Blowing It Up

“There’s no need for that. I’m not in the mood,” Ye Qishuang said lazily, waving her hand as she watched the glowing light on the Rebirth Tower with a playful smile. “Should I just pull him out again? But then he might fight me to the death.”

“Palace Master,” Ling Cuiyan suddenly pointed at Chi Yuchao. “This person is hiding their true appearance. She’s actually a woman!”

“Oh?” Ye Qishuang’s gaze shifted to Chi Yuchao, her expression calm.

Chi Yuchao felt as though a predator’s eyes were locked on him, sweat forming on his brow. He quickly stammered, “Palace Master, please allow me to explain. This is all related to my life-bound spiritual tool. When I entered the palace, I was indeed a man. My current state is absolutely not by choice!”

Ye Qishuang didn’t lose her temper. Instead, she replied evenly, “For now, await my judgment. Whether your words are true or false, I will personally determine in due time. Of course, you should also know the price your Blood-Drinking Slope will pay if you’ve deceived me.”

“Understood!” Chi Yuchao nodded heavily. Despite his usual carefree nature, he glared fiercely at Ling Cuiyan, clearly holding a grudge.

—

Time passed quickly, and a crowd had gathered once again at the base of the Rebirth Tower, drawn by Qin Gou’s extraordinary performance.

For cultivators with long lifespans, who often spent years in seclusion as casually as drinking water, Qin Gou’s time in the tower felt like the blink of an eye. He had already reached the fifty-ninth level.

One more level, and he would ascend to the top, creating a legend by conquering all the tower’s trials.

—

Inside the pure white space of the fifty-ninth level, golden characters appeared before Qin Gou.

Final Question: Who are you?

Qin Gou’s eyes narrowed. What did this mean? Could Ye Qishuang have tampered with the tower, changing the question to expose his true identity?

“Allow me to introduce myself,” a soft, calm voice echoed from all directions.

In an instant, green specks of light coalesced into the form of a translucent little girl. She appeared to be around eleven or twelve years old, her body seemingly carved from flawless jade.

“I am the spirit of the Rebirth Tower. I’ve been observing you since your last attempt,” the tower spirit said, her star-like eyes sparkling as she floated around Qin Gou. “I even adjusted your trials, increasing their difficulty. Yet you continued to progress effortlessly. Your performance has left me deeply puzzled. Given your apparent cultivation level and age, what you’ve achieved is impossible. Not rare—impossible. As the tower spirit, I know this better than anyone.”

Qin Gou frowned. “So, if I don’t give you an answer that satisfies you, I’ll never reach the top? Even if I have nothing to hide?”

“That’s correct. Please forgive my audacity, but I am certain you cannot be an ordinary Hidden Artifact Realm cultivator,” the tower spirit replied earnestly.

Qin Gou chuckled coldly. “In that case, I won’t bother with the top. Just eject me now.”

“No, you misunderstand,” the tower spirit said hurriedly, stepping in front of him. “I am not acting on Ye Qishuang’s behalf. She and I are merely in a contractual relationship. I am interested in you because, in all my years, you are the first person to truly intrigue me. That’s all. Regardless of your identity, I promise to keep your secrets. I will not break my word.”

The tower spirit’s expression remained composed, but her urgency was evident. Her demeanor resembled an adorable kitten trying to act serious.

Qin Gou nodded slightly. “Since you’ve developed full sentience, you’re now considered a living being by the heavens. Swear an oath: if you reveal even the slightest detail about my identity, you will be bound to serve me for eternity.”

The tower spirit hesitated briefly before nodding. “I agree.”

After the tower spirit swore her oath, witnessed by the power of the heavens, Qin Gou finally relaxed. A sly smile played on his lips.

“If you’re that curious, I’ll indulge you,” he said.

In an instant, Qin Gou revealed his true appearance. “My name is Qin Gou. The world knows me as the Master of Arc Moon Mountain and the Head of the Heavenly Master Pavilion. Naturally, your trials are no challenge for me.”

The tower spirit stared at him, her eyes wide with astonishment. After a moment, she launched herself at him like a cannonball, colliding with his chest.

“Ancestor! It’s you! I’ve missed you so much!” she cried.

Caught off guard, Qin Gou stumbled back a few steps, his hands resting awkwardly on her shoulders. His face turned red as he stammered, “Uh… who are you again?”

—

Outside the tower.

Suddenly, the towering Rebirth Tower began to hum and vibrate, shaking the ground and sending clouds of dust into the air.

Everyone, including Ye Qishuang, was baffled. What could have caused such a massive disturbance in the usually stable tower?

“What’s happening to the Rebirth Tower?”

“Qin Yue is still inside. Could he be in danger?”

“Maybe this phenomenon is related to Qin Yue,” someone speculated.

Chi Yuchao, meanwhile, seemed dazed. “Earlier, Brother Qin said he was going to blow up the tower. Could he have been serious?”