's voice trembled, "He killed four of our brothers yesterday..."

Blood Wolf took a deep breath and stepped forward.

"Kid." His voice was hoarse, "You killed my men."

Lin Feng didn't speak, just watched him quietly.

"Hand over what you got in the Dungeon, then sever your own arms." Blood Wolf licked his lips, "I might consider leaving you a complete corpse."

Lin Feng finally spoke.

His voice was calm, showing no emotion.

"What if I say no?"

Blood Wolf laughed, a ferocious grin on his face.

"Then you'll die."

"Thirty against one, do you think you have a chance?"

Lin Feng also smiled.

He raised his right hand, palm facing upwards.

Golden light gathered in his palm, growing brighter and more dazzling.

"Whether I have a chance..."

"Won't we know if we try?"