Supreme of the Heavenly Realm
Chapter 296 - 293: Nine-Layer Demon Tower

Chapter 296: Chapter 293: Nine-Layer Demon Tower

"Hmph, so what if your bloodline grade is high? Without sufficient strength, don’t even think of passing the second trial," the Honglian envoy said with a cold smile.

"You need not worry about that."

The Honglian envoy was in good spirits. Ye Xuan’s talent was so high that he believed his strength would certainly not be mediocre. The words of the Honglian envoy were merely sour grapes.

"What is the second trial?"

Hearing the tone of the Honglian envoy, Ye Xuan couldn’t help but ask.

"The second trial is the Demon Tower test. We will commence the testing once the other envoys arrive," the Honglian envoy said, her expression turning solemn. "The Demon Tower has nine layers, and within each layer, there’s a powerful Demon Soul guarding it. Only by defeating the guardian Demon Soul can one proceed to the next level. If you fail, you will be swallowed by the Demon Soul, and die without a burial place."

"If you pass through three layers of the Demon Tower, you will have successfully passed the second trial. Of course, if you can reach higher levels, you will receive greater rewards."

"Passing through three layers means you are qualified to join Sky Demon Mountain as a peripheral member, but with a very low status. If you can pass through six layers, you can become a core member under the command of one of the seven Supreme Demon Venerables and enjoy better treatment. If you can pass all nine layers, you might even attract the direct attention of the Sky Fox Demon Venerable and the Demon Dragon Venerable, who will personally take you in as a disciple and mentor your cultivation. However, among the younger generation in Sky Demon Mountain, those who can pass through nine layers do not exceed the number of one hand. It’s enough if you can pass through the sixth layer."

"You’re looking for that woman named Ye Mei, aren’t you? Once you become a core member under Huoyou Demon Venerable, you will have plenty of time to search for her."

The Honglian envoy spoke persuasively.

In her view, Ye Xuan, with his innate upper-grade bloodline and having triggered the resonance of the Demon Energy, was likely not far from a top-grade bloodline. With Ye Xuan’s qualifications, passing through six layers shouldn’t be too difficult.

Hearing what the Honglian envoy said, many people became eager to try, while others looked uneasy; after all, the Honglian envoy also warned that failure would result in being devoured by the Demon Souls inside the tower, dying without a complete corpse. Therefore, when attempting the tower, one must carefully assess their own capabilities to avoid regrets later on.

Ye Xuan nodded but wore a thoughtful expression. The Honglian envoy, seeing his demeanor, thought he was interested and preparing a strategy to give his all in the Demon Tower challenge.

After the test was completed, everyone took a short break in the wilderness, and soon the other five envoys arrived with a group of young experts from the Demon Clan to perform the bloodline test.

In the end, a total of roughly three hundred individuals passed the first round of testing. However, about half of the contestants were eliminated, not even passing the first round.

"Those who didn’t pass the bloodline test, it doesn’t mean you have no chance to join Sky Demon Mountain. But as you might know, Sky Demon Mountain does not shelter the weak. If you wish to stay, you must prove that you are not weak."

After the bloodline test concluded, a man in a black robe looked towards those who had been eliminated and continued, "You still have one chance if you want to seize it, follow me."

With those words, the man in the black robe turned and left, calling several blood-winged dragons. Naturally, most people were not content to leave dejected, and the majority of the eliminated young experts followed him.

"Wasn’t it said that if you fail the bloodline test, you have no chances left? Why is there another way?" a disgruntled young member of the Demon Clan said.

Upon hearing this, the Honglian envoy laughed coldly, "Do you know where they are headed? If you wish, you can follow him, but going to places like the battle arena means your life is no longer your own. Those people, less than half of them will survive and successfully become peripheral members."

A sharp intake of breath sounded immediately, echoing around. Less than half? That means of the three hundred-plus who went, fewer than twenty will survive?

Compared to that, at least they still had the right to choose. If they knew they were outmatched, they could simply stop ascending the tower, as each layer of the Demon Tower had an exit.

Ye Xuan was also secretly shocked. This Demon Clan was truly ferocious and bloody. Even the testing process was so perilous that failure often resulted in a gruesome death. The cost was too great. The principle of survival of the fittest was indeed vividly exemplified in this place.

"According to past records, very few can pass through six layers of the Demon Tower, typically not exceeding ten people. But Ye Xuan, I believe with your capabilities, it shouldn’t be a problem," the Honglian envoy showed great regard for Ye Xuan. If Ye Xuan could perform exceptionally in the testing, she, as the supervisory envoy, would also receive a generous reward.

"I will do my best."

As for the Demon Tower, Ye Xuan didn’t know much about it, and as to how many layers he could ascend was totally uncertain. Right now, talking about it was still too premature.

However, some young experts of the Demon Clan nearby had already started discussing, and their voices carried over.

"Nine-layer Demon Tower, I once heard a senior say that with my strength, getting through the first three layers should be no problem."

"The third layer? I intend to get through the sixth layer and become a core member of the Sky Demon Mountain."

"Ambitious, but ambition alone isn’t enough. Rash actions will only make you food for the Demon Souls within the tower."

At that moment, a discussion about the Demon Tower was taking place among the young elites of the Demon Clan, not far from the wilderness, atop a tower, a man and a woman were observing the scene below.

The pair, the man handsome and the woman beautiful, the man’s hair mingled with strands of white, exuded an air of nobility, while the woman, draped in a white fur robe, had a graceful figure and a charming face, both stunning and enchanting as if they were a golden boy and jade girl.

"Interesting, I didn’t expect there to be someone among this group capable of resonating with Demon Energy. Sister, although his bloodline is not as good as yours, it seems he’s not far behind," the handsome man said, his gaze sweeping across the crowd and finally resting on Ye Xuan, with a smile.

"Indeed, it’s unexpected, but the second round of the Demon Tower test is key. Combat ability, willpower, and skill all will determine victory or defeat. Too stunning a performance in the first round, if followed by mediocrity in the second, could create an even greater contrast," the alluring woman in the fur robe said indifferently.

"Is that so? I don’t think so."

The handsome man smiled silently, watching Ye Xuan with some anticipation. He knew his sister was always arrogant, spurning everyone except for one particular individual, and he was curious if Ye Xuan could break the norm and achieve something remarkable.

On the other side of the wilderness, the cold Honglian Envoy was observing Ye Xuan and another envoy chatting animatedly,

his eyes narrowing before he whispered to a robust young man behind him, "Pei Nu, I’m going to pair you with this youngster. Once inside the Demon Tower, find a chance to deal with him. Don’t let him pass smoothly. If you succeed, I’ll support you full-force to become a disciple of the Blood Python Demon Venerate."

"Yes."

The robust young man named Pei Nu nodded, then glanced at the distant Ye Xuan, a chilly murderous intent flashing in his eyes.

The Honglian Envoy was aware of Pei Nu’s capabilities; getting through the first six layers of the Demon Tower should be no problem for him. If he could kill Ye Xuan inside the Demon Tower, the reaction of the other envoy would certainly be interesting to see.

Soon, under the leadership of seven envoys, about three hundred young elites of the Demon Clan approached the base of the nine-layer Demon Tower.

The Demon Tower, towering and utterly black, did not look like a man-made structure but rather a singular, high-level artifact. At that moment, several powerful figures were also arriving around the tower, likely official members of the Sky Demon Mountain, curious to see what kind of achievements the newcomers taken by the seven envoys would display in the Demon Tower.

Testing in the Demon Tower was a significant event at Sky Demon Mountain, especially with so many participants; it was worth watching.

Meanwhile, the second round of the Demon Tower test began, seven individuals entering at a time. An envoy stood at the grand entrance of the tower, announcing the names of those entering.

The first group of seven, just four or five minutes later, had results; only one person successfully passed the third layer, while two others emerged severely injured.

At such a turn of events, many were visibly shocked. In just a blink of four or five minutes, seven had their fates decided, with only one succeeding and two injured; that meant four had died—was the interior of the Demon Tower too perilous?

After the initial seven’s test ended, the next group entered. This time, still, only one person passed the third layer, but one ventured up to the fifth layer. Regrettably, overconfident, he attempted the sixth layer and was killed by the Demon Soul there, his efforts all in vain.

"What a pity."

Ye Xuan shook his head; making it to the fifth layer of the Demon Tower was commendable, a shame for such a talent to perish.

"What’s there to pity? If he couldn’t even accurately assess his strength, he was bound to die at the hands of others eventually." It seemed the Honglian Envoy coldly responded upon hearing Ye Xuan’s words.

Ye Xuan didn’t say anything more, their philosophies differing, so more talk seemed pointless. In his view, it was just a test, and there was no need for such cruelty; he, after all, was still human and couldn’t agree with the Demon Clan’s bloody methods.

As more groups entered the Demon Tower, very few came out, sometimes none at all. The best instance finally saw a Fifth Grade Demon King young elite getting through the sixth layer and even reaching the seventh, but unfortunately, he failed there too. He was strong, though, not dying to a Demon Soul, and eventually left the Demon Tower severely wounded.

"Making it to the seventh layer, that must be the best result of this test."

"Indeed not bad, but wasn’t there someone causing a Demon Energy resonance during the bloodline test just now? I wonder which level he reached?"

"You mean that young man? He hasn’t started his test yet, but he’s just at the Third Grade Demon King stage; his strength probably isn’t that great, and getting past the sixth layer might be a stretch."