Immortal-Exterminating Divine Venerable

The Third Level of the Northern Wilderness Sword Mansion.

The Nine-Layered Inheritance Tower.

The Fifth Layer.

”Why is this fifth Sword Technique so difficult? It’s much harder than the fourth one.”

Inside the tower, Xuan Tianzhan, who had just received the inheritance, wore a troubled expression. However, the moment he thought about how Yang Xiao was likely still stuck on the 1st Layer while he himself, with eight Inheritance Sword Orders, had reached the third level and entered the Inheritance Tower right away, he grew smug again.

’The time flow on the 1st Layer is ten times faster than the outside world, but here on the third level, it’s a thousand times faster. I have a full one hundred times more time than that kid. So what if he’s talented? Besides, I still have Desolate Divine Fruits.’

He sensed that he still had thirteen Desolate Divine Fruits left.

This made Xuan Tianzhan even more pleased with himself.

He had obtained twenty Desolate Divine Fruits outside the Inheritance Tower on the third level.

Furthermore, he was rewarded with Desolate Divine Fruits for each layer he passed: one for the first, two for the second, and so on. After clearing the first four layers, he had received a total of ten.

Adding the six his ancestor had prepared for him...

...that made thirty-six in total.

He had now used twenty-three of them to pass the first four layers.

Thirteen remained.

’I should be more frugal with these Desolate Divine Fruits. At worst, I’ll just spend a little more time. The time dilation on this third level gives me plenty, anyway. I’ve already comprehended the first four Sword Techniques. The fifth is difficult, but compared to when I first saw the first technique, I can understand much more of it now. With a few more Desolate Divine Fruits, it shouldn’t take long.’

Xuan Tianzhan smiled faintly.

He calculated that although the fifth layer was difficult, he should be able to comprehend it with just six Desolate Divine Fruits.

When he was first starting out with the first Sword Technique, Xuan Tianzhan had used a full ten Desolate Divine Fruits just to grasp it. But once he got the hang of it, the second technique only took six, the third only took three, and while the fourth was a bit harder, it still only required four.

The fifth technique was harder still, but six should be enough.

This was the difference between comprehending Sword Techniques and comprehending Time Secret Patterns. Sword Techniques followed a certain path; the more you comprehended, the easier they became to understand. It was like walking down a road that grew smoother and flatter the farther you went, allowing you to walk faster and faster.

Yang Xiao, however, had chosen to comprehend the Time Secret Patterns. This was like building a road, layer by layer. Each new section was longer than the last, naturally requiring more and more time.

However, unlike Yang Xiao, who could use Desolate Divine Fruits without interruption...

...Xuan Tianzhan, whose Spiritual Power was only at the Middle Tier of the Observing Micro Realm, needed to rest for at least a month after using a single Desolate Divine Fruit.

That was why he needed so much time.

Otherwise, with so many Desolate Divine Fruits on hand, how could it have taken him a full ten years to comprehend the first three layers?

And now, he had spent over three more years...

...just to comprehend the fourth layer?

Moreover, compared to Yang Xiao, Xuan Tianzhan was far more relaxed.

He held such a massive advantage.

He simply didn’t believe Yang Xiao could catch up to him. Although this was his first time in the Northern Wilderness Sword Mansion, the Profound Celestial Sect had been preparing for this for a thousand years.

He had learned many secrets from his ancestor long ago.

On top of that, the eight Inheritance Sword Orders contained a great deal of feedback and information about the Northern Wilderness Sword Mansion.

Xuan Tianzhan knew very well how difficult it was to enter the Inheritance Tower on each level. For all he knew, Yang Xiao might have already been killed by the Barbarian Beast King guarding it.

So, in his view...

...Yang Xiao was nothing to worry about.

The truly annoying thing was that terrifying Golden-winged Roc outside, which kept him trapped here, too afraid to even think of leaving.

’But once I break through the 7th Layer and become the master of this place, will I still need to fear that stupid bird?’

Xuan Tianzhan broke into another foolish, self-satisfied grin.

Just then, a voice drifted in from outside.

”Inheritor, come out. I wish to discuss something with you.”

’Hm? Who is it? Could there be someone else on this third level?’

Xuan Tianzhan’s expression changed.

He strode outside.

However, he had only just reached the valley entrance when he saw a glittering golden figure standing there.

Xuan Tianzhan flinched in fear.

He hastily retreated back inside.

’Oh, hell! It’s that Great Golden Roc! It must be trying to trick me into coming out. I’m not falling for it.’

Seeing this mouse-like coward, a flicker of disdain crossed the Golden-winged Roc’s eyes. It thought to itself, ’How could such a timid wretch be worthy of becoming the master of the Northern Wilderness Sword Mansion? Hmph. If there were any other choice, I wouldn’t even spare this guy a second glance.’

Though it thought this, the fact that Yang Xiao had killed its only kin enraged it even more.

Besides, a piece of trash like this was unworthy of being its master.

A little intimidation should be all it took to make him compromise.

With this in mind, the Golden-winged Roc spoke up, ”Inheritor, there is no need to be afraid. I have come this time to propose a trade. I wonder if you might be interested?”

”A trade? I don’t believe you! You’re definitely trying to trick me into coming out!”

Xuan Tianzhan shouted back.

The Golden-winged Roc was rendered speechless.

Seeing it fall silent...

...Xuan Tianzhan couldn’t help but reveal a smug look.

”See? I was right, wasn’t I? Someone like you trying to trick me! What a stupid bird! Haha.”

”You dare call me a stupid bird?! You despicable human, do you have any idea you’re courting death?!”

The Golden-winged Roc was furious.

A brilliant Golden Light erupted from its body, making Xuan Tianzhan jump in fright.

But when he remembered that the Golden-winged Roc couldn’t enter the valley, he started laughing again. ”Stupid bird! You can’t get in, anyway! Besides, I’m about to become the master of the Northern Wilderness Sword Mansion. We’ll see if you still dare to touch me then!”

”The master of the Northern Wilderness Sword Mansion?”

The Golden-winged Roc’s golden pupils radiated contempt. ”With your level of talent, taking over a decade just to reach the fifth layer, what right do you have to be the master here? Since you don’t want to trade with me, I can simply find someone else. As for you, you can stay here and dream. Master? Bah! When that other person arrives, we’ll see how you compare to him!”

”What? Impossible! You’re lying! There are no other Inheritors here!”

Xuan Tianzhan cried out.

Seeing how nervous he was, a flicker of cunning triumph flashed in the Golden-winged Roc’s eyes, but it maintained a casual tone. ”You say there are none? I’ve seen him. Here, he looks like this. Right now, he’s in the valley of the Celestial Poison God King. I’m afraid it won’t be long before he obtains the Celestial Poison God King’s inheritance. Tsk, tsk, that’s the inheritance of a Divine King. When he comes here after that... I imagine killing you would be child’s play.”

”It’s him! Impossible! I don’t believe it!”

Xuan Tianzhan was stunned when he saw the illusion conjured by the Golden-winged Roc.

He never would have imagined that Yang Xiao could have reached the third level of the Northern Wilderness Sword Mansion so quickly.

There was only one way to accomplish that.

He would have had to comprehend the first six Sword Techniques of the Celestial Desolation Swordsmanship.

In such a short amount of time...

...how could he possibly have done that?

”I can’t be bothered with you.”

The Golden-winged Roc turned as if to leave.

This was the final straw that broke the back of Xuan Tianzhan’s wishful thinking.

He cried out, ”Wait, don’t go! What do you want to trade? No matter the condition, I, Xuan Tianzhan, will agree! Just as long as you don’t make a deal with him—no, that’s not right. As long as you agree to one condition of mine.”

”What condition?”

This time, the Golden-winged Roc was genuinely curious.

”Kill... kill him!”

Xuan Tianzhan said, grinding his teeth.

Hearing this, the Golden-winged Roc laughed.

It replied readily, ”Fine. I agree!”

But inwardly, it was laughing.

’This foolish human is so easy to trick.’