Chapter 800: The Third Trial
Both Xiang Shaoyun and Xiang Zixuan were convinced that the third trial would be extremely difficult, and they had braced themselves for whatever suffering awaiting them. Thus, when they heard the first elder, they couldn't believe the third trial would be something with so little danger.
After a momentary daze, their gazes refocused onto the stone tower. Apart from its ancient aura, the tower did not look special at all. The two couldn't make any sense of it. They exchanged gazes but quickly looked away the moment their eyes met.
Xiang Zixuan walked around the tower, trying to see what was so special about it. As for Xiang Shaoyun, he also started studying the tower in detail. However, he failed to learn anything.
"Stop wasting your time. Someone like you won't be able to learn anything. Time for you to get lost," Xiang Zixuan suddenly shouted at Xiang Shaoyun.
"Hehe, if anyone should be leaving, it is you. Don't think you can scare me just because you have a higher cultivation level," said Xiang Shaoyun with a nonchalant smile.
"Is that so? Even if you refuse to leave, I have plenty of ways to kick you away," said Xiang Zixuan coldly as he unleashed the power of his soul foundation. It wrapped around the tower and pushed Xiang Shaoyun away.
Xiang Shaoyun had not expected Xiang Zixuan to have the galls to actually attack. Furious, he shouted, "You're courting death!"
"Don't think that I won't be able to do anything against you just because I'm still injured," said Xiang Zixuan smugly.
Xiang Shaoyun was tempted to release his Nether Soul Domain to confront Xiang Zixuan, but he soon got his emotions under control. Voice calm, he said, "I'll allow you to study the tower first. Let's see if you can actually learn the tower's secret before me."
"Haha, with my comprehension ability, the secret is practically in my grasp already," Xiang Zixuan howled with laughter. He then used the power of his soul foundation and focused on the tower, trying to decode the tower's secret.
As for Xiang Shaoyun, he ignored Xiang Zixuan and sat down cross-legged. He focused on recovering himself. He was remaining calm because he believed that the third trial wouldn't be that simple. One would not be able to learn the secret so easily.
Thus, he might as well allow Xiang Zixuan to try and fail first. He would take the time to bring himself back to his optimal condition before taking his turn at the tower.
Under the nourishment of his spring water, the injuries he had suffered during the battle with the hall master's clone started to heal. He also started replenishing his energy, and he even found that he had grown again from the intense battle. He could form a few strands of new draconic aura right now if he wanted to.
In his brain, he replayed the combat technique used by the hall master's clone repeatedly. He sank into a state of comprehension, as though he was able to fully understand the battle technique.
As he entered this sudden state of comprehension, his filthless soul and Light of Wisdom worked together, greatly boosting his comprehension. It did not take him long to figure out the Major Slab Palm.
The Major Slab Palm was most definitely a top-tier emperor technique. In fact, it was even comparable to some of the more ordinary sovereign techniques, capable of unleashing extraordinary might. The Meteor Rain was an even stronger technique. It was much harder to comprehend but not too difficult for him.
As for the other technique, the Phantom Shift, Xiang Shaoyun had only managed to comprehend a tiny portion of it. After all, this was a secret technique and was unlike a combat technique. It contained more profundities, and it would be hard for one to learn it after seeing it once.
Even so, Xiang Shaoyun was very satisfied with his harvest. He had the power of earth, yet he had yet to cultivate any related battle techniques. Both the Meteor Rain and Major Slab Palm were earth elemental battle techniques, and they would work nicely for him.
He was also very happy with the growth of his comprehension capability. In the future, perhaps he could steal even more techniques from his opponents.
After an unknown amount of time, Xiang Shaoyun woke up from his meditation. He found that he had completely recovered and was full of vigor. He turned his head to look at Xiang Zixuan and learned that he was still studying the tower. From his tightly furrowed brows, it was obvious he hadn't gained much.
Xiang Shaoyun was tempted to take advantage of this and make a move, but after some hesitation, he decided against it. Instead, he shifted his focus to the other towers.
The stone towers here weren't particularly tall, about seven or eight meters each. Their tops were pointed and sharp, while their bodies were akin to dragons and separated into five segments. Each segment was decorated with runes, while each tower looked completely the same. It was hard to distinguish each tower from the other.
There are at least 300 or 400 towers here, but I wonder what roles they play. As for this single unique tower, what kind of secret is it hiding? Xiang Shaoyun sank into thought. Is this unique tower perhaps the eye of a formation?
He was certain that the towers' positioning was related to some formation, but unfortunately, he did not know much about formations. Otherwise, he would have been able to learn more.
Relying on the senses of his Nether Soul Domain, Xiang Shaoyun studied the unique stone tower. Not even Xiang Zixuan's soul foundation could block his senses. Although Xiang Shaoyun was staying farther away from the tower, with his Nether Soul Domain, he was still able to see the entire tower clearly.
He scanned the tower again and again, looking it over with extreme scrutiny. However, he still found nothing, as if the tower hid no secret whatsoever.
Generally, any secret a structure could have would come in the form of a battle technique or a cultivation method carved into the structure in question. From the carvings, one could comprehend the carved technique, and that would be considered as having solved the secret.
However, the runes covering the tower did not seem to be pointing toward any battle technique or cultivation method. Also, no special symbols could be found on the tower. It was really hard to believe that the tower was actually hiding a secret.
At this time, Xiang Zixuan seemed to have thought of something. The energy around his body rippled as his soul foundation withdrew inside him. He then sent a lightning palm toward the tower.
"Bastard, what are you trying to do?" Xiang Shaoyun cried out in alarm.
Alas, he was too late as the attack had struck the tower.
Bang!
The palm connected loudly, and an indescribable power erupted from the tower. An earthly energy undulated outwards, blasting Xiang Zixuan away. He crashed heavily into a different stone tower, blood spraying out of his mouth like a fountain.
Xiang Shaoyun was stunned, and he seemed to have understood something at that moment.
"The secret is in the tower. Break it!" Xiang Zixuan suddenly said.