Chapter 325: Entering the Desolate Tower, The Urgent Stone Talisman!
The fiery buzz of Martial Meet Island gradually subsided with the conclusion of the event.
After witnessing such a soul-shaking battle, cultivators from all factions left one after another, each carrying complex emotions.
As the crowd dispersed, word of Lin Fan's astonishing performance began to spread.
The name of this previously unknown youth, who had suddenly appeared in the Tianfeng Sea Region, now echoed far and wide.
But Lin Fan didn't care.
He never bothered with fame or titles. What he cared about were real, tangible gains—and power.
After all, he planned to return to the Eastern Xuan Region and obliterate Yuan Gate once and for all!
Not to mention the lurking Yimo, like the Sword of Damocles hanging overhead—ready to strike at any time.
Only by constantly growing stronger and reaching unmatched heights, slaughtering every last Yimo elite, could he feel truly at ease.
So when Gu Mengqi mentioned his rising fame, Lin Fan barely reacted. Compared to that, what truly concerned him was the Desolate Tower.
Fortunately, the Gu Clan didn't go back on their word. The day after the Martial Meet ended, Lin Fan and Lin Dong, under Elder Gu Shuo's guidance, once again arrived before the ancient greenstone tower.
Standing beneath the tower, Lin Fan raised his head and gazed at the massive structure shrouded in desolation and ancient majesty.
Time had left mottled scars across the tower's surface, yet it stood unshaken, as if it had always been—and always would be.
"There are eight levels in the Desolate Tower, each one filled with Desolate Aura. But remember, don't go beyond the fifth floor."
Standing beside Lin Fan, Gu Shuo suddenly reminded them.
"Why not?" Lin Dong asked curiously.
At this moment, Lin Dong could already feel the agitation of the mysterious stone talisman inside him, as if it couldn't wait to dive into the tower.
Gu Shuo explained, "Each level of the Desolate Tower contains Desolate Aura several times more concentrated than the one below. While this energy is incredible for refining the body, it's also immensely heavy and oppressive."
"Every cultivation level has a limit to what it can withstand. Go too far, and the Desolate Aura will eat away at your body instead."
Lin Dong asked in surprise, "Then what kind of strength is needed to reach the eighth level?"
"The eighth level?" Gu Shuo gave a strange look and shook his head. "No one has ever set foot on it. Not even someone at the Perfect Death Xuan Stage has succeeded."
"Not even the Death Xuan Stage?" Lin Dong was shocked. He couldn't help but feel a hint of fear toward the Desolate Tower.
"All five clan leaders have attempted it—but failed. And they're all at the pinnacle of Death Xuan," Gu Shuo said solemnly.
Lin Dong's pupils contracted.
Lin Fan, however, remained calm. He wasn't surprised at all.
After all, the Desolate Lord, one of the Eight Ancient Masters, was said to be sealed within the eighth floor of this tower.
Though the Desolate Lord was still severely wounded and in deep slumber, for the five great clans, he remained an untouchable existence.
Gu Shuo then gave them a rundown of other details about the Desolate Tower and once again urged them to be careful.
"Thank you, Elder Gu Shuo. We'll be cautious," Lin Fan nodded with a slight smile.
Gu Shuo nodded. "There are three slots each year. The Gu Clan hasn't decided who gets the third yet, so for now, you two may enter first."
Lin Fan and Lin Dong exchanged a glance and nodded. They had no objections.
"If you're ready, we can begin now," Gu Shuo asked.
"Let's go," Lin Fan nodded.
Gu Shuo raised his hand, and a golden token flew into the air. Golden rays burst forth, illuminating the tower's gate.
Buzz buzz!
As the golden light struck, the Desolate Tower's surface lit up, forming a golden array that wrapped the entire structure.
Ripples spread, and a golden portal opened on the tower's entrance.
"We're going in." Lin Fan gave Gu Shuo a nod and stepped forward, walking into the glowing gate and stopping before the sealed stone door.
Lin Dong followed after offering a quick bow.
RUMBLE!
Lin Fan pressed his palm to the cold stone, and the Desolate Tower shuddered. With a groan, the ancient gate slowly opened.
A thick, ancient aura poured out, and for a moment, it felt as if even the air was steeped in primeval power.
"Let's go," Lin Fan said calmly, stepping into the darkness of the tower.
Lin Dong followed without hesitation.
BOOM!
Once inside, the heavy stone door slowly closed, sealing the ancient aura inside.
Tap, tap…
Their footsteps echoed loudly in the dim interior.
The inside of the tower was more spacious than expected. Moonlight stones embedded in the walls emitted a soft glow, bathing the interior in a quiet, eerie light.
"Let's test the effects of the Desolate Aura." Lin Fan activated his Devouring Power, drawing in a surge of Desolate Aura.
As it entered his body, he immediately felt a searing heat spread through him. His muscles and bones began to burn faintly—as if being tempered by some invisible forge.
Lin Dong nodded and did the same.
"What a mysterious power…"
Joy lit up Lin Dong's eyes. The Heavenly Dragon Energy that Qing Zhi had once granted him had long been absorbed as his cultivation improved.
Without it, his Azure Dragon Transformation Art had slowed in progress. But now he discovered that the Desolate Aura seemed to fuel its growth!
Just then, a white light suddenly burst from Lin Dong's body.
At the center of that light was the mysterious stone talisman, which finally couldn't restrain itself any longer.
Buzz! Buzz!
The talisman floated in front of Lin Dong, shining brilliantly. It circled him once, then emitted a clear humming sound—transforming into a beam of white light as it shot toward the upper levels of the tower!
"What the…" Lin Dong blinked in surprise.
"Looks like this Desolate Aura has quite an effect on the talisman," Lin Fan chuckled. "It probably finds the first level's energy too weak."
"Let's go up."
With that, Lin Fan activated his Yuan Power, his body becoming a blur as he chased after the talisman.
Lin Dong didn't hesitate and followed right behind.
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 30 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Franklin1