Unfathomable Senior

“Hm… so this was the answer? How did you figure it out?”

“Well, Let’s say that I had a little helper…”

Zhang Dong responded, grabbing a book from a seemingly random section of the massive bookcase. The helper he referred to was Bob and his system. With his keen analytical skills, Zhang Dong swiftly identified the pattern necessary to solve this minor puzzle. This location lacked any obvious clues or shortcuts, instead demanding mental exertion.

Once the initial discovery was made, the puzzle didn't appear as daunting as first assumed. Zhang Dong's keen perception led him to notice a distinct spiritual energy pattern emanating from certain books. It became apparent that by following this pattern, they could locate the specific books that, when viewed from a distance, formed a unique character. This character held the key to unlocking the central mechanism in the library—a combination lock with an overwhelming number of possible combinations, making it impractical to try each one individually.

The most difficult task was finding the correct books as the energy pattern they had was miniscule. The only way to sense these patterns was through direct skin contact with the hidden book. With millions of books tightly packed together, this task seemed impossible. Fortunately, Zhang Dong had Bob's assistance, allowing him to expedite the search by scanning for the elusive pattern. Without Bob's help, the four masters would likely have been compelled to further evolve their spiritual senses, which this test undoubtedly aimed to assess.

‘Just like the previous one, this test was not about strength but about resourcefulness. There might have been another way to go around it if I didn’t have Bob around but it kind of seems like it was meant for system holders and not people from this world.’

Ordinary System holders had the option of purchasing diverse skills that could potentially aid in solving this puzzle, akin to the scanning ability provided by Bob. Otherwise, a heightened sensory skill, surpassing the nascent soul level, would be necessary. As they ascended to higher floors, Zhang Dong couldn't shake the growing fear that they would soon face challenges beyond their normal capabilities.

Perhaps these tests served the purpose of preparing them for the ultimate showdown on the fiftieth floor. He could only hope that his companions would strive to reach new heights before getting to that point, for he knew he would require every ounce of assistance. Luckily, his junior brother was already on the pacifist of reaching the late stage of the nascent soul.

“With this, we have the combination to the lock but I propose that we stay here for a while. I can feel that you have progressed immensely as well, you should be able to do the same soon and it’s the same for Zhi.”

“Hmph, I’ll catch up to that fool in no time!”

Zhang Liena wore a complex expression as she glanced at Huo Qiang. The man who had been a source of countless headaches now hovered in mid-air, enveloped by a colossal orb of swirling flames. It was as if he were summoning a miniature sun, his spiritual energy pulsating and expanding with immense power. Within a matter of moments, the condensed fiery sphere was drawn back into his body, momentarily tinting him with a reddish hue.

“Hah, I did it! I entered the late stage!”

“Congratulations Elder Qiang.”

Zhang Zhi nodded, in comparison to Zhang Liena he seemed impressed by the feat of reaching the late stage of the nascent soul. There was probably no one in the whole empire at the age of Huo Qiang that achieved this feat. The man was not even a hundred years old and was almost at the end of his cultivation journey. Only the Great Circle of the current realm remained before all progress would be locked away by the laws of this world.

“Relax Qiang or you might burn everything in this library… Good work in containing those flames Zhi.”

“I just did as you asked of me, Patriarch.”

Thanks to Zhang Zhi’s watery art the flames that were produced could be doused. The man was sweating profusely though as the difference in might had become even more apparent now. If Qiang were to focus a bit harder, the water elements in the vicinity would undoubtedly evaporate in an instant.

“How can I relax? Isn’t there something that I can hit?”

“There are no beasts on this floor, just consolidate your realm by meditating for now. You seem to be bursting with energy, you can probably push yourself even further.”

“You are right, Senior Brother! This isn’t over yet!’

While the nascent soul level was divided into four smaller realms, those were also divided even more. What Qiang had entered was just the elementary period of the late stage but he could push himself into the medial period of it. If he continued to cultivate with all the spiritual energy that he had gathered, it was possible.

“Zhi you did well, I’ll watch over him now. You should meditate as well and ready yourself for your own ascension later.”

“You believe that I could?”

“I’m sure that you’ve noticed the potent Qi that resides in this tower. Our bodies are like sponges absorbing it, the further we go the more powerful we will become.”

“If the Patriarch says it… then it must be true!”

Zhang Zhi clasped his hands and excused himself into a more secluded area of the library. With the trial puzzle being solved rather early all of them had time to prepare for the next level. Perhaps after they completed this trial the spiritual energy from this area would also enhance their bodies.

‘Bob, keep scanning those books, there could be something worthwhile in there.’

‘Affirmative.’

This sprawling library remained a treasure trove of ancient knowledge, holding secrets that Bob could unravel as he was capable of deciphering the strange language. However, the books contained within were of limited value, originating from diverse worlds with unique constraints. He couldn't harness external forces to augment his abilities obtained in this realm.

Thankfully, he stumbled upon a handful of precious cultivation manuals that had the potential to yield something worthwhile. Like everyone else in this place, he yearned to push himself to the next level, seeking to ascend further. With a significant power boost, he would stand a far better chance against the forthcoming adversaries. But first, he had to find a way out of this tower.

The trial they were enduring had been deliberately designed to stretch over an extended period. Upon consulting Bob, he discovered that the time dilation had intensified since their last assessment. A month spent within these confines would merely translate to thirty minutes passing in the outside world.

With each minute equivalent to a full day, they could leisurely absorb spiritual energy and contemplate their cultivation, free from concerns about the passing of time. Even he, who had glimpsed the elusive Dao of Light, had free time to reflect upon his experiences and delve deeper into its mysteries.

Thus with his guidance, his companions continued to push themselves on. Both Zhang Zhi and Liena reached the peak of the middle stage while Huo Qiang pushed himself into the middle of the late stage. While watching his friends make progress he began to ponder. The item he received after defeating the Cerulean Empress was still unused and with him. Using it would allow him to gain the Dao of Water and one related to plant life.

‘I need to save this for the right occasion…’

He made the decision to keep that option open for the future, recognizing the high risk of attracting the attention of the Overseer when his power surpassed the limitations of this realm. It was wiser to conclude his mission against the Long Clan without external assistance, granting him more time to prepare.

Based on his understanding of the enigmatic Overseer, they would remain passive as long as he successfully defeated the Azure Emperor. Their intervention would only occur if he disrupted the delicate balance of this world, potentially leading to its complete destruction.

As he pondered this dilemma, memories of his former companions and the young girl he once embarked on adventures with flooded his mind. Back then, they had successfully vanquished a lesser Overseer, whose strength had been curtailed by the limitations of their shared world. However, once he left that realm, all contact was severed, leaving the fate of that place shrouded in uncertainty. It was conceivable that another entity had taken the fallen demon's place, subjecting the inhabitants to a grim fate. Despite the potential horrors that awaited, he knew he had to press onward, striving for victory and seeking answers to the enigma of the plethora of worlds.

“Is everyone ready, I’ll activate the lock. There might be a beast guarding the entrance so be ready for it.”

“Good, let it come!”

As Huo Qiang braced himself to unleash his newly acquired power upon the world, Zhang Dong began the daunting task of unlocking the intricate mechanism. The design of this place, with its enormous padlock that required him to navigate a labyrinth of symbols, baffled Zhang Dong. Whoever had conceived this challenge had certainly intended to make it disorienting. It took him a painstaking thirty minutes to locate the ten correct symbols, and the satisfying click that followed confirmed it.

The lock slammed onto the ground with a resounding boom as it was thick as a pillar. The gate that it was protecting was on the larger side and the moment it was off a new path started to open before the group of four. At first, they were prepared to face some type of library demon but soon they realized that it was only another exit from this forty-second level.

“I guess I was right, let us step through.”

“I’ll go through first this time, watch my back Senior brother!”

“No wait, hold on…”

Huo Qiang took off while laughing, the man was around fifty years of age but still acted like a rowdy teen. Zhang Dong could only shrug and move through the door that was another teleportation gate. The moment he stepped through it he was on the forty-third floor which was indicated on his system screen that Bob was watching over.

The group found themselves standing upon an empty hill that seemingly extended infinitely, gradually transforming into a colossal mountain. At first glance, it appeared unremarkable, but soon a peculiar scent permeated the air, filling the surroundings. The initial hill they had arrived on was encircled by a dense forest, which quickly became overwhelmed by a corrosive green liquid. With each passing moment, the acidic substance continued to spread, leaving them with no choice but to ascend the towering mountain looming before them.