Chapter 425: Within the Nine Heavens

Chapter 425: Chapter 172: Within the Nine Heavens

Then, Xu Lei and Wu Sheng went to an empty courtyard. Under Wu Sheng’s guidance, Xu Lei refined a Token outside, and the courtyard became his.

It had three bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, a bathroom, a garden with pavilions and terraces—it was all very nice.

“Every floor of the Ninefold Celestial Treasure Tower has a different trial, but I’ve never made it to the second floor, so I don’t know what kind of test it has.”

Wu Sheng then said, “The first floor is actually just a Copper Puppet, but that thing is pretty strong. I’m no match for it at all. The only good thing, though, is that when you’re in the trial chamber, using Magical Power doesn’t actually consume it. That’s because the room locks in the energy, so after you expend any Magical Power, you can just reabsorb it! It’s incredible! You can use your Magical Power as much as you want in there! That part is pretty sweet. However, it’s not like you can go every day. Each person only gets one chance every three months!”

“Oh, is that so?”

Xu Lei said, “Then where’s the place to take the trial? Senior Brother, I want to give it a try! I just got here, so I probably won’t be able to pass in my first three months anyway. I might as well go take a look so I don’t waste the opportunity!”

“Alright, I’ll take you there.”

Wu Sheng said, “It’s not hard to find, actually. It’s just over there. Didn’t Senior Sister Jin Xin come from that direction earlier?”

「A few minutes later.」

Xu Lei arrived in front of another room.

“Ascender Liao Chen, do you wish to begin the trial?”

To his surprise, the door scanned his face as soon as he arrived. It seemed as intelligent as an AI from Earth, and Xu Lei was taken aback.

“Yes. I wish to take the trial,” Xu Lei said with a nod.

The door in front of him slid open. From behind, Wu Sheng bid him farewell, saying he was returning to his Cultivation.

After exchanging a few more words with Wu Sheng, Xu Lei stepped into the trial.

Then, Xu Lei entered the trial chamber.

Soon, Xu Lei saw a burly Copper Warrior inside.

The Copper Warrior’s entire body gleamed with a metallic sheen, and its eyes glowed red, making it look incredibly imposing.

Xu Lei took a deep breath, channeling all his Magical Power. He wielded his Lotus Treasure Fragments and Golden Magic Staff, readying himself for battle.

The Copper Warrior wasted no words and attacked Xu Lei directly.

Its movements were lightning-fast. Every punch whistled through the air, putting Xu Lei under immense pressure.

Xu Lei swung his Golden Magic Staff, releasing wave after wave of Magical Power in an attempt to block the Copper Warrior’s assault.

At the same time, his Lotus Treasure Fragments spun in the air, emitting bursts of light to disrupt the Copper Warrior’s movements.

However, the Copper Warrior’s strength far exceeded Xu Lei’s expectations.

Each of its attacks was immensely powerful, making Xu Lei’s defenses feel like they were made of paper.

After just a few exchanges, Xu Lei was already battered and bruised, and he had used up more than half of his Magical Power.

‘This is bad. If this keeps up, I’ll definitely lose,’ Xu Lei thought.

Xu Lei began trying to guide the Magical Power he had expended, attempting to reabsorb it into his body.

Inside the trial chamber, the circulation of Magical Power seemed unusually active, and Xu Lei soon felt it flowing back into him.

‘It’s just as my senior brother said. The Magical Power in the trial chamber can be recovered,’ Xu Lei thought, overjoyed.

He began to focus more on guiding the Magical Power, doing his best to evade the Copper Warrior’s attacks and buy himself time.

As his Magical Power gradually returned, Xu Lei felt his condition improving.

He started to regroup for an attack, trying to find the Copper Warrior’s weak point.

However, the Copper Warrior didn’t seem to have any obvious weaknesses.

Its entire body was covered in hard Copper Armor; ordinary attacks were completely unable to damage it.

Although Xu Lei’s Magical Power attacks could disrupt it to some extent, they were not enough to defeat it.

The battle lasted for a long time. Xu Lei gave it his all, but he was still unable to defeat the Copper Warrior.

Finally, during a fierce exchange, Xu Lei was sent flying by one of the Copper Warrior’s punches, slamming heavily against the wall of the trial chamber.

“I lost,” Xu Lei said with a bitter smile. “I figured as much. My Power right now is nowhere near enough to beat it.”

The Copper Warrior did not continue its attack, but slowly retreated to its original position.

The flow of Magical Power within the trial chamber gradually subsided, and everything became calm again.

Xu Lei struggled to his feet and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.

He knew this failure was only temporary.

As long as he could learn from this battle and continue to improve his strength.

One day, he would be able to defeat the Copper Warrior and pass this trial.

Just as Xu Lei stepped out, a voice suddenly called to him.

“Junior Brother Liao Chen, you did a great job.”

Xu Lei looked up and saw Wu Sheng standing at the entrance to the trial chamber, smiling at him.

“Senior Brother Wu Sheng, what are you doing here?” Xu Lei asked, a little surprised.

“I made some progress after I went back to my Cultivation just now,” Wu Sheng said, walking forward. “So I wanted to come and take the trial again! Hopefully, I can pass this time!”

“Good luck, Senior Brother!” Xu Lei quickly replied.

With that, Wu Sheng entered the trial chamber.

Xu Lei thought for a moment, then decided not to wait around and returned to his own residence.

On the way back, Xu Lei passed by Zhao Xin’s residence, but her courtyard gate was shut tight.

Just then, he saw Jue Gen next door, standing at his own gate and staring at Zhao Xin’s.

The sight left Xu Lei speechless.

‘And here I was, planning to knock on Zhao Xin’s door, reveal my identity, and then we could be intimate in private… get in some frantic Charitable Giving.’

‘Now it’s not a good idea to act so openly. Besides, Zhao Xin might be inside cultivating anyway.’