City Lord Han compromised in the face of spirit stones, allowing Jun Changxiao to utilize the projection system that had been set up for the Dragon-Tiger Contest.
In truth, there was no avoiding this compromise—the formation had already been hijacked by Zhen Dejun, and it would take the formation masters in the imperial city at least some time to regain control.
“Everyone!”
Standing before the light screen in a handsome pose, Jun Changxiao declared: “The Ten Directions Death Tower hasn’t been entered by anyone in several thousand years. This Seat will not only venture inside today, but will also conquer all ten directional realms!”
This statement caused martial artists across the continent to roll their eyes.
The forbidden zone established by an ancient Martial Emperor—from ancient times until now, the highest record was only the Sixth Directional Realm, yet he dared claim he’d reach the tenth direction. Wasn’t he afraid the wind would sprain his tongue?!
“Old friends!”
Jun Changxiao waved his hand, saying: “Remember to give me a like!”
“Whoosh!”
With that said, he descended onto the grassland below, standing before the ancient stone tower covered in vine branches and leaves.
Li Qingyang, Xiao Zuiji, and others walked forward.
They stood behind their Sect Master, their eyes gleaming with radiance.
Due to the numerical limit, Jun Changxiao could only bring nine people—Jiang Xie counted as one, Shangguan Xinyao as another, so he could only select from among the sect’s most outstanding disciples for the remainder.
“Sect Master Jun!”
Mu Changhong, who had just rushed over, said earnestly: “You must exercise caution!”
Although his daughter had come, she wasn’t included in the entry quota, which gave him some relief, though he still didn’t want the Eternal Sect to risk entering the Ten Directions Death Tower.
“City Lord Mu.”
Jun Changxiao said: “Please await our triumphant news.”
With that, he walked to the tower door emanating a desolate aura and pressed one hand against it.
“Hum!”
Upon contact with the cold stone door, faint ripples spread outward, then with a creaking sound it opened, releasing gusts of chilling cold wind.
“Let’s go.”
Jun Changxiao took the first step inside, followed by Jiang Xie, Lu Qianqian, Li Qingyang, Xiao Zuiji, Ye Xingchen, Su Xiaomo, Zhou Hong, Li Fei, and Shangguan Xinyao.
Although Su Xiaomo had been working undercover at the Supreme Mystery Holy Sect, she had always used a disguise mask, so now that she had restored her true appearance, she didn’t mind appearing in the projection formation.
Actually, among the nine spots, one had originally been reserved for He Wudi, but he had proactively transmitted: “Sect Master, I’m also over a hundred years old.”
Coming from another world, he was far more than a hundred years old—easily over a thousand.
…
The projection formation displayed the scene of Jun Changxiao leading nine Eternal Sect disciples into the Ten Directions Death Tower, causing martial artists across the entire continent to discuss it eagerly.
“He really has courage!”
“The formations existing within the tower have already been damaged and no longer contain inheritances—why would he insist on bringing disciples to challenge it?”
“Need you ask? He’s obviously just showing off!”
“Over these past two years, the Eternal Sect has grown very rapidly. Challenging other sects can no longer satisfy them, so they can only find creative ways to court death and gain attention.”
Truth be told, Jun Changxiao really was courting death to gain attention.
Because only by doing this could he raise the sect’s prestige and improve their ranking on the Heroes Compete for Supremacy List.
If not for the epic quest suppressing his realm, Sect Master Jun would definitely develop the sect in a low-profile manner, occasionally sitting in the small pavilion by the medicine fields to drink tea with Old Wei and savor life.
“Wait, that’s not right!”
Someone said: “People from the Eternal Sect have entered the tower, but we can’t see anything—what’s the point of activating the projection formation?”
“Hum!”
Just then, the light screen suspended in the air suddenly changed. A seemingly illusory scene appeared, revealing Jun Changxiao and his ten companions.
“Sect Master.”
Shangguan Xinyao stood before the camera, saying: “The projection formation I set up has established contact with the outside world.”
“Is that so?”
Jun Changxiao walked forward, brushing the black hair from his forehead, and said: “Viewers before the light screen, welcome to the live broadcast of the Eternal Sect challenging the Ten Directions Death Tower. I am the challenger and host, Jun Changxiao. This program is exclusively sponsored by the Eternal Sect—the Eternal Sect, your one and only choice in life!”
He recited this advertising script rapidly, without a single mistake.
Martial artists across the entire continent collectively dropped their jaws.
They weren’t shocked by Jun Changxiao’s skill in reciting lines, but rather shocked that someone had actually managed to transmit the scenes from inside the Ten Directions Death Tower to the outside using a projection formation!
The forbidden zone that had existed for ten thousand years had always been in a sealed state—what exactly was inside was scarcely known except to those who personally went to challenge it!
“This…”
City Lord Han’s eyes widened.
Transmitting the internal scenes to the outside, allowing martial artists across the entire continent to witness it firsthand—this operation had never even been considered!
At this moment, if the projection formation had a bullet comment feature, the entire screen would probably be filled with comments of “666.”
“Sect Master.”
Zhen Dejun tentatively transmitted: “The images have already been transmitted.”
“Mm.” Jun Changxiao responded.
“You can transmit inside?” Zhen Dejun’s heart surged with shock.
Logically speaking, transmitting images out from this kind of sealed forbidden zone came from his and Shangguan Xinyao’s countless attempts with formations, but being able to conduct real-time voice transmission was somewhat strange!
If using the Xingyun Continent’s voice transmission technique, it definitely wouldn’t work, but the Eternal Sect’s unique voice transmission technique could ignore spatial barriers and conduct deep-level communication.
“Xinyao.”
Jun Changxiao said: “Raise the light screen and present the environment of the Ten Directions Death Tower from a tilted overhead angle.”
“Yes.”
Shangguan Xinyao manipulated the formation, gradually elevating it to display the tower’s interior from an optimal overhead angle.
External martial artists could see the interior clearly through the camera.
It was an area that seemed both real and illusory, giving people a dreamlike, fantastical feeling.
“So this is the Ten Directions Death Tower?”
“Although we can’t feel the atmosphere, judging from the surrounding flickering seven-colored flowing light, it must be eerie and sinister!”
“Sect Master Jun not only wants to take his disciples to challenge it, but also lets us witness it personally—this is just too awesome!”
Although they had been somewhat disdainful of Jun Changxiao earlier, many martial artists were now very grateful to him. After all, they would never dare to challenge the Ten Directions Death Tower in their lifetimes, but now through the light screen they could watch—this was undoubtedly an extremely fortunate matter.
City Lord Han thought to himself: “No wonder this kid wanted access to the formation—he had already planned to challenge the Ten Directions Death Tower in this manner under everyone’s watchful eyes!”
“Hall Master!”
Elder Zhou, present in Sky Oracle Royal City, looked at the scene displayed on the projection formation and said: “Sect Master Jun is playing it pretty wild!”
Yi Tianxing said: “Challenging the Ten Directions Death Tower under the gaze of tens of thousands—this is absolutely unprecedented throughout history. If he succeeds, the Eternal Sect will definitely leave a profound mark in history!”
By the time he reached the last sentence, his emotions had become somewhat excited, and his hands even began to tremble slightly.
Seeing this, Elder Zhou and Elder Zhen thought to themselves: “Should we prepare some pills and a bed in advance?”
…
“Father!”
In the Shangguan family, Shangguan Xinyao’s father exclaimed in shock: “It’s Xinyao—she’s entered the Ten Directions Death Tower following Sect Master Jun!”
“I’m not blind yet!” Shangguan Hong said irritably.
Not only was he not blind, but from the moment the scenes from the Ten Directions Death Tower appeared, he understood from his granddaughter’s words that the projection formation used to transmit to the outside world must have been set up by her!
“Child, your decision back then wasn’t wrong!”
Shangguan Hong said: “Only in the Eternal Sect can you truly display your talents!”
At the beginning, before the Eternal Sect had risen against the odds, Shangguan Xinyao had already noticed it. She had tested Jun Changxiao’s understanding of martial arts through her grandfather, and ultimately joined the Eternal Sect despite her family’s opposition.
At that time, although Shangguan Hong had been supportive, he had felt somewhat uncertain inside.
He had worried that a low-level sect wouldn’t be able to provide her with much help, but as the Eternal Sect continued to soar and turn the tables, he realized just how sharp his granddaughter’s judgment had been!
“Clap!”
In the light screen, Jun Changxiao clapped his hands and declared with magnificent spirit: “This forbidden zone established by a Martial Emperor ten thousand years ago—my Eternal Sect will challenge it today!”
Standing behind him, Jiang Xie, Li Qingyang, and others began warm-up preparations before battle. Even Lu Qianqian’s brow showed a trace of solemnity.
However, only Ye Xingchen still stood with crossed arms, striking a pose with an aloof expression.
“This Emperor merely possessed a young mortal body and easily mixed in. The forbidden zone left behind by ten Martial Emperors from the ancient era is nothing special.”
—