At the Jade Hollow Plains, the sun had yet to peek from the horizon but the cultivators ready to take up the challenge gathered in front of the Conduit Tower, waiting for the countdown to end.
After discussing with the leaders of the other sects and forces, Yu Qingyan along with some Verdant Sky Pavilion members will be the first to enter. It's still unclear whether they'll be sent as a group or as individuals, after all.
The danger inside would multiply if it ended up being a tower that offered individual trials to climb up.
As a peak Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator, she's confident that even if she faced danger on the first floor, she'd be able to clear at least a floor. Furthermore, she wanted to confirm the activation of Store Beacon and buy the Emergency Escape Talisman to test its effectiveness.
As the first hints of dawn painted the sky in soft streaks of orange and pink at the Jade Hollow Plains, the Conduit Tower that suddenly appeared yesterday remained standing tall, its obsidian frame not reflecting the light.
Yu Qingyan stood at the forefront of the gathered cultivators, her elegant posture unwavering as she crossed her arms, watching the tall, obsidian door of the tower.
The holographic panel that popped up once again after touching the frame ticked down steadily as less than an hour remained before the tower would admit its first challengers.
Beside her, a handful of Verdant Sky Pavilion disciples adjusted their gear. They were ready to face any challenge, together or alone.
Little Spring stood among them. Her spatial bag was filled with store products that she either bought or handed to her as her supply for this challenge. She was even clutching a [Windstrike Talisman] that she'd instantly activate if danger welcomed her right away.
Of course, she knew that there was a risk of her dying inside yet her youthful face was set with resolve.
"Elder Yu, if it's individual trials, we'll need to rely on the store's goods more than ever. Do you think the beacon will really work inside?"
Yu Qingyan glanced at her and nodded with assurance. "It will work. No. It's more apt to say that it has been working since its activation last night. Doubting the Divine Convenience Store at this point seems pretty pointless anymore after I've seen things that only they can produce or accomplish."
Just the Jade Token that gives her access to the Distributor Interface is enough for her to marvel at how unfathomable the depths of the ones behind the store are.
Yan Wei paced nearby, his Azure Gale Sect disciples forming a loose circle around him as he cracked his knuckles with a grin.
"Individual or not, I'm climbing higher than anyone. Zhou Rui can eat my wind trails!"
His junior disciples cheered, their Viewing Jades glowing as they posted rapid updates to his thread, hyping him up further.
Many other users had already turned away from his thread as more than half of the comments below came from them.
Zhou Rui with his saber propped beside him, snorted loudly enough to draw Yan Wei's glare. "Keep talking, windbag. I'll carve my name on the top floor while you're still fumbling with talismans. I'll also show everyone how effective Benefactor's products are!"
His Crimson Vale disciples laughed, their own Viewing Jades buzzing with counter-taunts aimed at Azure Gale.
Qianmeng hovered at the edge of the group, her hands fidgeting with her spatial bag filled with Yu Qingyan's recommended store products. She'd joined the challengers at Yu Qingyan's encouragement, her timid nature bolstered by the [Heavenly Shield] talisman glowing faintly at her waist.
Although her strength was among the lowest, she was not discouraged at all.
"Senior Yu, I'll try my best. For Faguang." She whispered, her voice barely audible among the loud chattering.
Yu Qingyan offered her an encouraging smile. "You'll do fine, Qianmeng. Stay cautious and use what the store's given you. That's your strength now. Understand. Do not come in until you see twenty challengers return from inside.
"Yes!" The young cultivator answered with determination shining through her eyes.
Above them, the Core Formation Elders – Yan Chen and Zhao Jianshi – observed from a slight distance. They're only here to observe the tower since they're unable to challenge it due to the tower's restrictions.
Nonetheless, their presence was a steady anchor for the younger cultivators.
Yan Chen's silver hair fluttered as he murmured to Zhao Jianshi, "They're eager. This tower is so mysterious but the Shopkeeper called it a trial ground. Let's hope the tower doesn't break them."
Zhao Jianshi grinned, his crimson saber resting on his shoulder. "It'll temper them—or crush them. Either way, the store's influence makes this a gamble worth watching. Didn't the Shopkeeper say this wasn't the only tower in the realm nor it would be the last one?"
"Indeed. A tower suitable for us may appear in the future."
The holographic panel on the door flickered as the countdown dropped below ten minutes.
A low hum emanated from the tower and the obsidian doors pulsed with the same foreign energy which drew everyone's eyes.
Yu Qingyan stepped forward, her spiritual energy seeping through the Jade Token as she pulled up her [Distributor Interface], reviewing Lin Mo's earlier message one more time which brought a small smile to her face.
It was a short message. "Miss Yu, take care."
The timer hit zero, and the doors that they painstakingly closed yesterday creaked open but only slightly. Behind it was a swirling vortex of dark light within. The panel updated:
[Conduit Tower - Jade Hollow Plains]
[Status: Active - Accepting Challengers]
[Mode: Individual Trials]
[Current Threat Level: Low - Next Tower Break in 7 Days unless a floor is cleared]
[Number of Floors: 10]
[Accessibility: Foundation Establishment Stage and below]
A murmur rippled through the crowd. Individual trials. No teamwork, no safety net beyond their own skills and the store's wares.
Yu Qingyan took a deep breath, her spiritual energy flaring as she addressed the group.
"Ready? I'll go first. I believe we may be separated but make sure to prepare a recording crystal and capture what you will experience inside."
Yan Wei whooped, stepping up beside her. "I'm next! No way I'm letting you hog the glory, Emissary!"
Zhou Rui shoved forward, elbowing Yan Wei aside. "Outta my way, windbag. I'm second!"
However, Chu Yueying and Xue Biyu cut them off, their peak Foundation Establishment Stage aura pushing them back gently.
"Don't be so hasty. Let your Elders probe its interior first. It's fine to not be afraid of risk but if you're only going to throw away your life, you'll be a disappointment." Chu Yueying said before she took a step forward, whispering something to Yu Qingyan that made the woman flustered again.
Little Spring and the other Verdant Sky disciples fell in line, their talismans glowing faintly as they steeled themselves.
Qianmeng naturally backed away, her small frame dwarfed by the towering figures around her. She kept Yu Qingyan's reminder in her mind. She wouldn't step inside until twenty challengers returned.
Eventually, the Emissary of the Verdant Sky Pavilion shook off Chu Yueying.
She glanced behind her one more time before stretching his arm towards the door as her figure became wrapped with foreign energy.
A shimmering vortex appeared and her figure vanished in a flash of dark light. The panel by the door flickered as a new line was added below.
[Active Challenger(s): 1]