**Chapter 115: If It’s Too Big, It Will Ruin Your Stomach**
“Wow, look at that speed!”
“Are these three on a killing spree or what?”
“By the eighteenth floor, aren’t we running into some late-stage Foundation Establishment monster beasts? Can they really dispatch them so effortlessly?”
Everyone knew these three were incredible. After all, the stories about them slaying two Golden Core stage monster cultivators in Qingzhu Town had already spread like wildfire. But come on, can’t they take a breather? Killing at this rate makes everyone else feel a bit inadequate.
The main reason they were going all out was that after battling a few more monster beasts, the rewards for spiritual energy were nowhere near as tempting as they were on the tenth floor. So, the trio decided to just barrel through.
Especially Yun Zhonghe! Ever since his spiritual energy reached the Initial Understanding stage, his sword technique’s precision skyrocketed—every slash was a critical hit!
If Yun Zhonghe had a stats panel right now, his critical hit rate would probably be off the charts—like, a hundred percent!
Who knew that improving spiritual energy would influence sword technique critical rates? Back when he played games in a past life, there was no such thing…
Well, in that past life, Yun Zhonghe never managed to crank up his spiritual energy this high beforehand.
When your mental state far exceeds your current cultivation level, it can influence some unique attributes.
So, even though Yun Zhonghe was only at the seventh layer of Foundation Establishment, when he landed a critical hit, his attacks could rival those at the peak of Foundation Establishment.
“Wow, they’re so strong! Almost to the twentieth floor! This must be the limit for Foundation Establishment!”
“That might be your limit, but not these three.”
The cultivators were debating fiercely, and gradually, some clever folks outside the Myriad Path Divine Tower started selling chairs and tables.
“Hey, the Three Heroes of Cangzhou are battling! It’ll take a while, so get comfy! Here’s an entire set of chairs and tables for just one spirit stone!”
“Hold up, are these chairs made of gold or silver? A spirit stone for a set? You might as well mug me!”
“Haha, if you think it’s pricey, I think it’s outrageous too! But good luck finding tables and chairs anywhere else!”
The seller turned out to be Daoist Hu, who had teamed up with Yun Zhonghe in Qingzhu Town!
His injuries seemed to have healed significantly, though he still looked a bit puffy, way better than his former pig-headed appearance.
Yet, even now, he stubbornly refused to lift the illusion he placed on himself, not willing to show his true face.
He felt it wasn’t perfect enough.
He had already resolved that once he fully recovered, he would reveal his true identity for a dramatic surprise for Yun Zhonghe.
“Pfft! I don’t buy it! There’s not even a stool to be found outside!”
Xiao Hu’s price was so steep that many doubted his sanity and rushed out to see if they could snag a stool.
But all of this was within Xiao Hu’s expectations; he had already bought up every single chair and table in Cangzhou City and stuffed them into his spatial ring.
“Buy if you want, if you can find it, I’ll admit defeat!”
After that, he ventured elsewhere to sell other stuff besides tables and chairs.
“How about some drinks?”
“I have tea too!”
“Fresh fruits! Just picked from the fields!”
Xiao Hu’s selling antics attracted the attention of several big shots.
After all, this was the city lord’s manor; who would dare act so brazenly?
Yet, many chose to remain silent, even the lord of Cangzhou City turned a blind eye to it.
Some were curious, but once they heard words like “Kunlun Demon Realm” and “princess,” no one dared to mention it again.
Wow, big shots doing business in this little town!
Even the old guardian of the tower couldn’t help but twitch his mouth after witnessing this, as if he saw through Xiao Hu’s disguise.
Here we go again!
He sighed; this wasn’t the first time he’d encountered Xiao Hu.
Just as he was about to speak, a platter of fruits was placed in front of the elder.
“Senior, fresh ones! Have plenty!”
The elder rolled his eyes, grabbed a banana, and took a bite—sweet as can be!
Thanks to Xiao Hu’s antics, the square that was once all serious transformed into a lively tea party.
…
Outside, it was a bustling scene.
Meanwhile, inside the tower, Yun Zhonghe and the others had reached the twentieth floor.
Six peak Foundation Establishment monster beasts!
After the eighteenth floor, the difficulty took a skyrocketing leap.
And by the twentieth floor, the intelligence of the monster beasts seemed significantly enhanced; they no longer charged in mindlessly but instead coordinated their attacks, attempting to break the trio down one by one.
Two beasts each held back two of them while the other four tore into one—this teamwork made things a bit tough for Yun Zhonghe’s group.
Maybe the Myriad Path Divine Tower sensed that these three were adept at combat and decided to crank up the heat—because what kind of trial would it be otherwise?
With trials, one must suffer a bit to earn their reward.
After a heated battle, the three finally dispatched all six monster beasts.
“I’m exhausted! And we’re only on the twentieth floor! Is it supposed to be this hard?”
Mu Jixue was panting and glistening with sweat, feeling the spiritual energy inside her waning.
Yun Zhonghe let out a breath; he fared a bit better, considering he had a considerable reservoir of spiritual energy, and his sword technique used up very little.
Plus, since his spiritual energy had reached the Initial Understanding phase, he had become so much more adept at controlling it, conserving even more.
He subtly edged closer to Mu Jixue: “I noticed your spiritual energy output was a bit erratic during your swordplay. You don’t seem too focused. Are you feeling okay?”
Yun Zhonghe was genuinely concerned for his good friend.
However, Mu Jixue’s eyes suddenly widened as she stammered, “I-I’m perfectly fine! Not feeling unwell at all!”
Darn it, her Sea of Consciousness felt absolutely stuffed from Yun Zhonghe’s aggressive spiritual energy, and it was beyond uncomfortable.
And with her Sea of Consciousness being pierced through, everything felt like it was skewering her very being.
The more she thought about it, the hotter her face felt; she took a deep breath to suppress the tumult within her, but there was an odd sensation stirring deep down.
Looking at Yun Zhonghe, she inexplicably thought he smelled really good…
No, no, no! What am I thinking? Why do I suddenly find this guy so fragrant?
Am I losing it?!
Mu Jixue quickly shook her head, trying to regain her composure. Then she stood up and pushed Yun Zhonghe away.
“I’m fine! Just need a little break.”
Taking advantage of the two-hour reprieve after clearing the twentieth challenge, she needed to recover ASAP—she couldn’t embarrass herself in front of Yun Zhonghe.
And Lin Zhongyu noticed something was off with Mu Jixue.
“Something seems off with Jixue.”
Though Lin Zhongyu was still feeling a tad twitchy herself, having her Sea of Consciousness widened so forcefully needed some adjusting, but she thought she was doing alright. By all rights, Jixue shouldn’t be facing any issues.
Could it be she was better at handling the expansion?
No, that wouldn’t be the case.
Lin Zhongyu keenly sensed there must have been another reason for Mu Jixue’s current state.
“Jixue, Zhongyu, the rewards are here! Get ready to absorb!” warned Yun Zhonghe.
The six monster beasts they just felled turned to shards, and two streams of pure energy filled the whole twentieth floor.
Spiritual energy and pure chi swirled around—a perfect supplement for Mu Jixue and Lin Zhongyu.
Now that Yun Zhonghe’s spiritual energy had reached the Initial Understanding phase, he was able to actively cultivate. He decided to leave these good things for the two girls.
Their improvement was of the utmost importance!
