Volume 1, Chapter 178 – Thirty Times the Cultivation Time

Back in the great hall, Gu Han calmly reflected on what she had gained from refining the Donghuang Bell over the past month.

The vast Dao laws contained within the bell had deepened her understanding of the Chaos Scripture even further.

Although her refinement progress had only increased from twenty-five percent to forty percent, her command and use of the bell were already on an entirely different level.

Just then, Gu Han sensed a ripple of excitement coming from the Myriad-Phenomena Tower to the west.

“Master… Xiao Wan is awake!”

The clear, childlike voice rang directly through her sea of consciousness, still carrying the dazed innocence of one newly awakened.

A faint smile touched Gu Han’s eyes. She vanished from the great hall and appeared before the Myriad-Phenomena Tower the next instant.

The ancient, unadorned tower looked no different from before.

Yet on closer inspection, the runes flowing across its surface were far more vivid than they had once been, as though they had come alive.

Above the tower doors, an orb of condensed starlight slowly materialized. It was the manifestation of the tower spirit, Xiao Wan.

“Master!”

Xiao Wan bobbed excitedly around Gu Han, radiating unmistakable delight.

“How do you feel?”

Gu Han asked.

“Mm… I’ve recovered a little, but not completely.”

A hint of embarrassment entered Xiao Wan’s voice.

“But I can keep the tower’s basic functions running without any trouble! It’s just that I can only control the first floor right now…”

“I can sense that time flows even faster on the eight floors above, and their Dao Resonance feels different too.”

“But I don’t seem to be able to open them…”

Gu Han was not surprised by Xiao Wan’s explanation.

The Myriad-Phenomena Tower had come from the System. Although it had now developed a tower spirit, Xiao Wan’s authority was clearly restricted. Gu Han would still have to spend points to unlock the upper floors herself.

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“That’s all right. Take your time.”

Gu Han reassured her.

“For now, focus on controlling the first floor and helping the disciples cultivate. As for the upper floors…”

She reached out to the System with her thoughts.

“System, how many Master Dao Points will it cost to unlock the second and third floors of the Myriad-Phenomena Tower?”

[Ding! Assessing the Myriad-Phenomena Tower’s current condition…]

[Second Floor of the Myriad-Phenomena Tower: Time flows at twenty times the rate of the outside world. Cost: 40,000 Master Dao Points.]

[Third Floor of the Myriad-Phenomena Tower: Time flows at thirty times the rate of the outside world. Cost: 60,000 Master Dao Points.]

[Friendly Reminder: To unlock higher floors, the tower spirit, Xiao Wan, must reach the corresponding stage of growth before she can maintain them reliably.]

[Does the Host wish to unlock the second and third floors?]

A hundred thousand Master Dao Points was a steep price, but the two floors would dramatically accelerate the disciples’ cultivation!

Gritting her teeth, she silently commanded:

“Confirm the unlock!”

[Ding! Master Dao Points successfully deducted! Current Master Dao Points: 284,350.]

[Authorization to unlock the second and third floors of the Myriad-Phenomena Tower confirmed! Integrating the relevant laws…]

As the System notification faded, Gu Han sensed subtle changes taking place within the Myriad-Phenomena Tower before her.

The previously dormant spaces on the second and third floors came alive, releasing an aura of Dao laws far denser than that of the first floor.

Xiao Wan’s glowing orb trembled slightly, as though she, too, had noticed the changes occurring within the tower.

“Master… The second and third floors have changed!”

Xiao Wan cried out in delight.

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“It’s like they opened on their own! Xiao Wan just needs a little time to familiarize herself with them, and then I’ll be able to control them!”

“Very good.”

Gu Han nodded and instructed her:

“Xiao Wan, familiarize yourself with the second and third floors first. I’ll have the disciples enter them to cultivate later.”

“Yes, Master!”

Xiao Wan obediently agreed, and the glowing orb quickly slipped back through the tower doors.

After returning to the great hall, Gu Han considered matters briefly before sending a voice transmission through her divine sense to every corner of the Immortal Palace.

A short while later, streaks of light flew in from all across the Immortal Palace. Their radiance faded outside the great hall, revealing the figures within.

Deputy Palace Master Yun Yun and Grand Elder Li Hanyi arrived first. Both women possessed an extraordinary bearing as they entered the hall side by side.

They were followed by Yun Miaoyi, Pavilion Master of the Alchemy Pavilion; Elder Fushan, the inspection elder; Elder Mo Lin, the guardian elder; and Die Wu, Pavilion Master of the Formation Pavilion.

Last to arrive were Jin Feng, Qingluo, Canghai, Hongying, and Xuanya, the five outer sect elders at the peak of Body Integration.

Before long, every member of Yaochi Immortal Palace’s core leadership and all its most powerful high-ranking experts had gathered in the great hall.

Gu Han calmly swept her gaze over those assembled below.

“I summoned you here today to discuss three matters.”

She went straight to the point, her clear voice reaching everyone in the hall.

“First, the tower spirit of the Myriad-Phenomena Tower has awakened. The tower will soon reopen.”

She paused before sharing another piece of news that instantly lifted everyone’s spirits.

“I have unlocked its second and third floors.”

“Time on the second floor flows twenty times faster than in the outside world. On the third floor, it flows thirty times faster.”

As soon as she finished speaking, the few who had joined the Immortal Palace earliest managed to remain composed.

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The elders who had joined later, however, could not contain the shock and delight blazing in their eyes!

Fushan clenched his fists in excitement and declared in his booming voice:

“Palace Master, the disciples are truly in for a windfall this time!”

Yun Miaoyi’s gentle face was wreathed in smiles as well.

“With this, the disciples’ cultivation will undoubtedly improve by leaps and bounds. I’m afraid the Alchemy Pavilion will have even more trouble keeping up with demand for medicinal pills. We’ll need to prepare in advance.”

After a moment’s thought, Yun Yun nodded.

“We’ll need to revise the allocation of cultivation resources and establish new rules. We must ensure fairness while encouraging the disciples to strive harder.”

Jin Feng, Qingluo, and the other three outer sect elders also offered their suggestions.

They knew perfectly well that this was not merely an opportunity for the disciples. It would greatly benefit their own cultivation as well.

More resources would be allocated to the most outstanding and diligent disciples, but the cultivation environment itself would be open to everyone.

“Cultivation on the second and third floors will still be subject to restrictions.”

Gu Han’s voice tempered everyone’s excitement.

“Those who enter must meet certain requirements in both cultivation and temperament.”

“The Deputy Palace Master and the elders will determine the specific details together.”

“Yes, Palace Master!”

Yun Yun solemnly accepted the order, her eyes already thoughtful.

“The second matter.”

Gu Han changed the subject, her expression growing more solemn.

“In a while, I will travel to Central Province to attend the Central Province gathering at Sovereign Longteng’s invitation.”

The moment she said this, the hall fell silent.

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The Central Province gathering involved the Immortal Ascension experts of all Five Regions.

The Palace Master’s journey carried enormous significance, but it might also harbor considerable danger.

“Palace Master, should I accompany you?”

Li Hanyi spoke in her usual cool tone, though her eyes were full of concern.

Gu Han shook her head slightly.

“There’s no need.”

She looked at Yun Yun and Li Hanyi.

“While I am away, the two of you will assume full responsibility for all affairs of the Immortal Palace.”

With a flick of her finger, she sent a streak of silver light into Li Hanyi’s palm, where it transformed into a token made of neither metal nor jade.

“This token can activate the Nine Heavens Dragon-Guarding Formation. Combined with your cultivation, it will allow you to hold your own even if an Immortal Ascension expert attacks.”

“We will obey the Palace Master’s command! We will protect the Immortal Palace and await your return!”

Yun Yun and Li Hanyi answered in unison, their expressions resolute.

The other elders bowed as well.

“We will spare no effort in assisting the Deputy Palace Master and Grand Elder and safeguarding the Immortal Palace!”

Seeing everyone’s enthusiasm and determination, Gu Han gave a slight nod.

“If there is nothing else, you may go and make your preparations.”

“Yes!”

Everyone answered in unison. After bowing once more, they filed out of the great hall in an orderly manner.