161: Chapter 161 The Nine Levels of Heaven, Each Level Leading to the Heavens

Moonshadow Sect, by the Twin Lakes.

The Twin Lakes were glistening, reflecting the floating clouds in the sky and the mist-like weeping willows by the shore. Disciples of the Sect were either sitting cross-legged on the blue stones by the lake, breathing in Spiritual Qi, or strolling in small groups, chatting in low voices while enjoying the scenery.

Two figures appeared silently in a flat clearing by the lake.

"Revered Master?"

Chi Wanhe, dressed in a pink dress, looked around with her lively, large eyes, carrying a hint of confusion. "Why did you bring Disciple here?"

As soon as the words left her mouth, a hazy and fiery night flashed through her mind—the time she and Revered Master had discussed the Dao right here... Her cheeks instantly flushed with two red clouds, her eyes darted away, and her voice was as soft as a mosquito's hum.

"Revered Master... this... it's broad daylight... isn't that inappropriate?"

Ling Hao heard this and glanced at her sideways; how could he not know what this little girl was thinking? He curled his finger and gave her a light flick on her smooth forehead, feeling annoyed.

"Ouch!" Chi Wanhe covered her forehead, looking at him with a grievance-filled expression.

"What is running through that little head of yours all day?" Ling Hao's tone carried a hint of helpless amusement. "In your eyes, is Revered Master... that open?"

Chi Wanhe pouted and muttered softly, "Then why did Revered Master bring me here?"

Ling Hao said nothing more, his thoughts shifting slightly.

"System, install the Heaven-Reaching Tower."

[Please select the installation location.]

"Right here."

The next instant—a strange humming sound rang out! On the flat ground, a giant tower rose from thin air!

Built entirely of mysterious yellow bricks, the tower's lines were smooth and elegant, piercing straight into the clouds. Countless profound and complex runes flowed slowly across the tower's body, flickering with a deep silver light.

The glazed tiles refracted seven-colored rays of light under the sun, and the flying eaves and brackets were exquisite beyond compare. The nine-story tower was layered and magnificent! A vast and ancient aura gradually permeated the area as the giant tower landed.

"Heavens! What is that?!"

"Look! Sect Master! The Sect Master is there!"

"Such... such a huge tower! Did it appear out of thin air?"

"This tower... it's so spectacular! So beautiful!"

"What is the Sect Master doing taking Elder Chi there?"

"This tower emits such an ancient and powerful aura..."

The tranquility of the lake shore was instantly broken. All the Disciples were shocked by this miracle-like sight, exclaiming one after another. Their gazes, whether filled with awe or curiosity, focused on Ling Hao, Chi Wanhe, and the giant tower that reached the heavens.

Ling Hao ignored the commotion around him. With a slight movement of his Divine Thought, several streams of light shot in from different directions and landed on the open space in front of him.

Qin Zhaoxue in a smoky-green gauze dress, Du Yuqing in black clothes like ink, Lu Changning in a lotus-pink dress, fresh and lovely. Lin Xiwei was still in her moon-white shark-silk dress; as soon as she landed, her gaze fell on the Heaven-Reaching Tower, filled with inquiry.

Ling Hao swept his gaze over them, instantly understanding the Realm of the five women.

Good grief, Xiao Xue, why are you only at the seventh level of the Golden Core? You clearly formed your Golden Core right after Xiao He, and she has already reached Perfection, while you are only at the seventh level. You're about to be caught up by Xiao Wei; you must have spent your effort writing those storybooks again!

Yu Qing is not bad, Golden Body Perfection; her Physique is becoming tougher. Little Changning started Dual Cultivation with me later, and without the blessing of a special Physique, her cultivation speed is slower.

Although Xiao Wei formed her Golden Core on the second-to-last night, this speed of catching up... she must have been cultivating diligently in private.

"Revered Master, this is..." Qin Zhaoxue spoke first, her voice gentle, her gaze shifting between the Heaven-Reaching Tower and Ling Hao.

The others also cast questioning glances.

"Do not be impatient."

Ling Hao raised his hand to signal, then scanned the increasingly gathering Sect Disciples, his voice clearly spreading across the lake shore.

"Fellow Disciples, this tower is named the Heaven-Reaching Tower, a precious treasure newly acquired by the Sect. Its core utility lies in the flow of time within the tower, which can be slowed down and adjusted!"

Upon hearing this, the whole crowd was in an uproar!

"Time flow slowed down?!"

"Heavens! Doesn't that mean if we Cultivate for a year, not much time will have passed in the outside world?"

"The Sect Master was actually able to obtain such a Heaven-Defying Opportunity and divine object!"

"The Sect Master has vast Divine Ability!"

Exclamations, praises, and heartfelt compliments for Ling Hao rose one after another.

"The specific multiplier for the slowdown, as well as the details regarding the contribution points required to enter and Cultivate within the tower, will be officially formulated and announced by the Deacon Hall later."

Ling Hao finished his brief explanation and said to the five Disciples before him, "Follow Revered Master inside to take a look."

After speaking, he rolled his sleeves, took Chi Wanhe, Qin Zhaoxue, Du Yuqing, Lu Changning, and Lin Xiwei, turned into a stream of light, and headed straight into the gate at the bottom of the Heaven-Reaching Tower.

The light dissipated, and the six were already inside the first level of the tower.

The scene before them suddenly opened up. Where was this inside a tower? It was clearly a boundless and quiet lake under the moonlit night!

A huge, bright moon hung high in the sky, its clear radiance spilling over the lake, causing it to shimmer. Countless huge and strange spiritual lotuses bloomed in the lake, emitting a hazy, clear glow.

On the lake, countless exquisite boats of various styles floated—some luxurious, some elegant, some ancient—flickering in and out of sight amidst the moonlight and lotus shadows.

The six of them landed on a painted boat.

"Wow!" Chi Wanhe couldn't help but exclaim, "Revered Master, this... is this inside the tower? Such a huge space! So beautiful!"

Lin Xiwei closed her eyes, feeling it carefully.

"Time... seems to have really slowed down."

The others were also immersed in this dreamlike scene and the clearly thickened and slowed sense of time around them.

Ling Hao smiled slightly; this Heaven-Reaching Tower contained its own small space.

He waved his hand gently. Immediately, scenes like paintings flashed rapidly before everyone.

Second Level: Morning Bamboo House (Green bamboo shadows, mist swirling, warm jade beds in elegant bamboo houses, gauze curtains fluttering).

Third Level: Cloud Sea Immortal Bedroom (Clouds like the sea, white jade-carved palaces floating within, cloud brocade spread in the bedroom, surrounded by Immortal Qi).

Fourth Level: Cloud Dream Fairyland (Fluffy clouds, gentle rays, swirling mist, dreamlike).

Fifth Level: Star Lake Warm Jade (Under the night sky, a huge hot spring lake shimmering, reflecting the starry sky).

Sixth Level: Flower Paradise (Boundless sea of flowers, exotic flowers competing for beauty, emitting intoxicating sweet fragrance).

Seventh Level: Spiritual Spring Illusion (Waterfalls falling from the void, gathering into a crystal-clear spiritual pool, mist forming rainbows).

Eighth Level: Chaos Desire Abyss (A sea of warm, viscous liquid energy, where the most primitive life energy flows, merges, and transforms, magnifying senses infinitely).

Ninth Level: Star River Jade Bed (The brilliant galaxy converges into a boundless jade bed, stars like diamonds dotted on soft nebula brocade, Dao Laws materialized here as the most gorgeous ribbons of light, gently entwining).

"These are the nine wonders of the Heaven-Reaching Tower." Ling Hao retracted his hand, and the paintings dissipated.

"For every level, the multiplier by which time slows down increases sequentially. The first level is the weakest, at 4 times the outside world; thereafter, it goes: 8 times, 16 times, 32 times, 64 times, 128 times, 256 times, 512 times, 1024 times."

"The highest level one can enter is limited by their cultivation Realm; the Qi Refining stage can only enter the first level, Foundation Establishment the second, and so on, until the Mahayana Stage can step into the ninth level."

After the introduction, Ling Hao waved his hand again, and the scene before everyone instantly changed.

Fourth Level: Cloud Dream Fairyland.

The entire space seemed to be frozen at the boundary between dusk and night; underfoot were fluffy clouds, and as far as the eye could see, there was a sea of clouds rolling in layers.

Rouge red, warm orange, and soft pink-purple intertwined and fused, incomparably magnificent. Thick mist flowed and swirled around them, wrapping everyone's figures in a hazy, indistinct way.

Being in it was like falling into the most romantic dream; body and mind were naturally relaxed and intoxicated, and primitive desires were quietly awakened by these warm, soft clouds and hazy light and shadows.

"The time flow here is thirty-two times that of the outside world, the Spiritual Qi is pure and gentle, and the Dao rhyme is long."

Ling Hao's voice was particularly attractive amidst the swirling clouds. "Especially for your current Realm, it is of great help in stabilizing your Dao Heart, harmonizing Yin and Yang, and breaking through Bottlenecks. This Cloud Dream Fairyland is your best place for cultivation."

"You can start cultivating here now. Revered Master hopes that you can break through to the Nascent Soul Stage as soon as possible."

The threat of the True Demon Realm was approaching, and the strength of the Sect Disciples needed a significant increase; this Heaven-Reaching Tower was the fastest shortcut.

Ling Hao decided to go destroy the Cangmu Kingdom in a month, wanting to raise the strength of his five Disciples to the Nascent Soul Stage as quickly as possible within this month.

As soon as he finished speaking, several gazes containing anticipation and shyness fell on Ling Hao.

Chi Wanhe stepped forward, her pink cheeks slightly flushed, directly hugging Ling Hao's arm and shaking it gently. Her full chest pressed against him, and she looked up at Ling Hao with watery apricot eyes, saying coquettishly:

"Revered Master~ I also want to break through to the Nascent Soul Stage as soon as possible. The Spiritual Qi here is liquid and the Dao principles are clear, but Disciple feels... just cultivating isn't enough! I also need your guidance, Revered Master..."

Qin Zhaoxue's pretty face was blushing, she lowered her head slightly, and under her smoky-green skirt, her black-stockinged calves unconsciously pressed together: "Disciple... Disciple has been cultivating recently, and seems to have some confusion about the principle of Yin and Yang harmony in the 'Dao Scripture'... I beg Revered Master... to resolve my doubts..."

Du Yuqing approached Ling Hao's side and called out softly, "Revered Master." Her words were concise, but her tense body lines and slightly rapid breathing were the best words.

Lu Changning stood obediently a little further back, her lotus-pink dress making her look pure and lovely. She quietly reached out her small hand, tugged on Ling Hao's sleeve, and whispered:

"Revered Master... Changning doesn't want to Cultivate yet, but the scenery here is so good, and Changning brought some snacks... I want to... want to ask Revered Master to appreciate the scenery... while tasting them..." Her voice became smaller and smaller, and her cheeks turned red.

Lin Xiwei's moon-white shark-silk dress shimmered in the clouds. Deep in her eyes, a glimmer of light flashed, turning into a question: "Revered Master, the Dao principles here are clear. I hope to discuss the Dao with Revered Master."

Ling Hao stood in the center of the pink-purple clouds, looking at his five Disciples—some coquettish, some subtle, some silent, some obedient, some cold, but each with their own thoughts—feeling the invitations, both clear and subtle, coming from them. A smile curled at the corner of his mouth.

Which one to choose? Which one to choose? Which one to choose?

To hell with choosing...

Ling Hao's voice rippled through the gentle clouds: "Since all my Disciples have doubts to resolve, intentions to solidify, and food to taste... then today, Revered Master will properly guide you all here in this Cloud Dream Fairyland."