Volume Two: The Weapon Manual, Chapter 131: The Pagoda of Primordial Unity

The final barrier of the Heaven-Gazing Pavilion was deceptively simple in its layout. The tower consisted of only two levels, with the base featuring a Bagua formation composed of forty-nine intricate corners. This formation was directly linked to the hidden mechanisms beneath the pavilion, serving as the core of the entire structure.

The martial artists who had breached this location were all at least at the eighth stage of the Earth Soul Realm. A glance around revealed mostly familiar faces; after all, those who could attain such cultivation levels were few and far between in the vicinity of Tuqiu City.

Upon reaching this point, the combatants ceased their reckless aggression, becoming cautious and restrained. They knew that once a fight broke out, there would be no room for negotiation—the ensuing chaos would immediately turn everything upside down.

When Hua Shaoqing appeared inside the entrance, he drew many wary gazes. Three of his companions quickly closed in around him. Of the five men dispatched by the Three-Flower Valley, one had already perished in the preceding towers, failing to escape unscathed.

The Heaven-Gazing Pavilion tested the human heart. Only the one who claimed the Heavenly Lamp and stood upon the ground of the island in the center of the lake would receive the full cultivation of the Saint Lord’s Palace and win the hand of the beauty. Regardless of which reward they sought, it was worth every ounce of effort.

Hua Shaoqing sighed and offered words of comfort to his junior brothers: "The path of the martial world is tumultuous; life and death are common occurrences. When this matter is concluded, there will be time enough to grieve back at the Three-Flower Valley. For now, everywhere we look, there are enemies. We must remain fully focused."

Ranked second among the juniors of the Three-Flower Valley, he was accompanied by four junior brothers, all of whom were at the tenth stage of cultivation—formidable experts capable of standing alone in the outside world.

They nodded in acknowledgment, yet their eyes remained heavy with sorrow. Seeing brothers who had lived and breathed alongside them perish could not be mended by mere words.

As the Two-Forms Tower completely collapsed and crumbled, the Bagua formation began to rotate slowly. Li Jue explained from the side, "This Taiji Bagua formation is divided into inner and outer layers. To enter, one must pass through the Gate of Rest, and to exit unscathed, one must emerge through the Gate of Life."

In the center of the formation hovered a palm-sized inkstone, radiating thick, grey mist that tethered the entire array together. It was the eye of the Primordial Unity Tower. To ascend the tower, one had to face the Primordial Unity Inkstone and survive without defeat, only then gaining the chance to pass through the void above it.

Ranked ninety-ninth in the Weapon Registry, the Primordial Unity Inkstone was a miraculous artifact capable of condensing the five elements and yin-yang. Depending on the spiritual roots of its wielder, it could unleash different powers. Hua Shaoqing practiced a rare form of Five-Element Daoism.

Much like the Earth-Escaping Technique used by Shangguan Baozi—which was the earth-attribute aspect of the Five Elements—the Inkstone would only release earth-based power in her hands. But in the hands of Hua Shaoqing, it would channel all five elements, doubling its destructive potential.

A fitting artifact requires a fitting master to achieve its true effect. The Three-Flower Valley had spared no effort to acquire the Primordial Unity Inkstone specifically to boost Hua Shaoqing’s strength in time for the Gathering of Heroes.

Liu Xiaoyi had no intention of venturing inside first. Within the counter-rotating Bagua diagram, a suffocating aura emanated, and as time passed, he felt the air behind him pushing him forward.

"The Taiji Bagua created by our ancestors attempted to encompass all the great laws of heaven and earth, but human capability has its limits. Of the forty-nine paths, one was still missed. That is why the Bagua diagram generates a gravitational pull, drawing everything nearby into it. I fear that eventually, the entire tower will be consumed."

Li Jue was concerned. In terms of strength, while they were numerous, their cultivation was the lowest. If a fight broke out, the experts of the Three-Flower Valley might not be able to protect them.

"If you trust me, take temporary refuge inside the Zhenyuan Mountain," Liu Xiaoyi said. Understanding their predicament, he retrieved the Zhenyuan Mountain artifact and infused it with a touch of his internal energy to open the seal.

The mountain stone was designed for containment and suppression; sealing living beings inside was not a problem. However, if Liu Xiaoyi were killed, the mountain would remain sealed forever, leaving those inside unable to break the barrier.

Cai Wu, supporting the severely weakened Ma Shan, was the first to leap in: "How could we not trust our Big Brother? Old Cai will go in and hide first!"

Meng Qiaoqiao and Li Jue nodded and scrambled inside as well. With their current cultivation, they would only be a burden to Liu Xiaoyi outside. Only by facing the trial alone, relying on the power of his Yin-Yang Twin Swords, might Liu Xiaoyi have a chance to fight.

"I won't! I wouldn't go back into that place even if you killed me!" Shangguan Baozi refused, resisting with all her might.

The last time she had been sealed inside, she had nearly starved to death. The memory of that hunger made her determined never to enter the Zhenyuan Mountain again.

Before Liu Xiaoyi could speak, he felt himself locked on by dozens of killing auras. His hair stood on end, and as he looked up, he saw dozens of figures flying out from the void, descending around the Primordial Unity Inkstone.

Even Zhuge Zeng had not anticipated that anyone could pierce the external barrier and enter from the opposite direction to cause trouble. As the clear image was inexplicably cut off, he stomped his feet in the underground chamber, cursing, "Which turtle-spawned bastards are these! Coming here to ruin my plans!"

The murderous intent radiated from these dozens of men. Liu Xiaoyi was certain he had never seen them before; how had he incurred such enmity?

Beside him, Shangguan Baozi trembled and whispered, "Brother Liu, these people are from my Shangguan family. I fear they have been summoned by the 'Heavenly Order Number One' to seek revenge." An image of the order had flashed on her family medallion, but it had shattered immediately after, and she had been cast out of the family—no longer a member of the Shangguan clan.

Liu Xiaoyi had never heard of the Heavenly Order Number One, but judging by their posture, he knew he was in grave danger today. "Brother Hua, when the fighting starts, take the Inkstone immediately. Do not worry about me."

Hua Shaoqing recognized the Shangguan family attire. Now was not the time to cross them, but he made his decision: "Nonsense. The Three-Flower Valley stands as one; my friend is not someone the Shangguan family can touch on a whim!"

Sensing the intruders, the Primordial Unity Inkstone unleashed a wave of grey light that swept over the Shangguan group. Any weapon touched by the grey light instantly lost its spirit, turning into a heap of scrap metal.

Shangguan Yun threw his golden ringed broadsword behind his back, leaped into the air with his arms raised, and bypassed the grey light, charging straight at Liu Xiaoyi.

He cared nothing for the formation. What formation could stop a master at the peak of the twelfth stage of the Earth Soul Realm?

Yet, the moment his body touched the Bagua formation, the scenery shifted around him. No matter how he utilized his lightness techniques, the distance between Shangguan Yun and Liu Xiaoyi remained exactly three zhang, unable to close the gap by even a fraction.