C15 There Were Many Questions

An uprising erupted within the fifth-tier Spirit Gathering Tower at Dragonflight Cloister, sending shockwaves through the elite circles of Insasari.

Common folk were aware that the tower at Dragonflight Cloister spanned five levels, with the topmost level housing the formidable Martial Spirit, the toughest challenge of all. Since the tower's inception, no warrior had managed to claim the Martial Spirit on the fifth level. Merely returning alive from that level earned one widespread respect.

Yet, this account, while factual, did not reveal the whole truth.

Only the high-ranking officials of the Kisal Dynasty were privy to the reality that the fifth level harbored not a Martial Spirit, but a vicious spirit of immense power.

The true extent of this fierce spirit's power, present since the tower's creation, was a closely guarded secret.

The world believed that Dragonflight Cloister's tower stood at five levels out of deference to the Kisal royal family. But this belief was mistaken.

To honor the Kisal royalty, constructing up to a sixth level would have sufficed, provided it did not surpass a seventh-tier Spirit Gathering Tower. After all, a sixth-tier tower's influence greatly exceeded that of a fifth-tier.

The true impediment was the fierce spirit—the reason Dragonflight Cloister's tower halted at the fifth level. Upon reaching this point during construction, the spirit emerged, slaughtering all the craftsmen and warriors, claiming the fifth level as its domain and halting any further expansion.

Dragonflight Cloister had attempted to vanquish this evil spirit, but their efforts ended in defeat. Subsequent challenges were abandoned due to various factors, including decisions from the Kisal royal house. The spirit was eventually contained on the fifth floor, bringing a temporary peace to the tower.

This containment has spanned centuries, with the fifth floor of Dragonflight Cloister's tower remaining tranquil, and the true nature of the fifth floor known only to a select few.

Yet, after hundreds of years, the present day has seen the evil spirit break free from its confines, wreaking havoc on the fourth and third floors in a bloody rampage. This catastrophic turn of events has once again sent tremors through the community.

After Wu Liang had seen off the envoy from the Kisal Dynasty, his expression darkened beneath his white hair as he turned and made his way back into the hall.

Upon Wu Liang's entrance, the previously heated debate among the attendees subsided. The dozen or so men and women, with varied expressions, turned their attention to the dean. They were the esteemed elders and most formidable teachers of the Dragonflight Cloister.

Taking his place at the head of the table, Wu Liang didn't engage in the ongoing discussions but instead directed his gaze to the serene elder seated at the far end.

"Hua Shi, how is Teacher Yang's condition?" Wu Liang inquired, his brow furrowed with concern.

All eyes shifted to the distinguished Hua Shi.

With a spirit that belied his age and a lively expression, Hua Shi stroked his short beard and responded with composure, "Dean, Yang Zhangzhen's injuries are not severe. He's merely exhausted and has fallen unconscious due to overexertion. His core is undamaged, and with rest and proper care, he should recover within a month or two."

Hearing that Yang Zhangzhen was out of danger, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

While Yang Zhangzhen might not be the top expert within the Dragonflight Cloister, he had earned his place in this hall. He had led the expedition to the Spirit Gathering Tower and was responsible for safeguarding the group. The unfortunate incident had occurred under his watch, evoking sympathy from his peers.

"Was that 'evil spirit' truly vanquished by Yang Zhangzhen?" a rough voice broke the silence, laden with eagerness.

Wu Liang, reassured about Yang Zhangzhen's well-being, felt a twinge of concern at the question.

"That has yet to be confirmed," he replied, keeping his additional thoughts to himself.

Tu Shifang, a man with a booming voice and a muscular build, rose abruptly, fixing Wu Liang with a steady gaze as he pressed on.

"The 'evil spirit' has disappeared, hasn't it? If Yang Zhangzhen didn't slay it, who did?" Tu Shifang's line of questioning was straightforward. He considered himself stronger than Yang Zhangzhen and was convinced that if Yang had been capable of defeating the 'evil spirit,' he certainly would have succeeded as well.

In Tu Shifang's heart, nothing was more important than growing stronger.

Wu Liang, as the dean, had a deep understanding of his faculty's temperaments. Seeing Tu Shifang's eagerness, he knew exactly what was on his mind and wasn't irritated by his persistent questioning.

Reflecting on the incident, Wu Liang recounted, "By the time I reached the third floor, the battle had ended, and everyone was down. The 'evil spirit' had vanished. I then hurried to the fifth floor, confirmed the 'evil spirit' was indeed gone, and ensured safety before rescuing the teachers."

He paused, noting the rapt attention of his audience, and emphasized, "Upon reaching the second floor, I saw a golden light flickering at the entrance to the third floor. It was a complex sensation—it was both soothing and clarifying, yet it also induced a subtle sense of dread. Such an effect couldn't have come from the four teachers, nor anyone from our Dragonflight Cloister."

While the teachers and the emissaries from the royal family were familiar with Wu Liang's earlier statements, this new information left them exchanging puzzled glances.

"Glittering golden light? Soothing yet fear-inducing—what kind of martial skill could that be?" Tu Shifang murmured to himself, racking his brain for any martial skill known in Foglaostein that might have such effects.

He wasn't alone in his curiosity; the question hung heavily in the air, silencing the entire hall.

Ever since Wu Liang emerged from the Spirit Gathering Tower, he had been grappling with this enigma. There were martial skills associated with a golden light, but none matched the power and effects he described, leaving him baffled about the true events on the third floor.

"Enough speculation," Wu Liang declared. "It's time for action. We'll temporarily close the Spirit Gathering Tower and launch an investigation. Xu Han Shi will take the lead. Let's get to work." With that, he set about coordinating the next steps.

A man of average height and middle age stood up and respectfully bowed, signaling his readiness to carry out the command.

After the meeting adjourned, the teachers departed, each lost in their own thoughts. Wu Liang, who had remained seated, broke the silence before anyone had left the hall.

"That 'evil spirit' can be imprisoned, but killing it is another matter entirely."

A chill ran through everyone as Wu Liang's words sank in. With respectful bows, they turned and left the hall.

The tale of the 'evil spirit' was an old one, and with Yang Zhangzhen now gravely injured and the 'evil spirit' nowhere to be found, the warriors of equal strength to Yang felt their confidence waver. Wu Liang's cautionary words served as a reminder not to let their imaginations run wild and disturb their focus.

Wu Liang was now alone in the hall, sitting quietly, still pondering the same question.

"Golden light... calming... palpitations..." Wu Liang furrowed his brow, unable to pinpoint any power in Foglaostein capable of such feats.

Suddenly, an image flashed in Wu Liang's mind, but just as quickly, he dismissed it with a shake of his head.

"Xia Yi has indeed lost his 'martial spirit'. Even with martial skills, it's impossible for him to wield such might."