The mystical realms within the Trial Tower were bizarre and strange, yet their purpose remained obscure.

Feng Zikang, however, was acutely aware that since this tower was intended for cultivators above the Nascent Soul stage, if entering was this arduous, descending to the next level would certainly not be simple. Perhaps the tower truly lived up to its name—a tower of trials, where each floor's mystic realm likely concealed a specific trial task.

“Senior Brother means to say,”

Luo Lianxin murmured, her gaze fixed on the towering majesty of the snow mountain, a hint of worry in her expression.

“That on this mountain, there will be something obstructing our path?”

Feng Zikang nodded. “I don't know what that thing is, but no matter what, it won’t let us obtain the Thousand-Year Snow Lotus so easily. Junior Sister, your injuries have just healed; you must be careful!”

This simple expression of concern caused Luo Lianxin’s delicate cheeks to flush slightly.

Feng Zikang turned to explain things to Xiao Hei, who was still beside himself with delight. “Xiao Hei, your grandmother’s illness is very particular. The medicines we carry can only treat the symptoms, not the root cause. For a complete recovery, only the Thousand-Year Snow Lotus on the mountain will suffice. Seeing your filial piety, we are willing to ascend the mountain for you to retrieve it. However,”

He was unaccustomed to doing things without expecting any reward, so he paused before continuing, “After we secure this Thousand-Year Snow Lotus, you must do one thing for us, understood?”

Feng Zikang certainly didn't expect the boy to help him with anything, but stating a condition just made the transaction sound more natural; otherwise, he would truly seem like a selfless benefactor, a role this Demon of Formlessness was quite unfamiliar with.

“Yes! Please, Immortal Elder, save my grandmother!”

Xiao Hei naturally agreed immediately. Hearing that the immortal medicine could only offer temporary relief made his tears stream down. He wished he could climb the mountain immediately to gather the herb himself. When he learned Feng Zikang and Luo Lianxin were willing to help, he was overcome with gratitude.

“Not just one thing, even a hundred things, a thousand things, I, Hei, have no objections!”

Feng Zikang smiled and nodded. “That settles it then. You and your grandmother wait here a moment; we will be right back.”

Though his words were light, his heart remained vigilant. Feng Zikang and Luo Lianxin ascended on beams of sword light, soaring toward the summit of Mount Cangcang. Xiao Hei knelt, kowtowing in devout prayer. The villagers, hearing of the miraculous occurrence, also began to kneel down to offer their wishes.

The peak of Mount Cangcang was intensely cold, with snow whipping around them in a blizzard. However, this suffering was only difficult for mortals. They had already withstood the fierce, cold gales outside the tower; this mere worldly coldness was naturally nothing they cared about.

“Senior Brother, the peak of Mount Cangcang is vast; where shall we search for the Thousand-Year Snow Lotus?”

The snow lotus grows beneath the ice and snow, making it difficult to detect. Given the immensity of the mountaintop, finding it immediately was indeed daunting.

At this moment, the little fox wriggled out of Feng Zikang’s embrace, squeaking, volunteering to search for the Thousand-Year Snow Lotus.

“This little fellow is adept at finding things; let’s let it try!”

Feng Zikang nodded. He recalled that the little fox had previously located many hard-to-find items. At this juncture, letting it have a go seemed as good a plan as any.

The little fox slipped out of his arms, hopped lightly onto the ground, unfazed by the summit’s cold. It scampered about energetically, occasionally lifting its nose to sniff deeply, seemingly tracking the snow lotus’s location.

Suddenly, its ears perked up as if it had detected something. It spun around and dashed rapidly in one direction.

“Keep up!”

Feng Zikang spurred his sword light and sped after it. Luo Lianxin followed closely behind. The little fox sprinted for a while before stopping abruptly in a flat snowy expanse, where it extended its forepaws and began to dig.

“Is it here?”

Just as Feng Zikang was about to descend his sword light to investigate, the little fox raised a paw in triumph. Indeed, beneath the snow and ice, a snow lotus the size of a washbasin bloomed, appearing as crystalline as ice and snow, refracting rays of multicolored light.

“Good fox,” Feng Zikang praised, reaching out to collect the lotus, when a ferocious roar erupted, and a massive dark shadow suddenly burst forth from the snow. It whipped out a tentacle as thick as a python, striking out with a single blow that sent the little fox flying far away!

“Roar!”

The dark shadow bellowed again. Several tentacles on its body thrashed violently, displaying arrogance as they tightly guarded the snow lotus beneath them.

“Little Fox!”

Luo Lianxin, worried for the creature’s safety, flew down and gathered the fox that had been flung aside into her arms. She saw it was completely unresponsive, eyes closed, only its body giving a faint tremble.

“It’s not hopeless; there is still a chance,”

Luo Lianxin turned to Feng Zikang and said, taking out a pill from her pouch, dissolving it in water, and feeding it into the little fox’s mouth.

Feng Zikang’s face darkened, but he did not look back. Sword in hand, his body coiled tight, he dared not slacken his guard for an instant.

What exactly was this thing?

Feng Zikang had never seen anything like it. It resembled an octopus, possessing eight tentacles, but from the waist up, it was humanoid, equipped with two arms that gripped a long saber. Its forehead was pointed, bearing a single giant eye that emitted a piercing divine light—truly an undeniable monster.

“What... what is this?”

Luo Lianxin turned back. Although her expression remained composed, a hint of shock laced her words.

They had never seen nor heard of such a creature existing in the records of the Primary Mystic Realm.

Feng Zikang sighed. “We are in a different Mystic Realm now; some strange creatures are inevitable. The Primordial Wilderness is vast, containing all manner of (different kinds). I suspect we will have many more surprises ahead. However—”

His eyes burned brightly as he stared at the monster, his expression solemn. “This creature is no weakling. It is likely a demon at the peak of the Formation of Tears stage, if not beyond. Furthermore, we know nothing of its special abilities. I believe the only way is to finish this quickly and destroy it in one fell swoop.”

Luo Lianxin nodded. Though a woman, she was decisive in battle. Since the strategy was set, she held nothing back, awaiting Feng Zikang’s signal to strike together!

“Hah!”

Feng Zikang made a gesture with both hands, and his sword light coalesced. He showed no mercy, unleashing the ultimate move of the Starfall Grand Extinction Sword Technique. Simultaneously, he secretly activated the Four Symbols Divine Demon Formation, intending to suppress the monster and slay it with a single strike!

His attack swept out like a dazzling river of light, seemingly filling the heaven and earth—majestic and imposing. Luo Lianxin inwardly marveled and showed no mercy either, letting out a sharp cry as she unleashed the supreme technique of the Water Moon Pavilion, the Dancing Moon Sword Art!

The monster, inherently fierce and domineering, was startled by the ruthlessness of the two as soon as they engaged, turning to flee. However, four divine demons emerging from a sharp angle pinned down four of its tentacles, preventing its escape from the sword light’s coverage. With a shriek of agony, it tumbled to the ground!

“Pfft.”

The sound of blade cutting flesh echoed repeatedly. By the time the two finished their coordinated move, the monster recoiled, all eight of its tentacles severed, one arm on its upper body gone, its body covered in wounds and drenched in blood.

“Again!”

Once Feng Zikang had attacked, he would not relent. How could he allow this monster to retain any life? His sword light rose, preparing for another killing blow!

But the monster roared furiously, emitting an infinite black mist that actually repelled the sword light of the pair. Within the black mist, the monster’s body writhed, and the eight tentacles and the severed arm actually regrew!

“This creature is tricky!” Feng Zikang’s face darkened. If this monster possessed rapid regeneration, a swift victory might not be achievable.

Though he thought this, his attacks did not falter. Cooperating with the four divine demons, his sword light flashed incessantly, carving wounds into the monster as he cut through the black mist.

Luo Lianxin also understood the danger. Although the might of her swordsmanship was not as overwhelming as Feng Zikang’s direct force, hers was like a delicate stream of light, following no discernible path, piercing the thin spots in the black mist from unimaginable angles. The monster, caught off guard, suffered a heavy blow, crying out in alarm.

Though the fight had lasted only a few exchanges, the monster was completely suppressed, desperately relying on its recovery and regeneration methods, unable to retaliate—agitated and enraged, it roared loudly.

Seeing this situation, Feng Zikang gradually calmed down. Although the monster was powerful, it had lost the initiative. Even with its regeneration, under the combined siege of the two, its injuries would only grow worse, leaving no room for counterattack. With a little more time, it would surely be slain.

“Junior Sister, do not hold back! Do not give the monster a chance to strike back!”

Luo Lianxin nodded. She, too, understood they had never encountered this creature and did not know what attacks it possessed or how to defend against them. If they were formidable, injury might be unavoidable, so finishing it off in one surge was the best course!

The sword lights of the two grew faster. The monster’s regenerative power gradually lagged behind the speed of its injuries; its entire body was covered in blood, looking utterly wretched.

Perhaps realizing its doom, it suddenly let out a mournful cry.

“Is it calling for its kin?”

Luo Lianxin’s heart tightened. Feng Zikang, however, shook his head. “Impossible. In this Mystic Realm, having such a singular anomaly is already the limit; there absolutely cannot be another formidable monster...”

Feng Zikang, as the master of the Mystic Realm, was quite clear about its operational limits. This realm was barely large enough to sustain this single monster, likely requiring some unique method employed by the realm’s owner to keep it lingering here. There was no possibility of another similar creature entering; the realm could not support it.

“It is on its last legs. Just be careful of a final desperate counterattack!”

Feng Zikang saw clearly and attacked with even greater ruthlessness. Luo Lianxin nodded, her sword light also accelerating!

Seeing no escape, the monster suddenly let out a mournful cry, its black mist dispersed, allowing the two sword lights to pass right through its body!

“Lianxin!”

Feng Zikang sensed something was wrong. After bisecting the monster with his sword light, he immediately retreated. Luo Lianxin paused, not having time to react, when she saw the monster’s physical body disintegrate into fine dust, spraying out a foul-smelling black liquid. Luo Lianxin hastily dodged, but the black liquid was dense and plentiful. Her protective divine power couldn't entirely deflect it, and she inevitably got a few drops on herself.

Luo Lianxin gasped, instantly feeling dizzy, her footing unstable.

Feng Zikang shot forward and placed two pills into her mouth, checking the areas where the black liquid had touched her body; all traces had vanished.

Luo Lianxin circulated her Qi; she seemed mostly unharmed. Shaking her head, she said, “Senior Brother, I think I’m fine—”

Before she finished speaking, the world suddenly spun, her body went soft, and she collapsed into Feng Zikang’s arms!

“Immortals, you slew the Dragon Scion atop Mount Cangcang?”

The village chief, an old man with a long white beard, was greatly astonished when he saw Feng Zikang descending the mountain carrying Luo Lianxin, holding the Thousand-Year Snow Lotus. Upon learning they had killed the monster on the peak to obtain the lotus, he praised them profusely.

The happiest, naturally, was Xiao Hei. Tears streaming, he thanked them endlessly before taking the Snow Lotus to treat his grandmother. Feng Zikang, however, detained the village chief, inquiring in detail about the Dragon Scion.

Although the little fox was injured, they were only external wounds, and it quickly recovered.

But Luo Lianxin was corroded by the black water, falling into a deep coma. Even when she occasionally woke, she was extremely weak. Feng Zikang used his inner sight but could detect no abnormality within her body, and when he tried to treat her, he had no idea where to begin, leaving him momentarily troubled.

Hearing that the village chief actually knew the name of that monstrous beast, he naturally had to ask for details.

The village chief willingly told them everything. The Dragon Father had ten sons, all different, but in truth, the Dragon Father had far more than ten—Ancestral Dragon’s offspring numbered in the millions, each with a unique form.

The monster atop Mount Cangcang was the result of a cross between an Ancestral Dragon and an octopus, named the Dragon Scion (Long Nie). It was the most utterly repulsive thing in existence but possessed terrifying strength. It also had a taste for human flesh and was exterminated by great heroes in ancient times. No one knew why one had managed to hide in Mount Cangcang.

The blood it shed upon death was called Dragon Scion Blood. Even a Grand Unity Golden Immortal would perish upon contact, with no known cure.

“What?”

Feng Zikang frowned as he looked at the unconscious Luo Lianxin.

The Trial Tower was fraught with peril; losing a partner of equal strength would make the journey much harder.

“However,”

The village chief abruptly paused his speech, introducing a twist. “I heard that Dragon Scion Blood kills instantly upon contact. This Immortal Auntie has somehow managed to remain alive temporarily; there must be something strange about it.”

“Oh?”

Feng Zikang pondered this. It was indeed true. Since Luo Lianxin hadn’t died instantly, there must be a way to save her. He furrowed his brow slightly and pondered silently.

“Originally, this matter was the greatest secret of our village. But since the two Immortal Elders slew the Dragon Scion and secured the Thousand-Year Snow Lotus for Xiao Hei’s grandmother, they are truly great benefactors to our village, so—”

The village chief led them into the mountains and pointed to a cave. “Our village elders have always said that a divine being resides in this cave, one who can connect to the Immortal Realm. If the Immortal Auntie’s injuries are taken to that Immortal Realm, they can surely be healed.”

This statement was naturally unbelievable nonsense, but Feng Zikang’s eyebrows shot up; he already had a plan forming in his mind.

They obtained the Heavenly Mountain Snow Lotus and saved the boy Xiao Hei’s grandmother, and in return, the village chief revealed the supposed passage to the Immortal Realm. If he wasn't mistaken, this must be the passage to the Second Level Mystic Realm.

In this Mystic Realm, there were only two significant items: the Dragon Scion and the Thousand-Year Snow Lotus. The Dragon Scion was dead, and the Snow Lotus secured; remaining here served no purpose.

As for the wound caused by the Dragon Scion Blood to Luo Lianxin, there truly might be no cure within this realm. If the Trial Tower’s master intended for them to proceed, following the village chief’s words, perhaps the cure lay in the Second Level Mystic Realm.

His decision made, he immediately took the unconscious Luo Lianxin and prepared to enter the cave to travel to the second level.

Xiao Hei and his grandmother tearfully insisted they stay for a few more days, but Feng Zikang declined, citing Luo Lianxin’s injuries.

Much of the Thousand-Year Snow Lotus remained. The group gifted it to Feng Zikang. Although he didn't know what other use it might have, it was a thousand-year-old marvel, perhaps useful someday, so he accepted it gladly.

The villagers escorted them to the mouth of the cave. After watching them descend into the darkness, they bowed and offered their heartfelt thanks again before departing.

Feng Zikang entered the cave, finding himself in complete darkness where he couldn't see his hand before his face. He didn't mind, walking forward steadily. He noticed the path growing narrower and quieter the further he went.

After walking for several hours, he finally saw a glimmer of light ahead—seemingly an exit.

Feng Zikang rejoiced, quickening his pace. The opening ahead grew larger. When he reached the edge, he saw it was also the mouth of a cave.

He certainly didn't wish to linger. Stepping out, he found the sunlight bright outside, with towering trees, but a pungent, fishy smell permeated the air—it did not seem like a pleasant place.

Feng Zikang carefully observed his surroundings and saw a faint wisp of blue mist slowly rising, enveloping the area.

“Miasma!”

Though Feng Zikang was not afraid, he did not wish to be tainted by the vapor, so he held his breath. This setting resembled scenery from the south. He wondered where this current Mystic Realm was situated.

The Trial Tower was located in the extreme north, a land of ice and snow, unbearably cold. The previous Mystic Realm was also in northern snowy mountains, filled with ice and snow, which felt relatively normal. This dramatic shift to a southern environment in the current realm was quite different. Feng Zikang was momentarily unaccustomed to it.

However, this only demonstrated the prowess of the Trial Tower’s owner. The transitions between these vastly different Mystic Realms were seamless. The process of moving from the first level to the second felt like passing through an ordinary hole, yet it spanned two entire worlds.

Looking back, the cave entrance had vanished. He couldn't tell if the Trial Tower’s master had intentionally severed the retreat path or if it was due to the natural transformation of the Mystic Realm itself.

While he was pondering this, he saw branches shaking ahead, and a scorpion the size of a wild ox charged out. Its body was brown, brandishing its huge claws menacingly. The stinger on its tail flickered with a cold light, twitching menacingly in the air!

“Hmph!”

Feng Zikang naturally paid no mind to this petty five-venom creature. He swung his sword light, slicing the scorpion in half! The scorpion proved quite tough; even under his sword strike, its shell cracked with a loud bang, and blood and gore sprayed everywhere. Feng Zikang leaped back; he wasn't afraid of poison, but recalling Luo Lianxin’s misfortune, he wished to avoid touching anything strange.

However, the method of refining this scorpion seemed familiar to him, akin to the poison-refining techniques used by the Southern Barbarian tribes, which could inflate the Five Venoms to such a size, suggesting it was not a naturally occurring demonic beast.

He wondered who in this Mystic Realm was refining these Five Venom Vials. This might be an avenue for questioning cultivators to understand the state of this particular realm.

“How dare you!”

A woman's sharp voice rang out from ahead. “What manner of wicked person dares harm my Five Venom Treasure Beast?”