The Infinite Dao Sect, the new ruler of the Beixu Continent (Desolate North), remained in peace and tranquility as the days passed, even with the continents outside plunged into chaos after the recent case of the Phantom Thief.
But in a way, a strange phenomenon was taking place within its gates. The once extremely lively sect now carried a more peaceful atmosphere compared to just over two months ago.
Aotian observed all of this through the eyes of his avatars. The pavilions were emptier, the plazas had fewer people, and even the mission pavilion, which used to be crowded, now seemed deserted.
Though it might appear discouraging, that didn't mean the sect's atmosphere had worsened. In fact, there was a very important reason for it — and, surprisingly, it was because the disciples could cultivate again.
With everyone having accumulated enough points for their Golden Core techniques, they could finally continue progressing. That meant seclusion within their cave mansions and full dedication to the path of immortality.
Since the Golden Core Realm was already a more advanced stage, their progress could no longer be measured in days as before, but rather in months — and completion, in years. Even the sect's extremely efficient techniques couldn't change that reality.
Although the sect's techniques increased cultivation speed a hundredfold, they still didn't make breakthroughs instantaneous.
Considering that a cultivator with a perfect-quality root and good technique, without the help of pills, would take over three hundred years to complete the Golden Core Realm, a disciple of the Infinite Dao Sect, under the same conditions, would need only three years.
The difference in efficiency was immense, and when one also considered the quality of the foundation built, the power of the sect's techniques became undeniable.
Even so, the disciples would need to remain secluded for a long time to reach the peak. The vivid scene of before would likely only return about three years from now if things continued at this pace.
But Aotian, far from being worried, didn't dislike the current tranquil atmosphere. Moreover, less than six months remained until the sect's external competition, which would precede the next recruitment, and he would have plenty of work to do until then.
In any case, although the sect was calmer, there was still one place that remained lively… and that was the Hundred Thousand Beasts Tower.
Even a month after its opening, it continued to receive a large flow of disciples daily.
Besides being excellent for battles and gaining insights that aided in cultivation, it was also a place of intense competitiveness, and everyone in the sect kept a close eye on any change in the rankings.
And on that day, once again, the plaza in front of the tower was filled with disciples preparing to participate in another round of challenges.
Aotian and his wife had also arrived at that moment, for Rihai was about to climb the tower for the fourth time.
As for him, of course, he wouldn't participate — after all, there was no real challenge for him there. Aotian had come merely to accompany his wife and witness the excitement with his own eyes… well, the eyes of his main body, at least.
But as soon as they appeared, the previously noisy crowd gradually fell silent, and several pairs of eyes turned toward them.
There was respect, curiosity, and even a desire to fight reflected in those gazes.
Aotian, without a doubt, was the one who drew the most attention, as, over the past month, everyone had grown tired of seeing his name on the Hundred Thousand Beasts Tower's light scoreboard.
[{1st} Long Aotian — 3F — Achievement: 18 Points
Floors: 1F {Immortal}, 2F {Immortal}, 3F {Immortal}]
Seeing the word "Immortal" repeatedly displayed on the floors he completed made the disciples' hearts tremble with respect and awe for the might of the strongest among them.
After all, a month was enough for everyone to understand what that difficulty represented — summed up in three words: impossible, terrifying, illogical.
Those same words began to be used to describe Aotian himself, for he had surpassed a challenge seemingly designed to be unbeatable.
Rihai, beside him, although not as admired as he was, undoubtedly received respectful looks as well, for she had shown great strength in her own challenges.
[{3rd} Liu Rihai — 3F — Achievement: 8 Points
Floors: 1F {Extreme}, 2F {Extreme}, 3F {None}]
Aotian looked at her score with a smile.
'Honestly, Hai'er is the most privileged one in this challenge. While everyone else must wait a week to take on another attempt, she can spar with me every day to prepare to defeat the puppet.'
He thought, amused, not at all concerned about 'cheating' for her. After all, as long as his wife grew stronger, what harm could there be in that?
Even though the challenge basically involved him limiting himself to only 10% of his combat ability and allowing the challenger to win after hitting him ten times — even if just a grazing blow —, it was still impressive that she could manage it.
Within the sect, aside from Lei Yun, a former Mahayana cultivator, and Rihai, a Divine Physique, Aotian wasn't sure there was a third person capable of achieving such a feat — at least, not currently.
Still, it had to be said: at that moment, even though Lei Yun's foundation wasn't as strong as Rihai's, he wasn't far behind. And with his experience and mastery of spiritual energy, his combat power in real battle still surpassed hers by a fair margin.
If not for Aotian personally training her, Rihai might not even be a match for him, even though she was in the Nascent Soul Realm. And even with the training he had given her, Lei Yun had still completed the tower's challenge faster.
[{2nd} Lei Yun — 3F — Achievement: 8 Points
Floors: 1F {Extreme}, 2F {Extreme}, 3F {None}]
He and Rihai had the same score, and neither had completed the third floor's challenge.
That was because, during their first time entering the tower, they hadn't managed anything, and in their second and third attempts, they were severely injured in their fights against the guardians, unable to continue.
Now, it would be their third time entering, and this time, they would challenge the guardian of the third floor.
It wouldn't be long before the people who had entered earlier came out — then it would be their turn.
Besides Rihai and Lei Yun, who was already waiting with Mu Luyin beside him, most of the Core disciples and about a fifth of the Inner disciples had also come to take part in this round of challenges.
Most were not like Lei Yun and Rihai. After all, contribution points were required both to enter the tower and to heal after leaving it. So, if someone wasn't confident in achieving a better score, they would hardly enter every week like those two.
Aside from the top three, the fourth place was held by Mu Luyin, who had a certain advantage thanks to being able to climb higher, even without being particularly strong.
[{4th} Mu Luyin — 4F — Achievement: 7 Points
Floors: 1F {Medium}, 2F {Medium}, 3F {Medium}, 4F {Easy}]
Rihai could also enjoy that same advantage now that she was a Nascent Soul cultivator.
However, considering she was aiming for the "Extreme" difficulty, she would still need at least a year to master her current realm — even with Aotian's help — before she could even attempt such a challenge.
So, while they waited and chatted, the time soon came, and the tower opened once again.
Without hesitation, Rihai, Lei Yun, and several others rushed inside without losing a single second.
Meanwhile, Aotian sat down on the ground, plucking some blades of grass and tearing them idly as he waited.
As for cultivating? Well, he was already doing that — but had left the task to his other minds, keeping his main one free — just waiting, bored.
Because he had multiple minds, Aotian could easily walk, talk, or do anything else while cultivating, without any issue.
The only downside was that he became relatively vulnerable since his spiritual roots were occupied. He would need a few instants to interrupt the cultivation process before switching to attack or defense — and, in an ambush, those instants could be fatal.
But he didn't worry much about that, since there was an ancestor hidden in the void around him, protecting him at all times.
And even if he died, he would still be reborn by sacrificing one of his outer elders.
Because of that, the more time passed — and the more elders Aotian possessed — the more fearless he became.
Thus, while waiting for his wife, playing with the cool grass, hours went by.
But at a certain moment, Aotian, who looked bored, suddenly had a spark of interest in his eyes.
'He did it.'
With that abrupt thought, he raised his gaze toward the tower's entrance, where a flash of light revealed a bloodied figure.
Powerless, Lei Yun, who had just returned, collapsed exhausted onto the ground.
His clothes were in tatters, his body covered in cuts, but his eyes shone brightly.
Aotian looked at the light screen, and a playful smile curved his lips.
[{2nd} Lei Yun — 3F — Achievement: 12 Points
Floors: 1F {Extreme}, 2F {Extreme}, 3F {Extreme}]
'Not bad.'
He nodded in satisfaction, turning his gaze toward the young man who was quickly carried to the medical tent and, only a few minutes later, walked out unscathed, as if nothing had happened.
The disciples had to admit: despite being expensive, the sect's services were impeccable.
It was then that Aotian patted his rear lightly and stood up.
At that same moment, the tower shone once more, and another figure — even more bloodied — appeared.
Before she could fall, Aotian flashed forward like lightning, catching her in his arms.
Looking at his wife, gravely injured but with a satisfied smile on her lips, he could only shake his head helplessly as he carried her toward the medical tent.
"Congratulations on completing the challenge, Hai'er." Although his expression was bitter upon seeing his wife hurt — especially considering he was the one responsible for that — he still congratulated her sincerely, allowing himself a proud smile at his beloved's achievement.
[{3rd} Liu Rihai — 3F — Achievement: 12 Points
Floors: 1F {Extreme}, 2F {Extreme}, 3F {Extreme}]
"Mm…" Rihai, too weak to speak, simply nodded gently against her husband's chest before closing her eyes and fainting, exhausted.
Aotian carried her to the medical room, but instead of using the regular pills, he discreetly summoned an outer elder from the Body Refinement Pavilion, who healed her completely in moments using the Cellular Regeneration ability.
The wounds closed as if by magic, and her aura returned to its peak.
When Rihai awoke, she was already fully recovered — in fact, she even felt better than before she was injured, which left her slightly stunned.
Her gaze fell on Aotian, who whistled with a feigned innocence, making her roll her eyes, amused yet helpless.
She knew her husband had used his influence to ensure she received treatment superior to that of the other disciples.
"Thank you, Tian'er, but you didn't need to do that," she thanked him, holding his hand — grateful, but worried that he might have spent something expensive unnecessarily.
"Between you and me, do we still need to say thank you?" He laughed, holding her hand as he guided her outside. "And don't worry, I didn't use anything as valuable or complicated as you think."
"Should I feel relieved or offended?" she replied playfully, though inwardly relieved.
Her husband had never lied to her, and Rihai fully trusted that.
"I'd go with relieved." He winked mischievously at her.
"Pff! Then I'll go with offended instead," she teased back, making him laugh.
Shaking his head, amused, he looked ahead, where the crowd of disciples watched them in awe and admiration.
They were, once again, officially the strongest couple in the sect.
"Shall we head back?" Aotian asked, not caring much about the attention they were receiving.
"Mm! Let's go." She nodded, ready to leave with him.
"Wait, Senior Brother Long!"
Suddenly, before they could leave, a loud voice interrupted them, drawing not only their attention but also that of the surrounding crowd, which began whispering curiously.
When they turned, they saw the familiar owner of the voice — a handsome young man with white hair and eyes, emanating a heavy, electric aura, as if a thunderbolt had taken human form.
"Junior Brother Lei, is there something you need?" Aotian raised an eyebrow at the former Mahayana, curious and slightly puzzled by his call. His main body and Lei Yun hadn't had much interaction since he arrived at the sect.
Lei Yun nodded firmly at the question, then clasped his fists respectfully, determination gleaming in his eyes.
"Senior Brother Long, I would like to request a spar with you."