Rowan hadn't expected it to be so simple to teach a beast how to recognize written language. The discovery gave him an idea: perhaps the Azure Dragon of the East Sea could learn human language as well, and even study secret techniques.
"Stay here for now," Rowan instructed firmly. "When your cultivation is complete, come find me but remain outside the city. You must not harm anyone."
The great dragon lowered its massive head in acknowledgment. Through their shared soul connection, it wasn't difficult for the creature to sense Rowan's presence no matter where he went.
With his orders given, Rowan returned to the Brightmoon District and began cultivating the Tower of the Void a secret technique focused entirely on strengthening the soul's defenses. It was one of the most essential arts for protecting the spirit, and at this stage, Rowan had no other mental or spiritual techniques available. The Tower of the Void, therefore, became his best option.
The technique was divided into seven levels: The Entry Tower, The Treasure Tower, The Illusion Tower, Withered Wood, Heaven-Piercing, Divine Seal, and finally, Perfect Realm.
Each level would exponentially increase the tower's defensive power. Upon reaching the seventh level the Perfect Realm it was said that one could withstand soul attacks even from beings at the Immortal King level. Those attacks, wielded by peak spiritual masters, were among the deadliest in existence, capable of shattering weaker souls with ease.
The Tower of the Void was considered a high-tier spiritual defense art, far beyond what ordinary soul techniques could offer. When cultivated to perfection, even the mental assaults of an Immortal King could be blocked.
It was precisely for this reason that Rowan devoted himself wholly to this art. His artificial mentor, Babata, once the loyal AI assistant to the legendary master Hu Lianbo, guided him through the process with precision and patience.
Seeing Rowan so focused, Babata's earlier disdain faded. The AI delved earnestly into her database, which contained thousands of secret manuals, martial arts, and psychic cultivation methods left behind by her former master. Among them were Hu Lianbo's own experiences with the Tower of the Void, including his detailed insights and step-by-step notes on its cultivation.
Hu Lianbo had once reached the sixth level of the tower before his death. His carefully preserved notes now served as a lantern lighting Rowan's path, allowing him to avoid countless pitfalls that had plagued past cultivators. It was, in many ways, the old master's final gift an inheritance born from his dying wish that his disciple would someday surpass him.
For ten days, Rowan immersed himself in deep meditation, constructing his inner tower. Then, something remarkable happened.
Within his spiritual sea, a faint, misty shape began to take form a phantom structure spinning slowly above his soul. It wavered like smoke, yet there was no mistaking it: it was the Tower of the Void.
Babata's holographic eyes widened in disbelief. "You… you actually formed the tower? In just ten days?"
The AI scanned the ethereal image, verifying its density and structure. It was indeed real Rowan had reached the Entry Tower level. Even Hu Lianbo's previous disciple, a being who'd already achieved the rank of a World Lord, had taken nearly three months to reach this stage.
"This kid's comprehension… is terrifying," Babata muttered, half in admiration and half in exasperation. "Shame about that temper of his. If he were a little more pleasant, he'd be a perfect chosen one."
Despite her grumbling, Babata continued to instruct Rowan meticulously, explaining the subtleties of energy stabilization and spiritual layering required to progress further.
Time flowed like water.
Two months passed in what felt like an instant.
When Rowan finally opened his eyes, a faint golden glow shimmered in his pupils. In his spiritual sea, the tower now blazed with radiant light a golden pagoda floating above his soul.
"The second level," he murmured, exhaling slowly. "The Treasure Tower Realm."
He stretched, joints cracking like firecrackers. "How long has it been?"
"Over two months," Babata replied, materializing above his head. "Want to continue cultivating?"
"Not now. I need to stretch my limbs," Rowan said, rising to his feet. "By the way, how's Luo Feng doing?"
"Your friend?" Babata smirked. "Not bad. His talent's impressive too. He's entered the first stage of the Tower of the Void and should reach the Treasure Tower Realm soon."
"That fast?" Rowan chuckled softly. "Seems Earth's new generation isn't hopeless after all."
Babata tilted her head, perplexed. "Strange. On this planet, a single planetary-level warrior with a soul domain is already extraordinary. Yet now there are two of you cultivating the Tower of the Void, both advancing like lightning. I don't get it."
Rowan merely smiled faintly, choosing not to explain. You wouldn't understand, he thought. Humans were crafted by the ancient craftsman Zu Shan Ke their potential is infinite.
Before he could continue his musings, a sharp alarm echoed through the city.
"An emergency alert?" Rowan frowned. "Don't tell me the Gold-Horned Beast's already here… it's too early for that."
Babata's hologram appeared beside him, arms crossed. "No, this one's your fault. That oversized 'pet' of yours is causing chaos again."
She opened a projection screen, revealing the Jiangnan Base City in full alert. Cannons were active, warplanes filled the sky, and thousands of soldiers stood ready atop the city walls. The entire base was in Level One combat readiness.
"Oh crap," Rowan muttered, smacking his forehead. "I totally forgot about him…"
"One hundred and eight missed calls," Babata said dryly.
"Later. Let's move!"
Without hesitation, Rowan leapt onto his Skyblade Shuttle, streaking out of Brightmoon District in a flash of silver light. From another direction, Luo Feng emerged as well, soaring beside him on his psychic shield.
"Rowan!" Luo Feng called. "The beast outside the base is it yours?"
"Take a wild guess," Rowan said, flashing him a grin.
Luo Feng's expression twisted as realization struck. "You've already mastered Soul Imprint?"
"Smart as always," Rowan laughed. "What about you?"
"Still struggling. Took me three months just to stabilize the tower," Luo Feng admitted with a wry smile.
"Keep at it," Rowan said. "You'll get there."
By the time they reached the outskirts of Jiangnan Base, hundreds of drones had surrounded them, their lights flickering like stars. Soldiers saluted from the walls, awestruck.
"General Rowan!" one of them shouted.
"General?" Rowan blinked in confusion.
Babata snickered. "Oh right, you didn't check your emails. Commander Jia Yi promoted you to Supreme General of Huaxia two weeks ago. Your authority's equal to his. I blocked your notifications while you were cultivating."
Rowan sighed. "Wonderful. Promoted without my consent. Guess I'm officially part of the military now."
Moments later, Commander Jia Yi himself arrived, saluting smartly. Rowan returned the gesture with a faint smile.
"Commander Jia, I should've known," Rowan said with amusement.
"Don't blame me," Jia Yi replied quickly. "Everyone up top demanded it. Your reputation's too high to ignore."
Rowan shrugged. "Fair enough. Oh, by the way yes, the creature outside the city is mine."
Jia Yi's jaw dropped. "You're… serious?"
"Of course," Rowan grinned. "Pretty cool, huh?"
Before Jia Yi could respond, a thunderous roar split the air.
A shadow loomed across the horizon as the Eastern Azure Dragon a creature over sixteen hundred meters long rose from the ground. The earth quaked beneath its immense weight, and its wings blotted out the sun.
Its triumphant bellow shook the heavens. The soldiers on the walls froze, terror and awe mixing on every face.
The mere motion of the dragon's head over four hundred meters wide sent shockwaves through the air.
"My god," a soldier whispered. "It's moving…"
"Battle stations!" another officer shouted. "All units, prepare for engagement!"
But Rowan only smiled faintly, his golden eyes reflecting the dragon's immense form.
"Easy, big guy," he murmured. "Your master's here."
The soldiers could only watch in disbelief. The beast that had terrified the entire city… was obeying one man's command.
And in that moment, everyone knew Rowan was no longer just humanity's strongest warrior. He was something far greater.
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