Chapter 257: Inquiry Stele Tower Astonishes the Crowd

Chapter 257: Chapter 257: Inquiry Stele Tower Astonishes the Crowd

Chu Fan arrived at the Miaohua Peak Martial Arts Arena, accompanied by Yan Ying and Ye Xiaohan.

The main reason for their visit was that Chu Fan wanted to test what level his Spiritual Power had reached. With each improvement, he had only been able to make a rough estimate based on the range of his Divine Sense.

The arrival of their group naturally drew the attention of many Cultivation Disciples in the Martial Arts Arena. Some who were sparring with blades and swords even stopped what they were doing.

On one hand, they were curious about this unfamiliar face—who was he?

On the other hand, they were curious about Ye Xiaohan. ’Wasn’t he punished by the Elder Council? The council’s decision was just announced this morning, sentencing him to six months of confinement. Why is he out wandering around?’

The Martial Arts Arena on Miaohua Peak was massive, more than ten times larger than the one at Lingyun Sect. When Chu Fan heard that the Celestial Dao Palace had sixteen such arenas, he was utterly astounded.

’Then again, it makes sense. The Celestial Dao Palace is a top-tier Sect, after all. In the Central Domain, Lingyun Sect would be considered a fourth or fifth-rate sect at best.’

’If the Eastern Domain wanted to catch up to the Central Domain, it would probably take at least a thousand years of unified effort, wouldn’t it?’

"Should we go to the Trial Profound Tower or the Soul Testing Tower first?" Yan Ying asked Chu Fan.

"Let’s check out the Trial Profound Tower first. How does the test work?"

"When you go inside, you’ll see a stone stele. Just place both hands on it, inject your True Qi, and wait a moment," Yan Ying explained.

Chu Fan nodded and immediately walked into the Trial Profound Tower.

The Trial Profound Tower stood twelve zhang tall, an octagonal structure with only two doors, one for entry on the south side and one for exit on the north.

Upon walking inside, he saw a ten-zhang-high stone stele in the very center. Its smooth, polished surface was completely bare.

He stepped forward, placed both palms on the stele, and injected his True Qi.

The stele immediately flashed with golden light, and Chu Fan saw data materialize upon its surface.

Name: Chu Fan. Age: 27. Cultivation: Divine Separation Realm, Tier Four. Attributes: Five Elements Balance, Yin Yang Companionship. Combat Power: 589. Defense Value: 873. Sword Dao: Third Heaven, Middle Stage of Sword Intent Follows the Heart. Blade Dao: Uninitiated. Spear Dao: Uninitiated. Halberd Dao: Uninitiated...

Chu Fan had no idea what values like Combat Power and Defense Value signified, but the Martial Arts Arena had already erupted in a clamor of astonishment.

"Holy shit, who is this guy? That’s insane!"

"Tell me about it! I’ve been in the Celestial Dao Palace for decades, and the highest Combat Power I’ve ever seen was just over three hundred. And that person was in the Nascent Soul Realm! Being able to fight three tiers above your level is one thing, but doing it in the Nascent Soul Realm is completely different from doing it in the Divine Separation Realm, you know? This guy actually reached over five hundred! Doesn’t that mean he can jump five tiers to fight? He could directly challenge a Divine Separation Realm Tier Nine cultivator? And maybe even win?"

"Is that even the main point? The point is he’s only twenty-seven! To be at Divine Separation Realm Tier Four at twenty-seven with such a high Combat Power is one thing, but look at his Defense Value! And he’s already at the Middle Stage of the Third Heaven of Sword Dao! How many people in the entire Celestial Dao Palace, including the Palace Master and the Elders, have reached the Third Heaven of Sword Dao?"

"This has to be fake, right?"

"Fake my ass! This is the Trial Profound Tower. When have you ever seen it make a mistake?"

"A monster!"

"A freak!"

Compared to the disciples, Yan Ying and Ye Xiaohan found their own breathing growing ragged.

They knew Chu Fan was heaven-defying, but they never imagined he was *this* heaven-defying.

This was especially true for Yan Ying. ’When they first met over three years ago, Chu Fan’s Cultivation was a whole Great Realm lower than hers. But now?’

’She was only at the Early Stage of the Soul Emergence Realm, while Chu Fan was already at the Middle Stage of the Divine Separation Realm.’

’What was most terrifying were his Combat Power and Defense Value. Didn’t that mean anyone whose Cultivation hadn’t reached the Integration Realm couldn’t even hurt him?’

When Chu Fan walked out of the Trial Profound Tower, he sensed countless strange gazes on him, making him feel a bit awkward.

Ye Xiaohan excitedly gave him a thumbs-up.

"Should I go check out the Soul Testing Tower, then?"

As he spoke, Chu Fan headed toward the Soul Testing Tower in the distance. The Soul Testing Tower and the Trial Profound Tower were nearly identical in style; from the outside, the only difference appeared to be a single word on the plaque above the entrance.

Inside the Soul Testing Tower, there was little difference either. There was the same ten-zhang-high stone stele, its polished surface just as devoid of any patterns or text.

Chu Fan walked up to the stele and placed his hands on it.

SHING! SHING! SHING!

One by one, silver lamps lit up. Chu Fan counted them: thirty-four in total.

’Hmm, two levels higher than I predicted. So this is Level 34. Level 40 to become a Saint, Level 50 to become a God... looks like it’s easier to reach Sainthood and Godhood through Spiritual Power!’ Chu Fan muttered to himself as he withdrew his hands.

However, the wave of astonished cries from the Martial Arts Arena surged even higher than before.

Body and Soul Cultivation!

And he was a monster at both!

How could anyone not be in awe?

It wasn’t just the disciples in the Martial Arts Arena; even Palace Master Yunchen and the seven great Elders were drawn over by the commotion.

As soon as Chu Fan walked out of the Soul Testing Tower, he saw eight solemn-faced old men waiting for him.

Chu Fan only recognized Master Yunchen. He cupped his fist toward him and said, "Palace Master Yun, this junior heard that your esteemed Sect possessed these two great steles and, on a whim, came to test them. I apologize for the disturbance."

"Chu Fan, who is your master?" Master Yunchen asked.

"My master’s name was Ling Zhexing, but he has already passed on," Chu Fan replied.

Hearing this, Master Yunchen and the others fell silent. They were racking their brains, trying to recall if they had ever heard the name Ling Zhexing.

Evidently, the name Ling Zhexing was not significant enough to have reached their ears.

"What sect? What school?" Master Yunchen asked after a long moment.

"Lingyun Sect," Chu Fan replied without concealment.

"Lingyun Sect, one of the Six Sects and Eight Gates of the Eastern Domain? Why have I never heard of this Ling Zhexing?" one of the Elders muttered.

"When my master passed away, his Cultivation was only at the Peak of the Integration Realm. Besides, he was a reserved person his entire life, so it’s quite normal that you haven’t heard of him," Chu Fan said, neither servile nor overbearing.

Upon hearing this, the eyes of the Elder who had just muttered lit up. "If I were to take you as my disciple, would you be willing?" he asked.

"Old Sixth, don’t you try to steal him from me! I saw this disciple first!"

"What the hell are you two fighting over? Do either of you even know Spiritual Power Martial Techniques? If Chu Fan is going to take a master, it should be me!"

Watching the old men bicker, Chu Fan shook his head and said, "Thank you for your generous offers, seniors, but this junior has no intention of joining another sect. My apologies."

"Lad, no matter how talented you are, you still need a good teacher to guide you and help you avoid many pitfalls. If you’re unwilling to choose one of us, how about we teach you together? Old Fifth specializes in the Dao of Talismans and Artifact Refining, while I focus on the Sword Dao," the Sixth Elder said, his offer full of temptation.

Chu Fan cupped his fist again and said, "This junior is grateful for your high regard, seniors. But as the saying goes, ’A teacher for a day is a father for a lifetime.’ This junior has never considered changing his allegiance."

"Alas!" the Fifth Elder sighed.

The Sixth Elder’s beard bristled and his eyes widened. "You brat, you don’t know what’s good for you."

Seeing that Chu Fan was truly unwilling to accept a master, the Elders left one after another, leaving only Master Yunchen behind.

"As expected of the eleventh-ranked on the Talent List. You’ve truly impressed me, lad. No wonder even the Crown Prince thinks highly of you. It’s just a pity you’re not from our Central Domain."

Master Yunchen’s words made Chu Fan a bit uncomfortable, but he didn’t dwell on them.

’Everyone should have that kind of feeling for the land of their birth, an emotion that runs in their very blood.’