With his mind made up, Lin Yun leapt off the disc and headed towards the staircase leading to the second level.
…
Outside the tower.
The tower guardian and Elder Li had both stepped out of the stone hut.
They were gazing at the Heart-Locking Tower.
At that moment, the first level was glowing, indicating that Lin Yun was undergoing tempering on the first level.
Suddenly, the light from the first level vanished.
“Hmm? Why did it stop? Could he not handle it?” Elder Li frowned.
“No way. I predicted he’d last an hour, and he could only manage ten minutes? That weak? How did he survive alone in the Border Mountains for nearly two hundred years?” the guardian exclaimed in shock.
Just as he finished speaking, the second level of the Heart-Locking Tower lit up.
Both the guardian and Elder Li were momentarily stunned.
“He’s gone to the second level? This guy’s got some guts!” the guardian said.
He had just assumed Lin Yun was about to leave.
After all, not many cultivators who entered the Heart-Locking Tower ventured to the second level.
“Each level’s difficulty increases significantly. If he’s on the second level, with that level of challenge, he probably won’t last long,” Elder Li said.
The guardian added, “If he were on the first level, I’d say he could last an hour. But on the second level, I doubt he’ll make it ten minutes.”
As soon as he spoke, the light from the second level suddenly faded.
“Hmm? It stopped? Not even a minute, and he gave up?” Elder Li’s gaze sharpened.
The guardian said, “I bet he realized the second level was too tough and couldn’t handle it, so he’s retreating to the first level.”
“Indeed,” Elder Li nodded.
He had thought Lin Yun showed promise when the second level lit up, but now it seemed he had overestimated him.
Or rather, he had come today hoping to see Lin Yun perform impressively, but now he felt disappointed.
Whether Lin Yun stayed on the first level for one hour or ten, it wouldn’t be remarkable to him.
After all, eighty percent of cultivators who entered the Heart-Locking Tower could stay on the first level for a decent amount of time. Staying only on the first level made Lin Yun seem ordinary, with nothing exceptional.
The other twenty percent could spend a fair amount of time on the second level, which was considered decent.
As the two discussed, the Heart-Locking Tower’s light flared up again.
But it wasn’t the first level, as they had expected.
“Elder Li, it’s… it’s the third level!” the guardian exclaimed in shock. “This guy’s gone to the third level!”
“He… he actually went to the third level?” Elder Li stared at the tower, his eyes flashing with astonishment.
The second level lighting up had merely surprised them.
But seeing the third level light up filled them with shock!
They hadn’t anticipated this at all, never imagining Lin Yun would go to the third level.
“This guy’s got some real ability. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen anyone reach the third level!” the guardian couldn’t help but praise.
Elder Li nodded, “Since divine sense cultivation declined, those who can reach the third level are extremely rare. Even if he can only endure ten minutes on the third level before retreating to the second, that’s already impressive.”
The third level’s light remained on, indicating Lin Yun was still enduring its tempering and forging.
Both Elder Li and the guardian knew that with the third level’s intensity, if Lin Yun couldn’t withstand it, he’d exit within seconds.
Yet a minute had passed, meaning Lin Yun had endured at least thirty waves of forging and still hadn’t retreated.
For Elder Li, this trip was proving worthwhile.
“This guy’s definitely a promising talent. As a Death Soldier, he’s worth investing in. Now, let’s see how long he can last on the third level,” Elder Li said, staring at the third level.
How long Lin Yun could endure on the third level would reflect his excellence. The longer he lasted, the more outstanding he’d prove to be.
About three minutes later, the third level’s light suddenly faded.
“Elder Li, he stopped. Three minutes,” the guardian said.
“Even holding out for three minutes on the third level is decent,” Elder Li said, hands behind his back.
Next, would Lin Yun retreat to the second level to cultivate? That seemed likely.
They didn’t dare consider the fourth level!
The difficulty spiked with each level, especially as one went higher!
If the third level saw someone endure it every few thousand or ten thousand years, the fourth level hadn’t been reached in an incredibly long time!
The pain of the fourth level was simply inhuman, and it could even be fatal!
“Hmm? What’s going on? Why’s there no movement?” Elder Li and the guardian looked puzzled.
Since the third level’s light vanished, the Heart-Locking Tower hadn’t lit up again.
Something wasn’t right!
“Could it be that the third level injured his divine sense so badly he’s exiting the tower entirely?” the guardian said.
As they wondered, a dazzling, radiant light suddenly blazed at the top of the Heart-Locking Tower!
“The… fifth level?” The guardian’s eyes widened, and he couldn’t help but shout in shock, completely losing his composure!
Indeed, the fifth level of the Heart-Locking Tower was glowing!
This meant Lin Yun was enduring the tempering and forging of the fifth level!
“This… this…” Elder Li’s eyes widened in disbelief, utterly stunned!
A storm of shock surged in both their hearts!
The fifth level, the final level of the Heart-Locking Tower, was practically a hellish ordeal!
They couldn’t even fathom Lin Yun skipping the fourth level and going straight to the fifth!
This was utterly insane!
“The fifth level, how can he withstand it!” the guardian exclaimed, still reeling.
“This guy’s too reckless! He’s playing too big! Even if he wanted to go higher, he should’ve tested the fourth level first to gauge its difficulty before deciding whether to proceed. Skipping straight to the fifth level, if it exceeds his limits, he’ll end up killing himself!” Elder Li said, unable to contain his emotions.
“But… it’s been ten seconds, and the light hasn’t faded. He’s endured at least five waves of the fifth level’s tempering. Could… could he actually handle it?” the guardian said, dumbfounded.
Elder Li instantly realized the implication.
If Lin Yun couldn’t endure it, a single wave of tempering could destroy his divine sense, obliterating his consciousness and killing him.
